Chapter III: On the Move
A/N: Here's the next chapter. Another fun one for me to write, then again, all of the chapters have been fun to write. Another round of thanks goes out to The Cowgirl Bookworm. Also if I have any speakers of German reading this, I apologize in advance. It is in italics. I have had to use google translate. SSD
0900 April 13th
Mina strode into the dining room completely rested. Looking around for her niece, she found her at a table with toast, bacon, poached eggs, American fries, and several cups of coffee. Clear signs of a night of poor sleep.
Cecily was dressed simply today. A white blouse, a navy skirt, with the US Navy greatcoat on a hook behind her chair.
"You know that coat will get you questions," Mina remarked as she sat down.
"It's warm, it's comfy, it's a gift from Roland, and I don't give a shit," her niece replied before taking a gulp of coffee.
"Sounds like someone had a long night," Mina replied after she gave her order.
"I do not think I got more than thirty minutes of sleep at a time. What sleep I did get was plagued by dreams," Cecily replied before clamming up, clearly regretting the words the moment they left her mouth.
"Those must have been some dreams," Mina waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Her niece did not answer, electing to focus on her breakfast, devouring her eggs, toast, and bacon in short order.
Wanting to make sure they were not nightmares before teasing her further Mina inquired, "You were not getting hurt in the dreams, were you?" It had happened in the past. Unsurprising, given certain events.
"I was not getting hurt," was Cecily's only reply before returning her attention to her potatoes. She clearly wanted to keep her mouth occupied from saying something incriminating.
"Since you weren't getting hurt, what could have kept you up?" Not that she didn't have a pretty good idea what had gone through her niece's head.
Cecily ignored the question by finishing the potatoes and drinking more coffee. Once the steward had come with her own breakfast Mina chaffed further, "Did anyone in particular feature?" Her niece's ears, face, neck, and hands turned carmine.
"Tante Mina fich dich mit einem Ruder," Cecily growled out.
"German this morning? I do not know what you just said, but I am sure that it is negative," Mina grinned.
Cecily drained the last of her coffee and got up from her chair. Shrugging on her greatcoat she started doing up her buttons.
"What will you be doing today," Mina queried.
"People watching. I have not spent much time outside during the day. It should prove interesting," she tried smiling, but it looked more like a grimace.
"Maybe the sea air will make you feel better. Will I see you for lunch?"
"I don't know. Dinner for sure." Cecily finished up her buttons and headed outside.
1230 April 13th
The morning had been a fairly quiet one with no distractions. The greatcoat kept her warm. It had gotten her some strange looks, but no questions after Cecily had glared at a few people. She'd found a chair on the promenade and pulled out a book of collected Sherlock Holmes stories and read for the rest of the morning.
The book had provided a good cover for watching people. Cecily had seen Hockley's flame haired fiancée sneaking around, likely off towards third class, not that she blamed the girl. Hockley was no catch, despite how rich he was. Paying the younger woman no further attention, Cecily returned to her book.
She had just started her favorite Holmes story "Scandal in Belgravia" when a welcome male voice asked, "Is there anything you need Miss Lethbridge?"
Ignoring the warming thrill that ran through her veins, "Not at the moment, Mr. Lowe, thank you. Did you just get off a watch?"
"As a matter of fact yes. Have you been here all morning?" Harry asked.
"Yes. I've been reading and watching everyone come and go," Cecily answered before saying, "I was wondering if I could see more of the ship. Would you be able to show me around?"
Harry's eyes lit up, "Of course I would be able to do that." After helping her to her feet, he held out his arm asking, "Shall we start?"
1245
Taking a break outside was just what Margaret needed after lunch. People watching was a fine form of entertainment. A few minutes into her watching, she was treated to a sight that brought her joy: Cecily Lethbridge enjoying herself.
For once, the girl did not seem to be crushed under the weight of the past. In fact, she looked rather pleased as she spoke to the handsome officer standing by her. And judging by the way the officer kept his voice low and his eyes on her, he was clearly enjoying their conversation as well.
If it weren't for bad luck with men, Cecily wouldn't have any luck at all.
Looks like that might be turning around for her!
Cecily was moving her hands while she was talking and Good God Almighty was the girl actually blushing?
It was a good thing Roland wasn't around!
Once Cecily and her officer left her view, Margaret got up from her seat to find Mina, who would likely have information on the subject.
