I just want to thank everyone who reviewed andI hope you enjoythis next chapter.
Chapter two
"Come on Lily! Get out of the carriage! We don't want to be late," Rick Nott's, Lily's fiance's best friend, cried.
Grumbling, Lily stepped out onto the street outside obeying him. The truth was, she did want to be late, no denying it. If she was late, then the Titanic wouldn't wait for her. It would leave for America whether or not she was on it. The best scenario would be if it left with her fellow passengers as well. Rick, her mother, and her two sisters. Then Lily could stay in England free from the ropes and chains tying her down. She wouldn't meet up with her fiancé and then she would be welcome to do all the things in life she had wanted to do. The things she dreamed of when she was a just a little orphan girl, lost in a strange new world.
"Alright, Figgins has the luggage and there's going to be no good coming our way if we just stand in front of the carriage," said Rick, "Come on Lily darling, take my hand."
I can walk to the stupid ship without clutching your sweaty hand, thought Lily angrily, but she didn't dare show her objections. Instead, she simply smiled and took his hand, a little surprised at the lack of sweat. It was still cold though, almost like ice, but Lily clung on and together they started walking towards the Titanic.
"Oh! Lily dear, I almost forgot," Lily's mother called behind her. "Your gloves, where are they?"
"Here mummy," twelve year old Marcy said walking up to Lily. "You left them in our carriage."
"Oh, thank you," Lily murmured, letting go of Rick's hand and taking the gloves. Rick looked back at his watch impatiently.
"Ladies please...the time..."
"Oh nonsense Rick," Mrs. Branshaw said. "We've got plenty of time, why its only..." she paused as she took a look at her own watch. "Oh goodness, perhaps we should start moving then!"
"Quite the ship," sixteen year old Anika observed, stepping out of the carriage herself. "Breathtaking isn't it?"
"Anika," Rick said impatiently. "Time..."
"Oh alright then I'm coming."
xxx
"Oh it's lovely isn't it!" Marcy exclaimed excitedly, arms wide, smiling at the room before her. "Everything here is brand new. Nothing's been touched!" And she spun around happily.
"Lily!" Rick rushed over to the redhead, a shocked expression on his face as his eyes fell upon Lily, who was carrying her bags over to the bedroom. "What on earth do you think you're doing!" he asked incredulously.
Lily looked him tiredly in the eyes. "I'm carrying my luggage."
Rick stared at her sternly with a mixed reflection of confusion and irritation for a few seconds. Lily glared right back.
"Fine!" she cried after a minute or so, defeated. She let go of the bags and pushed bast Rick, trying to ignore the satisfied look he was currently giving her.
And Rick, being the proper man he was, then strode over to the few dropped bags, attempting to lift them and failing on the first few tries. Marcy giggled, but restored herself quickly after the annoyed look Rick gave her before finally managing to heave the bags up.
"Oh just let the maid handle it, Mr. Nott," Mrs. Branshaw said, appearing from entrance and readjusting a clip in her hair tiredly. "That's what Bea's for anyway."
Rick didn't respond, but he dropped the luggage down curtly and walked past Anika into next room.
"Marcy, go fetch Bea then," Anika said to her younger sister. "Tell her we'd like some tea."
"Marcy smiled politely, but replied. "No. If you'd like some tea, then ask her yourself. I'm not your maid after all."
Anika frowned. "Alright then I - Lily were on earth do you think you're going?"
Lily, who had just reappeared from her room responded cooly, "Just to the decks outside. I want to say goodbye. Have you seen my hat anywhere?"
"Don't be ridiculous. You don't expect England to say goodbye back do you?" her mother gave an unamused laugh while Marcy asked Lily what colour her hat was.
"Purple," Lily said, not paying any attention to her mother.
Anika wrinkled her nose. "Oh no Lily, I thought you threw that away. It clashes horribly with your hair."
"Not to mention your dress," Mrs. Branshaw remarked, disappearing into her bedroom.
Lily closed her eyes in frustration. "I don't care." She reopened her eyes and continued, "All I want to know is have you seen it?"
"Linus disposed of it," Rick said from the other room.
Lily's mother than bustled back into the sitting room holding a pale blue hat in her hands. "Here Lily," she handed it to her. "This blue would go much better with your yellow dress."
Lily took the hat without saying anything. Lily would never admit it outloud, but it was actually a very nice hat, a subtle sky blue, but still... she had really been fond of that plum purple hat...
"We don't have time to go to the decks at any rate," Anika said, turning to her mother. "We need to unpack and then mother wants to plan the ceremony."
"I thought I wasn't allowed to unpack?" Lily said.
"Well we most certainly need you for the wedding," Mrs. Branshaw said.
Lily suddenly let out a startled gasp as the ship shuddered beneath her feet.
"We're moving," Rick commented unnecessarily, reentering the sitting room and walking up behind Lily.
