~ • ~

I was awake before dawn. I had slept little, my mind wandering. I stayed in bed for a few more hours, reluctant to get up. Even though it was spring, the heat of summer seemed a long way off. Eventually I made my way downstairs to the dining room. I piled my plate with eggs and sausages from the dishes on the table. I ate without tasting, last night replaying in my mind and how I would miss everybody when in Paris.

After a while, the others came down, first the duchess with a pleasant good morning and then Frank, his mood dark and gloomy. The Duke was away on business.

"Looking forward to Paris dear?"

The Duchess asked me, only to receive an angry glare from Frank. I ignored him and answered in the same cheery tone that even to me sounded fake. My teachers at Dury Lane would be appalled with my performance.

Frank and his mother exchanged glances. Frank had one eyebrow cocked in that way he does when he's got nothing to say in return.

"Yes, very much. Should be a nice change of scenery."

"When do you sail?" The Duchess asked her voice now sounding as fake as mine. She didn't bother to ask me what that tone had meant, the tension in the room growing.

"Just after noon, Joseph offered to take me in the carriage, that is if you won't be needing it."

Frank piped up suddenly.

"I was going to take the carriage on my trip south this afternoon"

The Duchess clipped him around the ear.

"Do not be as so rude to a family friend. She's helped us through a lot of dark times"

The Duchess looked at me as she said this and I gave her a small smile in return.

"Take the carriage dear. Frank will cope even if he doesn't arrived in the style he planned for"

"Thanks" I said, glaring at Frank, if looks could kill he'd be dead twice over.

He followed me as I headed out the door and into the waiting carriage, hopping in after me. I stared at him wondering what was up.

"What? You really think I'd let you leave without saying goodbye? Syd and Bridget are waiting at the docks already."

I just stared at him in disbelief, which turned to annoyance. This was just what I needed, an emotional send off.

~ • ~

Arriving at the docks, I made it a clear intention I didn't want an emotional send-off. I shook hands and bid farewell to those I didn't know all that clearly and to those who had heard about my plight to Paris. When I passed Bridget, I gave her a hug. Her eyes were already brimming with tears.

"Come back soon Cat. I know it's only a week you'll be gone, but I'll miss seeing you around. Have a safe trip!"

"I'm sure everything will go smoothly and I'll be back before you know it"

Syd crushed me against his chest, squeezing the air from my lungs in one of those gigantic bear hugs of his. He didn't let go until I wheezed a small gasp.

"Cat, I want no funny business to happen to you. Can you promise that?"

I knew it was a hard promise to keep. What if something happens to me? J-F's letter sounded legitimate. I hadn't had too many encounters with Paris's gangs of outlaws and thieves. But why was I so scared to tell Syd I would be fine?

"I promise"

Syd's eyes felt as if they were staring into my sole, looking for some sign that I was going to be truthful. I stared back. Satisfied, he scratched his head if meaning to tell me something else.

"Yes?"

I asked it carefully not hiding the curiosity as to what he wanted to tell me.

"It's nothing. Say 'Hi' to that friend of yours, J-F for me will ya?"

I smiled and nodded.

As I turned to walk to the boat a voice coughed behind me. I turned to look and found Billy standing there. He was dressed to impress clearly. He had a tailored suit on. I hadn't forgotten what had happened in Jamaica and the kiss we had shared at the ball in Bath. I felt a blush creep into my cheeks. Though he disgusted me still, he had this effect over me that I couldn't seem to disguise.

"What, no goodbye for me?"

He smirked and out the corner of my eye I saw Syd looking our way, I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Billy continued before I had time to think anymore.

"Looks like a great passage to Paris for us. I hear the weathers looking fine for the entire journey."

My mouth dropped a fraction. Did he really just say us or is my mind just playing tricks on me?

"You mean you're on this boat too?"

~ • ~