Chapter 9

I Believe We Have Struck Something

Charles escorted Charlotte back to her stateroom, his arm wrapped lovingly around her.

"So I suppose I will barely see you tomorrow since you said you're going to be so busy with preparations for the final stretch?" Charlotte asked as they walked down the halls.

It was quiet and Charlotte presumed people were still in the dining or smoking rooms; enjoying the music, food, cigars, and brandy. She hoped that Luke would still be in the smoking room at the very least when she returned so she could go straight into her room and not emerge until morning.

"Unfortunately yes, but I think we should be able to see each other for supper or something of the sort in the evening," he smiled at her.

Charlotte gently placed her head on his arm as they walked, her full belly was making her sleepy and she would have liked nothing more than to fall asleep in his arms right there. "That sounds like it would be lovely," she said in a soft voice.

"Then we will plan on it," he replied just as they approached the door to her stateroom.

Charlotte detached herself from Charles and looked at the door, "Well I will see you tomorrow," she told him.

"Tomorrow," Charles agreed.

Charlotte reached up and gave him a peck on the lips and then turned and disappeared into the room.

She closed the door behind her and looked around the room, as she suspected, everyone was still gone and so she had the room to herself. Charlotte stood there for a moment and turned so her skirt twirled around her legs. The feeling of floating on cloud nine was almost overwhelming. Her heart was swollen with happiness and she hoped she would never step off of it.

Charlotte returned to her room and after a moment, she decided she just did not want to change out of her clothes yet. A quick look at the clock told her it was nearing nine-thirty, she and Charles had talked much longer than they intended and they hadn't exactly rushed back to her stateroom. Briefly a worried thought crossed her mind that he may get in trouble for being late to his shift, even if it was only for a couple of hours. Charlotte moved back into the sitting room after retrieving a book and she settled herself into the arm chair and opened the book. An hour or so passed when Isabel and her parents both entered the room, their cheeks were flushed which suggested to Isabel that they had been up on the deck walking.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips," Charlotte greeted, instantly standing to her feet and giving them a curtsey.

"Oh Charlotte, your dress is lovely!" Isabel said before her parents could respond.

Charlotte looked from Isabel to her skirts and gave a small shrug, "Thank you, Isabel."

Isabel took Charlotte by the hand then and led her to her room. She closed the door behind her and sat down on the edge of the bed, "So where were you that you were all dressed up?" Isabel asked.

Charlotte's gaze was still fixed on the door and finally she tore her gaze to Isabel, "Charles and I were having supper."

Isabel beamed, "How was it?"

Charlotte smiled and sat down beside Isabel, "We want to be together."

Isabel stared at Charlotte for a moment and then she threw her arms around her, "Oh Charlotte that is just so lovely!"

The girls spent the next hour discussing the evening, with Isabel pressing Charlotte for every last detail. It briefly crossed Charlotte's mind to bring up Luke's actions from the previous night, but again Charlotte delayed it. They didn't even notice the time until Isabel noticed it was eleven-thirty, "Oh dear, we've been talking and going on but it is so late now." Isabel sighed and looked around the room, "While I change, would you mind fetching some tea or something of the sort for me?"

Charlotte stood to her feet, "I could do that, but how will you get out of your corset?"

Isabel bit her lip and then had a devilish grin, "I'm not wearing one."

Charlotte frowned, looked at Isabel's figure closely and then her eyes went wide, "Oh Isabel, you silly child."

Isabel giggled, "Run along now! I'll be waiting!"

Charlotte shook her head and Isabel distinctly remembered hearing something like, "Her parents would kill her if they knew," as she went along.

The hallways seemed slightly livelier but they had an air of mystery to them now as Charlotte walked. You never knew what went on behind closed doors and Charlotte was one maid on wanted to be sure she never stuck her nose into other people's business, but sometimes a person just couldn't help their curious nature.

Charlotte moved on until she found the entrance to the kitchens and knocked before entering the room. There were stewards bustling around and a few cooks who looked up and they were clearly surprised to see such a well-dressed woman in the kitchen.

"Pardon me, Miss," one of the men said before bowing low to the ground.

Charlotte screwed up her face out of confusion and then realized that she was still wearing her fancy dress, "Oh please do not bother, I am only a maid on a quest for tea for my mistress."

