Hey guys, just as a point. I've purposely made Lady C darcys cousin, not aunt. That was because it became much less common (to marry ones cousin) after studies showed the problems with consanguinity. (1880) Although I have discovered it is still legal in the uk, and parts of America. I figured it would be more likely for Lady C to be pushing anne/d marriage in 1912 if they weren't 1st cousins. sorry if its too confusing. maybe ill change it back if/when i publish?...?

and LOL for the want to leave Caro to the fishes! ;)

i said I'd get a few chapters together to make up for the notebook delay.

...

April 11th, 2140. 3 days and 2 hours until iceberg.

Once Jane was settled, Elizabeth called for extra ice and some honey as well as a fresh bandage. She murmured to her, leaving her with the cool compress on for a bit.

Darcy had watched Elizabeth's quick thinking and solicitous care with admiration. He had considered helping but thought Jane would prefer her sister's calm and controlled manner. He could see she had it under control and so merely waited to help if it became necessary.

Caroline was fussing about a spot of coffee on her glove now, Bingley seemed to have frozen as if waiting for Jane to return. He saw Elizabeth walk back in and Bingley made to intercept her but Darcy stopped him with a hand, shaking his head. She had the look of someone with a destination in mind

They watched as she marched over to the head waiter and Darcy wondered if she was scolding him, surely she had not thought this was the waiter's fault? He moved over towards them, intending to intervene if she was insisting on the poor man's dismissal.

"I know Miss Bingley was making a scene!" She snapped "but anyone could see it was more her fault than your waiter's. I simply must insist you do not terminate the poor man's employment!"

"I am sorry Miss, but..." The head waiter appeared likely to argue further but stopped as he saw Darcy approach. Knowing the relative wealth of his patrons was part of his job and he had no intention of insulting one of the wealthiest.

"Miss Bennet is correct, the fault lay with us."

The man bowed "as you say sir!"

Elizabeth kept her back to the infuriating man, did he feel she could not handle a simple discussion? Why must men always feel the need to interject!

She schooled her features and turned "thank you." She said, as cordially as she could manage, before hurrying back to Jane.

...

Jane was back to her serene self, the mark on her arm was bright red and looked sore but she seemed to be managing.

"Do you think we should make our excuses?"

Jane looked downcast. "I suppose we must, but I am having such a wonderful evening." She sighed.

"We could go back for a bit, as long as your arm is not too painful?"

Jane smiled and together they rose. Elizabeth arranged Jane's shawl so that the worst of the mark was not visible.

"Jane darling! Are you alright? I have scolded that careless waiter most assiduously!"

Jane smiled "I am well, Caroline. It was not his fault!"

Bingley was most solicitous and he aided her to her seat and signalled the waiter to bring their coffee.

Jane only used her right hand, her left kept safe on her lap, but otherwise joined in with equal attention as before.

Elizabeth noted Darcy staring at her, but she ignored him. She was in no mood to be scolded about her presumption in addressing the head waiter or to be frowned upon for returning to company when injured.

Elizabeth sipped her coffee in silence, Bingley and Jane were talking of dancing and Caroline was trying to impress Darcy with her conversation about the elite of New York. Elizabeth smiled into her coffee cup. She may not be trying to impress Darcy, but she knew by now that this sort of talk would be more likely to bore him than not.

"Charles!" Caroline suddenly exclaimed, causing Elizabeth to jump. Elizabeth noticed that Darcy had startled slightly and she smiled anew at the idea that Darcy had been as inattentive as she.

"You cannot be thinking of dancing on Titanic!"

"I can, if the captain can be persuaded. We were just discussing our favourite dances!"

Caroline scoffed "I do not know why people are so enamoured with dancing. The modern dances these days are just farcical. The turkey hop and the grizzly walk! Absurd!"

Elizabeth sniggered to herself. Whilst she privately agreed the modern dances did look a little odd, the grizzly bear and the turkey trot were the actual names. Lydia had forced them all to learn thinking it was quite the lark. Caroline clearly was spouting nonsense, as usual.

"I thought the Titanic was of a better class. It would be preferable if conversation rather than dancing were the order of the evening." Caroline sent a superior look toward Darcy, clearly expecting some sort of approbation for her little speech.

"Caroline!" Exclaimed Bingley "conversation is what occurs most other times of the day, how would an hour or two of dancing detract from that? No! I am convinced it would be well received and I shall speak to the captain directly I see him."

