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said, reaching past her to open a door . “This is my cabin, and I, uh, hope you find it comfortable . I know it’s not much,” he added, watching her face as she surveyed the small room, empty except for a small wooden bed, attached to the wall in one corner and single dresser . “But it’s cozy, and should provide you with some privacy . I’ve moved most of my things out, so that you may have room to spread out, if you so wish.” As if on cue, four of his men bustled past them and deposited her trunks on the floor with a loud thud, making Amber wince .
    She nodded to them as they left, noticing that none of them would meet her eyes . She turned to the Captain . “Have I done something wrong?”
    “Absolutely not, my dear,” he said with unease . “It’s just that some of the crew are a bit superstitious . You see, it’s considered bad luck to have a woman on a ship.”
    Amber laughed . “Well, please assure your men that they won’t even know I’m here . I have my books, and I hardly need someone to entertain me, so I think it’s safe to say I will keep out of your men’s way.”
    He scratched his chin and gave her a smile . “I think you will be just fine . But if anyone bothers you, you just let me know and I will address the matter personally.”
    “Thank you, Captain, though I’m positive there won’t be any problems.”
    “I’m certain you’re right. We should be ready to set sail within fort y minutes, would you like me to send someone down to get you?”
    “I can find my way, but thank you.” He nodded at her and left, closing the door behind him . Amber listened to his footsteps ascending the stairs, and then pulled her lightest trunk over to the high windows .
    Picking up her skirts she stepped onto it, standing on the balls of her feet to see the bustle of activity on the dock . There she stayed for a long time, until a rugged sailor, perched on rickety scaffolding, dropped down to wash the windows . With a shriek she stepped back and almost fell , regaining her balance just in time . The sailor looked just as surprised . With flushed cheeks he cleaned the glass with record speed, and then was gone .
    Amber decided to take a look around outside, and after rummaging in a trunk for a straw hat and a shawl, she opened the door and climbed the steps, emerging on a busy deck .
    Hearing her approach, the Captain turned in her direction . “Ah, just in time, Miss Towns—Amber . Did you get settled in?”
    Amber glanced at the sailor who had seen her through the window, who now blushed furiously and looked away. “Yes, thank you . Are we departing soon?”
    “Aye, right now . If you will just excuse me…” With a nod, he moved away from her and shouted to his men to raise anchor and set sail . Careful not to get in anyone’s way, she strolled towards the railing to watch the harbor slip away into the distance, taking with it the life she had grown accustomed to and bringing her closer to a new one .
    Soon, the flurry of activity quieted down, as the men settled into their appointed tasks . Most of them ignored her as they climbed up and down the rigging or scrubbed the decks, and she did her part to ignore them too .
    It wasn’t hard, considering the circumstances . At long last she was back on a ship, plowing through the blue waters of the Atlantic, the salty spray cool on her face, the rhythmic lapping of the waves against the hull soothing her stressed body . She untied the ribbon around her throat and pulled the hat from her head, then yanked the pins from her hair one by one until it fell about her shoulders and curled around her neck, whipping about in the wind . For the first time since her mother’s death she felt at ease.
    She had no desire to go back inside ; instead she retrieved a book from her cabin and settled on the main deck to read, leaning against a pile of rope with her skirts spread around her . The shoreline had long disappeared from sight when a loud cough caused