A/N - Just for clarification's sake so I don't get a bunch of angry emails in my email that I goofed on the story dates – Rose didn't try to kill herself until the second day on Titanic. The first day on board was when the ship left port on April 10th and docked at Cherbourg then headed to Ireland. This is when Molly Brown (Kathy Bates's character) came on as in real life, Molly came on at Cherbourg. There wasn't an afternoon on board/dinner scene after they boarded. The only after boarding scene was the one in Rose's room about the paintings. There was only a brief scene of Rose and Ruth coming out of the elevator dressed for dinner right as Old Rose narrates about Molly Brown. The next day, April 11th, was when the ship left Ireland as evident by Old Rose's narration about "steaming west from the coast of Ireland with nothing out ahead of us but ocean" and then the "Take her to sea, Mr. Murdoch" line of Captain Smith's (which is one of my favorite tracks from the movie score on the first Titanic soundtrack disc). Seeing as how there isn't anything written in the movie about this day, I have penned a chapter for the first day on board. The siblings I mentioned in the previous chapter come into play here.
The second night was the night Rose tried to kill herself which was on the night of the 11th. I'm going to try to include the dates in the chapters so my readers will know where we are up until the ship hits the iceberg on April 14th and sinks on April 15th. And eventually I'll name the chapters, too.
Also an interesting side note that has absolutely nothing to do with the story – Kathy Bates is from Memphis. I live near Memphis.
On with the story now…
Chapter 3 – the night of April 10th
Claire was finishing dressing me for dinner when my brother walked in. "You look wonderful, little sister." He looked me over once more. "As always. I sent Rose and Ruth on to the dining area. I wanted to walk you to dinner if you don't mind." He smiled and as soon as Claire said I was ready, I took Cal's arm and we made our way slowly to the dining area.
"How was your afternoon, Cal?"
He stared at me, as if I had just asked him a complex question that he didn't know the answer to. "Fine. What brought that on?"
"I don't know. You know my life is played out. I'm pretty easy to read and pretty predictable. You're my older brother, and it seems like we rarely talk about it. I was just curious."
He shook his head and led me towards the elevators. The attendant opened the door and Cal and I got in and started our decent towards the dining hall. The elevator stopped and the attendant moved by Cal, but almost ran into me as he was opening the gates.
"Watch where you're going you moron! You almost hit my sister. I'd have your job if you did." Cal was scowling at the attendant who mumbled a weak apology and hurried to get out of Cal's line of sight. "Are you okay?"
I turned back to the attendant and tried to give him an apologetic look for my brother's rude outburst, but he never would look up. I sighed and looked at Cal. "I'm fine. You didn't have to be so mean. He didn't hurt me."
"He disrespected you. You know I hate for people like that to disrespect us."
There was that attitude again. I felt it best not to say anything as I didn't need a lecture in the public eye on how a lady should behave and treat the staff, who were all clearly of a lower class than we were.
"Caledon! And who is this?"
I turned to face a gentleman with a young wife, about my age. "J.J., Madeleine, I'd like you to meet my sister, Maureen Hockley. Maureen, this is J.J. and his wife Madeleine Astor."
Mr. Astor held out his hand, "So you're the sister we've been hearing so much about. Cal told us you'd be joining us on this voyage." He kissed my hand. "Enjoying it so far?"
I smiled, "Indeed sir, I am. This is a remarkable ship. How about you and your wife?"
As his quiet wife watched, we exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes longer when Rose and Ruth joined us. Cal escorted us all to the dining room and seated us at a table with one couple I didn't recognize, the Astors and the Countess of Rothes. Rose remained silent as Ruth and the Countess spoke of Rose's upcoming wedding.
"And the cathedral Cal selected, we hope, is large enough to hold everyone. Cal and I invited all of the Philadelphia society. Nathan insisted on it. There will probably be over 500 people there. Rose's wedding gown will be fitted when we get to Philadelphia. The only thing I don't agree on is the bridesmaids' gowns. They're lavender. Rose knows I detest that color, but she was adamant."
"Ruth, you will have to let me know if you need any help. I've got several attendants we could send your way to help with the wedding party."
The Countess and Ruth went on about their mindless chatter as I kept an eye on Rose. She barely looked up and would only speak if someone spoke to her.
"Are you okay? You seem melancholy."
She looked up at me, "I'm fine. I'm just tired. Traveling always takes it out of me. What did you do on deck after I left?"
"Nothing really. I people watched and even made a trip to the third class."
Rose looked horrified, "You what? Cal would be upset with you if he found out. You know how he feels about that."
"He's not going to find out." I told her the story of Cora and returning her ball, "Then when I tried to come back up to the first class decks, an officer stopped me and accused me of being from the third class. The error was straightened out quickly though. He said he'd be here in the dining hall." I looked around, "But I don't see him yet."
