Not having seen him for weeks now, Nick was glad that Professor White did honor his request to be shown around the observatory again. This time though, it was for the benefit of Claire. The older gentleman welcomed the couple with a wide accommodating smile and talked with Nicholas at length regarding theories and his latest studies. 

Nick was worried that Claire might be feeling a little out of place considering the topics that he and the professor were engaged in, but she didn’t fail to surprise him whenever either of the men asked for her opinion. Claire was a very smart person. Some would think that her mind was wasted on a woman, but more and more Nick was being convinced that her intelligence was well placed.

“I’m sorry you couldn’t make it to the wedding,” he commented during a short pause in their discussion of the lenses of the telescope. “I couldn’t reschedule it another week later.” 

The professor looked up from the papers he was browsing through, then glanced at Claire, who wasn’t even looking at him. “I’m sorry I missed the event of the season,” he chuckled. “I’ve been too busy with work I failed to realize that it was the daughter of a duke that you were marrying. Of course it was all over the society pages, but who has time for that?” he shrugged. The boys laughed the topic out then continued their discussions regarding other matters. 

When finally Professor White had left the two of them to themselves, Nick sat beside Claire behind the biggest telescope the world had seen, and they talked about trivial topics. He had been fighting off fatigue, but after everything that happened that day, his whole body felt heavy. The gunshot wound at his side throbbed and he believed he missed on a few medications that the doctor emphasized should not be missed. He could already hear McQuerin complaining about Nick’s apparent stupidity.

[i]“Nick, I’ve never seen such a beautiful view, but I believe we should get home. Your father will be worried and you should have been in bed hours ago. I’m getting anxious just sitting here with you.”[/i]

She was never more correct. “Just a few more minutes.”

[i]”It makes you feel…small, doesn’t it?”[/i] He nodded, though perhaps she didn’t notice the gesture as she was engrossed watching the night sky. [i] “Do you think we could have someone paint our bedroom ceiling just like this? It's a shame we don't see so many stars in London. Why do you think that is?“[/i]

“There is a difference between watching the real night sky and just watching a replica of it.,” he answered. “I don’t doubt we can hire an artist to paint our ceiling with stars, but I doubt he can get it right. That’s where the problem is. As for London, there are places where this is visible, but,” he gestured for her to follow him to the telescope. “It’s here where you can see it upclose.”

They spent about an hour watching the sky until Nick admitted to himself that he cannot anymore stand the abuse he was doing to himself. He leaned back and asked Claire to go home. He took the lead and guided her through the corridors and rooms of the observatory until they met with the Professor at the front desk. 

“I was just about to check on you two,” he said cheerfully. 

Nick straightened up and masked every sign of weakness, even in his voice. “Thank you for the tour and the free lecture, Professor White. Much as we would like to stay longer, we need to get back home.It has been a pleasure meeting you again.” He extended a gloved hand, which the older gentleman shook.

“It is always a pleasure to have an intellectual discussion with you, Nicholas. Do drop by one of my lectures, will you? I shall make sure that the drinks at the after event will be worth the boredom.” They both laughed. “And it’s such a wonderful pleasure finally meeting you, Mrs. Rochford,” the professor added. They made final farewells and then the couple was outside the building waiting for another carriage to hire.

It didn’t take long for them to commission one and as soon as he and Claire were alone inside, Nick let out a heavy sigh as he slumped on the seat. He didn’t bother showing Claire his weakness, but to the outside world, he had to always be firm. Still, he refused to voice it out loud. He refused to say anything at all, just leaned against her, closed his eyes and let her scent fill his senses.

***********

"What do you mean we cannot cross the river?"

"Exactly as it sounds, sir. You cannot cross the river tonight. We apologize and we are willing to reimburse your passes, but there is a technical problem with the ferry. We value our customers' safety, therefore the admin advises against further travels tonight. Again, we apologize, sir." The attendant was a middle-aged man with a slight foreign accent. He offered the money in exchange for the passes that Nick had bought that afternoon. "There are taverns and inns around the vicinity where you may choose to spend the night in. We will have gotten the issue straightened out by morning."

Defeated, Nick handed him over the passes and took the cash. He had not expected this, therefore he was not prepared, which meant they had limited funds at their disposal. He could deal with it, but he looked over his shoulder to where he left Claire to wait, and sighed. There was nothing else to do other than to swim the frigid waters to the other side. 

He walked back to where Claire waited, but that time he couldn't just bring himself to greet her with a smile. Nick was tired, hungry and frustrated, yet he allowed himself to calm down before he spoke. "We have a problem," he confessed. "The boats are not sailing tonight. We may have to spend the night here. I know of some places, but... It may not be up to your tastes, so I apologize in advance."