"Good evening, Lord Beckett," the door man said, bowing as Beckett made his way in to Norrington manor

"Good evening, Lord Beckett," the door man said, bowing as Beckett made his way in to Norrington manor. The maids took his hat and cloak, and led him out to the gardens, where James and I had just sat down to tea in the conservatory. As Beckett sat down, James and I looked at him, and then went back to our tea.

"Welcome, Lord Beckett," James said without any emotion. "Do help yourself to the tea."

Beckett took a cup, and one of the butlers nearby poured hot water into it. "Thank you, Admiral, for the welcome, and for inviting me to your humble abode. But for what reason was I called to this, ever so private, meeting?"

"Comprimisation," I said calmly. "About last night," I said, glaring at Beckett. He only smirked.

"I see," He said, his tone proving what He had just spoke right. "You told your dear brother about our little quarrel last night."

"'Little quarrels', Lord Beckett, do not involve slapping," I spat angrily at him. His nostril twitched, and his muscles began to tense up. A sure sign He was going to lash back at me.

"Comprimisation, you two. Not more fighting," James said, seeming to have said the magic word to calm us both. I took a deep breath, and began.

"Why don't you want to let Mercer have his time off?" I asked.

"It would be too hard to replace him," He replied. My eyebrows raised in surprise.

"That's all?" I asked. He looked up at me.

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a man that good at the job?!" As Beckett raised his brow questioningly, a wide grin started spreading across my face.

"James," I sweetly asked my brother, " would you mind if Lord Beckett and I stepped out to have a private word?"

James looked up oddly at me. "Be my guest," He said. I thanked him as Beckett and I got up to leave.

Once we were out of hearing range, I turned around to face Beckett, a wild grin plastered on my face. "Does it have to be a man to do the job?" I asked. He caught my drift instantly.

"Heather," He sighed, "It would be too complicated and risky to have a woman work for me as a clerk."

"I would disguise myself as a man! No one but us would know that I'm a woman!"

"Name one good reason why I should let you."

"We would be spending a great deal more time together. And since you'll be paying me, it'll be like paying yourself."

"It would take much training."

"If you don't already know, we live together. And the wedding is in five months. That's plenty time to train."

Beckett sighed, giving up. "Under no conditions will I have you murder anyone.We will start training tomorrow night after our evening meal for one hour. No one must know of this. If word gets out, King George could have me either fired or demoted, sending the company into a bustle and our family into the streets."

"My lips are sealed," I said.

"Very good. You will begin your work the day after the wedding, Mr. Mercer," Beckett said, smiling. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him, barely being able to contain my excitement.

Authors note

Sorry for the long wait, everyone! I got my braces off a few weeks ago, and we've been busy planning out my next birthday party, which is in about a week! July has always been a busy time for us.

A conservatory, by the way, is like a Green House of the past. During winter, people would bring their plants in the conservatories to keep warm and grow. But it was always the perfect place to sit down, and have tea! It often had window seats and a chair, windows, and a small table.

Keep up the great reviews!