Argh. I cant see reviews. I'm sorry. if theres something that needs attention please PM me. If not The system usually sorts itself out in a few days. so I look forward to finding out what you thought of my chapters!

oh, thanks for pointing out the timing mix up! whoops.

short chapter, but hopefully you'll enjoy. I'll try to get a second up this weekend but cant promise. Apologies for the french! I hope no one is too offended by the poor translations! plenty of E/D coming though!...

...

Sunday April 14th; 1305, ten hours and thirty five mins before iceberg.

...

The seven of them entered the dining salon and Georgiana looked around in wonder. It was not as spacious as first class, but still was very elegant. The mahogany chairs were upholstered in a crimson cushion and the white table cloths and crisp napkins added an elegant air. A small upright piano was along one wall and a musician was playing a pleasant melody. The people moving about were cheerful and good humoured and there was less of a stately air about their mannerisms.

Georgiana turned to Elizabeth and smiled excitedly.

"I have seen the first class dining salon, on one of my walks, but I had not ventured here. It is very splendid."

"Yes," Lizzie teased "not quite the derelict environment I am certain your brother assumed it was."

She shot a teasing look towards the gentleman in question and Darcy grinned "I think you are confusing my opinions with those of Caroline Bingley."

Elizabeth laughed "perhaps."

They were led to a table. The tables in second class were rectangular and long, unlike the oblong dining tables of the first class dining saloon. Edward sat at the head with Georgiana on one side and Alexa on the other. Next to Georgiana sat Darcy and then Elizabeth, by his engineering. Alexa sat next to her mother and Andrew sat to the other side of Mrs Gardiner. The rest of their table filled up with other people, some of whom the Gardiners greeted cheerfully and some just receiving a nod.

They fell in to easy conversation. The proximity of the seating meant it was possible for anyone to speak to anyone, although Elizabeth would find it hard to speak to Georgiana or her uncle without feeling as if she were leaning over Darcy.

She was pleased to hear her uncle strike up a conversation about music with Georgina and to ask her advice for Alexa. He was then content to sit back and watch the younger girls talk on.

Between Darcy, Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth there was conversation enough. The county of Derbyshire was discussed. Elizabeth had visited it the previous summer with her aunt and uncle and Darcy was amazed to discover she had seen his home.

"Yes, we visited Pemberley. Did we not Aunt? Although I cannot recall the exact date."

"I wonder if I was home." Darcy mused, his mind immediately filling with images of coming across Elizabeth on her tour.

"Oh, I believe the housekeeper. Mrs.." Elizabeth thought for a minute "Ren, no... Reynolds." She looked questioningly at Darcy, who nodded appreciatively. "Yes, she mentioned you were due on the morrow."

It would not have mattered anyway, he would not have approached an unknown visitor. If she were there now however! He smiled to himself.

"I am impressed you remember my housekeeper's name."

"Well, now that I think on it." She gave him a sheepish look. "Do you remember aunt? She was extremely complimentary about the Darcys."

Her aunt nodded. "I remember her being very loquacious, but you are right, she was full of praise for you two." She nodded at Georgiana who looked over for a moment.

Darcy grinned embarrassed "Oh, Mrs Reynolds is a gem."

The food was delicious, given that the foods were cooked in the same galley it was not surprising that the quality was equalled, the only difference with first being the lack of choices. Georgiana was shy but seemed comfortable in her young cousin's company. Her Aunt and Uncle were intelligent well read people and she knew that they had made a good impression.

Mrs Gardiner introduced her to the lady on her other side.

"Lizzie, this is Mary." She gestured at the lady who was perhaps a year or two younger than her but wore a very severe style of hair and dress more suited to an older lady. "Mary is accompanying her great aunt to America."

"That is kind of you, Miss Mary. Is your great aunt here today?" She asked politely.

"Oh, no!" The girls voice was one who sounded as if she rarely expected to be heard. Elizabeth felt immediately that if she had been one of her own sisters she would likely have been overlooked. Her new found self awareness prompted some warm feelings towards the girl.

"I do hope she is well." Elizabeth asked.

"Oh, Yes, I thank you. But she attended services this morning and needed to rest. She has not so much energy."

"Did she enjoy services?"

Mary smiled "yes, she is very devout. I often read to her from books of sermons. She particularly wished to hear Captain Smith on his last voyage. She has sailed with him before."

"Has she now?" Elizabeth asked "He seems to be a very affable captain."

