Charlie         “Well, how was the ball?” Jonathan asked, handing Charlie a cup of coffee as they sat on his hotel room balcony overlooking the ocean.“It was actually quite fun,” Charlie admitted. “That Alise Townly is a character. And the English certainly know how to throw a party.”“That’s good to hear,” the liegeman replied. “So why the long face then? Was Miss Westmoreland not quite the beauty you had anticipated?”Setting his coffee cup on the table between them, Charlie replied, “I wouldn’t know.”“What’s that now?”“She didn’t attend.”Jonathan nearly choked on the liquid he was swallowing. “How’s that? Did you say she didn’t attend?”“That’s correct.”“At all?”“Unless she came and left

CharlieCharlie had learned from business to always trust his gut. He knew when he was being treated fairly and when he was about to be made to look like a fool. Even though he was quite certain that this was not the day that he would meet Mary Margaret Westmoreland, her mother had asked him to return, so he intended to comply even if it turned out to be yet another waste of time.While he was off paying his visit, Jonathan was trying to find out if there was more to this story. He had a very hard time believing that Mary Margaret was actually sick the day before. If there was information to be found, Jonathan Lane would find it. Of that, Charlie was certain.Arriving at the Westmoreland residence, Charlie found the household in a bit of an uproar. Servants were scurrying about, and Mrs. Westmoreland was sitting in the parlor, red-faced and wiping her nose with a handkerchief, as if she had been crying. He was shown in and took the same seat he’d been in o

“The ocean’s out there,” Jonathan Lane probed with a small nudge.With a slight blush, Charlie Ashton pulled his attention away from the young lady who had caught his eye and shrugged. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “I was lost in thought.”Jonathan shook his head knowingly. “I understand this isn’t where you expected to be, but we may as well make the most of it. It isn’t everyday one finds himself on the maiden voyage of the greatest vessel ever to sail the seven seas.”Charlie laughed, picking up on the sarcasm in Jonathan’s tone. “God Himself could not sink this ship,” he replied, quoting the often repeated phrase.“Aye, but The New Yorker might,” Jonathan stated, gesturing at the wayward steamship floating aimlessly away from the docks. “Come on, let’s go over here where we can get a better look,” he insisted, placing his hand on Charlie&r

It had taken some probing, but eventually, Charlie had agreed to join Jonathan for some fresh air outside on one of the boat’s many promenades. However, a compromise had been negotiated; rather than sauntering about amidst the over-dressed, overly formal members of First Class, Charlie had insisted on traveling down to one of the lower decks where the pressures of sophistication would be replaced with an air of excitement at the journey. Happy to be leaving the cabin, Jonathan agreed, and they made their way to C Deck where mostly Third Class passengers could leave the cramped quarters of Steerage for some fresh air and a view of the ocean.As they ambled about, discussing the various features of the vessel, Charlie was reminded of how fortunate he was to have such a scholarly valet. Jonathan had done quite a bit of research about the boat before they boarded. Likewise, he soaked up information from overheard conversations and discussions with other gentlemen of his pos

“Mummy!” Ruth yelled, rushing into her mother’s arms just as soon as Meg had the door open, despite the fact that Baby Lizzy was sleeping, as were her parents.“Shhh!” Kelly scolded, still smiling at her little one as she flung her small body into her arms. “We mustn’t be so loud when Baby Lizzy is asleep,” she reminded.“Sorry!” Ruth whispered sharply, almost as loudly as her normal volume. “Guess who I met!”Meg took a deep breath and tossed herself onto her bunk. The furniture in the room was sparse, and there wasn’t much space between the five occupants. Daniel was snoring on the top bunk above where Lizzy and Kelly were sleeping, and Ruth had the bunk above Meg. Though she had been tempted to ease back out the door, she knew this conversation was inevitable, and she may as well get it over with.“Who did you meet?” Kelly asked as Ruth climbed into the crowded be