A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long! I hope you enjoy it despite the wait!
Chapter 4: The RMS Titanic
Summary: The day has finally come: Elizabeth and Brently board the Titanic.
Elizabeth had hardly a wink of sleep the entire night before the day of her departure. Between what had happened during the day and what would happen the next day, her mind was restless and wouldn't allow her much sleep. By the time the sun rose on the morning of the ninth, she was wide-awake and ready to start her morning.
At six thirty she decided to get up, forsaking the idea of getting a few extra minutes of sleep. She knew it was rather early for the rest of the girls to be up, so upon remembering the incident in the bathroom from the previous day, she took advantage of her early awakening to take a long soak in the tub. Elizabeth's bath ended an hour later, when the rest of the girls who were still at the school began to stir.
Earlier in the week, Elizabeth had purchased several new dresses for her journey home, and she was excited to be wearing one of them today, a traveling dress that Elizabeth had fallen in love with the moment she saw it. It was a dark blue skirt and blazer combination, and the jacket had white lace cuffs around the sleeves. The jacket also had wide lapels and big white sash around the waist. She had a matching hat, of course, with large flowers pinned above the brim. If it were Elizabeth's choice, the hat would have been forgotten, for she thought they were garish and too big. But since they were the norm for fashion, and as a lady she was expected to wear one, she put up with the overlarge monstrosities perched atop her head.
Since it was still rather early, and she didn't expect Brently until around noon, she didn't fully dress with the blazer or hat. Her white silk blouse would suffice just fine while she waited. She folded the blazer and her white gloves on her bed neatly and set her hat next to them. Then, she stared at her bed sadly. She would never sleep in it again. Elizabeth sighed and decided to go and have breakfast.
Elizabeth could hardly remember ever being so anxious for anything in her life. Though she wasn't looking forward to traveling with Brently, who she was sure would take every opportunity to display his wealth, she could hardly wait to set foot on the grand ship. She hadn't a clue of what it would look like, but she liked to close her eyes and imagine. She would be like a princess, in her own room, traveling back to her homeland. The thought made her feel warm inside.
Still, somewhere in the back of her mind, she felt some foreboding of what would come when she arrived home. Elizabeth knew the next week would be her final days of freedom before she was kept away, safe from the rest of the world, for the rest of her life. This thought frightened Elizabeth, so she tried her best to push it from her mind and focus on the day's impending events.
By ten o'clock that morning, Elizabeth was so eager that she couldn't even bare to sit still anymore.
"Elizabeth, dear," Headmistress Collingsworth said, as Elizabeth roamed the hallways purposelessly. "You are pacing. Have your trunks been packed? And your dormitory cleared?"
"Yes, headmistress, it's all done. I haven't a clue of what to do now. Brently isn't due for two more hours. It's dreadful waiting," said Elizabeth, shaking her head.
"I know, dear, but you'll be leaving soon enough. I have a feeling these last few hours here will mean much more to you once you've gone. Maybe just pacing about isn't the best way to spend the time," Headmistress Collingsworth said with a loving smile.
"You're right," Elizabeth replied.
"That's a good girl," said Headmistress, resting a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "Or should I say, young lady. Run along now, don't tarry about inside. It's a lovely day, you know."
Elizabeth smiled back at her headmistress and continued on her way. She decided to go to the garden, which was located in the back of the school. The garden was her favorite place at school, and she spent many a day wandering its paths during fall, while the leaves changed, winter, when the trees and benches were frosted and the ground coated in snow, and spring, while everything came to life again.
She left out the back door and walked to the path, which led to the freshly pruned garden. It was artfully done, and now that spring was in the midst, the flowers and trees were just beginning to blossom. It was a cool day out and the sun was shining brightly in the sky. Elizabeth breathed deeply as its rays hit her face. She walked along the path, remembering the last eight years she spent at the Hampton School.
She had arrived a slightly spoiled young girl, completely oblivious to the world outside of which she lived. Elizabeth was so used to everything being handed over to her, and it wasn't until only a few years previously that she had really gotten grasp of how lucky she was. She hated to admit that she probably wouldn't know how to live self-sufficiently, but being at school had taught her to be at least a little more independent. Elizabeth wished she could be more, though. If she could exist in the world she was accustomed to, but be her own person and not live to be married off and have children. But nothing could be perfect, and as all young women were supposed to do, she would just have to grin and bear it.
The clean spring air refreshed Elizabeth completely. She smiled to herself as she walked the path solitarily. She couldn't believe that in just a few hours she would be leaving her for good. The friends she had made here would hopefully last, and she couldn't wait to write them once she arrived home. And Liam, Elizabeth planned to write him while she was on the ship. He had given her his address the previous day, and she knew he would enjoy hearing from her while she was aboard the Titanic, even if he didn't receive it until after she had already gotten home. She would invite him to her cotillion, too. She wanted her parents to meet him.
