Overprotective

Chapter III

I awoke in the morning on my own and rolled over onto my side. I drew my knees into my chest and stared blankly at the wall across from me. Last night was real. I remembered and once again felt so idiotic. I stumbled out of my bed and walked over to my dressing table to brush my own hair. I stubbed my toe on a dresser. I plopped into a chair and held onto my foot, waiting for the pain to go away.

There was a knock on the door. It was Emma, right on time. I called for her to enter. "Good morning, Meredith." she smiled, "See, I remembered."

"Thank you." I was still holding my toe.

"Oh my. Are you alright?" She kneeled down and looked at my foot.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just stubbed my toe. It will be okay in a few minutes."

Emma began to brush my hair for me. "How was your night? You were picked up by that handsome young gentleman. And I came by after dinner to assist you in getting ready for bed but you weren't back yet."

"I was not with him. I was visiting a friend of mine. That didn't exactly turn out well."

"What happened?" she asked while tying my hair back.

I then let it all pour out. I explained how I was mad at my brother, and how they fooled me last night, and how absolutely embarrassed I was now.

"That's awful. What terrible boys. They should be ashamed of themselves!" She exclaimed. Then she motioned for me to stand up and follow her over to my wardrobe to pick out an outfit for the morning. I pointed to a light blue outfit similar to what I wore when I boarded the ship.

She helped me into one of those dreadful corsets again. "I don't think I can look at him. It's too mortifying. I made an idiot of myself. I can't believe I thought he was interested in me. He was only interested in patching up things between my brother and I. That's an impossible task in the first place and it's also none of his business."

"He was only trying to help, but you're right, it wasn't his place to attempt to reunite you with your brother."

She fit me into my outfit and then put some light make up on me. I preferred that because with a ton of make up I felt like a painted canvas, and not a good one.

"You did a wonderful job." I complimented her work. "And thank you for listening to my rambling."

"I like to listen to people. It makes me feel useful."

"Trust me, you're very useful."

Aunt Gwen walked in. "Meredith, hurry now. We need to go eat."

"I'll see you later." I said to her and she nodded before leaving.

Aunt Gwen and I walked out of my room and I locked the door behind me.

I went around the corner and bumped into a male body. "I'm sorry." I exclaimed in surprise until I saw who it was. "Leave me alone." I walked faster.

"Meredith, please. Talk to me." Harold followed me.

"Excuse you, but who are you and why are you following my niece?" Aunt Gwen demanded.

"Aunt Gwen, it's me, Harold."

"Harold? My brother George's boy? The run away?"

"Yes." he let his head hang down.

I spoke up, "He's been following me and harassing me. I do not like it."

"I have not been harassing you! I only wanted to talk! Beside, you're the one who got violent and slapped me!"

"Meredith Lowe! You slapped him?!" Aunt Gwen was appalled. A refined lady should never become violent, in her opinion.

"I…. I was angry. I do not care to speak to my former brother, and I wish he would leave me alone. I no longer wish to know him."

Harold was silent.

"Well then, Harold, it was good to see you. But your sister is under my care and she no longer wishes to deal with you. I must agree. It would be best if you do not come near her again during this voyage."

He looked apologetic. "Goodbye… Enjoy your life. Take care of yourselves." and with that, he walked away down the corridor.

I felt depressed because once again my brother had left and was never going to return into my life. Only this time I had pushed him away. This was what I wanted, right? I wanted him gone and he is… So why do I miss him?

Aunt Gwen and I decided to have tea in the morning at the café on board the ship. We didn't really speak, mainly because we had nothing of which to form a conversation about. We had nothing in common and had both barely seen each other during our lifetimes.

I saw Spencer walk in with his parents. Adam was no where to be seen. He locked eyes with me from across the room and to my dread he approached.

"Good morning, Meredith. And good morning to you, Mrs. Quinley." he greeted us with a smile.

"Spencer, could I speak to you for a moment?" I asked. He nodded and I rose from my wicker chair. He and I found an empty corner. "I wanted to ask you about last night. When you kissed me on the cheek."

"Oh… That was merely a friendly gesture." he explained hurriedly.

"Forgive me, but I'm unfamiliar with that one. Perhaps I was mistaken to suppose there was something more to it."

"There was nothing to it at all, alright?!" he snapped.

"No need to get angry with me. I was only asking-"

"Fine!" he yelled. I remained silent and mildly afraid. "I'm sorry. It was a rough night and I didn't get much sleep. My parents were arguing with Adam for hours about that girl."

"What about her?"

