5:15 P.M.

Violet made her way to the bathroom, with her bathrobe, and slippers, and went in to take a bath. Afterwards, she hurried back to her room, and closed the door quietly. Then she went to her luggage, and opened the big trunk, and pulled out the loveliest evening gown, that she had ever set eyes on. When her mother had surprised her with this dress, how the tears had fell from her eyes. Her dear mother, slaving away to save for this trip, and the one, beautiful evening gown.

She hung the dress up, just so that it would straighten itself out. It was a beautiful shade of lavender, and violet, silk taffeta, with an overskirt of pale lavender lace, and the skirt was gathered around, in three quarter intervals, with tiny sprays of lavender roses,and pearls, and the sleeves were short, puffy sleeves, with lace trimming the edges. The bodice was rather low in the front, and that was enough to cause Violet to blush, thinking about wearing that, but it was still very pretty, with delicate lace, edging the collar of the dress. Then a satin bow, that started in the front, tied in the back into an elaborate
ribbon, that hung down the back of the dress, and a slight train to the dress. Then there was the elaborate undergarments to go with it. My, her mother had gone all out for this one particular outfit.

Marie had even bought Violet, pale violet undergarments, that were sheer, and elegant, then lavender silk nylons, a pair of violet colored shoes. Good grief, Violet thought, she was going to feel like a princess tonight. Well, Edward had said, to wear her prettiest, and this was her prettiest. And she knew that he would love this, because he loved to gaze into her violet eyes, and she wondered, how in the world, she had come by violet eyes, anyhow. Her mother's were brown, and her father's had been blue/gray.

As she dressed, struggling with the buttons, she wondered how she was to finish this blasted dress. She couldn't reach back and button up the tiny buttons, that ran from her waist up to the collar. Good heavens, she was going to have to ask Edward to help her. My word, she was embarrassed at the thought of that.

Well, she finished as far as she could. She had slipped into the sheer, undergarments. My word, she was blushing so, at the thought, well at least he wouldn't see that, not yet anyhow. After they were married, yes, now? No. Then she slipped the petticoats on, and into the dress, the rest of the way. She put on the silk nylons, and shoes, then went out into the hallway, and down towards Edward's room.

Violet's cheeks were flaming hot, at the thought of having to ask him to help her, but she didn't have any other way. Her mother wasn't here now, or she would have asked her.

Quietly, she knocked on his door.

Edward had finished dressing, and was preparing to go for Violet, when he heard her soft, delicate knock.

He moved to the door and opened it, and stared at her, in awe. My Lord, was she something else, in that beautiful violet colored gown. Edward couldn't seem to move, or to speak, for she was so beautiful in that gown. It was a stunning outfit. Finally, he came to his senses and said, " Yes, sweet Violet? Are you ready to go? I've to call for the taxi, and then we can go."

Violet felt a heat flooding her cheeks as she shook her head and said, " No, I'm not ready, yet, Edward."

He looked at her, up and down and said, " Why, you look so beautiful Violet. You look as ready to go, as I am."

Before she lost her nerve, she turned quickly and lifted up her red curls and said in a very quiet voice, " No.. I'm not. I have a little problem here. You're the only one that can help me, Edward." And then, he could see that the little buttons running up the back of the dress, weren't.. well.. she hadn't fastened the dress and it was obvious that she was having a difficult time of it.

He chuckled softly and moved over to her side, and whispered in her ear, " You want me to help you with that, love?"

She was blushing hotly, as she murmured quietly that yes, she did, or she wouldn't be able to go out, as she was.

So Edward started to button the dress up, and as he moved up the dress, my lord, he could see, the delicate undergarments that she had on, the sheerness of it, why, it was enough to take his breath away. He paused for a moment, slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her up to him, then leaned over and kissed the side of her neck, and felt the softness of her shoulder and back against his lips.

Violet closed her eyes, and let out a quiet sigh, as he kissed her so, and drove her over the edge of madness. This was insane, she thought, and could hardly wait for them to be married.

She would have been quite content, to stay that way, and she did for a bit, letting him kiss her, and keep his arm around her, and she put her hands over his arm and kept his arm there, and he pulled her up tightly against him, as he continued to kiss her, soft and delicate skin.