After some time spent to herself reminiscing and spending the last of her time in a better way, Elizabeth decided to go back to the school for tea. When she got there, a group of remaining students, including several of her dear friends, greeted her.
"Some of your friends wanted to do something special," Headmistress Collingsworth said, ushering her into the group of girls. "We thought we'd surprise you."
Elizabeth was surprised and very happy. Hadley rushed to her side, and gave her a quick squeeze.
"I couldn't let you leave without a proper send-off!" she said.
"Thank you so much!" Elizabeth said, smiling fondly at her best friend.
Elizabeth followed the girls into the tearoom, where she found many small deserts set around at the several small tables.
"These look delicious!" Elizabeth cooed, leaning over a tray of puff pastries and ladyfingers. She then helped herself to them, and then took a seat next to Hadley.
"I can't believe you're leaving today!" Hadley said, pouring the two of them tea.
"I know," Elizabeth said, looking at her friend sadly. "It seems like just yesterday we were starting out here, and now we've graduated."
"You must write me once you arrive home. I want to know all about the Titanic."
"Of course I will!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Wouldn't it be grand if you met a gentleman aboard?" Hadley teased, raising her eyebrows.
"Oh, stop. I don't think my parents would appreciate me bringing home a man. That would ruin all of their plans, I'm sure."
"A lovely first class one. They wouldn't have anything to complain about."
"My mother would. If she didn't at least select him for me to meet, she would complain," Elizabeth said, rolling her eyes.
"You should be happy you get to pick. Some of us aren't as lucky," Hadley said slowly, looking to her lap.
Elizabeth didn't quite know what to say. She knew Hadley's arranged marriage was a delicate subject. "Well, when I get home there is a very large chance that I'll have a husband waiting for me there."
Hadley looked at her friend sadly. "Oh, Elizabeth. Why must you go? I don't know what I'll do without you."
Elizabeth embraced Hadley. "I'll miss you so much."
"Why can't we be eight years old again?" Hadley laughed. "Back then we didn't have to worry about husbands or any of this rubbish that we worry about now."
Elizabeth nodded, and then a bell rang from the entranceway, making the girls jump.
"That must be Mr. Carrington," Headmistress Collingsworth said, vacating her seat and rushing to get the door.
Elizabeth looked at Hadley, and the two of them followed their headmistress. The other girls followed as well.
Headmistress answered the door, and on the other side stood Brently Carrington. He looked as debonair as ever, standing there in his crisp suit, his dark hair combed back neatly and small smirk on his lips.
Hadley squeezed Elizabeth's arm slightly and Elizabeth shook her head.
Elizabeth approached him slowly as he stepped inside. He took her hand and kissed it lightly, making the younger girls who stood behind them giggle quietly.
"Are you ready, Elizabeth?" he asked.
"I believe so," Elizabeth said, looking around and noticing all of her trunks resting on the other side of the door.
"My driver will take care of those," Brently said, motioning to the trunks. "If you're ready, then we should be off. Our train leaves an a half-hour's time."
"Right, then," Elizabeth said. She turned around to see her friends standing behind her. She could feel her throat beginning to tighten and her eyes began to well some. She walked over to Hadley, whom she hugged once more.
"I'll miss you so much," she said.
"And I'll miss you," Hadley said, a small tear running down her cheek. "Remember to write!"
"I would never forget!" Elizabeth replied. Then, she turned to Headmistress Collingsworth.
"Headmistress," she said.
"Oh Elizabeth, dear. I will miss you. You've been such a pleasure. You've grown into a fine young woman, and I wish you the best of luck," Headmistress Collingsworth said, hugging Elizabeth.
"You've been like a mother to me these past years. Thank you for everything you've taught me," Elizabeth said, looking into the face of her headmistress.
"It has been my pleasure. Now you best get going. Have a safe trip."
Elizabeth nodded and waved at the girls who had gathered to see her off.
"Goodbye," they chorused together. "We'll miss you!"
Elizabeth had one final look around the place that she had called home for eight years and felt a large amount of sadness creep through her. She didn't think leaving would be so hard. She looked away and followed Brently out the door, thinking that if she stayed longer she would never be able to leave.
Brently helped her into the back seat of the car, and the chauffeur loaded her trunks. She turned her head away from Brently so he would not see her face. She didn't want him to see her vulnerable like she was. He was not the type of man to display those feelings to.
The ride to the terminal was mostly quiet. Elizabeth didn't really know what to say to Brently, and she guessed that he didn't have anything to say to her. She did however, catch him watching her from time to time, but could never quite read him.
