The waiting carriage receives Arrus and Beatrice, still arm-in-arm. They settle across from one another as the coachman guides them away from the Admiralty traffic and its watching eyes.
A shaded lantern swings above papers concerning Cornwall’s coastal proposals. Their seals and annotations remain undisturbed, though Beatrice’s amused attention lingers on Arrus instead of the documents.
Beatrice Halewick
There they are, your precious proposals, patiently awaiting judgment while their author enjoys being admired. Shall I be jealous of the papers, or merely suspicious of your priorities?
The carriage rolls through the crowded street at a measured pace. Publicly, their linked arms and shared carriage proclaim an alliance; privately, the closed curtains grant them room to test its warmer possibilities.
Beatrice Halewick
Before supper becomes too comfortable, I want the plain account. Which proposal matters most, and which man will try to claim credit when it succeeds?
Beatrice reaches for the nearest memorandum but does not open it. Her gloved fingers rest upon the folded page while her gaze remains fixed on Arrus, inviting an answer rather than supplying one.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a mutual romantic understanding with Beatrice Halewick
I will respond to her subtly flirtatious energy with an equally matched level of transfixed attention on her every movement while my words betray the thoughts behind my reserved stillness across from Beatrice in the small space of the carriage. “Fear not, my lady. There are no proposals written by any hand -even ones so fair as yours- that could ever steal the attention that every moment of your presence commands... I will tell you plainly, the answer to any question you may wish to hear. But speak it, and the answers will race from my lips to gratefully meet your ears on their behalf.” I will then subtly playfully bite my lower lip as if daring her to decide between imagining my lips tracing the edges of her sensitive ears or hearing the answers she seeks. The gaze in my eyes cannot hide the restrained desire in them to seduce Beatrice recklessly, and tempt her willpower to resist her own carnal thoughts in the private confines of a long carriage ride.
SUCCESS (Legendary Intrigue, rolled -2)
Arrus Gandon
Fear not, my lady. No proposal written by any hand, even one as fair as yours, could steal the attention every moment of your presence commands. Ask, and I shall answer.
Arrus watches every movement of Beatrice in the carriage’s confined space. He bites his lower lip with playful deliberation, his restrained desire making the invitation behind his words unmistakable.
Beatrice Halewick
You offer answers with a confidence that makes the questions seem almost dangerous. Very well. Which proposal matters most, and whose ambition must be watched most carefully?
Her gaze drops briefly to his mouth before returning to his eyes. The papers remain unopened, while the carriage’s private silence gathers around the contest neither of them now pretends is merely political.
Beatrice Halewick
And understand this, Master Gandon: if you continue looking at me as though supper were an afterthought, I may answer your daring by making your intentions public enough for London to discuss.
The warning is softly delivered, but its cost is plain. Beatrice has accepted the flirtation and now holds the power to turn their private warmth into courtly gossip, should he misjudge her.
Beatrice Halewick
Now answer me plainly, captivating envoy. Which matter deserves your full attention, and can you keep your composure long enough to explain it?
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure Beatrice Halewick’s counsel on Cornwall’s proposals
“If it pleases you, my lady, I will endeavor to keep my composer for only as long as it takes to satisfy your curiosity, and not a moment longer.” And then, to briefly surprise her with wild daring, I will suddenly lunge forward onto one knee pressed up against the bulwark of her knees beneath the layers of garments of her dress against an able man's broad chest and gently take her gloved hands in mine. “For then I fear I will be unable to resist my own curiosity, and seek it's fair satisfaction...” I will read her reaction carefully, making sure that it is creating the correct kind of thrill and pleased excitement, “In truth, you are secretly in the company of a truly scandalous yet reformed pirate and a wild man...” and then hold up the proposals for her to select and grin mischievously again, “Ask away, my daring lady, and we will seek satisfaction together.”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Arrus Gandon
If it pleases you, my lady, I will keep my composure only long enough to satisfy your curiosity, and not a moment longer.
With sudden daring, Arrus lunges forward onto one knee against Beatrice’s knees and gently takes her gloved hands. He watches her face closely, measuring whether surprise has become delight.
Arrus Gandon
For then I fear I shall be unable to resist my own curiosity, and seek its fair satisfaction.
Beatrice’s fingers tighten around his, and her breath catches before a pleased smile overtakes her warning expression. She does not withdraw, though her raised brow promises that boldness will be remembered.
Arrus Gandon
In truth, you are secretly in the company of a truly scandalous yet reformed pirate and a wild man.
Still holding her hands, Arrus lifts the proposals with his free hand and offers them for her selection, his grin mischievous. Beatrice laughs softly, plainly thrilled rather than scandalized.
