"Now, now, Jimsie, why the long face? We're off the event of the season! Admiral Marcus doesn't invite just anyone to his balls, after all."
Jamesina Kirk merely shrugged at her companion as the carriage rattled over the roads that led them to the Admiral's grand residence.
Normally, she would have been chattering non stop about the delights of the ball and who she hoped would dance with her and how much she loved her pale blue gown.
Tonight she could hardly muster the ghost of a smile at her good friend Gaila, who'd been happily discussing the latest gossip and who had designs on the Admiral's daughter.
"Out with it, Jimsie, tell me your troubles," Gaila coaxed, laying her gloved hand on Miss Kirk's arm.
Sighing heavily, Jamesina finally spoke aloud her dread.
"HE is going to be there, Gaila. Mother informed me that I will be meeting Captain Pike tonight. He's a friend of the Admiral's, I understand."
"Oh, darling!" Gaila exclaimed sympathetically, "She's still determined that you will marry the captain?"
"Yes," Jim sighed despondently, fingering the cameo around her neck. "And he is twenty years my senior."
Winona Kirk was in a rather unfortunate situation, having lost her husband and recently, her only son. The estate was left in shambles due to poor management and the late George Samuel Kirk Jr. had left numerous debts that had them under pressure from creditors. That left her and her daughter in a precarious situation and she'd told Jamesina (Jim for short) that she had to get married in order to avoid homelessness.
This was highly objectionable to the free-spirited daughter of George Kirk, a well-known naval hero who had gone down with his ship while saving many lives.
Jamesina had listed many reasons why it was a bad idea.
"Would someone willingly marry me knowing we're doing it for financial reasons?"
"The Kirk name is very honorable and respected, despite our lack of wealth." Winona replied. "I am certain they will not object to your wit and beauty, either."
"We can't stay with any of our relatives? Surely, someone would take us in."
"Possibly, but the only ones close enough have little means themselves and I could not add such a strain."
Then she'd started making lists of potential husbands and Jim had fled to her favorite refuge-the library.
Winona considered and crossed off names one by one until there was one left-one who also happened to be an old family friend.
"Captain Pike? Really, mother? He's old enough to be my father! I haven't seen him in years and I always thought of him as an uncle."
Jim was very agitated and a little repulsed.
"I know, dear. But you do know he is a man of impeccable character and would be kind to you. If he is not willing, we shall have to take Wilfred up on his offer to live with him and Maggie."
That made Jim shudder. Her cousin Wilfred was a most conceited prig and slyly insulting to the seafaring branch of the Kirk family.
As weeks went by and no answer came from the mysterious captain, Jim began to believe she was off the hook so to speak and she was swept up in preparations for Admiral Marcus's upcoming ball.
Her shock was great, therefore, when Winona told her she'd received a response from the captain and he'd agreed to talk to Jim at the ball.
"This is utterly absurd," Jim sighed as the carriage turned into the drive to the Admiral's estate. "My own mother throwing me at this gentleman's head to keep us out of the poorhouse."
"Nothing is official yet, sweetie," Gaila encouraged. "Cheer up. Who knows, you might meet a young, handsome, lord tonight!"
In minutes, the girls were alighting from the carriage and entering the magnificent hall at Starfield.
Jamesina and Gaila were greeted by the Admiral and his daughter, Carol, as they walked into the spacious ballroom which was packed with Lords and ladies in dazzling attire.
"Hello, hello!" the admiral boomed. "Miss Kirk, Miss Orton, welcome. Do come in and enjoy yourselves. We have a thrilling evening planned and the night is young! Plenty of food, dancing, and eligible bachelors! Speaking of which, you may wish to meet my friend Captain Pike, he is recently returned from sea and served briefly under your father."
"I have heard of him," Jim said as casually as she could. "I have not seen him since I was a girl, though."
"Well, well, high time you were reacquainted, then," Marcus beamed. "Christopher! Get your sea dog self over here and say hello to these fine young ladies."
Jim wanted to die of embarrassment, but she couldn't think of an excuse to escape yet.
"You're not being overly subtle about this, Alex," came a wry voice just beside Jim.
She turned to see Captain Pike approaching, looking as tall and dignified as she remembered, but with more grey in his hair and lines in his face. Despite this, he appeared to have aged very well and the sharp grey-blue eyes were as perceptive as always.
He was quite dashing in his dress uniform and she could see plenty of women eying him with interest.
"Miss Kirk," he acknowledged her pleasantly, "Its been far too long. A pleasure to see you again."
"You too, Captain," she managed to reply, wondering what her mother had told him and hoping she didn't mortify herself.
"How is your mother? She sounded rather worried in her letter."
"Her health has been better lately, but she doesn't come out in society much since my brother died."
She wasn't about to tell him about the fact they'd been forced to sell a good deal of furniture and other valuables to keep the creditors at bay. If he paid them a visit it would be very clear.
"This is my friend Miss Orton, Captain," she said introducing Gaila, who was her usual charming self, red head bobbing in a curtsy.
"Pleased to meet you, Captain," Gaila chirped. "We're honored to have such a distinguished officer mingling with us."
"The pleasure is mine, Miss Orton," replied the captain. "Alex here convinced me not to return to my hermit like existence just yet. I confess I am not usually the life of the party."
"That's okay, Jim here will make sure you are never bored, won't you, Jim?"
"Jim?" Queried the captain, looking at the blushing Miss Kirk with amusement.
"It's a nickname," mumbled Jim, who wanted to sink through the floor and disappear. Here she had thought Gaila would help her, not dig the hole deeper, with her romantic notions.
Across the room, she spotted her friend and family physician Leonard McCoy and wondered how she could subtly signal for help.
Carol Marcus, bless her heart, caught on to her distress and spoke up.
"Father, I do believe Miss Kirk needs some refreshments. I shall show her to the table."
Before Marcus could say anything, Carol had taken Jim's arm and steered her to safety, while the officers looked on.
"Alex, I feel old," admired Captain Pike. "She was just a bright eyed girl when I left and now, she's a beautiful young woman."
His eyes followed Jim as she laughed and chatted with a swarm of admirers by the punch bowl.
"I know what you mean," sighed Marcus. "Carol went from a slip of a girl to a blooming belle and it won't be long before some young gentleman will be asking for her hand."
"Likely," agreed Christopher. "I do not begrudge my unmarried state when I hear my contemporaries state such troubling dilemmas."
His shrewd grey eyes twinkled at the fretting fathers scattered around the room.
"Mark my words, Chris, you'll fall under the spell of one of these ladies and be a family man just like us."
The Captain was skeptical of his friend's prediction and determined to never mention Winona Kirk's request in his hearing.
He couldn't help but wonder if the book-loving, witty, girl who wanted to sail the world herself and peppered him with questions was still there inside this dazzling grown up version of Jamesina Tabitha Kirk.