...

Saturday the 13th April, 1305, 1 day, 10 hours and 35 minutes until iceberg.

...

Elizabeth made her way to B deck, a mantra playing through her head. Please let him be waiting, please let him be waiting. She could not imagine how Caroline and Mr Darcy (for these were the likely architects of this situation) intended to keep Mr Bingley away from the for the rest of the voyage, meal times would be easy, they knew the Bennets were unlikely to dine anywhere other than the dining salon. As for the rest of the hours they would have to keep him to the smoke room, the gymnasium or swimming pool during gentlemen hours or their cabins. She sighed, she had to admit it was possible, if a little hard work. She could not imagine people going out of their way so much to thwart something so harmless as a gentleman interested in a Lady. But they were not rich and marriage in the first circles was as much a business transaction as a matter of the heart. Or, she wondered, should she consider that Mr Bingley was capricious in his attentions and had been put off by her families antics? She shook her head and hurried onwards, hoping that was not the case.

The two flights seemed to take an endless amount of time. Once on the correct deck she purposely hurried down the corridor opposite to the Darcy's suite. She did not wish to encounter either Darcy right then.

A quick glance around the aft grand staircase was enough to ensure no Darcys, nor Bingleys, were visible. She made her way more cautiously to the entrance of the cafe, not really knowing what she would say if she was seen.

The Cafe Parisiene was only half full, there was no Bingley in sight, Elizabeth sighed and walked more slowly back to the D deck dining hall.

Behind her, down the corridor in the A-la-carte dining room Caroline was scolding her brother.

"Charles, honestly, I do not know why you mope so!"

"I told you, Caroline! I had an engagement today."

"And so you did." Her voice was pitched low "I saw Jane this morning, she was sat with one of the gentlemen she danced with last evening! Darcy warned you of her disinterest and I saw it myself."

"But she was to meet me for Lunch!" Caroline rolled her eyes. "You did explain we were here?"

"Yes, of course I sent her the change of location. You saw me write the note!"

"But Caroline, She is not here."

"As I said, Charles, she is not interested. I suspect that when she realised she would not be alone with you she turned her attention elsewhere!"

Charles looked dejectedly at his plate whilst the rest of their party chattered around them. Caroline frowned to herself, keeping him from running off to Miss Bennet was going to be harder than she thought. She turned her attention to the gentleman to her other side, maybe she could persuade him to invite Charles to the gymnasium or for a swim, there would be no ladies allowed there in the afternoon.

...

Elizabeth took Jane to lunch in the dining hall. They sat with their family and looked around. Many people averted their eyes and Elizabeth suspected they were staring when she wasn't looking. She twisted her lips and looked back to her family. Kitty and Lydia were giggling together, her mother was shrieking and her father was alternating between chuckling and hiding behind a newspaper. Elizabeth rolled her eyes, it was four days old after all there was nothing he could possibly need to read.

Jane was morosely picking at her salad. She had eaten maybe three bites and her family had not seemed to have noticed her melancholy.

"Jane?" Both Lizzie and Jane jumped slightly at her mother's tone. "Where is Mr Bingley?"

Jane looked white and swallowed. "Uh.."

Elizabeth jumped in. "I went for a lovely swim this morning, I was thinking of going tomorrow, would anyone care to join me?"

"My Lizzie, did you enjoy swimming in a pool, in a ship, on an ocean?" Mr Bennet peeked from behind his paper, one eyebrow raised.

"Oh! Who cares about that! Why is Mr Bingley not here!" Her mother did not seem to understand tact.

"La! Jane! Were you not to dine with him?"

Elizabeth ground her teeth, her mother did these things by accident, it seemed Lydia talked on uncomfortable matters on purpose.

"Something came up." Lizzie interjected before her mother or silly sister could say anything else on the matter. "What has everyone got planned this afternoon?"

"Kitty and I are going to find some games to play!" Lydia giggled and winked at Kitty. "In fact." She jumped up, "you guys are so humdrum we will be on our way!"

Kitty scrambled up and after Lydia.

Mrs Bennet chuckled "Oh they are so good humoured. My Lydia! Always such fun! There were several young men last night that enjoyed dancing with her!"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, trying to look meaningfully at her father, who chuckled again and hid behind the paper.

"Oh but Jane, Mr Bingley! You must find him this afternoon, you do not wish him to find someone else aboard!"

"Come Jane!" Elizabeth stood, causing Mr Bennet to look up and Mrs Bennet to stop talking. "We should go for our walk."

"Yes! Go go! That might be where Mr Bingley is!"

"Mama!" Hissed Elizabeth as she led Jane away.

...

They walked for a short time, just to get moving and to have some fresh air, then Elizabeth suggested she should go and rest.

Jane looked at her. "Maybe I could knock on Miss Bingley's door, ask about Lunch?"

Elizabeth pressed her lips together. "If you wish."

Jane nodded.

"Would you like me to come with you?" She asked.

Jane shook her head "go, go enjoy your walk with Dr Charlotte. She sounds just lovely. I hope to meet her soon."

"You could come? A change of scene and society?" Elizabeth offered.

Jane shook her head "not today. I will not be good company."

Elizabeth watched sadly as her sister walked away, heading in the direction of their cabins. She turned on her heel, Jane needed to be alone and she needed to be distracted, else she might find a certain Mr B and give him a piece of her mind!