Arrus Gandon
Ask away, my daring lady, and we will seek satisfaction together.
Beatrice Halewick
Then remain precisely where you are, scandalous envoy, and let me choose the question that best tests both your courage and your proposals.
She selects the memorandum concerning patrol routes without releasing one of his hands. The carriage continues toward supper, while their private game now carries a plainly delighted consent.
Quest Complete
Establish a mutual romantic understanding with Beatrice Halewick
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Mediocre→Fair
“Does Beatrice appear more pleasantly excited than anxious by our playful, risque behavior, and our close, intimate proximity while we maintain physical contact and I begin to answer her questions?”
YES, AND MORE (VeryLikely, rolled 3)
Beatrice’s pleased excitement plainly outweighs anxiety. Her gloved hand remains clasped in his, and her brightened eyes linger on his face while the patrol memorandum rests between them.
Beatrice Halewick
Your composure is admirably brief, Master Gandon. I find the danger of your attentions considerably more entertaining than alarming.
She turns the memorandum toward the lantern, still holding one of his hands. The teasing warmth in her expression settles into keen professional interest without surrendering its intimate pleasure.
Beatrice Halewick
This route proposal matters most because it joins patrol coverage to reliable coastal reports. Quill will seek credit, but the Admiralty clerks will recognize whose observations made the scheme workable.
Her thumb brushes once across his glove before she opens the folded page. Beneath the patrol figures, a senior clerk’s notation requests Arrus’s direct testimony at tomorrow’s restricted review, giving his counsel an immediate official hearing.
Beatrice Halewick
There, my daring envoy. You have gained more than my attention. Tomorrow’s private review now requests your testimony, and I shall see that no ambitious rival speaks over you.
I will slowly close the distance between our faces as she reads, increasing the intimacy of our dialogue, casually resting a hand gently on her thigh while answering, “I do not trust Martin Quill any more than I trust him to act in his own interests. However nothing seems impossible to achieve in the halls of the Admiralty with the help of such an extraordinary woman, in command of both beauty as well as wit enough to be welcome in the presence of such exacting men, who must fall helpless to your powers of reason as easily as they must fall for you by a mere glance and irresistible smile. And, naturally, I find myself asking the obvious question: could anyone truly blame them?” And if she smiles or laughs at the humor, I will move in even closer to her face until we are practically nose-to-nose, giving her every last opportunity to deflect or evade the touch of my impending lips to hers, while slowly closing my eyes in anticipation of communicating like lovers, without words.
SUCCESS (Fair Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Arrus Gandon
I trust Martin Quill only to serve his own interests. Yet with such an extraordinary woman beside me, even the Admiralty seems conquerable. Who could blame its officers for falling to your wit, beauty, and irresistible smile?
As Beatrice reads, Arrus slowly closes the distance, resting his hand gently upon her thigh. Her smile answers the compliment, and she makes no move to retreat.
Arrus Gandon
I find myself asking the obvious question.
Arrus moves closer until their faces are nearly nose-to-nose, then slowly closes his eyes, leaving Beatrice every opportunity to deflect. She instead meets him halfway.
Beatrice Halewick
No, Master Gandon. No one could blame them. But if you kiss me, tomorrow’s clerks will notice exactly how generously I defend your proposals.
She kisses him warmly, then remains close when it ends, her gloved hand at his collar. The triumph carries a price: Beatrice’s public impartiality is now vulnerable to courtly gossip.
Beatrice Halewick
So, captivating envoy, you owe me a flawless performance tomorrow, and perhaps a convincing explanation for why my judgment remains sound despite your distracting methods.
Quest Complete
Secure Beatrice Halewick’s counsel on Cornwall’s proposals
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Fair→Good
“After pausing there together for a time, enjoying each other's generous affection and intimate contact, I make good on my promise to meet the sensitive edges of her ear with the impossibly soft caress of my lip, barely touching it, exciting her mind as much as thrilling her body. With one hand gently clasping the side of her neck, cradling her head, the other gently traces the curves of her dress, sending shivers through elated flesh with the slightest touch. I will frequently move back to her lips with mine, seeking the response to them of her kisses as the assuring affirmation that she feels no real fear of being exposed to more pleasure than she is willingly craving for as powerfully as I am. Without resistance, two hands under her arms can safely lift her away from the seat with the written proposals and across to the other directly behind me lifting onto my hips like her straddled steed as I deliberately land beneath her dressed legs spread across my lap, gently holding her.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Strength, rolled -2)
Arrus answers her kiss with patient warmth, brushing the sensitive edge of her ear before returning to her lips. His hand cradles her neck while the other traces the fabric of her dress.
