"Mr. Crawley…Mr. Crawley…JR cried out frantically from the shallow end of the pool. Come quickly. George dove down for the coins and didn't' come back up and she…she…."
Matthew didn't need the boy to complete his sentence as he saw Victoria pounding him with her fist to break his grip so that she could get to George, her love for her brother overriding her fear.
"Hold onto her, JR, I'm coming," he shouted as he bolted out of his chair.
Tony rose at the same moment he did and matched his stride as they dashed toward the pool.
"Go to your daughter. Let me tend to George", he pleaded.
For a split second, Matthew looked at him as if he were mad. Then logic overrode his emotions. Concluding that a naval veteran trained in rescue at sea was better equipped than he to deal with the situation at hand, he nodded his head in acquiescence and jumped into the shallow water.
"Victoria, stop!" he shouted as if he were ordering his troops on the battlefield, and reaching her, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, much to JR's relief.
Matthew had never spoken that way before and the harsh tone of his voice broke through her hysteria. Once he felt her relax, he moved his hands to her shoulders and turned her around to face him, and what he saw made the lump that already was lodged in his throat worsen.
His daughter's lovely face was mottled with red blotches, her eyes swollen and expression so pitiful that he yearned to comfort her by saying that George would be fine. Yet he could not as he wasn't sure he would be.
That thought hit him like a prizefighter's blow to his solar plexus and his stomach lurched along with his heart.
XX
AN: I know this chapter has been a long time coming, but I am working as fast as I can. Please let me know what you think of it.😊
Chapter VI
Victoria was no longer crying now; the emotional numbing that takes place when you reach your breaking point having set in, putting an end to her tears for the moment. Seeing her father standing before her, she raised her arms over her head as she had done when she was a toddler and wanted him to take her out of her cot.
As he did then, Matthew complied with his daughter's request and lifted her into his arms, gently guiding her head onto his shoulder. Then he quickly cut across the shallow end of the pool and up the stairs to the landing.
"Sweetheart, you are shaking like a leaf. I'm going to put you down and JR will wrap some towels around you to warm you up," he said softly.
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, her arms tightened around his neck like a vice and she shook her head violently back and forth in protest.
"I'll only be a few feet away, Victoria," he said, doing his best to keep the tone of his voice level and soothing despite the stranglehold she had on him. "Lord Gillingham might need my help with George."
That did the trick.
Victoria loosened her hold in an instant and nodded her head in acquiescence, the motion causing droplets of water from her wet braid to trickle down his neck.
"That's my girl," he said, grateful that he had not had to pry her fingers off him. Then he kissed the top of her head and lowered her onto the landing into JR's care.
"Don't worry, Mr. Crawley, you can count on me" the boy said as he placed one large thick towel and then another over Victoria's quaking shoulders and then plopped down beside her.
He knew that he could, too, and thanked him before garnering a promise from his daughter that she would stay put and moving to the edge of the pool.
Adrenaline coursed through his veins, making it impossible for him to remain still and he paced back and forth like a caged animal with his eyes fixed on the surface of the water in search of any sign of movement.
As time passed and he found none, fear wreaked havoc on his body, causing the saliva in his mouth to dry up and the muscles in his throat and chest to tighten to the point that he found it difficult to swallow or take full breath.
Please God…please help him played over and over in his head like a record spinning on a phonograph with the needle stuck, his inner dialogue out of sync with his racing heart. Then both were overshadowed by a loud gasp that drew all his attention.
"George," he croaked, spotting his son clinging to the side rim of the pool and gulping in air as though he were a starving man with a feast laid out before him.
For a moment, he stood frozen in place, his mind having anticipated an entirely different scenario than the one it now was presented with – one that included Tony, who was nowhere to be seen.
Then he bolted from his position like a racehorse coming out of the gate, screaming at the top of his lungs, "Hang on, Son! I'm coming."
XX
In the short time it took Matthew to reach George, he had managed to get his elbows up over the side and his arms rested on the pool ledge. Bending over, he took a firm grip on the boy's wrists and began hoisting him up.
As he was making headway, Tony broke the surface of the water directly behind George and boosted the lower half of his body out of the pool before vaulting himself onto the deck.
They stood side by side, then, on the narrow landing in relative silence, each grinning from ear to ear while they caught their breath. Their camaraderie was short lived, however, as Victoria's outcries from across the room propelled her father into action.
"Are you all right, George?" Matthew asked, before his eyes veered back to his daughter.
"For the most part, Father," he replied and then winced as he shifted his weight onto his left foot. "I still have some cramp in my foot, though. That is what kept me down so long. I'm afraid I'll require your assistance in getting to Victoria, which I'd like to do as quickly as possible since she appears quite put out."
That did him in.
Matthew had remained stoic throughout the events that had transpired in the last few minutes, but his son's concern for his sister's well-being over his own pushed him over the edge, and no matter how many times he cleared his throat, the lump in it would not dissipate.
He turned his head away and quickly swiped his eyes before returning them to George and nodding. "No worries, Son. I've got you."
Bending down, he instructed George to wrap his arms around his neck. Then he lifted him as he would a sack of potatoes and carried him to the lounge area with Tony in tow.
No sooner had he placed the boy down on the chaise lounge, his sister was upon him, hugging him tightly and blubbering. "I was so scared, George. I thought…I thought…"
He patted her back and pleaded, "Don't cry, Victoria. Please don't cry. I'm fine…truly I am."
Knowing that his son was not prone to public displays of affection, his response to his sister's distress warmed Matthew's heart and filled him with gratitude that Mary had been able to conceive a second child.
They had hoped for more, but the medical procedure that had enabled her to become pregnant with George and Victoria became less effective and riskier each time it was repeated. After a fourth attempt that was unsuccessful, Doctor Ryder had advised Mary that she should forego any further treatment and they followed his counsel.
Now, as he gazed at the two blessings they had been granted, it became clear to him that he needed to intercede in bringing Victoria around as George's failure to do so thus far had left him crestfallen.
He moved to the chair where they were huddled together and separated them Then he crouched down until he was eye level with the two and attended to Victoria, pushing back the wet hair that was plastered to her face with his fingertips and patting it dry with a corner of the towel that had fallen from her shoulders beside her.
"Your brother is safe, sweetheart. Now I want you to take a deep breath and then let it out very slowly. You can do that for me, can't you?"
She nodded and followed his instruction, calming a bit as she exhaled.
"Again," Matthew urged her.
Once more, she obliged her father, inhaling until her lungs were filled with air and then expelling it gradually.
As Victoria did so, she began to relax, her shoulders dropping down to their normal position and jaw going slack.
