Disclaimer: cqofegypt does not own Titanic.
Sorry this took so long, guys! I'm working and taking classes for ASL Interpreting This summer should be a lot easier though.
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As he followed the men down to Captain Jones' office, Thomas Andrews wondered what in blazes had happened that couldn't wait until the morning.
He had come so close to asking Rose DeWitter to marry him…
So close…!
As he thought about his dream girl, Thomas made the mistake of zoning out, much to the annoyance of Bruce Ismay.
"I'm sorry, what was it you said?" he asked sheepishly, the captain's low chuckle sounding in his ears.
"I said, you need to consider speeding up the boilers, Tom. It's no use wasting time and money if we can't make the deadline!'
"Well then, Mr. Ismay, I'd say that if you want to steer the ship and command the crew, the engineers, and give worry to the passengers as to why we are heading toward an ice storm, then by all means… full speed ahead"
The Captain roared with laughter, which caused Ismay to open and shut his mouth indignantly like a goldfish.
"I- well…I…" Ismay stammered.
"Listen to me" Thomas growled. "If you so much as place one man's life in danger for the sake of your precious headlines, then so help me, everyone who is placed in danger or dies because of your pig headed stupidity, may their blood rest on your head!"
With that, the hot-headed Irishman stormed out of the office, back to his stateroom to cool down.
Heavens knew that with their unfortunate meeting this morning, he needed to be at his utmost for Rose this evening…
He prayed she would still have him, even with Bruce Ismay's demanding ways and constant dragging him off to places unknown…
Little did he know, his relationship with Rose was unravelling strand by precious strand…
Ruth DeWitter sat in the corner of the Countess of Rothes' room, mending a tear in one of her ball gowns.
It was frightfully upsetting how unfortunate lace was torn and difficult to mend or replace…
During this time both of the Count and Countess sat in their sitting room, speaking idly to each other, he reading the morning paper that had been provided, and she busy with her embroidery.
It stung Ruth's heart to a point, missing her darling Charles so… but by and by she shook her head and continued mending the dress.
Be it the Lord's will that the misunderstanding between Thomas and her darling Rose would be mended carefully and work out perfectly in the end.
Ruth still couldn't believe the utter lie that had been told about Thomas being married and having a child!
Of all of the outlandish, ridiculous, manipulative…
Could it have been Jack who said this?
She didn't know the boy well at all, but Rose had told her of his bold attempt to make love to her…
It set her teeth on edge it did…
If that boy dare insult her daughter, then spread those vicious lies, she would…
There was a loud knock on the door, to which Ruth stood up, but was stopped with a kind smile and shake of the head from the Count who stood up to answer it.
"Glenda! You're back early… the wind too much for you?" the Count teased.
"N-no Uncle… mm" she noticed Ruth, who nodded politely and stared at her.
The girl was beautiful, dark and fair…with an expression of apprehension or…
Was it guilt?
"You see Uncle, Aunt… Angelica and I have done something rather foolish… and we're not sure what to do about it…"
The Uncle and Aunt looked at each other, then back at the young ladies.
"Go on… what've you done?" the Count demanded.
"It- it's about the shipbuilder, Mr. Andrews" Angelica said timidly…
Ruth gasped, instantly regretting what she'd thought a few moments ago about Jack.
"Yes…" the Count drawled, frowning more and more each second.
"Well… we might have caused his upcoming marriage to… um"
Both the Count and Countess raised an eyebrow. The shipbuilder was engaged?
"Come on you two… out with it!" The Count roared.
"George!" the Countess scolded.
"Girls…" Ruth started, then glanced at the Countess apologetically… "Forgive me, Countess, if I may… Mr. Andrews is engaged to my daughter, Rose"
The Count and Countess raised an eyebrow. Well… that was a bit of news…
The Countess nodded kindly at Ruth to continue.
"Now girls… I want an honest answer out of ye" the girls looked at her in confusion. What was an Irish maid doing here, and why was she questioning them?
