The rain was pouring down outside and Jim had taken refuge in her father's library with her much beloved books, John being away on business for the day and Winona out paying a call on her friend Mrs. Boyce. She was immersed in Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood and his Merry Men and barely registered the bell ringing. Oh, well, let Sarah deal with it.

She was rather startled at a sound in the doorway and looked up in surprise to see a rather disheveled Captain standing there. He appeared to have come in a hurry and was rather damp. Curling locks of hair had escaped and hung by his temples, lending him a much less imposing and downright rakish look.

"Hello, Captain," she said, scrambling up from her inelegant position on the floor and smoothing her skirts. "Did you need to see Mother? I'm afraid she's gone out."

He shook his head. "I simply intended to leave her my regrets that I will be unable to attend the Komack's party," said Pike in his steady voice, though still breathing rapidly from exertion. "Urgent family business requires me to return to London for the foreseeable future."

Jamesina felt torn between relief and worry, because he looked very anxious about whatever it was. Then she felt bad that she'd never once bothered to find out what his family situation was.

"I hope no one is ill, sir," she said sympathetically.

He looked down at her with those searching eyes for a minute, an unnameable emotion in their blue depths. Then he shook his head.

"No. My long-lost niece has been found after two years of being presumed dead. I am going to my brother as soon as possible."

Oh. She felt even more foolish now. To think she'd once joked with John about him being "above ordinary emotions."

He may not be the most talkative type, but he certainly FELT and had his own problems to deal with, just like regular people. When had she forgotten that?

"I hope she is all right and you have safe travels, Captain. I remember how frightened I was when George disappeared the first time."

She spoke in a much kinder tone than she'd used lately, thinking that her mother's gentle rebuke about the way she'd been treating him was rather deserved.

"Thank you, Miss Kirk."

He looked so grateful for the courtesy that Jim couldn't stand it anymore.

"For pity's sake, you're a family friend, Captain," she exclaimed. "You can call me Jim."

"Thank you, Jim," he repeated, with one of those half smiles he frequently bestowed. "Enjoy yourself at the ball and give your mother my regards. I must be off."

"I will," she promised and in a whirl of coats he was gone. She stood at the window and watched the departing horse and rider until they were a speck on the horizon.

It didn't take long for her to forget all about Christopher's problems once she was dancing in John's arms at the party.

He was looking particularly handsome tonight, dark hair neat as a pin and a finely cut suit that greatly flattered his lean figure.

Gaila was busy flirting with Montgomery Scott, a naval officer who was part of Pike's crew and a lively fellow, whom Miss Orton was very partial too.

Leonard was dancing with Carol and looking quite blissful. Carol smiled up at him with a beautiful smile that showed she was equally happy with the situation.

"They're such a lovely couple," she sighed to John. "I hope Bones asks her to marry him, despite the Admiral being all stubborn about it. They really are perfectly suited to each other."

"Why would Admiral Marcus not approve?" John asked, eyeing the man across the room.

"It is the tiresome "he's not rich enough" argument, which is absurd because Bones is more than adequately supplied to keep her comfortable and comes from a very good family."

"And what does the lady herself think? Does she share her father's misgivings?"

"Not that I am aware of," Jim said honestly. "But she is very tight-lipped about the whole thing and it is impossible to guess her feelings on the matter."

"Very similar to a certain Captain who claims to admire you but will not say a word?"

Jim blushed for no reason, which annoyed her.

"I think it was Mother's wishful thinking that made people get that idea," she said impatiently. "I don't believe you have any real competition for my company."

She followed this statement with a coquettish smile that Harrison responded to with a look of his own.

"You lovely innocent girl," he said softly. "Totally unaware of the hordes of admirers that follow your every move. I have seen the way he looks at you-with a hidden longing for what he cannot have and the regret of a lonely middle-aged man."

Flattered by his speech, Jim nevertheless became uncomfortable at the tone in John's voice when he spoke of Captain Pike.

"Leave it be, John, please," she implored. "I hope you will not taunt him as I still count him as a trustworthy friend and a good man. He has had a difficult family situation to deal with so he was unable to come tonight."

"As you wish, Jim," he agreed. "Let us discuss more cheerful topics, shall we? Perhaps you will allow me to call on you tomorrow. I have a...question to ask you in a more private situation."

Jim couldn't breathe. A question? He had to mean a proposal, didn't he? The way his eyes were boring into hers and the little nervous tick by his throat certainly seemed to point to such a conclusion.

She swallowed hard.

"Yes, I will allow it. You know am always glad to see you, John." He smiled at her answer, one of those full, pleased smiles that she loved so much.

"Excellent. Now, shall we have some refreshments?"

"Lead on, John." Jim took his arm happily, looking forward to what tomorrow could bring.