Chapter 11 is just fluffy family goodness. Assured to give you a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

There is also mild sexual content. The same amount as I said for the last time.

After dinner, they all gathered in the parlor. The housekeeper, whose name was Rosie, brought tea, and smiled warmly at Mariette. She attended Horatio especially. He smiled at her warmly as well. As Horatio and Archie told stories of the sea, Horatio's younger brother, Abraham came and sat on Horatio's lap. He didn't seem to mind at all. Mariette could see the love in his eyes as he told stories of the sea. She had seen him tell stories to others, while she was hidden. There was never that love as in his eyes. She broke out of her musings as she heard her name.

"That Marquis was mad, absolutely stark raving mad." he said waving a hand with one arm still around his younger brother so he wouldn't fall. "Left and right he was executing people who didn't join the army to help him. He tried to kill a small child for singing the new French anthem."

"But Horatio saved him. He told the Marquis that an innocent child wasn't worth the powder."

Horatio blushed. The eyes of his family praised him.

"He also stood up for the peasants as the Marquis insulted us as his dinner. I used to be his serving maid. When he was run out, I became a school teacher. But when he returned, I was put in my former position. That is how I know all of this. Horatio is too modest to tell the whole story." his family looked even prouder, if that was possible.

The talk then turned to Horatio's father's practice. Abraham got bored on his brother's knee, and ran to Mariette. She picked him up and allowed him to sit with her. Horatio beamed at how quickly his family had taken to Mariette. They also had taken to Archie and Remy. They treated both like family. They praised Archie about his battles, and teased Remy about losing his ship to his future brother-in-law.

Remy said " the only reason I fought was to protect my sister. Both systems don't work." the family was sympathetic. Tonight was perfect, mused Horatio. His younger brother fell asleep in Mariette's lap, which was a signal for all to go to bed. As Horatio led Mariette to his room, his mother said

"Horatio, where are you taking her?"

He raised an eyebrow at how obvious the question was.

"I'm taking her to bed, mother." he winced.

"That came out wrong. I'm taking her to my room to sleep."

"Oh, no. we don't allow that."

"Mother, she stays with me on the ship anyway. Why does it matter?"

His mother pursed her lips. She didn't look happy. Horatio drew Mariette closer.

"Fine, but if I see, any fluid on the bed in the morning, I will take you both out and beat you like rugs. Do you understand me?"

Horatio smiled "Yes mother."

He then led her to his room. It was a good sized room, with a large bookcase, a desk and chair, a side table, and a bed.

He turned around so she could undress. She undid the lacing of her gown and slipped on her nightgown. She had difficulty with the laces though.

"Horatio, could you help me tie up the back.?"

Horatio crossed the room in a few strides. He leaned over her and nimbly did the back up. She climbed in bed. It felt good to be in a real bed again, not a hammock. Horatio began to undress. He stripped down to nothing but his pantaloons. She could see how well defined his chest and stomach muscles were. He really was quite thin. He put on a light airy white shirt that came to mid thigh. He let his hair down from the usually ribbon and shook his head slightly to loose his hair. He then climbed into bed and snuggled under the blankets.

"It's cold tonight." Mariette whispered.

Horatio nodded in agreement. He reached out and pulled her close. He kissed her. He gently inserted his tongue in her mouth and there tongues moved together. His arms snaked around her. She wrapped her arms around him as well. He began to gently undo the ties that held her nightgown on her. When all the stays were undone, he pulled the gown off, exposing her. He then rolled on top of her. She drew back slightly. He paused and looked at her with concern. She knew she was being silly. She was engaged to him and he was being gentle. She shook her head and moved back towards him. He pulled his own shirt off so there skin was touching. He began to kiss her more passionately. His mouth moved from her lips to her jaw line to her neck. When he began to move to her breasts, she knew it had to stop. They would be caught. She pulled back. He then realized that they needed to stop. He put his head on her shoulder and lay there another few moments. Then with a sigh he rolled off her. She put her gown back on but he left his shirt off. She curled up in his arms. The next thing they both knew, it was morning, and Horatio's mother was waking them up. When they both were out of bed, she flipped the covers back and examined the bed.

Horatio, still half-asleep asked "What are you doing, mother?"

"Checking the bed like I said I would."

"Ah." Horatio waited for his mother to leave. Then he dressed and waited outside the door for Mariette. They then went to breakfast together, hand in hand.

Oh, how cute! ;)