“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.”
“Exactly, and I’m very happy to do that. I would have needed to find employment in any case, and his pay is most generous.”
“It appears we both have much to thank them for. Lady Wheatly is paying for my return to England as well, and has given me a temporary home until then.”
“So I’m told.” He paused again and Beth thought she noticed color in his cheeks. “For my part, I’m most grateful that she introduced me to you.”
It was Beth’s turn to blush, and she lowered her gaze to her lap. Was it possible he meant that?
“Perhaps I shouldn’t make my attraction to you so obvious, but you may remember I admired you from that first moment, when we met on the dock at Southampton.”
“You saved me from being run down by a lorry.”
“You remember.”
“How could I forget?”
He brightened. “May I take that to mean you aren’t displeased by my interest?”
“It’s very flattering.” More than flattering. Her heart beat stronger than ever at the very thought that he might prefer her to the gorgeous Cecily Thornton.
“I’m happy you think so. I hoped that would be the case.” He rubbed a hand over his chin. “I must also apologize for not following through on the invitation I made to you that morning, offering to escort you to a welcome-home party for the Wheatlys.”
“No apology necessary. As soon as the Wheatlys joined us on the dock and introduced me as their governess, I understood that you couldn’t follow through.”
“So you forgive me for that breach?”
“Of course.”
“I was overjoyed when Lord Wheatly suggested you become Kathleen’s governess and you accepted.”
Beth only smiled, not revealing that she’d come close to refusing.
“I confess I hoped we’d become well acquainted on this voyage and continue our friendship once we landed.”
Beth rejoiced at his showing such a personal interest in her, but she hesitated to sound too eager. “I am your governess for whatever time you need me.”
“But that will not be long, because I have a cousin in Illinois who is most anxious to come to New York and is willing to care for Kathleen.”
Beth tried to conceal her disappointment. A few weeks before, she would have welcomed such an event, but Richard’s declaration had changed all that. Now she, too, wanted their friendship to continue.
“You see,” he went on, “once I made the decision to return home, I contacted my cousin. She had agreed to care for Kathleen even before I met you. She plans to meet me when the ship docks in New York.”
Beth straightened in her chair and smoothed her skirt with unsteady hands. “I think that’s a s
plendid outcome. A relative who will care for your child is so much nicer than a stranger.”
He sensed her ambivalence. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have told you that. Now you’ve become distant again.”
“It’s only that I’m still uneasy about our ... er, friendship.” She looked up at him through eyelashes that were collecting moisture. “If I’ve seemed distant and cold, it was because I’m your employee, not your equal ...”
Richard grasped her hand. “Don’t say that. Of course you’re my equal. You’re a human being, and I admire you. Your excellent qualities are far more important to me—as they should be to any thinking man—than an inherited fortune tied to a woman with little else to recommend her. I am perfectly able, and willing, to provide for myself and a family without any such inducement.” As he finished his rather long speech, he dropped her hand and rose from his chair.
Beth couldn’t help smiling at his recital. She had admired his looks from the start, was impressed by his gentlemanly demeanor, and now, best of all, felt his intention to marry for love rather than money to be most admirable.
He turned suddenly, pulled her to her feet and leaned close, as if about to kiss her.
She backed away. She wasn’t ready for such a show of affection. They had known each other a scant three weeks. She couldn’t—she simply couldn’t—allow herself to be kissed. Not yet. Then her common sense returned. He probably hadn’t intended to kiss her at all. Like her, he no doubt realized they needed to know each other better.
“Excuse me. I believe it’s time I ... changed clothes.” She escaped to her own cabin, where Kathleen still lay sleeping, and closed the connecting door. Then she leaned against it, her heart continuing to pound and her face fixed in a silly grin.
Chapter 6
Hearing a noise from the adjoining room, Richard put his book on the desk. In fact, he’d read little; his mind was so preoccupied with thoughts of Beth that words on the page held no meaning. He glanced at his pocket watch. It was still afternoon, too early for dinner.
Then the connecting door opened and Kathleen, refreshed from her brief nap, bounced into the room. “Pa-pa? Are you here?”
“Yes, my dear.” He rose and came forward to embrace her. He picked her up and swung her around before setting her on her feet again. She squealed and laughed.
He saw Beth standing just inside and gestured to her. “Do come in.”
He looked down at Kathleen. “Would you like to do more sightseeing with me? Perhaps we can find a children’s playroom or see the gymnasium or the swimming bath.” He looked over at Beth. “What we in America would call a swimming pool.”
She came into the room. “I looked through the brochure quite thoroughly. There don’t seem to be facilities just for children, although they’re allowed in the gymnasium between one and three o’clock.”
“We’re too late for that. I don’t think Kathleen would have much interest in exercise machines anyway.”
“Is there a puppet show?” Kathleen asked. “I like Punch and Judy.”
“We’ll see.” He turned to Beth again. “And will you come with us again?”
“Not this time. The ship is so large; I don’t think you could see all of it even if you spent every minute of every day we’re at sea exploring.”
He grinned. “One can but try.”
She laughed, then became more serious. “I believe I’ll need to ask the steward about having clothes pressed.”
“That sounds awfully dull.” He shrugged and looked at Kathleen, who laughed with him.
“Do go off together and enjoy yourselves. I’m sure Kathleen is thrilled to have her father all to herself.”
Kathleen put her hand in his. “Yes, Pa-pa, I want to go with you.”
