The Captain returned to his quarters some time around noon to find Elissa fast asleep on the couch, well this would be the second time he’d seemed to happen upon her resting, he was careful to not disturb her and he was somewhat grateful for the silence to himself for a short while. Joseph removed his hat and slumped in the chair by the desk, he rubbed his forehead with his fingers for a few moments before examining the back of his right hand whilst flexing it; there was a raw redness and broken skin across his knuckles. He didn’t quite like having to lay down the law as it were, he was sure these particular sailors would be dropping from the crew in France, but he wasn’t one to let sideways comments slide, didn’t look good. It seemed like one of the cabin boys had been in to tidy away everything from breakfast, at least, and he’d instructed another to bring food and drink shortly.

There was a little brandy left, Joseph stretched across the desk to retrieve the bottle and sat back in the chair and took a drink. Elissa seemed to have been reading the book, he wondered if she had enjoyed it so far. He considered their interactions earlier that morning also, and wondered too if she had enjoyed it… she seemed to.