"Well, Morgan?" she asked impatiently. Morgan moved deeper into the room and leaned against the back of one of the chairs in front of the fireplace, crossing her arms over her chest and cocking her head at Carolyn. She found herself surprisingly relaxed as she answered.

"So are you attending the gala this evening?" A look of shock flickered across Carolyn’s face before she regained control and she looked at Morgan suspiciously.

"I wasn’t planning to, why do you ask?" Morgan shrugged one shoulder and pushed away from the chair walking over to toy with the glass paperweight that sat on the corner of Carolyn’s desk.

"Perhaps you should change your plans, then," Morgan said quietly, meeting Carolyn’s eyes briefly before moving away again. The captain heard a soft intake of breath behind her and smiled to herself before turning around to look across the room. Carolyn cocked her head at her a little, eyes narrowing briefly before she relaxed and smiled. Morgan returned the smile, careful not to push the fragile truce too far.

"Well, then, if I change my plans then I’d best make sure you have your finest to wear, shouldn’t I?" Morgan laughed softly as Carolyn turned and pushed open the panel to her bedroom, returning after a few minutes with a stack of carefully folded clothes. Morgan accepted them and carefully slid them into the satchel she had been carrying. "You’ll need to have them pressed, dear," Carolyn said warmly and Morgan smothered her initial reaction and nodded.

"Yes, I know. It’s been quite a while since I’ve worn them. I’d better get them taken care of then." Carolyn nodded and walked her out to the foyer, her hands clasped tightly in front of her and a calculating smile dancing across her lips when she thought that Morgan wasn’t looking at her. The captain bowed courteously to her former lover before running briskly down the steps, stepping lightly across the street and heading for the Stromwells’. She glanced back once before turning down one of the side streets to find the blonde still watching her from atop the steps and grinned to herself as she headed out of sight. Isabelle, you are a genius, she thought to herself.

Carolyn watched Morgan stride away and felt a thrill of anticipation race through her. I knew you’d come running back as soon as that little tart was off the island, Morgan my dear, she thought to herself as she made her way back to her quarters. Now that you’re over your failed attempt at a rescue we can get back to our lives together. And I have so much planned for you, my dear, so very much. I don’t know how long George is going to have Henry on the big island, but I certainly can make use of your ties to the Harbormaster just as well….especially since you’ve gotten so close to them again. Carolyn laughed softly to herself as she sorted through her wardrobe, dismissing gown after gown as she searched for one that would be sure to draw all eyes to her. The rumors going around the dock are that you made quite the fool of yourself mooning over that little girl. I wonder what your crew thought seeing their captain so….so…pathetic. But that’s alright, dear, we’ll get your reputation back in order. Carolyn let out a soft cry of success as she found the dress she was looking for. She pulled it out and laid it across her bed, looking at the clock on her mantel for a moment before quickly shedding her clothes and making her way to her bath. She paused in front of her mirror and gave her reflection a triumphant smile.

"This is going to be a glorious evening," she said to herself.

Isabelle swept gracefully down the steps, reveling in the swirl of her skirts around her ankles as she made her way to her husband. George stood in the foyer talking with Jack and Morgan, the three of them resplendent in their jackets. It struck her suddenly that Morgan could easily pass as one of their children, her coloring and features very similar to her son’s. Jack grinned down at Morgan and nudged her, the two of them sharing a laugh as George looked on with paternal pride. Isabelle paused at the foot of the stairs and smiled happily at the three of them, grateful to see her dear husband relaxed and laughing once again. It had amazed her how much he had changed since coming to a decision about their future. The strain around his eyes had disappeared and he no longer looked pale and drawn all the time. As she stood there he looked across the foyer and smiled at her, waving at her to join them.

"Bella, you look ravishing," he said warmly, taking her hands and kissing her tenderly. She smiled up at him and slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. Morgan smiled at her from the other side of George where Jack was regaling her with a tale about a couple of sailors and a seagull.

