But what about him? Did his dinner with Cecily mean anything or not? He hadn’t said anything, and she refused to ask him about it.
She’d been told that, since the passengers would be packing on the night before arriving in port, the next-to-last evening on board was traditionally a gala event, men in white tie and tails and women in ball gowns. She pulled out her finest dress, unworn so far on this voyage. A lovely creation of aqua-blue taffeta and lace, it had elbow-length sleeves and a neckline that flattered—yet didn’t reveal too much of—her bosom. The skirt had only slight fullness below the empire waist before hanging straight to her shoe tops.
She’d spent a great deal of money on this dress in New York and had worn it to more than one of Lady Wheatly’s dinner parties. She also wanted at least one really splendid dress for the trip back, and this was the perfect occasion for it. Because she’d been in the habit of sending money home for the previous three years, she otherwise never splurged on her clothes, and the rest of them had been worn many times.
She brushed out her hair and twisted it in its usual coil, once again nestling a matching ribbon and small feather into the side. Unlike the other women in first class, she had no expensive necklace or other jewelry to wear. Nothing but the bracelet-watch Lady Wheatly had given her on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of her employment. A few small gem stones, nothing really valuable, made up the wristband and surrounded the watch face, but Beth knew it came from a very posh New York shop, and she’d never before owned anything as beautiful. Plus it told the time quite accurately.
Inasmuch as Lady Wheatly herself wore such a bracelet- watch, Beth sometimes suspected she’d given it to her so she would always be on time for events and appointments. Bracelet-watches were very popular among New York women. Men, however, still preferred pocket watches, which they considered more manly.
Beth applied a dab of rice powder to her nose and smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
When she entered the sitting room, Richard’s quick intake of breath told her he approved. He came toward her and again took her hands—now swathed in long white gloves—in his. He looked quite splendid—his tall, lean figure perfect for a cutaway coat and snowy shirt front.
“You look beautiful.” He dropped her hands, new color in his cheeks. “But then, you always do. However, I think you will put all the other ladies to shame tonight.”
She blushed at his compliment, even though she knew she could never look as grand as Cecily Thornton.
Richard called to Kathleen, who had been standing on the sofa and peering out a window. “Come along, sweetheart. It’s time to go to dinner.”
Beth followed Richard and Kathleen—who clutched her doll once more—out the door toward the Grand Staircase. Impressed as usual with the elegant structure, with its ornamental clock on one landing and magnificent chandelier overhead, she felt especially grateful that evening for this opportunity to enjoy the splendor of the largest and most glamorous ship in the world. On its maiden voyage at that. Something to tell her children about one day ... if she had any of her own.
In the reception room, they met the colonel and his wife, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Purcell and Doctor and Mrs. Crawford. They chatted about the possibility of arriving in New York earlier than planned, as well as the weather, which had turned exceptionally cold.
“The cold is not a problem, for we shan’t go out on deck tonight,” the colonel said. “The orchestra will play in the lounge instead.”
While the grown-ups stood about holding cocktail glasses, Kathleen sat with Toby in her lap on a chair nearby and sipped from a glass containing a non-alcoholic concoction the waiter had prepared especially for her. Beth smiled at her from time to time, appreciating the little girl’s forbearance. She was probably hungry, although she’d had milk and biscuits at tea-time.
Finally ushered into the dining saloon, they found their table and proceeded to taste their way through the ten elaborate courses. Beth helped Kathleen, who, as usual, sat next to her, choose from the many dishes. She suggested Kathleen try only five: a little soup, a small portion of poached salmon, even smaller amounts of sautéed chicken, and lamb with mint sauce, plus peas, carrots and potatoes.
“You may have whatever dessert you like,” she told her.
But Kathleen merely dabbled in the chocolate éclair she chose, her body slumping in the chair and her eyelids heavy.
Beth stood and dropped her napkin into her chair. “I believe it’s time Kathleen returned to the stateroom.” She glanced around at the others seated at the table. “It’s been a pleasure to dine with you this evening, and now I must say good night.”
Richard stood, too, and quickly came around to Beth’s side. “I’m going to put Kathleen to bed tonight. You must stay and enjoy yourself.”
“I couldn’t,” Beth protested.
“I insist. I want you to go into the lounge and listen to the orchestra. I’m told they’re going to play ragtime tunes and will have special entertainment this evening.” He took his sleepy daughter into his arms. “Do stop in later and tell me all about it. I’ll be waiting.”
With that, he exited the saloon, and Beth could only stare at his retreating back in wonder. What a generous thing to do. How considerate. She couldn’t help regretting that their time together would soon come to an end. Even if he was not attracted to Cecily, even if the ship did not arrive in New York ahead of schedule, only two more complete days lay ahead of them. She followed the others leaving for the lounge, hoping no one noticed the tears that clouded her eyes.
In the lounge, chairs had been pushed together at the sides of the room, widening the usual space cleared for the orchestra and dancing. On most nights, few people danced so more space wasn’t necessary. Beth and her companions took seats close by.
A master of ceremonies, rather than the band leader, announced the musical numbers, and Beth enjoyed the rhythm of the new music. The tempos were slower than in the tunes she’d danced to the night before; nevertheless, she found her feet tapping from time to time.
