Okay, this chapter will be long, I promise! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update, but it's been super nice outside where I live so I've gone out and I've had school and stuff. But now I have a three-day weekend and plus we're testing at school (Poo) so I won't have any homework. I'm going to try and get in a couple more chapters this weekend to tide you eager readers over!


Catherine's Point of View

The next day I woke up to the sound of a gentle knocking at my cabin door. I hurried out of bed, still in my nightdress, and opened up the door.

It was Ismay.

I'd spent all night wondering about what to say to him at the ball this evening, if I even had to talk to him. And now here he was, in front me. He'd came to me, and I thought I'd have to go to him.

"Good morning, Miss Hall," He greeted me politely, but I could sense the coldness behind his words.

"Hello, Mr. Ismay," I responded just as politely, just as coldly.

"I, well, I wanted to apologize for yesterday," He began. I held back a smirk and a laugh. This was too good.

"Oh you do?" I asked and raised my eyebrow.

He nodded and twisted a ring on his pinkie finger nervously. "I know you're a fine young woman, but I just didn't know that you..."

"Worked in a shipyard?" I finished for him bitterly. "Yeah, I know, pretty shocking, huh?"

He nodded again. "Well, yes..."

"And you also think it's strange of Thomas to invite me?"

Again, Ismay nodded. "Yes..."

"You do know we are together?"

He looked at me and I thought I saw shock flash across his face, but he simply nodded for what seemed like the umpteenth time. "I assumed, Miss Hall, but I wasn't sure..."

"That's great. Might as well tell the whole ship now. Well, I accept your apology. Good day, Mr. Ismay." I knew I sounded like a horrible bitch, but I couldn't take his awkward yet insulting manner any longer. I managed a smile and he dipped his head to me, then turned and hurried off as I shut the door and ran over to my bed. I jumped back onto it and fell back asleep in an instant.


A couple of hours later Ella shook me awake. I grumbled and sat up, blinking my eyes a couple of times.

"Good morning, Catherine," chirped Ella.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Eleven thirty sharp," Ella responded brightly.

I nodded and stumbled out of my bed and into the washroom. Ella followed me in and turned on the water, letting warm water pour into the tub until it was mostly full. I slipped out of my nightgown as she left the room and stepped in.

After about 15 minutes of soaking, I finally scrubbed my body with the wonderful soap and washed my hair. I drained the water and dried myself off, then wrapped the robe around me and walked back into the main room of my cabin.

Ella was waiting patiently, sitting in one of the chairs by the table. When I entered, she stood up and walked over to my wardrobe, and pulled out a gorgeous gown. It was cream-colored, with short sleeves. Then, there was a tight pink ribbon around my waist and the skirt flowed down to my ankles. The skirt was pink as well. Ella helped me into it and then did my hair. She styled it in a fancy yet casual fashion in which my brown curly hair flowed down around my shoulders and was pulled away from my face with fancy hair clips that had pink pearls all over them. She covered up the remains of my bruises with powder. There were just a few on my arms and face, but they were mostly faded by now.

I span around in front of the mirror and smiled. "Perfect, Ella," I murmured.

She smiled. "You look marvelous, Catherine." In the hallway, a bell rang, and she turned to the door. "That would be another passenger needing me." And then she was gone.

A few minutes later, there was another knock on my door. I knew it was Thomas, because he always came around at this time. I opened the door to see him smiling in front of me.

I beamed and he kissed me sweetly. I moaned into his kiss and wrapped my arms around his neck, but before things got too heated, he pulled away.

"Not now, dear," He said softly. I sighed submissively and we walked together to the Dining Room.

Lunch passed by in a blur, as did the rest of the afternoon. Finally, it was time to get ready for the ball. I had no clue what my ball gown looked like. No doubt it was pretty. I could barely contain my excitement as Ella pulled it out of the wardrobe.

I let out a squeal. It was gorgeous. The top was a lavender silk, with entricately woven ruffles. A black satin sash around my waist, and then a gorgeous skirt. It was beautiful...

Ella helped me into it, and then when it was on, I turned around to look at myself in the mirror. "Oh, Ella, it's gorgeous..." I whispered.

She handed me a pair of elbow-length white silk gloves and I slipped them on. She styled my hair in a fancy updo, letting a few stray curls cascade around my face, and then did my make-up. A tint of blush, some pale pink lipstick, that was all.

A few minutes later, after I twirled multiple times, watching my skirt billow out around me, Thomas arrived. He entered my room without knocking, clasping a small black velvet box in his hands. With a light sweep of his hand, he gestured to Ella to leave. She obeyed with a smile.

As soon as she was gone, he rested his hands on my bare shoulders. "You like it?"

"Oh, Thomas, it's beautiful..." I breathed. "I don't know how to describe it..."

"I'm glad you love it." He pulled out the black velvet box and held in front of me. "What do think is in it?"

An engagement ring... I thought to myself, but knew that wasn't it. I shook my head. "I don't know...what is it?"

"Let's see..." He whispered and flipped open the lid. I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand.

"Tommie, how much did that cost?"

Inside was a gorgeous necklace. The chain was silver, and there was a purple amethyst with silver twirled around it. I lifted it out of the box and stared at it.

"I wanted gold, but the amethyst itself costed a fortune, so I went with silver," Thomas sounded sheepish.

I turned and kissed him, throwing my arms around his neck. "Thomas, I can't believe you did this..."

"I did it because I love you," He murmured and turned me around. He place dit around my neck and fastened it.

"I love you," I whispered and kissed him lightly on the lips.

He smiled and then wrapped his arm around my waist. "Shall we go?"

"Yes, yes we shall."

And off we went.


Next chapter will be the ball. REVIEW!