I'm back! I'm sorry it took so long. As usual, enjoy, and review at the bottom, and, if you notice any errors, please let me know.

We got back on board and I dragged Francis to my cabin. He set down the boxes then said, "I will be by later to help you get ready."

I made a face. "Really?"

"Aside from Arthur, I am the only one with experience in this field."

I sighed. "You have a point, even Alfred cannot help me. I would fear for the dress' safety if he helped."

Francis laughed. I smiled and said, "When does Arthur want me to be ready?"

Francis grinned. "I will ask him right now."

I nodded and sat down on the bed. I sighed softly, thinking about the dress. I had not been to a formal event since my brother joined Arthur seven years ago. It had been too long. I stood up ans tarted to go through the steps. Imagining Arthur as my partner, I rested my left hand on his right shoulder, taking his left hand with my right. I began a slow waltz across the floor of the cabin, letting the imaginary Arthur guide me around the small room.

I felt a hand settle on my waist, and another take my floating hand, as someone stepped in, displacing my imaginary Arthur. He led me around the room a few times before placing a tender kiss on my forehead. I opened my eyes and saw Alfred in front of me. He was smiling sadly. "It's been too long since we've danced."

"Seven years," I said softly. "You took me to your farewell party. I was your date."

He laughed. "I remember. Everyone was jealous."

I blushed and looked at my feet. He pulled me into a hug and buried his face into my hair. We stood there a while, just being together. We had not been this close for seven years. I had missed him. He finally pulled away and smiled. "Love you, sis. And even though I protest, there is not a man in the world I would rather you end up with than Arthur."

"What?"

"Arthur, you. I approve."

I grinned and threw my arms around his neck, placing a kiss on his check. "Thank you, Alfie! Thank you!"

He laughed and spun me around, then set me down again. "Arthur told me to tell you to be ready when the sun sets."

I nodded. "Tell him I will be."

"Can't I see the dress?"

I smiled. "You can see it when Arthur sees it."

"Aw, come on! I'm your brother!"

I laughed. "Fine, you can wait outside the door and make sure Francis does not try anything."

"Francis! Hell if I'm going to stay outside. I'm staying in this room!"

I smiled. "You should go get him."

"I am already here, ma cherie."

I turned and faced him with a smile. "Hurry up, then Francis, we have until the sun sets."

He closed the door and approached me, smiling. He pinched my cheeks. "You are positively glowing. Arthur is lucky to have you."

I swatted his hands away and blushed. He walked over to the boxes on the bed and said, "Let's started."

I nodded and started undressing. I pulled on the stockings and shoes as he pulled out the corset. He wrapped it around me and began tightening it. I kept breathing as he pulled it tight, tying it off, then helped me into the hoop and petticoats. He helped me into the dress, then did up the back.

I sat down on the only chair in the room. Francis smiled as he looked me over. "You won't need any make-up."

"Good, we do not have any."

Francis chuckled. "But I can do your hair."

I smiled and settled into the chair.

He walked around to the back and sank his fingers into my hair. He ran them through a few times, then began parting it. He began twisting and pinning, and I wondered where he had gotten the pins. He finished and stepped back. I wished I had a mirror to look at his work. I heard Francis walk over to the table, then return and hand me a mirror. "Thank you."

"De rien, ma cherie."

I held the mirror at arms length and examined my hair. In the front, the hair was looped up and framing my face. Francis had braided the ends of the loops, along with some of my other hair, tightly to my head, forming a halo around my head. In the back, the hair was looped tighter and the braid included those ends as well. The top was done in tiny twists. It complimented the dress and my face very well.

I smiled and handed the mirror back to Francis. I stood and hugged him. "Thank you, Francis."

He smiled and placed a kiss on both cheeks. "You are very welcome."

I stepped away and faced Alfred. Smiling, I made a slow turn. He approached me, smiling softly. "You look beautiful, Amy."

I hugged my brother tightly. He hugged my back and I buried my face in his chest. Francis cleared his throat. "Though I enjoy watching this amour, Amelia, you are wanted at the captain's cabin."

I released Alfred and he gave my arm a squeeze. "Love you, Amy."

"Love you too, Alfred." I said, pecking him on the cheek.

I left the two men in the room and slowly made my way down the hallway, doing my best not to fall. It had been too long since I had worn these kinds of clothes, and walking in them on a ship was doubly difficult. I reached his door without mishap, however, and knocked. "Come in, love," I heard his voice say smoothly.

