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Exhausted after the day with Neddy, Mavis was in a dead sleep when she began to dream that Horatio, her sweet Horatio, was making love to her. She smiled to herself as his hands gently moved her nightgown up to her waist. His fingers traveled up her ribs to rest on her breasts, caressing and kneading the swollen glands, still large with nursing.

Pressing into the phantom hands, she curled into the warmth that she had missed for almost a year. Not a night had gone by that she hadn't repeated this same dream, hadn't woken in a state of both physical and emotional longing.

The dream went on, his lips now on hers, his tongue gently stroking over her lips and parting them to gain the entrance she willingly gave. She dreamt that he was pressing her onto her back, his favorite way to take her. Her thighs opened as she imagined the wonderful hardness pressing against her, the warmth of his body radiating to her as he lay atop, carefully entering her. His weight was pushing her down into the mattress.

The dream was so real that she though that she could smell the salt of the sea, taste the harbor and rum in his mouth. Her arms came up to embrace his back and shoulders as she anticipated the thrusting rhythm beginning, ready to move with him.

Suddenly she came up through the fog to realize that this time it was no dream. The body on hers was real and solid and warm and moving inside of her. Her eyes opened and she whispered an astonished "Horatio…?"

"Yes", was whispered next to her. His mouth filled hers again and he began pushing into her harder, forcing her to move with him as he rode her body. He was pressing harder, faster. There was urgency to his movements that she didn't remember.

Still trying to understand that this was no dream, she held him, raised her legs to surround him, pulling him deeper inside with each thrust. He was straining now, needing to come, to get rid of the pressure that had built to an unendurable level for him, but not allowing himself the release.

He pounded into her, again and again. Over and over, harder and harder. Looking at his face, she had never seen him like this, could hardly believe that it was he. His eyes closed, his expression one of blank detachment. It was as though he was moving automatically, mindlessly, thrusting endlessly, as though he neither knew nor cared whom he was with. As if he didn't know that it was his Mavis who he was slamming against again and again. Merely the receptacle for his anger and frustration and fear, she could have been anyone or no one.

It continued on and on for too long. Her legs beginning to quiver, his organ starting to make her sore and nearing the end of her endurance, Mavis finally touched his shoulder, "…Horatio"

He glanced down at her, his eyes taking a moment to focus on her. He seemed almost startled to find her there, staring down at her uncomprehending for a few seconds.

Realizing what she was asking of him he regained his concentration and finished in a very few more strokes, gasping his climax and collapsing on her, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.

She lay beneath him, feeling the trembling in his body slowly lessen, felt the sweat start to dry on his back. He didn't move, didn't speak.

Confused by the stranger her husband seemed to have become, she stroked his shoulder, whispering his name once more.

"… Horatio?…Sweeting…?…are you all right?" There was no response. "Horatio?"

With no warning he breathed in a great shuddering gasp, grasping her tightly in his arms and was sobbing against her, holding her, clenching her to him.

Frightened by what was happening she continued to hold him, running her hands gently over his back, trying to sooth him as she did the baby when he wouldn't be comforted and she didn't know what was wrong. She felt the agony pouring from him, knew that he needed his release just as he had needed the physical relief a few minutes ago. God, what was wrong? What had happened to him?

Finally, after she didn't know how long, the painful gasping sobs diminished and he merely lay in her arms. Turning over onto his back, bringing her with him, his arms about her, he began to speak. His voice was so low that she had to strain to catch all of his words. His voice was emotionless, dead sounding. It was awful to hear.

"Archie is dead. Shot by the Spanish prisoners when they tried to take the ship. The bullet was meant for me. Bush told me that. I guess he thought that I knew, but I didn't until he said so. Sawyer is dead, too. Archie confessed to the murder. He didn't do it. He just did it to save my worthless neck. Buckland is ruined. About forty of the crew deserted in the Indies and were murdered. We found their bodies but didn't have time to bury them. I saw the crabs starting on them.

"Your father presided over the Court Martial. For mutiny. I hoped that he wouldn't be the one to have to order my execution. I don't know if he could have done that-no I guess that he'd do what he had to.

"I felt so sorry for him having to be there.

"He's in an unmarked grave outside of Kingston. Archie. It took him a week to die. I couldn't even see him. We were kept in different cells. It was only after the trial was over, when he only had an hour to live that I was really able to speak with him."

