Infatuation and Deception

[captainmontgomery]

     The slow pace of the walk had him taking shorter steps for the companion at his side. The stroll from the boardwalk had lead them down this road to where he had met her earlier this afternoon. Capt. Montgomery motioned his head towards the front of the porch as they drew nearer. "Seems we've come full circle tonight, Miss Basinstoke." Turning his gaze towards the woman beside him. The officer gave her a smile and slowed their steps to a halt. "Would you care to sit for a bit?" Motioning that the swing did not look occupied at the moment.

      "It would seem we have Captain Montgomery." Taking in the familiar tavern they made their way to. "Perhaps this is a good sign." Glance over at him and that smile to appear in full. Attention then turned to the swing noticing it was indeed vacant. "Yes, I'd like that very much, perhaps even a night cap?" Looking back over at him.

      "Sounds good to me." Nodding, he lead her up the steps of the porch and settled her into the swing, remaining standing. "What would you care to drink, Miss Basinstoke?" Since that serving window was nearby he'd make use of it.

      "Irish Coffee. Just tell Bess it's for Carly." Softly chuckles. "That way I can be sure it's made just the right way. I'm a bit spoiled here." For good reason due to her past. She'd not speak about it unless asked.

      "I'll join you in that." The officer turned away and left her alone for a few minutes while he waited at the serving window for the pair of drinks. After purchasing them they were carried back to where she waited at the swing, handing hers over to her. "Here you go. Irish coffee you said. Don't think I've ever tried this."

     Hands rose to accept the delivered mug. "Thank you." Softly spoken. Brilliant that smile would become. "Once you try it you're in trouble Captain Montgomery. Addictive they are, more so than that partook of in the opium dens." How she knew of such places is another mystery to add to any others that were mounting. "It's coffee, Bushmills whiskey with heavy whipped cream and shards of chocolate." Offering the run down of the ingredients just as her mug was lifted to take that first slow, savored sip. Treating it more like a fine vintage wine than spiked brew.

     He laughed and took a seat next to her on the swing. "I've never tried that either. I must be missing out on many of the social indiscretions, hmm?" Sampling a sip of the drink. "Mmm. Not bad, not at all."

     Mug lowered as she peeked over at him and smiled. "They go down smooth as butter, but hit you like a fist if you drink too many." Forewarning him ahead of time. She's made that mistake a few too many times herself. Tip of tongue would slip out to capture the bits of whipped cream from the top of her lips.

      "Creepers, eh?" Glancing into the decorative drink. He hadn't realized he'd smeared the whipping cream above his mouth where the mustache held traces of it. It tasted good and since they had skipped the dessert after dinner this seemed to make up for it.

     Softly she chuckled as she peered over at him, chestnut colored eyes gleamed with mirth. "Umm. Captain, you have a ..." Softly chuckling, her hand moving with some hesitation as she reached towards him. "May I?"

     Her motioning towards his face brought about the lift of his brow. Brenton turned to her and leaned in close. "What have I?" He nodded permission as she moved her hand up towards him.

     At this point she was grinning, she just couldn't help it. "You have captured some of the whipped cream upon your mustache." Whispering though her words held a hint of her laughter upon them. Ever so light was her touch as she brushed the tips over his mustache to rid of the substance there. "There, all better."

     He held perfectly still as she gently reached up and removed all traces of evidence left from the drink. After she had finished the captain cracked a smile over the appearance he must have left. "Thank you, Carlotta. For not leaving me to look like a rabid dog." He chuckled a little himself and was more careful when he took another sip.

      "You're quite welcomed." Another soft chuckle as she sat back. Attention would then turn out over the scenery around them and she'd smile. "What a lovely night it turned out to be." Her gaze would eventually trail heavenward.

     Shifting the drink to his other hand furthest from her, Brenton turned himself to lay his arm across the back of the swing, his hand rested just to the side of her shoulder. It might have offered a bit of warmth if the late evening hour chilled her slightly. "I could not agree with you more." His eyes were not on the scenery at the moment though. The cup was brought around to his lips for a drink, ever his gaze remained on her though.

     Gaze would lower to rest upon that cup on the rise, just as his arm presented itself. Inwardly she'd smile as she leaned back a bit more, the mug to reach her lips as another slow savored sip was taken. When it lowered her attention would turn to rest upon him. "Tell me more about yourself Captain. Surely you weren't just born and then the commander of a ship."

