Love Throughout Time

Chapter 15

*Will*

We remain outside until the ship leaves port, watching as the people on the dock wave farewell to the new passengers. Millie is clearly unnerved by it, and in some ways, so am I. If this ship is doomed as she says, it’s quite profound that over one hundred new passengers have boarded her.

For the moment, I’m only concerned with Millie. I decide that getting her away from those wishing a good voyage to their loved ones will do her good. “Perhaps we should return to the staterooms,” I suggest.

She nods silently and takes my arm as I lead her back inside. She seems to grow stiffer as we approach the rooms until I realize the source of her apprehension. With all that has happened, I’ve almost forgotten about her argument with Agatha.

“My sister has her moments, but I assure you, she will be polite now,” I say, confident my brother has set Agatha straight. Mother would never approve of her being rude to company.

“I hope so, but I don’t know if I can stay in that room with her if she isn’t,” Millie says.

“I’m not sure what other arrangements could be made, but I will not allow you to be uncomfortable,” I assure her.

She looks at me with glistening green eyes. “I believe you.”

For a moment, I forget to take a breath, my heart fluttering.

But I avert my gaze quickly and open the door, finding Agatha inside on the sofa. She rises as we approach. “I’m terribly sorry for my behavior earlier,” she says. “I’m happy to share the room with you, and you’re more than welcome to my gowns.”

“Thank you.” Millie exhales, relief washing over her face.

“Some of the ladies are taking lunch in the café, if you’ll join us.” Agatha looks at me. “Edward has agreed to escort us.”

“Very well.” I stay for a moment to observe them both before determining all is well and excusing myself to my own quarters. I certainly welcome some quiet time to think.

Edward stands adjusting his suit as I walk into his room next door. “Ah, you’re back. It seems we have quite a few new passengers. I found the excitement on the dock invigorating. Did you catch it?”

“I did.” I settle onto the sofa. “Millie and I watched from the promenade.”

“As did I.” He sits in the chair facing me. “How is Millie feeling?”

“Well, I believe. She no longer complains of headaches.”

“That is good to hear,” he says sincerely. “Terrible mess about her disagreement with Agatha. I reminded our sister that Mother always put charity and politeness above all else. She immediately agreed and arranged to include Millie in her ladies’ luncheon.”

“So, I’ve heard.” I remove my hat and adjust the brim. “I’m glad that’s settled.”

“And yet I see your mind is, in fact, unsettled.”

“It is,” I admit.

“I take it Millie is still under the impression that she’s from the future?” He rests his elbow on the armrest, and his chin on his knuckles.

“Yes, and she continues to provide evidence of such.”

He raises one brow. “Such as?”

“She knew the names of the wireless operators, even one who was not currently in the radio room,” I explain. “And then there was a priest—Father Brown—with photography equipment leaving the ship in port. She knew his name and details of his hobby.”

“And you believe her.”

“Yes.”

His eyebrow arches again, but he doesn’t speak..

“It’s quite compelling,” I argue.

“My dear brother.” He leans forward. “Millie is a lovely and charming woman. I can understand why you wish to believe her, but you must know the idea of a woman from the future is impossible.”

“I know that, and yet she is so certain, her information so detailed.” I imagine the confident look in her eye while she’s told me these things.

“Agatha has a hunch that this is an act to get close to you for our money,” he says. “She thinks maybe she’s a third-class passenger who spied on you before her stunt when she fell into the pool.”

“No, that cannot be.” I can feel rage surging in my veins, but I try to remain calm. I don’t think Edward is accusing her of anything untoward, merely repeating Agatha’s words. “She wasn’t there before I saw her in the water. No one was swimming, and there were no women in the room. She would have been noticed long before getting anywhere near the pool.”

He holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Perhaps. Yet to have her appear from the future seems far too unlikely. I only want to ensure you’re not hurt, brother.”

“I know.” There are still so many moments when I falter between thinking Millie is simply in a fragile mental state and believing that she’s a woman from the future.

More often now, I find myself leaning toward the latter.

***

Dressed for dinner, Edward and I wait for the ladies to get ready. “I can tell you’re pleased to dine with Millie again,” he says. “And that’s quite all right. But please, remember our discussion this morning.”

I nod politely to my brother, but inwardly I refuse to be suspicious of Millie. She’s clearly not a gold digger. Either she is suffering from delusions, or she is truly from the future. Regardless, she deserves my respect and protection, and I intend to treat her with such.