Unheeded tears ran down his cheeks. Unaware, they were ignored until Mavis wiped them away. He didn't notice.

"I brought a prize home. That's why I'm here in Portsmouth. Retribution. She's a sloop of war. We got in two days ago." Mavis looked at him-why hadn't he sent word sooner?

"I had to sign the ship in and I-forgive me, Mavis. I simply couldn't bear to speak with anyone just then.

"I've lost my promotion. I was made a Commander, but it's not been approved as the war is over. The ship was paid off yesterday. I'm sorry." He stopped speaking then, out of words.

"I'm not." Her voice was as quiet as his had been. "For almost a year I've spent everyday worrying about you, writing you letters I didn't know that you'd receive. For a year I've not been able to hold you or touch you. I'm glad that your ship is paid off. I'm glad that peace is declared."

He looked at her, then put his head down and closed his eyes. She didn't understand.

"I've been walking since about two this afternoon. That's when I finished with the Port Admiral. I got here a while ago, let myself in the kitchen. I sat in the conservatory, looking at the harbor."

He was starting to frighten her, she didn't know him now. She touched his cheek, attempting to reach him. "We have a son. Did you know?"

"Yes, I got that letter. I was so worried about you being all right. You are, aren't you?"

She smiled at him, nodding. Turning, she rose and left the bed. Pulling her nightdress down, she walked barefoot across the hall to the room that had been outfitted as the nursery.

Returning a minute later she told him to sit up. Pushing himself up to lean his back against the pillows lining the headboard, she placed the small bundle in his arms.

"This is Neddy. Well, Edward Horatio to be correct."

The full moon outside gave enough light. Horatio stared at the sleeping infant in wonder. He traced the outline of the round cheeks with the tip of one finger, his other hand cradling the baby as he grasped one finger with his entire hand.

"He's so strong." There was a small smile on his face, finally.

"Yes. He's perfect."

Taking one hand, he looked at her sitting next to him, touched her hair. His other hand still protecting the baby, he murmured, "I do love you, Mavis. You know that, don't you?" She nodded.

There was a light tap on the door. As it opened, Sophie walked in, intent on Mavis. "I heard voices-Is the baby ill?"

"Mama, Horatio is home."

Seeing him in the darkened room, she breathed, "Thank God."

Sitting in bed, his nakedness covered, barely, by the sheet and the night, with his son on his lap, Horatio kissed Sophie's offered cheek.

"We were worried about you. I know that's the one thing that we're never supposed to tell you, but that's the truth."

"I'm home and I'm fine. Better than fine now." He looked down at the sleeping child in his lap.

"And you're exhausted, too. Sleep now, both of you." She started to lift the baby away.

"Could he stay? Please?"

Seeing the look on his face, she relented. "I'll get his basket, he can stay on the floor here next to you."

The baby asleep in his carrying basket, Horatio smiled his thanks as she closed the door behind her.

They settled down, the babe next to them, Mavis on her back, Horatio on his side facing her. He rested one hand on her hip. He turned his head to look at the sleeping baby. "God. He's amazing."

"He is. I think it every day."

He leaned over to kiss her. "I'm sorry. About before."

"It's all right. I understand."

Tears welled up again in him. Nodding his thanks, he quieted himself to sleep, Neddy safely beside them. She curled into his shoulder, his arm around her.

"I was so afraid when you went to sea with Sawyer. I was afraid that you wouldn't come back."

"I'm all right, love. I'm fine. And I'm home for a while."

"I love you, Horatio."

"I know that you do. Sleep now."

She could feel the tension in his muscles, in the way his arm held her, the sound of his voice. He wasn't all right, and she knew it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning Horatio was still deeply asleep when Mavis took Neddy down with her for breakfast. He had lost more weight in the last year and the dark smudges around his eyes frightened her. It was worse than she had ever suspected.

Sitting at the table with Sophie she quietly voiced her concerns. "He was telling me about some of what happened, Mama. It sounded so awful. Did you know that poor Archie was killed? He was shot and he lingered for over a week before he succumbed. Horatio sat with him as he died. And Captain Sawyer was killed, too, possibly murdered. Then he said something about a Court Martial and that Papa was the main judge. How could something like this have happened?"

