Cold April (6 page)

She halted, smoothed her hair, which, since the hour was late and she wore no hat on the ship, had come loose from its usual coil, long strands lying about her shoulders. “I ... Thank you, sir, but I ...”

“
You remind me of Julia Marlowe. Indeed, I think you are as beautiful as any stage actress.”

A stage actress? Many people still frowned upon actors, although personally she felt they didn’t deserve such scorn. Acting required a great deal of talent and hard work, to say nothing of good looks. She couldn’t suppress the sudden smile that lifted her lips but moved closer to the connecting door.

“
Thank you, sir. Good night, sir.” She entered her cabin and closed the door.

Instead of undressing immediately, she sat on the couch and thought about what Richard Graham had just said. No opportunity to speak with a lovely young lady? But, what about that young lady—what was her name?—Cecily Thornton—he’d just been introduced to at dinner? Perhaps, Beth reasoned, Miss Thornton was not a very attractive person. On the other hand, many a gentleman had married a plain woman for her fortune. Why, in fact, had Richard brought up the subject of Beth’s looks at all when he obviously had no intention of following through?

Of course, some men had motives other than courting and marriage on their minds when complimenting women. She knew from conversations with other girls that servants were sometimes the object of less-than-honorable attention from males in the households where they were employed. Some had even lost their jobs when they refused those advances.

Beth found it difficult to believe that Richard Graham would behave that way. He seemed the soul of propriety and had been singled out by Lady Wheatly as a suitable marriage prospect for her very own niece. His wife now deceased, he might merely be in need of feminine companionship. Because everything he’d said and done pointed to his considering her beneath him, he probably didn’t have any intention of pursuing a respectable courtship with her. If that were the case, how would they get along during the seven days spent on board the ship?

Chapter 5

As if trying to prove he’d not spoken hastily about getting to know his daughter better, Richard announced the next morning that he would be Kathleen’s caretaker that day. Although she liked the child enormously and looked forward to their time together, Beth was glad for a respite from her responsibility as governess. She said goodbye to them as they departed.

After breakfast, she decided to explore the ship. On registering the day before, she’d been given a booklet with statistics and several maps, so she’d already learned the Titanic was the newest and largest passenger liner in the world, with ten decks and 840 staterooms.

After an hour of reading and testing the validity of the maps by walking down several corridors, Beth returned to the Promenade Deck and discovered that—as she’d been told—they were anchored outside of Queenstown. More passengers were embarking by way of tenders bringing them from the dock to the ship. She stood at the rail to watch the process. After almost an hour, Richard and Kathleen joined her.

Kathleen left her father’s side and, despite her doll, threw her arms around Beth’s skirt. “Miss Beth, are you going to walk with us?”

Richard tipped his hat and smiled. “You’re more than welcome.”

Beth paused a moment, wondering if she should join them after the events of the night before. Perhaps she had taken his words too seriously. In the light of day, he once again seemed the perfect gentleman. Besides, Kathleen was already saying, “Please, Miss Beth,” and, putting her hand in Beth’s, was pulling her along.

“
Very well, if you wish. I’d be happy to join you.” She smiled at Kathleen but didn’t glance at Richard.

Kathleen set the pace, either pulling them along or stopping suddenly to rush to the rail and look at whatever caught her attention.

“
I believe we’re to have a rather large group of emigrants on board,” Richard said.

Beth looked up. “I’m not surprised.”

“
I don’t mean that disparagingly. I’m sure you know that most ships making the crossing carry scores of people who are leaving England and Ireland for good. They intend to make their future home in America.”

“
Yes. One of my very own school chums has done the same thing.”

“
I believe you told me you’d like to remain there as well.”

“
My plans may differ from theirs, however.”

“
No doubt you have no need to seek a better life. When I called for you at your home the day we went to the zoo, I couldn’t help noticing your parents have a ...” he paused, “a quite suitable house.”

“
It’s rented. They don’t own it.” Beth walked away from him then, joining Kathleen at the rail. Her face felt warm, and she decided she’d been too hasty to point out her parents’ lowly status compared to him. On the other hand, he’d surely meant to be polite and didn’t care about their circumstances anyway.

Richard came to her side and spoke softly. “You must remember I’m an American. I don’t ascribe to distinctions of class or heritage. I find it admirable that you—as well as these thousands of others—are willing to go to such great lengths to find new homes. In my opinion, there is no better place than America to do that.”

“
I think their better life has already begun,” she said. “They may not have a spacious cabin in first class, but I’ve been in homes in the poorer parts of London, and I’m sure even third class is nicer than most of those. I’ve read that this ship has electric lights and heat in every room.”

Kathleen had tired of the current view from the deck and skipped ahead. Beth and Richard followed.

“
I get the feeling,” Richard continued, “that you’re more concerned about your so-called station in life than I am. That you believe I look down on you because you’re not as wealthy as the Wheatlys, or me, for that matter.”

“
Except that you live ...” She stopped. She’d been going to remark that his house in Belgrave Square was far grander than anything her salary could provide, but that would make her sound envious. She didn’t envy him, or anyone with a larger home or more material possessions. She was, however, envious of his ability to improve his prospects—a privilege that seemed only to be accorded in the United States. That’s why she wanted to go back. That was why all those emigrants were willing to leave their homelands.

“
I’m a working man, just as you’re a working woman. I was fortunate to have skills that were useful to Lord Wheatly’s company, and for those he pays me handsomely.” He angled toward her as they walked. “You’re using your skills to make your way as well, so we’re truly no different.”

She smiled at him. His little speech had made it clear he thought as she did. “Thank goodness for America.”

He grinned. “Amen to that.”

