I was reluctant to leave the bed the next morning, instead pushing myself against Will and sighing when he threw an arm around my waist to pull me tight to him. Not only did I not want to leave my husband for a single minute, I was frankly exhausted after last night. It had been a night of quiet laughter and sighs, of waking in the night to find the other awake and aroused. It had been after midnight before we had actually fallen asleep for the final time, and I knew I had to go shopping. Ethel would probably want to have lunch as well, which would mean more time away from Will.

It took quite a bit to not groan when he shifted around me, clearly waking up. I didn't want to leave his arms, and did my best to writhe against him. If I could get him excited, he could have me again and then we could linger in bed for a little longer. He pressed a kiss to my shoulder, "Ana, aren't you tired of that?"

I smirked, "Never, as you well know."

"If we get up to that then you won't have any time for breakfast," He chuckled, rolling onto his back and pulling me with him. "And you'll need your strength to endure what you're going to today."

"Are you sure you and Lieutenant Johnson don't need some feminine company?" I propped myself up on an elbow. "I wouldn't mind waiting on the both of you."

He gently brushed his fingers through my hair, "You know you can't do that."

"And you know I'm only doing this for you." I muttered, drumming my fingers on his chest. "I know this isn't really your career, but if being nice to Ethel can keep you from getting exiled to some port far away from me, I can endure it."

"And I appreciate that."

"Of course, you will owe me for it." I teased, kissing the tip of his nose. "I certainly hope you won't tire yourself out talking with Lieutenant Johnson, for I'll have need of that clever tongue of yours later."

A slightly flush stained his cheeks. "Ana, good God."

"You've met Ethel, is it really so much to ask for after?"

"I suppose not," He sat up, the blankets falling away from his bare chest. "Although I certainly hope you're going to keep that request private."

"Of course, I will," I sat up with him, giggling. "Even if she begins speaking about how magnificent of a lover her husband is."

The flush on his cheeks deepened, "Ah, well, I mean, I've heard-"

"You don't mean that she-"

"Has other men?" He shrugged, "I've heard it whispered, quite a lot. Apparently neither of them is faithful to the other."

I pursed my lips, "I hope you don't follow his example, even if he is your superior officer."

"You have nothing to worry about." He leaned over, nuzzling my neck. "As you well know."

"I do, darling." I curled my fingers around his head. "While I'm out I'll look for a realtor, I do like the idea of having a house here."

Will moved to stand, "You're giving up on the estate?"

"Hardly, but that will take time." I stood myself, grabbing a dressing gown. "The house can be done relatively quick, and I'm sure that I can find a few people in town who would be glad to have an easy job of watching the place while I'm back in England."

He came over to rest his hands on my shoulders, "Do you not like the hotel? I can always book the room for whenever you're here."

"I love the room," I slipped closer to wrap my arms around him. "But I want to have a place just for us." I stepped back, raising a brow and smirking. "And to decorate better than Ethel has."

We were interrupted by a knock on the door to the sitting room, which set Rigel to barking. Will answered it, sending Rigel off with the footman who had come to take Rigel for a walk and get him his breakfast. He also took down our order for breakfast, and it was quickly brought. I sighed with contentment as I took a bite of the eggs, "I don't suppose I could hire their cook for our house up here."

Will snorted, spreading butter across his toast. "I doubt he'd leave here, and you've been writing about how much your kitchen skills have been progressing." I made a face at him, scrunching up my nose and tossing my head. He laughed, and we fell to talking about what he would be doing that day.

He planned to have a relaxing day, heading down to the makeshift officer's club for the morning and picking up his own navigation instruments before returning to the hotel to tutor Lieutenant Johnson. When I asked what he intended to teach, he talked for a solid five minutes of having him measure parts of the city and work out the distances to the hotel via formulas and consulting maps. I stood, finished with my breakfast and gave him a kiss on the head before heading to the dressing room. "You could have a future as a teacher, my love."

He blushed slightly, "Well, I just want to make sure he knows the basics."

"And teach him everything else he needs." I sighed, pursing my lips while I considered what to wear. I wanted something impressive, but not over the top. Something well-tailored and flattering. The suit I had worn on the train would suffice, perhaps with a little extra jewelry.

And of course, I would be accompanied by Rigel.

I fully expected him to put a twist in Ethel's nose, she did not strike me as the kind to enjoy dogs. I wasn't going to antagonize her, at least not as much as I had last night. I needed Rigel with me, if only to keep me sane.

