Chapter 5

Victoria's time on the Titanic had been wonderful. Every day she had been enjoying gossiping with her friends and spending time with her husband, who she loved dearly. Every night she stayed up late socializing with her friends, while William spent time discussing financial and political matters over drinks and cigars with his friends

"I really should retire for evening. I'm getting rather tired," said Madeline trying to stifle a yawn. It was a little before midnight.

"Oh but Madeline, I was just about to tell you about those silly suffragettes at Vassar!"

"You can tell me on our way back to my suite, Victoria." Madeline suggested.

"Well, they walk around with signs and some of them went to Washington D.C to protest! The whole way they conduct themselves seems so unladylike. They should just write a polite letter to elected officials."

"I've never met a suffragette. Do you believe women should be able to vote?"

"Yes, but they must be more proper about it!"

"I agree that a lady should act proper. Goodnight Victoria." Madeline had now reached her suite.

"Goodnight Madeline."

Just then Victoria felt a little jolt. She had an eerie feeling that something was wrong. She went to awaken her sleeping husband.

"William, I think something is dreadfully wrong!"

"What? Does Winifred Howell have the same dress as you or something foolish like that?" asked William, still waking up.

"I'm serious William! I have this chill and impending feeling of doom!"

"Victoria darling, I can't hear the engines running. I think something may be wrong."

A few minutes later a steward knocked on the door of their suite.

"We are requiring that everyone go on deck." He did not say why, but that made Victoria think that there was something wrong that the crew was hiding from the passengers.

They quickly put on warmer attire and went on deck. Once on deck, people were franticly scurrying about, while the crew began to instruct people to get life jackets on and get into the lifeboats, declaring women and children first.

"William darling, promise me you will get on a life boat when they've finished loading the women and children. I love you, dear."

"And I love you my dear. I promise you, I will survive this." William gave Victoria a kiss on the cheek. Victoria then found her mother and encouraged her to board a life boat.

"Mother, I know you don't like Mrs. Brown, but we must get into her lifeboat. I do believe we are sinking!"

"Oh Victoria, I think you are right!"

Once in the lifeboat, Victoria realized that Madeline was in the boat as well as Winifred.

"Madeline darling thank God you are here."

Victoria squeezed Madeline's hand. Madeline's face was turning white as she saw men jump from the ship into the cold, dark sea.

"Madeline, what… Oh my God!" Victoria turned to look and quickly averted her eyes from the ghastly sight.

"Oh, Thurston, my Thurston! He'll die!" Winifred began to wail and the other woman did as they began to scream their husband's name.

Victoria thought of William's promise. He won't die. She told herself.

Molly Brown gave Winifred a hug with one arm while holding on to an oar with another. She began to row the boat with an oar, taking over for a crew member who wasn't rowing well. Victoria couldn't help but remember the hymn that had been sung during a worship service that day. The words, "and hear us as we cry to these for those in peril on the sea", were the words she prayed now.

Molly suggested that they go back and look for survivors. When they did, Thurston who was miraculously alive in the icy water climbed on board the lifeboat.

"Thurston, I thought I may never see you again! I thought I'd be a widow!"

"Winifred, I thought I'd never be able to meet Thurston Howell III." He gently pated the stomach of his expecting wife.

"It just may be Winifred Howell II, dear! I can't believe you are here. I was afraid you would perish!" She kissed his cheek and was still sobbing.

Victoria couldn't watch this display of affection without thinking of her husband. William, must live, he must! What if they had conceived a child on the Titanic who he may never meet? She told herself she must stop thinking negatively, after all William had made a promise. And what of father, would he survive? As the flares were set off, she prayed for rescue.