At last, the evening chill settled around the cottage, and regretfully they stepped into the bedroom, and closed the balcony door. Reaching up, and pulling the shawl a bit higher up her neck, the Captain stood gazing at her, reluctant to retreat from this moment of unexpected closeness. "It's late," he said at last, "as little as I wish to, I should leave you to your rest." "Perhaps," she admitted, "but it has been a day beyond anything I could have ever imagined." She stopped and a fleeting, mischievous look crossed her face, "Well, that isn't entirely truthful, imagined yes, but I didn't believe possible." "Now that would be a fruitful topic to pursue," he smiled grazing his fingers on the side of her cheek, "tomorrow is Tuesday after all, perhaps our usual glass of Madeira at 4, and we can share a few of those imaginings – you're a clever writer, I look forward to hearing what you've created about the two of us."
"I look forward to also hearing your thoughts as well," she smiled with a bit of a devilish twinkle in her yes.
"Of course," he replied, with the same look. He turned and listened to the clock begin to sound in the hallway. "It's already tomorrow love, and regretfully it is time for me to depart." He reached out one hand and rested it for a moment on her shawl covered shoulder and disappeared.
Carolyn bent her head down, shaking it slowly from side to side. He was right, and while she wasn't ready to admit it to him, she wouldn't have had the strength to be the first to leave. With a deep breath, she headed to the closet with her nightgown to change for bed. Hand on the closet door; she paused with a puzzled look. "Captain?" she said, in almost a whisper. She wasn't surprised in the slightest when he instantly reappeared just behind her. "M'dear?" "A question Captain? Purely for my own insight." He raised an eyebrow, but slowly nodded. "Each evening I've changed in this blasted closet in the name of modesty, all that stumbling in the dark and banged up elbows. I've always wondered, was it necessary or was I merely fooling myself?"
With an outraged face, he turned, "Madam, what kind of man do you take me for?" "Obviously, a wonderful one; however I notice you did not answer the question." she continued to tease. Tugging his ear, he looked back with a sly smile, "No, I didn't did I?"
He stepped closer, brushed his hands down her arms, and wrapped the shawl over her hand. Bringing the covered hand to his lips, he kissed it, smiled up into her eyes. "Good night Carolyn. And to answer you sincerely, your dodge worked. Not that I didn't occasionally consider taking less honorable steps."
"I would have expected nothing less Captain. I may be a tad disappointed that my charms were resistible, but there may be a day when I no longer feel the need for. . . what did you call it, a 'dodge?" His eyes widening, still holding her hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze. "Carolyn Muir! I must admit, this side of you is not entirely unexpected, and is quite intriguing. But lest you feel secure know Madam, my resolve is open to serious temptation." He leaned and placed one final kiss, on her hand. Expecting him to depart, she was curious when he continued to stand, just looking at her, and she remembered she had seen that same expression once before.
She tried to recall the exact details, "I remember!" "Remember?"
"Yes," she went on, "that exact same expression you have on right now. It was when Dr. McNally was here and you terrorized the poor man half the night." "Ah, yes, Ryan," he sneered in memory. "Do you remember," she asked "what you said when I asked why you made him believe in you?" "Of course. He had denied me in my own house, and there was that other reason too. . ." he stopped, his voice trailing off in amusement, as he finally understood the relevance of her questions and this recollection in particular.
"You didn't like how I was smiling at him." "Go on," he prompted. "I remember it was the first time I knew you truly cared. You said that you remembered what happens to a man when a beautiful woman smiles at him, and when I said 'do you?' you gave me this exact look and blast it, refused to say anything more."
"Indeed. And despite the very welcome change in our relationship, I must remind you that blast is still not a ladies word." Laughing together, they stopped and found themselves staring hard at one another. He continued the recollection, looking suddenly away, "M'dear, It was hardly the time or place to detail precisely the longings, the immense attraction, the need to keep you for myself, was it?" "No," she admitted, "but your look said it all, and it's wonderful to see it again," despite her intentions, she suddenly was surprised to find herself yawning.
"Enough Mrs. Muir, it's clear you need a stern hand here, now off to bed madam. Good night!" With a quasi-obedient smile and nodded, she took her nightgown, and headed as usual to the closet as she replied over her shoulder, "Yes, sir! But be warned Captain, my own resolve is dwindling by the second." She opened the closet, turned around in the doorway, smiled happily and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
"As is mine, my dear," he whispered. "All in all, not a bad thing I think," and vanished.