Britwitch
Classically curvy
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2004
- Posts
- 23,086
East China Sea
Summer 1900
The ocean was a brilliant blue, broken only by the white foam at the bow as it cut through the waters. H.M.S. Proficient was making good time and would make their Chinese destination a full two days ahead of schedule. Needless to say the Captain was thrilled, as were many of his passengers. One, however, was not.
Elizabeth Montgomery could easily wait a lifetime before the ship drew into the harbour of Tanggu. Many nights on the trip from England she had wished a storm would wreck the ship and her with it. But escape never came.
She instead was forced to spend the days on the deck of the exclusive vessel, honey coloured ringlets dancing down her back while the wide brim of her hat kept her fair skin out of the blistering sun, soft green eyes watching the horizon without any real desire to ever reach it.
The trip to China was the idea of her parents. A solution of sorts, at least in their eyes. To her, it was a form of prison sentence. She was being sent to Peking, to stay with her Great-Uncle, a diplomat in her Majesty’s consulate. She was being sent away so that hopefully the supposed shame she had caused would go with her. That the rumours would wither and die and that when she eventually returned – no doubt far more cultured and well behaved than when she left, she’d be suitable marriage material once more.
Elizabeth still didn’t fully understand what she had done to deserve such a harsh punishment. Or rather, she understood, she just didn't believe it was fair. All she did was fall in love.
She knew, deep down, it was the object of her affections that was the root of it all. He was well spoken and well educated, handsome and charming. And he was also spoken for. The intended fiancé of another young lady of their family’s social circle. A young lady with an unfortunate nose which lent her a highly unfortunate tone of voice and gave her a positively hideous laugh. They’d met at a ball, as young people did, they’d danced. No harm in that. But then they’d taken a walk in the gardens, without a chaperone. Held hands. He’d kissed her cheek.
Nothing more.
Nothing at all.
Not really.
But the next day he’d tried to break off the engagement. And then the troubles began. Elizabeth’s name popped up. Along with accusations of all manner of thoroughly unladylike activities being undertaken on her behalf.
And so, with parents fighting to maintain the family reputation, and that of her sisters, she was sent away. He was sent away too. To where? She had no idea.
Part of her hoped that one day they might find each other again.
As a smudge on the skyline spread and turned into land, she doubted he would find her here. In this strange and foreign land.
Summer 1900
The ocean was a brilliant blue, broken only by the white foam at the bow as it cut through the waters. H.M.S. Proficient was making good time and would make their Chinese destination a full two days ahead of schedule. Needless to say the Captain was thrilled, as were many of his passengers. One, however, was not.
Elizabeth Montgomery could easily wait a lifetime before the ship drew into the harbour of Tanggu. Many nights on the trip from England she had wished a storm would wreck the ship and her with it. But escape never came.
She instead was forced to spend the days on the deck of the exclusive vessel, honey coloured ringlets dancing down her back while the wide brim of her hat kept her fair skin out of the blistering sun, soft green eyes watching the horizon without any real desire to ever reach it.
The trip to China was the idea of her parents. A solution of sorts, at least in their eyes. To her, it was a form of prison sentence. She was being sent to Peking, to stay with her Great-Uncle, a diplomat in her Majesty’s consulate. She was being sent away so that hopefully the supposed shame she had caused would go with her. That the rumours would wither and die and that when she eventually returned – no doubt far more cultured and well behaved than when she left, she’d be suitable marriage material once more.
Elizabeth still didn’t fully understand what she had done to deserve such a harsh punishment. Or rather, she understood, she just didn't believe it was fair. All she did was fall in love.
She knew, deep down, it was the object of her affections that was the root of it all. He was well spoken and well educated, handsome and charming. And he was also spoken for. The intended fiancé of another young lady of their family’s social circle. A young lady with an unfortunate nose which lent her a highly unfortunate tone of voice and gave her a positively hideous laugh. They’d met at a ball, as young people did, they’d danced. No harm in that. But then they’d taken a walk in the gardens, without a chaperone. Held hands. He’d kissed her cheek.
Nothing more.
Nothing at all.
Not really.
But the next day he’d tried to break off the engagement. And then the troubles began. Elizabeth’s name popped up. Along with accusations of all manner of thoroughly unladylike activities being undertaken on her behalf.
And so, with parents fighting to maintain the family reputation, and that of her sisters, she was sent away. He was sent away too. To where? She had no idea.
Part of her hoped that one day they might find each other again.
As a smudge on the skyline spread and turned into land, she doubted he would find her here. In this strange and foreign land.
Last edited: