Listen: It’s never too late to dream.


The ever-watchful sun beat fiercely upon my brow, dazzling my eyes. I could sense beads of perspiration gathering above my collar, which now seemed ludicrously stiff and tight. There was, of course, no question of adjusting it in my present company and situation. Naturally, I bore it with the stoic dignity so reflective of the character of an English gentleman.

However, I felt no one would object if I stole my eyes away from the harsh white glare of the sun for a moment. Indeed, I could feel my vision becoming a little clouded as the ceremony proceeded. I looked to my right, blinking away a little moisture caused, no doubt, by the warm, stiff breeze that had momentarily directed its force full upon my upheld face – and then blinked again in sheer wonderment. Surely I had died, and before me stood an angel! But no – here was a young maiden, adorned with a natural beauty I had never before beheld! Her cheeks, her nose, her sweet, full lips – every feature smoothed and sculpted to the most exquisite proportions. She held herself so lightly, facing the light, calm and serene as the breeze fluttered across her, gently brushing the ringlets of her hair across the delicate curve of her neck. Such poise and dignity held she, and yet, observing the rise and fall of her breast, I felt in an instant that a tremendous passion and righteousness must lie beneath her perfect, unblemished facade. I parted my lips a little as if in a silent sigh, and in that moment her sweet head turned a little, dipped a little, and our eyes met.

It was as if the world had melted away. For an instant, there was only her. Never had I felt such a spark in my soul, such a sudden flowering of desire, for she had captured me more truly than any army of cutlass-wielding knaves ever could. My heart lurched. Indeed, my whole body seemed to lurch, and I suddenly felt weightless. I tried to reach out to her, but of course my hands were tied and I suddenly realised I actually was falling, and the triumphant jeers of Captain Cleaver and his blackhearted crew were receding above me.

And she was falling too. She seemed to call to me, and my eyes never left hers until we hit the water.

——————————————————————————————

These horrid brutes won’t see me cringe and cower. Oh no! Lady Cecile Montefiore is made of stronger stuff than that! I may be worthless to them now they have Father’s fortune, but I shall let them see the true value of a lady’s honour. I shall hold my head high and God shall provide for me. Never mind that they have all the passengers rounded up and threaten us with the plank in groups of six, lined up along the starboard deck. I don’t even know those other ladies and gentlemen, for father kept me sheltered from seafaring ways this whole voyage and I’ve seen no gentlepeople other than the Captain himself these two weeks – oh! Poor Captain! How valiantly he met his brutal fate! – and the man who brings the food.

And now! What unhappy circumstance brings us into the open together! Strangers they may be, but we must be united in our defiance. Even now, as these lean, sunburnt brutes goad me to the edge of the precipice, I shall not let them see a Montefiore tremble. I know my fellow captives will resist them so too, and never give them the satisfaction they crave – of breaking our dignity and our will. Why, look at – this gentleman to my left – oh my! He cannot be… he seems to be… sobbing! Surely it can’t be so! But yes! He has broken like a child! And yet – his eyes, pleading with me… I feel … moved. I must help the poor man. I shall show him we are not lost. God will provide for us.

My! They have pushed him! Wait! Oh! Oh!

——————————————————————————————

I had but a split second to take in my last lungful of pure, precious air, and suddenly the waters were around me and I plunged into the deep. I screwed my eyes tight, then her face filled my mind and my eyes sprang open again. I had to find her! The water was light, sunbeams waving through it, but all was swirling and churning as the bodies splashed through the barrier between the sweet air and the doomy depths. I kicked and somehow righted my body, and glimpsed the scarlet flash of her jewelled frock, spinning to the side of me. I spun in the water. She too was all awhirl, but suddenly – precious miracle! – she faced me, and once again our eyes locked. So blue, so piercing, she held me in her gaze. If I could only hold her, speak unto her, profess my admiration, we could perhaps – perhaps – I kicked, and we edged closer, closer… we were just below the surface now, and we came face to face, almost in union as we rose. My lungs were bursting, but one more lunge and I might have a breath with which to state my case.

Then a sudden current took hold of me. I heard shouting and gunfire as if in the distance, and a great disturbance in the water. I was swept backwards. I held her gaze and then – darkness.

——————————————————————————————

He has hit the water! Oh! And I am speeding towards the same fate as he disappears beneath the rippling surface! But hark – a new voice is cutting through the catcalls and screams that bedevil my ears – a man, strong, and angry, crying “Now then, you blaggards!” But – ah! – now I too am splashing and descended into the hellish deep, and my skirts are billowing about me in a positively scandalous fashion. I hold my breath. I know I have not long, and I must find and save my woebegone companion! For I do believe that in his dewy eye – and yea, in my own quickening heart, although I scarcely can admit it – I detected the yearning throb of passion! Oh! What sweet torture, to be at last next to one who could love me, and to be kept apart by these cruel bonds, this cruel sea! This will not do! Lady Cecile Montefiore is not to be denied!

I kick and writhe, and my will is done! Suddenly he is there before me, and we are coming closer, and his eyes are piercing my very soul, and we are meeting –

No! He is swept away! Where is he – my heart is bursting – I am so dizzy now – what – I – I feel strong arms lifting me – air! Sweet air! My love!

I gasp in lungfuls, and see stars bursting, and I tingle all over, and I know no more.