Elizabeth, taking much amusement from Bingley and Caroline's argument, jumped a little when Darcy spoke to her. He had lent in and his proximity took her by surprise.

"I am curious, Miss Elizabeth." She turned towards him. "You seem to know much about the engines on Titanic, I was wondering if your interest was only in this ship or if it extended to other engines?"

Elizabeth frowned slightly, was this some sort of test? "I am interested in engineering, Mr Darcy. Books on engines are easier to come by than many of the other aspects of it. But, to answer your question, I noticed you were driven to the dock in a Rolls Royce, recently declared the best car in the world. Combustion engines fascinate me, but I have had limited chances to study them."

"You do not own a car in your family?"

Elizabeth sighed, just when she thought she could have an interesting conversation he goes and makes a condescending remark. "No. My father declares he is too old to learn and we have not the means for myself or my younger sisters yet. Maybe America will change that."

She made to turn away but he spoke again "I believe Ford have a car that you might be interested in, for those reasons." He chuckled slightly and her eyes opened wide, he was even more handsome with a smile upon his face. "It is called the tin Lizzie after all."

Elizabeth just gaped at him, bewildered by the smile and the chuckle as much as by the jest.

"Oh, that old thing is nothing to the beautiful car you have, Darcy!" Caroline broke in, clearly peeved to have been left out of their conversation. "The one that we rode in to the docks!" She gave Lizzie a pointed look at this. "Such a beautiful car, and so fast!"

Lizzie smiled, she had just mentioned the name but clearly Caroline had no idea about cars at all. Not very surprising. Most women paid little attention to the vehicle that moved them from one place to another.

"Nephew." The strident tones interrupted all the conversations at their table.

Everyone turned to look at the imposing lady stood behind Mr Darcy.

Elizabeth chanced a glance at the man himself and saw he was looking less than pleased.

"Oh! Lady Catherine!" Caroline jumped up from the table, almost toppling another waiter. "How wonderful to see you!"

"Sit down gel!" Lady Catherine waved a hand at Caroline and Elizabeth hid the snigger that threatened at the look on Caroline's face as she, dutifully, sat.

"Cousin Catherine!" Darcy's voice was resigned as he rose and bowed. "Miss DeBurgh." He nodded to the smaller woman at Lady Catherine's side.

Elizabeth only just noticed the small, waifish, woman stood with the imposing and imperious Lady Catherine. She studied her, she looked pale and sickly, as if she had not eaten anything for days. Perhaps the seasickness was affecting her. But the boat was very smooth and so it seemed unlikely.

"With whom are you dining? Why are you not dining with us? Where is Georgiana?" The questions seemed to come at a rate of speed too fast to allow for any answers but Elizabeth watched as Darcy calmly waited and then answered all at once.

"You have met my friend." Darcy gestured around the table. "Mr Bingley and his sister Caroline."

"Hmmm." Lady Catherine sniffed "I suppose I have."

"This is Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Recent acquaintances of ours."

Jane stood and curtseyed slightly, a very formal greeting, but Lady Catherine seemed to be mollified slightly and so Elizabeth followed her lead.

Lady Catherine sniffed again and turned back to Darcy. "You have not spent any time with Anne this trip so far. You were supposed to join us for meals."

"I apologise if you thought that Cousin, we had made no formal arrangements. I would be pleased to dine with you..."

"Saturday." She nodded. "Tomorrow I am dining with the Countess of Rothes."

Darcy bowed his acceptance.

Lady Catherine swept another glance across the table and sniffed. "You will join Anne for tea in the morning, you see how well she looks." She was looking only at Darcy and it was clear that the invitation was only for him. Elizabeth swallowed her smile again. How amusing to see the high and might Mr Darcy ordered about by a cousin.

Darcy did not have a chance to reply before Lady Catherine swept away, Anne in tow.

...

By the time Elizabeth was heading back to her cabin she was exhausted. Mentally parrying with Caroline whilst being on guard against Darcy's disapproval had worn her down and she was looking forward to sleeping it off. Jane, who was rather silent with a dreamy expression on her face, seemed to have enjoyed herself and she supposed that was enough for her.

Elizabeth nudged her shoulder, careful to avoid knocking her arm, "that went well!"

"Oh it did!" And that was enough for Jane to begin talking about how wonderful Mr Bingley was.

Elizabeth did not have to speak for the rest of the evening and settled in to bed with a quiet "good night Jane," about half an hour later.

...