A Chance Encounter
Chapter Three
Titanic had made its scheduled stop at Cherbourg, France where more passengers embarked on the ship. Before long they were steaming down the coast toward Ireland where they would stop to gather even more passengers on the journey to New York.
The burgundy silk that Elise chose for dinner was one of her more elegant gowns. The neckline dipped a bit lower than she normally wore it but it was still within reason. Black beading wove an intricate pattern from the bodice and down the sides to the back where a small train fell just past her feet.
Jane had just put the finishing touches on her hair by adding two dyed black ostrich plumes cut down to size so that they swept gently over her head. Adding diamond earrings cased in silver to dangle from her lobes completed the look she wanted.
"Don't you just look lovely, ma'am," Jane commented approvingly.
"Thank you," Elise said looking herself over once more. "Can I confess something to you, Jane? I'm nervous, isn't that silly?"
Jane smiled knowingly. "Not at all, ma'am. Mr. Andrews seems to be a nice enough man and I'm sure you will have a wonderful evening."
Releasing a deep breath, Elise smiled warily. "I suppose I shouldn't be nervous, it's just one dinner."
"That's right," Jane nodded in agreement.
"Thank you then and that will be all," she said to the young woman. Jane curtsied and began straightening the dresser as Elise stood from the bench. She fitted her long black gloves up her arms and with her purse in hand, she exited her room.
When she entered the muffled hallway, several people were there already preparing to go down to dinner. She smiled and nodded at them as she began to walk down the long expanse of the corridor. Just down the way and to her surprise, she saw Caledon Hockley dressed elegantly in a fitted tuxedo. He was coming towards her, pausing only long enough to check his watch from his waistcoat pocket. At first, he didn't acknowledge her presence but then he saw her.
She gave him a small nod as she neared him. It was her intention to keep walking but he stared at her as if he somehow recognized her. When they were close to each other, he suddenly stopped her. "Excuse me, aren't you…?" he paused for a moment as his eyes swept over her. "Do I know you?"
Elise looked up at him at his question. "No, I don't think so."
"We've never met?" he probed.
She smiled slightly. "I know who you are, Mr. Hockley, but I sincerely doubt you remember me. I've met you once but it was a very long time ago."
He lifted his head as a stared down at her. "You do seem strangely familiar to me."
"You and your family were in attendance at my grandmother's summer gala at Green Brier, our family estate in New Hampshire," she explained to him.
His face registered recognition. "Careen Sutton is your grandmother?"
Elise nodded. "She is."
"Then your name must be Morgan."
"Yes," she answered. "Elise Morgan."
"Ahh," he smiled knowingly. "I do seem to recall you now, Miss Morgan. You were eating ice cream I believe."
Elise grinned at the memory. It had been at one of her grandmother's many parties. It had been said that at one time, that anyone who was anyone had attended a Careen Sutton event at least once. That summer she had been fifteen and she thought Caledon Hockley was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
"And," he continued. "I also believe I asked what your favorite flavor of ice cream was."
"Yes, you did and I told you it was-"
"Chocolate," he answered for her. "If I remember correctly."
"That's correct," she confirmed his answer.
"How extraordinary that I would remember that," he mused. "Well, you certainly are not that young girl I remember. You've grown into a very beautiful young woman, Miss Morgan, if you'll permit me to say so."
"Thank you, Mr. Hockley," she replied, not entirely comfortable with his compliment. He was engaged after all.
"Are you traveling alone?" he asked. His eyes scanned down to her hand for any sign of a ring.
"Yes, I am going back to New York to be with my family. I have spent the last six months traveling extensively through Europe studying art. Monet, Van Gogh and Renoir are a few of the artist I admire. Their work is fascinating," she said, choosing not mention that Edmund had been the reason for the trip in the first place.
Clearly, art was not one of Cal's interests if the look on his face was any indication. "Obviously, I have missed out on the appeal of such frivolities," he replied dryly. "I find the whole business extremely boring."
"Art, boring?" she gave a small laugh. "I have never heard it referred to like that before. I don't find it boring in the least."
"Why don't you join our table tonight and we can discuss it further, perhaps you can change my mind," he lifted her hand and gave it a small kiss.
Elise smiled politely as she pulled her hand back from him. "I'm afraid I can't. Perhaps some other time… before we reach New York."
"I'll hold you to that," he replied smoothly.
She smiled and continued down the corridor to the First Class lounge where even more people were milling around. She descended the Grand Staircase until she reached the main dining salon. The crowd was gathering in the great room as people moved around, stopping to talk to an acquaintance as they did.
Soft music played in the background, setting the tone for the diners. Several people noticed her, she was sure they were speculating who she was and why she was alone. It was then that she saw Thomas Andrews. Her relief was nearly palpable as he came over to her.
