'Listen – stay right there. I have to go see Aston.' Llyr stood up and walked across the restaurant to a door marked 'Private'. Micca was glad he had left her alone. There was so much going on in her head, she couldn't think and it wasn't just the wine making her giddy. She had looked into his eyes and seen love – there was no mistaking it. Had he also seen the same in hers? Oh, God, she thought have I fallen in love with a man I may never see again? That's why he had called her to see her again before he went...Who knows where! The irony of having Llyr Sommers in love with her but leaving her life as quickly as he had come into it again was so typical! She gave a bitter laugh, pulled up her shoulders, held her head high and thought, C'est la fucking vie! She poured herself some more wine and drank it greedily. A little voice inside was saying, No Micca! You must have a clear head for tomorrow! But she ignored it, drained the glass and poured another. She leant back on the plush velvet padding of the booth and closed her eyes. A myriad of thoughts flitted through her mind; her past; her present...her future?
'Micca? Are you ok?' Llyr's voice was softly calling her. She smiled then opened her eyes.
'Hi,' she giggled, 'More wine Cap'n?'
Llyr laughed. 'Sure! Looks like I have some catching up to do!' He poured some wine and then took hold of her hand. He's been doing that a lot tonight, she thought. He cleared his throat.
'Micca, don't take this the wrong way but could we go somewhere more private? Maybe I can explain a bit more to you without fear of being overheard.' Micca's brain suddenly jolted awake. Somewhere private? Don't take it the wrong way? Overheard? She was beginning to get the feeling she was in one of those old cloak and dagger ROMs her father used to like watching so much. But she was intrigued and as far as she was concerned right now she wished he did want to see her in private for the wrong kind of way.
'Micca? Are you sure you are ok?
'I'm fine, Llyr – it's all just a bit mysterious!'
'I know. I'm sorry. Please let me explain?'
'Ok, but it had better be good!'
To Micca's surprise Llyr led her to a small spiral staircase that rose up from the entrance to the Ballroom. She didn't say anything but just kept walking. She had assumed that Llyr would take her to some swanky off ship hotel or even to his ship. He took a large golden key from his pocket and opened a door at the end of a narrow corridor. Micca gasped when she saw the inside of the room. It was dark, lit only by candles in sconces on the walls. Two leather armchairs sat facing each other in front of what looked like an unrestricted fire. In the corner of the room partially hidden in shadow was an enormous bed with drapes and canopies of the same ruby velvet that adorned the chairs downstairs.
'What the...?' Micca started but Llyr led her to a chair and said,
'Sit down, Micca. I told you not to take this the wrong way.' He laughed gently.