Heaven help him, but he wanted to take her out of that dress, and make love to her. Instead, he reluctantly let his arm go from around her waist, and finished buttoning the lovely dress, and then turned her around, and said, " You look ravishingly beautiful, in that gorgeous violet frock. You must wear that color, more often, love. It does make your lovely eyes stand out so." Then he pulled her into his arms, leaned over and kissed her for a bit more, softly and tenderly, then let her go and said, " Let's go, Violet, love, or we'll never get out of here." And he laughed softly at that, for he knew, and she knew as well, what they both really wanted. Damn, but he had to marry her and soon.

7:00 P.M.

The taxi stopped in front of an exquisite looking old building, and Edward got out, then turned and helped Violet out, taking her hand, holding the lace gloved hand in his, and after paying the taxi, he turned and guided her inside.

Violet tried not to stare, but her surroundings were rather elegant, and she had not known about this place. It wasn't very crowded, however, and for that, she was grateful.

A maitre'd came forward, and escorted the both of them, towards the back of the room, to a corner table, that was fairly isolated and, to Violet's thinking, quite intimate.

After Violet had been seated, she removed her shawl and gloves, laying them on the seat, next to her, and then Edward sat down, next to her.

A waiter came over, and Edward ordered a bottle of their finest champagne, and two glasses. Then he turned to Violet, and said, " I hope that tonight, Violet love, will be a memorable night." He was hoping, to not only court her, but perhaps, ease her mind a bit, off of her mother's death.

She smiled shyly and said, " Oh, it will be, Edward. This is such a beautiful place, here. I've never known about it."

Soon the waiter returned, and brought them the champagne and glasses, then set menus down in front of them, and assured them that he would return shortly.

Edward poured the champagne into the glasses, and then turned to Violet, and touched her glass with his and said, " Then, this toast is to us, Violet. To you and I, love."

She raised her glass, and touched his, then took a sip of the bubbly beverage. It tickled her throat, going down so, but it was cool, and delicious. However, she wasn't much of a drinker, so she set it down. In the cool, dimly lit atmosphere of the restaurant, she could feel her heart racing, furiously, and she wondered what was to come next. Where, after the dinner, was Edward taking her to?

As they waited for the waiter to come back for their order, Edward reached over and took one of Violet's hands in his, and absentmindedly rubbed the back of her soft hand and said, " Violet, love, I never thought that my life would take the turn that it has, but I'm not one damned bit sorry. I love you, Violet, and want to marry you, and soon. As soon as that damned divorce becomes final, we're getting married. However, I'd like to take you, perhaps in the next day or so, or better yet, after your mother's funeral, and buy our wedding rings."

It was then, that she noticed, his left hand, and the missing wedding band, that had been there, even earlier today.

Edward could see that she noticed, and he said, " I didn't think that I should wear her ring, anymore, Violet. I'm not married to her anymore, well, not yet anyway, but soon enough, it will be over between Eleanor and myself. Then, love, it will be you and I. And I need something new, a new ring, to symbolize our marriage."

Violet could feel tears starting up again, and she brushed them away and said, " I love you, so much Edward."

He laughed softly as he held her to him, and said, " Well, I'm most heartily glad to hear that, love, for I love you too, Violet." Then he let her go, and they sat there in silence, thinking about what was ahead, for both of them. Violet, with her mother's funeral, and then, her marriage to Edward.

Edward was thinking about his divorce from Eleanor, how it could have ended so tragically, and all because he had survived, something of which he'd had no control over. Then, finding love again with Violet, and soon to marry her. And then, of course, there was Violet's mother's funeral to get through. At least he would be there for her.

Soon, the waiter returned with their orders, set them down, then turned and hastily left, leaving Edward and Violet, alone, once more.

8:30 P.M.

After dinner, Violet sat quietly, watching the sunset, thinking about her mother. How much she already missed her, and how she wished that she could be there for her, when she and Edward married, which would probably be sometime next week. She wondered, too, if she could get Edward to talk to her about his life with Eleanor, for she truly wanted to know. But she didn't think that he would want to do so, at the moment.