"Mavis, your father wrote me about all this a month or so ago. Wait here, I'll show you." She returned with a thick letter that she handed over. "You need to know about this so that you can help him, darling."

After reading Edward's recounting of the events in the Indies regarding Renown and her crew, Mavis was unsure of what to do. The enormity of what had happened overwhelmed her. The deaths, the trial, Horatio's guilt over his Archie's confession and subsequent death and the gain and loss of his ship were almost beyond her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I decided to wait until he was home, or we at least had some idea when he might arrive. I saw no point in your fretting before there was anything that you could have done to help."

"You should have told me."

"Perhaps, but concern yourself now with how you can help him. Anger at me won't accomplish anything."

Mavis was silent for several minutes, thinking while she picked at her food. "He's not himself. He's like a different man. Last night he was a stranger."

"After what he's been through, you can't be surprised. He'll need time and your understanding. You must help him, darling. He needs you now."

"I know that, what I don't know is what to do…Mama, did anything like this ever happen with Papa?"

"Yes, once. When he came home after Horatio and the Spanish captured his crew. He blamed himself. He said that those good men had been lost through his carelessness, that he's had to write the letters to their families. He would have written to Jacob now that I think of it. He just kept repeating what a waste of good men it had all been."

"What did you do?"

"There wasn't all that much I could do, really, other than listen to him and let him know that I loved him. He had to come to terms with it, to accept that in fact it wasn't his fault and that men lost in war are tragic, of course, but part of the price that's paid. Finally he was more himself, but he felt it keenly.

"Let Horatio lead you. Listen to what he has to say and pay attention. Let him play with Neddy, that will help him see life again instead of death. And dearest---understand that there will likely be times when he'll need to be on his own."

Mavis was looking at her plate. "What if he doesn't return to the man he was before he left?"

Sophie paused as she chose her words. "He probably won't ever be quite the same, darling. After what he's endured over the past year and more, I don't see how anyone could be. You must decide if who he is now is a man you still love."

"You're not suggesting that I leave him, are you?"

"No, I'm not. That would be the wrong thing for you and he both. I think that if he lost you on top of everything else, he might not be able to recover. Let him move at his own pace. He needs sleep and food and to be loved."

"Perhaps we could go to Kent, stay with Jacob. It's quiet there. Jacob was telling me about it one of his letters, and he's dying to see Neddy."

"Perhaps, but let Horatio decided when he's ready. Remember, they're still repairing their breech." Mavis nodded in agreement. This would take time.

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He slept well past one in the afternoon. Preston had accepted delivery of his sea chest and Mavis had gone through it to see what could be salvaged and what would need to be replaced. Most of his clothing was in tatters. Things that had been old when he had left were beyond repair and the new things were about at the end of their use. Taking a set of civilian clothing from where they had been stored for him, she entered their bedroom to find him awake but still in bed, now sitting up and looking out the windows. He turned his head when he saw her.

"Good morning. I seem to have overslept."

"It's good afternoon and it doesn't matter."

There was a silence. "I've brought you clean clothes."

"Thank you---Mavis, I'm truly sorry about last night. I don't know what I was…."

She crossed the room, sitting on the edge of the bed next to him. Her hand gently covering his. "It's of no matter. You're home and you're well and you'll be here for some time. You can rest and become yourself again." He looked at her sharply at that remark. "And you can get to know your son. He's really quite marvelous."

"I've not heard a word from him this morning, where is he?"

"Nanny has him out to the park. I didn't want you to be disturbed. They should be back soon." He nodded, turning his face back out to the window.

"Dearest, you told me some of what happened. Would you tell me more?"

"What would you like to know?"

"What happened to Sawyer?"

"He was killed by the Spanish prisoners when they were trying to take over Renown. He was shot along with one of the Mid's. That's when Archie was shot, also, and the second lieutenant, Bush, was wounded."

"Papa said that he had to preside over a trial."

"Yes."

She was quiet for a minute as she tried to think what next to say. "After you're dressed, would you like to walk with me? We could take Neddy out again. It's a beautiful day."

"Yes, all right."

"I'll have some hot water brought up and have some food ready for you downstairs."

"Thank you." He turned away. She rose, feeling awkward, and was leaving when she heard his voice. "Mavis."

"Yes." She turned.

