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“Sounds lovely.” Jacquie did her best not to sigh aloud.

“It is. And while you’re there, be on the lookout for Honour and Glory.”

“Honour and glory?” She repeated the words, unsure of his meaning.

“Yes.” He quirked a brow. “They sit to the right and the left of the hour.”

The fellow’s words made no sense, and the line about honor
and glory stirred her guilt even more. How could she be called honorable after running off with a young man her parents didn’t approve of? Shame flooded over her.

“Follow that up to B Deck,” he continued. “Your room will be down the hallway to the left. Miss? Are you all right?”

“Oh, yes.” In truth, she felt a bit queasy, as she thought through her plan to jump ship before it sailed.

Concern filled his eyes as he gave her a closer look. “If you get to feeling seasick, you might consider an afternoon stroll around the Boat Deck once we set sail. The fresh air will do you good.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll do that.”

Jacquie left the purser’s office and, with Mother on her arm, followed behind the steward as they wove their way through the crowd.

Mother beamed with delight as she observed the elevators in the distance. “The
Titanic
is the first ship with lifts. I read all about it in the paper.”

“Yes, that’s right, ma’am,” the steward said. “Though you might prefer to take the Grand Staircase up to your room.”

“Yes, let’s do,” she said.

The steward led them to the lobby, and Jacquie froze in place, gasping as she caught a glimpse of the stairway. “Oh my goodness.” She gestured to the glorious scene before them. “Have you ever seen anything like this?”

Her gaze traveled up the magnificent stairs, and her breath caught in her throat as she took in the splendor of it all. Just as the purser has said, the glass-domed ceiling had a heavenly appearance. The polished oak wall paneling glistened, a happy candidate for the streams of sunlight pouring in from above. Truly, the whole thing felt like some sort of heavenly gift, a pinch from a falling star, equal in brightness and beauty.

“Oh, Jacquie, look.” Mother ran her hand along the railing and across one of the balustrades then pointed upward at a large carved panel. It held an ornate clock, surely like one she had never seen before, flanked on both sides by intricately carved classical figures. The detailing took her breath away.

“Ooh, this must be Honour and Glory.” Jacquie pointed to the carved figures. “Remember what the purser said?”

“Honour and Glory.” Mother repeated the words and nodded. “They are something to behold.”

Iris let out a lingering sigh and placed her hand on the banister railing. “Oh, Miss Jacquie, this is too much. It’s Buckingham Palace floating atop the Atlantic, a wonder for the eyes and the soul. I don’t know how I will ever repay you for including me.” Off she went on a tangent, talking about the adventures she planned to have over the next several days. An older woman in a purple hat passed by, smiling as she took in Iris’s enthusiastic speech, which was now being delivered from the top step of the Grand Staircase in full view of the watching crowd below.

“Don’t be silly, Iris.” Mother took hold of the railing and took a couple of steps up, offering a nod to a chambermaid coming down the opposite direction. “I’ve been to Buckingham Palace several times, and Kensington, as well. And I daresay I know a fine palace when I see one. Most have stood the test of time.”

“In other words, they’re old.” Jacquie chuckled. “Everything onboard
Titanic
is brand-spanking-new. We will dine off of new plates and drink from new crystal.”
At least, Tessa will.

“Still, she’s the closest thing I’ve ever seen to the inside of a real palace.” Iris sighed and ran her hand across the wood-carved figures next to the clock. “So beautiful.”

“I must say, you’re right about that.”

Minutes later they arrived at B Deck. The steward used his key to open the door then held it ajar for Jacquie to step inside. She took tentative steps inside the room—that glorious, unimaginable room—and gasped. “Oh, Mother!”

The gilded wall sconces took her breath away, as did the detailed mirror on the wall and the wallpaper, a rich shade of red velvet. What really captivated her attention, however, was the exquisite four-poster bed with its canopy top. She would never know what it felt like to sleep on that bed, but she could imagine it would be quite lovely.