Edward noticed her quietness and slipping an arm around her shoulder, he leaned over and said quietly, " You're so quiet, Violet. What's on your mind, sweetheart?"

Oh, she thought, that was the first time that he had said that to her, and it sounded so wonderful. She really was his sweetheart, and that made her feel very good inside.

She stared out the window and said quietly, " I was thinking about my mother, Edward. How much I miss her already." Then she turned towards him and said, " Edward, your mother and father, they're not here anymore, are they?"

He sighed and said, " No, love. They've been gone now, for a very long time. My father died first, and I was only fifteen years old when he died, and then my mother died. I was only 30 years old when she died. So, love, I know what it feels like. I was just as devastated, as you're feeling now, over the loss of both of my parents. And I, like yourself, didn't have any siblings."

That saddened Violet, just as much as it had saddened her to know, that she would never have any siblings. Her mother was unable to bear any more children, after she had been born.

Edward leaned over and kissed her softly on the cheek, then said, " Don't worry about it, love. It gets easier to bear, with time. I think about my parents, once in a while, but it doesn't hurt, near as much as it was, in the long ago past, when it first happened. There's a saying, about time healing all wounds, and it's true, Violet. And, you're not alone, and you won't have to be."

Violet looked over at Edward, brushed her tears away and said, " Thank you, Edward, for being here with me. I just don't think I could have done this, by myself."

He laughed softly and said, " Oh, yes, somehow I think that you could. If you could save me from the icy jaws of the North Atlantic, yes.. you'd be brave and strong enough to handle it. Now, love, come along, let's go. We've some dancing to do. They've nice music here, the musicians are really very good."

Which made Violet, wonder, if he had been here before and so she said, " Why, Edward, it sounds as if you've been here before."

He stood to his feet, took her by the hand, and she reached over for her gloves, and shawl,and he said as they left, " Yes, I have, love. It's not new. This place has been here for several years now. I've brought Eleanor here before. She always did love to dance, as well."

Then to take the edge off of having mentioned Eleanor's name, he said, " I hope that you like to dance, as well. It shall be fun, Violet.." and he whispered, " And I'd like to have you in my arms, as well, love."

He led her into a pretty room, with a dance floor, and there were musicians, she noted with pleasure, stringed instruments, too. Oh, she loved the sound of those stringed instruments, so this would be pretty music, then. But she noted, there weren't many people here, for a Wednesday night.

As the musicians warmed up, Edward said quietly, " I hope that you're having a wonderful time, Violet."

She gazed up at him, and said in a quiet voice, as well, " Yes, I am, Edward. Thank you so much. You've been so kind to me."

Then the music started, a nice slow, piece and Edward put his arms around her and said, " Well then, Violet, shall we dance?"

She put her hand to his shoulder, and took his other hand in hers, and she could feel his arm go around her waist and pull her up to him. And as the music swelled, Violet let herself be carried away, by the music, the nearness of Edward, the love she felt for this dear man.

10:45 P.M.

After quite a few more numbers, and a few more turns on the dance floor, Edward could see that Violet was visibly tiring, and so he said, " Let's go now, Violet. I'll take you home, now. I know that your belongings are still at my house, but perhaps you should return to your home for the night. I don't want any thing to look improper with you staying there."

And when the taxi pulled up in front of her mother's house, Violet felt a sudden chill, and she became very frightened, as she hadn't been back here, since her mother's death, and suddenly the house looked menacing. She started to cry, and she turned to Edward, and put her arms around him, buried her face against his shoulder and said in a pleading voice, " Please, I don't want to go there." And he could feel her trembling, and so he gave the taxi driver his address, and took her back to his home.

Once back at his home, he paid the driver, and took Violet inside.

He went into the living room and sat down, and Violet came in slowly, wondering if he were angry with her.

Edward sensed that she was afraid of him and he said, " Come in here Violet, and have a seat with me."

She moved over slowly and sat down, and took her shawl and gloves, and set them down beside her.

Edward said, " Look at me, Violet, love."

She turned around slightly and raised her eyes up to his, and when he reached over and touched her face gently, and smiled at her, she felt a sudden relief. She had thought that perhaps he was angry, because she had become so frightened, at her mother's house.

