Simon glared at Edmund. “Rest assured, we shall be having a long talk.”
Edmund swallowed hard.
The steward bowed slightly and then he and the others took their leave.
Simon narrowed his eyes at Edmund.
“I want to thank—” Edmund said, but Simon held up his hand to silence him.
He looked around. “I think we should discuss this in our rooms, don’t you, darling?”
Elizabeth grimaced but nodded. Usually his ‘darling’ was one of deep and unconscious affection, but occasionally, like now, it was laced with impatience and a little anger.
He turned to Edmund and gave him one last glare. “Cousin.” Then he turned on his heel and headed for the stairs.
Edmund whistled under his breath.
Elizabeth waved for him to hurry up and come with them. Still clearly unsure, but realizing it was better than the alternative, Edmund caught up with them and the three walked in silence to their suite.
Simon unlocked the door and let them precede him inside. He tossed the key onto the desk and then turned to Edmund, fists on hips.
“So tell me, who the bloody hell are you?”
Chapter Eleven
THE YOUNG MAN LOOKED uneasily over at Elizabeth, unsure how to respond to Simon’s question.
“Edmund Barrow?” he said.
“Yes, I think we’ve established that. Elizabeth?”
Simon turned to his wife who smiled at him with her most disarming smile, but Simon was having none of it. He was quite content to remain well-armed for now.
“Simon—”
He glared at her.
“It’s not her fault,” Edmund said.
“I doubt that,” Simon muttered. “How is it you two know each other exactly?”
“It’s a funny story,” Elizabeth said.
Simon knew that anything Elizabeth said that started with that phrase was not going to amuse him.
“We bumped into each other on deck,” she said and shared a smile with Edmund. Realizing that if she was trying to diffuse Simon’s anger, that was hardly the best course, she added hastily, “and he saved my life.”
Simon’s heart stuttered. “He what?”
“That’s maybe overstating it a little,” Edmund said.
Elizabeth shook her head. “I’d be dead, or maimed.”
“Maimed? That sounds painful.”
“Eating through a straw for the rest of my life,” Elizabeth said.
Edmund frowned and shook his head. “That would be terrible.”
“Wouldn’t it?”
Simon looked up at the ceiling for strength. “For the love of God, would someone please tell me what on earth you two are talking about?”
“I nearly fell down the stairs,” Elizabeth said, “you know, the ones that lead from the First Class promenade down to second?”
Simon closed his eyes as he saw that play out in his mind’s eye.
“But I didn’t. Edmund saved me.”
“Did you?” Simon asked him.
Edmund nodded, but he didn’t seem as proud of it as he should be, forcing Simon to ask, “But?”
“Technically, I’m the reason she nearly fell down the stairs in the first place.”
Simon shook his head to try to make sense of this bizarre conversation. “Technically?”
The young man winced and nodded. “Yeah.”
“But don’t forget the saving part,” Elizabeth added. “And my hat, too!” She held it up for emphasis.
Simon let out a long breath and looked sternly at the young man. “I think you’d better start from the beginning.”
“Simon—”
“Without assistance from the peanut gallery.”
The young man nodded. “I was running from a couple of deck stewards. I’d stolen some food.”
Simon glared over at Elizabeth, who managed to stay silent.
“I didn’t think anybody would miss it,” he continued. “There was so much. Anyway, they caught me and I ran for it and that’s when I bumped into your wife.”
“Bumped into her? Nearly knocked her down the stairs? Technically?” Simon asked, not hiding his displeasure.
“Yeah. Sorry about that.” He looked at them both in turn before continuing. “And then I caught her before she fell.”
Simon frowned and turned to Elizabeth. “Why on earth didn’t you tell me any of this?”
All she could do was shrug and offer a weak smile.
He’d deal with her in a moment; right now, he still needed to clarify a few things with the boy.
“So, you stole some food, but you’re not a stowaway?”
“Oh no, sir, I am.”
That was not the answer Simon had been expecting, nor in such a matter of fact way.
“You are?”
“I couldn’t find any other way to get to America.”
“Like paying for passage?” Simon asked.
Edmund looked around the room and said carefully, “Not everyone can afford to, sir.”
That took some of the wind out of Simon’s sails, but he wasn’t going to let him off that easily, especially now that they were saddled with him for the duration. What on earth was she thinking?
He glared at Elizabeth, letting his anger build again. “May I speak with you privately?”
She nodded and gave Edmund an encouraging smile. “Make yourself at home.”
He nodded, a little unsure, and started to sit. One look from Simon froze him in mid-squat. He stood back up and focused on the cap in his hands.
Simon opened the door to the bedroom and saw Elizabeth wave for Edmund to sit. The boy showed good sense though, and shook off her suggestion and remained standing.
Simon closed the door to the bedroom behind them.
“I don’t even know where to begin,” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me about all this?”
“I didn’t want you to worry.”
“I can’t imagine why I would,” he said and stalked over to the far side of the room. “You’re on ship for less than a day and you’re nearly killed by a perfect stranger—”
“It was an accident.”
