Just in case anyone actually reads this

“Sweetheart, are you feeling well?” Lieutenant Cross questioned.
    Amorah had not yet touched her breakfast and her participation in the table’s conversation had been very basic; she found herself quite distracted and had not heard her father’s question.
    Cross cleared his throat. “Amorah?” he repeated.
    “Hhm, yes what?” she replied, breaking from her reverie.
    “You seem rather distant this morning, are you sure you’re feeling alright?”
    Though her father’s appearance was quite intimidating, his green eyes were soft and full of love and compassion for his daughter. Amorah was glad she had inherited these eyes, though the rest of her exterior was nearly an exact replica of her mother. Her skin was fair and freckled and her shoulder length curls were the exact auburn color her mother’s had been. She smiled at the thought, but quickly snapped to attention as to not dwell on the uncontrollable events of the past.
    “Ahem,” she recovered herself, “Oh, me? Yes, of course I’m feeling quite well. I suppose I may be a bit distracted…”
    Her father colored.
    Oh lord! No! She thought nervously. Did he really tell my father I had been kissing Jacob in the hallway? He really is a scoundrel!
    “By the excitement of our arrival!” she added quickly
    “Oh!” her father looked relieved. “Yes, you must be quite worried about the reactions you’ll be receiving from every girl in London once they hear of your engagement. Quite a few hearts will be broken, that I will tell you!” Her father laughed whole-heartedly at his joke. Amorah smiled at him.
    “Yes, father that is precisely it!”
    She excused herself and planned to return to her room after a stroll around the deck. As she walked along next to the railing she looked out over the sea, glistening with light from the sun. Though she often dealt very well with the passing of her mother, today was a day in which the memories could not be suppressed. She longed for nothing more than to curl up next to her and listen as she read aloud, stories of mischief and old battles; stories usually reserved for the ears of boys. Her father never liked this much, but he would have allowed anything for her mother.
    She was thin and tall and beautiful yet gracious and gentle. Her features and manners were of only the most elegant sort. She was positively captivating and anyone that had even the briefest encounter with her would attest to it. Amorah still remembered how her large brown eyes twinkled with delight up until the moment she died. The ocean breeze blew through Amorah’s hair and she sighed with satisfaction. Though her mood was melancholy, this was her first moments peace since her engagement.

Here's a bit more

     She laid there and pondered her relationship with Jacob. Everything is so muddled and confusing. I was absolutely positive I felt no love for him, though I guess I rather enjoy some aspects of his company. She blushed though there was no one around and even if there were, they could not hear her thoughts. She forced herself out of bed, slipped on a white dress that was flowered with cherry blossoms, one of her mother‘s old ones, and moved to the wash basin to freshen up for breakfast. Besides, she thought, it seemed rather fashionable among ladies to ignore love and marry for other benefits. Any other girl would be ecstatic if they were engaged to Jake, so what’s wrong with me?
    “I don’t love him.” she said solemnly shaking her head.
    “What was that?” came a very familiar voice.
    Amorah looked up to find the night captain perched on the deck outside of her window and sporting one of his infamous grins. She shrieked and then said a silent prayer, thanking God she had dressed before washing up.
    “Well if it isn’t the nameless scoundrel,” she said, trying to sound bored with his little visit, despite her racing heart, “Are you walking around peeping in every girls window or just a lucky select few?” she asked feeling rather clever. Her lips turned upward into a self-superior smile.
    “Now, now Amorah,” he said shaking his head and hopping down into her room.
    “The other night you accused me of groping and now it’s peeping, what’s next? I have to say I take offense in all of these accusations,” he smiled. “I think we both know you wouldn’t be included in the lucky few anyway.” he concluded with a wink.
    She was offended, even if he were kidding.
    “Why are you here?” she said showing no emotional response to his little jab.
    “Well to be quite honest, I overheard your father asking your sister if she had seen you yet this morning and I, being the kind gentleman I am, said I had, in fact, seen you just a few moments ago wrapped passionately in the arms of your fiancé. You can imagine the bright red color your father’s face turned, upon hearing this news. As he was recovering from the initial shock, I offered to stop in and check on you whilst finishing my morning patrol. However, I can see my kindness is very unwelcomingly received.” he said taking mock offense.
    “You told my father!?” Amorah shouted at him, “I am no dumby! I refuse to believe that’s true.”
    “No, Amorah you’re right,” he confessed, while walking towards her.
    “It’s not true. I came here on my own accord. I needed to see you, to talk to you,” he stepped even closer, almost indecently so, and whispered, “to touch you.” With this he wrapped his arm around Amorah’s waist in an attempt to pull her in. However, she was no fool to his games. She quickly slid from his grasp and slapped him forcefully across the face.
    “Kindly never speak to me again.” she said flatly, “It’s really a shame I had to ask you twice.” She turned, grabbed her cloche, and walked quickly from her room; slamming the door and leaving the shocked young captain standing alone in her room. However, she saw a smile dance across his lips just as she closed the door.

