((Although Belgium was known as the "Austrian Netherlands" during the period of this story, I've kept it simple and left it by its current name -- it may not be era-specific, but it's easier, and easy always wins... or something))

For two weeks, we sailed. The ocean lurched and rolled, mimicking the anxious nature of my heart. Dressed in common and concealing rags to stave off unwanted advances from the crewmen, Lady Gabrielle and I have done our best to earn our passage. We have learned to tie knots, and done laundry with sea water. My hands are red and raw, my neck and arms are tanned hide from the sun's reflection on the waves, and my hair ... oh dear, my hair. But all of these great sacrifices are happily paid, so that I might see a certain man at a cafe, and learn the whereabouts of my beloved. I would withstand a year of this, and worse, to look upon his face again.

The food aboard is quite unpalatable to me, but each night I have taken a bowl of soup or stew and a heel of bread with grateful hunger and enthusiasm, for each meal marks another day we are at sea, and another strike upon the days until I see him again.

Yesterday, I stood on the main deck, beside my loyal and true friend. Lady G and I were doing exceptionally poorly with our knot-tying lessons from a sweet boy, Dan, who did his best to be a gentleman and not to laugh at our miserable failures. So intent were we on our lesson, and for so long did we toil that I did not see a land mass, rising magically from the endless blue rippling satin of the ocean.

A call of "Land, Ho!" was heard from the crow's nest, above, and I froze. Hands ceased to work on the knot. Only the few tendrils of hair which I was unable to tame were brushing my cheek. I dared not raise my view for a few minutes that felt like weeks, for fear of finding it was an error, or worse, a prank. Finally, I lifted my head and there it was. A hazy smudge on the horizon that, while I watched, took shape from simple form to detailed land, and a town's walls grew from within it, as if it were being painted by some celestial hand before my eyes.

I stood, staring, and the vision blurred. I reached out my hand as if to urge the painter to continue, until I realized that this creation was not being undone; it was only my tears of happiness which robbed the details from my view.

There was a growing sound coming from the direction of the land, as well. The constant snap of the sails above and the roar of the sea below were replaced by creaking wagon wheels, cries of purveyors, and the rising and falling of the voices of those near the pier; I mused that this new sound ebbed and flowed just as the ocean, but this wave would bring me to shore.

To shore!

I dropped the length of rope I had been holding, at my feet and spun around, dashing for the cabin to do what I could to be more presentable. I ripped gown after gown out of my flung-open trunk and settled on one that would do. Turning, I held it up to my fuzzy reflection in the looking glass and found myself unsure. Would he dislike me, so disheveled, and undone? What of our future? I could not always be what he had met; surely not, now that I had left behind my inheritance. Worry tried to worm its way into my mind, until a bell rang, signaling that our ship was coming into port. Gabrielle rushed into the cabin and I grasped her hand, trembling with the deluge of emotion rushing through me: terror, exhilaration, joy and worry all rushed through my veins like a heady wine. I burst out, half laughing, half crying and made my way behind the dressing screen, and Lady G. saw that my corset was tightened, and all as it should be. Dear G. I know I should have gone mad without her temperate and reassuring voice each day.

My fichu discarded and each measure of fabric properly placed, I emerged from the cabin to see the crew sliding the gangplank down to the pier. I nearly ran to be the first disembarking, but the Captain's hand caught my arm, gently, "M'lady.... we must wait." What was he thinking!? I must depart! I must find the cafe that Edward told me of!! My face must have been full of righteous outrage, for his tone softened and he blocked the view of my paradise; my escape.

Captain Zeffirelli pulled me aside and out of the line of crewman throwing lines and securing the gangplank "We've just now landed in port, M'lady. We'll do a bit of waiting for now. My first mate has gone to speak to the tide waiters, to clear that all may go ashore. Here, I have set up a chair near the rail, so that you might watch its progress." Such a kind and thoughtful gesture brought me back to my senses and I merely smiled and allowed him to pull the chair back slightly so that I might sit; gathering my skirts as I did so, but leaning forward, intently. The Captain sat not far off, strumming a lute and I silently censured myself for not having the forethought to bring more coins with me. I would want to properly thank the Captain for allowing such dangerous cargo on board his ship.

