Yeah. I know. This update is very late. I'm sorry. Life got crazy after graduation what with the new job and having to plan my wedding (just 11 days to go and my toes couldn't be toastier!). Anyways, I struggled with this chapter a little. Wasn't quite sure how I wanted to take the story, but I think I figured it out in a way I'm happy with and I hope you will be to! Sooooo I hope you enjoy and please feel free to leave reviews, I love reading them! Onwad!

Amelia's heart was racing a million miles a minute as the coach carried her and Emmaline through the streets of London to the docks to catch the boat that would take Amelia on the first leg of her grand adventure. Though it was racing faster than her grandfather's prized stallion, it was racing free for the first time since her parents had died. She brushed the cameo at her neck and smiled at the thought of her mother. She would have been horrified, but secretly proud of what her Mel had done for herself tonight.

Amelia looked out the window; it was raining. Somewhere Amelia had heard that rain was a good sign. That it meant the slate was washed clean and there was to be a new beginning. Well, she certainly hoped so. She had plans that went beyond just seeing the world, but actually taking control of her parent's property in India and bringing it back to what it had been. She'd been reading the reports that her grandfather had been getting the last couple of years and they were not happy ones. Amelia was sure that with a little time and effort she could breathe new life into the failing plantation. After all, she was more than just a debutante. She'd been running her grandfather's household for years, and unlike most ladies she knew, she did more than just write up the menus. She managed the household funds, the paying of the staff, the budget that Cook was allowed was redone every two weeks based on the menu itself, what was in season, and how well her grandfather's stocks were doing. Amelia was constantly nagging Johnson, her grandfather's steward, for the latest numbers and as much as Johnson put on a show about the unseemliness of women dealing with numbers, Amelia knew he was secretly proud of her for keeping everyone in check.

The coach came to halt with a slight lurch that knocked Amelia out of her daydreaming and back into reality. The humid orchards of India would have to wait. First, she had to get through the dreary wet docks of London's West side. Her and Emmaline's tickets were already bought and paid for a week ahead of time and there was no hitch getting them and their luggage on the boat. Although, a little grumbling could be heard from the crew about the amount of baggage the two ladies had brought. Emmaline had insisted it was necessary.

As they made their way to the top of the gang plank and the deck of the ship they were greeted by a man with a well-trimmed black beard that had been shot through with steely grey, his head was covered with a cap, but you could see that it was also black with some grey at the temples. His eyes were hard and, Amelia imagined, brown, though they appeared black in the twilight.

He squinted at her and wrinkles appeared around the corners of his eyes.

"Welcome aboard The Castilian, Lady Amelia. I am her captain, William Blake. She's a fine ship and she'll get us where were going. There will be rules however and I expect them to be followed to the letter." He gave her a stern look before continuing. "The first and most important rule, do as I say and if I am not able to say it you will do as my first mate, Jameson, says. Second, I request that you and your lady retire to your cabin directly after supper."

"One hour." Amelia stated, interrupting him.

Blake jerked his head, eyes round, infuriated that he had been interrupted by this little girl who was playing at things she did not understand. "What was the first rule, my lady?"

"To do as you say, Captain, but I have been doing as everyone says all my life. The whole point of this expedition is to do as I say for once in my life," Amelia explained.

The Captain rebutted, "The request is so as to keep you from distracting my crew and possibly acquiring attention that your ladyship and her maid will not be wanting."

"I understand the safety reasoning behind the request Captain, but I have never been anywhere but here and therefore have never sailed before. I can only assume that I will have what you sailors refer to as a 'landlubbers stomach' and by my way of thinking, a few minutes of fresh air after a meal would go a long ways in making sure no one has to mop up anymore mess than is necessary. That, and I would like to be able to spend a few minutes admiring the sea. This will be my very first adventure, Captain, and I would like to make the most of it."

Blake's eyes softened as he saw in her his own wild hearted child, Sarah Ann, who was lost to him far too soon. "Very well. One hour after supper up on deck I will grant you. Unless the weather is bad, then its straight to your cabin, understand?" He tried to make the last sentence sound harsher and more firm. And utterly failed.

Amelia smiled, "Thank you for understanding, Captain Blake. Now, where is our cabin?"

"If you'll follow me, I'll show you." Blake said before turning on his heel and leading them across the deck.

Amelia gazed at everything in awe as she walked. She'd never realized just how tall the masts on a ship were. She'd seen them from a distance, but this was something else entirely. And the way the ship moved under her feet was an utterly disconcerting feeling. She had the sneaking suspicion that movement would be a problem.

The captain went down a set of stairs and led them through a short passageway. He pointed out the galley, where meals would be served, and told them each meal would be signaled with the ringing of a bell and that they would dine with him as often as he was available.

Finally, he stopped just a short ways past the galley.

"This will be your cabin," he said opening the door for them, "the sheets on the bed are fresh. Make sure everything is tied down else it'll go flying if we hit hard seas. Should you be needing anything mine is the cabin next to yours. I'll leave you ladies to get settled. We'll be shoving off any minute now." With that he doffed his hat and left them to their own devices.

Emmaline, who had been more quiet than usual, spoke up, "Well he seems nice, if a little rough around the edges."

Amelia through herself backwards landing on the bed with a little puff, feeling perfectly exhilarated, "He's exactly how I imagined a sea captain to be."

With that the two ladies got to work securing their trunks and pulling out their nightgowns, preparing themselves for bed.

Amelia's last thoughts before she drifted off to sleep were, soon I will be able to see for myself if what the Greysons say is true.

Unbeknownst to either of the ladies, the captain was currently on deck dealing with a man who, on the surface exuded a sense of entitlement and wealth. The captain hated dealing with men like that. However, as the Captain listened to the man talk and heard his story he realized that this was not the usual entitled man. This man was different. So, the man was allowed aboard, but the only free space was a bunk below deck with the rest of the crew. The man accepted without hesitation and it was that what told the captain all he needed to know of the man. With a nod at his first mate, the order was given to push off and within in minutes The Castilian was out to sea and headed for Boma, Africa.