Once they arrived at the terminal, Brently and Elizabeth boarded the train. Elizabeth straightened her blazer and wished she could remove the hat that was perched atop her head before taking her seat. The decor of the train was very nice and Elizabeth particularly liked the rich brown color of the mahogany paneling. She sat back in her seat and prepared for a several hour trip to Southampton.
They were about a quarter of an hour into their departure to Southampton before Brently finally spoke.
"I think it's in order for me to wish you congratulations on finishing school," he said.
Elizabeth looked up to him. He was sitting upright in his seat, looking coolly at her. "Thank you very much, Mr. Carrington."
"Please, Elizabeth, call me Brently. We are traveling together," he said with a smile.
Elizabeth returned the smile, but only begrudgingly. She felt as though he was acting fake towards her. She favored to not continue the conversation, but to her dismay, he continued talking.
"I think you'll enjoy our accommodations on board the ship," he said.
"Do you? I'm sure they will be lovely."
"Have you even looked at your ticket?" asked, a small chuckle escaping his lips.
Elizabeth stared at him. "Of course I have."
"Then have you read the suite number?" he asked, smiling more.
Elizabeth felt an icy glare beginning to form and tried to soften it. He was treating her like a child. "Yes, I have read the suite number."
He looked at her still. When she said nothing in response, he said, "I'll leave it as a surprise, then. I really shouldn't have expected you to have known."
Elizabeth could barely keep from letting her jaw drop. Instead of responding to him, she focused her attention out the window and watched the speeding fields alongside them.
The rest of the ride to Southampton was silent.
When the train arrived at its destination, Elizabeth could only make out a bit of the White Star docks. There were more than one ship docked there, and she didn't try to make out which one could be the Titanic. A driver drove her and Brently to the South Western Hotel, where they were spending the night.
The two walked to the reception, and Elizabeth gave her father's name at the desk. The bellman walked the two to their separate rooms, and Elizabeth was quite happy once she knew where she was sleeping.
"My room is just across the hall here if you need anything," Brently said. "Shall I knock at seven o'clock for dinner?"
Elizabeth looked at him. "Yes, please."
He kissed her hand again, and Elizabeth looked away. He then disappeared behind his own door, leaving Elizabeth alone.
The room was very elegant and had a large bed in the middle. It looked dreadfully soft and warm, and suddenly Elizabeth felt tired. It was only just after three, so she decided to take a short nap before preparing for dinner.
After removing her shoes and blazer, she climbed into the bed. It was heavenly, and it only took a few moments for her to drift to sleep.
It seemed that Elizabeth was only sleeping for moments when a loud rap at the door awoke her.
"Elizabeth," she heard from behind the door.
Oh no, she thought to herself. She had been sleeping all this time. She was in no sorts ready to dine, not in the state she was in. She hurried to the door.
"Brently?" she called to the other side. "I don't think I'll be joining you this evening. I'm rather tired and not feeling well. You can go on without me."
"Are you sure? Would you like me to come in?" he asked.
"Oh no, that's not necessary. I'll be fine tonight. I'll need a good night's rest to be ready for tomorrow."
Brently paused for a moment. "All right, then."
Elizabeth sighed as she heard him walk away from her door. She decided to change out of her day clothes and into her nightdress. Then, she thought, she would write to Liam. She would put it in the hotel's mailbox tomorrow before they left.
After dressing, Elizabeth sat at the desk that was located on the opposite side of the room. It had stationary provided, and Elizabeth took a piece and a pen from the fountain. She began writing.
Dear Liam,
I'm sitting at a desk in my room at the South Western Hotel as I write this. I think you'll be amused to know that I fell asleep before dinner, and therefore could not get ready. That is why I'm writing you now, instead of being graced by the presence of Mister Brently Carrington over steak and wine. I thought I might write you before boarding the ship. I'm terribly excited for tomorrow to come. Brently suggested something about our staterooms. Although when he did so, he treated me like a child. Or maybe that's how he treats women in general, like they are lower beings than himself. It was this behavior that kept me from inquiring the subject further. I will see tomorrow, I suppose. I think I will go now, actually. I am quite tired, and tomorrow will be a very big day. I plan to write you while I am aboard. Hopefully I will hear from you once I arrive home.
With all my love,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth smiled to herself as she completed the letter. She sealed it in an envelope and labeled it with his address. Then she turned the light off and headed to the bed.
Now with the dark, waves of sleep washed over her and she fell silently to a slumber.
Elizabeth awoke rather early on the morning of the tenth. First class boarding began at 11:30, so she wanted to be sure she was ready. After bathing and dressing, she met Brently outside of his room to go down for a bit of breakfast and tea.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked, as they took their seats at a small table in the tearoom.
"Hmm?" Elizabeth asked, while buttering a croissant and pouring a cup of tea.
"Are you feeling better? From last night?" he asked again.