Cal overheard me speaking, "Excuse me. Did you say an officer accused you of being a third class passenger? What is his name? I will report him to the captain." He was speaking lowly, so none of the other guests at our table could hear what was going on.
I didn't want to risk getting Officer Lowe in trouble. I didn't say anything.
"Maureen. What was this officer's name? He deserves to be reprimanded. No one should ever accuse anyone of being third class, when clearly we are royalty. Tell me his name."
"I don't remember. Cal, it was an honest mistake. I was up on the sun deck and the wind caught my hat. It blew off of my head and down on the third class decks. I went down to get it and as I tried to come back up, an officer stopped me to tell me to get back down below or he'd have me detained. When the wind took my hat, it pulled out the pins Claire put in. My hair was a bit of a mess, so it was truly an honest mistake." I hoped Cal wouldn't figure out I was lying.
"You went to the third class area, Maureen?" He started to say something, but changed his mind, "We'll discuss this later."
I nodded my head and took a page out of Rose's book. I kept my head down and kept silent through the dinner. When the dinner was over, the gentlemen at the table retired to the smoking room for brandy before bed. Rose took off back to the suites, not even bothering to wait on anyone to walk her back. I told my brother I was going for a walk on decks before I retired for the night. He said that was fine before he walked with Mr. Astor and Mr. Ismay to the smoking room.
I made my way up the grand staircase and towards the door that would lead me up to the boat deck.
"Miss Hockley?"
I turned around, hearing my name. "Officer Lowe." I smiled. "How are you this evening?"
He took my hand in his and kissed it gently again. "Doing extremely well now that you are here. Was dinner to your liking?"
"Somewhat. Just so you know, my brother does want you tossed off the ship."
He looked at me for a minute and then he realized what I was talking about, "The incident earlier I would imagine didn't set well with your brother, did it?"
"I was going out for some air. Care to join me? I'll tell you what happened if you would like."
He motioned for me to take his arm and we walked out into the night air. "So, do I need to put on a life belt and jump over now, or will I get a trial first?"
I laughed, "You know my brother well. He'd shove you over himself." I stopped to think, "No, that's not entirely true. He'd get his man to do it. Cal couldn't be bothered with menial work like that." I just shook my head at the statement knowing it was entirely true. We started walking on deck and I told him how I was telling Rose about what happened and Cal interrupted, "He demanded I tell him your name so he could see that proper discipline was handed out. I felt it in your best interest and in mine to lie. I didn't want to get you fired over such a small mistake and an honest one at that. You didn't know and you were doing your job. I can't find fault with someone who was doing their job and was obeying orders they were given."
He looked relieved, "Thank you. With the money your family has, I'm sure you could buy me or sell me." He stopped a minute, "Or for that matter, my whole family."
I could tell he was joking, "I'd make sure we got a fair price for you."
We were walking back towards the third class entrance that was behind our rather awkward introduction. "I've got to go below decks to make an inspection. Wait here, please. I'll be right back."
"Do I have to wait? You know I've been down there before."
He looked at me, puzzled. "You're definitely not your typical first class debutant. If you would like to accompany me, I could think of no better company." He held out his hand and as he opened the gate, escorted me down the stairs. I heard the faint sound as the latch on the gate made contact with the post. "Quiet tonight. Usually there are people out on the lower class decks at night. For them, life is a party that never ends."
I started to say something, but noticed Jack sitting on a bench, flipping through what appeared to be a sketch book. "Mr. Dawson?"
He jumped ever so slightly as I called out his name. "Miss Hockley." He put his sketch pad down and got up. "Nice to see you tonight."
Officer Lowe looked at me and I knew by his expression that he would appreciate an explanation as to how Jack and I knew each other, "I met Mr. Dawson earlier, right before I met you over the gate incident."
Jack looked at us both, "Gate incident?"
Officer Lowe smiled, "I had a rather unfortunate run in with Miss Hockley earlier as I made an error, but at least she's not your typical first class lady. She didn't have me tossed overboard."
"Indeed she isn't. Normal women wouldn't be caught down here unless their life depended on it, and even then, I'm sure they'd negotiate." I hid a smile as Jack held out his hand, "I don't believe I've met you yet. Jack Dawson. Third class steerage at your service."
I did my best to hide smile as Officer Lowe introduced himself to Jack, but I failed. "That's one way to make light of the situation."
"Do you draw, Mr. Dawson?" Officer Lowe motioned over towards Jack's sketchbook. "I have a sister that is quite talented. She loves to sketch just about anything and everything. Her favorites are landscapes. She loves going around and just drawing whatever she feels like."
Jack picked up his sketchbook and started to flip through it and then he shut it quickly. "Perhaps this is best viewed at another time."
I looked at both of them, "Why? I may not know much about art, but I am not insulted by art which I do not understand. My brother's fiancée, Rose, loves the landscapes as well as the art which has been referred to as surreal or abstract. I admit I do not understand most of it, but I respect her admirations of the paintings she has collected."
