Accidental or not, a nice view was a nice view. Edwin was perhaps a little less discreet about his viewing of it due to the article this fine gentleman had left open.

Still, he was not a dog. His gaze wandered down that nice buttoned shirt as easily as it traversed everything else, taking in the tidy sitting room and the signs of life that decorated it. Mr. Meijer could have a lot of money – could just as easily have the illusion of it. It was a nice room either way.

Edwin glanced over his shoulder at the question. He’d wandered nearer to the books, but turned before he had the chance to glimpse their titles.

Experience, yes, what was his experience… he hadn’t any. None at all. He’d been on ships before, but the extent of his work upon them had been raising his hand and beckoning for another glass of wine. What to say, then? Well-traveled? Extensive?

“Oh, I’ve dedicated years of my life to the sea,” he replied. “Always return to land in tip-top shape as well, as you can see,” Edwin made a vague gesture across himself.

“Edwin Lei, by the way. Are you much of a sailor yourself?”