"Please." He lifted his hand to her, beckoning her to him. Bridging the few feet between them, she slid across the bed, embracing him, pressing close to him. His arms encircled her, pulling her to him. His hands stroked over her, his mouth was in her hair next to her ear. "Thank God that you're here. I missed you so desperately. The entire time we were in the Indies I thought of you. Through Sawyer's insanity, the beatings and the bad food and the heat. Through the Spanish and the storms and the fighting and the deaths and the trial, yours was the face that I clung to. When Archie died, all I wanted was to tell you, to hold you and have your arms about me. I needed you so desperately and I was so afraid that you were in danger with the baby. I had the most awful nightmares where I relived my mother's death, except it was you instead of her."

She was stroking his face now as he spoke, letting him again talk out what he had been through.

"I couldn't bear to lose you."

"Nor I you."

"How long will you be home, dearest?"

"A while, I've been reduced back to Lieutenant and am without a position unless I can find something."

"Papa will be home soon. He'll now more of what's happening with the Admiralty."

"Mavis, I won't trade on his connections, you know how I feel about…"

"Yes, I know. That's not what I said. He'll simply know what is happening with the fleet. He'll do nothing that you don't agree to, you know that."

"I won't have him pass me along. I'll do this on my own, Mavis. You know that."

"Yes, I do, and you will."

"I'll get dressed now. Would you have that water sent up?"

Nodding, she went over to the door. "I love you, Horatio."

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The days passed uneventfully and slowly. The days were fine.

The nights were bad. He had nightmares at first. Horrible dreams where he would thrash and cry out and finally, if Mavis were lucky, wake to be comforted. If she were not that fortunate, he would sleep on, lost in his own world of death and pain, unreachable. He would wake in the morning tired and grim and closed to her for the rest of the day, snapping at her should she think to intrude on his silences. He would sit for hours, staring down at the harbor. The day that Renown dropped anchor was among the worst since he had returned home. He barely said a single word all day, finally going out for a walk that lasted more than seven hours. Frantic when he came home well after midnight, Mavis received no answers to her questions, only a polite request that she leave him in peace.

Finally, painfully, slowly, over the weeks and then months, Horatio started to return to the man he had been, seemingly beginning to come to grips with what had happened. The bad dreams became less and less frequent, though they didn't entirely disappear. He began to smile more easily and took delight in Neddy, holding him for hours, studying him, and making him laugh.

Mavis let him set the pace of his days. He would rise to breakfast with the two women, then retire back upstairs where he would give the baby his bath. Thought they had a housefull of servants and a Nanny for that purpose, he preferred to do the simple task himself with only Mavis as his occasional helper.

Soaping the small body, carefully holding the child, rinsing the soap away and then drying and dressing the small body seemed to relax him more than almost anything else. One day, while bringing him a clean towel, Mavis heard his voice as he spoke to the infant.

"So, you see, that's why you reef a sail in a high wind. The safety of the ship and the men are the prime issue at all times, Neddy. A good captain never forgets that the men under his command are in his care and not just there to do his bidding. It's a fine line to walk, young man." She waited a few moments before entering the room.

He hadn't spoken about the last voyage since the first few days of his return. When questioned, he would politely decline to answer or change the subject. Neither Sophie nor Mavis pushed him on this.

Finally, during the second month of his return, Mavis suggested that they might travel to Kent to let him see how Neddy had grown. Somewhat taken aback, Horatio had asked if perhaps Jacob might make the trip to Portsmouth instead, saving them the trouble of the journey with an infant.

"Well, yes, we could ask him here and I know that Mama would love to see him again, but I've never seen where you grew up. And I know that he wants to show off his grandson to his friends."

"Perhaps. But I prefer that Neddy not have to endure that trip. He's so small, Mavis."

"He's not small, he's quite robust for a six month old and he's in perfect health."

"I thought that Sir Edward was expected home shortly. I'm sure that he's eager to see the baby. It would be thoughtless to not wait for him, dearest."

Knowing that Horatio would come up with endless excuses, she let the idea drop for the present, sending Jacob a letter of invitation for the next week.

Later that night as they prepared to retire Horatio asked her if she was annoyed at him for not wanting to travel to the village.

"No, I realize that the journey would be complicated by the baby. It's fine, Jacob will likely come here, and you're right about Papa coming home soon."

"But you're disappointed?"

"I'd like to see where you grew up, that's all."

