Date
They were late. Not as late as Meg had anticipated considering they hadn’t even begun dressing until almost five o’clock, but slightly late nonetheless. Dressed in a velvet and silk Chantilly lace gown in black, with a small train, square neckline, and netted sleeves, featuring red floral embroidered tulle at the waistline and splendid bead work, her hair in a low chignon with matching beads interlaced, a diamond necklace she had borrowed from Molly featuring a flor de lis and matching diamond earrings, and red, satin, beaded slippers, Meg was finally beginning to feel like herself again.
She had briefed Molly on precisely who she felt she needed to avoid, as best she could tell, and they had come up with a plan for what to do should her cover be blown. Arriving a bit late actually helped in some ways, as most of the diners were already seated before she entered, giving less of an opportunity for them to linger at the bottom of the grand staircase. In fact, as Meg began to descend the opulent structure, there was only one person paying her any attention at all, and the sight of him took her breath away.
He was leaning against the newel post next to an illuminated cherub, dressed in full tailcoats, smiling up at her, his green eyes sparkling, and as she approached, she realized she was holding her breath. “Meg, you are exquisite,” he said, taking her gloved hand in his and kissing it gently.
“Thank you,” she replied, smiling at him, almost giddily. “You look… amazing, as well,” she stammered.
Nodding, he replied, “Thank you,” and offered her his arm. Molly was stepping around them, planning to run interference should it be necessary, and he greeted her as well, saying, “Thank you ever so much for your help.”
“My pleasure, Charlie,” she said, patting him on the arm as she stepped away. “That Meg’s a fine gal.”
“Yes, she is,” he agreed, staring at her intently. “Yes, she is.”
As he led her to the assigned dining table (an extra place had been set for her) she glanced about the room, looking for potential threats. She saw Madeline Astor across the room, her back to the table they were headed toward. She did not see the Strauses anywhere. And while it looked like Lady Duff Gordon would have a nice view of where Meg and Charlie would be sitting, Meg would have her back turned to her dress designer, which could cause potential problems, except for Molly was seated where she could keep an eye out if Lucy were to approach their table.
Meg was relieved that she did not recognize anyone at the table. A few of the names seemed familiar as Charlie introduced her, but there was no one present she had ever met before. Of course, they were all curious as to who she was and where she had come from. Charlie simply explained, “She’s the aunt of the young lady who almost fell overboard yesterday,” to which Molly added, “You mean the girl you saved,” and that seemed sufficient for most who asked her several questions, many of which had to do with health of the girl’s father and the accommodations in Steerage.
Each time Meg glanced in Charlie’s direction—which was frequent—he was beaming at her. “Whatever is the matter with you?” she finally asked, leaning in so that others might not overhear.
“Nothing in the world,” he replied. “I just can’t take my eyes off of you. I told you, you would fit right in. Your manners are impeccable. You even know which fork to use.”
“I wasn’t raised in a barn, you know,” she jested. Still, she thought, perhaps, she should seem a little less polished so that her familiarity wasn’t so obvious.
“Nevertheless, I’m quite impressed. Your mother must be quite some woman to teach you such proper etiquette and how to dance,” he replied as the waiter removed their third course plates.
“Oh, she’s something else, indeed,” Meg muttered.
“What’s that?” Charlie asked, obviously seeking clarification more so than repetition.
“Nothing,” Meg replied, forcing a smile. “I should think there are better things to talk about at dinner than my mother.”
“Indeed,” he agreed. “How are Ruth and Baby Lizzy today? I so missed seeing them, but I had rather a lot of business matters to attend to and getting a Marconi out aboard this vessel is virtually impossible.”
“They’re well,” she replied, smiling. “Ruth asked about you several times today. She was happy to see Mr. Jonaffin, but she wanted to know where you were as well.”
He smiled. “That girl is a spitfire if I’ve met one. I should like to see her running around the factory floor, ordering the workers about, someday soon.”
Meg nodded. “That might be a good job for her, though you’d have to be careful she didn’t end up in the machinery.”
“Yes, of course,” he nodded. “You never know where our little Ruth might end up.”
She couldn’t help but notice he had already taken claim to her, saying “our” little Ruth, which made her a bit melancholy. She hoped that, regardless of what transpired between them, he would keep his promise to Daniel. She was certain he would.
As the fourth course was taken up, she made eye contact with Molly, who winked at her, an assurance that all was still safe. Nevertheless, over an hour into dinner, with at least another five courses to go, Meg could feel the panic growing inside of her. She needed to find a way to get out of the dining room before the inevitable happened and someone recognized her. “Charlie,” she said quietly once there was a break in his conversation with the other dinner guests seated around him, “do you think we must stay for the entire dinner?”
Charlie’s forehead creased in a look of concern. “Are you feeling all right?”
“Yes,” she replied. “I’m just… nervous, that’s all.”
“You’re lookin’ a little pale there, Meg,” Molly chimed in from across the table. “You need to go lay down?”
Meg couldn’t tell if the comment was accurate or if she was just trying to be helpful. She took a sip of water, not sure how to respond.
Charlie spoke up. “If you’re not feeling well, we can go. But you have nothing to be nervous about.”
“Everyone is staring at me,” she reminded him.
Leaning in to her ear, he whispered, “That’s because you’re beautiful.”
Feeling her face redden, she smiled and then replied, “No, it’s because they are wondering who I am and what I am doing with you.”
“Let them wonder. It’s none of their business,” he stated dismissively.
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