"Happy birthday dear Sarah! Happy birthday to you!" everyone shouted. Lunette smiled and suddenly the room cleared and dancing began. And she could hear the girls begin their chatter. "Merana you never want to dance," one teased and Merana arched a brow, "That's just because Uncle Jim gives me more time and then I have to listen to you two argue," she snapped. "Aw Merana are you being a wallflower again?" She froze up and Lunette smiled, hearing Jim's teasing voice. "I most certainly am not!" she snapped, and her face turned crimson as Jim said, "Captain Newport has just arrived, he is waiting for you." Her eyes widened and he smiled for her, "Are you going to meet with him?" he pondered and she gaped for a moment before rushing off. He smiled back at her sisters and arched a brow, "Who am I taking dancing first?" he asked and the both of them looked at him before Ceciala merely stepped away, "I'll wait my turn," she whispered bashfully, "because I went first the last time." Illiana laughed triumphantly and Jim merely laughed, "Allow me," he said sweetly.
Lunette watched them disappear into the dancers until a hand caught hers, pulling her along. She stiffened for a moment, before she found Jackson, again guiding her along. He guided her about the dance-floor and a smile curled her pert lips. "Jackson," she said as his hand drifted to cup her waist, "Still as beautiful as ever Lunette," he complimented, "It's a shame you always turn me down."
"You're far too young for me, you know I'm old enough to be a spinster now," she joked. He chuckled, and just over her shoulder he saw Jim watching him and Lunette closely. "I see my Uncle fancies you," he said and she frowned, "I assure you he-"
"He has never invited any woman but his mother to our parties, let alone allow such a flower as yourself come into his mother's inn," he interrupted. And she sighed, "Jackson I assure you, nothing will come from this."
"Then why is he watching you?" he retorted as he spun her about. She stiffened up and her eyes widened at him, "What do you mean?" she asked with furrowed brow. "He is resting from dancing and watching me rather closely with you," he added, "something he has not done to me since I left the academy." She felt a small trickle of laughter fall past her lips. "Probably because you are what they call a playboy," she teased and he chuckled, "If ladies are willing to fall so easily for a rather doggish boy like me then I see no fault of my own." He leaned into her as the song ended, they pulled away and bowed to one another before the crowd clapped. Jackson, caught her up though, and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Be careful Lunette, I'll steal you back if he harms you," he warned. Her eyes widened, and as a server passed them with a tray of drinks, she caught one and gulped it down. Jackson's eyes widened, "Lunette," he began, she interrupted, "You're making me nervous." He caught her hand and took the now empty glass from her fingers, as he guided her away from the dance-floor. "I was merely teasing," he said. She shook her head, "I know, but still-"
"But still? You couldn't possibly, you do fancy him that much? Lunette, Uncle Jim is not a man to go sporting after, he deals with the lowest and most dangerous of pirate outlaws!" he whispered at her. "I know! I know!" she snapped. She waved her hand in front of her face, "I'm hot." Jackson said, "You're blushing," he chuckled. "Ugh!" She handed him the now empty glass and caught another before she headed for the balcony. Fresh air, that's what she needed. She gulped down the drink and set the glass aside before she eased outside. The cool night air sent chills through her and she rubbed her arms together.
"I see Jackson is courting you?" Jim's voice came from behind her and she fought the urge to face him. She looked out over the night skies and said, "Jackson is not courting me. He wishes to, but I deny him."
"He is a rather good match for you is he not?" Jim asked properly. She laughed, her drinks had gone straight to her head. "He is far too young for me. And I do not wish to have Dr. Doppler as a father-in-law." Jim's chuckle soothed her, and released the tension she felt in her shoulders. He walked up to stand beside her and turned to look into the inn as his back rested against the balcony. "Miss Silver, do you regret your actions?" Her eyes widened for a moment, but she smiled. "Of course not. Do you?"
"I do," he admitted. "But I do not regret just yesterday." Worry furrowed her brow and she hid her face from him as she said, "I am sorry." And with that she turned to head back inside. He followed after her and just as she entered, he pulled her out onto the dance-floor. His hands trapped hers, and pulled her closer as he whispered, "Do you regret anything?" Her eyes flicked up to his and she sighed. "Yes."
"Aye? And what would that be?" he pressed. She held her head high and poised while they danced. But when they spun her head bobbled. Those drinks! "I should have been more assertive, I wish I was a woman that deserved you," she said. Her response, she saw in his eyes, caught him off guard. A giggle welled up out of her and she smiled up at him. "Your expression," she whispered. Her head fell back to laugh and she leaned into him for support and laughed gaily as she faced him, "I think I need to rest," she whispered, and he shuddered, because as she spoke, her lips skimmed his throat, sending chills through him, "Lieutenant Hawkins, if I told you I missed you, would you believe me?" His eyes widened and he pulled slightly away from her, to look at her, "Miss Silver, I must say I am very glad to have heard that from you, and-" His words paused, her hands touched his ponytail and her lips barely touched his own. "Lunette," she murmured, "Please say my name." He raised an arm, leaning it against the wall behind her, shielding them from any onlookers as he went to press his lips to hers.
Just a gentle chaste kiss, it was just enough for that moment. But as he pulled away to look her over his groin tightened seeing her half lidded eyes. "I want more of that," she whispered. His hand caught hers and he went to pull her into the darkened hallway. She looked behind them, and found no one, and giggled for a moment before he pulled her around and kissed her. She braced herself against him and he could taste champagne on her tongue. "Jim" she whispered. And he had pulled away from just a moment until he had latched himself onto her lithe neck. "Oooh," she moaned and then he pulled away and gently kissed her. "We cannot be hiding and doing this," he murmured. She groaned and pouted before she pulled away and straightened herself. His words sobered her and she walked away from him and back into the festivities. She stayed away from him. And found the triplets sitting at a nearby table and she plopped herself into a chair. Illiana asked, "Are you okay Lunette?" She bit out a response, "Yes. Just a bit tired."
She had lied, but after she said it, she yawned and truly noticed how tired she really was. She put her elbow on the table and nodded her chin into the palm of her hand and merely people watched. What in the world was going to happen?