"I'm sorry Miss, but passengers forbidden from the bridge," barked a sailor, who had apparently been given the duty of guarding the bridge from curious passengers.

"Please sir, just this once." I pleaded, knowing that it was somewhat beneath a girl of my status to beg, but I had to see him.

I could tell that the sailor was about to refuse me again when, to my surprise, the captain came over to us. "What seems to be the problem, Miss Andrews?" he asked.

"Please, I need to speak to Officer Moody," I told him, and with some thought he finally allowed me to pass onto the bridge. "Thank you sir," I sighed deeply and shivered at the thought of finally being able to look into his deep brown eyes again.

"Not to worry Miss, just please be discrete," he said and gave me a slight smile. My heart skipped a beat as I made my way into the Wheel House where I hoped to find him.

And, when I saw him there my heart stopped. I stood still in time it was just me and him, with the sight of him paralysing me from head to toe. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed in concentration out on the horizon. I took my first breath. "Officer Moody?" I asked, panting and with the beat of my heart full in my ears. I stepped closer towards him than was necessary. I saw him give a slight start as he turned his head to look at me.

"Miss Andrews!" he replied in shock. "What are you doing here?" he asked, stopping to nod at his colleagues, who nodded back with a smile. He left his position to walk over to me.

"I wanted to speak to you, if that is alright?" I said nervously and looked deep into his eyes. As he bored back into mine I knew he felt as nervous as I did. I waited patiently for his reply, all the while my mind was racing, my body aching to reach out and touch his skin, hold his hand. He looked over my head, gave another nod and without words finally lent me his arm. With a small sigh I took it.

"What are you doing here?" he asked me as we walked along the deck, I tried to keep my eyes forward, scared that if I looked into his eyes once more, then I would never be able to stop. He, very calmly, would nod to a passenger who passed us by every now and again.

"I wanted to apologize for being so short with you," I blurted out as I took a chance and once again turned my gaze back on him.

"Miss Andrews, I do not understand why you are apologising. You have done nothing wrong," he said sweetly as he stopped walking, causing me to stop also. I could tell that he was utterly confused at my behaviour.

"I just feel like I have been utterly rude to you." I said briskly, feeling shameful that I had to make up such a lie in order to see the man that held my heart with such strong hands. It did not take long before I felt him gently take hold on my chin and bring my gaze back up to his, his gloves radiating the warmth from his hands that I so longed for.

"Miss. Andrews, I assure you that you have by no means been rude." And with that, he looked deep into my eyes.

"But...I..." I tried to talk but I seemed to have become tongue tied. I shook myself, and forced myself to be confident and do what I want. "Officer Moody..." I began, but was interrupted by the soft chuckles that came from the Officer before me.

"Look, my dear. Please do not be upset. If it will dry those eyes, please, I would like to ask you if I may be so bold as to escort you to dinner tonight."His kind words made a huge smile erupt across my face.

"Gladly." I said, smiling still.

"Now come on you daft girl, let me escort you back to your cabin." With that he once again offered me his arm and escorted me back to my cabin.

However I did not stay in my cabin, once Officer Moody had returned to his duties I made quietly made my way through the winding passage ways down to 3rd class to see if I would be able to find this mysterious man that had my interest so captivated. It did not take long to find him once I made my way onto the steerage deck I saw him by the railing of the ship, ignoring the odd looks that I was receiving from the other passengers I walked up to him.

"Excuse me sir?" I asked as I approached the man from behind.

"Oui?" the man answered in smouldering French, his Cherbourg accent sent shivers down my already quaking spine. Face to face this man was still every part le mystérieux to me. As we both took in each other's auras his eyes widened with shock.

"Mademoiselle! What are you doing here?"

I saw you from up on the bridge. You waved, remember?"

I smiled with warm triumph at his slightly perplexed face. I had been brought up to speak fluent French and adored the charms of its beautiful tones. Obviously this man had never met an English woman who knew his mother tongue so well.

Mon Dieu! Mademoiselle, I am sorry, but I have never met a woman quite like you. Your French is perfect! It must be my lucky day, God has sent me an angel, and such a beauty at that! I must apologise for my abruptness, I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable. Please, tell me your name?"

"Please sir, do not apologize. Your somewhat questionable compliments merely make me more curious. Any man with little regards for protocols and class division is of interest to me, especially one so handsome. Before I will disclose my name, you must tell me yours."

"My name, it is Vincent, Mademoiselle, and might I add that those are big words coming from a lady who stares at people."

With a cocky smile Vincent crossed his arms and struck a pose so defiant that it said to me that he thought he knew what I was all about.

I was not about to let him feel like he had won. I chose my words carefully, and dropped my voice, slipped closer to him and whispered…

"Perhaps it is not me who was staring at you, for you obviously noticed my face. From your compliments I am sure that I intrigue you just as much as you intrigue me"

I stepped back from him and watched him squirm. Innocently, I fluttered my eyelashes at him. I knew that I was in danger of becoming what Indi and I referred to as a harlot, but the rush of satisfaction that talking to this man gave me was enough to push those thoughts out of my mind.

He stepped towards me and my heart quickened. "Mademoiselle, I think that you are in dangerous territory, no? I mean, asking a lowly 3rd class boy like myself such questions, don't you know you are liable to get yourself into trouble?"

"You, garçon, have no idea who you are talking to. Who says I can't handle a little bit of trouble?"

With that remark he was physically shocked again. I had no idea what impact my fearless words were having on this naïve Frenchman. Something in his eyes told me that he was thinking dangerously. "You know, I saw you with an Officer earlier when you were admiring the view. If you say you can handle trouble, why not come with me and forget about that stuffy old man?"

At this, it was my turn to be shocked. All the questions that had been rushing around in my mind for the last few days suddenly had answers. If I were to go with Vincent, it would lead to adventure, danger and possibly love. But this would not be forever. If I chose to be wise and to stay on course with Officer Moody, then I would be answering the questions in my heart.

"Excuse me! My private life is none of your business. I was merely intrigued by a man who I thought could offer me a little adventure, but I can see that the adventure you're thinking of will last about five minutes. Au revoir, Vincent."

I did not want to see the hurt in his eyes that was already making me regret my decision and I quickly turned to leave. In that moment, Vincent spoke the words that unknown to me would change my life.

"Follow your heart and you will find the freedom that you so desire."