A cook exchanged a look with another cook but they finally decided to take Charlotte's words at face value, "Alright."

Together they prepared a tray with a small tea pot filled with hot water, the green leaves swirling around at the bottom of the kettle, a clean cup, and a spoon. They set two sugar lumps on a napkin as Charlotte requested and then everything was set on a silver tray. Charlotte was just picking the tray up when she felt a terrible tremor under her feet. The tea pot rattled on the tray as she stood there. Just as soon as it started however, it was over, and then there was sheer confusion.

"What the 'ell was that?" a man shouted, running to one of the small port windows and glancing out of it, but he couldn't see anything.

Charlotte was frowning, "Ships don't typically act that way, do they?"

Another stewardess shook her head, "I do not believe so, no."

She stood there for a moment longer, watching as people rushed around, trying to find out what happened. Another few minutes passed and Charlotte simply shook her head and headed to the stateroom. The walk back took longer than expected because of people who had left their rooms now because of the shuddering.

"Why have the engines stopped?" a woman asked a man who was walking by.

Charlotte stepped to the side to allow a man in a dark coat and rolls of paper under his arm to pass by as she listened.

"We've likely thrown a propeller blade, that's the shudder you felt," the man answered.

A propeller blade had been thrown? Charlotte mulled these things over in her mind and supposed they seemed probable but she knew very little about ships, it was a question to ask Charles when she saw him the next day. A short journey on and Charlotte entered the stateroom. Mr. Phillips looked up as the door opened, "Did you see or hear anything about what that shudder was?" he asked.

Charlotte briefly wondered if it had awoken him, because he was standing there in his robe. She shook her head as an answer, "No, I did not. Someone said it was the propeller maybe, but that is all I heard."

Mr. Phillips seemed to be mulling these things over, "I will see what I can find out, but go ahead and take Miss. Isabel her tea."

Charlotte nodded and crossed the small space to the bedroom. Isabel was sitting up in her bed, running a brush through her hair.

"Did you feel that shudder?" Isabel asked when Charlotte entered.

Charlotte moved to the small table that was beside the bed, carefully set the tray down, and began to pour the steaming hot tea into a cup. "I did, Isabel. A man in the hallway said it was likely a thrown propeller blade or something."

Isabel watched Charlotte prepare the tea and carefully took the cup when it was handed to her. She took a sip, thinking about Charlotte's words as the tea swirled around in her mouth. She drank the beverage down and then set the cup down next to her lamp, "It was quite a shake for a propeller," Isabel shrugged, "But what do I know?"

Charlotte was about to comment when they heard a sharp knock on the door in the sitting room. The two girls looked at each other and listened as a man entered the door, "Everyone is to come up to the deck wearing their life belts. I suggest you wear warm coats, hats and gloves, it is quite cold outside."

"Sir, what is the meaning of this?" Mr. Phillips boomed.

"Lifeboat drill, the Captain's orders are that every man, woman, and child are to be on the deck. Do not waste time!" the man said.

Charlotte listened as the door slammed shut and then glanced at Isabel. "Well, I suppose we should get you dressed and ready."

Just at her words the door opened and Mr. Phillips entered the room and looked at the girls, "Charlotte, help Miss. Phillips dress and have her in warm clothes. Then get your jacket and gloves, we are to be upstairs shortly."

Charlotte curtsied, "Yes sir."

Mr. Phillips exited the room and then Charlotte moved to the wardrobe. She pulled one of Isabel's warmer dresses out, a coat, gloves, and the lifebelt that was in the top compartment of the wardrobe. Isabel dressed quickly and after a few minutes of bothering with the life belt, she was ready.

"Run and fetch your coat now, Charlotte. Dress in warm clothes and then we'll all leave together," Isabel said.

Charlotte nodded and left the room, glancing briefly at Mr. and Mrs. Phillips who were talking to Luke about what had happened and what they must now do. She kept walking, closing her door quietly behind her. Thoughts began to race through her head and Charlotte was struck as she remembered Charles' words after lunch, "I just loathe this unsinkable nonsense. In fact, all of the officers hate it because it's just not true. I do not honestly believe there is something God can't do if he puts his mind to it."

