Yay, glad you are liking it so far! you'll have to wait a little more for good D/E fluff, but ODB is starting to be intrigued...
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April 10th, 1912, 1530. 4 days, 9 hours and 20 minutes until iceberg.
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Elizabeth made her way to the promenade deck. She found Jane there, still with Mr Bingley, sat on a pair of the deck chairs that were laid out.
Kitty and Lydia were huddled at the rail seemingly peering at the water below but, as she watched, she realised they seemed to be peering at the officers on the forward deck. She rolled her eyes and moved towards her older sister.
A steward bustled up to them.
"Would you like to hire these chairs? Sir? Madame?"
"Oh!" Jane exclaimed jumping up. "I apologise, I had thought we could sit anywhere."
"They are available for hire for the voyage," he said, unperturbed by her exclamation. "Then they will always be for your comfort and there are many staff who could bring you tea or refreshments whilst you enjoy the view." He gestured out across the open water at the serene horizon.
Mr Bingley rose also. "That sounds capital my dear fellow" he looked around. "What think you Miss Bennet? They seem to be in a fine spot."
Elizabeth knew that Jane, like her, had only a certain amount of spare money to spend aboard and she could already see her sister thinking of an excuse. She was about to jump in when Bingley spoke up.
"Indeed we shall take these. Four shillings was it not?" When the steward nodded he brought out some change from his pocket.
"Here" he handed over three crowns "Miss Jane Bennet, cabin..."
"D32, but you really..." Jane trailed off as Bingley ignored her protest.
"Then myself and I'll take this one for my sister." He gestured at the chair next to their occupied ones. "Bingley, D26 and 28. You will manage matters with the purser I assume?" He clapped the steward on the back. "Keep the change."
"Of course, sir, consider it done."
"That was very kind of you." Jane commented as the man, in his crisp white uniform, scurried away.
"Oh Lizzie!" Jane exclaimed, catching sight of her sister finally.
"Miss Bennet!" Bingley bowed to her "I hear you share a deck with my sister and I"
Elizabeth smiled "well, it is inevitable we share deck space sir, there is only so much. With yourself on D deck I am sure it will be the most pleasant deck of the whole Titanic!"
"Come sit!" Bingley exclaimed "I have just hired this chair for Caroline, but she is not present and so you must sit. I apologise, I have not hired one for yourself."
"No apology needed, you are not obliged to hire deck chairs for the whole of the passengers aboard."
"It is very kind of you to hire one for me sir!"
Bingley smiled "well, now I shall know where to find you if ever I should wish it."
Elizabeth watched as the two stared at each other again, Jane blushing furiously, Bingley grinning oddly. She smothered the chuckle and turned her face away looking out over the sea. England could not be seen behind them but if she looked ahead she fancied she could see land, which might be Cherbourg. She was impatient to see her Aunt and Uncle. They had taken their children to France for a short time, her uncle investigating potential imports and her aunt wishing to visit some very distant relatives, they were joining the ship to set sail for America with their two children.
Her nephew and niece were dear children. Just old enough to want to be treated like adults, but young enough to still show childish enthusiasm for things. She would love to see their faces when they first come aboard. She vowed to spend some time with them, exploring or some such, one of the days aboard.
"Charles, this is where you have been hiding." The nasal voice cut through Elizabeth's pleasant recollections.
"Ah! Caroline! Might I introduce Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. They are travelling on D deck also. Miss Jane and I have found these wonderfully placed Deck chairs and I have purchased them for our voyage." He gestured at the one Elizabeth was sat on "this one is for you."
Elizabeth stood and made her way to the rail at the glare Caroline gave her.
Her younger sisters had moved back inside, finding they could not see much of the officers promenade due to the life boats.
Behind her Mr Bingley, Jane and Miss Bingley were making polite conversation. Jane sounded sincere in her interest, Elizabeth could not help thinking that Caroline seemed less so.
Elizabeth turned her attention away and instead inspected the davits and mechanism by which the lifeboat would be lowered. She noted that they looked as if they could be swung out over the side and then heavy ropes and pulleys would mean the heavy boat could be managed by only a few people. It was fascinating, but she looked towards the bow and counted. Four boats and one, smaller, cutter which overhung the edge of the boat. Assuming symmetry that was only 18 or 20 boats. She didn't have longer to contemplate for Jane was calling her.
"Lizzie, will the passengers from Cherbourg be on board in time for dinner?"
Elizabeth frowned "I do not know. I believe we should have been approaching Cherbourg by now, but I am not certain I can see land yet. I suspect we will not arrive in time for them to join for dinner, or at least not enough time to change."
"Oh! You know passengers who are joining at Cherbourg?" Caroline asked, sounding every bit as insincere as Elizabeth though she was. "We know the Astors, you must have heard of them? They are quite the most wealthy people on this crossing, or so I heard. Although I am certain Darcy is just as wealthy. What say you Charles?"
