Abigail felt nervous as she got her corset tightened and her dress picked out. She felt nervous because she was about to go to dinner with first class passengers, who may or may not know what she had done. She was nervous because she wasn't yet married or even being courted at the age of 23. Mostly, Abigail was nervous because she had developed an attraction and school girl crush on First Officer William Murdoch.

"Is that tight enough Miss?" Abigail took as deep a breath as possible. The stewardess that was helping her had tightened it more than Abigail was used to, and she now had to get used to breathing even shallower.

"Yes. That's fine. No tighter. I can hardly breath as it is." Abigail turned and faces the stewardess, her dress laid out on the bed.

The stewardess was a big help, a great help, and she really had an eye for fashion. More so than Abigail. Abigail hadn't even realized what dressed her mother had packed for her until she pulled them out of her trunk and hung them. Only then, did Abigail realize that her mother had packed her 'husband finding dresses'. These dresses were dressed that Abigail had barely worn but her mother insisted she buy.

"The blue one?" Abigail looked over the dress and sighed. She really did like this dress, it brought out the darker shades in her eyes. But it also had a long train that Abigail stepped on whenever she wore it, and it was a little too tight for her liking.

"That's fine. Thank you." Abigail got help putting it on and when she was done, she turned and looked in the mirror.

"You look beautiful Miss. Should we put your hair up?" Abigail nodded and sat in the chair in front of her vanity. She let the stewardess take her hair and braid it, twist in and pin it, until it was styled on the back of her head.

"Done Miss." Abigail thanked her stewardess. She should've gotten up and made her way to the dining saloon, but instead she sat and stared at herself.

Abigail was torn between doing what her mother wanted, getting married and settling down, having a family and doing what she wanted. If it was up to her, Abigail would be in uninveristy studying engineering, mechanics, construction, anything she possibly could. She wanted to have the same opportunities her uncle and father had. She wanted to be more than a wife and mother.

"Abigail, it's time for dinner." Abigail jumped and turned in her chair, getting surprised by her uncle standing behind her, hands behind his back, waiting for her.

"Yes. Sorry. I'm sorry." Abigail stood and grabbed her uncles outstretched arm. She gave him a smile and walked with him out of the room and down the hall.

"Are you alright Abigail?" Abby nodded and walked down the grand staircase with her uncle. She reminded herself to take deep breaths and stay calm.

"Good evening Mr. Andrews." Abigail stood in front of two women and a man. The women were related, sharing the same red hair and blue eyes, and she assumed the man was the fiancé judging by how he looked at the younger redhead.

"Good evening, Rose. This is my niece Abigail Mckinley." Abby held out her hand for them to shake, but only had Rose shake her hand, while the man kissed the top of her hand.

"Caledon Hockley, nice to meet you." Abigail looked from him to Rose. He was holding onto her like she was a possession, and it made Abigail's skin crawl.

"Shall we go in for dinner?" Abigail felt relieved when the three turned away. She didn't mind Rose, but the other woman was looking at her like she was filth, and the man was looking at Rose like property.

"Ready?" Abigail glanced at her uncle and then looked away. She nodded and walked into the dining saloon with her uncle, her nerves still running wild.

The dining saloon was more than Abigail could ever imagine. There was fine china, rimmed with gold, champagne bottles on each of the tables, more silverware than needed, and of course, the rich and famous. The men and women were dressed to the 9's and it seemed like they were trying to best each other with their talk of money or business.

"Good evening Mr. Andrews, Miss Mckinley." Abigail was drawn to the thick Scottish accent and when she looked, she felt herself blushing. William Murdoch was standing in front of them, in his uniform, that seemed even more attractive than it did earlier today.

"Hello Will." Abigail watched her uncle shake his hand and when it came to her, Will had kissed he top of her hand, his lips lingering and his eyes meeting hers. Abigail stared into his brown eyes and felt her heart pounding. She had definitely had a school girl crush on him, even if he was older than her.

"We should sit." Abigail looked away from Will and continued to walk with her uncle to their table. She sat down on the chair beside her uncle and shifted until she felt as comfortable as possible in her dress and corset.

"So tell me Abigail, does your husband mind you travelling alone?" Abigail looked up from her plate once dinner had started, and looked at Rose's mother. She was giving her a dirty look and Abigail knew this conversation wouldn't be one she would enjoy.

"I'm not married." Abigail's eyes met Will's and she looked away, embarrassed.

"How old are you?" Abigail licked her lips nervously, wanting to change the subject. She didn't like the way that woman was looking at her and she definitely didn't want he to press the subject of why she wasn't married with kids at 23.

"23." Abigail kept her hands on her lap and her eyes down. She was going to get the 3rd degree.

"And why wouldn't a woman like yourself be married at 23?" Abigail didn't know what to say. She couldn't tell them that the man she supposedly loved took advantage of her. She didn't want to tell them that she would rather have an education than be a married woman who isn't allowed to think for herself.

"Mr. Andrews this ship is beautiful." Abigail looked up and met the eyes of Rose. She mentally thanked her and then smiled shyly at her. Rose was her saving grace.

"Thank you Rose. It really is quite a luxurious ship." Abigail once again a raised her gaze, first making eye contact with Rose and then her mother.

Her mother was shooting her a look of disgust and mistrust. She was looking at her like she knew what had happened and she couldn't wait to tell everyone. Abigail felt her palms starting to sweat the more Rose's mother looked at her.

"I'm sorry. Excuse me. I've lost my appetite." Abigail pushed her chair back and stood on shaky feet. She placed her napkin on the plate in front of her and turned on her heel, all but running out of the room.

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New chapter!

Thanks to the reviewers:

.2016

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TheFireInHerEyes