After half an hour, the M.C. stood up again. “We have a celebrity on board this evening, and I hope she will stand and take a bow. Lady Cosmo Duff Gordon. You may know her better as couturier Lucy, owner of Maison Lucile, with salons in Paris, London, New York and Chicago. She is also renowned for her fashion column in newspapers and American magazines.”
Beth joined in the applause; however, she didn’t get a good look at the woman, who sat in one of the rows behind her and stood for only a few seconds. Beth hoped to get a glimpse of the woman’s gown later.
“Lady Duff Gordon,” the M.C. continued, “has been visiting her Paris salon and has graciously permitted me to tell you that one of her clients, also in Paris at the time, is none other than the famous American dancer, Irene Castle.” More applause followed this announcement.
“And now,” the man said, a wide grin on his long, narrow face, “it is my great pleasure to announce our entertainment tonight: a demonstration of Vernon and Irene Castle’s special new ballroom dance, ‘The Castle Walk.’”
At that, the clapping increased and a few people stood up to get a better look. Two young people, a man and woman, entered the room. They hesitated briefly before the bandstand, he in a tuxedo and she in a dress a good six inches above her shoe tops, revealing a good deal of ankle.
“That dress is too short,” Mrs. Crawford, who sat on her right side, whispered to Beth.
Mrs. Purcell, on Beth’s left, leaned across and voiced her own opinion. “I suspect that’s just to show the dancer’s feet better. So that we may learn the steps.”
“I should hope so! I would create a scandal if I wore a skirt like that.”
As they spoke, Beth looked first at one lady and then the other but spent most of the time watching the dancers. A few minutes into the dance, Beth decided “The Castle Walk” looked very much like another new dance, “The One-Step.” It seemed quite simple and not nearly as strenuous as the ones she’
d engaged in the night before.
She, personally, had had no opportunity to dance the One-Step. Lady Wheatly held small dance parties in her home in New York, but the orchestras she hired played nothing more modern than the waltz.
After several minutes, the dancers encouraged the passengers to come onto the floor and imitate them, and several couples did. The Castle Walk appealed to Beth, and she wished she had a partner so she could try it.
Her wish was granted, for she heard a voice behind her and turned to see Richard at her side. He bowed. “May I have this dance?”
Too surprised to speak, she let herself be led to the front of the room. Richard took her right hand in his left, put his other hand on her waist and began to move to the beat of the music.
“One step,” he said aloud. “Again.”
She dropped her gaze to her feet, which were almost completely hidden by the long gown, and did as he asked. In just minutes she was dancing, actually doing The Castle Walk. She wanted to laugh out loud.
Then she remembered Kathleen. She stopped dancing and pulled her hand from Richard’s. “Who’s watching Kathleen?”
“I’ve arranged for someone to be with her.”
“Someone?”
“I undressed Kathleen and put her to bed, and she is no doubt already fast asleep. Her guardian for the evening will stay in our sitting room only until eleven, so we shall have to play Cinderella and return by then.”
Beth relaxed. “But Cinderella had until midnight.”
“She also had a coach and horses. We shall have to walk back.” He took her hand in his again. “She also had a prince, but you have only me.”
She pulled Richard off the dance floor and led him to a corner of the room. She spoke softly, so no one else could hear. “What do you mean I have only you? I don’t have you. Perhaps Cecily Thornton has you.”
“Cecily Thornton?”
“The young woman you’ve been seeing lately.”
“I haven’t been seeing anyone but you.”
“Have you forgotten already you had dinner with Cecily last night?”
“I had dinner with her parents as well. We were not alone.”
“And after dinner?”
He frowned. “I played cards with Col. Blakemore and his friends as I told you I would do.”
Beth stared into his face and saw honesty there. Her conclusions about the night before had been too hasty.
“What about ... I mean, Cecily is young and beautiful. Her family is titled and wealthy. I don’t blame you for courting her, instead of spending time with me.”
He began to laugh. “Are you telling me you’re jealous of little Cecily?”
She didn’t answer.
“You have no need. Cecily is young, yes. Too young. She’s a child, a spoiled child at that. I have no interest in her. It’s you I care about, and have since the moment we met.”
Beth’s heart skipped beneath her taffeta gown and her hands and arms became damp from the warmth that spread throughout her body.
Chapter 18
He led her back onto the main floor and they resumed dancing. When the orchestra switched to a waltz, Richard took her in his arms and twirled her about until she felt dizzy and short of breath.
“And now,” the M.C. announced, “the piece de resistance of the evening. Coming to us straight from France: the Brazilian dance known as the Tango. Our two professional dancers will show you how it’s done, and then you may follow. If you can.” He laughed.
Beth and Richard moved to one side to watch the demonstration. It looked exciting and romantic, but Beth worried about the time. She glanced at her bracelet and asked Richard to check his pocket watch.
He frowned. “It’s a bit past eleven.”
She knew it was much later but didn’t correct him. “Then we must go.”
“But not until we try the Tango. Please.”
