[i]"My wife and I are hosting a masquerade ball this coming weekend. We will be honored if you would consent to attend, right Claire?"[/i]

Words failed her at first. So much for forgetting her worries and duties to ‘the other side’. Claire stared at the professor, wishing he would just decline before she had to answer. But he didn’t. “Well…” Telling him the guest list was full would only make her look like a prude in front of her husband, and she didn’t want to give Professor White the impression she was trying to distance herself from him. Thought that’s exactly what she wanted to do.

“O-of course. It starts at seven o’clock. There will be hors d'oeuvres served. Be sure to wear your best costume, quite a lot of our friends will be there, we’d love to introduce you.” Her voice was timid, much different than her tone throughout their morning so far. They’d been teasing and flirting since they woke up, and now her arm that had been around Nick’s fell to her side. “I didn’t catch what’s bringing you to London, Professor.” It’s your turn to lie to my husband, she though, wondering what his excuse would be. Was it really for work?

“I am meeting with a fellow colleague on business. We are hoping to give a lecture together in the future,” he answered casually, to which Claire gave a small nod. Figures, he was able to give one line and get off the hook.

She looked back toward the ferry before giving Nick her attention again. “Should we move along? Don’t want to be stuck away from home much longer,” Claire said, nodding back toward the water. Others were already boarding, but her hurry was obvious. Even once on the boat Claire claimed sea sickness, leaving the deck she’d been eager to stand on to watch the water during their first ride. She wanted nothing to do with Professor White until the masquerade. Would want her to talk there? She would find out there, probably; he was always good about being clear in her plans.

A couple hours later the couple was pulling up to the estate looking worse for wear. Claire was tired and worried, and seeing their home only made reality crash down on her harder. It was quiet on the outside, making her wonder if his family was there waiting or not. “Would you like me to leave you be with the doctor when we get inside? I have plenty to keep me busy with the ball this weekend. Or perhaps I can call for your father, if you’d like to speak with him?” she asked when they’d stepped out of the carriage.