"I am certain neither Darcy nor Astor would care to compare." He turned to Jane "who do you know boarding?"
"Our Aunt and Uncle will be joining there, they have been travelling in France and are now for America."
"Indeed? Will they be near your cabins?"
"Oh! No," Jane smiled at Caroline "they are in second class."
"Second?" She asked, horrified, hand pressed to her chest.
"Yes." Jane sensed the tone and her words became less certain. "They are travelling with their children and our maid, they are quite content with second class."
Elizabeth would have laughed at the look of horror on Caroline's face, had not the disdain been directed at her dear sister and about her favourite aunt and uncle. She was not certain if Caroline was more horrified by the second class reference or the fact that they were sharing a maid.
"Mr Bingley." She spoke up, not wishing to hear whatever snide comment Caroline was about to make. "You must know many of the passengers hereabouts."
"Indeed I do Miss Elizabeth. In fact Colonel Astor is a good friend and the Duff-Gordons are also joining at Cherbourg. I had hoped they would join us for dinner, but maybe I shall have to wait for the pleasure."
"Oh! Dear J J. And Madeleine! They are such wonderful people to be sharing such a voyage with."
'The wealth no doubt adding to their charm' Elizabeth kept the thought to herself.
At that moment Darcy appeared from the stairway.
"Darcy! Come join us."
Darcy looked between Bingley, Caroline and Jane, his eyes finally resting on Elizabeth. She raised her chin and lifted an eyebrow.
Darcy felt a jolt at the look this woman was giving him, noting the look of challenge and amusement in her eyes. The shock of attraction ran through him and he took a half step towards her before realising what he was about. He shook himself, what an inconvenient time to feel attracted to a lady, and such an unsuitable one too! He wondered if he should apologise, maybe try to make amends, but he was in poor humour at present and suspected he might make matters worse.
"No, I thank you! I just wished for a short walk."
He turned his back and walked away.
"I do apologise for my friend, he is not usually so..."
"Charles, there is no need to apologise. I am certain these ladies understand these matters."
"Yes." Elizabeth said looking Caroline directly in the eye, refusing to be intimidated. "We understand perfectly."
Mr Bingley looked as if he wished to say more but Jane asked him of his home in America and the conversation moved on. Elizabeth watched surreptitiously as Mr Darcy walked away from them. His stride confident and his footing sure. He had certainly acclimatised to being aboard a ship easily enough. He stood tall but, if she had looked closely, she may have perceived the slump of his shoulders and his deep sigh indicating his discomfort and discontent.
April 10th. 1830. 4 days, 5 hours and 10 minutes until iceberg.
Elizabeth had hurried through her toilette, pleased custom dictated that passengers did not change for the first night aboard. She was now watching as the SS Nomadic pulled up alongside the Titanic and the process of passenger exchange started. The gangway was erected and a small number of people disembarked from the Titanic E deck to the Nomadic's flying bridge.
She peered down as the new passengers started to board but she could not see everyone clearly and so there was no hope of identifying her Aunt and Uncle.
She moved away after ten minutes as dinner would start at seven. As she walked down the main stair case to the D-deck reception room she saw a woman carrying her own bags as a steward trailed after her.
In a loud voice she declared "well I wasn't about to wait for you sonny!" Her accent gave her away as American even if her attitude had not.
Elizabeth watched, amused, as the lady dropped the bags and instructed the flustered steward to take them to B-4.
"I think I'll go to dinner! Wouldn't want to miss it now, would we."
Elizabeth found her family quickly and they made their way in to the saloon. They all sat together and looked around.
Jane blushed as Mr Bingley made his way towards them and directed his party to a nearby table, waving merrily at Jane.
"Oh! Mr Bennet! Have you seen! Mr Bingley is smitten with our Jane already."
"Mama, lower your voice!" Elizabeth hissed.
"Well done Jane!" Mrs Bennet, as usual, ignored her second daughter.
Elizabeth did her best to redirect the conversation. People seemed to move about between the courses although they always returned to their seats. Jane went to speak to Caroline, who was sat with Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy and others they did not know. She paid no attention to their table, apart from throwing a glance their way and smiling slightly at the attention Mr Bingley was paying her sister.
Elizabeth spoke with a few ladies she had slight acquaintance with and her mother managed to introduce herself to the Countess of Rothes and her cousin Gladys Cherry.
She spotted a man walking past their table and jumped up.
"Forgive me, sir!"
The man turned and smiled "How may I help you Miss?" His accent was Irish, refined and pleasant to listen to.
"Forgive my intrusion, but are you not Mr Andrews?"
"I am."
"It is an honour. How are you finding your ship?" She smiled, having read about Mr Andrews' input in to this magnificent ship.
"I should probably ask you, I am hoping to make improvements in the future."
"Well, I am certain that I cannot think of anything at this point, but I shall be certain to let you know. I had wanted to ask about the engines."
Mr Andrews frowned "the engines?"
