Stress Free

Reading the newspaper was much more enjoyable when one was alone. Or, at the very least, it was much easier to concentrate when the only sounds Robert could hear were the lapping of the water against the hull of the ship as it sped through the water and the occasional footsteps of a fellow passenger walking by in the hallway.
How long had it been since he’d had the opportunity to sit and read a newspaper without having to drop it every few moments so that Victor could have more coffee or have a cigar handed to him or something else silly that he could’ve done himself? For that matter, most of the time, even if Victor wasn’t demanding Robert perform some menial task, he was ranting and raving about something ridiculous, like how workers demanded a livable wage and how he had to pay taxes to support such worthless causes as schools for underprivileged children. “If a parent can’t afford schooling, let their child get a job!” he’d once shouted when reading over a tax statement.
“How someone that cruel and selfish deserves to have that kind of money, I’ll never understand,” he muttered, finishing the business section and folding it before taking a sip of the coffee he’d poured himself with his own two capable hands.
His eyes went to the balcony where he’d shared a delightful moment with Carrie the night before. She was so lovely, such a kind, intelligent woman. How lucky was he that she just happened to be on this same boat with him?
The situation had turned intimate the night before, and he’d been about to kiss her. In some ways, he was glad Jonathan had come back at the moment he did. While Robert longed to taste Carrie’s lips to feel their soft warmth against his, he knew it wasn’t respectable for him to kiss a lady he was only just getting reacquainted with. Some would argue the pair of them shouldn’t have been having dinner unchaperoned, for that matter, and they might be right. Though certain exceptions were often made for working women, such as Carrie, Robert didn’t see her as any less of a lady than the other women who held First Class status. For that matter, in Robert’s opinion, there wasn’t a finer lady in the world than Carrie Boxhall.
He took a deep breath. He was getting in deep. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, he couldn’t say at present, but it seemed to him that Carrie was leaning in for a kiss, not leaning away.
He was just about to pick the newspaper back up when there was a sound at the door. The sound of Carrie’s laughter filtered in, and he immediately smiled. Standing, he set the paper aside and greeted her as she came through the door with Jonathan. “Did the two of you enjoy your lunch?”
“We did,” she said with a fond smile. Jonathan closed the door behind her, nodding in agreement. “It’s a shame you couldn’t come.”
They had invited him, but he’d decided to give them some space and stay in the room. While he loved spending time with Carrie, he didn’t want to overwhelm her. “I got caught up on all of the financial matters back in the city.” He tapped the newspaper.
“Is that the one I brought on board with me?” Jonathan chuckled. “I suppose it’s old news by now.”
“Yes, well, it was all new to me.” He laughed and placed his hands in the pockets of his slacks. It was too bad he only had his uniforms and one other outfit with him, which was nothing fancy. He felt out of place still dressed like a servant.
“We ate lunch with a lovely woman named Vivian Jenson,” Carrie said as she came around to sit on the couch. Jonathan joined her, and Robert reclaimed his chair. “She told us about a concert that’s going on this evening. Can you believe they’re having a concert right here on the ship?”
Robert knew many ships offered entertainment to First Class passengers, not that he’d ever attended anything of the sort. “That’s fascinating.”
“Yes, and a very famous singer by the name of Gretchen Flynn is going to sing for us. Isn’t that lovely?” Her face lit up when she spoke, so Robert could tell Carrie was excited by the idea.
“It does sound wonderful.” He managed a smile, but his previous thoughts about his attire came back to him. Besides, he wasn’t technically even a First Class passenger, so he probably shouldn’t even consider attending.
Carrie cleared her throat. “Would you like to attend? Or do you have plans?”
“Oh, uhm, I’m not sure.” Robert pursed his lips, trying to decide how to answer. It was as if she were asking him on a date. Even if that wasn’t her intention, that’s how he felt. By the look on her face, he could tell she thought he would decline. “It’s only….” Robert gestured at his clothing. “I don’t have anything proper to wear.”
“That’s not a problem,” Jonathan said dismissively. “You’re a bit taller than me, probably broader in the shoulders, but I think one of my suits will work.”
“I can let it out,” Carrie offered. “I’m not a seamstress by any means, but I know a thing or two.”
“Do you think the other First Class passengers would mind if I were there?” Robert leaned in a bit as he spoke, as if he thought the others might somehow overhear from their luxurious rooms onboard.
“You’ll go in my stead,” Jonathan said with a shrug.
Carrie’s eyes widened. “I thought you wanted to go.”
“It’s not so important to me. I’d rather the two of you went together and had a nice time. I can catch Gretchen the next time she comes to the city.”
“Are you sure?” Robert asked just as Carrie clapped her hands in glee. Apparently, she was sure.
“That’s wonderful,” she gushed, squeezing Jonathan’s arm. “You’re simply the best, Jonathan Lane.”
