Ross got ready for the Sunday service like he was going to battle, which was truer than ever. He made an effort of combing his hair and shaving as cleanly as he could. His clothes was some of his newest and best, clean and pressed, and even his boots shone with fresh polish. He smiled wryly remembering the last time he asked Demelza, as Danny, to polish them. God, was it only a few weeks ago? How everything has changed. These days he was more likely to do her work for her than to ask her anything.

She still was presenting as Danny, seeing as they needed to arrange her living situation. He asked Verity and Elizabeth to find out if there was a suitable older woman looking for a companion. His story, which he concocted in the dead of the night, was that one of his army friends has suddenly came into his inheritance and was responsible for the poor relative - a young woman of very little means, but also of very modest needs. Ross added, although it wasn't something that he mentioned to Demelza, that the said poor relative would have a monthly settlement. Again, modest, but sufficient for pin money and such. He felt responsible for Demelza and she earned some money while she was employed here. He felt like it was a fair solution.

Verity and Elizabeth both were curious about this friend they never heard of and even more curious that Ross took interest in helping an unknown young woman. Verity gave him a knowing smile and he winced when he recalled her comment on his new-found lighter spirits being the result of a possible love interest. He imagined that when Verity met Demelza as a young woman, his cousin would suspect the truth of her statement immediately. Despite the delay in resolving the situation with Demelza, Ross felt optimistic. Even the upcoming social engagement with the Cornwall's prominent families after the fiasco of the duel did not dampen his spirits. It was worth it.

He rode to Trenwith to join the rest of the clan. Francis, still recovering, rode in the carriage with all the ladies, while Ross and his Uncle rode on horseback. They made an imposing picture - a well sprung carriage and two gentlemen accompanying it. His Uncle was still in a strop over how the situation was resolved and talked little to Ross. It suited him as his thoughts were back in Nampara.

He asked Demelza to saddle Suleiman to arrange for some time alone with her. She was dressed in Danny's loose clothes and her hair was habitually disheveled and all he wanted to do was to see her in a woman's dress. Of course, when they were alone in the stables, he just took the saddle out of her hands and proceeded to harness Suleiman himself. Demelza gave him an exasperated look, but he ignored it and she started cleaning up the stalls. His little industrious girl, he thought affectionately.

He finished the saddling and turned to her. She was sweeping the ground, the movements pulling the shirt over her slender back and he marveled again that he was so blind before. Now he saw that what he thought as malnourishment on Danny, was just her incredibly slim and delicate built. Her waist was tiny and he imagined it would look even more so if she wore in a corset. His imagination quickly drew a picture of her in a deep burgundy dress, her remarkable hair a halo around her beautiful face. The image was so enticing, he walked up to her and quickly turned her around, keeping his hands on her waist.

"Sir!" she squeaked and he only laughed at the adorably flustered face.

"Ross," he spoke lowly, their intimate position eliminating the need for normal tone of voice.

"R-Ross," she stumbled because he was running his nose along her hair, inhaling the familiar scent of salt and mint. "We shouldn't..."

"I know... Oh, how I know..." he said still holding onto her tightly. "Still want to..." he pressed kisses along the forehead and side of her face ending at the beautiful pink shell of the ear. Even her ears were perfect. "You know that I would stand near you when you wrote letters for me? Just so that I could catch a whiff of your smell? You smell like the sea and meadows... I was forever looking for chances to stand closer to you..." he whispered into the little shell only to watch it pinken further until it was almost red. He blew on it and the shudder that run through her was the most delightful thing he ever saw.

But his triumph was short-lived as Demelza, adventurous and not shy, lifted her hands and ran them through his hair, the light scrape of fingernails on his skin making him break out in goosebumps, "And I wanted to touch this hair for forever. It is as black as Suleiman's pelt, shiny like the silk dress I saw in the chest upstairs, and-" she gently fisted the hair on his nape "-so soft..."

The rest of her statement got lost in a searing kiss that he planted on her, his desire spiking at those artless words. God, she was amazing, unspoiled by pretense taught to the society young women, and it was refreshing and amazing. She whimpered a little, the noise making him lose a little more of his restraint and he walked her to the post until her back hit it. She leaned against it, her eyes half-mast and lips reddened from their kiss and he only held off from ravishing her then and there by the look of absolute trust that he saw on her face.

With effort he stepped back from her and tried to bring himself under better regulation. Oh, but she was the temptation and innocence all in one... Judas...

Ross was brought out of his memory by the distinct discomfort he now felt riding at a good pace. Hmmm, perhaps he should stop thinking of his secret future bride. It only would make things worse for him right now...