He gazed at her softly, and then said, " Why, Violet? Why are you afraid of me, all of a sudden? I would never do anything to hurt you, and I'm certainly not angry. Is it because of the incident at your mother's house? Why don't you tell me what happened?"

Tears welled up in Violet's eyes, but before they could spill down her face, Edward reached over and brushed them away, ever so gently. Then she said tearfully, " I don't know, Edward. I've never felt like that before. Suddenly, why.. why the house was so dark and so.. so menacing. I felt a chill come over me, and I just couldn't get out. I was afraid of that house."

He reached over for her, and pulled her into his arms and held her and said softly, " It's quite all right, love. It's because you haven't been back there, since your mother died, and you've lived there most of your life with her, haven't you? And it was just too overwhelming wasn't it? Am I right, Violet?"

She had put her arms around Edward, and was sobbing softly on his shoulder and she nodded her head, and he touched the softness of her red curls, and said in a near whisper, " It's all right, Violet, to be afraid. I'm not angry because you were afraid. Is that what you thought, when we came inside just a moment ago?"

Again, she nodded and he could feel the tears falling down from her face, and onto his shoulder.

He held her close against him and said quietly, " Well, I'm not angry, love. Why ever would I be? I've no reason to be angry, love."

Violet sniffled some, then raised her head up from off his shoulder, and stared into his beautiful blue eyes, and he smiled warmly and brushed the tears from her eyes and said, " Now, there you go Violet, love. There's no reason to cry now."

Then he stood to his feet and said, " Come with me, Violet." And she got up, and took his hand and followed him.

He led her outside, and into the back yard.

Violet thought that he was leading her back to the garden, but there was more to his home, than she had originally seen. There was a lovely back yard, with a gazebo and flowers surrounding it.

She was amazed by how beautiful it was, and she said quietly, " Oh.. it's so beautiful here, Edward. My.. did you do this too?" She moved away from him, and stepped over to the gazebo, and went inside. It was so charming, she thought. He had a beautiful home, she thought once more, and was once again, sorry that he was going to sell this lovely home.

Edward came up to where she was, and said, " Yes, love, I did this as well." He wasn't going to mention that he and Eleanor had done this together, as he didn't want to mention her name, for he didn't want to upset Violet, and he thought that perhaps it would.

Then she said, " It's so lovely, Edward, and once again, I'm so sorry that you have to sell this home."

He put his hands on her shoulders, and gazing into her lovely violet eyes, said, " I don't want to hear anymore about this, Violet. I don't want to live here anymore, and that's all there is to it. I'm going to marry you, Violet, and live with you, in your charming little cottage. You've a pretty little house, and it should suit me just fine."

Violet made a mental note not to mention the house anymore, then. If he was determined to sell it, then so be it. Probably for the best, she thought, as he had lived here with his wife, Eleanor. And now, she, Violet Marie Duncan, was going to be Edward's wife.

He smiled and said, " There, Violet, love. Let's have a seat and sit for a while. It's really quiet out and such a beautiful night, stars shining in your eyes, love." And he brought her close to him, leaned over and kissed her, again leaving her breathless.

She was so beautiful, he thought once more, as he gazed at her tenderly, in the lovely violet gown. Her red curls, falling gently over her soft white shoulders. He brushed the hair back from her shoulders, as he watched her closely. Good heavens, he thought, she was so beautiful, and he wanted very much to make love to her, and he would right now, if he could. But he shouldn't, and he daren't.

Once more, he put his hand against her shoulder, the skin being so soft, and cool to the touch, and then he leaned over and kissed her there.

Violet's eyes nearly popped out of her head, when he did that. My lord did that feel wonderful, she thought.

She looked up to Edward and found him gazing at her, in a most intense gaze, and she found it suddenly hard to breathe, with him looking at her like that. Her heart was pounding violently inside her chest. Good heavens, she had never felt like this before.

Edward reached over and took her hand in his and said, " Come along, Violet, let's go inside and get some rest." For he had to break this spell, or he would have her, here in the gazebo. And he felt, somehow, most blessed that he should have found someone like Violet, although he had never, for the life of him, imagined not having Eleanor. He had loved her very much, as well. But here he was, having another chance at life and love. It was overwhelming for Edward, as well.

