The voyage

5–The Compass

Kate awoke the next morning to find James already up and dressed, preparing for another day of command. She smiled lightly and bid him a quiet good morning.

"Morning". He simply said, putting on his hat and then turning to her. "I'm planning on having dinner in the dining saloon this evening, would you like to join me"?

She knew if they were to convince people of their so-called marriage then she'd need to be seen dining with her husband.

"Oh...yes, thank you". She nodded.

"Alright. I'll see you at 6pm", and then made his way out of the room.

Kate stared at the empty spot for a few moments. He didn't seem in the greatest of moods today and that was probably because he'd now realised just what this whole thing entailed. If he were to hand her over to the authorities once they'd docked, she wouldn't blame him.

With a small sigh she dressed and took her breakfast in the room, deciding to take a walk up on the promenade deck as there looked to be calm waters and lots of sun.

As she passed the dresser she noted the object on top of it, now opening it and seeing it was James compass. But not only did her eyes note this, she also now saw the picture of the woman inside. She was beautiful that was for sure.

His actual wife?

No...wait...

Kate looked down at the ring on her finger. "Oh my goodness..." She muttered, realising just why James had brushed off her question as to why he had it.

It was meant for the girl in the picture...

He was obviously planning a proposal for when he returned home. It was the only explanation.

Snapping the compass shut, she quickly placed it back on the dresser, feeling terrible at the fact that she was wearing a token of love that was meant for another. Sliding it off, she placed it next to the compass. If he were to come back then he'd see it, but she couldn't wear it. Not now she knew.

Her feet took her hastily from the cabin and up to the promenade deck when she finally felt like she could breathe. Her hands grasped the railings and now she looked over into the waters below.

No one was about.

By the time they'd discover her absence she'd belong to sea, at least there was no risk of her family finding her. Maybe then the captain wouldn't feel so burdened by her presence.

"S'along way down..." A voice said from behind her, causing Kate to jump back and turn to see a blonde-haired woman watching her intensely. "Sorry, a habit I have - creeping around and scaring people, that kind of thing, it's fun".

Kate noted the accent. "It's alright, but yes, you're right - a long way..."

"You don't want to be falling over it, whether you intend to or not" The woman now eyed her.

"I needed a moment; the cabin was a little stuffy". She lied and leant back forward on the railing staring down. "It's a nice day though".

The woman nodded. "I am Anna sister, Rose. She told me all about you, Kate Astor - I've been wanting to see for myself whether she was right".

"About what?"

"About you - very pretty girl running from family. Captain James is a saint". She sighed and came to stand next to her.

Kate nodded. "He didn't have to be, especially with what I know now".

Rose snorted. "He did and you know it. How else are you to enter New York without suspicion? What do you plan to do when you get there?"

"That's just the thing, I don't know". Kate admitted. "But I know what the captain plans on doing, I just feel guilty I'm wearing something that should be kept untarnished for another woman".

"So what? She'll never know and if she does find out you'll be long gone by then, living a new and carefree life"

Kate chuckled at this, "you make it sound so simple".

"Because it is! Oooooooooooowwwwwh!" She now made an 'o' shape with her mouth as what could only be described as the best thought ever, crossed her mind. "You should stay with Anna and me!"

"Oh, no I really don't think..."

"Oh come oooon Kate Astor! It will be so much fun!"

Kate laughed at this. She liked Rose. She was bold and outspoken, not afraid to say what she felt. "I will think about it".

"Yes, yes you do!" Rose now warned and then spied her sister walking towards them. "Anna! I found Kate Ast...Rogers!" She quickly covered up her mistake as some people now looked at them as they passed.

Anna rolled her eyes. "So I can see, morning Kate, hopefully Rose hasn't been interrupting anything?"

"Not at all. It's nice to have some company".

"She was going to jump!" Rose now blurted out.

Anna frowned, not believing a word that came out of her sister's mouth. "Sure she was...now come on, we're meeting Wanda, Kate? You wanna join us?"

She immediately declined. "Oh, no you go ahead. I'm just enjoying the weather".

"Do not enjoy the water Kate Astor, not the way I told you!" Rose stressed, "Byeeeee!" as her sister now dragged her away by her arm.

Kate turned back to the water and blew out the air from puffed cheeks. "What the hell am I even doing?" She muttered and decided to stroll on down the deck a little more.

"Hiya huuuun!" A woman with dark hair now stopped her as she walked past. "Now are you the one I've been hearing about? Captain Rogers wife? Oh! You're just darling!" She grinned. "I'm Agatha Harkness, my husband Ralf is around here somewhere, probably the smoking room if I know him!"

It seemed the whole ship now had word about her, and it wouldn't surprise her if Agatha was one of the gossips. "Pleasure to meet you Mrs Harkness, I'm Catherine".

Agatha now grinned. "So how long have you been married to our Captain?"

Less than twenty-four hours... Kate wanted to say but knew that she really couldn't.

"Oh, it was only recent, but feels like a long time, I couldn't possibly be able to remember" She lied, Agatha now wanting to see the ring."I took it off to bathe, must have forgotten to put it on, I'm dining with my husband later so if you're in the saloon then I'll show you then".

This bloody ring. She'd have no choice but to just wear it now. Then again it made sense. If James had found it next to the compass, then he'd know she'd been snooping...

"Alrighty then!" Agatha didn't seem fazed by this at all.

"If you'll excuse me". Kate quickly said and rushed back to the cabin, thankfully finding the compass and ring in their places. Slipping it on, she shook her head to herself. "Can this bloody boat just dock in New York now and this be over with?" Muttering to herself once more.

It was true what they said about the term 'cabin fever' and Kate only had six more days to endure of it.

She could do this...at least, she thought she could.