FINDING LOVE ON THE TITANIC
Chapter Two
"Prenz vos sieges de train
satisfont. Le train part de la station," the French train master
announced. The train was leaving the La Gare depot in Paris, destination
Cherbourg, where the RMS Titanic would be awaiting its next load of passengers.
Rachel, listening to the train master’s command, quickly established a seat
towards the rear of the car. Rachel, a consultant for Women’s Wear, had
accumulated many new fashion finds in Paris. She was attired in one of her
finds, a hobble-skirted woolen dress with a matching fur cape and muff.
Embroidered pumps with buckles completed her attire. Since the ride would be
close to an hour long, she relaxed and tilted the seat back for a short nap.
"Il y a un siège disponible
dans le dos, monsieur," the train master informed the male passenger who
had just entered the train. Rachel slowly opened her eyes, taking notice of the
stranger as he swept by her seat. His attire included a Norfolk suit topped
with a dark green cashmere coat. After he passed, a feeling she could quite not
explain swept over her. For the moment, she brushed off the unfamiliar feeling,
leaned back in her seat, and continued with her nap.
Ross stared out of the train
window as it passed through the countryside. Purple and yellow wildflowers were
beginning to bloom, adding more color to the countryside. His thoughts reverted
back to New York City. He was anxious to be heading home. The dig in Egypt had
been successful and it had relieved his mind of Carol. Two months ago, with no
explanation, she had backed out of the wedding. He was heartbroken. He so
desired a wife and family. Her sudden decision had erased that desire for the
time being.
Rachel awoke from her short nap.
Gazing out the train window, she noticed wildflowers intermittently blooming.
Her mind began to focus on her new fashion finds in Paris. She knew those new
finds would add significance to her job. Why did that not fill up the empty feeling
she felt inside? Rachel reasoned the feeling stemmed from being homesick.
After a three hour wait, the
tender finally arrived to transport the passengers to the ship. After the
passengers were seated and the luggage loaded, it began the journey to the giant
ship.
The displacement of the water
from the forty-five thousand ton ship caused the tender to bounce in the water.
The closer the tender came to the boat, the harder it rocked. It rocked so
profusely that some passengers were thrown off their feet. As the tender pulled
up beside the giant, it banged against its sides so profusely that most were in
fear of the boat breaking in half. As the passengers exited the tender, it took
ten men to hold down the gangplank.
"You appear somewhat
frightened. May I assist you, miss?" the tall stranger inquired while
offering her his hand.
"Oh, yes. Please!"
Rachel, by now somewhat shaken, accepted his hand as he guided her gently onto
the gangplank. She gazed up and his eyes looked into her clear blue eyes. The
blood raced began racing to his head and he suddenly felt faint. Her eyes had
mesmerized him.