Richard stood still for a moment, appreciating Beth’s eyes, the curve of her lips. He had wanted to kiss them, but she had darted away like a frightened fawn. Well, time would correct that. He would never take advantage of her, but a kiss or two might be managed later. Perhaps during the evening.
“Well, then, we’ll say au revoir and embark on our adventure to explore the ship.” He took Beth’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
She smiled, then went back to her compartment and returned holding a folded map. “Take this so you can find everything you want to see without getting lost.”
“Thank you.” With a last glance at Beth’s slender figure in its long blue gown, he led Kathleen toward the door to the corridor and, the girl clutching Toby as usual, they stepped out.
They climbed the Grand Staircase up to A Deck and took tea in the charming Verandah room decorated to look like a garden café. Its white wicker chairs surrounded round tables topped with pots of flowers. In a corner, a few children stacked blocks on the floor or played tag among the unoccupied tables. He saw no sign of their parents.
Richard noticed Kathleen staring at the children. “Would you like to play with them?”
She looked solemn. “They have not asked me. Aunt Anne says it’s rude to join people you don’t know unless you’re invited.”
“Quite right.” Privately he thought Aunt Anne’s rules were a little too strict for children these days. Perhaps it would be different in America. He knew so little about children, in any case. He wanted to learn.
They left the Verandah Café and took the “ele-bator” to the purser’s office on C Deck. “Why don’t we send a telegram to Aunt Charlotte and Aunt Anne and tell them we’re in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? Would you like to do that?”
“Oh, yes, but I haven’t learned to write yet.”
He grinned. “You don’t have to write it. I mean, I will write the words and then the wireless operators will turn what I’ve written into a code.”
“What’s a code?”
“Well, it’s a special way of communicating ...” He tried to think of how best to explain the process. “Look, you know how a telephone works, don’t you?”
“Yes, you speak into the little box with a wire attached and talk to someone who isn’t in the same room. Even the same house.”
“This is similar, only there are no wires between. That’s why they call it ‘wireless.’ ”
“But you said you write it down, not speak into the box.”
“Come, I’ll show you.”
They entered the purser’s office, and Richard approached a young man behind the counter. “I’d like to send a wireless.”
“You mean a Marconigram. Yes, sir. Just write your message on this form and I will send it to the Marconi Wireless Room.” He placed a square of paper in front of Richard, with the words “Marconi” printed at the top.
Richard showed it to Kathleen. “What would you like to say to your aunts?”
She stared at the paper for a moment before answering. “That I am on the ship going to America and ... and I love them very much.”
“Splendid.” Richard placed the form on the countertop and wrote the message in block letters, adding an address in London where it could be delivered. He showed it to Kathleen.
“I know you can’t read it, but I’ve written down what you said and now this nice young man will have it sent.”
He handed over the form, together with the fee the man calculated.
Kathleen tugged on her father’s coat. “I want to see.”
Richard picked her up, and together they watched the young man put the form into a cylinder and place it in the opening of a pneumatic tube fastened against the wall.
“There,” Richard said. “It’s on its way.”
“No, it’s not,” she insisted. “That man just put it in that round pipe.”
The young man turned and smiled at Kathleen. “That ‘round pipe,’ as you called it, is a pneumatic tube which connects this office with the Marconi room on the boat deck. When it gets there, the wireless operator will take the form out of the cylinder, read the message and send it via Morse Code.”
Richard decided more explanation was required. “It’s like the post. Whe
n the message arrives in London, they will put the words on paper and deliver it to your aunts just like a letter.”
Kathleen shook her head. “But how does it get to the room upstairs?”
Richard chuckled. She simply wanted to know why someone didn’t carry it to the wireless room by hand. He opened his mouth to answer, but the young man spoke first.
“It’s easier to send it by the tube, and faster, as well.”
“But where does the tube go?” Kathleen asked.
“To the Marconi room up on the Boat Deck.”
“Can I see it come out of the tube?”
The young man exchanged glances with Richard. “Well, perhaps.”
Richard set Kathleen on her feet. “May we go there?”
“Not supposed to bother the wireless operators, but, seeing it’s a beautiful little girl wants to know ...” He paused and looked from Kathleen to Richard. “On the Boat Deck, behind the bridge, there’s a doorway to a set of rooms. I believe there’s a sign. Can’t miss it.”
Back in the elevator, they rose to A Deck and climbed the Grand Staircase to the Boat Deck. Kathleen pointed to the wooden lifeboats hanging in rows along the sides of the super-structure. “What do they use the little boats for?”
Richard thought for a long moment. First he considered the fact that they were lifeboats, meant to save lives, were the ship to founder. Yet he didn’t want to tell that to a child, especially since this particular ship had been deemed “unsinkable” in the press. “They’re used if people have to leave the ship and there is no dock close by.”
The explanation seemed to satisfy her. Consulting the map Beth had given him, Richard led the way back to the entrance hall and entered a corridor where a door marked “Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company” caught his eye. He opened it cautiously.
A young man in uniform who sat at a desk stopped what he was doing to welcome them inside. “Not s’posed to have visitors up here, but they haven’t posted the ‘No Admittance’ sign as yet.”
“We don’t want to interfere, but my daughter, Kathleen, has just sent a telegram to her aunts in London and would like to know how it got from the purser’s office up here.” He glanced around at the large desk with strange instruments and the walls containing still more unrecognizable items as well as several clocks showing different times.
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