11th January – a letter

My dearest Charles,
I am having a delightful time aboard the Vulcania. There is much to see and do here. I’m quite uncertain of where to begin recounting my observations to you. Our cabin is so luxurious, it is more than a home away from home and will serve us well for the duration of the journey. Damned if I don’t feel like a star of the silver screen, surrounded by such fineries. Although I wonder if I were a glamorous cinema star, would this constant indulgence then cease to be awe-inspiring and in turn become passe? Oh, but I digress, don’t I darling?
I have just partaken of a deliciously refreshing stroll along the promenade deck. The air is warm and clear, uncommon for January. There is only the quiet laughter and chatter of families at leisure to distract me from my thoughts of you. I need not inform you of the wretched disappointment I felt upon receipt of your telegram. I can only hope that you miss me as I do you. Pray, tell that you will be here soonest. Perhaps you will join us at the Island of the Temple People, our first port of call. I am led to believe that there are mountains to enjoy, and rather disconcertingly, people of ill-repute to be found in the taverns. I think it’s fair to say that I shall be avoiding the taverns and traversing the mountain paths instead. L’Enchanteur, our esteemed hostess informs us we may remain on the island beyond the stay of the ship. I will telephone your office, should I choose to remain behind and wait for you, otherwise you may assume that I have continued onward.
Darling, you would find L’Enchanteur.. oh, but her name does become her. She appears to be knowledgeable and wise by all accounts, on all subjects, particularly those pertaining to the customs of Lemuria and its peculiar inhabitants. She does possess the most hypnotic eyes and her voice is capable of lulling one into feeling quite secure. To have even a smidgen of such qualities! I must say I am quite enamoured with our Enchanter.
I will be taking tea and scones with Lottie, Teddy and some of the others shortly, but first a dip in one of the ship’s two pools may be in order. I have a new bathing suit and matching cap which haven’t yet seen the light of day.

Yours, with affection

Elizabeth

28th December – a letter

My darling Charles,
I simply cannot endure another moment of this separation. I am counting down the days until I lay eyes on you, my dearest, most darling. Why, I do declare, I am such a baby to be carrying on so when others have suffered so much more than I.
Mother and Father are both well, as am I – all pining aside of course. Teddy is home for the holidays and so we’ve been spending a great deal of time together, visiting our oldest and dearest friends and generally dashing about the place in his fine new automobile. Teddy is a love, but so terribly flashy, I fear. Before you ask, I care not for the make nor model of said automobile, yet I’m sure that the Tedster will furnish you with such details when next you see him. I assure you I will be quite bored and shall probably feign sleep until the conversation perks up somewhat!
Oh! How silly of me, I quite forgot the reason for this hurried correspondence. Mother and Father have booked passage on the Translemurian cruise ship, the SS Vulcania for Teddy and Charlotte, myself and also you, my darling fiance. How simply marvellous! I do hope you can join us. I know that you are so very busy at the newspaper, my poor, dear Charles, but do try.
We set sail on Twelfth Night from a port quite close to the Murmuring Woods. Oh, it does sound so romantic and I imagine it to be such fun to have the gang together again. I wonder if we might invite some of the others along? I am aquiver with anticipation and already mentally packing my trunk.
Do let me know if you can join us, sweet heart of mine. Perhaps if you can’t make the departure date, you could join us later?
I await your answer.
Your most devoted fiancee,
Elizabeth.