Will was more than glad to help me dress, and I supplemented the suit with my pearl earrings and a delicate silver bracelet. I would have added a necklace, but the froth of lace was enough. I left my forget-me-not hat, choosing a much more elaborate hat with a frill of feathers along the side of the crown. A pair of fine white leather gloves completed the outfit, and Rigel's dark leather leash showed quite nicely against them.

I pressed a bill into the footman's hand when he brought Rigel back, for he had brushed him out and that was an immense effort. I left Will with a kiss, for the footman had also said Mrs. Beatty was waiting. "Don't enjoy yourself too much."

He kissed me back, "I would say the same to you, but this is a bit of a hardship, isn't it?"

I snorted, "So long as the Reichsters don't show up, it should be a walk in the park." I squealed as Will slid his hand down my back to give my rear a squeeze and a spank before he gently shoved me towards the door. Fortunately, the footman was waiting outside the door to the room, and he quickly led me down to the lobby where Ethel was sipping on a cup of tea.

She screamed, the tea cup clattering to the table and staining the tablecloth. A shaking finger was pointed at Rigel, "Mrs. Murdoch, there's a bear!"

I glanced down to Rigel, his pink tongue lolling out of his mouth. "I don't see one."

She was still shaking even as a waiter came to clean up the table. "Then what is that beast? Don't tell me you're taking him out with me."

"It's just Rigel, and I assure you he's well behaved." I smiled down at Rigel, who was sniffing in her direction and baring his teeth slightly. A growl rumbled through him, "He's a very good dog."

Rigel proved an even greater boon than I had expected, for Ethel refused to get close to me so long as he was around. She sat across from me in her car and kept a wide berth when we reached the store she had selected for our outing.

I reserved my comments about her taste as she began browsing. Everything was of the highest quality, the latest style and exorbitantly expensive. I pretended to be considering a dress when I heard a tongue click behind me, "I certainly hope you're prepared to pay for that dress to be brushed down." I turned to see Ethel glaring at Rigel, whose tail was lightly brushing against a dress. "Honestly, the hair alone is enough reason to make me never want one of those."

I pursed my lips, "I find him to be a great comfort."

"Yes, well I suppose when you don't have children," She muttered, then shook her head. "The vices of a younger woman I suppose."

I knew I needed to flatter her, so I raised a brow. "Oh, I had no idea we weren't the same age! You look so young."

"I was born in 1873." She stood a little taller, deliberately posing. "How old did you think I was?"

"I thought you were close to my age, thirty at the most." I bit my tongue over the fact that she and Will had been born in the same year. "I'm twenty-eight."

"And married to your husband for?"

"Two years, this year."

"Well, I'm sure he'll make you a mother soon." She sniffed at Rigel again. "And then you can dispose of that one."

I clutched Rigel a bit closer as Ethel started walking to a new department, lingerie. "He actually gets along well with children; he enjoys playing with our friend's sons."

"It's only a matter of time until he savages one." Ethel shrugged, "It's in his nature."

I stopped, bringing Rigel to heel. "Mrs. Beatty, I beg of you to please not speak of him like that. Rigel is not only a good dog; he has saved my life."

"Oh, you simply must be joking." Ethel giggled, "He was on the Titanic?"

I drew myself up, "He was with me on the Lusitania and swam me to safety until we were rescued." I watched as the shock of my words hit her, her eyes widening and her nostrils flaring. "You don't need to worry about keeping that secret, it's already well known. I was in the papers for a few days, mostly around the inquiry."

"Oh, I must have been out of London during that time." Ethel reached out and patted my shoulder. "You poor dear, to have suffered so. Let me buy you something, perhaps something that will ensure Captain Murdoch gets you in a delicate state sometime soon?"

I let her lead us through the lingerie, and she loaded my arms down with a number of extremely revealing nightgowns and robes. I had to admit I thought Will might like them, especially the dressing down that was practically see through, a loose chiffon that would flow over my body like water.

I was quite glad when we were done shopping though, even though it meant it was time for lunch. Of course, the store had its own restaurant, and they even brought Rigel some chicken scraps. Ethel made the most boring small talk about the weather, she found it abysmal, the food, it was divine, and her social calendar, which was extremely full.

In fact, she had a tea with a society friend at her house, so would I mind terribly if we went to her house and her driver took me back after dropping her off?

I kept a smile on my face as we loaded back into the car, doing my best to pet Rigel and not grow angry with Ethel. I wanted to be away from her, helping Will teach navigation would have been preferable. Especially when Ethel insisted that I come inside and see everything she had done with the place.

What she had done was stuff it full of the most expensive furniture and paintings she could find in Edinburgh and I found myself abandoned on a tufted chair while Ethel fluttered off to her tea. I gave myself ten minutes before I would speak to the butler and leave, I had to be polite after all. It was while I was waiting, admiring the workmanship of a clock, that I heard a set of steps enter the room. "Mrs. Murdoch? Ah, Ethel had her tea, didn't she."