Then she smiled at him and said, "I feel much better now, Father. Can I breathe without thinking about how to do it now?"
He broke into a wide grin and tapped the tip of her nose with his index finger before replying that she most certainly could, which elicited a sigh of relief and chuckle from the group of males that surrounded her.
At that, Victoria sidled next to her brother, looped her arm through his and rested her head against his shoulder with a blissful smile on her face.
Mission accomplished, Matthew rose to his feet and seeing JR and Tony, who had thus far remained rooted in place a few yards away, in his peripheral vision, turned around fully to address them.
He patted the Bates's son on the head as he sped past him to join George and Victoria and reached his hand out to Tony, who grasped hold of it.
"There are no words that can adequately express how grateful I am to you for saving my son's life, Tony."
His hand still locked with Matthew's, the Viscount shook his head and smiled before replying, "Though I appreciate the sentiment, Matthew, I cannot take credit for something I didn't do. George saved himself."
Flummoxed by Tony's declaration, Matthew turned back to his son for clarification. "George?"
"Well, that is not entirely true, Lord Gillingham," he said. "You did give me that mighty boost out of the pool, which was quite helpful…and I thank you for it."
Tony's mouth twitched before he replied that it was his pleasure.
Then George continued, "However, Father, he is correct in stating he didn't save me. You did."
Hearing his son's declaration, a look of concern crept over Matthew's face. "Are you sure you are feeling quite well, Son. You seem to be a bit confused."
George's response was quick and the tone of his voice emphatic. "I assure you I am of sound mind, though I can understand why you would think otherwise, Father. I see that I am going to have to explain myself if I am to be believed."
"Go on then, Son,' he said and folded his arms across his chest.
"When my foot cramped, I was skimming the bottom of the pool for the coins. The pain came from out of nowhere and was excruciating, nearly knocking the breath out of me and rendering me unable to swim." He paused then for a few seconds, his eyes glazing over and expression solemn as he continued to recount his ordeal. "I looked up at the surface and the distance between me and it seemed insurmountable."
Victoria's head popped up then, her eyes wide and focused on her brother as she awaited his next words.
Taking notice, an apologetic look crept over George's face, making it clear that in his attempt to paint a clear picture for his father, he had forgotten she was in earshot.
Instantly, his demeanor changed, the tone of his voice nonchalant as he continued. "Then I heard your voice, Father. It was as clear as if you were standing beside me. 'You need to calm down, George. The only thing keeping you from reaching the surface is panic.'
You then told me to pull my toes back as that would give me some relief from the cramp, kick off from the bottom of the pool with my unaffected foot, bring my arms over my head…and make snow angels," he said as if he were Mrs. Patmore checking off her grocery list.
"Snow angels?" Matthew said with an incredulous look on his face.
George nodded and replied, "You said doing so would propel me quickly to the surface. And it did, Father. So, you see, it was you who saved me."
Though he knew that it was George's swimming instructor who had provided him with the wherewithal to get out of the sticky situation he had encountered and that his son had, in fact, saved himself, Matthew didn't contradict him.
Instead, with Victoria and JR staring at him as if he were Merlin in King Arthur's Court, he unfolded his arms, smiled broadly and said simply, "I see."
XX
Though by his outward appearance, George seemed fine, Matthew knew that it was important that he be examined by a physician thanks to Doctor Clarkson's admonition years earlier.
After his son had fallen into the lake, he had explained to him and Mary that though a child may appear perfectly normal after a near drowning, their intake of even a miniscule amount of water could result in damage to their lungs, rendering them incapable of functioning properly and leading to what was termed secondary drowning.
It was rare, but there were cases on record of children falling asleep after having a close call in the water who never woke. That was enough to seal his decision to take George to the hospital.
Matthew shared that information with Tony, who concurred with both Doctor Clarkson and him, having learned about secondary drowning while serving in the Royal Navy. The Viscount then volunteered to elicit the location of the facility from the Turkish Bath steward across the hall while Matthew and the children changed out of their swimwear.
Fifteen minutes later, the dressing room door opened with a swoosh and the heir apparent to Downton Abbey emerged with a canvas bag and a question for Lord Gillingham, who he found standing outside it.
"Can it be that you stood here in that exact spot only an hour ago?"
Tony sighed. "It is hard to believe, isn't it? So much has happened since then that it feels a great deal longer."
"I'm ready, Father," Victoria cut in, forestalling any further conversation as she emerged from her dressing room holding her wet suit at arm's length. "Are we going back to the cabin now? "
Taking the garment out of her hand, he deposited it into the bag he was holding, then informed her that they had a stop to make first.
Hearing that George was to be examined by a physician, Victoria's face scrunched up in dismay and she lamented, "But you've said he is fine. If that is so, why must he go to a hospital to be examined?"
"It is just a precaution, sweetheart. Nothing more. If your Mother were in the cabin, I'd bring you to her before taking your brother to see the physician, but she had plans with Anna this morning."
At that moment, he felt as though he were dealing with a miniature version of Mary, the expression on their daughter's face a mirror image of her mother's when she suspected subterfuge in order to spare her worry.
Fortunately, he didn't have to withstand her scrutiny for long as she was distracted by JR and George's bantering a few feet away.
"You do realize that I won that last round," JR teased. "By all accounts, and I defer to our official time keeper when I say that, you and I each won two rounds in the coin competition. Therefore, it ended in a tie."
Joining in the fun, Victoria, who had been the official timekeeper, nodded her head in agreement and then began to giggle.
George narrowed his eyes in mock disapproval and said, "You two may be laughing now but you won't be after our next match of Sorry, no matter what color pawn Victoria uses."
He then turned to Lord Gillingham and apologized for his loss of money as the coins he had lent to him hadn't been retrieved from the bottom of the pool.
'No need for that, George," Tony said. "As far as I'm concerned, I've been paid back in full."
Both boys grinned at that, and though Matthew hated to put a damper on their high spirits, he had to let them know where they were headed and did so, emphasizing once more that the visit to the hospital was only a safety measure.
They took the news in stride, however, and his daughter had a change of heart upon seeing it, her cheerful disposition returning as she took his hand to leave.
Only Tony remained, still having to change back into his clothes, and after advising Matthew that the hospital was located on D-Deck behind the galley and asking if he would mind if he stopped by to see how George was doing, he wished him good luck and entered his dressing room.
As he led the children toward the lift behind the grand staircase, Matthew answered the question he knew was forthcoming and said, "I'm not up to the stairs right now. It has been a long morning."
Victoria looked up at him and replied, "You do look a bit peaked, Father. Perhaps the doctor should examine you, too."
