"And what is this gentleman’s name," she asked flatly. Henry frowned deeply, shooting the tall woman an uncomfortable look.

"His name is A. L. Kingsley," Henry said, then decided to try a different tack. "Can you tell me how to contact him, ma’am?" His watcher moved slowly away from the doorway where she had been standing and walked slowly around him, looking at him from head to toe, a sneer tugging at her lip.

"So, you’re Henry, are you?" she said with a sharp edge to her voice. Henry’s eyebrows shot up in surprise and he spun around to face her.

"How do you know my name!" he exclaimed. The tall woman laughed coldly and reached out to flick at his label derisively.

"Because I am A.L. Kingsley." Henry staggered away from her and shook his head.

"No…that’s not possible, A. L. Kingsley is a well-respected businessman on this island," Henry stammered out. She merely laughed again and shook her head.

"I never told you I was a man, Henry, just that I was the owner of a number of very successful businesses. You assumed because of that I was a man. The initials stand for Agatha Lenore, both names I loath, so I choose not to use them. Now, what are you doing in my shop looking like a vagabond instead of working in the dockmaster’s office?" Henry winced and started pacing as her voice turned hard as steel.

"Carolyn blew it. ‘Captain’ Morgan discovered us together and somehow put two and two together and clued George in to our plan. A week ago Anne threw a fit and ran to her parents’ house and I followed. Once I got there George offered me an ultimatum. Get a horse and ride to the south side port or gather my things and wait like a good boy for the passage here he had arranged for me. I obviously took the latter. He kept me under guard until the ship arrived here and his hired thug could verify that I landed." Henry kicked viciously at his bag and Agatha frowned disapprovingly at him. "Everything I worked for is gone because of that bitch! I ought to send someone to teach Morgan and her precious little tart Allison a lesson."

"Morgan? Captain Morgan?" Henry’s head jerked around at the sound of a new voice. Next to Agatha stood a shorter woman with straight black hair and brown eyes so dark they looked black. Her skin was burnished to a dark gold and her high cheekbones betrayed Spanish blood running in her veins. Agatha’s expression warmed visibly as her companion leaned slightly into her and Henry fought to keep a sneer off his face. The taller woman returned her eyes to him.

"Sounds like you had more ambitious plans that you let on to me in our correspondence, Henry. If I’d have known that you were trying to do more than just work your way into the Dockmaster’s position I would have dissuaded you, especially if I had known that Carolyn Purdue was involved. That woman was changed for the worst by her dead husband, and it’s a shame that she’s taken you down with her." Agatha’s friend’s face grew stern as she listened.

"I don’t know who you are, or what your business with my friend has been, but I do believe I can speak for both of us here. Please leave and do not attempt to return. We have no need to associate with the likes of Carolyn’s allies, especially when we trade with a great deal of people who dislike her." Agatha nodded and stepped over to the door, shoving it open with the palm of her hand. Henry looked back and forth between the two women for a moment then grabbed his bag and stomped towards the door. Scowling he looked over his shoulder as he passed through the doorway. Agatha had her arm resting across the shorter woman’s shoulders and his lip curled up in disgust. The tall woman narrowed her eyes at him and he hurried away, fearful of her wrath.

Agatha pulled the door shut and leaned against it, sighing softly. Her companion cocked her head inquisitively and reached out to take her hand in hers. "How did you get involved with a man such as that, cara mia?" Agatha shook her head and shrugged slightly.

"We were put in contact with one another about a year ago…he was looking to bring more business to his town and said he was in line to be the next dockmaster. That position holds a great deal of weight there, so I kept up the correspondence, he never once mentioned Carolyn. It sounds like he and that harlot had a more grand scheme in the works if George Stromwell made him leave like that." Shaking her head she slid her arm around the shorter woman’s waist and guided her out of the storefront. "I will definitely be interested in hearing what news comes from that town next though."

Morgan walked slowly through the market, taking her time as she studied the various wares for sale. It had been nearly two hours since Isabelle and Anne had whisked Allison away to meet with the seamstress, forbidding her to accompany them, and she was running out of things to occupy her attention. She had one more stop to make before heading back to the Stromwells’ to get ready for the ball, the one task she had been putting off all afternoon. With a reluctant sigh she turned her steps towards her former home, mulling over how she would handle events once she arrived. As her stomach growled she glanced wistfully at a nearby outdoor café and shook her head, recognizing her own procrastination.

Carolyn’s hotel finally came into sight and Morgan took a deep breath, letting her old confidence and arrogance settle over her as she exhaled. A slight swagger snuck into her step and a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she walked boldly up the steps and into the lobby. A couple of the servants recognized her and gasped aloud as she crossed the lobby and entered the dining room, making her swallow a chuckle. A waitress scurried over, eyes wide, and curtsied slightly towards her.

"Can I help you, Captain?" she asked, her voice squeaking a little as her eyes darted towards the archway to the lobby. Morgan smiled slowly and nodded.

"You most certainly can. I have been dying for the Chef’s divine chocolate dessert since my last visit and I’m hoping he will be kind enough to prepare some of it for me this afternoon." The girl nodded and moved away, looking back over her shoulder nervously. Morgan laughed softly to herself and fiddled with the corner of the tablecloth until the waitress returned with a glass of her favorite wine, setting it carefully in front of her. Morgan smiled warmly at her. "Why thank you," she said, "it’s nice to know my preferences are remembered." The girl nodded again and scurried away as if fearful to be caught serving her. Morgan lifted the glass to her lips and closed her eyes briefly in enjoyment, savoring the rich wine.

"You always did like that wine." Morgan opened her eyes slowly, eyeing the blonde standing in the archway to the dining room. The captain lifted her glass a little in a toast and cocked an eyebrow at her former lover.

"You ought to know, Carolyn, since it was you who introduced me to it." Carolyn slowly closed the distance between them, wariness warring with the curiosity that sparkled in her eyes. Her skirts brushed against the tables on either side of her as they swayed back and forth with the movement of her hips, and Morgan let a small smile of appreciation curve her lips.

"So what brings you to my dining room, Captain? It certainly can’t be just the wine?" Morgan let out a low chuckle and looked confidently up into Carolyn’s eyes, watching with pleasure as the blonde struggled not to smile at her.