This is the start of Chapter 3, methinks

“Amorah, Morah? Are you in there darling?” came a loud unwelcome voice accompanied by very insistent knocking.
    “Amorah please, it’s Jacob let me in.” he pleaded rustling the door knob.
    Amorah mumbled in response and rolled out of bed. She felt around blindly for her glasses.
    The knocking persisted and she had nearly given up on her search when she remembered that she had conveniently used them to keep her place in Jane Eyre last night when her lamp light had become top dim to read further. She had broken many a pair of glasses this way, however, she stubbornly continued this practice. After crawling around on the ground for her book she stood up successfully placing her spectacles on her head. She opened the door a crack and made a groggy attempt at a greeting.
    “Oh love, I am so sorry! I woke you didn’t I?” he apologized while thrusting open the door and kissing his fiancé on the forehead.
    Amorah half-smiled with her eyes barely opened, then gestured and murmured some sort of response which Jacob took to mean that she thought nothing of the wake-up call.
    “Good, good!” he replied, closing the door and guiding Amorah to the sofa, “I come bearing good news! The captain announced that we should be arriving ashore in  three days and then just the short journey to London!” he said smiling emphatically.
    To this Amorah opened her eyes and hugged Jacob with surprising enthusiasm.
    “This is so wonderful!” she exclaimed, “I haven’t seen Carolyn in ages!” Jacob’s smile broadened and he hugged her tighter.
    “Yes, and we can publicly announce our engagement!” he added, Amorah’s smile wavered.
    “Oh, oh yes of course,” she agreed trying to share his excitement, while pulling away from his embrace, “Our engagement, everyone will be so…thrilled when they hear,” she added through clenched teeth; while still attempting a smile.
    “Uhm, well yes. I think so too.” noticing her expression, he asked, “Are you alright Mor, you don’t seem quite so excited anymore, what’s wrong?”
    “Wrong!” she cried, unprepared for this question, “Why, what could possibly be wrong? We will arrive in London in approximately three days time and then everyone will know of our engagement. I’m swell Jacob, really.” she nodded and smiled in reassurance.
    He took her hands in his. “Somehow I’m not quite convinced,” he said frowning slightly, “But I know I could not be happier.”
    Jacob leaned in for a kiss and Amorah, realizing almost too late, quickly turned her cheek to him. Amorah quickly pulled away and raced to open the door. Jacob sighed and followed her.
    “Amorah,” he said taking her face in his hands, “I love you.”
    She was desperate for any form of escape, however, at that exact moment the ‘night captain’ as she was forced to refer to him as, walked past looking altogether too smug for her liking. Instead of dodging the kiss that Jacob once again sought she embraced it, melting her body, almost inappropriately, against his. With one eye open she watched his expression, initially shocked but then as he continued to walk down the hall she heard faint muffled laughter.
    Jacob clung to her, forcing his body closer still, pressing his hand into the small of her back. This is exactly the kind of situation I’ve been trying to avoid! She thought with dismay and discomfort. Though she would have liked nothing more than to peel herself from Jacob’s body and hastily shut the door, she seemed incapable of doing just that. She felt terribly inappropriate, locked in an embrace in the doorway to her bedroom; however, her lips did nothing to discourage the passion with which Jacob’s were meeting them. She was shocked by the safety and warmth she felt in his arms. Could I actually be enjoying this right now?  She thought. She was completely astounded. Dear God! Am I…attracted to my fiancé?
    She ripped her body from Jacob’s and forced him into the corridor, slamming the door with more stealth than she was aware she possessed. She stared at him through the peep hole, watching as he tried to recover himself.
    “Amorah?” he questioned, his voice cracked and he looked very unsure of himself.
    “Uhmm… see you at breakfast darling!” she shouted through the door, then threw herself onto the bed and buried her head in the pillows.

For those who are interested (Vick)

