Chapter 8: A Quiet Day at Sea

April 13, 1912

The suns rays filtered brightly through Ross's stateroom porthole signaling a new morning had arrived. Ross gazed across the bed and noted that Rachel was still sleeping soundly. She looked so beautiful. He gently reached over and softly brushed the hair out of her face. Ross quietly rose out of bed to dress. In about an hour he had plans to meet Colonel Gracie for a game of squash.

Rachel awoke and noticed Ross was getting dressed. "Where are you going?"

"I made previous plans to meet Archie for a game of squash before breakfast", Ross informed her while he continued to dress.

"I also need to get moving", Rachel, said while moving the covers aside. She knew that shortly Violet would be checking in on her. If Violet inquired into her whereabouts the evening before, she would squelch any rumors or gossip and advise her that she got up for an early walk on deck.

Ross walked over to the bed and leaned over to give her a soft morning kiss. "We had a good night didn't we?"

"We had an excellent night", Rachel smiled while returning his kiss. "Do you have enough time for an encore?"

Ross responded by wrapping his arms about her waist, while pulling her towards him. The sensation of feeling every part of her body against his aroused him. Their lips came together in a passionate kiss. Their passion and desire they felt towards each other connected them. Neither had experienced a passion and spirituality connection with the same person before. "The Colonel will have to wait", Ross replying to their desires began to undress.

Ross arrived at the squash court just as the Colonel was beginning to leave. "Colonel! I apologize for being late. Do you still want to play a round?" Ross inquired.

"You look tired my boy. How about some breakfast on the deck instead?" Ross somewhat relieved, agreed with the Colonel's conclusive decision.

"Miss Green, would you like for me to press your clothes out and place them on the bed for you while you take your morning bath?" her stateroom attendant Violet inquired.

"Yes, thank you. My two piece black and while wool suit with the black velvet collar is hanging at the end of the wardrobe closet. I also left my shoes out in the hall last night to be cleaned and polished. They should be returned by the time I return from by bath" Rachel informed Violet while gathering up her soaps and powders.

"Even though the weather is somewhat brisk here on deck, the sea is rather calm. A rather quiet day at sea", the Colonel informed Ross while they shared a light breakfast together.

"The calm sea matches my feelings. "Yesterday my feelings were rough and unsettled while today they are calm and serene", a somewhat starry-eyed Ross, replied.

"I think I am in love, Colonel. You remember the woman I was inquiring about a few days ago on deck? You encouraged me to take a chance with her?"

"Are you referring to Rachel Green, the consultant for Women's Wear that I met on my stopover in Paris?" the Colonel leaning over making sure not to miss any details of this new romance.

"Yes", Ross knew how quickly shipboard gossip got around. At this early stage, revealing too much about the romance might prove to be a mistake. With that thought in mind he quickly changed the subject.

"How about a deck game of Quoits, Colonel? While a somewhat confused Colonel nodded in agreement, Ross left to make their appointment with the Quartermaster.

Rachel was in the Dining Saloon sharing her lunch with Isidor and Ida Straus. The Straus' along with being old friends of her parents were also co-owners of R.H. Macy and Co. Department Store in New York City. Their enormity of wealth and status had not spoiled their compassionate nature. Both were a very kind and giving couple.

"I am so glad we finally got to meet up with you my dear. We have not seen your folks in a long time. How are they doing?" a soft-spoken Ida inquired of Rachel.

"They are fine", Father is working long and hard hours at the hospital. Mother spends her free time attending and organizing charities ", Rachel replied.

"When you first entered the Dining Salon, Isidor noticed that you had a certain glow about you."

"I have met someone on the ship and I think he might just be the man for me," Rachel somewhat embarrassingly explained.

Ross entered the Dining Salon and soon spotted Rachel setting at a table with the Straus'. Rachel quickly noticing his presence motioned him over to the table.

"Ross, I would like to introduce you to the Mr. And Mrs. Straus", Rachel stood and proudly introduced her new man to her old acquaintances.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance. May I join your table for lunch?"

"No problem at all. Please join us" Mr. Straus replied while motioning a waiter over to take Ross's order.

After Ross and Rachel finished their lunch of grilled Mutton Chops with baked jacket potatoes with the Straus', they completed their meal by sharing a cup of coffee together in the First Class Lounge.

The First Class Lounge situated on the Promenade Deck, was one of the most opulent fitted-out rooms on the ship. The room dedicated to reading, conversation, playing cards and other social interactions of the day was decorated in the French Louis XV style. The craftsmanship was exquisite. The walls were covered with "boiseries" (elaborate wooden carvings), which gave the room a distinct symmetrical appearance.

Ross and Rachel sat down on a couch across from the fireplace.

"Today has been quiet and peaceful", Ross said while putting his arm around her shoulders pulling him closer to him.

"I agree. I keep waiting for something to interrupt our time together", Rachel, replied while she gently snuggled against him.

"What else can happen? We are crossing the Atlantic on the safest ship ever built", Ross assuredly informed her.

To be continued in Chapter 9

Note/Disclaimer: Mr. And Mrs. Straus was both offered a place on a lifeboat. He refused and she refused to go without him. They both returned to the deck and sat down in a pair of steamer chairs until they perished. His body was recovered by the Mackey-Bennett and he was laid to rest in New York.

When I was on my trip to Halifax, one of my stops was the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. One of the Titanic recoveries was a beautifully piece of carved wood from the First Class Lounge. Other artifacts displayed were a steamer chair and the lifejacket from John Jacob Astor.