1500 April 13th
Harold was definitely enjoying showing Cecily around the Titanic, her eyes wide and bright with wonder. She had not stopped asking questions.
He had been wondering how to broach the topic of what he had overheard the men talking about in the first class smoking room and do it without upsetting her.
During a break in the conversation, he found his opportunity: "Cecily, I hesitate to bring this up, but I overheard some men in the first class smoking room saying the most vile things about you. I cannot believe you are anything like they said, but it has been a long time since we have seen each other. I hope that you have not changed so much in that time."
She turned around looked him straight in the eyes "Was one of the men called Hockley and was the term Ice Bitch used?"
Shocked at the directness of her question he replied, "Yes… how did you know?"
"Because this wouldn't be the first time he has called me that," Cecily replied.
"Where did the name come from? You've been anything but cold with me" Harry inquired confused.
"Let's just say that Hockley does not take rejection well and that's all I have to say about that," Cecily's tone brooked no argument.
Wanting to change the subject to something far lighter, he asked, "Who was the letter to yesterday?"
"My good friend Lucy. I hope to see her again when I get home. Her mother does not approve of me, her brother and youngest sister like me just fine," Cecily had an impish grin on her face.
Harold knew that smile. It was nice to know that had not changed. That smile meant she was either planning mischief or remembering past mischief.
However reality broke in before he could say anything. He heard the dulcet Glaswegian tones of Master at Arms Michael Turner too close for his liking and far too close for them to get away unseen.
"Cecily I would truly love to continue this conversation, but we need to pick a more private venue. One of the Masters at arms is nearby and I fear he would be less than amused to see me gossiping. Follow me," Harry instructed.
It had sounded like a good idea at the time: Find a nearby narrow passage and hide.
In hindsight however it was not one of his better ideas. While Harry did not have to duck to get in, Cecily did have to press herself against the entire length of his body to fit in. And she was just the right height. And she would not stop squirming!
What did I do in a past life to deserve this? Don't think of how soft she is or how nice she smells! Please God don't let Turner look down here! Good God she smells nice! Damn it Harold you cannot be doing this! Yes she's warm, she's kind, she smells like summers back home, she's in first class, she's out of bounds you bloody idiot!
Getting out of his head, he listened for Turner. The man was no longer anywhere nearby. Checking his watch, Harold noticed that he only had thirty minutes to report to the bridge for his next watch.
"Cecily we need to get topside. I have a watch to stand in half an hour, and I'm sure your aunt is looking for you right now," he said trying not to sound strained.
She had to wriggle her way out Jesus Christ did she do that on purpose then he went topside.
Somewhere in the Atlantic…
According to all official German records, the freighter Friedrich der Große was in the Barents Sea.
Instead they were in the middle of the North Atlantic shipping lanes listening to the Marconi traffic for any and all kind of information.
Leutnant Wilhelm Cunaris had seen the RMS Titanic through his Zeiss binoculars earlier. It was a fine looking ship for sure. Thankfully they were well out of range of their lookouts.
Fregattenkapitän Benjamin Gruenwald was a skilled naval and intelligence officer. Well connected as well. Definitely not the easiest man to serve under. Completely obsessed with tapestries.
2345 April 13th
Barely tasting dinner and not contributing much to the conversation at all, Cecily had spent much of the rest of the day and evening inside her own head and thoughts.
For the first time in years she had felt she could be herself with someone who was not a family member. Cecily did not have to wear a mask with Harry. With him she did not have to play the role of the Ice Queen.
After taking her gown off from dinner earlier, instead of putting on a nightgown, she had put on a new blouse, the same navy skirt from earlier, but had left her stockings, boots, and greatcoat off for the moment. Cecily had wanted to think.
The time in the narrow passageway she'd noticed plenty of things that she figured Harry would probably prefer she not. Cecily was many things, clueless was not one of them.
She had heard that the nights had been particularly clear, almost perfect for stargazing. It made Cecily wish that she had brought a pair of binoculars with her, but she'd left them in Denver, when she had left for England back in January.
Hopping around her stateroom putting her boots on, Cecily cracked the door to her stateroom, peeking out into the hallways.
No one was around. Aunt Mina was likely sound asleep.
Closing the door as quietly as she could and locking it, Cecily slipped the room key into her coat pocket next to her knife and made her way to the deck.
A/N 2: So… What do you all think? The German freighter will make sense don't worry! SSD!
Fregattenkapitän is the equivalent of full Commander.