I turned, seeing Admiral Beatty. "She did, but she also insisted I take a minute to rest after our day and admire the surroundings." I looked around, making it clear I was taking it all in. "She has done a lovely job."

"She has," Beatty reached for the door to the small parlor, drawing it closed. "Although I must admit that sometimes she can be a bit much. I am sorry about what she revealed last night, it was unnecessary."

"Thank you," I ducked my head, "Will and I have grown to live with it, but it can still be difficult."

"Indeed," He came closer, and I did my best to not jump when he took my hand. Rigel glanced up from the spot he had taken on the floor, but laid his head back down. Beatty stroked the back of my hand with his thumb, "Someone as beautiful as you should never have to face anything difficult."

I blushed, trying to draw my hand away but he followed. "Admiral-"

"David."

"David," My heart was hammering in my chest, for in my mind it was Henry standing before me. "I-I-"

He smiled, stepping closer. "Perhaps I should speak plainly." One hand came up to caress my face, but fell when I cringed. "I find you quite stunning, Mrs. Murdoch. And yet, you live alone and away from your husband. You're exiled to Southampton, when you could have such a glittering life." He smiled, leaning closer. "I could give you that, a life that glitters and is full of pleasure. Your husband, and Ethel, would never know."

My mouth felt dry, "And if I say no, you're going to take it out on Will."

"What?" He jerked back, confused. "Why would I do that?"

"To get me to agree," I took the moment to remove my hand. "You're going to blackmail me."

He shook his head, chuckling. "No, I will not blackmail you. An affair should be based on pleasure, not power." David shrugged, "There are plenty of other women who are willing, why would I want to force one?" He looked down to Rigel, then reached down to scratch behind his ears. "I'll call for the car come around; I trust you want to get back to your husband. And I trust that you'll be discreet?"

I nodded hastily, knowing that this proposal would be the first thing I would tell Will about.

Will did not envy his wife what she had to do, but it wasn't as if they couldn't at least make some overture to the Beattys. After the very obvious spat between Ana and Ethel, they had to be seen to make amends, even if he knew Ana would rather pull her teeth than actually make friends with the woman. So, Ana would endure it and make all the right signs, even if her heart wasn't in it. She would come back and want to fill his head with gossip and bemoan her day, and then she would throw her skirt over his head and refuse to let him come up for air until he took care of her.

He would relish the task, because he knew Ana would get impatient and demand his full attention before he had a chance to properly pleasure her. But then he would continue teasing her, making her fall apart over and over until he carried her to bed.

But that was for later, for now he had made his way to the plain brick building that was serving as the officer's club on base.

It was a warm and cozy atmosphere, filled with leather chairs and tables discarded by the Admirals and other higher ranks. A massive bar filled one wall, every type of whiskey and brandy imaginable waiting to be consumed. A number of officers had already made their way inside, drinking and smoking around the tables. A card game had broken out between a group of Lieutenants, cursing and joking audible even over the battered record player in one corner. Will nodded to the man behind the bar, moving to a rather deserted corner.

A set of bookshelves dominated it, stocked with books that officers had no more use for. No one minded if one was taken, for there was always another to take its place. There were plenty of adventure novels, classics, and three entire shelves devoted to dirty books that would have made him, let alone Ana, blush if he opened them. Almost neglected in a corner were some basic books on seamanship, and he was collecting them when he heard the boisterous laughter of the card game die away.

Will was far too used to the society parties Ana dragged him too, for he knew what the tingling along the back of his neck meant.

When he straightened up, the books in his arms, he knew he was the center of attention. Men were looking at him, voices quiet but he could catch bits of what they were saying.

"His wife fought with Mrs. Beatty."

"Lusitania and Titanic, I wouldn't have married her for any amount of money."

"Bet we'll see him become an Admiral too, if his wife has any say."

"He's a Jonah, let alone his wife."

Will paid them no mind, or did his best to, as he left the club. He knew the gossip would have begun, for the other captains would have come back to their ships and told their officers, their wives would have called other wives, and the officers would tell the enlisted men. Frankly, he was surprised when he boarded the Unicorn and didn't hear any whispers follow him.

In fact, the only thing following him was Sam, who appeared quite miffed that Will had not been around. Will could barely walk to his cabin with the way the cat was twining around his legs, and eventually picked the damn thing up. If any of the men thought it odd to see their captain walking through the ship carrying a cat, they didn't remark on it.