"Thomas Andrews is engaged to my daughter, Rose" Ruth said, gaining confidence every second.
"Now, did you say something to her about it...?"
Glenda winced. Angelica sniffed haughtily.
"Girls" the Count growled.
"Yes" Glenda whispered.
"Well, not to her exactly…" Angelica said in defense, then glared as Glenda pinched her.
"We were talking about Mr. Andrews and we passed her. She overheard us"
Ruth nodded. "Was it true?"
The girls shook their heads.
"Who put you up to it?" Ruth asked.
"N-" Angelica started, then squeaked when Glenda pinched her again.
"Gabriela Macy" Glenda murmured.
"What was promised?" the Count frowned, standing with both arms across his chest, scowling harshly at the two girls.
"This" Glenda whispered, pulling out the satchel of money.
"Right… that's it" the Countess said. "From now on, you both are to be punished. Angelica, I will notify your godparents, and as for you, Glenda, there will be no touring for six weeks."1
Both girls gasped. "B-but it's the start of the American Season! We're on holiday!"2
"You both should have thought about that before you took a bribe and tried to break a couple's marriage apart" the Count scowled.
"Mrs. DeWitter, I believe this belongs to you" he smiled as he gave her the satchel of money.
"Tisn't mine, but since it is free money, I'd say it'd make a nice wedding present" Ruth smiled gratefully.
"That it would" said the Count, as the Countess agreed, nodding. "Please, give them our best and heartiest congratulations"
"I will… thank you both" Ruth curtsied. "Farewell, ladies… remember, the truth will set you free"
Both girls curtsied. "Yes ma'am" they said.
Ruth smiled and left the room, down to her own quarters where she placed the money safely in her drawer until she saw Thomas again.
How she prayed that the young man would be able to set things to right again…
During that day, Rose had cried herself on and off again, into fitful bouts of sleep.
So much for doing chores today… she thought with a sniff, trying not to cry again.
She wondered if her mother was in her room.
Rose went out of her room, discovering Jack outside of it.
Ugh! Now what? She thought, not wanting to talk with anyone but her mother.
"Jack… what are ya doing here?" she asked.
"I was worried about you, Rose… are you ok?"
"I'm fine, thank you, now please excuse me"
Jack didn't move. If anything, he came closer.
"So, I heard you're engaged to Thomas Andrews" he said.
Rose gasped. What? Is that what Thomas meant? Is that why he had been so secretive?
All of the planning, his lovingly laying out her dress, and writing her love letter…
Had he planned to ask for her hand in marriage?
"N-no I'm not… what gave you that idea?"
"Just rumors" Jack said, nonchalantly. "So… you really gonna marry him?"
Rose didn't miss the sarcastic tone in Jack's voice.
"Whatever do you mean by that, Jack?" she asked.
"Just what I said, Rose… are you gonna marry that son of a…"
Jack hissed as Rose slapped him.
"Don't ye dare call my betrothed out of his name ever again!' she roared.
"Your what?!" he growled.
"Ye heard me you good for nothing toad… for all I know you're the one who started that rumor!" she hissed.
Jack instantly turned red, then barreled into Rose, tackling her to the bed, kissing her.
Rose struggled, trying to move, then screamed bloody murder.
"Shut UP!" Jack growled as he slapped her. "Shut up you little…" he tried to keep her still, all the while going for the back buttons on her dress…
CRA-CK! Something hard hit Jack's skull, dropping him like a sack of wheat to the floor.
Rose, terrified, looked up into the heavy breathing, enraged face of none other…
The shipbuilder.
A/n: dun dun DUN!
Tada! Lol Hope yall like!
A couple of points
Touring for six weeks- Sightseeing/ travelling/ shopping
Start of the American Season… on holiday- circa 1912 I assume like in London there would be 'seasons' in America as well. Parties, cotillions, balls ect. Holiday is English for Vacation.
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