He brought her up to her feet, and led her back across the yard, and into the house. Up the stairs, he led her, then stopped in front of her door and said, " I do love you Violet, and want to marry you, as soon as I can. But I guess for now, I'll just say goodnight."

She hesitated for a moment, then said, " Goodness Edward, I surely need your help again." And she turned around, her back to Edward, and lifted up the beautiful red curls and he realized that he was going to have to help her undress. Good heavens, he thought madly, he was going to see, at least somewhat, how beautiful she was. Those sheer undergarments, that he had barely glimpsed earlier? He couldn't ever remember seeing Eleanor like that. He could hardly breathe, when he saw her standing there so, her beautiful red curls up, and her dress partially open, and the sheer, violet undergarments. Good lord, he did so want to take her out of those clothes, and to the bed and make sweet and passionate love to her.

His hands were trembling as he began to undo the tiny buttons, feeling the silk taffeta, rustling in his hands.

Violet was trembling inside, as she felt his hands against her back, undoing the tiny buttons, and she could feel his breath, warm on the side of her neck, and then he was touching her back, and the sheer, delicate undergarments that she had on, under the dress.

And as he continued to undo the buttons, Edward couldn't resist putting his arm around her waist, and pulling her back to him, then he leaned over and kissed her again, on the soft, delicate skin of her shoulders, and Violet shivered some, when she felt his breath, his lips against her skin.

Then she felt his other arm go around her waist and he was holding her against him with both arms, and kissing her, and quite passionately, and stirring her up inside.

Violet moved her hands over his and held his arms against her, and let out a quiet sigh, and said quietly, " Ah..oh, Edward. Good heavens, what are you doing to me?"

He murmured against her skin, " I'm going to love you, Violet. I'm going to show you how it is, between a man and a woman, love."

She thought that he meant to make love to her, here, in his room, and she wondered if she wouldn't let him, she was madly in love with him. And though, she knew better, and knew that she should be married first, she didn't give a damned, either. Who else would know? Or need to know, what happened here, between herself and Edward? Oh that he would touch her so.

Before she knew what was happening to her, he had her turned around, and facing him, with his arms still around her, and he leaned over to kiss the sweet lips, and dazed her with more kisses, still more passion and she let her arms go up and around him and clung to him.

Her head was swimming, and she was dazed by the way Edward kissed her, so. Good heavens, she never knew that it could be like this.

Finally he let her go, feeling pretty overwhelmed himself, and said in a low voice, " You should run on along now Violet, and get some rest. I've finished unbuttoning your dress for you..." Then as an afterthought, he added, " I wouldn't mind helping you out anytime, if you need me to help you dress, or undress either." And with that, a smile crossed his face, and a blush came to hers, as she hastily said goodnight and left.

10:00 A.M. Friday, May 10, 1912

Edward and Violet were both in the kitchen, Violet, preparing breakfast and Edward was seated at the table when there came a knock at the front door.

Both Edward and Violet looked at each other, and then Edward said, " I'll be right back, love." And he got up and left the room.

It wasn't but a few minutes later, that Violet could hear angry words being exchanged, in the living room, and she was frightened. She didn't know who it was that had come by, or why they had made Edward so angry but she had to find out. So she turned off the gas stove, and put a lid on the pan, and quickly dried off her ands on a towel and left the kitchen, hurriedly.

As she came around the corner, however, she stopped suddenly, when she saw a woman, standing in the parlour with Edward. He looked angry, and Violet presumed that this must be Eleanor, of course she hadn't a clue. And so, she started to back up, when the other woman turned towards the doorway, and saw Violet standing there, and said, " Well... well. Edward? Who is the young lady?" Then she said in a gentler tone, " Come on in dear. I won't bite, you know."

Violet wished that she could just disappear somewhere, that she were anywhere but here. Slowly, she made her way into the room and then just stood there.

