Will glanced up from his book when he heard a series of splashes. To his surprise, he saw a young woman wading into the water, her dress pulled up to her knees. The breeze blew her long curls off of her face. The girl had obviously not seen him. Slightly embarrassed to be witnessing such a scene, Will thought to leave. However, curiosity got the better of him. He knew of every young woman in Port Royal and none seemed the type to go anywhere near the ocean, let alone in it.

Except for one.

Will's jaw fell open at the sight of Elizabeth breathing in the salty sea air. He could not tear his eyes from her though he felt as if he was intruding. Elizabeth now let the back of her dress trail in the water behind her as she lifted up the front and walked along the beach. The wind began tossing her hair in several different directions and she closed her eyes, seemingly content to simply have the air brush her cheeks.

Will felt a surge of courage and he began to get up. He was going to tell her how he felt. He was going to let her know. And yet watching her, his conviction faded and quick as it had come. Then what? She would laugh? She would tell all her friends that the blacksmith had confessed his love for her? Will let out a bitter sigh and grabbed his things and tried to walk quickly yet quietly away.

Just then Elizabeth glanced up and then gasped seeing Will, her hand flying to her mouth. Will bowed respectfully, his cheeks flushed.

"I'm very sorry Miss Swann. I did not mean to trespass on your privacy," he said mechanically and then turned to leave.

Elizabeth reached out her arm to him. "No no, Will I'm sorry. I was just startled. Why are you leaving?"

"I do not wish to embarrass you," he said, not looking at her.

"You will not embarrass me. So long as you don't print this in the local paper or it tell it around town." Her tone was one of seriousness but Will turned to see a playful grin spreading on her face. In spite of his mood, Will smiled slightly and then let out a soft chuckle. "And even then, you would only do me proud, but my father..."

"No, I would not wish to do that." Will looked at the sand gathered on his shoes and fumbled for the right thing to say. "I'm sorry, I was just reading and then you came and didn't see me so I was just going to sneak away..."

"Don't worry Will," she said with a shrug. "No harm done. I come here all the time. And I am glad it is you who caught me rather than one of the other young men." Thankfully Elizabeth was looking away when she said this otherwise she would have seen the hurt evident on Will's face. "Those gits would have immediately gone to my father and demanded to know why I was not taught the meaning propriety." Will looked at her surprised.

"You come here often then?" he said after a brief silence. Elizabeth was looking out at the setting sun thoughtfully.

"Mmm. All the time. I would live here but I suppose father would get suspicious." Will laughed. She smiled back at him and Will felt his knees weaken. "If I had it my way, I would come out every morning and watch the sunrise. I would never wear one of those awful gowns again. And I wouldn't care who saw me. It's only my father... and his position... I can not tarnish his reputation."

Will nodded, understanding. "You must get tired of it."

Elizabeth sighed, looking back at Will. "Very much so. My life is one of a doll. I wear pretty clothes and have my hair up and say little, just do my best to look good and be sweet. If my father, or anyone else for that matter knew how I really wished to spend my time..." she trailed off. "I'm sorry Will, I do not want to burden you with my troubles."

"Oh no, it is fine Miss Swann..." Will stopped when Elizabeth shot him a look. "It's fine," he went on, avoiding her dark eyes, "I don't mind."

There was a momentary lapse in the conversation and Will wondered if he had angered her. But when she spoke again, her voice was pleasant. "So what brings you out to my favorite spot? Surely your excuse is not the same as mine."

"No, I was just reading. Nothing important. I simply went for a walk and found this beautiful piece of land and decided to take advantage of the nice weather." Will saw Elizabeth roll her eyes on the word "weather." He quickly went on. "How is your father?"