“Need I remind you that someone tried to stab you at the train station yesterday. Not all accidents are accidents.”
She didn’t have a comeback for that, but it didn’t deter her.
“That’s true, but technically—”
“Yes, technically he saved your life,” he said with more anger than he’d meant. He sighed. “For that I am grateful.”
He walked over to her. “You should have told me.”
She actually looked chastened this time. “You’re right, I should have. I’m sorry.”
He believed she was, but that didn’t change the mess they were in now.
“But what about the rest of it? Cousin Edmund?”
“I was just doing what you said I should,” she said, “focusing on the ones we can help.”
“Elizabeth—”
“They were going to lock him in the hold of the ship. What chance would he have had when, you know…?”
“That might be true, but you can’t go around saving everyone you meet.”
She looked at him with a curious expression. “Why not?”
“Because it’s simply not possible to—”
“But when it is—”
“It’s also changing time,” he said bringing her to a screeching halt. “Don’t you remember the unpleasant lecture we received from Travers before we left?”
“That was different. That was about using the watch.”
“You know we’re not supposed to interfere with the period we time travel to.”
She did, and her face showed it, but she wasn’t going to give in easily. “But we’re also supposed to do what we think is right. If we didn’t interfere at all, we’d just be bystanders. We interfere all the time. Every person we talk—”
“That’s different and you know it.”
“Well, maybe that is, but�
�”
He held up a hand. “Don’t you dare say ‘technically’.”
She pouted for a moment and then a smile spread across her face.
“That’s worrying,” he said.
“What?”
“Your expression. What’s happening in that devious mind of yours?”
“Well,” she said as Simon braced himself. “Technically,” she said just to irk him, “if Edmund hadn’t caught my hat, he wouldn’t have been caught himself. Sooooo, we’re the ones who would have been changing time by inadvertently causing him to get caught, and now we’re fixing things by saving him.”
She squinted. “That makes sense, right?”
He hated to admit it, but it did. And she could tell by his expression that she was onto something.
“Ah-ha! Thought you had me. But I had you!”
“And now,” Simon said, “we have him.”
~~~
“You’re joking,” Edmund said. He looked around the First Class cabin in disbelief. “What’s the catch?”
“No catch,” Simon said.
Simon had explained the situation, such as he could, to the Head Steward and arranged for their “difficult” cousin to stay in the valet’s quarters that came with the booking of their parlor suite. If the man found that strange or wondered just where Edmund had been for the last day, he gave no indication. They probably weren’t the first passengers to have a questionable relation who needed special treatment.
The center block of rooms in their corridor was reserved for the servants of those with the parlor suites. They were just as well-appointed as any first passenger cabins. Their assigned valet room was only three doors down. Convenient, but not underfoot.
“It’s pretty nice, isn’t it?” Elizabeth said, loving her role as generous benefactor.
The young man agreed, but was having trouble believing it and shook his head as he touched the wood paneling on the wall. “I don’t get it. You want me to stay … here?”
“You’re our cousin,” Simon said “We can’t have you running around the ship like a stowaway, can we?”
“He serious?” Edmund asked Elizabeth.
“Usually, very.”
Edmund didn’t understand the joke and she continued, “It’s just that I kind of made a fuss about you being our cousin, so now … Congratulations?”
He narrowed his eyes. “What exactly does that mean, being your cousin?”
“You’ll stay here. You’ll eat in First Class.”
He perked up.
“And you’ll act like you belong in First Class.”
He laughed then. “Me?” He shook his head. “Even if I could.” He gestured to his clothes, which were definitely not first-class.
“We’ll take care of the accoutrement.”
“Accoutry-what?”
“The clothes and things,” Elizabeth explained.
“We’ll have some things sent up directly,” Simon said as he started for the door. He had no idea just where they’d find clothes for him, but with enough money anything could be procured, even on a ship. “You’ll have to dress for dinner.”
“I wasn’t planning on going naked.”
Elizabeth laughed. “He means dress up, like in a tuxedo.”
“All fancy, huh?”
He looked a little pale at the idea, but Elizabeth’s smile bolstered his spirit. “You’ll do fine.”
He nodded, clearly overwhelmed.
“Why don’t you clean up?” Simon said, inclining his head toward the bathroom door.
Edmund was confused, then opened the door and gave a laugh. “A private loo?”
“Just for you,” Elizabeth said, winning a frown from Simon, but she wasn’t going to let him dampen her mood. “We’ll check back in an hour or so, okay?”
Edmund nodded and then took a step toward them as they moved toward the door. “There’s just one thing. Why are you doing all of this for me?”
Elizabeth looked at Simon and then turned back to Edmund. “Because we can.”
~~~
“I’m never going to be able to pull this off,” Edmund said under his breath as he fiddled with his tie. Simon had outdone himself and managed to get him not just several sets of clothes, but ones that actually fit.
“You’ll be fine.” Elizabeth took hold of his arm and pulled him around to fix it for him. “Won’t he?” she asked Simon, who only nodded.
“And if they ask me what I do?”
