Love Throughout Time

Chapter 17

*Will*

Edward is sound asleep by the time I return to our room. I can hear him snoring from his adjoining room. But I’m not quite ready to fall into slumber, not with that kiss on my mind. I quietly pour a scotch and slip out onto the deck.

My mind has been going back and forth between believing Millie and thinking her mad, but after that kiss, I’m positive she’s from the future. No woman in 1912 would be so bold. And if I believe that about her, perhaps I’d better take more seriously her insistence that the ship will sink, as difficult as that is to fathom.

The evening breeze is cool, and my mind shifts to thoughts of icebergs. I believe the water is cold enough here that they might be a concern. I think of all the people on the ship, particularly those souls in third-class who are so hopeful about a better future, those I shared a drink with this very night. I need to help them if I can.

To do that, I need more information.

Finishing the last sip of scotch, I head inside. I hope Millie is wrong about the Titanic, but if there’s one thing I learned from my father, it’s to hope for the best and plan for the worst. I’ll need some good sleep tonight to begin those plans.

***

“You’re up early.”

I turn to my brother’s voice as he slips into my room. “Yes. I had some tasks I wanted to get done this morning.”

“Oh?”

“Just a few items I want to check on.” I straighten my hat. “Can you please tell Millie I’ll be back shortly?”

“I will,” he says. “Anything I can assist with?”

“Not yet, but I’ll let you know.”

“Will?” he says as I start through the door.

“Yes?”

“Whatever you have in mind, please remember what I said about not getting hurt.” He gives me a stern, brotherly look.

“I don’t think that’s possible for any of us at this point,” I say. “But I promise I’ll try.”

“That’s all I can ask for.”

I hear him go back to his room as I step out into the hallway and head toward the cafeteria, hoping to find who I’m looking for. I need answers about the ship, and I’ve decided on the best people to ask. The first is Mr. Thomas Andrews, the ship’s builder. He’d have the most information about the capacity of the bulkheads.

As I’d hoped, I found him in the dining room for an early breakfast. “Good morning, Mr. Andrews.”

He stops his meal and stands to shake my hand. “Good morning to you… Mr. Stewart, is it?”

“Yes. Please call me Will.”

“Will, then.” He gestures toward the chair across from him. “Please, join me for breakfast.”

“I’d hate to intrude.”

“I assure you, you are not.” He gives me a pleasant smile and waves the waiter over. “A menu for Mr. Stewart.”

I hold up my hand. “No need for that. I’ll just be here a moment. I’ll be having breakfast a bit later today.”

I turn to Mr. Andrews as the waiter leaves. “I’m loath to disturb your breakfast, but I was wondering if you could answer a few questions about the ship.”

He sets down his fork. “Of course. Have you reason to be concerned?”

“No… well, not yet,” I say. “I’ve had a troubling theory about the bulkheads, and I’m wondering if it would be possible.”

He nods. “Go on.”

“The theory is that there could potentially be a breach in the hull that allows a lot of water inside,” I explain. “In that case, if water spills over the bulkheads, it could cause the ship to falter.”

His eyes go wide but narrow quickly. “Well, that’s quite a theory. I can agree that it’s theoretically possible, yet the hull is strong. It would take a catastrophic breach to allow that kind of water in, and it’s quite unlikely that would occur.”

That’s all I need to hear—it’s possible.

“Also, I personally inspected the bulkheads only yesterday,” he adds. “I assure you, they’re sturdy and operable.”

I nod, standing and offering my hand again. “Thank you, Mr. Andrews. Please, enjoy the rest of your breakfast. I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” he says, shaking my hand. “Please don’t worry about your safety on the Titanic. She’s quite sturdy and seaworthy, I assure you.”

I nod and smile, but I’m starting to believe that isn’t the case.

Stepping out onto the deck, I’m pleased to see that it’s mostly crew members out at this hour. I stroll among them, working out which person to address for my inquiries.

“I’m not concerned about ice.”

I pause, turning my attention to the officers engaged in conversation.

“None of it is large enough to cause concern for this ship.” It’s the same man who spoke before.

“Perhaps, but it may be best for the captain to observe caution,” another man says. “A bit of a slowdown may be in order.”

“Nonsense,” the first man argues. “We’ve a schedule to keep. This ship is stout, and the captain knows what’s best for her.”

