FINDING LOVE ON THE TITANIC
Chapter Eight
April 13, 1912
The sun’s rays filtered brightly
through Ross’s stateroom porthole, signaling a new morning had arrived. Ross
gazed across the bed and noted that Rachel was still sleeping soundly. She
looked so beautiful. He gently reached over and softly brushed the hair out of
her face. Ross quietly rose out of bed to dress. In about an hour, he had plans
to meet Colonel Gracie for a game of squash.
Rachel awoke and noticed Ross was
getting dressed. "Where are you going?"
"I made previous plans to
meet Archie for a game of squash before breakfast," Ross informed her as
he continued to dress.
"I also need to get
moving," Rachel said, moving the covers aside. She knew that shortly
Violet would be checking in on her. If Violet inquired into her whereabouts the
evening before, she would squelch any rumors or gossip and advise her that she
got up for an early walk on deck.
Ross walked over to the bed and
leaned over to give her a soft morning kiss. "We had a good night, didn’t
we?"
"We had an excellent
night." Rachel smiled, returning his kiss. "Do you have enough time
for an encore?"
Ross responded by wrapping his
arms about her waist, pulling her towards him. The sensation of feeling every
part of her body against his aroused him. Their lips came together in a
passionate kiss. The passion and desire they felt towards each other connected
them. Neither had experienced a passionate and spiritual connection with
another person before. "The Colonel will have to wait." Ross,
replying to their desires, began to undress.
Ross arrived at the squash court
just as the Colonel was about to leave. "Colonel! I apologize for being
late. Do you still want to play a round?" Ross inquired.
"You look tired, my boy. How
about some breakfast on the deck instead?" Ross, somewhat relieved, agreed
with the Colonel’s decision.
"Miss Green, would you like
for me to press your clothes out and place them on the bed for you while you
take your morning bath?" her stateroom attendant, Violet, inquired.
"Yes. Thank you. My two piece
black and while wool suit with the black velvet collar is hanging at the end of
the wardrobe closet. I also left my shoes out in the hall last night to be
cleaned and polished. They should be returned by the time I return from by
bath," Rachel informed Violet while gathering up her soaps and powders.
"Even though the weather is
somewhat brisk here on deck, the sea is rather calm. A rather quiet day at
sea," the Colonel informed Ross while they shared a light breakfast
together.
"The calm sea matches my
feelings. Yesterday, my feelings were rough and unsettled, while today they are
calm and serene," a somewhat starry-eyed Ross replied. "I think I am
in love, Colonel. You remember the woman I was inquiring about a few days ago
on deck? You encouraged me to take a chance with her."
"Are you referring to Rachel
Green, the consultant for Women’s Wear who I met on my stopover in Paris?"
The Colonel leaned over, making sure not to miss any details of this new
romance.
"Yes." Ross knew how
quickly shipboard gossip got around. At this early stage, revealing too much
about the romance might prove to be a mistake. With that thought in mind, he
quickly changed the subject.
"How about a deck game of
quoits, Colonel?" While a somewhat confused Colonel nodded in agreement,
Ross left to make their appointment with the Quartermaster.
Rachel was in the dining saloon,
sharing her lunch with Isidor and Ida Straus. The Straus’, along with being old
friends of her parents, were also co-owners of R.H. Macy and Co. Department Store
in New York City. Their enormity of wealth and status had not spoiled their
compassionate nature. Both were a very kind and giving couple.
"I am so glad we finally got
to meet up with you, my dear. We have not seen your folks in a long time. How
are they doing?" a soft-spoken Ida inquired of Rachel.
"They are fine. Father is
working long and hard hours at the hospital. Mother spends her free time
attending and organizing charities," Rachel replied.
"When you first entered the
dining saloon, Isidor noticed that you had a certain glow about you."
"I have met someone on the
ship, and I think he might just be the man for me," Rachel, somewhat
embarrassed, explained.
Ross entered the dining saloon
and soon spotted Rachel sitting at a table with the Straus’. Rachel, quickly
noticing his presence, motioned him over to the table.
"Ross, I would like to
introduce you to the Mr. and Mrs. Straus." Rachel stood and proudly introduced
her new man to her old acquaintances.
"Pleased to make your
acquaintance. May I join your table for lunch?"
"No problem at all. Please,
join us," Mr. Straus replied while motioning a waiter over to take Ross's
order.
After Ross and Rachel finished
their lunch of grilled mutton chops with baked jacket potatoes with the
Straus', they completed their meal by sharing a cup of coffee together in the
first class lounge.
The first class lounge, situated
on the promenade deck, was one of the most opulently fitted out rooms on the
ship. The room dedicated to reading, conversation, playing cards, and other
social interactions of the day was decorated in the French Louis XV style. The
craftsmanship was exquisite. The walls were covered with boiseries--elaborate
wooden carvings--which gave the room a distinct symmetrical appearance.
Ross and Rachel sat down on a
couch across from the fireplace.
"Today has been quiet and
peaceful," Ross said while putting his arm around her shoulders, pulling
her closer to him.
"I agree. I keep waiting for
something to interrupt our time together," Rachel replied, gently
snuggling against him.
"What else can happen? We
are crossing the Atlantic on the safest ship ever built," Ross assuredly
informed her.