April 12, 1912

I took slow, deep breaths to calm myself. I couldn't recall the last time I had been so ridden with nerves. It was nearly seven o'clock and there was still no sign of Caledon. I took my handbag and decided to step out of my room to look for him. Almost immediately after I opened the door, I looked to my right and saw a man headed towards me.

"Excuse me, ma'am?"

"Yes?" I replied.

"Are you Ms. Camden?"

"Yes, that's me."

"I'm Spicer Lovejoy- I work for Mr. Hockley. He's already in the dining hall with Rose and asked if I would escort you to the table."

"Oh- very well then. Thank you."

Mr. Lovejoy took me by the arm and we descended down the grand staircase. The sights before me literally took my breath away.

"This is absolutely amazing," I said quietly.

"It is indeed incredible."

I had seen all the majestic cities of Europe- Rome, Paris, Athens, Vienna- but never anything like the grand ballroom and the dining hall. Mr. Lovejoy escorted me through a sea of people and finally to the table where Caledon was sitting. He pulled out a chair for me that was directly across from Caledon.

"Mr. Hockley, your guest has arrived."

Caledon looked up from his glass of brandy and his entire expression changed. I could tell that he wanted to be slightly more informal- instead, he just smiled at me.

"Ms. Camden, you look exquisite tonight."

"Thank you Mr. Hockley- and thank you for inviting me to join you and yours for dinner."

"The pleasure is all mine. Everyone, this is Victoria Camden. She's relocating from England to New York and chose Titanic as her method of doing so."

An older, yet attractive man was seated on my left. He extended his hand towards mine and then kissed it.

"I'm Thomas Andrews," he said, "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"So you're the mastermind behind this ship, from what I've heard."

"Mastermind? If you say so," he laughed.

I replied, "Either way, this ship is…incredible, to say the least."

"Thank you."

Rose's mother, Ruth, glared at me and asked, "So are you travelling alone?"

"Yes," I said, "I was supposed to be here with my husband, but he passed away less than a month ago."

"What made you want to move to America?"

"I need a drastic change in my life- my uncle is a banker in Manhattan and I plan on residing with him until I get on my feet."

"That's unheard of. A woman just up and moving without her family or husband."

"I think it's bold and brave," Rose suddenly said, "I admire your strength, Victoria."

As Rose finished her statement, dinner was served. The whole time we were dining, Caledon was staring at me. He would look at me, then smile, and then look away. At one point in the night, I glanced over at Rose. She and her mother were having an argument amongst themselves. I knew that it was about me, because they would look at me and then continue bickering. Even after dinner ended, the atmosphere was still tense and very awkward- so I decided to excuse myself for a moment.

"I'll be right back," I said, "I'm going to the powder room for a moment."

Rose stood abruptly and added, "I'll join you."

She met me at the end of the table and we silently walked to the powder room. When we arrived, Rose burst into tears and screamed in frustration like a child.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

"I hate this!" she growled, "I hate this ship, I hate my mother, I hate my life!"

"You have Caledon, don't you? I'm sure you don't hate me."

Rose looked at me as she wiped her tear-streaked face.

"Victoria, he's got you fooled. He put me under the same spell once- he's got this way about him that makes you believe anything and everything he says."

"Come again?"

"Cal may seem like a charming gentleman- but once you get to know him, he's a ruthless and selfish bastard. I wouldn't be saying this if I didn't consider you a friend- he'll break your heart. I guarantee you that before this ship docks, he'll forget that you exist."

I didn't know what to believe. I hadn't known Caledon or Rose for very long, so I didn't really know whom to trust.

"I'm going back to the table," I said.

"I'm not. I need some fresh air and time to myself. Tell everyone I'll be right along."

"All right."

I left the powder room and returned to the table. I overheard the end of a conversation that Ruth was in the middle of.

"…she sure doesn't look like she's from England. She has darker skin and hair than most people from that part of Europe."

I sat down and replied, "That's because my mother was from Spain. My hair and eyes are traits that were directly from her."

"I see. Where's Rose?"

"She said she needed some fresh air and that she'd be right back."