“I know.” He wagged his eyebrows at her and stood, walking toward his bedroom. “I’ll grab one of my suits for you.”
While Robert knew Carrie and Jonathan were merely friends, a tinge of jealousy climbed the back of his neck at the way they interacted. He wished Carrie could be so playful with him. Maybe she would be one day, if he was lucky enough.
With Jonathan in the other room, Robert had the perfect opportunity to speak to Carrie alone. Yet, when he looked in her direction, his mind went blank. All he could think about was how lovely she was.
He could say that. He could tell her how she was beautiful, how he’d been picturing her face all day. He opened his mouth, thinking he’d say something dashing. “You sure look… full.”
Carrie’s mouth fell open as she stared at him. “I look… full?”
Robert ran a hand through his hair, cleared his throat, and gaped at her. “I mean… how was lunch?”
A giggle escaped her lips. “It was fine. I suppose you must mean the food since I look so full?”
“I didn’t mean–” At a loss for words, Robert only shrugged. He’d fully meant to say she looked beautiful. It just hadn’t come out right.
“I had the beef dish,” she added. “It was a bit more chewy than I prefer, but it wasn’t bad.”
He nodded, trying to think of something to say to redeem himself. He hadn’t eaten any lunch yet, so he couldn’t tell her what he’d eaten.
“Here we are.” Thankfully, Jonathan came out of his room with a suit, saving him from more embarrassment–at least temporarily.
Carrie hopped up off the couch, clapping her hands. “Wonderful!” She took the suit by the hanger and moved toward Robert. “Do you think this will work?”
Nodding, he stood. “I think so.” He could tell it would be a bit too short and it might be tight in the shoulders, but he thought it would work.
Taking the jacket off the hanger, Carrie held it out for him. Realizing she wanted him to try it on, Robert slouched out of his work jacket and slid the other one on. As suspected, it was uncomfortably tight. Carrie inspected the situation for a moment before nodding. “Yes, this is workable. Here, hold the trousers up to your waist so I can see how short they are.”
Without hesitation, he did what she asked, even though he felt a bit silly. She scrutinized the situation and then giggled again. “This should be a challenge. I knew you weren’t as tall as Mr. Ashton, Jonathan, but I had no idea how short you are.”
“Hey!” Jonathan shook his head. “Perhaps I’ll decide to go to the concert after all.”
Still laughing, Carrie gathered up the suit and put it back on the hanger. “Oh, you know I’m just teasing.”
With slitted eyes, Jonathan glared at her from across the room, but it seemed he was well aware that Carrie was being silly.
“I’ll just go work on making these alterations.” Carrie smiled at each of them, making Robert’s heart flutter, and then practically danced out of the room, leaving him staring after her.
“You might want to close your mouth before a fly lands on your tongue,” Jonathan mused, pouring himself a cup of coffee from the carafe Robert had left on the table.
“My mouth was closed,” Robert argued, though he wasn’t quite sure that was actually true. He couldn’t help it. Carrie was just a breath of fresh air. Everything about her made his breath catch and his heart hammer against his rib cage.
Taking a seat on the sofa, Jonathan sipped his coffee before asking, “What are your intentions exactly, if I may be so bold?”
Eyebrows arched at his boldness, Robert sank into his chair, folding his hands in front of him as he leaned forward on his knees. “Toward Carrie, I presume you’re asking?”
Jonathan nodded slowly.
“She’s lovely.” The words came out easily this time. Perhaps he should’ve been trying to say that instead of “beautiful” like he had before. “I love spending time with her. Ever since we danced together at the Ashtons’ wedding, I haven’t been able to get her off my mind.”
Again, Jonathan’s head rocked back and forth–slowly. “But what are your intentions toward her? Carrie is a dear friend of mine, and I’d hate to see her get hurt–by anyone–in any way.”
Swallowing hard, Robert considered what Jonathan was saying and why he might be saying it. Was Jonathan under the impression that Carrie had feelings for him? Could she have said something of the nature to him, or was this just another one of his keen observations?
“I’m interested in seeing where this may go,” he admitted. It was easier to say the words to Jonathan than it would’ve been to Carrie. “This voyage seems to be about new beginnings for all of us, and I’d like to think it’s a good sign that the two of us have become reacquainted under such circumstances.” A hopefulness Robert hadn’t felt in a long time continued to surface, bubbling up in his chest and causing a more genuine smile to grace his face than he had experienced in ages.
When Jonathan’s head rocked back and forth this time, it was a bit quicker, as if he could see that Robert meant every word he’d spoken. “Very well then,” he finally conceded. “If you truly care for her, I won’t stand in your way. In fact, I’ll continue to be helpful however I can be. But if you hurt her….” A shadow passed over his face, morphing his features into something sinister. Robert could hold his own with most men, but he wouldn’t want to face off against Jonathan. “Just know that I’ll rip you limb from limb.”
All Robert could think to say was, “Fair enough.”