"And you will, when the time is right. I promise."

She climbed in beside him, taking his hand. He turned on his side, head in hand, his other still in hers resting on her stomach. "Are you still worried about me? I am fine, you know. Being here with you and Neddy has acted as a tonic."

"No, I know that you're strong. It was awful, but you'll put it behind you." He raised her hand to his lips, nodding. Kissing her fingers, he slipped one into his mouth, gently sucking on it.

He moved his hand now to her breasts, caressing one as he watched her face, her eyes also locked on him. Smiling slightly, he increased the pressure, massaging in a circular movement. His movements were slow, languorous, erotic. Dipping his head, he locked his lips over her nipple, mouthing her through the silk fabric, leaving a wet mark. Smiling at her still, he moved them both so that he could pull the nightdress over her head. His own nightshirt joined hers on the floor.

Naked, he moved over her, kissing her deeply, his tongue probing her mouth, her tongue gliding over his own. They moved as serpents, sliding, gliding, wrapping about each other.

Finally, he moved down to her chin, her jaw. He continued down to her throat, her shoulders to her chest.

Knowing what he wanted to do, she whispered, "No, please."

"I want to. Let me."

"Please…."

He continued despite her plea, his mouth fastening onto her breast where Neddy had been just an hour before. Gently, firmly, he suckled her, drinking, swallowing. Her hand moved to his head, caressing, urging him to continue. "What do I taste like?"

He moved up to her, kissing her, transferring some of the milk to her mouth. "Rich, sweet. Wonderful"

When he had emptied one side of her, he lifted his face enough to see her expression. Looking satisfied, he moved to the other side. Feasting on her milk, he turned the nurturing she gave to their son into a sensual delight for them both.

She heard herself moan as he drained her. He finished his meal and moved over her, his hand now slipping down between then, sliding over her slick lower lips. "You liked that, didn't you? You're so wet-does that happen with Neddy, too? Should I be jealous that he can do this all day?"

"No, it's not quite the same with him." She smiled as she searched for the words. "With him it's giving, with you it's give and take."

"Well, take this, my dear." He pushed the entire length of himself inside of her, causing her to gasp at the feeling, the filling. They fell into the familiar rhythm, the give and the take, the back and forth, the push and the pull. He grasped her harder, his movements becoming more demanding, hers matching his in force and desire.

Releasing himself into her, he felt her own orgasm move through her as he was just finished. Lying heavily upon her, a sheen of sweat on his face and back, he kissed her forehead and then her mouth.

"I'm sorry that I wasn't here for you with Neddy. I thought about you with a big belly and wanted to put my hands on you and feel him kicking. I had dreams about that when we were away. I'm sorry that you had to do that without me."

"I missed you desperately, but I had Mama and then your father was here to help when Neddy came. He was wonderful with me. I kept thinking that you would have been like that if you'd been able to be here-kind and gentle and patient."

"I was so frightened for you. I was so afraid that there would be problems and that you would be-that everything wouldn't be alright."

She kissed him so that he'd know she had been fine. He settled back down with his head on her chest.

"I'm sorry, Mavis. We shouldn't be doing this. I shouldn't have done this tonight. It would be too hard on you to have another child so soon."

She leaned down to kiss the top of his head. "It will be alright. I love you and I can never deny you anything. You know that."

"Yes, I know. That's why I shouldn't have done this tonight."

He kissed the hollow between her breasts, carefully moved to her side, and cradled her against him spoon fashion.

"I'm fine. You worry too much, love."

She heard his quiet laugh. "You're not the first person to tell me that. Good night, Sweeting."

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Three days later Horatio was sitting in the favorite chair in the conservatory when he heard a commotion coming from the front of the house. Thinking that something might be wrong, he hurried to the foyer.

Embracing Lady Sophie stood Sir Edward, resplendid in Commodore's full uniform, minus only the hat and cloak.

Mavis was coming down the stairs at the sounds. Carrying Neddy who she handed over to Preston, the happiness on her face matched that of Sophie's. "Papa! Finally!" Pellew was transferred from one embrace to another, equally heartfelt. Turning he saw Horatio standing slightly apart, allowing the inner family their reunion.

Gently putting Mavis aside, he held out his hand to the younger man. Wordlessly, they clasped hands, searching each other's faces. "Are you all right, Horatio?"

