Chapter 3

The next afternoon after lunch Victoria was looking at the passenger directory when she saw something that made her gasp.

"Victoria, whatever is the matter?,"asked William lowering yesterday's copy of The Wall Street Journal.

"Your business rival is onboard, according to the directory!"

"Thurston Howell II? Really?"

"Yes, I can't stand them! They've only been in this country since 1800. Their business wasn't successful until 1830! That's new money in my opinion!"

"Yes, dear, you are quite right! It is my family who has more money and they should be able to accept that, but Thurston always wants to have more money than me and he knows it will never happen! Dear God I hope it never happens!"

"I can't stand Winifred! She thinks she is so wonderful because she is descendant of a royal family that no longer exists. Her family hasn't been royal since the French Revolution! It is my family who can trace our ancestors to the British Royal Family!"

"Yes and mine to aristocracy, dear."

"I'm sure they got onboard at Cherbourg this morning. They are always in France, aren't they William?"

"It does seem like they are. Every time my father's family was at our house on the Riviera, they were at their home next door. Thurston is also one who can talk of nothing else but the stock market. It is a rare occurrence when we talk of anything else."

"Oh I hope they don't want to have every meal onboard with us!"

"Well I have a feeling they won't want much to do with us besides brag about how they think they will be as rich as us someday."

Winifred gossips more than I do. I have a feeling she may spread some dreadful rumor about me."

"Well my dear there is nothing scandalous to gossip about. Let's just grin and bear it. We'll be off the ship in a few days, anyway."

"Oh dear, I can't wait to begin our life in Newport! Oh, I told Madeline, Mother, and Mrs. DeWittButaker and Rose I would meet them for tea," exclaimed Victoria.

"I was going to have a drink with John Bruce and Cal."

"Mr. Bruce Ismay as owner of the owner of the White Star Line is my uncle's rival. Have I told you that before?"

"Yes, you have. I don't think Mr. Ismay needs to know whose niece you are dear."

"Oh he never will, William. Have a good afternoon."

"You too darling."

On her way to tea Victoria ran into Winifred Howell.

"Hello, dear I heard you were recently married. Some people weren't invited!"

"Well we couldn't invite everyone. The room at the Ritz could only seat 500 at the reception."

"The church seats 1000 people, you know."

"Yes, I do. I must get going or I will be late for tea."

"Goodbye and do remember to invite us to an event this season."

Victoria thought that she must start inviting the Howells to events during the social season. If not all on the Social Register onboard the Titanic would soon know that the Howells were not invited to the Wentworth wedding. Victoria knew she must hide her feud from society.

That afternoon the topic of conversation among the women turned to gossip. Victoria loved every minute of the shallow conversation. It seemed however that Rose wanted to be elsewhere. She looked extremely bored.

"Rose, are you and your fiancé going to host a garden party this summer, after the wedding?," asked Victoria.

"I suppose we will."

"Of course you will, Rose! You will be Mrs. Caledon Hockley after all. Everyone will expect you to be the perfect hostess!," replied her mother Ruth.

Victoria swore she could see Rose roll her eyes. She couldn't understand why any young lady who was in the social register did not like the lifestyle.

"Oh good, I love garden parties! I'll host many events during the social season. I will be a wonderful hostess, just like mother."

"Thank you Victoria," replied her mother Clara.

"You are quite welcome mother."

"The Astor cotillion will still go on as planned this year. If I am unable to be the hostess, my mother in law will."

"Oh how wonderful!" Everyone here is invited to the Wentworth cotillion of course."

"Oh Clara, the Wentworh cotillion is wonderful, "said Ruth.

"Thank you, Ruth."

The rest of tea was spent discussing the upcoming social season. That evening Victoria was surprised to see a young man dinning with Rose and Cal ,Mr. Jack Dawson. Apparently this young man had saved Rose's life. He seemed as bored as Rose was with the conversation. John Astor had asked if Jack was related to the Dawson's of Boston. Jack was apparently related to the Dawsons of Chippewa Falls. Victoria wondered where that was; it didn't have a social register. She knew that. Victoria enjoyed the dinner, except for the fact that Molly Brown was having dinner with them again. Victoria couldn't stand her. Later that evening, Victoria heard Jack ask Rose if she wanted to go to a real party. How he dare insult our fine dinners, thought Victoria. She couldn't wait to tell on Rose, when she saw her leave, with Jack. It shocked her to see Rose go off with another man. She planned on telling Cal tomorrow. She then decided she'd look up Chippewa Falls on a map. She was curious about this Mr. Dawson