XX
Arriving at D-Deck, the young man in charge of manning the lift gripped the handle on the metal grate and it slid to the left, clanking as it came to the end of the track it rode on.
Following the children as they exited the car, Matthew turned to the operator and asked if he could direct him to the hospital.
"Of course, Sir," he said cheerfully. "Go to the end of this hallway and veer right. You will find the hospital at the end of the corridor. It is clearly marked, so there is no chance you will miss it." The young man looked from Matthew to the children then, eyeing them over quickly before he gripped the grate handle to close it and added, "I hope your visit goes well."
Matthew tipped his hat to him and directed the children into the passageway that led to the hospital. As they moved on, he heard the sound of the lift grate clicking back in place behind them and then a grinding sound as it slowly moved to the next deck.
He was alerted to his arrival by the scent of disinfectant that wafted through the double doors of the hospital, rendering the plaque on the wall identifying the room unnecessary. The smell grew stronger once they crossed the threshold, but that was where the similarity between this hospital and any other he knew of firsthand ended .
Two magnificent reproductions of Monet seascapes – they had to be reproductions, didn't they? - hung in gilded frames in one corner of the reception area. Each one was centered over a large tufted sofa with rolled arms and upholstered with a damask fabric depicting clusters of peacocks amidst flowers and assorted greenery. Large white tiles with emerald green diamond inserts in the corners covered the floors, and ornate silver sconces graced the paneled walls.
A woman with dark brown hair pulled tightly back from her face and a fair complexion rose from her seat behind a mahogany serpentine desk and greeted them with a warm smile. Extending her hand to Matthew, she introduced herself as Nurse Thompson, the hospital matron, and asked how she could be of service.
After identifying himself and his offspring, he suggested the children wait in the seating area while he brought the nurse up to speed and they happily obliged him, making a beeline for a large globe of the world that was mounted on a wooden stand between the two sofas.
Satisfied that the three youngsters were out of earshot and preoccupied, Matthew proceeded to give the nurse a methodical account of the events that led to his son's near drowning, pausing intermittently to allow her time to complete transcribing his account on a sheet of paper that was attached to a metal clipboard.
"My daughter was in the water at the same time and quite overwrought when she didn't see her brother surface. In fact, she put herself at risk by attempting to go into the deep end of the pool after him, as she is not a strong swimmer. "
She stopped writing then and raised her head, meeting his eyes. "You must have been beside yourself with worry."
"Terrified," he replied. "But being a firm believer in my mother's maxim that cooler heads prevail, I put my fear aside and weighed my options."
Then he went on to explain the plan that he and Tony had hatched in order to get both of the children safely out of the pool.
Turning her attention to George and Victoria, she smiled and said, "Judging by your children's appearance, it seems your plan worked quite well, Mr. Crawley."
He followed suit, nodding his head as he acknowledged that it appeared no damage had been done, but then added that he would not feel satisfied that was the case until George had a thorough examination by the physician on call.
"I'd like to believe we've all come away from this ordeal unscathed but for some frazzled nerves, but I was made aware some years ago by our family physician that water damage to the lungs does not always present itself immediately. That is why I've brought George here.
"Once more, I think you have made the right decision," Mrs. Thompson said before returning her eyes to the clipboard she was holding and finalizing her notes.
"Please wait here a moment, Mr. Crawley. Doctor Stevens is just finishing up with a patient and will be with you shortly," she said before excusing herself and making her way through the arched doorway that separated the reception area from the treatment rooms.
As she disappeared from his sight, Matthew crossed the room to the globe and found George pointing out Southampton to his sister under JR's watchful eye. Getting a closer look at the sphere, he found it had been customized to highlight the ports frequented by the White Star line and eyed it with appreciation.
George did, too, and moving his index finger to Genoa, he asked him if he had spent any time in Italy.
"I did, but not since I was a boy, George. My father had a colleague there who lived in Rome and he took me and your Grandma Isobel to visit him. It is a beautiful country and my hope is that I will get to see more of it one day, especially the Mediterranean coastline. You know that your mother and I spent our honeymoon in Cannes and I would imagine the Italian Riviera is as spectacular as the French."
"I hope you can find the time as it would be worth your while if you did," Lord Gillingham interjected by way of announcing his presence. "I've spent a good deal of time there and found it quite extraordinary."
"Perhaps you can take Lady Gillingham there should you decided to take her on another honeymoon," Victoria piped in, her suggestion causing her father to wince.
Tony, on the other hand, found it amusing and chuckled before responding, "Lady Gillingham and I have already visited Italy, Victoria, but your recommendation is duly noted and appreciated."
His gaze fell on Mathew then and he asked if George had been seen by the physician.
"Not yet. He has been attending to someone else, but I've been assured by the hospital matron that we won't have a long wait."
A few moments later, a middle-aged man with fair hair, broad shoulders and a bright smile entered the room and apologized for the delay. Then casting his eyes on the two boys, he asked which one of them was his patient.
George stepped forward and said, "I am, Sir." Then extending his hand to the physician, he introduced himself.
Taking the proffered hand, Doctor Stevens shook it and grinned as he took in the appearance of the man who came up beside the boy, a near mirror image of him, albeit an older version.
"Mr. Matthew Crawley, I presume?"
"You presume correctly, Doctor Stevens," he replied.
Matthew then went on to introduce the physician to Lord Gillingham, who he referred to as a friend of the family.
Introductions out of the way, Doctor Stevens patted Victoria on the head and assured her he would take good care of her brother. Then he turned and walked over to Nurse Thompson, who had returned to her desk, and gave her instructions to come and get him if Doctor Harding should call.
"Please follow me, Mr. Crawley…George," he said with a wave of his hand in the air.
Taking his son under his wing, Matthew turned to Victoria and JR and said, "I expect you both to be on your best behavior." Then setting his sights on his daughter, he added, "And to find you here when I return."
At that, Tony said, "Don't worry, Matthew. I'll keep an eye on them."
The Viscount then asked the children if they would like him to point out the places he had travelled to while he was a naval officer on the globe, his offer resulting in wide grins on both their faces.
Matthew saw a flash of disappointment pass over his son's face and attributed it to his having to leave the room, but it passed in an instant, replaced by what he perceived to be a manufactured smile for his benefit as they followed Doctor Stevens out of the room.
XX
While George was being examined by the Olympic's physician to rule out secondary drowning, Mary sat beside Anna in blissful ignorance at a table situated before a large bay window in the Reading and Writing Room.
"I wish I could see Papa's face when he learns that George won that bicycle race," Mary said as the bright light flowing into the room fell upon the white sheath of paper with the swallow-tailed red pennant and five-pointed star imprinted on it. "He beams with pride over of his accomplishments, no matter what they may be."