"Yes, sir. I am."

Nodding, "Good."

A moment of silence them Sophie broke the quiet with, "Well! This uniform needs a good brushing and you must be famished."

"First I believe that I would like to meet my namesake, if that might be arranged, madam."

Taking the baby from Preston, Horatio passed him to Sir Edward.

"Well, you are a fine fellow, aren't you?" Neddy regarded him steadily, curiously, his small fingers reaching up to Edward's face and grasping his nose. Neddy's eyes were what everyone noticed first. He had his father's eyes-large, dark, serious and looking uncompromisingly out at the world. "There's no doubting who your father is, now is there, Ned?"

Without warning the child burst out with a gurgle of laughter as though the very idea was the silliest thing that he'd ever heard. His hand slapping against Edward's face, his grandfather joined in the joke.

"Well, this one makes it all worthwhile, doesn't it then?" Keeping hold of the baby, Edward allowed himself to be moved into the conservatory where he sat himself down in preparation for the ritual series of questions that he knew from experience he would be expected to answer from both his wife and daughter.

After assuring themselves that he was, indeed, just fine and that the voyage had gone well-other than the awful business in the Indies-the women allowed the two men to have the conversation that Edward was obviously anxious for. Taking Neddy with her, Sophie kissed Edward gently on the forehead. "I'm glad that you're back, dearest." "As am I." Their shared smile was warm. "I'll leave you two alone then."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sipping their brandies, the Commodore was the first to speak.

"I've heard that war is likely with France soon. Have you been keeping up with current events?" To the point, as always.

"Yes, so far as I've been able. I thought so, too from the reports. I've heard rumors that the military will be recalling halfpay officers shortly."

Edward nodded. "Will you go? You'll receive that promotion confirmation, you know. You'll likely be given a ship."

"I thought as much. Yes, of course I'll go." He hesitated. "Sir Edward, you've been so solicitous of me and my career, but I must ask-forgive me-but I really must ask that you do nothing to facilitate in anyway a position for me with the Admiralty. I really must insist on this."

Looking over at him, he agreed. "Yes, if that's what you wish, I'll not lift a finger."

"Thank you, sir."

Another pause while they watched the ships below in the harbor. "That was a nasty business with Renown, Horatio. You were lucky to come out of it as you did. Guilty or innocent, you could easily have been hung for your part in that."

Horatio looked into his glass, as though studying the contents. "If it had come to it, would you have ordered my execution?"

"I honestly don't know. If I have thought you guilty, I think so, but I knew that you were innocent and that you saved the ship and most of the men aboard her. After I knew that, I only had to find a way to allow you to be freed."

"I was guilty, you know. Technically. We did discuss how to remove Sawyer from command. If Archie hadn't confessed, if he hadn't taken the blame from the rest of us, the outcome would have been different."

Seeing that the young man was wanting more than was in his words, Pellew answered the unasked question. "Sometimes you have to weigh the reality of the situation against the regulations. Guilty of discussing mutiny or not, the fact was that Sawyer was mad and you were in an impossible position with him in command. For the good of the ship and the men in her, he had to be removed. You did what you had to do. As did Kennedy."

"Yes, I know that…thank you for allowing him to be buried at sea. He would have appreciated that. I know that I did, and the men."

"I owed him that much."

"I wrote his family, but never heard back. I fear that their minds are made up as far as he was concerned."

The companionable silence returned for a few minutes. "Everything all right with you and Mavis?"

"Yes, it's good between us. It was difficult when I first returned, but now it's fine. Neddy is wonderful. I had no idea that a baby was so much fun." Horatio was openly smiling, the love for his son obvious. They could hear the baby crying in another room.

"I wouldn't know, actually. When I married Sophie, Mavis was twelve and ready to fall in love with you."

"Yes, so it seems. It took me a bit longer, but I got there."

"Yes, and not a minute too soon." Mavis walked around the corner to where they were sitting. "Your son was crying for you, here you are." Placing the crying infant in his lap, she pulled a hassock over, sitting down in front of the men. Neddy had quieted almost immediately and was happily pressing against Horatio's chest, grabbing his fingers.

"Mama says that she's had a bath prepared for you and you're to go up and let her have those clothes that you're wearing as she thinks that they'll likely need attention."

