Author's Note: Thank Heather, cuz I was gonna wait till tomorrow... review for her guys... oh, my e-mail is if case you pefer to send it privately...Meg

Two bottled of wine sat in the cabin. D'Artagnan had drunk half of the first bottle already. He could not remember what it was he was supposed to do.

Jacqueline entered the cabin. "Edmund, here you are…" she stopped as she saw He held up his glass, his hand was still steady, but his voice was loose. " Sweetheart, a little gift for us," he slurred a little.

Jacqueline hesitated slightly but after her talk with the minister's wife, she could use a drink too. She grabbed a glass and let him pour some for her. She drank it quickly; it was sweet and not too dry. She handed her glass back to him as he poured her some more. It was all right, she was steady still and a little wine never hurt anyone, did it?

D'artagnan was loose, maybe not drunk yet, but still his judgment was impaired. Some tiny part of him knew that, but he did not care. Some tiny voice warned him something might happen if he drank anymore, that it might already be too late, but all he did was laugh and pour another glass.

Jacqueline drank with him, and it was nice to see her less uptight than normal. Jacqueline, I was supposed to tell her I love her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him, dimly aware; this would hardly look convincing if she remembered it at all. "I love you Jacqueline, I…" He never got to finish as she pressed her lips to his, and her arms went around his neck. The heat grew and the room started to spin as he deepened the kiss and added his own passions to the mix. All rational thought for either died then and there.

Jacqueline was sure her head was going to explode. Great, first time getting drunk and look what happen! She looked around her, the room was slowly stopping its spin, and her stomach started its tango dance as she raced to the washroom, throwing up.

As she wiped her face, she decided she would never touch another glass of wine as long as she lived. Her thought turned to the night before as the rudely blinding sunlight told her it was definitely morning. Her face flushed deep red as she remembered. What was I thinking? She grabbed a dress out of her trunk that was green velvet. She needed a walk on the open deck. She needed time to think and sort out what had happened. Images protruded forth in her mind, images of d'Artagnan, his confession of love, and then… Her face flushed bright red again as she remembered her enjoyment. I hope he does not remember that, was the only thing she could think.

"Lady Hepburn," came the voice of the Duchess Winchester.

Jacqueline turned. "Duchess," she said.

The duchess looked at Jacqueline a knowing smile on her face. "Why Lady Hepburn you are glowing."

Jacqueline looked at her confused. "You slept well last night? You and Lord Hepburn?" the duchess asked slyly.

Jacqueline's face flushed again and the duchess laughed. "I do remember what it is like to be just married my dear."

She gave Jacqueline a wink. "Well, I must be off; the Duke wants me to meet him for luncheon in the Rose room today."

Jacqueline nodded, grateful to be left alone. Embarrassment lingered, but now confusion set in. Was that how men showed love? Did that mean what he said last night was more than the wine talking?

D'Artagnan paced the floor of the cabin. How could he let that happen? He had promised her brother he would protect her; take care of her and… He felt guilty, guiltier than he ever had about anything he had ever done.

His thoughts turned to her reputation and fear clouded his heart. He had to do something; surely there was something he could do to make it all better? A thought occurred to him. Marry her! That was the answer. That would solve everything.

He turned to the door as she walked in. "Jacqueline, we need to talk…"

She cut him off as she ran up to him and grabbed him into a hug. "Edmund…" she said as tears rolled down her face.

He pulled her away and looked into her eyes brushing away her tears with his hand. "Jacqueline, last night. That should not have happened."

She dropped her hands to her side and her face paled. "What?"

He tried again, "It was a terrible mistake."

She turned around not facing him as more tears fell. "Edmund, what do you mean?" He gulped and cleared his throat…