Four tents were in the middle of the forest, torches lit on sticks as they illuminated the small area being covered by the tents. In the middle was a campfire and two silhouettes sat around it on logs of wood. One had a huge frame which Robert assumed to be Captain Asher. The other was thinner and had a bigger head. It was obviously Howard.

They both heard the sound of the carriage door close and stood, looking their way. Robert and Ella went closer to the fire and Robert's assumptions were confirmed. The flames flickered in Captain Asher's brown eyes and he extended a hand to shake Robert and gave a curt nod to Ella.

"How do you do, Your Lordship," The Captain asked, sitting back on the log of wood.

"Blinding as usual."

"My Lord, you've arrived," Howard said and glanced at Ella, a smirk lingering at the corner of his lips. "I suppose it was an enjoyable trip."

Robert knew he was teasing him. "You could say that."

Ella sat next to Captain Asher and soon they both engaged in a conversation. Robert took this chance to ask Howard about what they discussed yesterday. Pulling Howard by the arm, he led him to a nearby tree and peeked over his shoulder at Ella before he asked the question.

"Do you have the bloody book?" He asked in a hushed tone.

"Aye," Howard said and dug his hand into his waistcoat, bringing out a book. "You're quite desperate. She's not running away, you know?"

He glanced back at the campfire and saw Ella laughing with the Captain. She looked so beautiful with the flames capturing the shade of her oval face and reflecting in her brown eyes.

Robert took the book and hid it inside his waistcoat. It was quite small for a book, but thick.

"So how does this book teach me about love? Do I just read it? Or do I get a book and pen to jot down details?"

Howard chuckled. "I can't believe I'm about to explain how to read a novel to you. You're Robert fucking Stark."

"I didn't know I had such an interesting middle name."

"Look at it this way. This is a romance novel. It's about the story of a character who goes through change which is mostly pivoted by the love interest." Howard leaned on the tree, gesticulating as he spoke.

"So you're saying I should imagine myself as a character in a novel." That was ridiculous. Bloody ridiculous.

"I didn't say that," Howard pointed out. "If you were a bloody character in a novel every single female character would have your baby."

Fuck you, Mr Lithstone.

"I'm a changed man, Mr Lithstone," Robert announced, crossing his arms. Ever since he saw love in a new light, he didn't think he would have the guts to do to those women those horrible things. He used them, thinking he was experiencing love, and that was a pang of guilt he was going to carry for the rest of his life. But he'll probably learn to make peace with it.

"Let's hope so, for Ella's sake," Howard said. "Just read the novel. It's the best-written work that could explain love to you."

"Don't you dare say a word about this to Ella," Robert warned, staring grimly into Howard's dark eyes.

"As much as I would relish in the sight of the consequences of that, I wouldn't dare say a word." Howard tapped his friend in the back. "You deserve a chance at love. Real love."

He did. He truly did. He didn't get it from his father. He barely got it from his mother. Maybe Ella was going to be different. But before he could think of letting her know he loved her, he was going to try and understand the concept of love itself.

"Thank you, Mr Lithstone," Robert said. "Let's go join the others."

"Miss Featherington was just telling about how she made a moon lamp on her way here," Captain Asher said as Robert and Howard joined them around the campfire.

"Aye, it was impressive," Robert said. "All that's left is to light it up."

Howard looked up to the sky. A half moon hung up there, twinkling stars spread onto the dark canvas.

"The moon is out. Now is a good time," he said.

Captain Asher leaned forward, glancing to and fro between Ella and Robert. "I've never seen the moon lamp light up before. Now will be a good time to show us."

"Alright," Robert gestured for Ella to follow him and she skipped off to him, excitement flashing in her brown eyes. Even he wasn't this excited about the moon lamp when he made it. He appreciated the passion she possessed. It was one of her features that he admired. Robert opened the carriage and brought out the moon lamp, swirling in his heels to Ella. "We'll need an angle that's ninety degrees to the moon."

"What about that tree's branch?" Ella asked, pointing at an oak tree that Captain Asher's carriage was parked under.

"That's a good position."