Edward sighed, and turned to Violet and said, " Violet, love, this is Eleanor." Then he said to Eleanor, " This is Miss Violet Duncan. Eleanor, you can thank her for my survival. For it wasn't I who saved myself, but rather Miss Duncan, who was most adamant that she couldn't let someone die, if she knew that they could be saved. It went against her Christian upbringing."

Eleanor felt a shock rumbling inside, for she hadn't known that someone else had been responsible for her husband's survival. That thought had never occurred to her. She had figured that he had managed on his own, to survive. Oh, now she feared that she had made a terrible misjudgment. But, it was obviously too late, for her and Edward. For the look on that young woman's face, told her all that she needed to know. Edward had found someone else, and she couldn't blame him, for she had abandoned him.

Edward noticed the strain on Eleanor's face and said, " Come along, Eleanor and have a seat." Then he turned to Violet, noticing her distance and said, " Violet, love, come along, too. I think that we all need to talk about what has happened, here."

Eleanor sat down, opposite of Edward, the husband she had loved and known for over a quarter of a century, and now, suddenly, felt awkward around. Whilst she noticed, the very pretty young woman, sat, rather reluctantly however, near to Edward.

12:00 P.M.

Eleanor finally rose, after having had a long discussion with Edward, and with Violet. She said to Violet, " If you don't mind, Miss Duncan, I'd surely like to talk with you for a moment.. alone." And she looked to Edward, who stood to his feet and said that he would leave them alone.

After he left, Violet felt suddenly uneasy, being around the older woman, who had been married to Edward, and still was, legally, until the divorce went through. Then an appalling thought occurred to her.. what if Eleanor decided to cancel the divorce, and remain married to Edward? Tears welled up in her eyes, for she loved him, too. What an ugly mess, she thought, and wished that she had never sailed on the Titanic.

Eleanor watched the young woman, the emotions struggling across her face, and said most kindly, " Dear child, you don't have to be afraid of me. I'm not going to hurt you. I've made a monumental mistake, but I'm not going to change my mind. It's too late, I'm afraid, anyway, for I can see that Edward loves you, dear girl. You know.. how old are you dearie?"

Violet said in a trembling voice, " I'm 25. My birthday is in March, on the 20th."

Eleanor smiled and said, " You know dearie, I was the same age, when I first met Edward. When I married him, I had turned 26 the previous June, and he was 37, or at least, he turned 37, two weeks after we were married. He had just been made captain, of his first ship."

Violet clasped her hands together nervously, which wasn't like her, as she wasn't normally a nervous person. But this encounter was making her exceptionally nervous.

Then Eleanor leaned over and touched her hands and said kindly, " Edward wants to marry you, dear child. I can see that you love him, as well. Once again, I'm sorry that I abandoned him, let him go, the way that I did. I had no idea, that his very survival was due to a daring rescue, much less by a young woman of your courage and faith. I wish that I'd have waited, then we would still be together. But how can I stop the divorce, when I can see that he is so angry with me, and I've hurt him so. And now, you and Edward are going to marry soon? Well.. I'm not going to keep his daughter from him. He can see Helen, whenever he wants. And you, dear child, perhaps you and Edward, will have a child of your own. I know that Edward always did want to have more children, but we never were able to. Helen is our only child."

Violet started to cry, for this was just all too overwhelming.

Eleanor moved quickly over to the young girl's side, and putting an arm around her, said, " Don't cry, Miss Duncan. You've a good man in Edward, and I know that to be true. He would never do anything to hurt you. He will love you and take care of you."

Edward had come inside, and he had heard what Eleanor was saying to Violet, and he could hardly believe what he was hearing. Good heavens, she was going to accept this loss, and go on, graciously, and he could still see his beloved daughter, Helen? And.. then the thought of him and Violet, filled him with such a happiness. He hoped to have children with her, as well.

He then came into the room, and Eleanor stood up and said, " Well.. I guess this is goodbye, Edward. I'm truly sorry, really I am. I hope that you can forgive me. And I hope that you and Miss Duncan here, are truly happy together. Take care of her Edward, she's terribly young, and vulnerable. I'll be in contact with you about Helen, and I'll see to it that the divorce goes through as soon as possible, so you two can marry. I'll see myself out."

And with that, she left, as quickly as she had arrived.