Beth hesitated, wanting to try the new dance as much as he. What if the person guarding Kathleen had already left the stateroom? But she probably hadn’t. What if Kathleen woke and no one was there to hear her? But she never did that. While Beth continued to argue with her conscience, the music began again for the couples who wanted to try the Tango. Richard took her in his arms.
Richard pressed her body so close to his she thought she might faint. Then his legs moved against hers, and hers had no choice but to follow. First one direction across the floor, then a sudden about-face, all the while their bodies touching in a way Beth had never imagined. Back and forth they went, then another sudden turn and they cross-stepped to the side before uniting again. Time stood still.
The song ended, Richard released her, and she gazed into his eyes for a long moment. Her heart threatened to pound its way right out of her chest. Her legs trembled from the varying emotions that raced through her.
She retreated toward the doors. “I must catch my breath and get some fresh air.”
“I’ll come with you.”
When they emerged onto the deck, he stopped. “My Lord!” he said in a shocked tone. “It’s as cold as death out here.”
The cold was like a knife slicing through every surface of her body, so sharp the very act of breathing made her throat hurt.
Richard immediately removed his coat and put it around Beth’s shoulders.
“Thank you, but we can’t stay out here. You’ll freeze.”
“The temperature must have dropped dramatically these past few hours. I don’t recall it being so cold before dinner.”
Although shivering, Beth moved gingerly toward the ship’s railing and looked down at the ocean. “How still the water is. Look. Not a ripple.”
“And there is no moon.”
“But see how bright the stars appear.” She shook from the cold and moved closer, diminishing the space between them. “We must go back inside at once.”
But, instead of obeying her instructions, he pulled her to him and kissed her full on the mouth with a passion both unexpected and heart-stopping.
His lips were hot on hers, the warmth of his body so close to hers the only sensation other than the bone-chilling cold of the night. She clung to him, unwilling to end their embrace.
He broke the kiss at last and, without a word, led her across the deck and back into the shelter of the ship’s interior.
What was he thinking? What should she say after that kiss? She could find no words to express the feelings that thundered through her mind and body. She only knew she loved him and wanted to be enclosed in his arms forever.
“Beth, I hope I didn’t frighten you. I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long. I’ve never met anyone like you.” He paused. “I’m afraid I find myself at a loss for words.”
She hoped to encourage him to voice his intentions. “I’ve wanted you to kiss me for a long time as well.” She removed his coat from her shoulders and handed it to him, but he didn’t put it on.
He led her to the Grand Staircase. “I’m afraid our time is up. We must return to the stateroom and be sure Kathleen is all right.”
“This ... er … guardian, will have left by now?”
“I’m afraid so.” He took her in his arms again. “But we can stay in the sitting room and I can kiss you again, as often as you like.” Taking her hand, he led her down the stairs.
“Who has been watching Kathleen? A steward?”
“No. Harry Palmer.”
Harry Palmer? She stopped walking and stared at Richard. “Harry Palmer is taking care of Kathleen?”
“Yes, I meant to tell you earlier, but there seemed no opportunity to do so. You see—”
She interrupted him. “I don’t understand. I thought ...”
Richard tugged on her arm until they reached the foot of the stairs on B Deck, then took both of her hands in his and leaned in close. “I spoke with Harry this afternoon.”
“This afternoon?” She felt like a parrot, repeating everything he said.
“I questioned him about his relationship with you. I didn’t w
ant to interfere,” he added hastily, “if you and he were ... that is ...” He dropped his coat on the deck. “Dash it all, I needed to know if you cared for each other.”
“What did Harry say?”
“That the two of you were merely friends. That, although he, personally, might like to move to a different level in your relationship, he was certain that you were not interested, that, in fact ...” He stopped.
“What?”
“He surmised that I cared very much for you and that you felt the same about me.”
Beth took a deep, steadying breath and drank in what she’d just heard.
Richard continued. “So, when he learned about the concert tonight and how I wanted to dance with you, he offered to stay with Kathleen until eleven o’clock.”
Beth couldn’t help being curious about the time. “Why especially eleven o’clock?”
“Because apparently there is another party going on in steerage tonight, and he doesn’t want to miss all of it.” He paused again. “He said that gave me plenty of time to tell you how much you mean to me, and ... and whatever else I needed to say.”
Beth waited for him to say more. He’d kissed her, and she expected a statement of his intentions to follow.
He cleared his throat. “I love you, Beth.”
She rushed into his arms, and they kissed again. She could feel his heart beating beneath his shirt and waistcoat and knew hers was beating just as rapidly. “I love you, too.”
As if on cue, a shudder went through the ship.
Chapter 19
Richard leaned away from her and grinned. “I’ve been told that when you love someone enough, the earth is supposed to move, but I didn’t think ships at sea could do the same.”
Beth laughed and stretched on tiptoes to kiss him once more.
He pulled away and cocked his head, as if listening.
Then Beth heard it, too. Not a sound, but the lack of a sound. “The engines have stopped.”
He frowned and ran a hand through his hair. Fingers interlaced with hers, he led her to their staterooms. Once inside, Beth immediately checked on Kathleen. The child was asleep with Toby clutched in her arms.
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