They walked to it and Robert then hunched his back, motioning for Ella to get on it.

"You want me to climb your back?" She asked, her tone laced with surprise.

"Yes, if not how do we hang the lamp?"

"Alright, if you say so," she said, getting unto his back. Once she did, he stood, his hands sinking into her thick soft thighs. He could feel the heat down there and he smiled. Naughty girl.

She stared down at him. "Don't look up."

"Nothing I haven't seen, Ella," he said smirking.

Her cheeks turned scarlet. "Because we've had a few moments isn't a free ticket to a panty show."

"A panty show? Where do you get such words from, Ella?" Robert asked, moving her closer to the branch.

She hung the moon lamp on the wooden branch. "My friend has an extensive vocabulary for certain interesting words."

"Juliet, ey?"

She nodded and looked down at him grinning. "Don't bring me down. I'm enjoying being carried."

"Do you realise how big your derriere is?" Robert asked, humour in his voice.

"I've seen you look at it a couple of times. I assume you can't take your eyes off it."

Surely he had stared at her big buttocked behind. He wasn't addicted to staring all the time. Miss Featherington shouldn't get ahead of herself. In a bid to change the direction of the discussion, he thought of doing something silly.

A soft spank was sent to her buttocks and she laughed out loud, begging him to bring her down.

"I thought you wanted to be carried?" He asked, trying to hold back his smile.

She chuckled. "I'm entitled to a change of mind." He settled her down and she looked up to the moon lamp. "How does it light up?"

"Give the photonic crystals an extra minute," he said.

"But we don't have-"

The bright silver-white glow encompassed Robert's eyes sight and he raised a hand above his eyes to avoid getting blind. Ella wasn't smart enough to do so, so he covered her eyes with his other hand. When the light was soft enough for them to look at it, he removed his hand.

"Here it is, Ella." He rubbed his hand against her shoulder softly as he brought her closer to his body. She just gawked at the beautiful lunar light, her body limp from shock. "Your first moon lamp."

Making it wasn't easy, even though he gave her a manual. If a screw was even an inch out of place, the moon lamp won't work. Ella was born for this. Not the kitchen. He was proud of her. And he didn't see that stopping any time soon.

*******

"It's beautiful," Ella said, watching the moon lamp with a slacking jaw. Ella believed that no matter how much she looked at this lamp, she'll never get used to its elegance and magnificence.

She had finally done it. She had made the moon lamp, though it wasn't complete. But she was one step away from making the most brilliant invention of the 19th century. She considered herself lucky to be Robert's student. She knew a lot of people would kill to be in her position. So she was going to be grateful, no matter what.

"Bloody hell," Captain Asher said, joining them, Howard by his side. "So this is it."

"Aye," Robert said, nodding his head. "It's a beauty isn't it?"

Howard shook his hand. "I never get used to how good this looks."

The silver-white light of the lamp spilt onto the camp, overtaking the soft glow of the torches. Ella felt a big hand hold her shoulders and she turned to see who it was.

Captain Asher stood behind her, smiling. "You're one of a kind, Miss Featherington."

Her brown eyes went soft. "But my father doesn't think so."

"That's his business," he replied, looking at the moon lamp. "I would do anything to have a child who could build something this beautiful. You're a smart woman, Miss Featherington. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Ella could feel the tears well up in her eyes as she watched the Captain go back to the campfire, momentarily glancing at the moon lamp. Soon Howard followed him and she was left standing with Robert, looking up at the glowing lamp.

"You should let the tears pour," Robert said, glancing at her. "They are tears of joy. Savour the moment."

The warm tears roll down her rosy cheeks. It was a stream of joy and sadness. The joy of being closer to her dream and the sadness that her father didn't believe she could do it. Soon enough she was going to prove him wrong.

Robert's fingers reached to hers, softly asking for permission to hold her hand. She let him, their hands locked together as they looked at the moon lamp.

"By this time tomorrow,we'll be in Crawley." Robert rubbed his thumb in circles on her palm. "And may God help our journey be a success."

Ella closed her eyes, the tears still rolling down. "Amen."

******