But the ship couldn't be sinking, not over a propeller blade. Of course, she supposed, it could have been something more. Besides, it was just a lifeboat drill…the steward had said so. Charlotte bit her lip and wondered what could have possibly done it. She moved to her wardrobe and pulled her lifebelt down and began to put it on, thinking more over the conversations she'd had with Charles over the last few days. He had mentioned ice just a few hours before, they were going to have to start navigating carefully through the ice fields, and they were nightmares at this time of the year. Charlotte figured she could ask Charles when they reached the deck, if there was an ordered lifeboat drill, he would surely be up there.

Once she was sure her belt was tightened and on properly, Charlotte pulled her coat on and then her black gloves. It was stifling in this room but she knew that once she reached the deck it would be cold. She was just about to leave the room when a thought struck her. Charlotte turned and looked at the wardrobe again and quickly crossed the space, bending down she pulled her suitcase out and opened it. She found the hidden pocket and pulled her mother's wedding ring out, Charlotte stared at it for a moment then removed her glove and placed the ring on her finger. She replaced the glove on her hand, comforted to know her mother's ring was with her. She was probably reading too far into things, but just in case there was something wrong, Charlotte wanted to be sure that she did not lose one of the few things she had left of her mothers.

Charlotte stood to her full height, put the suitcase back, and exited the room, closing the door behind her. Everyone was now assembled in the sitting room and they all looked at Charlotte expectantly.

"You took your time," Luke commented, rolling his eyes.

Isabel frowned, "Come along Charlotte."

Charlotte waited for the family to enter the hallway and then she followed. The halls which had filled a little when she had been returning from the kitchens were now flooding with families. People hadn't even bothered in changing out of their pyjamas and nightgowns. Small children were wiping sleep out of their eyes, clutching stuff teddy's, one little boy even had a polar bear to his chest. Mr. Phillips led the family up through the grand staircase and to a door that led to the deck.

xx

Charles awoke with a start, it hadn't been long at all since he had returned to his room, and a look at his watch told him it was eleven-forty. It had only been forty minutes or so since he had fallen asleep. Charles listened for a moment and then swung his legs over the side of the bed and ran out of the room. His feet were stung at the bitter cold as he looked up and down the deck. Charles stood there for a moment, trying to decide what the best course of action was to take. Finally he came to the conclusion that it wasn't his business and if he was needed, they would fetch him.

Slowly, Charles returned to his room and crawled back under the bed, his feet warming up under the covers. Now that he was awake, he was having a hard time falling back asleep, so he stayed there, counting the ticks of his clock.

Ten minutes, twenty, and then finally thirty minutes later, his door swung open. Joseph Boxhall stood there, "You know, we have struck something!"

Charles frowned and got out of the bed again, reaching from his trousers from where he had draped them across the back of his chair, and he began to dress, not bothering to take off his pyjamas; they didn't have time.

"I know we have struck something," Charles replied, sitting down to put on his socks and shoes.

Joseph stood there, waiting for Charles, tapping his foot impatiently, "The water is up to F in the mail room," he said, as if trying to urge Charles along.

Charles gave him a look and said, "Run along, I'll report to the bridge in just a moment."

Boxhall nodded, "Hurry."

Charles watched him run off, leaving the door open. He shook his head and closed it behind Joseph, not completely but enough to give him some form of privacy. They had struck something? He scowled, wondering what that could even possibly mean. What had they struck? Charles thought back to the conversation he'd had with the Captain earlier that evening.

"You know, I don't think I've ever seen such a flat calm."

The Captain laughed, "Like a mill pond."

Charles was quiet and then said, "You know, it will make the bergs harder to see, with no breaking water at the base."

There was a tense silence and Charles wondered if he should not have spoken.

"Well, I'm off. Maintain the speed and heading, Mr. Lightoller."

Charles watched the Captain disappear, "Yes sir."

Was it possible now, Charles wondered, that they'd hit an iceberg? He decided it was completely possible and he didn't like the idea of it. He stood there a moment longer and then finally followed after Joseph, closing the door behind him.