Sitting in the family pew with his family and Captain Blamey, Ross had an excellent view of the Teague ladies and noticed that both were often adrift in their prayer books and that Mr Teague had to patiently find the right page for them. It was obvious that the sitting arrangements on the Poldark pew made everyone wonder about the rumors and gossip. For his part, Ross kept one ear out for the service and another - to catch any wayward whispers. When the clerk gave the note for the psalm, he listened to the usual uncertain murmur, led by Mrs. Choake's penetrating but often off-key soprano, before leading off with a confident baritone. He did not sing often, having been a less attentive practitioner of religion, but he knew his psalms and hymns. Besides, he needed to make as good an impression as possible. The congregation thankfully accepted his voice as a more promising lead and the rest of the service was much more melodious, with Verity and Elizabeth offering their harmonizing voices.

After the service, the congregation stopped for the usual exchange of pleasantries, his Uncle particularly wishing to chat with the magistrate regarding the hunting prospects. Of course, this was an opportunity to add a joke or two about hunting accident that supposedly took place in Nampara. Francis stood near his father, Elizabeth having been accosted by her own mother. Ross stood as a sentinel near Verity and Captain Blamey, until Ms. Teague got the necessary wherewithal to approach the somber group.

Verity and Ms. Teague exchanged stilted civilities, exclaimed over the unseasonable warmth, expressed their hopes for continuing dry weather and very quickly ran out of civil commonplaces. Verity glanced over at her father, still expounding, apparently oblivious to the magistrate's growing bewilderment. Ross knew all about his Uncle's ability to appear oblivious.

However, Verity had no idea just how very pretty she looked. She wore a dress that was a different colour to her preferred light-gray. Her chestnut curls clustering beneath a most becoming bonnet, the blush of her cheek complemented by the dark blue of her ribbons and spencer. Verity was happy and it was making her exceptionally lovely. Captain Blamey looked at her like she was the most wonderful sight in the world, his affection almost unseemly so near the house of God. It was obvious that Ms. Teague observed it too and finally asked what she meant to.

"My dear Verity, I heard reports of the most unusual kind about events of this week!"

"Oh dear, I hope you did not find yourself too concerned over those wrongful reports, Ruth. 'Tis was only a mishap at the hunt. Of course, Captain Blamey and Francis are less likely to shrug it off, but there is nothing for it. Both missed their targets terribly and the flock of birds in Nampara got to live another day."

"I dare say, my birds are grateful to be spared," Ross added jovially and Ms. Teague looked at him sharply. "Captain Blamey, if you find yourself in need of shooting practice, you are always welcome to Nampara."

He saw the moment it registered with Ms. Teague that the Poldarks were publicly showing support for the Captain.

"Indeed, Captain Poldark, I believe I shall take you on this generous offer," the ohter man was showing a remarkable hold on his temper.

Verity smiled widely at this pronouncement and Ms. Teague turned to Ross again.

She raised her face to him and smiled, "I really must thank you for your assistance with the singing, Mr. Poldark. I have seldom heard us make a more 'joyful noise unto the Lord'. You should attend more services in Bodmin."

He felt a moment of discomfort, but politeness was more important right now than the need to discourage Ms. Teague, "I would hardly know if this was better than any other day. Besides, I believe Verity and Mrs. Choake attributed greatly. And, I suspect, that soon enough the chorus of singers here in Bodmin would be supplemented by some exceptional voices." He made a point to look at Verity and Captain Blamey in turn and was rewarded by a blush on his cousin's face and a look of shock on Ms. Teague's.

She left them soon, no doubt eager to spread the news, and Ross sighed in relief. The hard part was over. Once people saw that the Poldarks were there together with Captain Blamey at their family pew, Verity had no shortage of ladies, who wanted to talk to her. There were quite a few pointed questions and even more pointed looks at her midsection, but his cousin was unflappable, even if her cheeks flamed. Better yet, Great Aunt Agatha was on hand and he never knew a more disdainful woman. She delivered her pronouncements on everyone with so little decorum, hiding behind the notion of being an old lady, that even the most caustic of people were silenced by her.

Ross' only true disappointment was when he spotted Francis talking to George Warleggan. The pale man with even paler eyes was not as careful as he thought himself to be. Ross knew that George had an unusually strong dislike of him. He thought that George's friendship with Francis made little sense, other than George needed all the acquaintances among gentlemen to elevate his standing. Ross wouldn't have cared about who George's ancestors were, but he did chafe at the mercantile ways of the Warleggan family. The quiet conversation between his cousin and his nemesis did not last long, but he caught Francis' displeased expression, followed by a quick look from Ross to Elizabeth.