Caledon looked at me again, but this time Rose's words echoed in my head. I looked away, thinking that Caledon's affections were indeed too good to be true. As dinner ended, we noticed that Rose had yet to return. Suddenly, a crew member appeared at the table.

"Mr. Hockley, I don't mean to alarm you, but you might want to come outside."

"Can't you see that I'm in the middle of a conversation?"

"It's your fiancée."

Both Caledon and Ruth stood up and followed the man outside. I stayed seated and looked at Mr. Andrews.

"I hope something's not wrong," I said.

"Let's go outside and see."

Mr. Andrews and I hurried outside. When we got there, Caledon was screaming at a young man who was visibly from third class. Rose was huddled on a bench, with blankets wrapped around her shoulders.

I approached Ruth and asked, "What happened?"

"Is it really any of your business?"

I stood back and watched as Caledon showed an arrogant and condescending side to him that I did not like. I walked away and went to another part of the deck. The night was beautiful- the air was chilly, but the stars in the sky were breathtaking. A few minutes later, I heard footsteps approaching.

A familiar voice said, "You're shivering. Why don't you go inside?"

I didn't want to turn around because I knew it was Caledon- but I also didn't want to be rude.

"You're right- I think I'm going to retire to my room. Goodnight."

As I tried to walk past him, he held my arm.

"Where are you going? What's wrong?"

I sighed and said, "I had a conversation with Rose earlier."

Caledon seemed upset at that fact.

"And what did you two talk about?"

I looked into Caledon's eyes and said, "We've only known each other for a day and I don't expect you to comprehend what I've been through in the last year. I might be jumping to conclusions here, but you seem to have some…interest in me. I'm not the poor little widow who puts out for the rich, handsome playboy. I had no intentions of making one friend on this ship. I'm here to make a new start on my own- and I refuse to let my heart be used or broken like a toy. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to my room."

Without looking back at Caledon, I walked away and ignored him as he called my name. I went straight to my room and changed into my night garments, not thinking that I would have any other guests that night. However, I hadn't been in my room for thirty minutes before there was a knock at my door.

"Who's there?" I called.

"It's Rose. Please let me in."

Rose? I thought to myself.

I opened the door and Rose said, "I need someone to talk to- and I can't stand to look at my mother or Cal."

"Come in," I said.

She sat down on one of the sofas and sighed.

"I suppose you're wondering what exactly happened tonight."

"I was concerned- that's why I was out there. But your mother made me feel quite unwelcome."

"Yes, she's good at doing that."

"So what did happen?"

"After you left the powder room, I became even more upset. All of these emotions started overwhelming me and I literally felt like I couldn't breathe. I've never been that close to the edge of insanity, but at that moment…at that moment, I knew the only way out was to end my life."

"Rose…"

"Let me finish. I ran out onto the deck, all the way to the end of the ship. I climbed over the rail and was seconds away from just ending it all. The water was moving so fast underneath the ship- I figured that it would be quick and painless. But then I heard a voice and when I turned around, there was Jack."

"Was he the young man that Caledon was screaming at?"

"Yes. He showed this incredible compassion towards me. There he was, this complete stranger, caring more about me than Cal ever has. He actually convinced me not to jump. But as he was helping me back over the rail, I stepped on my dress and slipped. I was hanging off of the end and I was terrified. When he pulled me back over, my dress ripped and our bodies were in a questionable position. The man from the crew automatically assumed- because Jack is from steerage- that I had been sexually assaulted. Victoria, no one believes my story- Cal doesn't, Mother doesn't…and I'm sure you don't either. But I needed to talk to someone and knew you would listen to me."

"I believe you."

"How is it that my mother and my fiancé- two people who supposedly love me more than anything- not believe me, and you do?"

"I can sense when people are lying to me- and I know that you're not."

Rose looked at me for a moment and then said, "I wish I had your life."

"No, you don't."

"Why is that?"

"I've lost everyone I've ever loved. I still have my aunt and my cousin, but they were no substitute for my mother and father."

"But I'm sure before your husband died, you had a beautiful and loving marriage."