XX

It was madness outside, everywhere Charlotte looked she saw officers and crewmembers uncovering lifeboats and swinging them out over the water. Her stomach lurched at the thought of the water below, if someone lost their footing and fell, the water would sting. The noise was also unbearable and Charlotte found herself putting her hands over her ears.

"This is madness!" Mr. Phillips shouted, but no one heard him.

Charlotte looked to Mrs. Phillips who nodded towards the doorway, seeming to indicate they should step back inside until it was time to be loaded into the boats. No one else seemed to understand her so Charlotte opened the door and waved a hand, pointing them to return inside. The family retreated into the warmth and brightly lit hallway and stood by the windows, glancing out at the hard working crew.

"Why order us up onto the deck and then not even be ready to load the boats, I will never know!" Mr. Phillips said, shaking his head.

Charlotte wasn't listening as the family discussed the possibilities of what could be happening. She was scanning the officers to see if Lightoller was amongst them. However the only man she recognized was the one who had come to find Charles that morning after church. Will, she thought his name was, though at this point Charlotte couldn't quite know. It was late and she was tired and Charlotte never trusted her judgement when she should be sleeping.

"It is twenty after midnight and the entire ship is awake, this simply won't do!" Mr. Phillips was complaining, "I am going to be complaining to the White Star Line about all of this."

"Oh dear, stop exasperating yourself," Mrs. Phillips said, giving him a stern look.

He waved a hand as if to brush off her words.

"We could find out from Officer Lightoller if he knows what is going on."

Everyone turned to look at Charlotte.

"Run and find him," Isabel said, "Be back here in a few minutes."

Charlotte stood still for a moment, waiting for the okay from Mr. Phillips. He seemed to be considering it for a moment and then nodded, "Run, find him, ask what is going on, and return here."

"Yes sir," Charlotte said, she curtsied and ran outside.

It wasn't as noisy now and the officers were talking to some of the passengers who had stayed outside waiting to be told what to do. She headed up the deck, looking for Charles but he was nowhere to be found. Finally, she walked around to the portside and spotted him. Charles was talking to the Captain and another officer. She ran up the deck and stopped at a distance, waiting for him to finish. A moment later, Charles turned away from the Captain and said something to the other officer, and then his eyes fell on Charlotte. He nodded at Wilde and approached her, "Charlotte, what are you doing?" he asked.

"I was sent to find out what was going on. The Phillips are all inside wondering why we were dragged out of bed at this awful hour, just to be told to stand around and look like fools," she answered.

Charles swore and sighed, "Charlotte what I am to tell you, must not go beyond the Phillips family. Not yet at least."

Her brows knitted together, "Charles what is going on?"

He sighed, "We've hit a berg and the ship is going down by the head, within two hours or less."

Charlotte stared at him in awe struck horror. "So it's not just a lifeboat drill," she said slowly, finally tearing her gaze from his face and looking around her surroundings, the men working to uncover the boats.

"It's going to be women and children first and once they are safe, we'll evacuate the men," Charles explained.

She couldn't seem to say anything.

"Charlotte?"

Charlotte turned and stared at him, "But there aren't enough lifeboats, you said so yourself."

He sighed, "I'm aware, which is why I need you to make sure you get on a boat with Isabel and her parents."

She frowned, "And you? What will happen to you?"

Charles looked down and took her hands into his, "I will leave only when all hope is lost."

Charlotte let his words sink in before she threw her arms around him, "I have to go, but I will be back," she whispered.

They pulled apart and Charles nodded, "I have to get back to my job and get these passengers onto the boats. Promise me you'll get off this ship and get to safety."

Charlotte nodded, "Of course I will."

They stared at each other for a moment and then he pulled her to him, pressing his lips to hers. His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close, and for that one moment they forgot about everything that was going on around them. The sounds of the ship, officers shouting orders, and the crew running up and down the deck were lost to them. Finally, Charles pulled himself away from her, "I will see you in the morning."

She nodded again; it seemed to be all Charlotte could manage. Charles pressed a kiss to her gloved hand and then watched him walk off and return to his station, beckoning the passengers towards him.

After a moment, Charlotte managed to bring herself to move, and she headed back to the Phillips family.

XX

A/N: Ah, a nice long chapter to counteract the short ones. I hope you've enjoyed and that you'll review…I'm going to return to watching Star Wars now…Bye!