Molly: I have a horrible feeling that somehow you have read something in to what I said that I did not intend... Morgan: I shall endeavour to not force your hand, as you say, by my attitude and actions towards the colonel. Molly:She looks briefly surprised, before it drops back to a normal smile, though slightly embarassed Oh, yes, I can see how that might have been thought! The Colonel could withdraw his support at any time, and I doubt that it will be from your doing... In truth I find his behaviour intensely puzzling... Morgan: I find it nought but annoying at the moment. He preaches protocol when this 'overfamiliarity' was his own doing from the beginning, yet fails to observe the protocols he insists others use with him now. And threatening _MY_ staff? I will not have it. Molly: He needn't think he will behave in such a manner upon the Rose either... *she sighs* Is there something about me that entices him to be so much more... persistant when questioning me rather than any other? I can not see how I might have earned his distrust so... Morgan: Morgans eyes harden noticably  I suspect it is not distrust... it is his need to prove himself better than everyone else... mixed with something else Molly: Something else? Morgan: I suspect he's quite taken with you. Molly: Molly rolls her eyes Well what an utterly stupid way of showing it! Has any woman ever been won over by being treated so? He'd be far better to take a leaf from Lord Torrington's book, o... She looks away Morgan: Morgan looks sad for a moment Certainly, Lord Torrington has a wonderful manner with you...you'd do well to accept any offer of being mistress he might make. Molly: She looks at him, her eyes intent. For a moment she is utterly speechless. Morgan... I.... she sighs softly Lord Torrington is a nice man, and in a good position. And yes, I was taken with him when he first came to the house. But although he was nice to me then, he was never as he was upon his arrival here. A good friend told me to watch for the intentions of noble men because of the Rose, and believe me, I am watching... Morgan: he sighs It is a pity that any... gesture I make to you could be seen as a ploy to curry favour with the rose Molly: She smiles at him I would never assume such with you... I have already given you a position upon the Rose, and a promise of an income from her, therefore there would be little else you might wish for that you would try to make any gesture to earn... Morgan: Morgans eyes light up, a slight sparkle to them earned... thats it. his eyes clear I have no desire to control the ship, nor to own her. I desire to help you. Molly: She smiles, though slightly puzzled I know, I trust you implicitly. You are safe to behave with me exactly as you will. I do not watch you like I watch the others... Morgan: Aye... you do not watch me, but they do... Molly:she looks uncomfortable I had not noticed... does it worry you that they might think that of you? Morgan: I wouldn't be surprised... after all, its what an Eisen man is expected to do, and I highly suspect that Kai has been given some... inside information. Molly: I am certain that he knows, he would not have behaved so, had he not. I should imagine he will immediately suspect the actions of Lord Torrington, though I confess it took me a minute to think of his flattery so. She smiles half-heartedly Morgan: Morgan looks confused Behaved how? Molly:He was far more respectful towards you than he needed to be, had he believed you only master-at-arms. Morgan: Perhaps he's heard of my reputation as a hard willed, violent, beligerant bully. Molly: She looks at him, her eyes soft Would you prefer it that way? Morgan: For the moment, perhaps... but maybe its time that he accepted that his word is not law and there are those with more right to dictate things than he. Molly: He is... maddening! Truly, I shall be surprised if he and I have not screamed at each other at least once by the time I leave Freiburg... Morgan: I wouldn't be surprised if the tension led to him trying to kiss you, if I'm honest. Molly: She blushes I doubt he feels for me quite that much... Morgan: He'd be an idiot not to. Besides, the tension between you screams of lust. Molly: Molly looks upset. Not to me it doesn't. I know very little about lust, but... She blushes, and looks at the floor And if anything, it would be inappropriate etiquette for him to try! She fidgets slightly. Morgan:Indeed, and then I would have to eject him from the premises... partly because he had breached etiquette, partly because he breached the protocol he is so keen on... but mostly... Molly: She looks at the floor still, though curiosity gets the better of her, and she has to ask But mostly...? Morgan: he speaks quieter even than before, barely a whisper Jealousy. Molly: Surely you would only be jealous were I to reciprocate? Were he to try it, he would very quickly know my displeasure Morgan:In truth I am glad to hear you say such Molly: She looks at him intently Though I can understand why it might be perceived so, I am not the sort of girl who gives her affections easily... Morgan: I know. Molly: She smiles and nods Good. Truly, I do not see in the tension between Colonel Kai and I as... lusty... I certainly do not feel for him so. Morgan: I wonder if perhaps I should seek audience, as he wanted, before dinner... get it out of the way. Molly: She looks slightly awkward I ought to return to the cleaning... as for meeting the Colonel, yes, perhaps you are correct.