Knowing the futility of even attempting to argue, he rose, nodded and left to face his wife.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that night, bathed, fed and relaxed in bed, Sophie's voice sounded in the darkened room.

"*Do* you think that you could have ordered his execution if it had come down to it?"

"No."

She turned over to face him, sliding over so that she could kiss him. "I knew that. I just wanted to hear you say it." Her hands were on his chest, moving in the small circles over his breasts that she knew he liked. Sitting up, she reached and pulled her nightdress over her head, dropping it onto the floor. In the half-light of the moonglow she saw the anticipatory smile raise the corners of his mouth. Mirroring his expression, she reached down to pull his nightshirt up, laughing lightly to find that he had already done so.

She lay full upon him, kissing his mouth, her hands caressing his shoulders, her hips undulating against his own. His tongue carefully moved down her chin to her throat where he began suckling the soft skin there. Her hips still moving, she finally moved slightly away from him, her legs straddling him.

She raised herself up, almost sitting, sliding up and down, back and forth against his erection. Her fluids slicked the way as she moved with more and more intent. He grasped her around the waist, intent on ending the teasing, wanting to be inside of her. Laughing, shaking her head, she eluded him, rubbing herself against the head of his penis without letting him enter her, forcing him to pleasure her while he waited, drawing out the inevitable ending.

Rubbing harder, faster, wishing the obvious result, she came quietly atop him. He felt her tense, felt her clench her hands in his. When she collapsed on him, he put his arms around her, flipping her onto her back. She was almost boneless as he entered her. With his first thrust she began coming again.

"I take it that you missed me, madam?"

Unable to answer, she just smiled as she felt the spasms begin again as he moved in and out of her. It had been too many months without her and he had no choice but to come quickly, with her, simultaneously.

Lying together, he embraced her tenderly. Kissing softly, exchanging small endearments.

"I do love you, Sophie.

"And I you, dearest. It's so very good to have you home."

Through the wall they could hear the bed protesting in the next room. In the late night silence they could near the cries and moans coming from the younger couple. It continued for quite a while. Quite a long while, in fact. Finally they heard what could only have been the conclusion from both Mavis and Horatio.

"They do that every night, do they?"

"Well, yes, so far they have, I believe.

"Good God. How on earth do you sleep?"

"I've learned to turn a deaf ear, Edward."

"Good God."

They spoke quietly together of the last voyage, of the trial. Edward asked questions about the baby and how Mavis had fared without Horatio to help her. Sophie answered him calmly, occasionally reaching to kiss his hand or shoulder or cheek.

Finally, "Good Night, Dearest." "Sleep well, Sweeting."

The bed on the other side of the wall began its protest again. Laughing, they attempted to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another fortnight passed with Sir Edward regaining his landlegs after the troubles of the last voyage.

He spent the time in quiet pursuits, reading, letter writing, eating well and talking with his family. He took great pleasure in Neddy, transforming himself overnight into a doting Grandfather. Lady Sophie had silently backed out of the room the day she came upon him on his belly on the study carpet, dangling his gold watch and jangling fobs for the baby's amusement, leaving the two at them to their game.

A week after that, war was declared with the new French Government. There had been rumblings for weeks, of course, but they all knew that this would mean the recall of all officers to active service. They were at dinner when the dispatches arrived for each of the men.

After a quick first reading Horatio announced to the table that his promotion to Commander was now approved and he had been assigned to command Sloop of War, Hotspur.

"When Horatio?" Mavis' question was asked softly.

"We sail in ten days." She nodded, accepting.

Sophie looked down the table to Edward. "Well?"

"I'm to have the eastern Med fleet. I leave for Gibraltar as soon as is feasible. I'll meet my ship there. It looks like I'm to have Tonnant as flagship."

"Congratulations, sir. I'm attached to your fleet, it appears."

"Yes. I hope you don't mind that I requested you. I need someone there I can count on for some work that we'll have to do. Perhaps you'd be so kind as to provide me with transportation to my ship."

"Of course."

"Ten days isn't much time to prepare a vessel. You'll be busy. Have you anyone in mind as a first?"

"Bush, if he's available. The Admiralty will know where to contact him."

"I hope that you don't mind, but I though that you'd say that. I've already made inquiries. He's on his way here from his family home."

Horatio looked at him for a second. "Thank you."