"As well he should," Anna said, lifting her head from the missive she was composing to her husband and smiling. "Master George is not only his first grandson and heir, but he is intelligent, kind, respectful, and possesses a strong work ethic; all fine qualities."
Mary nodded, her eyes filled with pride as she sealed the letter she had written to her Father sharing some details of their trip thus far and letting him know they were having a wonderful time.
"You should have seen Mr. Bates' expression when JR's teacher told us he was at the head of his class. He was still smiling even after he fell asleep that night."
"That's wonderful, Anna…quite an accomplishment."
She nodded and opened her mouth to speak but was forestalled by the sound of someone tapping on the window and turned her head toward it. Recognizing Lady Gillingham, she quickly sealed her letter, lifted Mary's from the table and said, "If you don't mind, I'll post these and return to my cabin."
Offering her a sympathetic smile, Mary replied, "Thank you, Anna. That would be fine."
The former lady's maid rose from her seat with alacrity and left through the wide doors leading into the interior of the ship while Mabel Gillingham swept into the room from the deck entrance.
"I'm sorry if I drove your companion away," the Viscountess said, her eyes fixed on the door closing behind Anna.
Mary rose to greet her and countered quickly, "Not at all. She was already on her way out to post our letters when you arrived."
"Ahh…well that's good, then," she said before planting a quick peck on Mary's cheek. "I was hoping to discuss a personal matter with you if you could spare the time."
She glanced quickly at the clock on the white marble mantle above the fireplace, then nodded and sank into her chair.
Lady Gillingham pulled the seat that had just been vacated by Anna back and followed suit. Then she removed the hatpin that kept the fashionable Schiaparelli creation on her head in place and laid it on the table before turning to her companion.
Not wasting any time with small talk, she came right to the point and said, "I thought you might be wondering why I was, for lack of a better word, scrutinizing your husband's appearance at dinner last night."
Mary blinked and then replied, "I wasn't…but I am now."
The corners of Mabel's mouth rose into a broad smile. "I've always admired how frank you are. In fact, there is a great deal about you that I admire, Mary, which would undoubtedly surprise many of our mutual acquaintances under the circumstances."
Her head cocked to one side and eyes narrowed into slits, the future Countess of Grantham asked that Lady Gillingham clarify 'under the circumstances'.
Without a trace of rancor in the tone of her voice, Mabel replied, "The circumstances in which Tony broke off our engagement in order to pursue you, and despite his eventually marrying me, carrying a torch for you to this day."
Mary froze in her seat, gobsmacked by what she had just heard.
Taking note of the astonishment on her companion's face, Mabel said, "Come now, Mary, it cannot come as a surprise to you, or Matthew for that matter, that Tony still has feelings for you. Though he does his best to hide them, he never has been able to fool me. I do give him credit, however, for his restraint at dinner last night. His behavior was above reproach, which is a lot more than I can see for that little coquette we had to deal with."
Regaining her composure, Mary shook her head back in forth in disagreement. "Surely, you must be mistaken, Mabel," she said in a tone that brooked no argument.
She got one anyway as the Viscountess replied, "I am quite sure and there is nothing you can say that will change my mind, although your attempt to spare my feelings is appreciated."
"Then I won't attempt to," Mary said. "If your mind is made up, it would just be a waste of time." She changed tack then and asked, "What does this have to do with your ogling Matthew at the dinner table?"
The Viscountess let out a long sigh before launching into an explanation of her behavior, which in the end boiled down to her desire to ascertain what it was about Matthew Crawley that prevented Mary from moving forward in a relationship with Tony when she believed herself to be a widow."
"I've wondered about that for some time," she said matter-of-factly.
Mary's eyelids dropped and she pinched the bridge of her nose. Then she opened her eyes and met Mabel's. "I didn't know that Tony was engaged when he pursued me. As soon as I discovered he was, I made it clear to him that his attention was no longer welcome. Still, I'm sorry that my involvement with him caused you unhappiness."
Mabel tipped her head in Mary's direction and then folded her hands in her lap.
"As for what kept me from having a relationship with him, or any man for that matter, it was because no matter how hard I tried, I found I could not get Matthew out of my head or heart. The bond between us was as so strong, that even death couldn't sever it. I felt half myself without him, if that makes any sense to you."
"It makes perfect sense," Mabel replied" and I would give anything to have that with Tony. In spite of the heartache he has caused me, I still love him and want our marriage to be a happy one. That is the reason I planned this trip. I thought perhaps we could recapture what we felt for one another when we were courting…and if we did…,"
She paused then and swiped at her eyes before sharing that Tony had yearned to have a son since Gertrude had been born but she had not been able to become pregnant again.
"We both were medically examined to make certain there was no physical impediment that has prevented me from conceiving another child, and after none was found, my physician proposed that stress may be the cause. He told me that if I stopped worrying and found a way to relax, nature would likely take its course." She paused a moment and then shrugged he shoulders before she continued. "I couldn't think of anything more relaxing than an ocean cruise. Then we ran into you and Matthew at the station and…."
Mary's face scrunched up with dismay and she apologized for unknowingly throwing a monkey wrench into Mabel's plan. "You must hate me. If the shoe were on the other foot, I likely would you."
"No, you wouldn't," Mabel said, then amended her assertion with, "Well maybe you would for a short while, but then you would come to realize, as I did, that your husband's behavior, past and present, was no fault of mine."
She then went on to tell Mary that she had learned quickly that she bore no responsibility in her then finance' throwing her over as Charles Blake, his former comrade in arms, had told her as much.
"Charles is an honorable man and was quite piqued by Tony's behavior. In fact, he was surprised that I took him back after you showed him the door," she said with finality.
"Frankly, so was I," Mary replied. "Tony is lucky that you possess such a forgiving nature."
"Humph," Mabel snorted. "A forgiving nature had nothing to do it. After Tony broke our engagement, I vowed he would pay for making me a source of ridicule and pity wherever I showed my face...and I kept that vow. Without boring you with the gory details, I made sure that his life with me left a lot to be desired for quite some time... I sometimes think longer than I should have." Then lowering her voice, she said, "The only reason I went ahead with the marriage was because I discovered I was pregnant and didn't want the child I was carrying to be born a bastard."
Mary's eyebrows rose and she glanced quickly around the room. Finding no-one had been sitting close enough to overhear what Mabel had said, she let out a sigh of relief and then glanced at the clock a second time.
Taking note of it, Mabel reached for her hat and began to rise from her chair. "I'm sorry if anything I have said has made you uncomfortable, Mary, but glad we cleared the air."
