Dressed in a fur-trimmed white silk robe, Melpomeni read the ship's news and planned her day's social conquests. Anna had her breakfast at the dining room table. While she read, she listened to the songs of a young singer named Frank Sinatra and the music of the Dorsey Orchestra. Evening meals were served in the ship's private dining room with a close circle of the captain's officers and select guests.
The M.S. Queen Victoria offered the latest in technology and luxury. The finest polished oak and mahogany adorned the halls and dining rooms. The ship could also be converted into a military vessel rather quickly if necessary, with room for more than five thousand troops. Anna frequented the library, filled with thousands of books. She had read many of them. Today she felt lonely sitting alone, tired, and slightly bored. She closed Gone with the Wind, after marking her place. Having heard that the story would be made into a movie, she was anxious to read the book first.
Thinking that she was the only one in the library, she reached over to the jade green shaded light to switch it off. Suddenly she stopped, as she realized there was someone sitting across the long inlaid walnut desk. She could see the lower half of a body, clad in a clean, pressed white uniform. When her eyes looked up, they met the man's warm, enigmatic gaze and rested upon his firm, well-formed lips and handsome mustache. Perfectly white teeth appeared as his lips parted slowly to form a disarming smile.
Unexpectedly, Anna blushed. She felt an unexplainable emotion rising from within her. She placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath. Her heart was beating uncontrollably fast. She held onto the sturdy oak chair to catch herself from falling. The man quickly extended his right arm to help her as their eyes met for a second time. Anna again felt the inner force in her chest. She had never experienced anything like that before. It was a burning desire to take his hand and then throw herself into his strong arms. Embarrassed, Anna turned quickly and headed out of the library. She didn't speak to him.
Anna did not dress for dinner that night.
"What's the matter, darling?" Melpomeni asked.
"Just not hungry, Mother," she replied.
"That's okay, dear. You can have dinner here when you are ready."
"Fine, Mother," said Anna with a sigh. Many times she wished she could talk to her mother openly, but she never had the confidence.
"I'll have Giovanni check on you in a little bit," said Melpomeni, as she walked out of the door.