"…We are pressed for time, Horatio. I thought it best and I was under orders not to discuss the mobilization."

"Of course, sir."

"As one of the first ships to ready, you should have no problems getting a decent crew, so that should be of help.'

"Yes, I'll see what I can do about securing any of my old division who might still be about."

And so the discussion about the fitting out went on, the men retiring to the study to discuss the mission the Commodore had selected for Hotspur. Horatio would leave early for the dock in the morning and the next week and a half would be taken up with the needed prep work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Much later Horatio went upstairs in search of his wife. He found her leaning her arms on the edge of Neddy's cradle. Evidently she had been there for sometime.

Silently approaching her, he put his arms around her waist from behind. Leaning back she rested her head on his shoulder, her hands on his at her waist.

"I'll be fine. You're not to worry about me."

"I know that you'll be all right and you know that I'll worry. Just like Mama and Papa."

He kissed her neck.

"We still haven't had a chance to move into out own home. It's almost finished, I wanted to surprise you with it."

"You will, when I come back."

He felt her head nod.

"Do you think that you're pregnant this time?"

"I don't know, maybe. With Neddy I knew the …time that it happened. This time I'm just not sure."

"Stay with your mother while I'm gone. I don't like to think of you alone."

"You're alone."

"That's different, and I'm surrounded by men. I'll be fine, love. Truly I will." She turned to face him. Nuzzling her throat he added, "I'd rather be surrounded by you, Sweeting."

"Yes." Taking his hand, they crossed the hall, knowing that Nanny would tend to the baby if need be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The time went quickly. The night before Hotspur was to leave there was a small gathering at the Pellew home. Officer's from both Hotspur and a few from Tonnant were there as well as some of the men whose time had not yet come to leave or who were posted to shore stations.

Mavis and Sophie, acting as hostesses, stayed in the background. They knew that this was a situation where the men were together to discuss the business of a new war. Though Edward and Horatio would ask them their opinions in private, here they knew their place.

Finally, the evening over, the guests gone to their homes or billets or ships, the family retired for what would be a short night for them all.

The sea chests had, once again, been packed and taken aboard, there was nothing left to do other than wait to board in a few hours.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Horatio and Mavis were lying naked half sitting up against the pillows along the headboard. Partly covered by the sheet, she was curled into his shoulder, feeling him, his skin, and his warmth, breathing in his smell.

They only had a short time left.

"I'll write you, you know that. And I'll send you pictures of Neddy. I'll tell you all about him."

"He'll forget me. He's too young, he'll not remember."

"He will, I'll be sure of it. I'll read him all your letters and I'll tell him about every mention in the Chronicle. He'll know you."

"This trip isn't like the last, you know that. There'll be no Sawyer and I've my own ship this time. I'll be fine."

She slid her leg up across his, coming to rest against his genitals, caressing him with her knee.

"Mama says that when you're married to a sailor, every time they come home, it's like a honeymoon."

"Then we've something to look forward to." He kissed her, deeply. Their tongues glided over each other.

He asked her, "Mavis?"

"Of course."

Gently, slowly, he rolled her over onto her back. Already hard she opened her legs to grant him access.

She relished the feel of him on her, his weight pressing her into the mattress, his warmth covering her so that even on a cold night she would be warm when they made love. She felt him enter her, pressing inside; filling the space that was only his.

She listened to his breathing, starting to come faster, could feel him moving against and on top of her. His movements became more urgent, as his need became more demanding. She felt his muscles beginning to strain, moving her hands in a glide up and then down his back. Grabbing his backside, she pulled him further inside of her, wanting to give him all of her. Her legs came up, locking around his waist as he rode her.

His breath was on her ear, in her hair. Too soon and without warning she felt the shudder begin which signaled his finish. His body tensed in spasms, his groan was muffled against her neck.

He collapsed on her, his breath coming in gasps, his skin slick with sweat.

She was the only one to know him like this. She was the only one to see his face, feel his body, know the sounds he made and the movements he liked best. She was the woman who could touch him and hold him, to be able to stroke any part of him and be welcomed in doing so.

His mouth nuzzling her neck, probably leaving a mark, he was the only one allowed such a liberty.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He turned back from the open front door to kiss her once more. Embracing, she felt the heavy uniform through her thin nightdress and wrap. The brass buttons pressing into her.

After a moment, she let him go.

The End.