Once she was on her feet, she swayed precariously from side to side and then plopped back down onto the leather chair cushion with a thump.
Jumping out of her own seat, Mary cried out, "Mabel, what is it? Should I call for help?"
The Viscountess shook her head and took a few deep breaths before she replied, "No…no…that won't be necessary. I feel fine now. Please don't make a fuss. I was a bit hungover this morning and didn't eat any breakfast. That is likely why I became lightheaded."
This time, Mabel did draw attention and a tall, thin man wearing spectacles, who had been sitting in an armchair near the fireplace with a book in hand, was nearly upon them.
"Thank you, Sir, but she is fine," Mary said, waving him off.
He stopped in his tracks and bowed his head in their direction, then returned to his seat and the novel he was reading.
Mabel smiled at Mary as she rose, then placed her hat on her head and secured it in place.
"You see, I'm fully recovered," she said, and twirled around once to prove her point.
Mary narrowed her eyes and demanded, "Promise me that you will see the ship's doctor should that happen again."
"You have my word. Now, I must be off. I'm beginning to feel guilty for taking up so much of your time it and I hate feeling guilty."
"As do I," Mary replied, grinning back at her. "And, Mabel… just for the record, I'm glad we cleared the air, too.
XX
"If it is one thing I've learned in life, it is to expect the unexpected," Doctor Stevens said before moving his stethoscope a few inches to the right on George's bare chest and asking him to take another deep breath.
Matthew stood to the left of the physician, nodding his head in agreement while attempting to read his face to ascertain if he had found anything amiss.
"That's a good, lad. Now, please cough for me, George," the physician said before moving the instrument… And once more."
He then repeated the procedure on his patient's back before lifting the circular chest-piece that comprised the diaphragm and bell, removing the rubber tips from his ears and placing the stethoscope down on the nightstand.
Matthews eyes remained focused on Doctor Stevens as he jotted down his findings, but found his expression still was blank.
He likely makes a killing playing cards, popped into his head before his wishing his own face were less expressive. Mary always knew when something was bothering him.
Raising his head from the clipboard, the physician asked, "Now, what was I saying?" Then he paused and ran his free hand over his chin for a long moment before blurting,
"Yes…yes…now I remember. I have learned to expect the unexpected. None of us knows when we wake each day what our maker has in store for us. Your son's mishap in the pool is a case in point. I doubt either of you would have thought you would wind up here when you made your plans to go for a swim this morning. Yet here you are. In a split second, life as we know it can be derailed by a sudden illness or an accident."
No one knew better than he how true that was, and Matthew winked at George before he said, "I know exactly what you mean, Doctor Stevens."
Giving him a knowing smile, George raised the top half of the hospital gown he had been given to wear and tied it at the neck. Then, with nothing left to do, he pointed to the framed portrait that hung over his bed and commented that it was a beautiful ship.
"Ahh…that she was, George, and I dare say the artist did her justice." He paused then and smiled appreciatively as he took in the fine details of the painting before returning his attention to his patient, who he found craning his neck in an attempt to read what was inscribed on the metal plaque beneath it.
"Would you be so kind as to read it, Doctor. I can't from this position."
Doctor Stevens nodded and moved closer to the portrait so that he could read the exact wording.
It says, "RMS Atlantic, Launched July 1st, 1871."
He then went on to say that the ship was the second built for the White Star Line, sailed between Liverpool and New York, and was powered by a steam engine along with four sails.
Eager for more, George gazed at the other portraits in close proximity with a glint in his eye that was not lost on the physician.
"That one is a portrayal of the RMS Cedric, launched in 1902, followed by the Adriatic in 1906, the Megantic in 1908, and finally, the Majestic in 1913. All of them are quite beautiful ships but none could light a candle to the one we are sailing on now," he said, ending his short tribute to the steam-ship line that employed him.
As far as Matthew's eyes could see, there was no sign of the Titanic amongst the collection, which did not come as a surprise to him, considering the ship's resemblance to the Olympic and her tragic fate
He did wonder, however, if Doctor Steven's deviation from his examination had been purposeful in order to give George a breather. He had to admit that his son did seem more relaxed since the portraits had been addressed .
As if on cue, the physician returned to the matter at hand and began asking George a series of questions that pertained to his mishap in the pool.
"Can you tell me how long you had held your breath before releasing it, George?"
"It felt like a very long while, but if it were, I wouldn't be here, would I? he quipped. Then in a serious tone, said, "I would imagine my father has a better idea of the amount of time I spent underwater than I do."
Put on the spot, Matthew hesitated for a second before he replied, "I can't be exact, but estimate it to be about 90 seconds."
George's eyes widened and he bellowed, "90 seconds! Is that all?"
Matthew nodded his head and then went on to say that he would expect the concept of time becomes distorted in situations such as his.
"Your father is quite right," Doctor Stevens said. "Your focus was on holding your breath as long as possible so you could get to the surface to breathe. I would not be surprised if you felt as though you had been under water an hour." Then he went on with his questioning.
"I didn't want to say too much with my sister at my side…," George began, his eyes fixed on Matthew and silently communicating I'm so sorry you must hear this before he paused.
Offering him an encouraging smile, he said, "Go on, Son. I can bear it if you can."
George smiled back at him. Then he took a deep breath, let it out, slowly, and filled in the missing pieces.
"My foot cramped badly while I was collecting coins on the bottom of the pool. The pain was sudden and fierce. It nearly knocked the breath out of me…but I somehow managed to keep my mouth shut tight. I knew that was important. Then I tried to swim to the surface and found I couldn't. The water above my head felt like a ton of bricks pinning me down and I began to panic as the need to let out the breath I was holding grew stronger. I felt sharp pains here…" he said pointing to his ribs, "and then my lungs felt as though they were on fire. I couldn't hold my breath much longer but feared once I let it out, I would never breathe air again. Then I heard my father speaking to me."
Though he had managed to keep his face blank, Matthew's fists clenched at his sides and he swallowed hard, the sound drawing both his son's and Dr. Stevens' attention.
"Would you like to step outside for a few moments Mr. Crawley? I know this has been painful to hear."
Matthew shook his head, sat down on the edge of the bed and reached for his son's hand. "No, I'm exactly where I need to be, Doctor Stevens."
George then repeated what he had told everyone earlier at poolside in explaining how his father had saved him, eliciting a huge smile from his physician when he reached the part where Matthew had instructed him to make snow angels.
His grin remained in place while he scribbled some final notes. Then he patted the top of George and Matthew's interlocked hands before asking the latter to join him in his office so that they could discuss his findings.