A chambermaid in a crisp black dress with a white apron and cap arrived at the door and stood to attention. “I’m Nancy, miss. If there’s anything you need, just ask for me. I will be at your beck and call.”

Jacquie nodded. Hopefully once she left the ship and Tessa took her place, the chambermaid would forget she’d ever seen her in the first place. Maybe she wouldn’t ask why one young woman took possession of the room and another slipped into her place.

“I do hope your things arrive before I have to leave.” Mother took a few steps toward the bed and sat down. She ran her hands across the brocade coverlet and sighed. “I want to see your pretty dresses and fine things one last time. It is a pity that I won’t be able to see them on you, my dear.”

Neither will I.

Minutes later, after looking over the second bedroom and finding the suite to their liking, Jacquie’s trunk arrived. Mama put Iris to work at unpacking Jacquie’s new dresses—the ones only Tessa would wear—and hanging them in the wardrobe.

“Let’s take a walk about the deck.” Mama reached for Jacquie’s arm.

“Of course.” Jacquie’s heart grew heavy as she pondered the fact that this could very well be the last conversation she would have with her mother for quite some time. They made their way outside to the Boat Deck, and Mama slipped her arm through Jacquie’s as they strolled through the ever-growing crowd of passengers.

“It seems as if the whole world is represented on this one ship,” Mother said as she looked about. “I’ve never seen such a collection of people.”

“I daresay it will be quite the adventure,” Jacquie agreed.

“You deserve the best sort of adventure, my dear.” Mother’s eyes misted over, and she pulled Jacquie into her arms. “Oh, how I’m going to miss you, sweet girl. I dread parting ways with you.”

A lump rose in Jacquie’s throat. “As do I.”

“I didn’t want to say our good-byes in front of Iris,” Mother whispered in Jacquie’s ear. “I feel bad enough for involving her in all this. That’s why I suggested we come outside.”

“Mother, Iris is thrilled to be off on such an adventure. And I also believe she’s hoping to learn more about women’s fashion while onboard.” Jacquie chuckled. “I’ve seen her sketching gowns on paper for weeks now. So don’t feel too badly for her. This is the ideal setting for her to capture more of them on the page.”

“Still…” Mother shook her head. “She is doing us the best of favors, is she not?”

“Yes. She is.”
More than you know.

“You’re worth it all, darling girl.” Mother dabbed at her eyes. “I’d made up my mind not to cry, so a fast good-bye is in order. Besides, the sooner I leave, the sooner I can meet Minerva at the hotel.”

“You’re staying at the Grand Harbour tonight before leaving for Paris in the morning?” Jacquie asked.

“Yes. We will be on the first train out of London tomorrow morning.” Mama stifled a yawn. “Which means we will have to rise before the sun. I’m afraid I haven’t slept much. All this deception and intrigue has me awake at night. And I daresay tonight won’t be much better. I’ll probably toss and turn for hours, worrying about how this will end.”

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’m sure it will all end well.” Jacquie paused. “Though, I will miss you terribly.”

“And I, you.” Mother paused and slipped her arm around Jacquie’s waist, drawing her close. “What will I do without my darling girl to keep me company?” Tears now coursed down her cheeks. “There will be no one to pacify this lonely old heart of mine.”

“It’s not as if I’m going away forever.” Jacquie spoke the words, hoping they were true. When Mother realized she hadn’t sailed aboard the
Titanic
for New York, she might very well see to it that Jacquie never set foot in Abingdon Manor again.

Jacquie felt the sting of tears as her mother swept her into her arms for a final hug. “Oh, my precious girl. Do be happy.”

“I—I will.”

“Find love. Find joy. Settle well, but not necessarily for money.” She wrinkled her nose. “Well, a bit of money wouldn’t hurt, of course.” Mother giggled. “No doubt your grandmother already has three or four potential beaux lined up for you. Her latest telegraph implied as much.”

