“Rupert! This is ridiculous. There is absolutely no time to arrange it, and besides, this is a matter of love, and it is for Emma and Charles to work out. There is no place for us to get involved in this.”
“Beth, you are wrong. This has nothing to do with love. This is business. Now, don’t worry. I will take care of everything.”
“Rupert, you have me frightened that poor Emma will have her heart broken. Oh, this is just terrible.” Tears ran down her cheeks.
The plan instantly took shape in Rupert’s mind, and he needed Beth on side. It was essential that she support his decision to travel overseas and he had much work to do to put his scheme in motion. As soon as he could tear himself away he would need to talk to his lawyer. The man had proven himself indispensable in sticky circumstances requiring the utmost discretion.
Rupert swept to the side of his weeping wife. “There, there, pet.” He stroked her hair and tenderly wiped her tears away. “I do believe that Emma and Charles are meant to be together. I didn’t mean to spout off about my business concerns. That was terribly bad form, and I do hope that you will forgive me. Will you, my darling?”
He drew closer and ran a finger gently across her brow and started to hum to her, coaxing a smile and a sigh from Beth. She was so easy to handle, he thought, as he moved the hair back from her ear and brushed his lips gently against her cheek.
“Now, don’t you worry about a thing, my sweet, li’l darlin’.” Rupert dropped his voice and played his words with the slight southern accent of his youth. “You have some shopping to do, sugar, and I know there are some special little boutiques in Montreal that will be only to happy to look after my dear lady and her needs for the Grand Tour, and our daughter, too, of course. Perhaps Emma will choose to come with us on her own. Let’s wait and see what happens. How would that be?”
The color rose in Beth cheeks. With his eyes on hers, he raised the back of her hand to his lips and kissed it, slowly, sensually. The heat of his gaze was almost too much. She thought she might faint, but held her wits. Such delicious moments like this were rare and not to be wasted. He turned her hand to kiss her palm and drew back. He looked at her as if it were for the first time, and as if she were the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. His smile widened, revealing those perfect teeth and heartbreaking dimples. Her heart started to race and her ribs strained against her tight bodice. He brought her hand to his lips again, timing his kisses to her quickening breath. She moved closer, mesmerized under his power as he tilted her chin up toward his full lips.
“Perhaps we should lock the door?” she whispered.
The crash in the hallway spoiled everything. Rupert was on his feet and out of the library before Chadwick could pick himself up off of the hallway floor.
Bloody hell. Chadwick was furious at his clumsiness. For all of his interest in snooping about, he was a man of a somewhat prudish nature, and had no stomach for the more intimate moments at Ravenscraig. Realizing that the atmosphere in the library was heating up beyond his comfort, he had made a hasty retreat from his hiding place and in so doing, his feet became entangled, causing him to fall against the closet door to be spilled out into the hallway in a most awkward and embarrassing fashion.
“Chadwick!” Rupert shouted, fearing his man had had a heart attack. “Someone send for the doctor!”
“No, please, sir! I’m quite all right, I assure you. I just stumbled as I was stowing a box away.” Chadwick scrambled to his feet and pressed the closet door shut. He straightened his jacket and smoothed his hair before turning smartly on his heel to find half of the staff staring at him with their eyes popped open. He was mortified. Like a row of wretched little meerkats, they stood next to his employer. Then, as if the moment was lacking in intensity, he caught sight of the mistress, hustling full tilt toward the gathering, her bosom jouncing like jelly. Had a more dreadful moment ever occurred in any butler’s life?
Rupert took charge. The staff members were quickly sent on their way, and Chadwick was folded back into his dignity with the task of pouring brandy for Mr. and Mrs. Willows in the library. The butler considered the sweat pouring down his back and prayed to be blessed with amnesia as he carefully shut the door and returned to his quarters.
Beth, an expert at dismissing unpleasant occurrences, was already planning her holiday.
