Chapter 5

Arthur's POV

Dinner was the same as always. I felt trapped. I didn't like having my life planned out for me. The thought of a lifetime of dinners like this made me feel sick. Right after dinner I snuck away to smoke a cigarette.

I walked across the deck and opened the gate to the third class deck. I looked around and when I saw no one near I descended the stairs. I knew no one would find me there. Robert and Maurice wouldn't dare leave first class and Cobb and Eames wouldn't really care where I was.

I sat down on a bench and lit my cigarette.

I noticed a girl, probably a few years younger than me sitting on the railing. She held onto a pole next to her but she looked like she was going to fall.

I slowly made my way over, making sure to be loud about it so I wouldn't startle her.

She turned around to look at me and I lost my breath. She was beautiful. Her curly brown hair flowed in the light sea breeze. She had big brown eyes and she was rather petite. She seemed equally shocked.

"Hello" she said.

I quickly composed myself.

"Hello" I replied. "You looked like you were going to fall over board. What are you doing?"

"I was looking over to see the propellers." She stated. That was a first. Most women I met weren't interested in anything like that.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Ariadne Page" she answered

"I'm Arthur Levitt-Fischer"

"I'll have to get you to write that down." she giggled. Her laugh was like the pealing of bells.

"Why don't you come back over the railing Ariadne, you're making me nervous." I said.

She looked like she was considering refusing but decided against it. She slowly turned herself around. I held my hand out to her to help. She took it and started to lift her leg over the rail. That's when things went wrong.

Ariadne's POV

The handsome man from before, whose name I learned was Arthur, held his hand out to me. I took it and began to step over the railing. I didn't realize I was standing on my dress with my left foot. So when I lifted my right one it was pulled out from under my footing.

I screamed. Suddenly I was dangling off the side of the boat, held up only by Arthur.

"Ariadne!" he shouted. "Give me your hand!"

I reached up with my other hand to take it but I couldn't reach.

"Help!" he yelled over his shoulder.

"Arthur?" a male voice called back.

"Robert! Help!" he yelled.

"Ariadne, you have to give me your hand!" he said.

I reached up again and we finally made contact. With one big pull I was brought back onto the ship. Unfortunately, we had too much momentum and we went sprawling onto the deck. My landing was cushioned by Arthur but he wasn't so lucky.

"Oof!"

"Oh my gosh! Arthur I'm so sorry!" I had accidently kneed him twice. Once in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him, and once in the crotch which I knew would really hurt.

I started rubbing his stomach soothingly.

"You're ok" I whispered.

"What do you think you are doing?" I heard from behind me.

I turned around to see a well-dressed man with dark hair and cold blue eyes.

He helped Arthur up.

"What made you think you could throw yourself at my cousin like a common whore?" he asked snottily.

"Robert!" Arthur wheezed. He was still trying to catch his breath.

Robert ignored Arthur and continued his lecture.

"I should have you arrested for prostitution!"

"Robert!" Arthur said firmly after he had caught his breath. "It was an accident! She was leaning over to look at the propellers and she slipped. I was just helping her back up and we fell. She was trying to help me! I don't appreciate you calling her a whore!"

Arthur looked very intimidating, albeit handsome, as he said this.

"Ariadne, we would very much enjoy your company for dinner tomorrow night." He said turning to me.

"Really Arthur! Inviting filth from steerage to dine with us? Father will be most upset with you!" Robert huffed.

"Robert, apologize!" Arthur barked at him.

"I mean, yes, of course. You must join us and regale our group with your adventurous story." He said through gritted teeth.

"Count me in" I smiled. Arthur smiled back, showing off his dimples that made me want to melt.

They walked off and I returned to my room with a grin plastered on my face.

"What happened to you?" Yusuf asked referring to my appearance.

I ignored him and went to bed.

Arthur's POV

I was in my room beginning to undress when my uncle came to me.

"Robert told me what happened tonight." He said as I removed my cuff links.

"He said you invited a third class girl to dine with us. I hope you know what you're doing. We wouldn't want her ruining our reputation." He continued.

"She won't Uncle." I removed my jacket and rolled up the sleeves of my shirt.

"I know you've been rather upset since you're parents' death. I thought this might cheer you up." He held out a small box to me.

"It's been in the family for years. Your father proposed to your mother with it and you will use it for whatever woman you marry."

I opened the box. It contained a ring with a very large diamond between two smaller stones.

"Wow" I breathed. I was not excited about the diamond but more that I had something special to both of my parents.

"It is called the Pasiv. Louis the Fifteenth wore it. It's supposed to make dreams come true."