Isabelle glanced up as Anne made her way across the foyer and raised an eyebrow as she saw that she was alone. Her daughter quietly took her place next to her as guests started to arrive, leaning to her and speaking in a low voice.

"Allison will be down shortly, Mother," she said softly, smiling charmingly at a couple of matrons as they swept by into the parlor. "She said she needed a few minutes to calm her nerves." Isabelle shot a curious look at Anne.

"What has she to be nervous about?"

"I think she’s nervous about seeing Carolyn, to be honest. Remember how uncomfortable she was about Morgan going to see her?" Isabelle nodded slowly, glancing at Morgan. Her bright blue eyes flickered towards the staircase often, and a slight frown started to tug at her mouth as the minutes passed.

"I have the feeling our young Allison won’t be feeling insecure about Carolyn anymore after this evening." Anne laughed softly and nodded in agreement.

"Oh, I’m sure she won’t, though I don’t know how she could possibly feel insecure now. Morgan has eyes only for her." Isabelle smiled at her daughter then hushed her with a soft touch of her hand as Morgan moved over to stand closer to them.

"Is Allison alright, Anne?" she asked quietly, concern evident on her face. Anne smiled reassuringly and reached over to pat her on the arm.

"She’s fine, Morgan, she just wanted to make sure that everything was perfect." Morgan laughed softly.

"Well, how would I know if it wasn’t? You two wouldn’t let me anywhere near her when she was in that dress! Maybe I should go check on her." Isabelle reached out and grabbed Morgan’s arm before she could move, nodding towards the door.

"Too late for that, dear, Carolyn’s here." Morgan arched an eyebrow in surprise and glanced towards the entryway. Carolyn was framed perfectly in the opening as she let a servant take her cape and Isabelle was struck, as she always was, by the blonde woman’s striking features. If it weren’t for the fact that her ruthlessness shows so starkly on her face she would be beautiful, Isabelle thought as Carolyn made her way towards Morgan. The woman had chosen her gown to attract attention, as always, and she drew the eyes of all present. She was sheathed in an exquisite gown of deep red, the far from demure neckline framing a ruby teardrop nestled against creamy skin. Her eyes were locked on Morgan who stood relaxed next to her, an amused smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Anne moved to the other side of Morgan and shot her mother a look as the blonde woman got closer. A few of their guests whispered softly among themselves as they watched, and Isabelle knew they were wondering what was unfolding before their eyes. They had kept Allison’s rescue quiet, deliberately spreading rumors that Morgan’s attempt to rescue her had failed. Only a few of the Stromwells’ closest friends knew that the young woman was staying with them, and that had been necessitated by their plan.

Carolyn kept her eyes locked on Morgan, a triumphant smile curving her lips as she approached the captain. Isabelle caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye and glanced towards the staircase, barely swallowing her gasp as she did.

Allison had made it halfway down the stairs where she stood watching for a brief moment as Carolyn narrowed the gap between herself and Morgan. The young woman looked stunning, her rich auburn hair carefully arranged to fall in a cascade of curls down her back. A few strands framed her face perfectly and an emerald pendant hung from a choker to nestle in the hollow of her neck, the color of the stone matching her eyes perfectly. Her gown was a beautiful shade of green that also brought out the color of her eyes, the cut of the gown accentuating her curves, the skirts shimmering in the light.

Allison resumed her descent, stepping gracefully down the stairs then gliding slowly across the foyer. Isabelle watched with baited breath as Carolyn stopped in front of Morgan and smiled up at her former lover, her confidence in her conquest of the captain shining brightly in her eyes. Morgan started to bow reflexively over the blonde’s outstretched hand then froze for a moment before straightening again. Her eyes were locked on the view beyond Carolyn’s shoulder where Allison moved slowly up behind her nemesis. The redhead grinned mischievously at her lover before schooling her face into a polite smile, her eyes dancing with laughter as she glanced at Isabelle. Realization slowly dawned on Carolyn’s face as she realized that Morgan was smiling past her, not at her, and her smile froze on her face.