“Well, dear, I’m off to see which items in my Palm Beach wardrobe will be of use on our travels abroad.” Beth beamed at her amazing husband as she rose from her chair. All would be right in due time. Rupert would see to it, and she needn’t worry for another minute.
Rupert made a quick phone call and left the house. There was still the matter of Emma’s employment to contend with, and his lawyer, Doddsworth, was the ideal man to help him make the necessary arrangements.
At dinner that evening, Emma was crushed at the news that Charles would not be coming home for Christmas, but instead be traveling with his parents until springtime. She wept in her father’s arms and then spent the weekend crying in her room, wondering if she had made a mistake in taking on the teaching job.
Three days later, Emma was fired from teaching. The principal called her into the office and produced a letter from one of the school’s most important benefactors. The man had explained he was deeply worried about the fact that Miss Willows was discussing such political issues as women’s suffrage in the classroom. He declared that unless she was dismissed, he would be compelled to withdraw his financial support for the school.
Pale and numbed by shock and humiliation, Emma sat before her untouched dinner.
“Father, I never once talked about voting rights in the classroom. I don’t know where this complaint came from, but it’s unfounded,” Tears slid down Emma’s face as she talked about losing her job.
“It’s appalling that you would be dismissed in this way,” Rupert fumed. “I will have Grenville Doddsworth look into the matter and urge a full investigation of the circumstances. No daughter of mine is going to be treated in this frightful and unfair manner!”
Emma shook her head. “Oh, what’s the use? I am ruined as a teacher. What a terrible winter this turned out to be. Now Charles is finished with school, and I am finished as teacher. You’re going away, and I will be rattling about in this big house with nothing to do everyday.”
Rupert nodded at Beth, who smiled and took her daughter’s hand. “Emma, dear, how about a trip to Montreal?” Beth paused as Emma’s eyes, filled with self-pity, came up to meet hers. “Oh, darling, it just breaks my heart to see you this way. Do come to Montreal. You can shop with me and visit Grandmama, and …”
“And Charles can come to visit me from Lennoxville so I can see him before he goes on tour …” Emma perked up. “Oh, I do miss him so. I’ve made such a mess of things, haven’t I?”
Rupert was enormously pleased with himself. It couldn’t have gone better if he had scripted it.
“Then you will go on to Palm Beach from there, I expect,” Emma said. “Daddy, do you think I might come along? I know Elliot will be there, and I think it would be so wonderful to see him.”
“Actually, there’s been a change in plans,” Rupert replied. “Your mother and I have a gift for you, to cheer you up, Emma.” Rupert went to a side table and produced a large envelope. He asked Emma to open it and out tumbled a bundle of brochures, maps, and a neatly outlined list of tour destinations.
“We are going on the Grand Tour, my dear. But for a few exceptions, it is largely the tour that Mark Fortune and his family are taking.”
Beth beamed, and Emma caught her breath. “Oh, Daddy, you are the dearest father a girl could have!” Emma threw her arms around Rupert’s neck and danced him about the room as she pealed with laughter. “Oh, please, tell me all of the details. Where are we going?”
“Allow me,” Beth said as she reached for the itinerary and her spectacles. “Well, from Montreal we’ll go on to New York where we will be boarding the Franconia and head for Trieste, the main seaport in the A
ustro-Hungarian Empire. We will be making a number of stops along the way to see places like Algiers, Monaco, and Athens. We’ll find our way to Egypt where we’ll spend some time exploring ancient history and see the pyramids. And we’ll be staying at the fabulous Shepheard’s Hotel in Cairo. Very fashionable.” Beth smiled over her reading glasses. “Wait until you see how exquisite Cairo is. The city is overrun with barons and dukes on holiday. You’ll adore it. Then on to Haifa and Jerusalem. If we aren’t completely worn out by then, there will be the European part of our holiday. We’ll travel through Italy and then on to Paris. From there over to London and by the end of April will be heading for New York and home on the Mauretania.”
“It sounds very exciting,” Emma said. “Will Maisie come, too?” she asked with her fingers crossed.
“Of course she will. I wouldn’t think of traveling that far without her.”