Kathleen rushed up to them. “The people in the little boats disappear when they get close. Are they getting on our ship?”

“
Yes, they’re going to America with us,” Richard said.

“
I saw lots of children. Will I get to play with them?”

“
I don’t know,” Beth answered. “We shall see.” She wondered if Richard would stay true to his egalitarian speeches if a child from steerage wanted to play with Kathleen.

Richard pulled his watch from his vest pocket. “Shall we go to the dining saloon? I believe it’s time for lunch.”

“
Oh, yes, please.” Kathleen took her father’s hand. “May we go in the lift?”

“
In America they call it an elevator.”

“
Then may we go in the ela-bator?”

Richard chuckled at her pronunciation. “Yes, in the ela-bator.”

* * *

After lunch, when they walked out on the deck again, the view had changed dramatically. The day was fine, with a blue sky and a few puffy white clouds but, other than that, nothing but blue-green ocean stretched out around them on all sides.

Kathleen soon grew bored and yawned. “Will you read a story to me, Miss Beth?”

“
Of course.”

As they neared the entrance to the Grand Staircase, a young woman rushed forward and clutched at Richard’s sleeve. “Mr. Graham, is it you?”

Beth stared openly at the person who’d approached, unable to take her eyes from the lovely vision standing before them. She was tall and slender, her thick, coppery-red hair scarcely contained beneath a wide-brimmed dark green hat that matched her fashionable outfit. Her pale complexion—like that of the porcelain face on an expensive doll—gave the girl an otherworldly look. Beth had never seen a more beautiful young lady.

“
Miss Thornton—” Richard said, acknowledging her.

Miss Thornton interrupted him. “Don’t tell me. This is your wife and daughter, is it not? You naughty boy! When we met last night you didn’t say you were married.”

“
I’m not. That is ...” Richard hastened to explain. “May I introduce Miss Cecily Thornton?” To Miss Thornton, he said, “This is my daughter, Kathleen, and her governess, Miss Elizabeth Shallcross.”

Beth could almost see a visible shift in the young lady’s attitude toward her. Nevertheless, she continued brightly. “I am so pleased to meet you, Miss Shallcross.” She hardly stopped for a breath. “Shall we all go to tea?”

To Beth’s relief, Richard declined. “I’m afraid we cannot join you. We’re on our way—er—elsewhere.” He tipped his hat and took Beth’s elbow to steer her forward.

“
Give my regards to your parents. Good day.”

Her heart beating uncomfortably hard, and only dimly aware of her surroundings, Beth let him lead them back to their staterooms. Going through the connecting door to Beth’s cabin, Kathleen located the book she wanted read to her. She climbed onto the couch and patted the space beside her. Beth had barely finished reading the story out loud, when she discovered Kathleen’s head drooping and her eyes already closed.

She set the book aside, gently eased Kathleen into a lying position and retreated to the chair in front of the desk, her thoughts already returning to the meeting with Miss Thornton.

Within minutes, apparently because he no longer heard Beth’s voice, Richard entered the room and glanced at his sleeping daughter.

“
Would you like to come into the sitting room to continue our conversation? Unless there’s something you’d rather do.”

Not only did she wish to be polite, but also she desperately wanted to know Richard’s thoughts about the episode on the deck. She rose and followed him.

Smiling, he stood before the round table at the other side of the room. “The steward left the tea service. May I bring you some?”

“
Thank you. I’d like that.”

She refused sugar and milk for her tea but accepted a scone, which he brought to her on a separate plate. The very act of him serving her made her face warm. Usually, if a woman were present, she would be expected to do the serving.

Richard brought his lounge chair close to hers and said, “We must speak quietly so as not to wake Kathleen.” He leaned forward and cleared his throat.

“
As you now know, Miss Thornton is the daughter of Sir Hubert, whose family was seated at my table last night.”

He paused, and Beth tried to find the words to question him about the girl. He changed the subject.

“
About last night ... When we spoke after dinner, I may have acted inappropriately by offering you a compliment. At home, most men feel free to comment on a woman’s beauty.”

He paused briefly, as if expecting a response, but all she could think of was Cecily’s beauty, not her own, if, indeed, she was considered beautiful.

“
I married soon after arriving in England and had very little opportunity to practice the local courting customs, so I’m afraid my behavior was untoward. Please forgive me.”

Forgive him? She spoke quickly. “I do indeed, and I must apologize for assuming you meant it inappropriately.”

“
As I said that day in my flat, Lady Wheatly has been rather ... shall we say ... over-interested in Kathleen’s life, and my own, as well.”

“
Matchmaking again?” As soon as she said the words, Beth regretted being so candid. ”Excuse me.”

“
No, that’s perfectly all right. I’m glad you understand.” He paused and spoke softly again. “Lady Wheatly seems to fear I may take a liking to you, and that wouldn’t please her.”

Beth’s eyebrows rose. “I’m afraid I don’t follow.”

“
Another reason I’m anxious to return to New York. Lady Wheatly has already begun to find ways to introduce me to young women of a certain ... er ... status. I prefer to choose my next wife—if I have one—myself.”

Beth thought of the young woman she’d just met and wondered if he considered her a prospect.

Richard continued speaking, “Perhaps Lady Wheatly felt that if I married another Englishwoman I’d remain there, and she wouldn’t lose touch with Kathleen.”

“
I can understand she’s grown fond of the little girl, but she has children of her own.” She paused. “Besides, Lord Wheatly obviously had other plans for you.”

“
Yes, thank goodness. Although, I had already decided to return to America and even offered my resignation to Lord Wheatly’s company.”

“
I see. So, rather than lose your services, he asked you to work for him in New York.”