"They wouldn't say. Only that she is bad. Adam won't listen to them."

"He shouldn't. Clarissa is a kind girl as far as I know, and he's obviously quite taken with her. If he cares about her then I believe he should pursue it."

"My parents believe otherwise. I'm staying out of it, and I advise you do the same. It isn't our business."

"Right…" I remembered last night again.

"How was last night?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, feeling slightly defensive.

"I mean did you get back to your room alright? Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. Yes, everything was fine." I wasn't going to even explain last night. It was embarrassing and I didn't wish to spread it around.

We were both silent for a moment.

"I guess I'll leave you to your tea." he started to walk away.

"Wait." I grabbed his arm, "I'll see you later, won't I?"

"Of course." he smiled, "You know you can't get rid of me."

He left to go join his parents and I returned to Aunt Gwen. "What was that about?" she asked.

"Nothing. I was thanking him for taking me to dinner last night."

She looked disbelievingly at me, but then went back to enjoying her tea.

That afternoon I was on the deck, enjoying the sunlight that warmed my cheeks every few seconds between the gusts of ocean breeze.

I saw a young couple strolling down the deck and laughing. Then I noticed it was Adam and Clarissa. "Well hello, Meredith."

"Enjoying the lovely afternoon weather?"

"Yes, very much." Clarissa commented.

"Clarie and I were just out for a walk." he explained.

"You both seem to be hitting it off rather well."

"Yes, we are." Clarissa smiled at Adam genuinely.

"I'm very happy for you two."

"I only wish my parents were…" he stated sadly, "I don't know why they don't like Clarissa." he looked to her, but she turned away discreetly.

"I'm sure everything will work out."

They soon went on their way, and I returned to my walk, stopping by the railing to look out at the sun glittering across the ocean.

"Meredith…" I turned, and there was James. I looked down at the deck. "Please allow me to explain."

"Alright then. Explain." I demanded softly and folded my arms.

"I was only trying to help you and Harold. I shouldn't have interfered-"

"You're right." I interrupted, not caring how rude I was being.

"I didn't mean to confuse you or to hurt you."

"You didn't…"

"Don't lie. I know I did. I feel awful. Harry does too."

"Well he won't be bothering me anymore." I said mournfully, but trying to hide it.

"I've never seen Harry try so hard at anything. He really does care."

"Unfortunately for my brother, I don't care at all. Tell him to give up."

"He'll be heartbroken."

"He shouldn't feel heartbroken. He broke a lot of hearts when he left. You should have seen my parents. My mother was hysterical."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm also sorry about that idiotic plan last night."

"I'm sorry for my misinterpretation."

"Perhaps it wasn't a misinterpretation…"

I stared at him curiously, "What?"

"You might not have been so wrong to assume something more."

"Why didn't you push me away?" I snapped at him, desiring a straight answer.

"I didn't want to…" he confessed, his sweet brown eyes looking at me from under the brim of his hat.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my heart beating rapidly in my chest.

"I mean if your brother hadn't shown up, I probably would have… you know…"

"No, I don't know. What are you talking about?"

"I would have done this." He gently grabbed my shoulder and pulled me towards him, awkwardly kissing half of my mouth and half of my face. He pulled away in a second and blushed, although perhaps his face was just red from the cold.

"I apologize. That was wrong of me."

"No." I grabbed his arm and brought him over to a more hidden area of the deck. I put my hands on the back of his neck and kissed him full on the lips. "That's how it's done." I grinned at the goofy smile on his face. "Although we do have a bit of an issue here. We don't really know each other very well."

"Very true." he offered me his arm, "I have a few minutes. Would you like to get to know each other? Then we can decide what to do with this 'awful' situation." he was smiling so handsomely I couldn't say no.

I took his arm and we walked down the deck.

I told him I was born in Wales and had four older brothers. He told me he was born in England and had two brothers and a sister. His mother had been deceased for thirteen years, and he missed her terribly. I spoke of my friends back home. They were mostly boys. They taught me how to fish, have sword fights with sticks, and a few of them taught me how to kiss. But that's a whole different story.

We must have been walking for a half hour just shooting the breeze when an older officer came by.

"Moody, you were supposed to be back on bridge a while ago." this man had a gentle face and spoke in a friendly tone.

"Alright. I'm sorry Mr. Murdoch." he left go of my arm. "By the way, sir, this is Harold's sister."

"Ah, yes, I heard about you." he looked at me, "I also heard you slapped him two days ago. I am in the presence of greatness." he bowed.