"Oh! Yes, I'm feeling much better, thank you. I just needed rest."
Brently chuckled. "It's good you're rested, for today will be quite the long one. At least we got to have a bit of a lie-in. Steerage started boarding at nine thirty, the poor souls."
Elizabeth chose not to respond to him.
By eleven o'clock, they had checked out of the hotel and caught a cab to the shipyard. Between the two they had so many bags, a separate cab had to be called to accommodate them all.
The cab pulled up and, upon seeing the grand leviathan, Elizabeth could not help but gasp.
"My God," she said, as she exited the cab.
It was enormous. The ship took up her entire span of view. It was tall, extremely tall, and had four large steam towers, the most Elizabeth had ever seen on a ship. She couldn't believe that that monster was what she would be traveling on. The sheer fact that it stayed afloat alone fascinated her.
"Are you coming, Elizabeth?" Brently asked, apparently taking pleasure at her enthrallment.
Elizabeth shook herself out of her reverie and followed Brently along. It was very crowded, and she made sure that she could see his dark haired head ahead of her at all times. She followed him up the boarding ramp, where they were greeted by crewmembers that checked their tickets.
Elizabeth felt dizzy with excitement. She had traveled first class on ships her entire life, but never could she remember anything so splendid. After showing their tickets to a steward, he walked them to their staterooms.
"C-55-57-59," he said, motioning for them to follow him. "Yes, one of our Parlour Suites. Very lovely."
When they arrived at the suit, Elizabeth felt like she had stepped into a dream. It was large, with a sitting room, bathroom, and two separate bedrooms. The décor was grander than anyplace Elizabeth could remember. She watched as her maid loaded her trunks into the room. Brently was standing on the other side of the room now, talking to the steward. Then, he walked to her.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
"It's beautiful," she replied. She was so astounded by the grandeur of the place she couldn't even fathom any bitterness towards Brently.
"Your parents wanted it to be a surprise. You know, there are two of what they are calling "Millionaire Suits" on the ship as well? They have private promenades. Bruce Ismay, you probably don't know who he is, but he's staying in one, and I believe Nathan Hockley's son is in the other," he informed Elizabeth, looking pleased with himself for knowing such information.
"Really?" Elizabeth pondered mindlessly. She truthfully was not too interested in whatever he wanted to tell her.
"The ship should be leaving soon. Would you like to go up to the deck and watch?" he asked, apparently not noticing Elizabeth's boredom towards him at the moment. But upon hearing where they would be going, Elizabeth really did want to see the ship leave the dock.
The two made their way from their suite to the first class promenade. It was crowded with many other passengers, all of them looking excitedly over the rail.
Elizabeth, too leaned over and couldn't help but smile. The water so far beneath them was rippling softly at the sides of the ship. Brently was talking to another man, so Elizabeth took solace in her time alone. The loud whistle from the Titanic blew, signaling that the ship was going to depart.
As the ship began to move, a young woman approached Elizabeth and stood next to her at the rail. She looked to Elizabeth and smiled.
"It's such a lovely day," Elizabeth said to the woman, feeling extremely calm as a breeze began to pick up from the slow moving ship.
The woman stared at her for a moment, and Elizabeth noticed that she looked very sad. "I suppose."
Then, from behind them a man's voice called, beckoning for the young woman.
"Come, darling I want you to see something," he said.
The woman looked over she shoulder and sighed. "It was very nice meeting you," she said to Elizabeth, and then excused herself.
As the Titanic picked up speed, Elizabeth thought their journey was surely over. The Titanic had a near collision with a smaller ship. For a fleeting moment, Elizabeth thought all of this was just a dream, too good to be true, but a stroke of luck carried the ship the other way, narrowly missing the smaller ship.
"Did you see that?" Brently asked, rushing over to Elizabeth's side.
"I did," she replied.
"I almost thought we wouldn't be leaving Southampton," he said with a laugh.
Elizabeth nodded.
"Were you planning on staying here longer?" Brently asked her after a few moments pause.
"Yes, I was, if you don't mind," Elizabeth said.
"All right, then. I believe I'm going to go to the smoking room. Be careful up here by yourself."
"I'll be fine," Elizabeth said. She was perfectly capable of staying safe without a chaperone standing over her shoulder.
Brently left, and Elizabeth found herself leaning over the railing again. The Titanic was at sea now, traveling at a much faster pace. She closed her eyes as the wind breezed through her hair, the tendrils of which tickled her cheeks as it was blown along. Standing there, she felt completely alone and free, and she wished it could stay that way.
A/N: I know, that chapter was probably entirely too long. Probably borderline unnecessarily long. But I couldn't think of anything to cut out of it, I just felt like I needed it all. But thank you if you read all of that, and please, leave me a review!