"Your father won't be long, George. In the meantime, why don't you close your eyes and relax. You've been through a horrid ordeal, young man. I'm sure some rest will do you good."
Rising from the bed to follow him, Matthew concurred with the physician. "I wholeheartedly agree, George. A nap is definitely in order."
George nodded and began plumping the pillows beneath his head. Then he slid down the mattress, maneuvered his body into a comfortable position and closed his eyes.
XX
Doctor Stevens addressed George's assertion that Matthew had saved his life first, explaining that he likely had begun to hallucinate because the carbon dioxide levels in his blood had reached a critical level.
"Having said that, I would not rule out divine intervention as to the exact nature of his hallucination, seeing that it brought him the man he trusted most to guide him out of the fix he was in."
No stranger to divine intervention, he didn't doubt it and nodded his head in agreement.
"I found no evidence of pulmonary edema, shortness of breath, wheezing, discoloration of the skin or drop in blood pressure. His lungs are clear and working as they should. That is paramount…Therefore, based on my examination and George's account, I think it safe to rule out secondary drowning, but would still like him to remain in the hospital overnight for observation," he concluded.
Matthew felt as though he had been the person drowning and had just cut through the surface of the water and breathed deeply, his diaphragm no longer constricted by the anxiety that plagued him most of the morning.
He had assumed that his son would have to remain in the hospital once he had been asked to change into a hospital gown but thought it best to keep his assumption under wraps until it was confirmed, but his daughter had been blindsided by the news and didn't take it well. Now he regretted not mentioning it earlier to soften the blow.
Matthew didn't fault her for being upset. He had told her time and time again that her brother would be fine and now he had been confined to a hospital bed. At her young age, that made no sense and caused her to worry.
George, on the other hand, was resting comfortably when he left him. After waking from his nap, his only complaint had been the magazines that he was given to take the edge off his boredom as they didn't suite his taste.
Noting the sour expression on his son's face as he tossed "Photoplay", a motion picture fan magazine, down on the nightstand, Matthew promised that he would return soon with the book George had packed for the journey, "WE", a Charles Lindbergh novel, along the chess board that he and JR had been putting to such good use.
All that was left was to tell Mary what had happened.
Easier said than done, he told himself and he hesitated a few seconds before he closed his fist and wrapped on the suite door to gain entrance.
It swung open in a flash and he and the children were greeted by Anna, smiling from ear to ear until she saw Victoria's head hanging low. Her eyes moved quickly to her son, who displayed a similar woebegone expression and then to the empty space to his left.
That set off the alarm bell.
"What's happened?" she asked calmly, though her body was tensed like a coiled snake ready to pounce. "Where is George?"
Before Matthew could get out a reply, Victoria ran to Anna, wrapped her arms around her waist and cried out, "He almost drowned and is in the hospital."
The former maid's head snapped up and her eyes remained wide as she ran one of her hands down the little girl's hair while reaching out to her son with the other.
His eyes focused on his daughter, he didn't see Mary enter the room and only knew she had when he heard her gasp from across the room.
Quickly closing the distance between them, he took hold of her hand and said, "Darling, he is fine. The physician who examined him is only keeping him in the hospital overnight as a precautionary measure. Just give me a moment to gather some of his things and I will bring you to him so that you can see for yourself."
Mary nodded her head like an automaton and her face went blank. Yet he could feel the tremors passing through her body as they reached her hands like aftershocks that follow an earthquake. He wished he could say something more that would ease her mind but knew there wasn't. Victoria's outburst had rattled her to her core.
Their daughter let go of Anna then and ran to her mother, who still had not completely recovered from her revelation. Still, once Victoria was within her reach, Mary pulled her close and picked up where Anna left off, stroking her hair.
"You heard what your Father said, darling," she said calmly. "There is no reason for you to fret. Your brother will back with us tomorrow morning and we will all have a wonderful breakfast together. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
Her head buried in her mother's pleated skirt, she looked up at her and nodded. Then she let out a loud yawn and began rubbing her eyes with her fists.
"Mother, I think I'd like to lie down," she said. "I'm awfully tired."
Anna joined them then with JR at her side and offered to turn down Victoria's bed, promising her that she would stay with her until her parents returned from the hospital.
The plan was agreeable to all, and after assuring his daughter that he would be back later that evening as he would remain with George until then , Matthew kissed the top of her head and set off on his mission to his son's room.
Upon his return to the sitting room, he found Mary standing before one of the windows staring out at the ocean. It was opened half way and a cool sea breeze flowed through it along with the sound of waves crashing rhythmically against the side of the ship.
A gust of air made its way into the room, ruffling the curtains that had been drawn and blowing a wisp of hair that escaped the confines of her chignon across her face.
Still she stood motionless.
"Are you ready, Mary?" he asked softly. "I have everything George asked me to get."
She blinked and turned her head toward him. Then taking notice of the two books in his hands, managed a weak smile and said, "I see you brought something for yourself, as well, to while away the hours."
"Yes, I still haven't discovered who committed that damnable murder on the Orient Express and there are only so many games of chess I can play before my head starts to pound," he replied, doing his best to keep the conversation light. He smiled then and expounded, "Robert has taught George well. He is quite a formidable opponent."
The expression on Mary's face changed then, the calm veneer that had been in place since Victoria sought her comfort giving way momentarily to her fear and doubt, both now on full display.
"You are positive that he is not in any danger?" she asked. "None, whatsoever? Because if he is, you must tell me, Matthew. I would need time to steel myself for that."
He nodded his head and relayed what Doctor Stevens had told him. Then he reached out his free hand to her.
"Come, darling. George will be happy to see you, though he will do his best not to show it. I'll answer all your questions on our way there."
XX
Matthew was right about George being happy to see his mother but wrong in his assumption that he would do his best not to show it. Normally quite a reserved child in public, George threw his arms around Mary's neck and kissed her cheek before he released her.
She touched the spot and smiled as she rose, her finger lingering on it for a moment before she inched back into the chair that was bolted to the floor near the head of the bed.
"If you ever ask my permission to join the Royal Navy, I will object vehemently to your request and deny it," she quipped, her spirits soaring at the sight of her son in good health.
It pleased him to see Mary rebound nearly as much as it did to see their son appearing as if nothing at all had happened to him.
"As will I," Matthew chimed in.
Sitting upright with two plump pillows propped behind his back, George chuckled and kept up the jocularity. "Rest assured that after my misadventure at the lake and now this, you will never hear that request from me."
They all chuckled then, the jovial sound passing through the long pale blue curtain that hung from a metal rod around his bed, giving them as much privacy as one could manage in a hospital ward, no matter how elegantly it was furnished.