"Finally!" was all Anika had to say on the matter and, head high, she walked across the room gracefully and exited.
Lily watched her go, sadly listening to all the happy shouting on the decks above.
"You don't honestly wish to go up there with those animals, do you?"
Lily jumped and whirled around to face Rick. "Shouldn't you head back over to your room?" Lily asked him, forcing back a yell.
"And leave a beautiful young lady alone? What kind of gentleman would I be?" he inquired while the door clicked shut after Marcy.
Lily looked at him angrily before walking past him in a huff, careful to hit his right arm on the way. She stopped when she got to the door and turned around to face him. "Don't think I don't know what your intentions really are," she said angrily and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Men! she thought angrily. Rick had been implying continuously to Lily that he wanted to be more than friends with her. Well the truth was that they had never really been friends to start with, but because he was Linus's best friend,Rick and Lily would often find each other in one's company.
Lily had never told Linus what Rick had been trying to do behind his back and was now starting to wish she had. Spending time with Rick almost twenty four seven on such a romantic ship was not Lily's idea of a fun time.
Or perhaps Ricks' constant glares at other men who looked at Lily interestedly were just for Linus; the fact her wanted Lily to stay away from any other man was purely for his best friend.
But Lily couldn't defend him for his constant attempts to try and be in a room alone with her.
Lily wasn't at all surprised at this behavior though. This had happened to her plenty of times. It was one of the reasons she wasn't on such good terms with her sisters. She was sought out by almost every man she met.
Like her sisters she was incredibly wealthy and proper and looked like the type of woman to let the men walk over her all the time. The only thing Lily had extra was her looks. Long red hair curling very neatly and not naturally of course. The colour was gorgeous, but unless styled properly, the effect wouldn't be just perfect. Her skin was naturally quite pale and went well with her hair, but the most starting thing about her looks were her eyes. A brilliant emerald green that caused the most stares.
Lily didn't feel as happy as she should about this. She wondered if it was just because of her wealth that she was this beautiful. That she could afford fancy hair styles and makeup and stunning dresses from Paris. These looks also bothered her because to the men she was just a pretty face.
She wondered if that was all she was to Linus. A trophy wife...
"Lily!"
Lily jerked out of her trance and looked at her sister Marcy, who had just rushed up to her. Anika standing a little ways away, watching her two sisters.
"Come quickly! You won't believe how gorgeous the ship looks!" Marcy took Lily by the arm and lead her through some glass pained doors towards the dining hall.
Lily's mouth dropped and Anika tapped her jaw back up. "If you want to live rich, then act rich," she said, Marcy still leading Lily to the edge of the grand staircase.
"I'm sorry, but it is truly wonderful," Lily apologized, her eyes still trying to take in all the splendor that was surrounding her.
"You didn't believe us when we said it was the greatest ship ever built," Anika smirked, watching Lily trace her fingers over the elegant carvings bordering a clock on the wall.
"Mmm..." Lily muttered. "But of course I didn't even know you had other ships to compare it with. I don't even recall you ever being on a ship before."
"Anika blinked. "Well it is stunning. Even you can't deny that."
Lily didn't respond, but it was true of course. She had been on several ships in her lifetime, mainly during her touring with Linus, and none of the ships even came close to the Titanic. The imposing carvings, the shining finish on the fresh wood, the crisp scent of fresh paint, the beautiful music playing in the background, and the magnificent dome up on the ceiling, lighting the dining room below...
xxx
"Oh Lily honestly, you hair..." Mrs. Branshaw moaned. "Were you up on the boat deck? It's really not good for your hair."
"It's fine mother," Lily said. "That's what brushes are for after all."
"No excuses Lily. Now stand up. I've got a truly lovely dress for you to wear."
"Oh please mother. Its not another yellow one is it. Because if it - oh, it is another yellow one..."
"Be quiet Lily. You know it goes best with your hair," Mrs. Branshaw said before handing the dress over to Lily.
"Mother, I'm already engaged. Your ten year long task in nearly complete. Does it matter anymore what outfits flatter me?" Lily asked, annoyed.
"Of course, don't be ridiculous. Now please Lily, put it on."
"Fine!" Lily said, slightly louder than she meant, which earned her another scolding from her mother.
"This is our first dinner on the Titanic and I want to make a good impression," Mrs. Branshaw said. "These are the most distinguished people you'll ever meet and it would help if you were on good terms with them."
"Ow!"
"Quiet Lily, the pins aren't that bad. Readjust them if they're causing you pain."
The pins weren't the only thing bothering Lily at the moment, but she kept it silent and put on the dress without another word.
xxx
"Wrong fork Lily," Marcy whispered out of the corner of her mouth, pointing down at the table. "You want the slightly smaller one just to the left."
"And since when did you become such an expert on forks?" Lily demanded, a little embarrassed at the fact that the little twelve year old girl beside her knew more about cutlery than she did.