"Miss Hockley, it's not that. It's just that, uh…" He faded off, "I draw from life."
I looked at him puzzled, "Most artists do."
"No. You don't understand. I was in Paris right before I came to England. There are girls there who, well, they like to get naked for no apparent reason. I find the human body one of the most fascinating art subjects. So, well, I drew some of them."
I looked at Officer Lowe, who remained quiet during this, and then at Jack, "And you think I can't handle a few sketches of a naked woman? You forget that I am a woman, Mr. Dawson. You wouldn't be showing me anything I haven't already viewed before. There are numerous paintings in museums in Paris as well as America that feature women that are not properly clothed."
"You're right, Officer Lowe. She definitely doesn't belong in first class." Jack opened his sketchbook, "If any of this offends you, let me know and I'll put it away." He began flipping through the different sketches he had in his book, "This was a sketch I made of Paris. See the background?"
Officer Lowe took the portfolio so he could move under a light to view it better. "This is good work. I wish you could meet my sister. She'd love to talk to you about art."
Officer Lowe handed me Jack's book so I could see. "You are an extremely talented artist, Mr. Dawson." I studied the sketch closer, "My brother's fiancée would love to meet you, too. She has an impressive collection of paintings. I'm afraid I don't understand most of them, but you do work that rivals the paintings she has."
"Thank you, and please call me Jack."
Officer Lowe mentioned he needed to finish his inspection and we told Jack goodbye. We watched as he turned to go to the third class entrance back to his state room. "Quite impressive isn't he?"
"I've seen a lot of art in my time. My brother took me to the museum in Paris when we were there, and the works Jack had in his folder could rival any of the ones in the museum, Officer Lowe."
He stopped to open the gate, "Please, call me Harold, Miss Hockley, or Harry. My family calls me Harry."
I nodded as he escorted me up the stairs, "Then please call me Maureen, I have a nickname as well, but my family believes I'm outgrowing it. My brother still uses it sometimes as do my younger nieces and nephews."
"What is it, if you don't mind my asking?"
I hesitated, "You really want to know, Harry?" He said he did, "It's Murron."
Harry looked at me, "That's different. Tell me the story. I like hearing you talk."
I blushed, "I have an older sister, Cathleen. Cal is next in line, and then I have another brother, Jonathan, and then me. I'm the youngest of four children. When my sister's daughter was born, she had a problem pronouncing my name. It wound up coming out sounding like Murron. So the name just sort of stuck. It was a pet name my brother used when we were younger, but now that I'm older, he pretty much calls me Maureen as do the rest of the family. Only in the private of our home will Cal call me Murron. Jonathan's children are still quite young, so they still use the name, but I would imagine once they get older, they'll start using my given name."
"Well, it makes sense. I have several siblings myself. We all have nicknames for each other. How many nieces and nephews do you have?"
I stopped to think as I let the cool night air rush between us. The chill in the air caused me to shiver under my shawl and realizing I was cold, Harry slipped his coat off and put it over my shoulders. I smiled at him, in a silent gesture to thank him for the warmth. "My sister Cathleen has two children. Lillian is eight and Bradley is three. My brother Jonathan has three children. His oldest is Martha and she's six. Charles is four and the baby, Ethan, is just two months old. He's such a sweet baby. Cal doesn't have any children as he hasn't been married yet, and I am just like my brother in that aspect. That's probably the only aspect we're alike. How many nieces and nephews do you have?"
Harry looked at me and smiled, "A lot more than five. It'd take me all night to tell you about them, and I'm betting it's getting close to your bed time." He took his pocket watch out, "It is late. I need to head to the front of the ship. I'm off duty in a little bit." He stopped as I began to take the coat off to give it back to him. "A true gentleman would walk you to your door."
"I know you would, but if my brother saw you with me, he might think you were the officer that made the mistake earlier and have you tossed off the ship. You wouldn't have time to put on that lifebelt."
"Then I guess I best leave you here for the night. Do you have plans for tomorrow at all?"
"I'm sure Cal will want me to have lunch with his fiancée and future mother in law. Other than that, I'll be free all afternoon. I'm to assume that you will be working?"
"Aye. I'll be here about dinner time again. Would you like to meet again after dinner? Same place?" I nodded and Harry ever so gently kissed my cheek and then opened the door to the first class entrance. "I'll see you tomorrow Maureen." He hesitated as if he was torn about doing something else, but didn't say anything. "I'll be looking forward to it."
I told him goodbye and that I'd be looking forward to meeting him as well. I made my way, very light in my step, back to my suite to dress for bed, silently praying my brother wouldn't be in the room with Rose so I could come in without being seen.
A/N - So now the mystery of Maureen's name has been explained. Told you it'd make sense! I'll work on another chapter this weekend and hopefully get it posted Monday. I'm going to get New Moon tonight after it's released. Woo!