Time passed, and we conversed. I did my best to be interested, engaging and pleasant but each moment that passed seemed to extend the distance between Edward and myself.... a distance I could not bear.

When the voice of the first mate below yelled "All clear to go ashore, Captain!" I feared that my heart would burst from my chest and I stood quickly, eyes on the Captain to be assured that we now could finally make progress. His head nodded, a small and fleeting smile on his face before returning to the proud and capable Captain. Lady G joined us, and we made our way down to the pier, and through the city gates into a bustling town center. So much noise after the wind, the ocean and creaking ship being my ear's companions. I understood now, in some small measure, why the Captain chose the serenity of the sea.

I looked around, turning this way and that, until finally catching the eye of a young girl passing with a basket of goods

"Excuse me.... would you be so kind as to direct me to the cafe?"

Her answer, a wry smile and a pointed finger over my right shoulder "Just over there, Madame"

I curtsied, slightly blushing for having missed what was so near before me and the Captain, Lady G. and myself made our way through the crowd to an empty table sitting on the square. Before long, a servant came and asked us if we would be interested in some food and drink. The Captain saw to ordering and I jumped at the chance to ask if the owner of the cafe might visit our table. So eager to find out my next destination, was I.

The servant smiled and I expected an answer in the affirmative, but was told "Oh, Madame, he is not here tonight! Tomorrow morning he will be here with the dawn, M'Lady!" before turning with a small curtsey and moving to retrieve our wine. My heart sank; so impatient to be rejoined with my heart. The Captain and Lady G. were so reassuring, so kind, so understanding.

The night passed without my eyelids meeting. Every so often I would tumble from the bunk aboard the ship and seek out any sign of dawn, while a groggy and half-sleeping Gabrielle would mutter "Daniela.... patience," so accustomed as we were to using different names to travel under.

Finally, the dark turned to a golden hue, and while my companion slumbered soundly, I pulled on my gown and fastened the robes around me. I ran my hand along the wall to guide me and alit onto an eerily empty deck. The crew, full of wine and exhausted from their merriment, no doubt, were nowhere in sight.

I made my way into the town just as the carts, full of fresh supplies were guided by their purveyors to their daily spots, and saw a robust gentleman giving direction to the servants at the cafe.

"Sir...." I quietly intruded "I have traveled weeks to reach this destination in the hopes that you might place within my hands a note of great import to my future..." His expression of annoyance at interruption was replaced with confusion, and then with realization as he snapped his fingers, remembering "Yes! I was given the task and no small reward for seeing that a certain message might reach a young lady matching your description," he replied, and without hesitation he waddled into the cafe for but a moment, returning with a letter. Emblazoned on its face: Olivia

I stood holding this treasure and smiled up at him with glimmering eyes, unable to impart my thanks for his great part in this adventure and he waved me off, saying "Go on and get your news. I hope the writer's ills don't trouble him long, he seemed quite pale but quite intent on this delivery."

I stood, perplexed, and as the shadows lengthened, stood in the town square, reading the words:

"My dear Olivia,

I shall forever feel the weight of my distress in learning that you believed I wished for you to accompany me here. I have just recently got word that your plans to marry the Baron were interrupted by some misleading fancy that I felt for you what he feels.

You must consider me cowardly for not making it plain to you sooner than this, but my dear, had I the slightest inclination that you felt for me, more than my own steadfast friendship, I would have set you straight -- this you must believe.

I pray your journey has not brought you any ill, and that your return shall be a passage of fair winds and calmest oceans. I look forward to the happy tidings of your marriage, and wish for you, my dearest friend, nothing but happiness.

Sincerely,

Edward"

The paper fluttered to the ground, soundlessly. The sun bore down in its heavenly brilliance upon the hats and heads gathered in the square. The ocean lapped at the shore. And in my breast, my heart shattered into a million pieces.

_________________________________________________________________

In England, the Duke sat seeing to documents as the Duchess embroidered near the fire, occasionally repeating things she had heard from her maid (a hopeless gossip). He did not hear her, for his mind was occupied with just one question:

Had his fastest ship been fast enough to deliver a large payment to a certain young man, and had he purchased his disappearance?

(to be continued....)