"She's right Lily," Anika said. "Just pick up the fork."
Lily glared at her. "I'll eat with the one I already have in my hand, thank you."
"Lily," her mother gave her a stern look.
"Mother no one's even looking and who could possibly tell the difference between these forks anyways."
"Lily," Rick said softly, trying to convince her. He reached out across the table the five of them were sitting at and picked up the proper fork for oysters. "Here," he handed it to her.
"Thanks," Lily said without looking at him.
Rick gave a curt nod and returned to his own platter of oysters.
"They really know how to cook they're food, don't they?" Anika said happily. "I haven't eaten this well since we visited Linus Isadortin's manor!"
"I've never really been a fan of oysters actually," Lily said, swallowing one.
"Well we all know how difficult you are to please Lily," Anika said harshly.
"Please stop bickering," Mrs. Branshaw said, looking around at the tables nervously, as though worried some of the other first class ladies would think of her improper if they heard her children snapping at each other. "But Lily she's right. I do wish you'd try to adjust a bit better."
Lily narrowed her eyes at Anika, but said, "Yes of course," and continued eating her oysters.
They made their way through their appetizers without any more disruptions. Lily felt the aura around their table was a very awkward one, but didn't say so.
During the main course Lily's mother started talking about the wedding plans again to which Anika and Marcy joined in the conversation eagerly. The table was filled with their happy chatter, but all Lily could hear was a soft ringing in her ears as she tried to block out the sounds that made her stomach clench with nerves. Was this how you were supposed to feel before your marriage?
Lily didn't know, but somehow this just didn't feel right. Most of the engaged women she had met in the past had been very excited about marriage and couldn't stop talking about it. Lily figured her reaction was different because she herself was different.
She didn't know why, but she had never been too fascinated with sewing and tea like the other girls. Perhaps it was because she had spent her younger years as poor as the people traveling in first class if not poorer. She felt like there was something missing in her life. Some memory.
It didn't make any sense to Lily, but she knew it was something. She found it quite odd that her first memory was at the orphanage when she was eight when Marcy could remember as far back as her first birthday.
What had happened when she was younger? How had her parents died? Where had she even come from?
She had asked these questions many times, but always got the same answer: we don't know. No one does.
Over time Lily had grown to accept the fact she would never find out her origin and went on with her life. She had ignored that empty void in herself for many years and now it was beginning to come back. The fact that she was marrying someone and going into his family and history was more than she wanted.
"Lily you haven't touched your food. Is anything wrong?"
Startled Lily dropped her fork and looked up at Rick. "No. No everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be?"
He raised his eyebrow, but said nothing.
"Lily," Anika hissed. "Wrong fork again."
This was more than Lily could take at the moment. She slammed her fist on the table, upsetting the few wine glasses upon it and said angrily to Anika. "Tell me, which fork is best for sticking up your - "
"Lily! Please, people are staring," Mrs. Branshaw looked around worriedly her face reddening. "Manners!"
"Watch your mouth," Anika snarled.
"Well if that's the best you can come up with," Lily said, standing up. "I've had enough to eat thank you. If anyone wants me I'll be in my room."
And with those final words she turned on her heel and stormed out of the dining room, ignoring the whispers of passengers staring after her.
The second she had left the dining room and stepped into one of the carpeted hallways, Lily immediately felt incredibly abashed. She felt she had overreacted a bit, but at the same time she felt relieved she was on her own again.
Her state room was empty when she got there and she wasn't at all surprised. Though now that she was in her state room she didn't know what to do...
In the end, Lily rummaged through her trunk for a little, tossing her clothes and belongings every which way until finally finding a decent book.
She tried reading it so she could escape from the world she was currently stuck in, but found it was no use. No matter what she did to prevent it, her family and marriage kept getting in the way. The empty space inside her too, was growing to become an increasing irritation and she wondered if she could live without finding out what it was.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, her maid entered the room. Relieved she could finally go to bed, Lily ran up to her.
"Beatrice, I'd been waiting for you. I wish to go to bed."
Bea nodded, "Yes certainly Mam."
She helped Lily out of her dress as quickly as she could before bustling out of the room again, having already promised Mrs. Branshaw that she would bring her her coat.
Lily watched her go being she slumped down onto her bed feeling thoroughly depressed and helpless. The fact that she hadn't even been able undress herself from the corset she had had wrapped so tightly around her sickened her and she felt so much less a person.
And then before she could stop herself, Lily started to cry. She didn't like to do this if she could help it. But once the tears had started to fall, Lily had a difficult time trying to hold them back and she fell sobbing into her pillow, not knowing what she had to do and only hoping she would feel better in the morning.
The next chapter is where we first see seventeen year old James. I should have it up soon, it usually doesn't take too long for me to type up a chapter.
Please review, I don't mind contructive critisism, in fact I encourage it. I'd also like some feedback on what you'd be interested in seeing in further chapters.