A Chance Encounter

Chapter Two

It was nearly two hours after they set sail that Elise received the promised message from Thomas Andrews. He asked her to meet him in the First Class atrium, something she found herself looking forward to.

She changed into a pale blue strolling gown and matching hat that set her raven black hair off strikingly. Her mood had lifted considerably since boarding. Jane nodded approvingly at her appearance. "It's lovely to see you looking so bright, ma'am."

"Thank you, Jane," Elise answered and rolled her gloves up her arms. "I'll want to wear the burgundy silk tonight for dinner," she told her and then lifted her shawl. She exited the room and made her way to the atrium. Several people milled around and Elise suddenly felt self conscious of standing alone.

"Elise Morgan, is that you?" a soft female voice said behind her. She turned and saw Ruth DeWitt Bukater coming toward her. Elise tensed for a moment upon seeing her. She hadn't known Ruth was on board.

"Hello, Ruth," she forced herself to smile as the older woman neared her.

"I thought that was you. It's been ages. How is your mother?" she asked.

"She's doing well. She and my grandmother are living in New York. I'll be joining them there when we arrive."

"I must admit I am surprised to see you," Ruth said with a small smile. "I expected that you would be married to your young man by now. Is he with you?" she asked as she glanced around behind her.

Elise managed to keep her expression unchanged in spite the sick feeling that churned in her stomach. Whether Ruth knew the truth or not did not matter. Once she learned that Edmund had dropped her to run off with another woman, she would gloat. Ruth had never forgiven her for taking away the man she had set her sights on for her daughter, Rose. Edmund McArthur seemed to be a true catch and that she had taken him away was a source of irritation to Ruth.

"No," Elise answered evenly. "He and I have parted ways. It didn't work out."

Ruth's eyes glittered with interest at this bit of news. "Really? How unfortunate for you, dear. It was a mutual decision then?"

"Yes, it was."

"Perhaps it was for the best. These things do have a way of working themselves out. As for Rose, she's engaged to Caledon Hockley of Hockley Steel. We're traveling back to Philadelphia to prepare for the wedding."

So, she managed to grab the golden ring after all, Elise thought. She knew Cal Hockley, or knew of him rather. She didn't count their one encounter four years ago as knowing the man. However, what she did know about him wasn't necessarily endearing. He was exactly the kind of man Ruth would want for her daughter.

"I send my congratulations to them," she told her.

"Thank you. Rose is very happy about it."

"I'm sure she is," Elise responded.

"Well, it's been lovely seeing you again, Elise dear. I shall retire to my room now and rest before dinner."

It was then that she saw Thomas Andrews enter the atrium from the deck and was coming toward her. "Miss Morgan, I must apologize for making you wait," he said slightly breathless.

"Oh, no worry. I'm fine, Mr. Andrews," she smiled genuinely at him.

Ruth took in the couple with interest. Elise saw her eyes light up as she smiled knowingly at them. If she didn't know better, Elise would have thought that Ruth was actually smirking at her.

"Oh excuse me, did I interrupt anything?" Thomas asked when he realized Ruth was standing there.

"No," Elise shook her head. "We were only talking. Mrs. DeWitt-Bukater was filling me in on the news of her daughter who is to be married soon."

"How nice," he replied smiling at Ruth.

"Mr. Andrews was kind of enough to offer me a tour," Elise said, feeling as though she needed to clarify the reason they were together.

"I see," she nodded and turned her cool, amused eyes on Elise. "Well, I will let you two get on with your tour."

"It's been nice meeting you Mrs. DeWitt-Bukater," Thomas said to her.

"It's been a pleasure, Mr. Andrews," she answered and then turned toward the corridor leading to the suites. Once they were alone, Thomas turned to her and smiled awkwardly.

"I hope I haven't embarrassed you, Miss Morgan. I'm afraid I'm not what one would call socially adept."

Elise placed her gloved hand over his. "I'm fine, Mr. Andrews. I'm looking forward to your tour of this grand ship."

His face brightened. "Shall we then?" he offered his arm to her, which she took most graciously.

For the next hour and half Elise was taken on a tour of the ship that was both, interesting and entertaining. Mr. Andrews was very knowledgeable about many things, and if there was one thing he knew it was Titanic. Every corridor, stateroom, suite, fixture and screw, he knew intimately.

As they steamed forward to Cherbourg, Elise and Thomas walked along the promenade deck back toward the First Class entrance. He had been telling her of some of the funnier stories of mishaps and near misses.

"… and the next thing I knew, this young chap was standing there holding a paint brush with the paint dripping from his face. I apologized many times over for opening the door when I did, but I don't know if he fully forgave me for it."

Elise laughed and covered her mouth. "Poor fellow, he must have looked dreadful standing there with paint all over his face."

"He did, but of course I didn't say so," he smiled and cleared his throat. "Well, this is where the tour must end. We'll be docking in Cherbourg shortly and as always, there are many things to attend to."

"I understand," she told him. "I've had a lovely time. Thank you for showing me this beautiful ship. I know you must be so proud of the part you've played in seeing it come into fruition."

"I am," he answered modestly. "But, I am not alone. Titanic is White Star Line's crowning glory."

"That she is," she nodded in agreement.

They both stood for a moment in awkward silence until Thomas finally spoke, clearing his throat again. "I, uh, I assume you'll be dining tonight."

"Yes," she answered.

"I would… I had hoped…" he paused for a moment and shook his head, smiling. "I'm sorry, I'm behaving like a besotted school boy. It shouldn't so difficult to ask if you'll join me for dinner tonight. That is, if you don't have other plans."

Elise released the small breath she had been holding. "I would love to join you for dinner, Mr. Andrews. I would like that very much."

He smiled wider, relief washing over his features. "Wonderful. Shall I escort you or shall we meet in the dining salon?"

"I suppose it would be better if I met you there," she responded, thinking that it would keep the prying busybody's from speculating about them. If she were to be escorted by him they would assume too much, if she met him there it could be construed as a happenchance… maybe.

"Fine," he nodded. "We'll meet… until then," he bowed slightly and stepped back.

Elise watched him move away until he disappeared from view. Smiling to herself, she turned toward the door and entered the First Class atrium, her step much lighter than it was an hour and half earlier.