James grabbed his arm and pulled him back up, "Stop flattering the woman and let's get to work."

"Right. It was nice meeting you, Miss Lowe."

"It was nice meeting you too, sir."

"I'll see you later, Meredith." James said, and then leaned in closer, "I'll find you."

I nodded and watched them walk away.

Once they were out of sight I placed my hand over my heart and learned against a wall. He actually had feelings for me too. I was over the moon. It wasn't love, but I did have a feeling inside my chest of excitement and joy. My heart would not slow down, but I liked it.

I wandered around aimlessly in a cloud until my aunt found me by the A deck promenade. She was with a few other women.

"Ladies, this is my niece, Meredith Lowe." she introduced me, with that fake smile of hers.

"Lovely to meet you all." I stated politely to the ladies.

"She is coming with me to New York so we can arrange a proper marriage for her."

I froze.. The happy sounds of the ladies around me all faded. How could I forget about the reason I was here? To be married… What was I going to do now? I could see what happens, I suppose. Besides, I am twenty one years old. I could do whatever I want. My life is my choice. I think…

"Perhaps you should take my son into consideration, Gwen." laughed Mrs. Welch from the back of the group. "My eldest is twenty three."

"I'll certainly keep that in mind, Trina." my aunt replied. "Will I see you for dinner, Meredith?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'll be there."

"Good." They all went on their way, chatting and gossiping.

I approached one of the promenade deck windows and looked out. The water looked calm, but in my mind I could see stormy waters ahead. Whatever was going to happen in the future would not be easy, but I'd have to overcome it somehow.

I retired to the ship's library for the remainder of the afternoon and spent my time reading until it was time to return to my stateroom to dress for dinner.

Emma was walking down the hall the same time as I and we met by my door. I opened it and let her in. "How was your day, Meredith?"

"It was pretty good." I replied, remembering earlier. "How about yours?"

"It was alright. No different than the past few. I've been dealing with nasty women all day. They just love to verbally abuse the stewardesses."

"I'm sorry. First class women can be that way. They feel they're better than everyone, even though they're not."

She made me sit down and began to touch up my make-up.

"Emma, can you keep a secret?"

"Of course."

"Today I saw James. And he apologized, and we discussed everything…"

"That's good."

"Then he kissed me."

"Oh really, Meredith? He did? That's fantastic. How was it?"

I smiled, remembering the way he awkwardly only kissed half of my mouth, "It was sweet."

I was happy that now Emma would call me by my first name as I'd asked her to. I was also glad that she would talk to me like a real person. I know she was only a stewardess, but I needed friends. I've always been a little shy, but I try to make friends wherever I go. It looks like I've been successful with that on the Titanic.

She tied my corset, a pain I'd quickly gotten accustomed to. Then she helped hook me into and olive green and black dress.

Aunt Gwen walked in, "Almost ready, Meredith?"

"Yes." I replied just as Emma hooked the last button on the back of my dress. "Thank you." I said to Emma, who then left after curtsying to my aunt.

I picked up my small purse and locked my door behind me. Off we went to dinner.

In the dining room, people were dressed in their best, as usual. "Meredith!" I turned and saw Adam.

"Hey. Where's Spencer?"

"I'm not sure. I lost him somewhere in here. He's been looking for you, you know. All afternoon."

"Oh really? I was on the deck. I guess he just didn't check there." Spencer was starting to confuse me. He was only my friend. Was he content with that? "So where is Clarissa?"

"She decided not to eat with me tonight. My parents were being too judgmental about her for some reason."

I nodded. Should I tell him about what my aunt told me? No. It wasn't my business. They'd figure it out themselves.

Spencer came up to his brother. "Adam, Mother is looking for you. We're eating over there." he pointed to the corner of the room, and then looked to me. "Hello Merry. Joining us tonight?"

"Possibly." I was actually considering trying to find Clarissa. Since she appeared to be unwelcome at Adam's table. I didn't want her to be eating all alone.

I looked around, trying to find her, and politely smiling and nodding to the people walking past me. I felt like I really didn't belong here. I wasn't of noble breeding like the rest of them. I didn't walk like them or talk like them. I certainly didn't act like them. I was different. No other way to put it. I was just plain old different. As I passed these first class passengers, these grand and almost royal people, I could feel them looking at me. Looking at me like they could sense I didn't belong among them.

I saw Clarissa all alone at a table. She was staring at the strangers pass her, while wringing part of her skirt in her hands nervously.

"Clarissa, how are you? May I sit here?" I asked once I approached her.

"Of course you may, and I'm well. How about yourself?"