“Before you two start working up your lists of wardrobe needs, I do have one more surprise for my girls,” Rupert said as he slid a second envelope across the table for Emma to open. Inside were gold trimmed cards with each of their names on them.
“A present,’ Rupert said, unable to suppress his glee. “Tickets for the Titanic. The maiden voyage is scheduled for April 10th. She sails from Southampton to New York. The first class accommodations are second to none, I’m told.”
“The Titanic!” Beth was clearly impressed. “The world’s most luxurious ship. Well, won’t we be traveling in style? But, Rupert, they are still building it. Are you certain it will be ready?”
“Yes. I was talking with Hudson Allison about it. Do you remember him from when he worked in Winnipeg some years ago? He’s done very well for himself in Montreal, and he wrote me that the White Star Line is now firm on the launch date. He is traveling abroad with his family and said he intends to be on the Titanic at the end of their trip. I expect there will be a number of families from Winnipeg and Montreal that we will know on the voyage.”
“Including the Fortune family?” Emma asked.
“Well, not at this point, I’m afraid. Mark Fortune has a particular affinity for the Mauritania, and that is what he has booked for their return voyage, but we’ll see if I can persuade him to change his mind, shall we?”
Emma smiled her approval.
“The maiden voyage, you say?” Beth asked with a frown. “Are you certain that is a good idea, Rupert?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Well, will the crew have enough time to get to know the ship? Can you be sure the passengers will be well accommodated? Perhaps Mr. Fortune is right in booking the Mauritania.”
“Beth, dear, you are not to worry for one minute about this. It will be an historic event to be on the Titanic. I daresay it will be one of the biggest stories of the century. All the papers will be interviewing all of the passengers. It will be wonderful. And,” he teased, “if the crew is not up to the task, I assure you, I’ll bring your caviar to you myself, my darling,” he teased.
“Oh, Rupert, of course you will, but what about the newness of the ship. Do you think it will safe?”
“Please, my love. Haven’t you heard? The ship is unsinkable. It’s the Titanic. The name alone should tell you everything you need to know.”
Chapter Fifty-One
Jerusalem
March 4, 1912
Rupert proved right in his assessment that time together with Charles would inspire Emma to shift her concerns from women’s rights to romance. His daughter was clearly enjoying the holiday abroad and so too, it appeared, was her ardent sweetheart. Rupert felt smugly triumphant as he quietly watched Charles manage Emma. The two were a terrific match, and Rupert saw tremendous potential in the couple. They were the kind of people who could found a dynasty. Rupert was greatly pleased that his sought after connection to the Fortune family was alive and well.
Emma was quite surprised at how quickly her classroom troubles and thoughts of voting rights had faded into the background. Charles proved to be an enthusiastic and engaging travel companion. Not once did he discuss marriage. At first she felt it was because he was being sensitive to her having lost her job. Then she worried that she had offended him in talking about the suffrage movement. As time went on, she longed to hear his flowery words of affection, but he only smiled.
Full of life and keenly interested in learning everything he could from every person they met on the tour, Charles impressed her greatly. He was not the shy young man she had first come to know years before. Seeing him in earnest discussion with the guide while visiting the pyramids at Giza, impeccably dressed, and quietly confident, she came to see him in a new light. She realized that she had perhaps been taking him for granted. He expressed great interest in her opinions and openly praised her knowledge and interest in the historical sites they explored. But, all the while, he kept her at a bit of a distance. It was true that they were almost constantly in the company of their families and the dozen or so others on their tour, but not once had he even tried to steal a kiss.
It went on this way for weeks. Emma began to worry that he had changed his mind and was no longer interested in marrying her. She began to flirt with him. She longed to be swept away, to feel his strong arms around her and to melt beneath his kisses. Charles smiled but held her back.