As his laughter subsided, George announced that he was ravenous and hoped he would be allowed to eat.
"I don't see why you wouldn't be, Son, but I will make certain that is the case," Matthew replied and rose from his seat in order to find Doctor Stevens.
He pushed the curtain to the side in order to exit the partition and nearly collided with Captain Binks with the physician he sought in tow.
"Excuse me, Mr. Crawley, I would have knocked, but…," the Captain said, pointing to the curtain and giving him a sly wink.
Bowing his head in the commander's direction with a wide grin on his face, he replied, "No apology necessary, Captain Binks."
More pleasantries followed, with the Captain telling Mary that he was happy to see her again but wished the circumstances were different and Matthew introducing her to Doctor Stevenson.
She thanked him for taking such good care of George and then beat her husband to the punch by asking if his patient was restricted from eating.
"Not at all," the physician replied. In fact, the hospital steward should be delivering his meal at any moment along with a dinner menu."
At that, George's stomach let out a rumble and his cheeks turned pink. "Apologies to all," he said, noting the amusement on his visitor's faces.
"Would you and Lady Mary care to join your son for luncheon?" Captain Binks asked. "I'm sure I can arrange for you both to be brought a plate."
Matthew readily accepted the offer and Mary was about to reply but was forestalled by George.
"Mother, I am very happy that you have come and have enjoyed our visit very much but think it might be better if you had luncheon with Victoria. She had quite a fright today and no matter how much she may enjoy spending time with Anna, there is no substitute for you."
Rising from her seat, Mary smiled and said, "Quite right, George," before leaning over him planting a kiss on his forehead. "I'll come back later this evening and switch places with your Father so that he can tuck your sister into bed. How does that sound?"
George nodded and smiled, clearly pleased with the plan. Then sniffing the air, his smile widened.
After making her farewells, Mary pulled back the curtain to leave and the tantalizing aroma of roasted meat and potatoes wafted through the opening, indicating luncheon had arrived.
Circumventing the serving cart, Matthew called out, "Hold on, darling. I'll walk you to the door."
Arm in arm, the two of them made their way into the reception area, catching a snippet of the phone conversation Nurse Thompson was engaged in at her desk along the way.
"Yes, I think it is wise that you come in today. Doctor Stevens is free to see you at your earliest convenience," she said before wishing the person on the other end of the line a good day and placing the handset back in the cradle.
Then she flashed them a bright smile and said, "I've heard your son is doing quite well…such wonderful news."
They nodded their heads in unison, both grinning from ear to ear until they reached the door that led out of the hospital and paused for a moment.
Mary turned to Matthew, laid her hand on his cheek and said, "I'm sorry if it appeared that I doubted you, darling. It is just…just that…"
"You had to see for yourself that he was fine," he said. Then he took hold of her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it.
XX
"Checkmate," George exclaimed with a broad grin on his face. "Either you are quite tired or purposely making this easy for me. Which is it?"
Matthew grinned at him and replied, "I am tired and assume that my fatigue is affecting my game, thereby making it easy for you, but I don't think that is what you are asking me. If you are questioning if I threw the last three matches to lift your spirits in consideration of the day you've had, then my answer is, "No."
"I'm glad, Father. I didn't think you would resort to that type of subterfuge, but had to be sure I won fair and square.
Their conversation was put to rest then by the sound of footsteps outside the curtained partition that cloaked them. By the sound of it, one set belonged to Doctor Stevens and the other, a woman as her high-heels made a distinctive click on the tiled floor.
Though he did not want to eavesdrop on the conversation that now ensued between who he assumed was his son's physician and a patient, Matthew had little choice but to hear it as it was taking place a few feet away.
"Though you will need to have a blood or urine test to be 100% certain, based on my examination and your symptoms, I would say you are roughly six-weeks pregnant."
He assumed the woman Doctor Stevens was speaking with hadn't realized her diagnosis had been overheard and thinking it best that it remained that way, he raised his finger to his lips and shook his head, alerting his son to remain quiet.
Then, hearing the woman's voice, he was grateful George had complied with his request.
"My husband is going to be over the moon, Doctor," Mabel Gillingham gushed. We had nearly given up hope that I would become pregnant again and this is a dream come true for us both." She paused then and asked, "You are sure, aren't you?"
"As sure as I can be without the laboratory test results to back up my diagnosis," he replied. Then added, "However, I am not a stranger to obstetrics as I practiced it for five years before changing over to Surgery. During that time, my patient's lab findings were always in line with my initial diagnosis."
Mabel let out a long sigh of relief and after thanking Doctor Stevenson again and assuring him she would have the appropriate tests done when she reached New York, her footsteps resumed at a quick pace with the physician's close behind.
Once they were out of hearing range, Matthew let out the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. The Gillingham's are having a baby set in and he smiled, happy for the both of them. Yet he knew he and his son should not have been privy to that news and frowned.
"Can we speak now, Father?" George whispered.
He nodded his head and began to whisper his reply, then elevated his voice to a normal tone and said, "You and I must keep what we just heard under wraps as it is not something we should know about. Therefore, mum's the word until Lord and Lady Gillingham announce their good news "
"My lips are sealed, Father," George said. "It certainly is wonderful, though, isn't it?"
Matthew nodded and then made a mental note to practice his poker face.
XX
Thanks to Anna's suggestion that they keep busy in order to keep Victoria from dwelling on her brother's absence, the day flew by. They had taken a stroll on A-Deck after luncheon, stopping intermittently for the children to join in a game that caught their eye.
Victoria had come across some girls her age who invited her to join them in a round of hopscotch and she literally jumped right in, while JR headed off with the girl's brother to play a game of marbles.
Mary and Anna watched their offspring from the deck rail, sunglasses firmly in place and hats secured so they would not be lost to the sea. The weather was fine and they took advantage of it, soaking up the sun until it was time to freshen up for dinner.
"I'm almost afraid to say it, Anna, as I don't want to tempt fate, but it appears the Crawley family has dodged another bullet." Mary said, as her former maid tidied her hair.
"Thank God," Anna replied, pulling a black hairpin from her long locks and placing it beside the others laid out on the vanity. "I just wish you didn't have to…dodge another bullet, I mean to say."
She nodded in agreement while Anna ran a lovely silver monogramed hair brush through her hair. It had been a gift from her Mother on her 16th birthday and Mary cherished it, especially since her initials remained intact.
"We have been tested over the years," she said, her eyes fixed on Anna's reflection in the mirror, but I am reminded whenever I look at Matthew that we've been blessed to."
At that, Victoria rushed into the room and announced that she and JR didn't care where they ate dinner, just so long as they could eat soon.