Beatrice Halewick
You are making a dangerous argument, Master Gandon. I find myself persuaded, but tomorrow’s clerks must never learn how easily you distract me.
Her kisses answer his each time he seeks them, warm and willing. When he lifts her, the carriage shifts beneath the effort, and his shoulder catches painfully against the seat’s polished edge.
The strain leaves a sharp scrape beneath his coat, but Arrus keeps his grip secure and carries her across the narrow space. He settles back onto the opposite seat with Beatrice straddling his lap.
Beatrice Halewick
There. Now the proposals are beneath us, and your promised composure is nowhere in sight. Hold me gently, and I may still defend your patrol scheme tomorrow.
Beatrice settles securely against him, one hand at his shoulder and the other resting beside his neck. The patrol memorandum lies forgotten on the seat, while her smile makes clear that fear has given way to eager trust.
With her comfort assured, being on top in a seldom-smooth carriage ride, and our mutual comfort with each other in our newfound affection, I will fully indulge in nearly unbridled passion with Beatrice for awhile, before taming it again, for the sake of appearances before arriving for supper... As we revel in the soothing embrace of a lover's arms, watching small passing sights through gaps in the carriage's curtains together in pleasant silence and generous, sensual companionship. Eventually, without removing Beatrice from her place of honor upon my lap, I will strain to reach the other proposals lying on the opposite seat and lean back into our seat of mutual rest and ask her to pick another proposal for us to examine together. I will once again strive to keep her spirits perpetually lifted with sarcastic humor. “Save your strength, my lady, we still have so much more studying to do before we spend that much time conferring with each other between reviewing each proposal....”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
The carriage rocks through London’s streets while Arrus and Beatrice surrender to a long, affectionate silence, sharing kisses, laughter, and the warm shelter of each other’s arms. Through a gap in the curtain, rooftops and winter sunlight drift past.
Beatrice Halewick
You have made a persuasive case for abandoning every paper in this carriage. I hope your proposals can defend themselves until supper.
Their composure returns by degrees, though Beatrice remains comfortably settled upon Arrus’s lap. Her hand rests at his collar as the carriage passes a row of flower sellers and a boy chasing loose ribbons.
With careful balance, Arrus stretches across the carriage and retrieves the remaining proposals from the opposite seat. He leans back into their shared repose, securing the papers without disturbing her comfortable place.
Arrus Gandon
Save your strength, my lady. We still have so much more studying to do before we spend that much time conferring with each other between reviewing each proposal.
Beatrice Halewick
Your scholarship is shameless, Master Gandon. Very well, give me the next proposal, and I shall determine whether it deserves our serious attention or merely another diversion.
She accepts the papers and chooses one marked with coastal figures and shipwright notes. Beatrice settles more firmly against him, her amusement bright beside the carriage’s gentle motion as she opens the proposal.
“I will make an intensely focused effort to study the details of Beatrice's proposals, memorizing the major elements and attempting to synthesize my own analysis of her presented thesis for each proposal through the proverbial lens of my own seaman's knowledge. I will compliment her on her understanding of such abstract concepts not usually benefitted by the keen insights of a brilliant woman.”
SUCCESS (Great Seamanship, rolled -2)
Arrus takes the coastal figures and shipwright notes from the broad-shouldered court woman, studying every route, timber estimate, provisioning column, and repair interval until the carriage’s motion becomes a measured sea beneath his thoughts.
Arrus Gandon
The proposal is strongest where patrol timing meets reliable yards, but its weakest point is the delay between contract, timber, and a hull fit for service.
He synthesizes the plan through a seaman’s eye, separating sound hulls from promised hulls and identifying how regular victuals and timely repairs would turn scattered patrols into a dependable coastal screen.
Arrus Gandon
My lady, your grasp of these abstract arrangements is extraordinary. Such concepts rarely benefit from the keen insights of a brilliant woman, yet you have made them sailably clear.
The carriage jolts over a rut as Arrus reaches across the papers, wrenching his shoulder against the seat edge. He steadies the folio, but a sharp ache settles beneath his coat.
Beatrice Halewick
A compliment disguised as provocation, Master Gandon. I shall accept it, particularly since your sailor’s analysis has found the proposal’s true weakness.
Beatrice Halewick
You are right about the yards. I can amend the recommendation before tomorrow’s review, provided you tell me which remedy deserves first place.
The broad-shouldered court woman keeps the proposal open between them, now treating Arrus’s conclusions as material for revision rather than mere carriage conversation. Her expectant gaze turns the next decision back to him.
