Again, I appreciate all of your kind appreciative reviews and remarks. Let us continue our journey.
Chapter 7: Chanced Meetings
Ross reached the corridor on A-Deck just as Rachel's stateroom attendant Violet shut the door to Rachel's stateroom. "Is Miss Green available?" Ross, by now somewhat out of breath, inquired of the attractive attendant.
"Last evening Rachel advised the second steward to reserve her and Helen Churchill Candee a table for breakfast in the Café Verandah", Violet politely informed Ross.
"Thanks. I will try to catch up with her later", a somewhat confused and disappointed Ross replied.
Rachel was thankful for the opportunity to meet Helen Churchill Candee for breakfast. An important part of a fashion representative's job was to promote and get feedback from the social elite. Helen Candee filled that category. The meeting along with the vivacious atmosphere of the café would relieve her mind of any thoughts pertaining to Ross. Rachel knew he had some unresolved issues that may take him some time to sort through.
A waiter guided Rachel to a table in the Café Verandah. The café decorated with green trellis and climbing plants, provided a tropical atmosphere. Palm plants in wicker baskets periodically lined the walls. The tables were bright wicker tables surrounded with chairs cushioned with red and brown fabrics. The atmosphere was further brightened with black and white-checkered floor tile.
"What would you like to order for breakfast?" the waiter inquired.
"I would like to order baked apples, buckwheat cakes and tea."
"Very good miss, I will place your order."
"Rachel; what is new in the fashion world?" a strikingly beautiful Helen Churchill Candee inquired as the waiter seated her at the table. Helen was dressed in a soft yellow lace dress fitted at the waist with a high collar.
"Due to women attending more outdoor events a need for lighter weight clothing has become the biggest demand or trend. Outdoor items such as capes, jackets and wraps have replaced the shawl. The "S" type fashion is slowly being replaced with a raised waistline. If you attend the Easter Races in New York City more new fashion trends will be presented." Rachel replied while observing Helen's noted approval of the latest fashion trends.
"Helen, are you enjoying the cruise?" a very handsome Sixth Officer James Moody inquired as a waiter delivered Rachel's requested breakfast order.
"This has been the smoothest crossing so far. James, I would like to introduce you to Rachel Green. She is a Fashion Consultant for Women's Wear", Helen stood while politely made the introductions.
"Pleased to meet your acquaintance Miss Green. Have a pleasant trip and I hope to see you again", the handsome officer politely nodded while turning to leave.
"Would you have time to join us for a cup of tea?" Helen boldly inquired.
"Thanks. Since I was just relieved of my duties a cup of tea might relax me", Moody answered as he pulled out a chair to join them at the table.
"Are there any secrets we need to be aware of from the bridge?" Helen inquired of officer Moody.
"Daily, we have been receiving cablegrams from other ships warning us of icebergs that would be directly in our path. Captain Smith decided the proper way to avoid the bergs was to change the course of direction southward", Moody, replied while taking his last sip of tea.
"Ladies, thanks for inviting me to join you. I have enjoyed the conversation but I believe it is time for me to go to my room to catch some sleep. Nice to have made your acquaintance Miss Green", the officer replied as he stood up to leave. Before leaving, he leaned over and shook Rachel's hand.
Ross walked by the café just as the officer was shaking hands with Rachel. He could not see anyone else at the table. Was she having breakfast with him instead of Helen Candee as her stateroom attendant had previously informed him?
"Rachel, I have enjoyed this time together but I need to meet some friends on the boat deck", Helen informed Rachel as she stood up to leave the table.
With some free time available, Rachel decided to write and send a postcard to her boss, informing him of her successful meeting with Helen. With that in mind she removed the white cloth napkin from her lap and left for the Reading and Writing Room.
To further clear his head, Ross decided to take a walk on the boat deck. He passed by the Reading and Writing room. Through the window he spotted Rachel. She was setting alone at one of the table's writing a note.
Rachel looked up and surprisingly noticed Ross standing outside of the window gazing directly at her. She raised her hand motioning him to join her inside.
"I talked to your stateroom attendant this morning and she informed me you were joining Mrs. Candee at the Verandah Café for breakfast", Ross was digging to find out what really happened.
"Yes, we met for a light breakfast and then she left to join some friends on the boat deck", Rachel replied while continuing to write.
"Was there anyone else there?" Ross knew he had no holds on Rachel but he would like to know if she had developed any other male interests.
"Yes, an officer that Helen had become acquainted with joined us at the last minute. I believe his name was James Moody", Rachel informed Ross.
"Was Helen there the whole time", Ross inquired as he pushed for more information.
"Yes she was. He left first and then her. What are you trying to find out?" Rachel was beginning to feel irritated that she had to explain her actions.
"I was not spying on you, I just happened to be passing by the café and noticed him shaking hands with you. I did not see her presence", Ross answered, and by now starting to feel slightly embarrassed knowing the officer must have been blocking her presence.
"Last night it was me that felt rejected and today it is you" Rachel replied, slightly lightening the conversation with a smile.
"Well, I guess it is my turn to do some explaining. I took the time to think my situation through with Carol and early this morning I answered her cablegram informing her it was over between us", Ross at last informed Rachel
Rachel sat there for a moment, as she slowly comprehended what Ross had just informed her.
"I think we have some making up to do, don't you? Ross asked her as he took her hand leading her back to his stateroom.
Ross closed and locked the stateroom door. He walked over to her and they began kissing, at first softly and then passionately. She slowly removed her jacket and petticoat.
Ross stood there for a minute taking in her beauty. He followed her lead by removing his jacket and then his shirt. He walked over to her. She began running her hands over his chest and then slowly moved down and slowly removed his pants and underwear. He picked her up and laid her on the bed. Their passion continued until early morning.
Ross laid awake watching Rachel as she slept. He rose out of bed and walked over to the porthole. He knew at last what being in love was.
To be continued in Chapter 8
Note: Some Special News Concerning the Titanic
The Encyclopedia Titanica Message board (which I am a member) issues special E-Mails whenever there is a special event concerning the Titanic. As I write this, James Cameron (creator and director of the movie Titanic) along with two fellow board members (Historian's) are on the Russian ship Keldysh making another expedition to the wreckage. Cameron is exploring deeper into the wreckage than has ever been attempted before with an X-Robot (created by his brother Mike). The deeper you get into the wreckage, the less the ocean current becomes, which means those sections will be better preserved. They cannot divulge too much information but did inform us that two areas Cameron will be exploring are the Turkish bath and Swimming rooms. The Turkish bath had teak wood paneling, which will probably be fairly well preserved since wood organisms do not devour that type of wood.
The fellow board historian recently posted this message to the board from the Keldysh: Two-minute promos for "Last Mysteries of the Titanic" will begin airing on the Discovery Channel at 2200 (10 pm) during "Shark Week". The promos will feature teaser footage from the dives.
The discoveries will be aired at a later date on the Discovery Channel.
Disclaimer: Helen Churchill Candee boarded the ship at Cherbourg as a first class passenger. She was rescued in Lifeboat 6. She had given a cameo of her Mother to Edward A. Kent for safekeeping, thinking he would survive instead of her. Mr. Kent did not survive, however; they did recover his body and the cameo was recovered in his clothing and sent to Mrs. Candee. She was a strikingly beautiful woman that had written many books concerning women surviving without men.