Mary nodded "we spoke to him of his sermon and he thought my comments were insightful." She blushed and ducked her head.

"I am certain they were, and I am certain the captain was very pleased to have such a devoted young woman in his congregation." Elizabeth thought of Lydia and Kitty and suspected they had giggled and whispered the whole way through.

Elizabeth turned back to Mr Darcy, who had asked her a question. Between their group conversation continued easily and Elizabeth felt she had never enjoyed a meal more.

...

When their party rose it seemed to signal that people could greet them and they were suddenly surrounded. The Gardiners were well liked passengers, gregarious and friendly they had met many people on their trip. The addition of new people, from first no less, was quite the draw.

Georgiana moved closer to her brother but held her head high and Elizabeth smiled at her courage.

"Lizzie!"

She embraced her friend. "Charlotte! You remember Mr Darcy, this is his sister Miss Darcy. Miss Darcy this is my good friend Charlotte Lucas."

"How did you do." Her reply was soft.

"Dr Lucas." Darcy bowed.

Georgiana looked at her with wide eyes.

"Oh, none of that!" Charlotte declared.

Lizzie turned to Georgiana "Lady Catherine has lately sought Charlotte's services for Anne. Her father is a physician and has taught Charlotte a great deal. She was even at Sheffield university studying medicine but it is still tricky in England for a woman to get a degree. I assure you she is as much a doctor as any man can claim, more for she has been aiding her father since she was twelve."

Georgiana was very impressed. "Are you moving to America to see if one of the universities there will give you a degree?"

Charlotte shrugged. "If I can. But really, father and I just felt like a new start was in order. I believe English trained doctors are in demand. He is feeling like he would like to step back and maybe teach for a while and I could continue to practice under his supervision when necessary."

"A noble plan, and very worthy." Darcy commented. "My Aunt seems to like you, Anne was most insistent on consulting a female physician."

"Yes, she is a poorly one. But I have some ideas" she did not give more away.

A minute later Elizabeth heard a shriek of "libbet!" And then she was almost bowled over by a four year old.

"Ah momo!" Elizabeth bent and lifted the child "bonjoir. Comment ca va?"

"Bon." The little boy declared. "Jouer?"

"Pas maintenant. Another time. Hmmm une autre fois!"

He looked so crestfallen that Elizabeth could not help it.

"J'ai encore faim." She smiled at him "you look delicious. Did you eat your lunch, as-tu mange ton dejeuner?"

The boy nodded a smile already threatening.

"Excellent! Tres bien!" then she proceeded to tickle and pretend to eat the boy until he was giggling uncontrollably.

After a few minutes his father came up, looking halfway cross and amused.

"Je suis desolee. Miss Bennet."

"No problem." She turned back to the child "that's enough now, finis. I will see you soon."

She put him down and he stuck out his bottom lip but allowed himself to be taken away.

When she turned back Darcy had a such a tender expression on his face that she blushed.

"I probably shouldn't make him giggle so in public, but I find a child's giggles the most amazing sound. I think it can cheer anyone up."

Georgiana smiled and Darcy spoke "I don't I know anyone who could resist smiling at that sight." But he said it in such a way she felt there was a hidden meaning.

"Do you know them?" Georgiana asked.

"Oh No!" Elizabeth laughed. "Alexa and I spent a while cheering up momo when we were exploring the other day. He had gotten lost and so we played until his father found him."

"That was kind of you." Georgiana gushed. "Does he speak English?"

Elizabeth smiled slightly "very little, but my french is not so very bad and we understood each other quite well. Alexa speaks no french at all and yet they got on well. It is amazing how much of our conversation is through our gestures and our tone and not our words."

Georgiana looked thoughtful "you are correct, and I dare say the more you know someone the more you can speak without really speaking."

Elizabeth caught Darcy's eye and she knew he was thinking of her in a way that made her blush. She looked away for a moment then drew her courage together and looked back at him, raising her chin. His answering smile was subtle but she knew he approved of her courage and her opinion. She marvelled at how quick she had come to know the taciturn man in front of her.

Their interlude was interrupted by more people jostling for an introduction to the well dressed newcomers.

"I think it is time for us to go." Darcy said, looking at his sister, who was back to eyeing the crowd dubiously.

Elizabeth nodded but was surprised when Georgiana turned to her "would you care to take tea with us?"

She nodded and they all took their leave of the Gardiners and Charlotte, who were making their way to the second class promenade for a walk.