However, she was very much mistaken. Leaning down, he grabbed her around the waist and slung her easily over his shoulder as she shrieked and fought to be put down. Her earthy silk-flowered cloche fell to the ground, revealing her vibrant auburn hair, that had previously rested on her head in perfect finger waves.
    “You will stop right this instant!” She said in a strained whisper, afraid of waking the other passengers.
    “Will I?” He said sounding rather bored.
    “Yes! You will.” She spat as he stepped out of the doorway with her still slung over his shoulder.
    “Okay, if that’s what you really wish.” And he dropped her on the hard floor, slamming his door. She listened as the lock clicked into place. Her green eyes narrowed fiercely.
    She stood up, inhaled deeply, smoothed out her floral tunic, and rubbed her now, probably bruised, bottom. However, that was the extent of her composure. She attacked his door; fists, elbow, knees, feet, all of her limbs were thrashing in rage at the closed door.
    “You are the most obstinate, rude, annoyingly--”
    “Handsome?” he said opening his door and stepping towards her.
    “No!” She shouted at him.
    “Charming?” he questioned, taking a step closer to her with a widening grin.
    “Wh-what? Of course not, is that a joke? I was going to say annoyingly-”
    “Ahh,” he exhaled knowingly, now he was so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. “You mean annoyingly irresistible,” he stroked her freckled, pink skin lightly, following it down the cape of her neck, “Am I wrong?” He questioned almost inaudibly. Her eyes closed at his touch and she inhaled sharply.
    He lowered his lips to her ear, “Amorah?” he whispered smoothly.
    She mumbled in response, not trusting her voice.
    A low chuckle came from deep in his throat and his lips almost brushed her ear as he breathed, “You really can’t resist me, can you?”
    Her eyes burst open as she ripped away from his touch.
    She huffed in anger, “You-you-you!!” He laid his finger to her lips.
    “It’s alright darling, no need for words.”
    “Kindly never speak to me again.” Amorah said, slapped his hand from her face and pushed, the now laughing captain, forcefully into his room and marched off with quick determined footsteps to her still locked bedroom.
“Amorah! W-wait!” he managed to yell through his laughter, “Don’t leave, we were having such a pleasant time!” He started walking quickly after her.
    She turned abruptly and glared with enough contempt to stop any sane man dead in his tracks, but he remained completely unaffected and continued his pursuit.
    “You know, I really can’t understand why you’re so upset, you seemed to be enjoying yourself a moment ago.”
    Amorah turned and walked quickly to face him.
    “That,” she replied sharply, “was not enjoyment or pleasure or anything of the sort! It was a confused, helpless 17 year old girl being groped  by the night captain!” She finished with teeth clenched and balled up fists.
    “Confused and  helpless? That’s really interesting, judging by the way you were swooning it appeared to be quite the opposite.” he circled around her, “Now I’m the one who’s confused…” he pouted.
    Her anger was dissipating and she smiled slightly but then quickly remember herself and cleared her throat.
    “I really would prefer not to stand hear and listen to you mock me any longer. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m returning to my room, with or without the key.”
    Reaching the door she felt drained and confused. He’s absolutely infuriating, She thought to herself. Terribly difficult to dislike though, but nearly impossible to befriend… He never even told me his damned name! She sighed.
    At that moment arms circled her waist to the door and a body pressed obscenely close to her own. She rotated her body and opened her mouth to speak but once again a finger silenced her and he slipped the key in the lock, unlatching the door. He lingered momentarily, then pulled his body from hers.
    “You! Are the incarnation of-”
    “Irresistibility, yes, believe me, I know. Its one of my many flaws, but it comes with the trade. I am the night captain after all.” he finished with his head hung, feigning shame, this little show was for her benefit no doubt. With that he disappeared down the corridor, leaving Amorah standing alone in her dark doorway.

She reached the captain’s lounge and knocked once but when the door opened, instead of receiving a warm greeting from red-cheeked, jovial Harold Smith, she was confronted by a fate much worse. She screeched and jumped back from  the door.
    “Ah! For the love of- Who are you and why must you haunt me so!?” She cried, only half-jokingly.
    “You just can’t get enough of me can you?” He questioned, now smirking.
    “What are you implying? And who in the world are you?” Amorah was surprised at this meeting. She thought she had done away with this man after their first encounter and she didn’t know whether she felt pleasure or discontent. Especially when he flashed one of his very characteristic grins.
    “Who am I ? Well, I’m the night captain.” He said, his grin broadened. “And would you look at that, you’re even more infatuated with me then you were before, can’t keep you’re eyes off of me.”
    “Spare me the arrogant antics. I wouldn’t give you the time of day then and will not now. I know nothing about you, accept for the fact that you’re rude and extremely conceited, so do not think for one moment that I sought you out. I l-lo,” Amorah faltered,  “ I really like my fiancé! Now I came down here in search of Captain Smith, I would like it if he could unlock my door, I’ve for gotten my key. Where is he?”
    Once again he smiled and said, “Harry is in his compartment sleeping. As I have already said, I happen to be the night captain. If you would be a doll and just ask nicely, I would be more than happy to lend a helping hand, once again.”
    “Never will I ask anything of you nicely, I don’t need your assistance. I can get my spare key quite efficiently by myself thank you!” She marched into the room, hoping her voice had been thick with  contempt.
    “Be my guest,” he said quite cordially, “But you won’t find it. Only the captain has access to the spares. So, unless you’re feeling a sudden change in attitude, I am actually feeling quite tired and would love to rest my eyes,” he yawned and guided Amorah to the door.
    “Excuse me!” She shouted, trying to wrestle her way out of his grasp. “But,” she grunted, struggling, “I believe I have the right to my own spare key and there is no way I am leaving this room until I receive it!” And with that she planted herself firmly at his feet.
    “Fine.” He replied all too easily and Amorah smiled smugly at her successful determination.
     However, she was very much mistaken.