This was a new observation for him. Untill now Ross believed that George merely disliked him and tried to insinuate himself in Ross' financial affairs. He did not realize that George was poisoning Francis' against him. And resorting to jealousy as a motivation for sowing discord among Poldarks. As usual, he wished he could just bite his tongue and be friends with George, but there was nothing for it. Some things Ross simply could not stomach. At least he could be sure that this particular tactic of George's would not work very well. Ross had little interest in pursuing anything with Elizabeth and, if everything went well, Francis would have little reason to be jealous as Ross would be himself married.

They finally were able to leave the church grounds and began their journey to Trenwith. Uncle Charles was in better mood now that the hard part was over.

"I tell you, my boy, very few of them believe the story your servant made up, but none of them are going to challenge it. Cowards the lot of them. All talk and little action," older man delivered it smugly and Ross wondered what made him so at peace with the situation. He did not have to wait too long. "They all are afraid, you know."

Ross only looked askance.

"Now that Francis has shown himself as a gentleman ready to duel for the honor of the family, few people would directly disparage either Verity or Elizabeth to his face. And if they are not afraid of him, there is you to step in. They know you need little reason to pick a fight and you were in the army." Uncle George was still smug and Ross wondered at how easily his relative embraced Ross' infamous temper, when it suited his needs. "And, since everyone realized that Captain Blamey is courting Verity, they definitely would keep their tongues to themselves. I say I can be assured that there would be few rumors openly spread about my daughter. Shame that she has to marry that blackguard, but her chances were non-existent already... She would be settled. Francis is going to be a father and Poldark line shall go on. 'Tis a good time to be alive."

Ross felt acutely his own place in Uncle Charles' world. He only was pleased that his relationship with cousins was better than relationship between his own irreverent father and his hard-headed Uncle.

After a meal at Trenwith, Ross finally left for Nampara. He felt lighter and lighter as he approached his home, anticipation building in him. This was where he felt at ease and at peace. This was where some of his most loyal supporters were. This was where Demelza lived. At least for the time being.

He spurred Suleiman on.

/

Demelza was visiting Jinni, who was so big by now, she could hardly rise from the chair without help. Demelza was helping her to sew clothes for the new babe. Her thoughts, though, wandered towards her employer and one of two men, who wanted to marry her. She had a nervous laughter bubble up when she thought of it like that: Mr. Pol- Ross wanted to marry her, but so did her not-Uncle. That was a strange thought indeed.

Jinni caught her smile and asked, "Ye be smilin' now, ducky. How come?"

"Oh, just glad everything's resolved with Ms. Verity and her Captain," Demelza hated to keep secrets from her only friend, but she had to.

"Oh, ye happy for Ms. Verity. An' wha' 'bout Capt'n Ross? Whe' ye gonna tell 'im?"

Demelza smiled widely, "I did."

"Ye be tellin' tha' truth, ducky? An' wha' now?" Jinni was genuinely surprised.

"Oh, Jinni. I was wrong to worry so much. He understood my problem and wasn't mad at me for lying."

"I tol' ye. He be kind."

"He is. He is just like his father," Demelza barely contained the giddy laughter. Ross was kind like his father, but he was so much more to her now...

"He gonna let ye stay in Nampara?" Jinni's practical question brought her back.

"Well, he thinks since everyone in his family knows me so well, I won't be able to hide for much longer as a boy-"

"So, ye be living like a girl here?"

"No... We think I should leave Nampara and find a living in town with some older gentlewoman. If I stay in Bodmin and live like a young miss, mayhap my family won't come looking."

"An' then?"

"And hopefully I can live like this until I am one and twenty, then my da' word will have no power over me," Demelza chin rose in defiance and she desperately wanted to be older than her nineteen years.

"Ye better off with Ms. Verity tha' some ol' crow!" Jinni said with passion and Demelza looked at her, surprised. Jinni wasn't looking at her and was attacking the cloth in her hand. Demelza gently tugged it out of Jinni's hands.

"What is it, Jinni?"

"Nuthin'" Jinni said and Demelza only stared at her. "Oh, stop lookin' at me. Ah jus' reckon it be hard wit' some lady ye dunno. An' I be missin' ye. An' Nampara be empty without ye. Whe' tha' babe comes, I be busy here and Capt'n Ross won't have a proper dinner wih' tha' lazy chit Prudie."

Demelza was floored by the emotion, she blinked her tears away, "I will miss you too. And you are right: Ms. Verity is so very nice, but she is to marry soon."

"But her Capt'n be away at sea! She be needin' company! An' ye know Ms. Verity not be sittin' drinkin' her tea all day. She be a good mistress."

Demelza was struck by this observation. Could it really be that easy? Could she find a living with Ms. Verity after she marries? She said she would hire Danny... Mayhap she would hire a maid?

Demelza colored again... No, Ross would not allow for it. And she herself wanted to live not as a maid before Ross proposed again. If he proposed again...

She needed to talk to him again.