"Miss Morgan, how lovely you are," he commented. "I have our table ready. I hope you don't mind, but we will not be alone."
"Oh?" she queried as she took his arm.
"The Captain asked me to be in attendance tonight to several of the more influential people on board. Of course, I could hardly refuse the Captain."
"Of course not," she replied as they slowly walked across the dining salon. "Do you know who will be joining us?"
"Mr. and Mrs. William Carter, Colonel Archibald Gracie and the Hockley party, which I believe is Mr. Hockley, his fiancée and her mother, Mrs. Dewitt-Bukater."
Elise only managed to smile. How ironic that she would be dining with Cal, Rose and Ruth after all. She could only imagine their surprise when they saw her as well. Her hopes for a quiet evening had all but vanished, as she could hardly tell Thomas that she didn't want to dine with him or the other guests.
As they settled down at the table they talked among themselves as they waited for the others to arrive.
"On our tour earlier I forgot to ask you what you thought of your accommodations, Miss Morgan. Do you find them acceptable?" Thomas asked her.
"Yes, I am quite comfortable. I love the Georgian décor, it's so relaxing."
"Splendid," he beamed and pulled out his notebook. He jotted down a few words and then placed it back in his pocket.
"Do you always carry around a notebook?" she asked with an air of humor.
Thomas smiled and nodded. "I'm afraid I do. I find that when I take notes it's easier for me in the long run. Just like now, your comment on the rooms being relaxing, well that's just the sort of thing I like to hear. The passengers comfort is the priority; it's what makes Titanic stand out from the others."
"I see," she replied with a small smile.
Thomas suddenly grinned sheepishly. "I'm sorry, I must be boring you already. I haven't been in the company of a lovely woman in so long, I suppose I've forgotten my manners, so to speak."
"Oh no, that's quite alright. I understand your fascination with this ship. After all, you are part of the reason she's here."
Thomas' smiled warmed then as he stared at her across the table. "Thank you, Miss Morgan. I don't believe I've ever met anyone as astute as you. You seem to understand and I have found that is a rare thing indeed."
"I suppose you could blame that on my rather unconventional childhood. My father was a seaman and my mother a lady of genteel breeding, her roots coming from the south. How they ever managed a life together has always intrigued me, but somehow it worked."
"In what way was it unconventional?"
"Well, my older sister and I were enamored of our father. The fact that he was rarely home led to all kinds of imaginations of his adventures, of course it didn't help that when he was home he filled our heads with stories of such things. Mother would not interfere, but when he was gone, she made it her mission to teach us how to be ladies. However, while Diana and I were learning how to sew and entertain, we were also learning of exotic places like China and the West Indies."
"And learning of ships?" he added.
"Yes, and learning of ships. If Mother ever knew how many times Father would take Diana and I down to the docks and let us run wild, she would have fainted dead away. But, we had the most fun down there among the sailors and the common people with their strange languages and strange ways. We thought it quite exciting."
"I imagine you did," he gave a small laugh.
"Now, who's the one being boring?" she quipped lightly and shook her head. "I'm sorry, I'm just running on so."
"No, I like it," he paused. "I mean, I like hearing you talk. It's refreshing."
Elise smiled at him, glad that he could make her feel so at ease.
It was then that Mr. and Mr. Carter joined them and not long after Colonel Gracie did as well. Elise was introduced to everyone and all was going well. While in the midst of conversation, Ruth and Rose appeared and both women stopped short upon seeing her at the table. The gentlemen stood for the two ladies, unaware of the cool, amused look Ruth was casting upon Elise.
"So, we meet again," Ruth said to her. "How… wonderful."
"I quite agree," Elise replied and then turned to Rose. "Hello, Rose, it's lovely to see you again."
"Hello. Elise," she smiled at her. "Mother told me you were on board."
"Won't you have a seat, Miss Rose?" Thomas pulled out a chair for her and without preamble, Rose moved to sit next to Elise.
Ruth sat opposite of her after Colonel Gracie offered her a chair. She adjusted the napkin on her lap and addressed the group. "I'm afraid Mr. Hockley has been detained, but he will be along shortly."
Elise saw Rose tense at the mention of Cal's name and wondered about it. Perhaps she wasn't as happy as Ruth would have everyone believe. She didn't have much time to think further about it for Ruth suddenly turned the conversation to her. With a scrutinizing narrow grin, she announced to the table the very thing Elise was trying to escape.
"So, Elise dear, you must tell us about your adventures in England and about the romance you had while there. I, for one, am very interested in hearing about it. You don't mind sharing it with us, do you?"