"And you knew we wanted privacy.  Of course that's akin to the times I've wanted by myself that I didn't get." Sileas glared and took Wulfsen's hand. "Let's go take a walk on deck. ALONE," she said pointedly to Yehudit.

Yehudit scowled. "Just trying to keep you respectable."

Wulfsen was still blushing as he walked out of the cabin with Sileas. "Will she give us privacy when she knows we're engaged?"

"The only reason Larrigan and I received any was because he usually spent the night in my main room and she would go home. Yehudit needs to learn boundaries. Questa and I found a nice little area at the keep that has three rooms. I'm hoping to keep Yehudit from there. Perhaps upon our return, you can find a job for her."

"What can she do?" Wulfsen asked, walking towards the bow of the ship.

"Truthfully, I don't know. Maybe fetching tools etc. for those doing the rebuilding. I wouldn't ask her to actually do any rebuilding...not if you want it to stay standing.'

"Some of those tools are sharp..." Wulfsen pointed out.

"Holdin' 'ands orful tight for not bein' luvbirds." Questa observed. "Color is a bit 'igh for just talkin' too."

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 291):

 "She could...she could....help in the kitchen. Folding tablecloths and napkins, setting tables. Churning butter maybe."

"That should be safe enough." Wulfsen heard Questa's observation. "When do you want to go public with this?" He asked Sileas.

Sileas pondered. "Maybe the night after we return? Aunt Aislyn can put together a  special meal." She glanced at him expectantly.

"It sounds good, but do you think we can keep this private from everyone else on the ship in the meantime?" Wulfsen asked.

"Good question. I guess we'll have to keep our hands to ourselves for the duration." Sileas sighed. "If we can."

Wulfsen was still holding Sileas's hand. "Will your father still be pressuring you about marriage?"

"He can try but there will be a nice long fight about broken promises and perhaps some waterworks. He'll leave me alone about it soon enough."

"I'll try... but I don't know if I can keep it secret for long." Wulfsen said. "I kind of want to hold you and kiss you right now..."

"And I want to be held and kissed by you right now," Sileas admitted. "Well it's not like Papa, my cousin and my friend are exactly the public."

Wulfsen smiled. He wrapped his arms around Sileas and kissed her.

Sileas' arms went around his waist as their lips met. She smiled as they kissed.

Wulfsen lifted Sileas off the deck.

"I love you so much." Wulfsen murmured.

Sileas laughed lightly. "Would you be troubled if I admitted that I used to fantasize about...you and me?"

"Relieved." Wulfsen smiled sheepishly as he set Sileas down. "I may have fantasized myself."

Sileas couldn't stop the blush as she sat down. "I know why I always remained silent," she finally managed to say. "But why didn't you ever tell me? I mean, those first visits to Grandmama and Grandpapa, Andy hadn't done what he did and I didn't even know Larrigan."

"I let my family get in the way." Wulfsen admitted. "Even illegitimate royals aren't free to marry who they want. I didn't want to start something with you that couldn't go anywhere- you deserved better than to be a royal bastard's mistress. I never thought my father would allow it... Though now that I have his blessing I wish I had done something sooner. It may have saved you suffering."

Sileas sighed and nodded. "That was one of my reasons too, that despite being Papa's godfather that your father might not have believed I was good enough for you. It's not like I know anything about my paternal lineage and the maternal was nothing to speak of. Oh my gosh! We'll need to send word to your father too! We'll definitely need two months if he wishes to attend."