“With my detailed knowledge of Cornwall's local shipping industry and sailing vessels in general, can I compose a straightforward set of recommendations that we could annotate the proposals with while waiting for our meals and during supper, working to document the thoughts as we collaborate over them?”
YES (Likely, rolled 18)
The confirmed weakness yields a practical remedy. Beatrice draws a fresh sheet across the proposal, leaving space for recommendations on timber credit, yard capacity, victuals, and repair schedules.
Beatrice Halewick
Yes. We can turn your observations into a plain schedule: secure timber first, reserve proven yards, guarantee provisions, and measure every promised hull against its actual readiness.
She annotates the margins in a firm, economical hand, adding the intervals between contract, timber delivery, keel laying, launch, and patrol service. Each figure leaves the scheme easier to test.
Beatrice Halewick
During supper, we can mark which recommendations serve the Crown immediately and which require London’s approval. That distinction will keep Quill from disguising delay as prudence.
The carriage slows before the supper house. Beatrice gathers the annotated pages, now carrying a concise plan for dependable yards, honest estimates, and patrol craft that can actually reach the water.
Beatrice Halewick
There. We have something the clerks can understand and the yards can be made to answer. Eat first, Master Gandon, then help me sharpen every recommendation before tomorrow.
She keeps the papers close, her expression bright with professional satisfaction and personal amusement. The meal ahead has become a working council, with both the alliance and the proposal gaining substance.
✓ Quest Accepted
Finalize the shipyard remedy with Beatrice
Over supper, I will take the opportunity to pivot the conversation topic to my own growing curiosity. “My magnificent lady, indulge me in solving an increasingly vexing puzzle... How did such an exquisite noblewoman become so familiar with the inner workings of the Admiralty? Would I be correct in presuming that your father or another family member is a senior officer amongst the Navy's ranks?”
NO (Unlikely, rolled 83)
Arrus Gandon
My magnificent lady, indulge me in solving an increasingly vexing puzzle. How did such an exquisite noblewoman become so familiar with the Admiralty? Is your father, or another family member, a senior naval officer?
The broad-shouldered court woman pauses with her fork above the supper plate. Candlelight catches the amusement in her eyes, though her expression settles into an answer meant to leave no room for courtly speculation.
Beatrice Halewick
No, my daring envoy. My father and family have no senior place in the Navy, nor have they secured my access to Admiralty affairs.
The answer removes inheritance and family command from the puzzle. The broad-shouldered court woman’s authority rests on her own standing, judgment, and long familiarity with the work before her.
Beatrice Halewick
I earned their respect by understanding records, contracts, men, and consequences. No admiral’s daughter placed me there, and no family name speaks through my recommendations.
She returns to the proposal, tapping the shipwright figures with one gloved finger. Her smile turns knowingly private, as though the clarification has improved rather than diminished the evening’s interest.
Well then, my lady, I truly wish I had the tutors that made your mind so formidable against the many-headed beast of the world that is bureaucracy. If the world had more noblewomen in it such as yourself, it would undoubtedly be a much happier, better-managed, and of course a vastly better-looking affair for us all to marvel at and appreciate...” I will smile at her with eyes full of genuine admiration. Let us rehearse prepared phrases and key words for my presentation, so that we may make notes that will be carefully designed to inspire profound consideration of what the long-term impact of the proposals could mean for the South of England's prepared defenses against all forms of threat to the Kingdom's welfare...
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Arrus Gandon
My lady, I wish I had the tutors who forged your formidable mind. If the world had more noblewomen like you, it would be happier, better governed, and vastly more beautiful. Let us rehearse our phrases and key words, then shape notes that make the proposals’ long-term value to southern defenses impossible to overlook.
The broad-shouldered court woman’s amusement softens into genuine pleasure. She draws the proposal sheets between them, setting aside the supper plates so their conversation can become a careful preparation for tomorrow’s presentation.
Beatrice Halewick
Your praise is extravagantly offered, but I shall accept it as sincere. Begin with the central phrase: sound coastal defenses are not an expense, but the Crown’s first protection against disorder and foreign pressure.
Together they test each sentence aloud, replacing ornament with memorable language. The broad-shouldered court woman marks phrases concerning reliable yards, honest provisioning, paid sailors, and patrols that can answer threats before they reach shore.
Beatrice Halewick
There. Your strongest conclusion is this: prudent investment now preserves trade, revenue, and lives later. Say that plainly, then let the figures prove the wisdom rather than burying it beneath grand language.
By the end of the rehearsal, the notes contain a clear opening, three practical priorities, and a final appeal to the South’s long-term security. The broad-shouldered court woman approves the arrangement and adds her own concise annotations in the margins.
Quest Complete
Finalize the shipyard remedy with Beatrice