In fact, the only one who said anything was Sharpe when Will entered his cabin. The man nodded to him, "Captain, I wasn't expecting you back so soon. Aren't you still on leave?"

Will nodded, moving for the instrument case on a shelf. "Just a quick visit, then I'll be leaving again."

"Well take that little devil with you." Sharpe chuckled, for Sam had sprung from Will's arms to lay on his desk. "Leave him in Mrs. Beatty's bed, I'm sure she'll enjoy it."

Will paused, looking over. "Why would you say that?"

"Half of Rosyth knows what she said last night." Sharpe shrugged, "The other half will know by tomorrow."

Will pulled the case off the shelf, tucking it under his arm. "And? What do you think?"

Sharpe looked him in the eye, a small smile on his face. "I think that I'm far from the first person you've saved, although I hope you won't be looking to marry me if anything happens to Mrs. Murdoch." Will let out a laugh at that, and Sharpe snorted. "There's not a man onboard who thinks badly of you, sir. If anything, Mrs. Beatty should avoid coming around, she might find herself thrown overboard."

"I highly doubt she'd sully herself coming down here." Will shook his head, "I'm off, be sure that Sam gets fed."

"He drinks half the milk onboard and doesn't chase the mice." Sharpe snorted, "He's on half rations until the rats go away."

Will was still chuckling over that when he reached the hotel, barely managing to get control of himself as he asked the manager to send up a fine tea to their rooms. Lieutenant Johnson was sure to be unused to the fine food the hotel provided, so while Will told them he wanted the best food, he requested nothing overly fancy. Not like last night, instead they would have hearty sandwiches, good strong tea and perhaps a few beers after.

He was unpacking his case while the tea was brought up, and had barely sat down at the table before Lieutenant Johnson was ushered into the room. The boy looked a bit pale, but still snapped a salute. "Captain Murdoch, sir."

"At ease, Lieutenant." Will returned the salute, "And you may call me Will, or William if you prefer."

"Thank you, William." The lad shifted on his feet, "I-I, you can call me Bertie."

"Well sit, Bertie." Will gestured to the other chair. "We'll get a start on this tea before we begin." Will couldn't help but grin as Bertie tore into a roast beef sandwich, watching as the boy winced at the horseradish. "Not to your taste?"

He shook his head, taking another bite. "No, I enjoy it, I just wasn't expecting it."

"Well, get your fill before you head back up. Rations aren't quite as good when you're at sea."

Bertie paused, his cheeks blushing. "Well, I-I, when I'm at sea, I c-c-can't keep things down." He dropped his head, setting the sandwich back on his plate. "A sailor who gets seasick, what a joke I am."

"Hardly," Will shrugged, gesturing for him to continue eating. "Why when I started out I turned so green the others called me a frog for weeks. And you're in the North Sea, it's not an easy ride." Bertie grinned at that, and Will rolled his sleeve back to gesture to a few points on his wrist. "Now, try pressing down here and here when you have the feeling. I've heard it helps."

Bertie cocked his head, "Really? Where did you learn that?"

"During one of the Australia runs I did we hit a storm, made all the first class passengers sick as dogs." Will's voice grew wistful for a moment, for it had been on a run much like that where he had met Ada. "The ship's doctor had spent some time in China and learned the trick from a Chinese doctor there." Will pursed his lips, "He also said to have them suck in ginger candies, I can send you back with some."

Bertie had finished his sandwich, and was eyeing another. "Thank you."

"Just write to me and tell me if it helps." Will poured them both a cup of tea. "We can start if you're ready."

Over tea, sandwiches, and eventually the beers, Will managed to get a sense of Bertie's skill. To be frank, it was not much. The lad even admitted that he had graduated at the bottom of his class at Osborne and then Dartmouth, but Will couldn't see why. His navigation skill needed work, but when Will quizzed him on gunnery the lad knew his stuff.

Will leaned back in his chair, looking at the papers that had slowly taken over the table. "Bertie, you're not a failure. You've just had bad teachers. We'll get you up to snuff, trust me on that."

The next few hours passed with him walking Bertie through exercises, measuring the distance to other buildings and judging them against a map of the city. He sketched out a few constellations and helped the lad through how to take measurements from them. He marked out pages in the books he had brought, not to mention the ones Bertie had come with, for the lad to review.

It was while they were bent over Will's sextant that the door was opened, a massive black dog barreling into Will. He was laughing as he was bowled over, "Hello, boy."

"Oh, Lieutenant Johnson, I wasn't expecting you to still be here." Ana breezed in, a maid carrying a number of boxes behind her. She cast a disparaging glance at Will, "Honestly Will, were you going to keep the boy here all day?"