...

Saturday April 13th, 1445. 1 day 8 hours and 55 minutes until iceberg.

Elizabeth began to anticipate her walk as each step made her thoughts lighter. She admired Charlotte and found her an eminently sensible friend.

She made her way up to the covered promenade deck and then headed towards the second class stair well. Mostly second class could move through first with minimal disruption, but they would be reminded of their place if they tarried too long. She did not wish her friend to suffer any embarrassment and so was happy to meet her where their areas met.

Charlotte was just emerging as she reached the aft grand stair. Elizabeth immediately felt her spirits lighten further and she embraced her new friend warmly.

"I am not certain my presence deserves such a welcome, but I am glad to inspire it." Charlotte teased lightly.

"I have had a difficult day, I am afraid, and I am just happy to see you."

"Oh my dear." Charlotte said, linking arms with Lizzie. "Would it help to speak of it, or would you rather speak of something else?"

She told her a little, mostly the situation with Bingley and Jane. Glossing over her conversations with Darcy and Wickham, still uncertain what to make of it all.

"I am sorry for your sister. She seems a sweet girl, by all accounts, your Aunt and Uncle speak of her as such. It would far better to have happened to you."

Elizabeth startled a little but Charlotte placated her "not that I wish you heart break, but you would laugh it off far easier, Would you not?"

Elizabeth chuckled "I suppose so. But I am not certain she has been broken, yet. He is just being detained."

"That may be so, but what I would suggest you consider is this. If he is so easily swayed, maybe he is not worthy?"

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows but said nothing else.

"Now, let us speak on other topics? Hmmm?"

Elizabeth nodded and they completed a circuit of the deck speaking of plans in America and ambitions for their futures. Both ladies were ambitious, albeit in vastly differing fields, and they complemented each other well. Conversation flowed easily between the two intelligent women and Elizabeth felt herself relaxing.

They were just passing back in to the stair area when they heard a shriek coming from the direction of the first class lounge. They shared a glance and then picked up their skirts and started running towards the cacophony.

On entering the lounge, Elizabeth immediately perceived Lady Catherine shrieking and on the floor a shuddering Anne. Charlotte rushed over, pushing the floundering stewards out of her way. She knelt by the girl and gently turned her on her side, brushing the hair out of her face and cradling her head so she didn't hurt herself.

She turned to the stewards and fiercely told them to keep the other's away. She turned to Elizabeth and told her to get her medical bag, her father would have it in the 2nd class smoke room. Elizabeth nodded once and rushed away.

Charlotte turned to Lady Catherine, who was calming as Anne's movements calmed. She asked a few questions and then Elizabeth arrived with Dr William Lucas in tow.

Elizabeth watched as Charlotte spoke to Lady Catherine, then arranged for Anne to be brought back to her room, as she handled everyone around her. Elizabeth did not understand what Charlotte was talking about, some sort of new medicine to aid people with seizures. Every word she said spoke of her intelligence and compassion towards the, obviously ill, Anne.

She smiled at the woman in front of her, she was proud to call her a friend, she noticed Dr William had retreated, allowing his daughter to lead the way.

Lady Catherine, finally calmed, rose and declared

"You have been of great service Miss Lucas. I thank you." She turned away to follow the steward, who was aiding Anne, now just looking very tired. After a few steps she turned back "you will join me for dinner, tonight. Miss Bennet, you also."

Elizabeth exchanged a look with Charlotte, but they both nodded and thanked Lady Catherine. Dr Lucas declared his intention to leave and Elizabeth bid her friend goodbye. She invited Charlotte to her cabin to finish dressing for dinner, given that they were now to dine with the illustrious Lady Catherine. The friends agreed a time, embraced one last time, and then the father and daughter left together.

Elizabeth returned to her room thinking over the events. Quite the interesting afternoon on the Titanic.

Jane was in their room, looking unhappy but resigned.

"Oh Janey!" She said, sitting next to her.

Jane smiled, wanly, at her. "I am well."

"Did you see Miss Bingley? I can tell you have not seen her brother!"

Jane heaved a great sigh. "I knocked on her door. She said Mr Bingley was too busy with Mr and Miss Darcy, but that she would pass along a message that I was looking for him. I asked about meeting sometime but she said she could not say as her brother had many business associates to see before docking."

Elizabeth pressed her lips together to prevent the expletive she wished to offer.

"I shall have to accept that I was mistaken, or a passing fancy."

"Oh Jane!" Elizabeth sighed, not really knowing what else to say. Charlotte's words about Bingley's worthiness were fresh in her mind.

"Tell me of your afternoon."

Elizabeth accepted the change of subject gladly and began a recitation of her walk and the subsequent excitement.

...

Couple quick notes for sunday afternoon. There were some advances in the care of seizures around this time, so I am giving Charlotte some genuine credit here.

also, re movement between classes. its hard to say, from my research, how much mixing there was. most historians accept that 3rd could not get to first or second (so jack was unlikely to have spent time there easily) although there were definitely reports of first class inviting second to tea. the layout was so intermingled I find it hard to believe that there was a barrier, i suspect people just didnt venture out of their areas for fear of being told off. or just because 'it was not done!' for the purposes of my story Ive had E invite people and stick with them. But this is historical assumption rather than fact! :)