“I will follow my heart, Mother.” Jacquie’s thoughts filled with images of Peter. He might not have much in the way of worldly things, but he offered her something Roland Palmer, with all of his wealth, could not—a heart filled with the kind of love that could sustain them for years to come. Who needed fancy automobiles and fine clothes? What would be the point of having all those
things but no one to love you—to really, truly love you as Peter loved her? No, she would gladly trade it all.

A renewed confidence filled Jacquie as she wrapped her arms around Mama’s neck and gave her a kiss on the cheek. As soon as her mother left the ship, Jacquie’s plans would move forward. She would meet Tessa at the gate and trade places. Until then, she would have a stroll about the ship so that she would always have a memory of the time she almost sailed aboard the
Titanic
to America.

Nathan boarded the massive ship amid a horde of other first-class passengers. With Mother on one side and James Carson on the other, they pressed their way through the crowd, encompassed about on every side by strangers speaking a multiplicity of languages.

James elbowed him and pointed up at the looming ship with its expansive smokestacks and multiple decks. “Those arrogant British are at it again. Always out to prove they can show up every other dog in the hunt.”

“Well, you must admit, they’ve done an admirable job this time.” Nathan took in his surroundings and let out a whistle. “She’s something else, isn’t she?” He had traveled aboard fine liners before, of course, but nothing like this.
Titanic
loomed above everything else nearby, making both the people and the buildings seem microscopic in comparison.

As he glanced about, Nathan’s gaze fell on a familiar young woman in a blue dress with a plumed hat. The girl from the opera house. The shy fiancée of the amiable fellow from New York. She stood next to her teary-eyed mother, who appeared
to be distraught, for some reason. The girl looked Nathan’s way but didn’t seem to notice him. At first. Soon enough, their eyes met. Hers widened and she slipped out of her mother’s arms and ducked through the crowd, disappearing from view.

Poor thing. She must really be shy. Yes, she’d responded the same way at the opera, as well, hadn’t she? Still, there was something about those pensive blue eyes—the color of the sea—that drew him in. If only he’d gotten her name. He could have called out to her. Maybe she would have stopped for a conversation. However, he couldn’t imagine why she would board the ship. Her fiancé had made it clear he would not be traveling aboard the
Titanic
. Had they ended their engagement, perhaps? The very idea aroused his curiosity.

Stop it, Nathan. She’s another man’s fiancée.

He shook off his ponderings, the phantom girl now long gone.

“Yes, she’s really something.” James’s voice rang out from behind him, and Nathan winced. If only he didn’t have to put up with the intrusive fellow for the next five days. “I can see why you’re smitten, Nathan. But remember, buddy boy, she’s already got a ring on her finger.”

Actually, he hadn’t noticed a ring the night of the opera. But that didn’t change the fact that she was another man’s intended. Nathan needed to shake off the spell cast by those blue eyes and move on. Maybe he would see her in the dining saloon. They could talk about the opera. Or maybe he would keep his distance so that his heart wouldn’t become entangled. Yes, keeping his distance would be best. After all, he had other things to think about—not the least of which was his new position at Father’s insurance firm.

Suddenly, Nathan could hardly wait to get home.

Chapter Ten

Wednesday Morning, April 10, 1912

Southampton, England, near the White Star Line Dock

Tessa felt as if she might very well suffocate in the cab as they inched their way toward the White Star Line Dock. She could hardly catch her breath. Every few moments she felt as if she might faint. Then again, the corset threatened to squeeze the goodness out of her. Not that she had been able to fasten the laces as tightly as she ought without Iris’s help, but the irritating thing still vexed her.

“Are you all right?” Peter glanced her way, and she reached for his hand.

“I am, for now.”

His boyish smile caught her off guard. “Tessa, in case I haven’t said it already, you look lovely.”

“Th–thank you.” Warmth and appreciation flooded over her.

Peter gave her a penetrating gaze. “Mum would be beside herself if she saw you looking like this, though I’m not altogether sure she would recognize you.”