It was in the rose garden at Shepheard’s Hotel in Cairo that Emma’s dreams finally came true. On bended knee, he told her he would be utterly devoted to her for the rest of his life. He had chosen the date for their wedding and asked for her hand. Emma, pink-cheeked and with glistening eyes, was very ready to agree, and enjoyed a girlish delight in saying yes. He kissed her sweetly, and she thought she would swoon. It was every bit of romance she ever could have wished to have.
Cairo had suddenly taken on a brand new magic, and Emma couldn’t wait to share her excitement as she dashed through the hotel hallways to Maisie’s room.
“Just one moment, please,” the maid called through the door. “I’ll be right with you, Mrs. Willows.”
“Maisie, it’s Emma, I have the most wonderful news!”
Maisie opened the door, smoothing her apron, and Emma all but ran her over as she rushed in and shut the door behind her.
“My goodness, Emma, what is it?” Maisie asked, reaching out to steady herself on a chair.
“Charles and I are going to be married.”
“Emma! This is so right for you.” Maisie grabbed her in a hug. “He is such a wonderful, caring man. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. When is the wedding?”
“In June. Right after my twenty-first birthday. We had a long talk about it in the garden after breakfast today, and when I agreed, I thought he was going shout out loud. It was so much fun, Maisie. Then he pressed a little package into my hand, and in it was this beautiful locket.”
Maisie smiled as she admired the round silver locket with the amethyst embedded in the center. “Oh, my, this is lovely. It’s so delicate.”
“His picture is inside and on the back he has engraved: Emma, my love, When this you see, Think of me. Charles.”
“What did your parents say? I presume he has spoken to your father.”
“Not yet. It’s a secret for now. Charles wants to speak to him in London before we sail for home.”
“Why is he waiting?”
“Because Mr. Fortune wishes to go on to Italy from here with his family, and we’ll be going on to the Holy Land. I’ll be aching the entire time we are apart, I’m sure. But the time will pass quickly, and soon we’ll be on our way to London where we will rejoin, not just the Fortunes, but all our other friends from Winnipeg. Father is already organizing a farewell dinner. It makes sense to save the surprise. It’s so utterly romantic. I can hardly believe it.”
“It will be wonderful,” Maisie whispered hoarsely, fighting for calm. “I have no doubt that you will have a beautiful wedding, and the two of you will make a very happy life together.”
Emma sat and looked at Maisie, suddenly aware of the distress tha
t lingered on her friend’s face.
“Why, Maisie, look at you. You’ve been crying.”
“Oh, it’s nothing really.”
“I’m sure I can guess part of it. We’ll be in Jerusalem next week. I know you’ve been overwrought with concern about this part of the trip. Can’t you tell me why, Maisie?” Emma pressed. “You just haven’t been yourself in recent days, and I know you well enough to know something is bothering you. Are you not feeling well?”
“Quite well,” answered Maisie as her eyes welled with tears.
“Maisie, please tell me. We’ve been keeping each other’s secrets for years and I’ve just told you about, Charles.”
Maisie sighed heavily and nodded her head. “It’s my grandparents. Emma, they live in Jerusalem.”
“They do?” Emma was astonished. “Why on earth haven’t you told me?”
“Emma, I have so many secrets in my life that sometimes I don’t feel that I can keep track of them. Imagine what a burden they would become if I shared all of my complications with you. I could never do that. You’ve become such a dear friend to me, protecting my identity all this time.”
“Well, of course, you know I would never betray you, Maisie. It would be an outright impossibility.” She reached for Maisie’s hands and looked into her sad eyes. “There must be a way to manage this. We’ve come all this way, you must be able to visit your grandparents.”
She jumped to her feet and wheeled toward the window, tapping her chin with her finger.
“Maisie, I have an idea that I think could work. Mother has been going on about wanting to travel to Bethlehem. It’s very important to her, and father is trying to arrange for a guide to take us there. Now, if I were to take ill, you would have to stay with me in Jerusalem at the hotel. And then, while they are touring Bethlehem, we could go together and find your grandparents, and no one would know because you would be required to be my chaperone and of course, being the fussy miss that I am, you would have to agree to take me anyplace I wished.”
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