"Yes. I understand you have used two reciprocating engines and a third parsons turbine, I was wondering why."
"Well, Miss.."
"Bennet, Elizabeth Bennet."
"Elizabeth?" The question was implied and Elizabeth nodded her consent for him to use her first name. "Well, Elizabeth, That is an unusual question for a lady."
Elizabeth smiled "My father would say I am an unusual lady. I have an interest in engineering."
"Do you now? Well, you see we need the Parsons turbine for the power but they cause a lot of vibrations..."
Darcy listened with growing astonishment as Mr Andrews proceeded to explain the mechanics of the engines aboard the Titanic to a woman. He watched her face, she was not listening politely, she was truly interested. She asked insightful questions, clearly showing a decent level of mathematical knowledge. He wondered, idly, if she would be interested in some of the work he was doing. Electricity and engines were his main interest. Bingley was a railroad tycoon and they were looking to combine their technology in America.
Elizabeth could see Mr Darcy staring at her and she did her best to ignore him, the look of censure not about to intimidate her.
...
"Captain Smith." She addressed the captain some time later. "You have captained the Olympic, have you not?" Elizabeth asked an insouciant smile upon her face "I understand they had frequent dancing aboard that ship, yet I see no sign of there being any tonight."
"No, Miss Elizabeth." The captain answered good naturedly "do you think dancing would be well received?"
"Undoubtedly, sir!" She exclaimed. Bingley and Jane, having heard the conversation, agreed whole heartedly.
"Well, maybe we can see what is to be done!" He declared
"You would have our thanks, sir!"
Captain Smith bowed his acceptance of such a scheme and turned to speak to another passenger.
Elizabeth looked about her. Jane and Bingley has lapsed back in to conversation, about dancing it seemed, and Mr Darcy was stood nearby. Seized with a mischievous impulse she addressed the dour man.
"Do you not think I spoke to Captain Smith with appropriate fervour Mr Darcy?"
"With great spirit. But I find most women speak of dancing with enthusiasm!"
"You are severe upon us!" She exclaimed, preventing him from making a comment about her speaking with intelligence on all subjects, which was forefront of his thoughts.
At that moment her mother joined them. "Oh how wonderful this ship is, do you not think so Mr Bingley?" She interrupted the couple, halting their conversation but not allowing them to speak. "So many pretty ladies, do you not agree?"
He nodded but Mrs Bennet was not done. "Of course few are as pretty as my Jane! She has always been beautiful. In-fact, when she was 15 there was a young man so much in love with her that I thought he would propose. But he wrote her some very pretty poetry..."
"And that put paid to it. " Elizabeth, who was burning with mortification, jumped in. She smiled at the slightly shocked expressions of the two gentlemen. "I wonder who discovered poetry as a means of chasing away love."
"I had rather thought poetry to be the food of love" Darcy commented.
"I believe the quote is music. 'If music be the food of love, play on!' Twelfth Night. But, in the case of poetry, I suspect it might nourish what is healthy already. But I am convinced that if it be a thin sort of inclination a good sonnet will chase it away entirely!"
"What would you recommend then? To encourage love?" Darcy asked, fascinated despite the terrible start that Mrs Bennet had made in their conversation.
"Dancing, or conversation!" Elizabeth answered decidedly "even if ones partner is barely tolerable"
Darcy startled and was trying to think of a response. Jane and Bingley had smiled and turned away, once again engrossed in each other. Elizabeth turned to her mother.
"Mama, have you met Mrs Brown? She is delightful, I believe you will get on well!"
And she turned and walked away from him, leaving him staring in her wake, feeling both chastised and inspired.
...
Elizabeth lay in her bunk, she had taken the fold down for this evening. She stared at the ceiling and thought over the evening. She had not had time to visit in second, as dinner ran late and there did not seem a convenient time to slip away. She had very much enjoyed meeting new people. The woman in the stairs turned out to be Mrs Molly Brown. She was travelling back to the states to be with her grandchild, who was unwell. She was loud and spoke directly but not in the marginally offensive way her mother often did. She was new money, of course, but only the most particular people aboard would be offended by that.
She sighed, apart from the irksome Mr Darcy she felt this had been a perfect beginning to what would hopefully be a perfect voyage.
...
Darcy lay in his grand bed, staring at the ceiling. His room was opulent and beautiful but he saw none of the resplendence. He saw only a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman, sparkling in amusement as she spoke to Molly Brown. Lit with intelligence as she conversed with Mr Andrews. Fire in them as she spoke with Caroline.
It was most unsettling. They were a deep chocolate brown colour with some streaks of a green colour that was a startling contrast. He had never seen eyes like hers before and yet they almost changed with her differing expressions. He shook his head, forcibly turning his mind from her startling eyes but unfortunately that only turned his attention to her graceful movements, her unaffected laugh, the way her gown had clung to her curves.
He sighed, thinking that maybe this journey would not be so tedious after all.
...