"Doesn't the old saying go, 'Ignorance is bliss?'"

"Yes, why?"

"No reason."

Rose looked like she wanted to probe deeper into my life, but she gave up.

"Well, I'll let you be. Thank you for listening to me, Victoria."

"Of course. If you ever need to talk again, I'm here."

"Goodnight."

"Same to you."

As soon as Rose left, I prepared for bed. I turned off all the lights in the room and climbed into the bed. As soon as I drifted off into sleep, there was another knock at my door.

"Victoria, it's Cal. I know you're sleeping, but I need to talk to you. Please?"

I wiped my eyes and turned on the lamp by my bed. Reluctantly, I walked to the door and opened it. He was in casual clothing and looked quite troubled.

"Victoria, I know it's late and you were sleeping, but I won't rest easy until I can explain everything to you."

I took a deep breath and asked, "Why would you choose to be with me right now, and not your fiancée?"

"She's sound asleep, just as you were."

I opened the door completely and he stepped inside.

He said, "You won't be lonely spending the night in here alone? The room is quite big for just one person."

"I'll make do. I've always been independent."

We went into the sitting room and I poured myself some tea.

"Would you like some?" I asked him.

"No thank you. Is your servant sleeping?"

"I don't have a servant with me on the ship. She's back home in England I hated calling her a servant- caregiver was more like it. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you."

We sat in awkward silence and then Caledon spoke.

"Victoria, whatever negative things Rose told you- they're not true."

"I saw the way you spoke to that man- he saved Rose and you treated him terribly. How is he any different from you?"

"He's a third class passenger."

"He is a human being, Caledon. And to be honest with you, I cannot see myself even being acquaintances with someone who treats other people like that. Put yourself in his shoes."

Caledon looked as if I had punched him in the stomach.

"No one has ever said that to me."

"Well, it's about time someone did."

"I guess I was out of hand."

"No, there's no guessing to it. You were out of hand."

"You're right."

I could tell that he was being insincere.

"You're just saying that to please me, and I don't appreciate it."

Caledon moved closer to me and held my hands.

"Victoria, I'm just as frustrated as Rose is- if not more! I thought I loved Rose, but now I'm slowly beginning to realize that this is just going to be a marriage of convenience. It might not seem like it to other people, but I actually long to be in real, true love. I heard it in the way you talked about your family tonight- I could tell you grew up in a loving household with people who cared about your feelings. I was raised to believe that as long as you have money, you don't need anything else. It's getting to a point in my life now where I feel like there's a huge gap missing- and that gap is genuine love. I thought I would find it with Rose, but I was wrong."

"So if you're not in love with Rose, are you going to call off your engagement?"

"I..I don't know. Honestly, I don't even want to think about it."

I played with my hands nervously as Caledon stood up and began to pace.

He said, "I'm probably going to regret it, but I invited that boy to dinner tomorrow night."

"The one who saved Rose?"

"If that's what you believe."

"You might not know it, but Rose came in here earlier and told me about that whole situation. She wasn't lying. I know when someone is not truthful with me and she was being legitimate. Believe what you want to believe, but that young man saved her life. And why would you regret inviting him to dinner?"

"Because he won't fit in."

"So who should I believe? The Caledon who just poured his heart out to me about wanting to be in love or the Caledon who looks down upon anyone who doesn't fit his social standards?"

Caledon glowered at me and replied, "You have nerve to speak to me in such a manner. A proper lady wouldn't talk like that to a gentleman."

"Whoever said I was a proper lady? If you can't accept the way I'm conversing with you, leave my room."

Caledon scoffed and walked towards my door. Then he stopped, looked at the ground for a few seconds, and then back at me.

"I'm sorry. No one has ever called my bluff the way you just did."

"I accept your apology."

"Well, I'm sure I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Victoria."

I smiled at him and didn't say a word. He opened the door and before he closed it, he spoke one last time.

"And not only are you a proper lady, but you're the most beautiful one I've seen in my entire life."

As he left, the words of our conversation echoed over and over in my head. For that brief moment, Caledon had opened up to me- and in that brief moment, I found that my heart was slowly becoming his.