So, there are ice warnings, and at least one crew member seems to be dismissing them. I feel a shudder crawl up my spine as I realize things are coming together for just the catastrophe Millie has predicted.

I wave down a steward who is passing by.

“Can I help you, sir?” he asks.

“Yes, if you could answer a question.” I lead him to a lifeboat, and he follows. “This lifeboat… could you tell me its capacity, please?”

“Yes, of course,” he says. “I assure you, these are a sturdy lot. These are the standards, and they hold sixty-five to seventy people. We also have some collapsible boats. Each of those holds an additional forty-nine passengers.”

“Very good.” I notice his keychain dangling from his belt. It doesn’t look secure. “And could you tell me the procedure for which passengers get onto the boats first?”

He gives me a relaxed smile. “Oh, there’s no need to be concerned, sir. I assure you, the first-class passengers will be the first to board and be sent away. Not that it will be necessary on this fine ship.”

Exactly what I was afraid of–first-class passengers first. I’ll need to take measures to protect the third-class passengers if Millie’s prediction comes true. Now, I need to distract him. “Could you tell me how they fasten?” I point to a life jacket hanging behind the man.

“I’m sure there'll be no need to use them, but here, let me demonstrate.” As he turns to take one off its hook, I quickly grab his keys and slide them into my pocket. He doesn’t notice. “You slip it over your head thusly.” He demonstrates, and I watch carefully so I can get the jackets correctly fastened on Millie and my sister, as well as any others I might assist.

“Well, that seems like a simple process,” I tell him. “Thank you for your time. This has been quite reassuring.”

“I’m happy to help.” He walks cheerfully away, thankfully not checking for his keys, which I feel as I place my hand in my pocket. Hopefully, among them are keys to the gates Millie says will be locked down below as the disaster strikes.

I consider the steward’s words as I walk back inside. How cold and callous it is to prioritize human life by how much money one has? Yet, I see it happen in so many ways. Father was always adamant about only doing business with companies that value their workers of every stature. If he were here to see such disregard for life, I can only imagine his response.

I must do all I can to help these people.

Anxious to tell Millie about the keys, I quicken my pace back to the room, only to be stopped in the hall by Mr. and Mrs. Hippach.

“Will, what’s the rush?” he asks with a chuckle. “Goodness, man. You look so serious. Is there a problem?”

“No, not at all.” I paste on a smile I’m not feeling at the moment. “Mrs. Hippach, you look lovely today.”

She smiles at the flattery. “Why, thank you.”

“Would you join us for breakfast?” her husband asks. “And Miss Baker, too. Where is she?”

“I was just heading back to speak with her,” I explain. “I don’t know if she has breakfast plans, but if not, I’m sure we’ll catch up with you in the dining room.”

“Very good,” he says. “Quite a head chef they have aboard this ship. I have sailed on many, and the food is never quite this delicious.”

My nerves are rattled. I need to get to Millie to explain my plan. I manage to nod in agreement, but that’s all.

“It is very good,” his wife agrees. “I do hope you and Miss Baker will join us. She’s such a joy to converse with.”

I force another smile. “That she is, and I hope to join you both soon. If you’ll excuse me….”

“Of course,” he says. “We’ll see you shortly.”

I walk at a normal pace until they turn a corner, then speed up again. From what Millie has told me, the accident occurs on the fourteenth, which is only two days away. We’ll need to have a solid plan in place before then. It’s possible these keys don’t unlock all the gates, so we may have to secure several more before then.

I reach my room and head inside. Edward is gone already, no doubt at breakfast. Knocking on our connecting door, I get no answer, so I go inside.

It’s empty.

No doubt they’re at breakfast, too, I try to tell myself. Yet, I cannot know that for sure. I look around the room, and there’s no sign that Millie was ever here. She has no belongings, only borrowed items from my sister, so there’s nothing to reassure me that she’s here and will return.

I feel panic rise in me. What if she is truly gone, back to her own time?

For a moment, fear envelops me as I collapse into a chair. If she is gone, at least she will avoid the ship’s sinking. For that, I should be grateful. But I already feel an ache in my heart. Were she to disappear from my life entirely, I’m sure it would be too much to bear.

I no longer doubt the growing feelings I have for her. As much as they may lead to pain, I cannot deny them.

I hurry off to the eateries, praying I find her in one of them with my brother and sister.