     He laughed at the visual. "No, I started out as everyone else after I was born. I grew up in Ashbury, England. When I was fourteen my father sent me off to Eton. I have a younger sister still at home." His gaze trailed over her features that where highlighted by the light through the windows of the tavern.

      "Eton, a very fine school. No wonder you exhibit so much charm, a true gentleman of breeding." A glance around the area. "If you hang around here too much, you might find yourself an army to follow after you." Slowly her attention returned upon him. "Of women who'll give anything just to capture your eye and full attention."

(Part 1 - Cont.)

[captainmontgomery]

     The scent of her was sweet, bringing him to lean a little closer as she talked with such a soft, charming voice. "One already has, Miss Basinstoke." He replied and leaned even closer until he could inhale the scent of soap from her hair.

     Spice, the scent she enjoyed the most, that which brought to mind a kitchen filled with steaming pans of pies and cakes to cool. "Really Captain Montgomery. It seems I had forgotten to ask as you have, and in bringing that up. Are you spoken for Captain,, and who has gained your attention so?" Not that she would know the person.

     Brenton slowly shook his head and drew back a little. "No, Miss Basinstoke, I am not. Though I hope that changes soon." His eyes lowered until they rested on her face. "Would it surprise you so if I said it was you?" His drink only half finished was forgotten and held not the interest to him that she did, being so alluringly near.

     "To say no, it wouldn't surprise me would make me sound vain Captain Montgomery." Soft chuckle that would end in the showing of a smile. Head turned more as she gazed into his eyes. "Though I am honored to know that a man of your stature can find even a remote amount of attraction to me." The last words to be ever so softly spoken.

     Capt. Montgomery leaned down to set his cup on the ground before turning back to her and taking her hand into his free one. "Carlotta. The attraction is far from only remote. If I was not leaving in the next few days." His eyes dropped from her face, glancing down to the clasp of their hands. When he continued he lifted his eyes back to her face with a smile. "I would ask if I might court you. That is the depth of my attraction for you, already."

     His confession did take her back abit, surprise to be noticed upon features. She could feel the heat begin to slowly rise upon her cheeks with that flush as it spread. "You put me at a loss for words Captain Montgomery." Hushed whisper of words as she continued to gaze into his eyes. She nearly dumped her mug as it lost it's balance when her grip lessened some. A quick recover and she'd only turn slightly to set it upon the railing at her side before she was looking back at him again.

     Quickly he moved to help her set the drink aright before it was spilled on the lovely gown she had worn tonight, he'd like to think for just him. After she set it down he found himself smiling when their gaze met again. "I'm sorry, Miss Basinstoke. I was too forward. After all, we only just met." What he'd have liked to express was how much he already yearned to taste her lips. He would not though, he'd not dishonor her with haste when she deserved much better from him. The smile lessened slightly as he sat back with her again. "Perhaps I should see to escorting you home now. It is getting very late and I've taken up your entire evening. Not that I'm complaining."

     "Oh, no no." Quickly speaking when he spoke up thinking he had insulted her in any way. "It was just unexpected, I'm not saying I wouldn't have accepted under different circumstances Captain." The hand he held would offer a gentle squeeze of his own. "I have no complaints on how the evening was spent, nor with whom. My only regret is that it seems to be ending too soon." Her smile would turn just a bit coy in appearance, for once this wasn't an act. "My carriage should be awaiting at the stables."

     He gave her a nod and slowly rose from the swing. "I'll take you there then." Brenton offered her his hand. "If I might call upon you again tomorrow?" He planned to spend every waking moment he could with her before the ship set sail in three days time.

     With his aid she'd stand from the swing, to again link her arm with his as she stood by his side. "Of course. I'm usually up around six in the morning. I can promise you a full breakfast and fresh brewed coffee around seven if you're able to arrive that soon." Looking over at him. "My manor sits upon the bluffs that overlook the port area. Only one road up, you won't be able to miss it. Follow the road until you come to a cabin, there's a trail to the north that will lead you to my front door."

     He wasn't expecting that but the notion intrigued him. "I'll be there, seven o'clock sharp." She was talking to a soldier. He was up before the crack of dawn. He chuckled a little then lead her from the porch and took her across to the stables where her carriage awaited her. "Good night, Miss Basinstoke. And thank you." Brenton leaned over her gloved hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it then let go. "Tomorrow morning." He'd wait there until she was in the carriage and road off before he turned and headed back to the docks for the night.

(Part 2 - End)