Chapter 2

Amorah spent the following week wearing plastered smiles and a diamond any girl would kill for. Every meal was eaten in the company of guests whom she had no knowledge of nor interest in before her engagement. She had never longed for seclusion, but the passing days made her wont for nothing more. Thankfully, she always carried a book or notebook in her beaded clutch.
One evening, after a particularly dull dinner with Jacob’s and her families that lasted much longer than she thought really necessary, she returned to her compartment but found she had left her key on her bedside table. This was no oddity, being the middle of her second week aboard the ship on her family’s two week trip to England. During many afternoon rendezvous’, Amorah would opt for a book instead of keys or leave the door unlatched altogether. A small inconvenience was worth the cost of saving her ears from the many droll stories of her companions. Besides, she needed to jot down the laughable ways in which these people interacted, so that she wouldn’t forget to tell Carolyn.
If it wasn’t for seeing her best friend, she wouldn’t embark on this silly trip and suffer these odious people year after year. Her family would journey to Europe every summer. They would visit a different country each year and then spend the last month in England with her grandmother. Her father would always allow her a week at Carolyn Goodchild’s, however, this year she was staying the entire summer. She wondered how her friend would react to the news of her engagement, and to Jacob of all men! She thought of Carolyn’s initial wide-eyed expression, then imagined her laughing uncontrollably. Wonderful… She thought to herself once and then again for she remembered she had no way of unlocking her door.
In the case of forgotten keys, she would venture to the Captain’s compartment and he would kindly unlock her door. Captain Smith was such an obliging man, but she had never had to ask his assistance at such a late hour. She hoped she would not be bothering him.
Amorah went over the many pretentious and ever so banal conversations that had passed through the course of the night. Mrs. Mauntilae’s voice rung in her head, “Oh Amorah! Wouldn’t Henrietta just look lovely as a bride’s maid?” At dinner she had smiled and nodded quite elegantly but now she thought of throwing Jacob’s obnoxious sister out the ships window and seeing how that would suit Mrs. Mauntilae as a reply. She laughed out loud at the image of Henrietta’s chubby limbs flailing about in the ocean, she would have to write that in her journal; she made a mental note.

And so forth

“Y-you,” he wheezed, laughing so hard that he could barely breath, “You are the mo-” he took a deep breath trying to compose himself, “You are the most facetious woman on the face of the earth. You seem utterly incapable of controlling your thoughts and everything you say is completely inappropriate. It’s actually quite entertaining!” He chuckled again, fortunately his barking laughter had subsided.
Amorah would have been mortified had he not embarrassed and offended her. She may even have apologized for her unnecessary name calling. However, she was infuriated and she would not leave without having her say.
“Me facetious? This coming from the man, who in the mere 20 minutes I have known him, has said absolutely everything on his mind with complete disregard to etiquette, respect, and propriety. You’ve managed to insult my appearance, age, intelligence, and manners. Well you know what? I would much rather be honest, albeit slightly inappropriate, instead of some egotistical apathetic hypocrite!” she nearly spat her last few words. She was shaking with anger and didn’t feel quite satisfied with her rebuttal.
“And just so we’re clear, even if I were staring there’s no need to feel smug. A man such as yourself could only dream of a woman of my intellect and class to take interest in him. And as for me not being to your preference, you only know of me what you heard in my room which is hardly enough to form an opinion on. Besides I would never wish to be classified as one of the tramps that I can only assume you associate with!”
However, her outburst did not seem to have the effect she so desired. Instead of feeling abashed and apologizing profusely; a small smile danced on the mans lips and he began to clap.
“That was quite a show, really, brilliant!” he said laughingly.
“You,” she said trying to remain calm and dignified, “have just helped me realize how lucky I am to have a man like Jacob. A man who’s not afraid to be sweet and considerate. He is a perfect gentleman, which you’ve just shown me, is quite a rarity.”
Mockingly he questioned, “Well then, why don’t you marry him?” And he gave Amorah a smile that would have made her knees weak under any other circumstances.
A stream of uncontrollable words flowed from Amorah’s mouth. She had no idea what she had just said and she was quite sure she did not want to know. The next thing she was aware of was racing back to her quarters to confess her undying love for Jacob with her antagonizer following closely at her heels.


And thus concludes chapter 1, tell me what you think!