She tugged on the tie’s knot. “Well, what do you do?”
“I’m a mechanic.”
She chewed on her lower lip in thought. “Ever work on any fancy cars?”
“Sure. Rolls-Royce, Wolseley. Lord Upton will only let me work on his Ghost. Won’t let anyone else touch it.”
She grinned. “Perfect. Instead of working on them, you own them.”
He seemed to be waiting for more, but none was coming. “And that’s what I do? Own cars? For a living?”
“You’re rich. You don’t do anything for a living. You dabble. Cars are your current love. You do know enough about them to pretend that, don’t you?”
He laughed. “I could do it in me sleep.”
“My sleep,” Simon corrected.
“That’s what I said.”
“No, you said—Elizabeth, this is never going to work.”
She dismissed Simon with a wave of her hand and he sat down in a chair to watch the rest of the show.
“You need to sound posh. Can you fake that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Simon, say something.”
“This is absurd.”
She gestured for Edmund to say it.
“This is absurd,” he repeated in a passable imitation.
Elizabeth laughed in delight. “That was pretty good.”
“Adequate,” Simon said.
“Adequate,” Edmund mimicked.
Simon frowned and Elizabeth stepped in front of Edmund. “Okay, that’s enough. Just try to sound posh but don’t try too hard. Just try enough.”
Edmund swallowed and nodded.
“Don’t worry. If you get into trouble in a conversation just give them a compliment and then ask a question. People love to talk about themselves.”
He relaxed a little. “That’s true enough.”
Simon checked his pocket watch. “If the first act of Pygmalion has come to an end, it’s time for tea.”
Edmund blew out a nervous breath.
Elizabeth patted his arm. “Just be yourself. Only rich.”
He laughed. “Right.”
Afternoon tea was taken in several places on board, but Simon had chosen the Palm Court, the no-smoking section of the Verandah Café. It would be frequented by the right people, but the tables were small, only holding three or four chairs, so they would be able to introduce Edmund without forcing him to endure an entire service his first time out.
The Café was situated on either side of the Second Class elevator on A Deck near the First Class smoking room. Simon led them along the starboard deck and they entered through oversized, frosted glass sliding doors from the promenade.
The interior was as beautiful as any on the ship. Lattice-work with bright green hanging plants and potted palms lined the walls and a dozen or so tan wicker tables and chairs stood on the black and white checkerboard tile floor.
“Louise,” Elizabeth said, nodding toward a table with Louise Sheridan, Miss McBride, Emily and thankfully no Robert. “We’ll just do a flyby,” she whispered to Edmund.
“A what?”
She struggled for a moment to remember if planes were a thing yet. “Just say hello.”
He nodded and she looped her arm through his as the three of them approached Louise.
“Mrs. Sheridan,” Simon said.
“Louise, please.”
“We don’t mean to interrupt, but we realize we hadn’t introduced you to our cousin, Edmund. He’s been feeling a little under the weather,” he added in response to her curi
ous look.
Elizabeth nudged Edmund.
“Mrs. Sheridan,” he said, doing his best Simon.
“I’m so glad you’re feeling better. May I present Miss McBride and, of course, you two have already met my Emily.”
The little girl smiled shyly at them and lifted her doll to nearly cover her face. “Hello.”
“And what’s her name?” Edmund asked.
“Rosalyn.”
Edmund smiled. “Very pretty.”
The girl blushed and hugged her doll to her chest.
“We won’t keep you,” Simon said and bowed as he gestured for them to move on. “Ladies.”
Louise looked sorry to see them go.
“Maybe we’ll see each other in the library later?” Elizabeth said and then smiled at Emily. “Maybe even read a story together.”
The girl seemed pleased but was painfully shy. She nodded but kept her eyes on her doll.
“Ladies,” Edmund said, mimicking Simon again and getting better at it.
Once they were out of earshot, Elizabeth squeezed Edmund’s arm. “See? You’re a natural.”
She spotted Niels sitting at a table in the corner. He looked up from his menu and waved. Simon moved to join him. Elizabeth started to lead Edmund there as well when they ran into the Rivets, who were just leaving.
Now, this would be a real test. Henrietta Rivet was as snooty as they came.
“Uh-oh,” Elizabeth muttered under her breath. She felt Edmund tense next to her.
“Mrs. Cross,” Henrietta said, her eyes already focused on and assessing Edmund.
“Henrietta.”
Her eyebrow peaked in surprise at the familiarity, but she was much more interested in Edmund than the slight.
“Who do we have here? Hmm?”
“This is my cousin, Edmund. Henrietta and George Rivet.”
George shook his hand with a genuine smile. When it was Henrietta’s turn she held out her gloved hand like a wet noodle dangling from the end of a spoon.
Edmund wasn’t sure how to grip it and as he tried to, Henrietta squirmed and pulled her hand back. Her eyes focused in horror at his hand.
He looked at it and both he and Elizabeth realized why Henrietta reacted as she had. His fingernails were worn down to nubs and what little there was still had some grease under them.
Voyage in Time: The Titanic (Out of Time #9) Page 10
