Chapter 6
Some time after lunch, Harlean sat down in a seat in the ship's library with a copy of 'He Knew He Was Right' and epic tale about a woman's husband suspecting her of an affair. She really had no idea why she had picked it, but it looked interesting enough.
As she began to read she mumbled softly under her breath. Several pages in and she suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked up to see the Ship's librarian, "Can I help you?" she asked.
"Miss you can't do that," he said.
Harlean looked confused, "Do what?" she inquired.
"Don't pretend you don't know. You've been doing it for the last two hours," he replied.
"But I don't know."
"You most certainly do know what you were doing!"
"Sir I do not!" Harlean cried, getting very frustrated now as she stood up and put her finger in the page to mark her place.
"Miss-"the man paused as an indication for Harlean to give her name.
"Carpenter," she said coolly.
"Miss Carpenter, I do not appreciate liars, and I know and everyone else in the library knows what you were doing. It's rude, in considerate, and annoying!"
Harlean was infuriated at this by now as she looked around and saw no one in the library, "You have no right to speak to me like this when I do not even have any idea what you are talking about!" she cried.
Just then Thomas Andrews was walking by the door of the library, he saw Harlean inside arguing intensely with the man and at first he thought it was not his place but then decided to go in and see what the matter was. He approached the girl and calmly said, "Harlean?"
She spun around, "Yes Mr. Andrews?"
"I couldn't help but over hear you are having quite the heated argument. Can I ask what the quarrel is about?"
"This man!" she pointed at the librarian, even though she had been raised to never point, "Is accusing me of doing something to annoy the other passengers! But he refuses to tell me what I was doing!" she explained.
Thomas looked at the librarian, "Can I ask what she was doing?"
"Oh Miss Carpenter knows full well what she was doing!" the librarian answered.
"Well she obviously does not, now could you just tell us?" Thomas asked again.
"No…she can tell you."
"Do you see what I mean?!" Harlean cried.
"Alright Harlean, its fine. This man is clearly incompetent and must not know what he's talking about to begin with. Let's leave," Thomas said as took Harlean gently by the arm and began to lead her out of the room.
"B-but-!"
"Harlean do not worry about it, let's go."
This time Harlean said nothing, to angry to worry about it as she allowed Mr. Andrews to lead her from the library. Once up on the deck Thomas Andrews smiled as the sunlight hit his face, "Do you have the time sir?" Harlean asked.
Thomas nodded as he pulled out his pocket watch, "Quarter to five," he answered.
"Oh my goodness! Oh my Uncle is going to be so fowl with me! I was supposed to meet him and Mr. Ismay for tea," she cried.
"You should get your self a watch," Thomas said with a laugh.
Harlean smiled, "Thank you very much Mr. Andrews. I will be sure to tell my Uncle," She said before rushing off, "And thank you again!" she called before disappearing into the first class entrance.
XX
"So you've not yet lit the last four boilers?" Bruce Ismay asked.
"No I do not see the need. We are making excellent time," the Captain answered.
Bruce took a drag of his cigarette before beginning to explain, "Yes but imagine if we made it into New York on Tuesday night and surprise them all. Retire with a bang, eh E.J?"
The captain was silent for a moment before nodding, "Good man," Bruce said before relaxing into his seat once more and taking another drag.
Just then Harlean walked up to the table, "Please let me explain," she said simply as her Uncle looked up at her, looking far from pleased.
"You know miss, we started taking tea over an hour and a half ago," Bruce said before putting his cigarette out.
"I know I just-"
The Captain put up his hand to silence her, "It's alright Harlean. I'm sure you have a good reason. Just take a seat and I'll call the Waiter over," he said.
Harlean nodded and took a seat beside her Uncle as he then looked over to call a Waiter. She looked around her surroundings and noticed that Mr. Ismay seemed to be surveying her, "May I help you sir?" she asked.
"No…I'm fine, I was just studying the ornate decorations on you're gown," Bruce answered.
Harlean thought about this answer and could not help but feel that had been a bold faced lie, she then pulled her shall around her shoulders a bit tighter as then the Waiter came over; and to her surprise it was the same man from the first night she had been on the ship. The one who had looked as if he was going to cry when Mr. Ismay shouted at him, "Can I help you miss?" he asked timidly, clearly frightened of Bruce.
"Yes…may I have a cup of mint tea and…do you have any of those Lady Fingers?" she asked politely.
The man nodded, "Yes miss, I will bring them right out with your tea," he answered before racing off.
"I really need to fire that waiter," Bruce commented as he watched the younger man.
Harlean looked alarmed, "Forgive me sir, I know it is not my place but…" she paused and Bruce nodded, willing her to go on, "But why do you wish to fire him?"
"He has no idea what he is doing; remember the first night at dinner? The spot on my plate? Then he practically stuttered while talking to you and nearly fell when he went off to fulfill you're request," Bruce explained.
Harlean looked at her Uncle, exasperated, he just shook his head, warning her to not pick a fight. She sighed and was silent for the rest of the tea time, unless she was spoken to.
XX
After dinner Harlean excused herself and went up to the deck, she went into the Messaging room and saw Harold was just finishing up his shift, he perked up at the sight of Harlean, "Hi," she said with a smile.
"Evening," Jack said before Harold could speak.
Harold smiled, "How was supper?" he asked.
"Enjoyable, Mr. Ismay did not sit with us again tonight. So I was rather pleased," she answered.
"Is he even more of a pompus jerk in public than when he's with us?" Jack asked.
Harlean covered her mouth in an attempt to keep herself from laughing in a fashion far from attractive, "He is very rude," she finally said.
Harold then stood up, "Alright…I'm going for a walk," he said.
"See you in a bit," Jack said as he sat down at the desk and watched as Harold left the messaging room, his arm linked with Harlean's….
XX
A/N- I think you know the drill, but just remind ya; review, send love and encouragement! I need it to get me to get off my butt and work on chapter 7! Love ya and thanks for reading! Beccs!