The Call of The Sea

George: 27th May

This morning, I rose early. I did not sleep well; I had tossed and turned in my bunk all night. I know I dreamed, but I don't know what of. I can safely presume it was of Miss Somerson as the wretched woman has entranced my mind, leaving me no reprieve. It is a bitter-sweet sensation which I have not decided an opinion about yet.

Most of the crew was still asleep when I rose, so I collected my breakfast and left the ship quietly, eager not to disturb anyone. As I left the ship different people began to rouse. Usually, I wait to see the last man off, hearing their intended escapades of the day, but today I did not have the patience.

I had intended to walk around the city for a while, but I found myself gravitating towards Gladdon place. Subconsciously I was being drawn there. This magnetism to everything involving Miss Somerson was both irritating and endearing. I have never believed in fate, yet maybe... well, who knows?

At this hour of the morning, as it had only just struck nine, the place was almost empty. I went and sat down on a bench amongst a small grove of trees in the centre of the place, beside a woman dressed in a gentle lilac.

Her dress was elegantly understated, and a simple hat sat atop her curls with a lacy veil that she had pulled down over her face. Her nose was so deeply buried in a book that she seemed not to notice my appearance.

I glanced around the place and was wondering how long I would wait for Miss Somerson to arrive before I gave up on the whole escapade, when the girl beside me spoke.

"Captain Ackworth?"

I knew her silvery tones immediately, although I must admit that I was confused in the extreme. Turning to the veiled face, I questioned in shock, "Miss Somerson?"

Removing her veil, the woman with the amazing eyes that I had fantasized about for much of the afternoon, evening, and then morning after, smiled at me. The warmth of her smile spread through my entire body like the heat of the sun, and I could have happily sat watching her enchanting smile all day for the feeling it gave me.

"I was beginning to fear you had forgotten your promise to be here."

"It is only nine o'clock." I remarked in further disbelief.

"Oh, I forget, that is early in London, isn't it?" she blushed, and I delighted in the gentle flush to her pale skin.

"I believe nine is an early hour for most people." This woman was a true enigma and she delighted me.

"Not for me. At home, we used to wake up at six every morning in the summer and seven in the winter months." Her reply was simply matter-of-fact, showing that she liked the custom and did not find it restricting.

"Ah well dear lady, the customs are different in fair London town."

She smiled that radiant smile that eclipsed the sun once more. "I suppose I shall have to learn some more of the customs of London, although I can't confess myself happy to adopt that concept." I found myself loving the girl more and more with every phrase she spoke. "Perhaps you might teach me another." Her eyes danced.

"I know little of the city myself. As soon as I was old enough, I left it to travel."

"It is a beautiful city, but I can see why you would want to travel. I always used to dream..." she trailed off with a glazed look in her eyes.

"You used to dream?" I prompted with genuine interest.

She looked at me. "You will think I'm silly."

"I assure you I could not think anything of the sort."