Happy to see that her spirits had improved, Mary smiled and assured her daughter that Anna was nearly done. Then JR popped his head into the room and offered to share the biscuit that he had just found stuffed in his pocket with Victoria, his kind offer lightening her spirits even further.
She quickly took him up on his offer and the two of them rushed out of the room to divvy up the baked good.
Mary turned to Anna and said dryly, "I wasn't aware that a hobnob could be so therapeutic."
Anna replied in the same vein, "Perhaps we should stock up on them."
Then, they both burst into laughter.
XX
"Will father be here, soon?" Victoria asked, as Mary pulled the bedcovers up over her. "He promised he would tuck me in."
"Yes, sweetheart, just as soon as I get to the hospital, he will be on his way."
Victoria smiled, and then let out a long yawn, covering her mouth with her hand as she had been taught.
"Are you sure you will be able to stay awake until he gets here?" Mary asked, taking hold of the tip of her daughter's braid and wiggling it under her nose.
She giggled until her mother stopped tickling her and then replied, " I won't close my eyes until I've wished him a good night. I'm so happy that he and George will be back tomorrow morning."
"I am, too, darling," Mary said and leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Good night, now. Anna is right outside should you need anything."
"Good night, Mother."
Then she reached for the stuffed animal that her Aunt Edith had given her, wrapped her arm tightly around it and closed her eyes.
Leaving the door open a crack behind her, Mary picked up the wrap she had placed over one of the chairs in the sitting room, turned to Anna and smiled.
"I honestly don't know how I could have managed without you today. Thank you." Then she headed for the door.
She had decided that she would take the scenic route to the hospital once she had caught a glimpse of the full moon through her bedroom window and now took it in in all its glory as her heels clicked along the wooden planks.
Though she knew it was an optical illusion, the bright, massive orb seemed to be following her as she bypassed couples strolling arm and arm along the well-lit deck and others exiting through doors leading to the ship's interior.
Mary stopped for a moment and peered through the bay windows into the Ala Cart Restaurant, smiling as she got a whiff of the savory aromas that wafted in the air just as she had when they had dined in the glamorous restaurant their first night at sea.
Then she resumed her trek toward the entrance to the hallway that would lead her to D-Deck and her husband and son.
Eager to reach them, she had quickened her pace and soon came upon the Café Parisiene, which was packed to the gills and in full swing A small party in high spirits spilled out of the restaurant directly in her path and she stopped abruptly, giving them a wide berth as they all seemed a bit tipsy.
She politely turned her head as she waited for the group to pass by, then was nearly knocked off her feet by someone crashing into her shoulder.
Regaining her balance Mary turned around to face the culprit and was shocked upon recognizing who it had been.
"What the devil…," she spat. "You almost toppled me, Tony, and you reek to high heaven."
Lord Gillingham's eyes were half closed but upon hearing Mary's voice, they shot open and he moved towards her.
"Mary? Oh, Mary, it is you…I'm so happy to see you, my dear..but then I'm always happy to see you," he said, his voice slurring badly.
He swayed unsteadily on his feet and once he reached her, grabbed hold of her shoulders in an apparent attempt keep himself from keeling over
"Get your hands off me, you drunken fool," she hissed through clenched teeth.
He flashed her a crooked smile and raising his hands up, replied with dramatic flair, "Your wish is my command, Lady Mary.
Then he toppled forward like an axed tree in the forest.
Unable to sustain his weight, she fell back against the railing with him on top of her and it took every bit of strength she could muster to raise him enough to squeeze out from under him.
He fell into the railing, grabbing hold of the top bar in order to brace himself and then rest his head on his hands.
Breathing heavily from the exertion, Mary demanded to know why he was in such a wretched state and when she got no response, she eyed the deck for any sign of his wife.
"Is Mabel inebriated, too, Tony? Did you leave her somewhere?" she asked in a clipped tone.
He moaned into his hands.
"Answer me damn it, she may need my help."
His head rose a few inches then and he mumbled, "No," before laying it back down.
Her patience gone, Mary shook him hard and pulled his head up and around so that he faced her.
A bit of saliva dribbled out of his mouth onto his chin as he replied, "Mabel is fine…at least she was when she threw me out of our cabin…Well, not fine exactly…My slip of the tongue left her...agi…agit…agitated"
She let out a sigh of relief and then launched into conjecture. "So, you two had an argument because you said something stupid and she blew her top and threw you out. Then you proceeded to drown your sorrows at the Café. Is that the gist of it?"
Tony managed to turn the rest of his body around, pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket and mopped his face with it before using it to blow his nose.
Grimacing at the sight, Mary told him to stay put until she could find someone to assist him in getting back to his cabin.
"It won't take long," she promised, taking a few steps away from the railing. "I must hurry as George is expecting me."
His bloodshot eyes lit up at the mention of her son's name and he grabbed hold of her hand, yanking her back
"He could have been my son," he cried out, his voice filled with emotion. "And I would have loved him as if my blood ran through his veins …because he was a part of you."
Mary stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock and her free hand curled at her side so tightly that her nails dug into her palm.
Taking note of the expression on her face, Tony turned his head toward the moon-lit ocean and kept his eyes fixed on it as he continued to purge his soul. "God knows how hard I've fought to keep you out of my head and heart…but when I saw you on that train platform, my battle was lost. Tonight, while Mabel and I were in the throes of passion, I called out your name. That is why she threw me out.."
The expression on her face softened as his words sunk in, her anger replaced by sympathy and she said softly, "I'm sorry, Tony. Truly, I am."
At that, he turned back toward her, looked deeply into her eyes and pleaded, "Please don't leave me, Mary. I need you so."
Then he pulled her into his arms.
Though she was taken by surprise, Mary reacted quickly and fought him with renewed vigor, kicking him in the shin and pinching his thigh as hard as she could while demanding that he release her.
She heard the sound of footsteps clanking on the deck, quick and growing louder with each second that passed until they stopped directly behind her.
Matthew's voice boomed in the air like cannon fire. "Let her go, Tony. Now!"
XX
AN: Yep, I'm going to leave this there and let your imagination run wild until Chapter 7 is up. I'm sorry there has been such a long lapse between chapters and hope I can get that one up sooner than I did this one.
Truth be told, I have a very hectic life and must schedule time to write. There are times when I'm just too tired to follow that schedule. Hence, the long delays.
In spite of that, however, I will continue writing and hope you will continue reading this story as I think it will prove worthwhile if you do. It won't end when the trip to America does as that is not the only passage that the title is referring to.
Until then, please let me know what you think of this chapter. Reviews are a very welcome reward for my efforts. Even a thumb's up is appreciated.
Till then.