Captains of Souls

A novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Beryl Merville, who expresses her perplexity and curiosity about a mysterious man named Ambrose Sault, while navigating societal pressures and family dynamics. This narrative seems to intertwine themes of love, power, and the complexities of human relations against a backdrop of financial and social intrigue. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Beryl Merville through her letter to Ronnie. She discusses her recent return from Italy, her disappointment at not finding him, and her encounters with Mr. Steppe and the enigmatic Ambrose Sault. Beryl is both fascinated and intimidated by Sault, a colored man with a commanding presence and a tragic backstory, revealed through their interactions. The narrative builds tension around her father's dubious financial dealings and affiliations with powerful figures like Mr. Steppe and Mr. Moropulos, hinting at a possible underlying scandal. This opening chapter sets the stage for a complex exploration of character relationships intertwined with themes of societal expectation and moral ambiguity.