William Dilly was not wrong- the view from the mansion upon the cliffs was spectacular.

"Isn't this just marvelous?" he asked as he led his family into the spacious sitting room. Large windows looked out to the ocean, letting in bright natural lighting that further enhanced the experience.

"Oh, father!" exclaimed Sophia, almost startled by her energy, "You were right! This is lovely!"

"I never doubted your judgement of this place, darling," said Minnie as she rocked the cooing baby in her arms.

Augusta, however, remained quiet as she looked about the large area. "I do have to say I'm doubting your judgement in style in here, William," she remarked bluntly, "just what exactly is the reason for the color choices?"

"I asked the interior decorators to go with a nautical theme for the house," the family patriach replied, "I suppose looking around in here now it was a bit over the top, but I still think they did a good job sticking to the subject, at least."

Ornate, golden starfish and sand dollars lined the different shades of blue that the walls were papered in; the furniture itself seemed to be a mix of blues and greens as one might find with seaweed at the bottom of the ocean. But there was still something off about the room- perhaps it was its layout or that starfish and sand dollars were not naturally golden. The generous view made up for any decoration faux pas but there was still an unspoken peculiarness to the space that Sophia could not quite place.

"Which decorating firm did you use?" asked Augusta, hoping to make a mental note never to use them herself in the future. She was not a fan of the room, or really any of the house designs so far that she had seen.

"It was Franklin and Mews, I believe," William answered, then bowed his head. "A real shame what happened to them, wasn't it."

"What happened to them?" Augusta blinked.

"Oh, you didn't read in the afternoon post last month?"

"I suppose I could have but I may have skipped over it. Did something awful happen?"

"Sadly yes," William sighed. "The team had actually just finished renovating and redecorating this very house and was leaving the island to return to Portland. My understanding is they did not get very far out from the dock before an unexpected rip tide rocked their boat, causing them all to fall into the water and drown. Even the captain, of all people! You would think such a man of the sea would be able to handle something so common. I suppose another boat found their vessel flipped over and could what had happened. Unfortunately, there were no survivors."

"Why, that is awful!" gasped Augusta. "And how very unexpected. You mean to say they died right out here? In this very spot where we have a fantastic view?" Her eyes drifted towards the windows.

"I...I probably shouldn'tve mentioned it," confessed her brother-in-law, "Please, I hope it will not change your thoughts of this island. The view still is splendid. Unfortunately, tragedies happen."

"Thankfully William did not have to pay any of their families a dime," Minnie explained, holding her head high, "after all, they were off the island at the time. They couldn't hold William responsible for accidents that happen in the ocean."

"Minnie, dove, that's not really important to think about right now," William softly told his young bride, "it is a tragedy, but I hope it will not put a damper on our summer here."

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"Are rip-tides like that common?" asked Sophia, "is that how they know it was a riptide that brought them under?"

"Well, certainly it's always a risk in the ocean," her father answered, "so if you plan to swim while here- and yes, my dear, I know how you like to swim- do be careful not to venture out too deep. And ideally go with a swimming partner. Minnie, you enjoy a swim now and again, don't you?Maybe you can go swimming with Sophia while we're here?"

Minnie was slow to reply. "Why, certainly, William, if there's a time I can get away from caring for little Horace that works with Sophia's schedule."

A deep male voice came from behind the party. "Excuse me, Mr. Dilly," it said, "but where would you like me to put your luggage?"

"Ah! Jerome!" William spun around to greet his butler, "you can put it in the bedroom right up the main staircase and to the far right." He looked over to his wife. "You'll see, darling, that bedroom has a deck attached that opens out to the side garden. Not quite the same view as this ocean sight, but still, you will enjoy the greenery in the mornings."

"This is an impressive view if I may say so, sir," remarked Jerome as he too took in the view.

"Yes, Jerome! I'm glad to hear you appreciate it! You and your family are more than welcome to sit in here when my family is not using it and enjoy what it has to offer."

"Very good, sir. Thank you."

From behind him, a young boy of about ten waddled over, arms overflowing with luggage as well.

"Excuse me," he said sweetly to Sophia as he peeked out from behind his armful, "but where will your things go?"

Sophia smiled. The child was Jerome's son, Jack. Jerome served as the family butler, his wife Jane the family cook and Jack and, well, jack of all trades to help either of his parents, provided he was able at his age. But though his arms were full, he seemed to be doing an admirable job carrying what he could.

"Sophia's room is also up the main staircase but to the left," instructed William, "it will be the room that is decorated with pink seashells."

"Pink seashells?" Sophia repeated, still smiling, "Father, you sure know me well. I am certain I will love the room-"

"-William, what a wonderful sounding room!" Minnie cut in, quickly giving Sophia a side glance laced with daggers, "do you suppose I could use it instead? You know how much I adore pinks and purples, it will be good for my nerves after staying up through the nights with little Horace."

William froze, looking to Sophia, then to Minnie, then to Sophia, then back to Minnie. "Well, Minnie, I had thought you and I would be together in the Master Bedroom..."

"Well, but you know how much stuff I brought, darling! And I really think pink seashells sound nice. I would like my own room here, surely there is enough space that Sophia could have another room."

Sophia stared at her step-mother without saying a word.

"I am your wife, aren't I, William?" Minnie continued, "doesn't that mean I deserve first choice of accomodations here as the lady of the house?"

Her husband solemnly looked to his daughter. "I...I'm afraid the pink seashell room is taken, Sophia," he said, "But there are plenty of other rooms down the hallway that are quite nice as well."

"Presumably not decorated with pink seashells," Sophia muttered.

"Well, no I..." her father looked at his wife, who was grinning.

"So where am I taking your luggage, Miss Sophia?" Jack asked again, his little legs wobbling from the weight.

Albert, Augusta's son, had been standing quietly as was his nature; seeing the child buckling under the weight he quickly rushed over, lifting off two of the larger bags in his arms.

"Here, Jack," Albert said kindly, "I'll help you carry some of these."

"That's nice of you, Albert," Sophia remarked at the scene, "you are quite the gentleman."

Albert blushed red.

"I suppose...take Sophia's luggage up the main stairs to the left to the Seal Room," William finally stated.

"The Seal Room?" his daughter repeated.

"Yes, as I said, I tried to keep a nautical theme throughout the house. I thought a Seal Room as one of the guest rooms might be rather amusing. I obviously have not seen what the interior decoraters did with it, but I am sure it will be splendid."

"Just like this room," remarked Augusta.

"Up the main stairs to the left," repeated Albert, as he looked to Jack. "Come on, Jack- we'll get these bags dropped off."

"Thank you," Sophia said to the two as the began to walk off, Albert again blushed as her appreciation was expressed.

Jack just stared at the older man assisting him as they moved. "Are you okay? Why do you keep turning red? Are the bags too heavy?" he inquired curiously as a child would.

Albert merely walked faster, hoping that no one behind them heard what Jack was asking.