I pushed the door open and gave a small little gasp. Arthur was standing behind his desk, which had been cleared and was set with a rich dinner. I could name none of the dishes, but there was a bottle of wine, and the room was lit by candles. Even more stunning was Arthur. He had combed his hair back slightly and was wearing a simple black suit. He looked like a proper British gentleman, and he was incredibly handsome.

I realized my mouth was open and shut it as he walked around the desk. He shut the door and locked it, then wrapped his arms around my waist. "You are beautiful, my little treasure."

I smiled, feeling my face get a little warm. "You do not look so bad yourself, Captain."

He smirked and leaned froward, capturing my lips in a gentle kiss. He pulled me as close as the dress would allow, then pulled away, pouting. "Your dress is in the way."

I smirked. "Good."

He chuckled. "But not completely in the way."

"What?"

He pulled me close again, then placed a soft kiss at the base of my neck. I shivered. He smirked. "Lots of skin showing, Amelia." I turned crimson.

He laughed, pecked m lips and stepped back. He released me and gestured to the spread. "Come. Let us eat."

He took my hand, led me closer to the desk, pulled out the chair, then helped me sit. He pushed it in slightly, then returned to his seat. He served the food, then we ate in comfortable silence, thought I was aware of his eyes on me the entire time. Of course, the only time I looked away was when his green eyes became too intense to look at.

When we finished, he stood, then pulled my chair out and helped me to my feet. He placed another kiss on my lips, then took my arm and led me out the door. He took me up onto the deck, steadying me against the rocking of the ship, then paraded me down the gangplank. The crew made several whistles and catcalls, which only made him pull me closer. I blushed at some of the comments I overheard, but decided to let them off easily, today.

He took me through the town and stopped at a very grand building. It was lit from the inside, and it dwarfed all the surrounding buildings. Not only that, the arches and columns and facade made all the other buildings look drab in comparison. He nodded at the doorman who opened the door with a bow. I smiled a thanks at him, then we were through the door and I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. It was true, what my father had said once. Go to one ball, go to them all. The room was well-lit and there were several couples on the floor, dancing a waltz. We walked to the edge of the landing and Arthur stopped me. I looked at him curiously, and he nodded toward a man standing by the railing. I raised an eyebrow.

The man finished examining a sheaf of papers and announced, "Lord Arthur Kirkland and Lady Amelia Jones."

I smiled with amusement. This place was extremely pretentious. Arthur led me down the stairs and paused for a few seconds before leading me into the waltz. His right hand settled at my lower back as he took my right hand with his left. I rested my left hand on his shoulder and followed him as he led me in a few basic steps.

I smiled up at him. "You are a very good dancer, for a pirate."

He looked offended. "You doubted my ability?" he asked as he spun me into a turn.

I returned to his arms, smirking. "I just thought you might be rusty, as you do not have any one with whom to practice."

He laughed. "You would be surprised. I am impressed by your skill."

"I have been dancing before."

"Long ago, and with Alfred."

I laughed. "He is not that bad."

"He was when I tried dancing with him."

I snorted at the image. "He is terrible at following."

"I noticed."

"However, he is quite good at leading. Every girl always wanted to dance with him. It helped that he always wore his uniform."

Arthur laughed. "He would."

I smiled as he turned me under his arm again. "Yes, he is something of an attention seeker, but he was never a player. He is too kindhearted to do that."

Arthur laughed. "He makes a surprisingly good pirate."

"You know, he never courted anyone."

"At his age, that is surprising."

I smiled, shaking my head. "He never did. I once asked him why, and he told me he would never get serious with any girl until I was happily married."

"He is very dedicated, your brother."

I laughed. "And very overprotective."

He nodded. I grew quiet, thinking about Alice, the one woman my brother truly loved. Arthur noticed and said, "Amelia, what are you thinking about?"

I sighed. "What I said before, that Alfred never courted, well, it is not entirely true. There was one woman my brother loved."

"Who?"

"Her name was Alice. She was straight from London and rather bookish, but she was beautiful. She was blonde and had green eyes, and was very petite. She and I became good friends. That is how Alfred met her."

This one's a little longer, but I hope you enjoy. Guest who suggested that I put Fem!England in for America, she will be in, but not in the way you probably expected. I am sorry.

Please review, and I hope you enjoy this. In a couple of chapters, the happiness will go away.