Once again, I’m not prepared for the extent of her beauty as she walks into the room. This time, she’s wearing a royal purple gown with silk trim, the tailored jacket of which appears to have been made just for her, though I know it was not. Her hair, adorned with matching purple ribbons and florals, looks lovely pinned up on the back of her head.

“You look lovely,” I say quickly.

“Thank you. And you look handsome.” The way she smiles at me seems to light up the room, and I care not whether Agatha and Edward disapprove. I’m positive I know Millie’s pure heart.

I offer my arm, which she takes readily, and escort her to the dining room with my siblings following. “How was your afternoon?” I ask her.

“It was fun,” she says. “Agatha and I had a good time at lunch with the ladies.”

“I’m pleased you enjoyed yourself.” And I’m glad my sister has come around. I expected as much. Though she’s protective and prone to jump to conclusions, Agatha has a kind soul.

The staff opens the door, and I escort Millie across the dining room to our regular table. Mr. Brandeis and Mr. Hippach rise as we approach.

“Will, my boy!” Mr. Brandeis says boisterously. “I’m so pleased you brought Miss Baker along again.”

“I’m happy to see you once more as well,” Millie says before I can respond,echoing our more formal language. She holds her gloved hand out charmingly, which he takes and kisses lightly.

“Miss Stewart, you’re also looking lovely this evening,” he says to my sister, who also offers her hand with the same result.

Edward and I seat the ladies, and the waiter comes forward with menus. This time, I offer one to Millie, who chuckles and takes it, to the raised brows of the men at the table.

“I’ll have the chicken tonight, please,” she says, and I give my own order while Edward orders for himself and my sister.

“Quite a crowd came aboard in Ireland,” Mr. Hippach says when the waiter steps away. “Steerage must be quite full now.”

“I don’t know why there must be so many of them,” his wife complains.

I can feel Millie stiffen and expect her to protest the rude comment. Instead, she confidently steers the conversation away from it. “Eloise, I really enjoyed the tea you brought this afternoon.”

The woman’s face brightens instantly. “I’m so glad you like it. It’s one of my mother’s favorites. I just had to bring a supply along with me.” She looks at her husband. “You know, the imported spice variety from China.”

“Oh, yes,” he says, taking his drink from the waiter. “It is quite good.”

“Will, you missed quite the chess match this morning,” Mr. Brandeis says. “Edward really gave old JJ a run for his money.”

“I tried,” my brother chimes in with a chuckle. “In the end, I floundered.”

“That sounds quite interesting,” I say. “I’m afraid I was engaged in my own competition.”

“Oh?” Mr. Brandeis raises a brow.

“I believe my brother was busy being bested by Miss Baker at shuffleboard,” Edward adds with a wink Millie’s way. She responds with a pleasant giggle.

“Guilty.” I raise my hand in mock surrender.

“I didn’t win,” Millie explains. “I believe the game was a draw. And my partner, Tommy, was much better than me.”

“I had quite an able partner myself,” I add. “James and I did our best.”

“I take it Tommy and James were young lads,” Miss Allen says.

“Yes,” Millie confirms. “It was quite fun. Ladies, we’ll have to team up against these gentlemen soon for a game on the promenade.”

“Oh, I’d so love that,” Mrs. Hippach says. “I cannot wait to best Louis.”

All the ladies giggle, and once again, Millie’s smile lights up the room. The table’s mood is much livelier than it has been all the nights before, with Millie engaging everyone and ensuring they all have an enjoyable dinner conversation.

“I’m so sorry to see this dinner come to an end,” Mr. Brandeis says when we’ve finished dessert. “Miss Baker, I believe I speak for all when I say how much we enjoy your company.” He looks at me. “Your classmate is simply dazzling, Agatha.”

“That she is” I look at Millie and match her smile before my sister can reply.

“Thank you, everyone,” Millie says. “It’s been a lovely dinner.”

“Well, let’s get these ladies escorted to their evening activities,” Mr. Brandeis says. “Gentlemen, I’ll find my way to the smoking room soon, and you’re all welcome to join me.”

I know I have no intention of leaving Millie, but I nod politely. She wraps her hand around my elbow, and as we leave the room, her eyes light up.

“Will, can we go someplace different?” she asks.

I let out a light chuckle. “You know I won’t refuse, Millie. Where would you like to go?”

Once again, I await her response with wonder. I’ve never met a woman quite like her in my life, and I can only guess at what she has in mind.