"As long as needed," Will joked, accepting her hand to help him up. He pressed a kiss to her lips once he was back on his feet. "I hope you don't mind."

"Not a bit, although I'll have to order dinner for three sent up." She looked to Bertie, "Would you like to stay?"

The lad blushed deeply, bowing his head. "I wouldn't want to impose."

"Nonsense, you're a guest." Ana smirked, taking a beer from the bowl of ice. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to change."

It took Bertie a few minutes to lose his blush, and even longer for him to return his full attention to the discussion. Will was thankful Ana kept herself in the dressing room, only emerging when dinner had been brought up. She emerged dressed much more simply, in a navy skirt and ivory shirtwaist, her hair loose and no jewelry to be found.

If anything, it only made Bertie stare more as she sat, smiling and drawing him into conversation over the chicken that had been brought. Will would have felt threatened if it had been another man, but Bertie stared at her like a schoolboy. There wasn't a single bit of lust in his gaze, rather it was like he was seeing an angel brought down to earth.

An angel who was far too interested in hearing his progress on navigation, and who offered a few opinions of her own.

By the time dinner was finished Will was feeling rather jolly, Bertie had been stuffed full and almost rolled out the door with instructions to write and write often, and Ana was swirling a glass of whiskey as she leaned back in her chair. "I like him, he's a good boy."

"Who has had bad teachers." Will drew her up, leading them over the sofa where they could sit together. Rigel was already asleep on the rug, so he couldn't see how Will nuzzled at her neck. "How was shopping?"

"Utterly intolerable." Ana leaned back, allowing him better access. "She had no idea about the Lusitania, surprisingly."

"She's losing her touch then, it was in all the papers."

Ana hummed for a moment, making her throat buzz most delightfully against his lips. "I wonder if she didn't know because it wasn't in the Admiral's papers. I'm sure that's where she gets all of her information."

"I don't doubt."

Ana hummed again, her fingers drawing his face up. "Will, I have something to tell you." She glanced down, her voice rather shaky. "Admiral Beatty made a proposal to me, he wanted to have an affair."

Will's fingers dug into her arms, "What?"

"He wanted to have an affair with me, I refused him, of course." She leaned her head against his, "He accepted when I said no, and that he wouldn't punish you for it."

"Ah," He inhaled her perfume, bright and citrus scented. "Well, you have nothing to worry about on my end. I find Ethel rather repulsive."

"You're not alone there." Ana chuckled, "Although I have to admit I will enjoy tweaking her nose, I had her driver stop at a realtor and gave him orders to find me a place up here. Soon you'll be begging me to leave."

"Hardly." Will slid to his knees, his fingers plucking at her skirt. "But speaking of begging, I believe I am in your debt at the moment." He lifted her skirt, throwing it over his head as he plunged between his wife's legs. She squealed, but opened them for him and he ran his hands up her legs. Silk stockings were smooth under his fingers, but her flesh was so much softer and shivered under his touch. His breath along her inner thigh made her shiver even more, her hands lightly touching his head through the fabric. She smelled wonderful, full of desire and when he pressed a kiss to her apex, her breath stuttered.

"Will," She breathed out, her voice quiet. He so loved the taste of her, sweet against his tongue as he laved at her. Her folds were exquisite to explore and stroke, especially as her thighs shivered around him. He knew just how to torture her, lightly sucking at her, then licking the length of her and making her curse under her breath. Eventually she pulled her skirt up so she could bury her fingers in his hair, holding him to her as she reached her peak, her thighs trembling around him as her climax washed over her.

She was boneless when he lifted her up, clinging to him as he led them to the bedroom. It was quick work to undress her, it took longer for him to undress and join her in bed. She gave him a smile, running her hands over his shoulders and drawing him down. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he positioned himself, entering her in one thrust that left the both of them gasping.

Ana clutched him to her, her hands raking down his back and her legs tightening around his waist. It drove him mad, sending him into a frenzy of thrusting and moans as he approached his own peak. He lowered his head to her neck, one hand finding that bud of nerves above her entrance and teasing it until she came with a strangled cry around him, her legs so tight that he could barely pull himself back to thrust into her again. But then his own release came up on him, so fierce that he felt as if he couldn't move after.

All he could do was rest his head on his wife's breast while she ran her fingers through his hair, murmuring how much she loved him. He pressed a kiss to her skin, knowing that he was the luckiest man in Edinburgh. Beatty would never know what it was like to make love to a woman who loved him so deeply, one that he would die for in return.

Secure in his wife's love, Will rolled off of her and pulled her to him, the both of them falling asleep quickly.