"I'm fine. How is everything with you and Adam?"

"Fine…"

"I just saw him. He mentioned you weren't going to eat with him tonight."

"That's because his family hates me. His mother especially."

"But why?"

She was quiet.

"Clarissa, whatever it is, you can tell me. I won't judge you at all."

"Well…" she bit her lower lip as she thought about how to word it. "I had an affair with a married man back in England. After most people got wind of it, he broke it off. Now I'm on my way to America to move on from this. I was hoping most people wouldn't know about it here, but apparently they do. Mrs. Welch included."

"Does Adam know?"

"No, he doesn't. His mother didn't say a word of it to him and neither have I. I suppose I'll have to tell him eventually."

"Maybe there is a chance he'll never find out."

"No… he'll find out… People talk. Plus, I- never mind."

"No, what?"

Her voice dropped to a barely audible whisper. "I'm pregnant."

"Oh my." So Aunt Gwen was right. Poor dear…

"Yea… I don't know what I'm going to do, Meredith."

"I'll help you out. Go to New York with me. We'll take the city by storm and paint the town red. And when your little one arrives I'll assist you. I love children."

"I should… I have no other plans. I sort of boarded Titanic on a whim. I thought it might be the answer. They called it the ship of dreams, so I assumed it might hold the key to whatever answers I'm searching for. Silly, right?"

"No, not really. I was forced to come aboard by my aunt, but I'm finding that some things on this ship aren't so bad. It's been an interesting voyage so far, to say the least. And it's only been three days."

"I am glad I chose the Titanic. I met Adam, and he's a wonderful guy. I just met him but I feel like I've known him forever, you know? I met you too, and you seem like a very nice person. You listen and you aren't judging me like everybody else. Thank you, Meredith."

"You're welcome, Clarissa. Anything you need, just let me know."

The waiter came by and took our orders, and Clarissa and I spent the rest of the evening joking about things. She was a good friend. She had a warm personality, despite the hurt she's been enduring. I admire spirits like that. The ability to remain personable and cheerful in the face of public scrutiny and heartache is what I consider to be an important virtue.

After dinner, Clarissa and I walked up to the deck to take in the air and the ocean breeze. I really enjoyed the salty scent in the air, and the freezing cold woke me up from the humdrum daze I acquired.

"Well hello, ladies." Spencer said from behind us. We turned to see the Welch boys out on the deck with us.

"Fancy seeing you two beauties out here." Adam flashed a handsome smile. He loved to say gentlemanly compliments sarcastically. I must admit, it was a bit amusing, no matter how irritating.

"Isn't it a bit cold for you two to be walking about?" I asked.

"I was going to ask you two the same thing." Spencer gestured to the way I was rubbing my exposed arms.

He took off his tuxedo jacket and handed it to me. I put up my hand to refuse it but he had already begun draping it around my shoulders. "Thanks." I murmured.

Adam followed this example and did the same for Clarissa. He went a step further and wrapped his arms around her tightly. She giggled, and they looked truly happy. If only the poor boy's parents would realize this.

Spencer made a move towards me like he was going to do the same thing, but then he stopped and put his hands into his pants pockets.

"How was dinner?" I asked, trying to break the odd silence between him and I. Adam and Clarissa were giggling and having a conversation all their own.

"It was fine, I suppose. I had hoped you'd be joining us though." he actually looked disappointed.

"I felt bad that Clarissa was all alone. I didn't want her to be by herself for dinner, so I ate with her."

Spencer was about to say something, when James walked over. "Hello all. Hell of a night, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is." I couldn't contain a smile as he stared right at me.

"Meredith, I was wondering if I could please speak to you. It's something in regards to your brother."

"I don't want to hear about my brother. I-" then I noticed his wink and realized this was just an excuse. "On second thought, it may be important."

James took my hand and led me down to a small hidden area on the deck. "I've been thinking about you." he stated while still holding my hand.

"I've been thinking about you too. All day."

I couldn't quite see him well in the poor lighting on the area of the deck, but I could tell he was looking at me.

"So… Where were we when we last saw each other?"

I placed my hands on his shoulders, "I believe we were right about here…" and I leaned in to give him a sweet kiss.

As we pulled apart slowly, we laughed from happiness. I was too much in a cloud of my own joy that I didn't notice a very jealous Spencer Welch watching two silhouettes embracing in a dark corner of the deck…

I'm working on chapter 4 right now. Please be patient. I'm trying. Anywho, thanks for reading chapter 3. I'll update as soon as possible. Please review. Thanks!