Nicholas couldn't even begin to describe how relieved he was that Claire refused his offer to accompany her to a shopping trip. The Observatory at Greenwich was a better option than shopping, plus the travel would buy him some time. Besides, he liked watching the night sky especially under a powerful telescope. It just happened that one of the new friends he made as Nicholas Rochford was a professor who also worked at the Observatory. 

He followed his wife to the carriage, climbing in after her and they shared the same bench. Nick noticed that Claire sat closer that time. She was seducing him again, though she might not be aware of it herself. Nevertheless, he followed her lead and leaned closer to her, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder.

[I]"How are you feeling? Your side. Tell me if you need to go home, I wouldn’t mind."[/I]

"No, no..." he was starting to say. Words used to come easy for the gentleman. In fact, his wit was one of his assets, but when he felt her soft lips touch the sensitive skin on his neck, he was shamefully reduced to a blabbering fool. "Bloody..." What was he going to say? Thankfully, she withdrew and instead leaned her head back on his shoulder.

"I would love for you to continue what you are doing," he teased, snaking am arm around her waist so she could pull get her closer against him. "If we're in a more private place. Perhaps later when we get home?" He winked at her.

Then she told him about her observation on the roughness of his hand and how she liked that it made him more masculine. He smiled at that, though ababsently, a different scene playing in his head. "Whose hands have you been holding before mine, hmmm? You tell me this as if you have held hands with some other gentlemen before."

And again she changed the subject, directing it to the topic of the masquerade ball that she was organizing. He was amused at the fantasy tale she had made up in her mind. It showed him a different side of Claire - the romantic, sensitive lady that was more common in London. "I'm not going to tell you what I plan to wear then. I don't expect you to reveal yours either. I like the idea of mystery and the thrill of hunting for my wife in a sea of masks and false faces. Howerver," he paused to plant a quick kiss on her head. "However, you must promise not to get mad if I fail to identify you. There's also the possibility of mistaking someone else as you. I'll try my best, but no promises."

Timothy, however, had not yet mentioned anything about attending a masquerade. Perhaps he had not yet received the invitation or maybe he intended to keep him out of the operation that time. "I haven't spoken with my cousin yet. But perhaps he has a"Claire, I'm sorry," he muttered.

Time passed as their carriage travelled the road towards th port that will take them to Greenwich. It was only when the carriage slowed down did Nick woke up. He rubbed the sleepiness from his eyes then looked outthe windthe window. "Here we are," he said to no one in particular. "Wait for me here," he told her then got out of the carriage. It just occurred to him that they didn't have any reservations so Nick did What he does best. He charmed & bribed his way to the next ferry to Greenwich. 

When he returned to the carriage. he was grinning. ''I procured for us two roundtrip passes." Nick offered his arm out for her. "Shall we board the next ship, my lady?" He asked, immitating the gestures of a knight.