Past
Meg sat next to Charlie on the settee in his room, listening to Carrie snore on his bed. It was nearly midnight, and she knew she should go back to her room, but she didn’t want to. Mauretania was due to arrive in Southampton in the morning, and thoughts of what that would mean kept creeping into her mind, along with a host of ghouls from the box. The battle of pushing them back in was exhausting.
“Do you think my sister and mother are enjoying planning the wedding?” Charlie asked, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
She looked up at him with one eyebrow raised. “I’m sure they are, though if it goes anything like the engagement announcement, we shall have to purchase stock in heart medication.”
Charlie chuckled. “At least Grace apologized. That’s something, I suppose.”
They hadn’t really talked about the events of the engagement party since that night, the fireworks having marred the entire event, but there were questions lingering in Meg’s mind, and she thought now was just as good a time as any to broach them. “Will the same attendees be invited to the wedding—and several hundred more then?”
“I assume so,” Charlie shrugged. His arm was draped around her shoulders, her hand on his knee. Their chaperone slumbered on peacefully. “I do hope Ralph is able to make it, though. And my friend Walter. You’ll love him. Silly old chap.”
Meg had heard mention of Walter before, though she’d yet to meet him. Ralph was the opening she was looking for. “Ralph is… Stella’s brother?”
“Yes,” Charlie said, though his demeanor changed a bit. She wasn’t sure if it was the mention of her name or the realization that he’d given her the opportunity she had wanted since she’d started the conversation.
“She seemed a bit hostile,” Meg said, making her voice as nonchalant as possible.
Charlie only nodded. “Ralph was a sort-of troublemaker in high school, but he certainly turned things around. He’s working in exports now, I believe.”
The change in topic didn’t stick. “Charlie, why was Stella so antagonistic?”
“Stella?” Charlie asked, as if he couldn’t quite place her. “I’m not sure. She was inebriated I believe. Perhaps that’s why.”
She let a sly grin spread across her face. “Charles?”
“All right, Mary Margaret. If you must know, Stella and I spent quite a bit of time together for a semester or two, back when you took one of your hiatuses from writing to me.”
She raised both eyebrows. “I see. So it’s my fault that she fell in love with you and never recovered?”
“Partially,” he said, returning her surprised expression. “Although, for most women it can’t be helped.”
She laughed loudly and threw her hands over her mouth in an attempt to keep from waking Carrie. “That might be the most boastful statement I’ve ever heard you make.”
“And you knew immediately I was joking,” he reminded her, kissing her on the forehead.
“I did, only because I know you wouldn’t ever say such a thing—that doesn’t mean it isn’t true.”
He shrugged again. “It isn’t true for most women, I dare say. But for Stella… we’ll just say there was a hope there that you and I would not work out.”
Meg nodded. “And did you feel the same way about her?”
He answered quickly. “No. I mean… I cared a lot for Stella. She is unlike any woman I’d ever met before. I met her during a football match where she ran onto the field to take the ball away from me.”
“Really?” Meg asked, her mouth agape. “I can’t imagine.”
“Yes, she’s quite unique and interesting. And I believe you know I did go through a short period of time when the idea of controlling my own destiny seemed appealing. But it was short-lived, and my relationship with Stella was ended quite quickly after I realized how much I cared for you.”
“Before you even met me?”
“Yes.”
“When I was across the ocean pretending you didn’t exist?”
“Indeed.”
Meg shook her head slowly. “It’s no wonder she hates me. And it’s no wonder she thought you were mad to believe we’d ever end up together.”
“Well, if that’s what makes me mad, then I’ll accept the label.” He kissed the top of her head again, and Meg slid her hand up so that it was around his waist, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Stella and Quincy might not be happy, but that doesn’t give her the right to make a spectacle of herself at our wedding.”
“No, it’s fine if she comes,” Meg assured him. “If she’d like to. I don’t mind.”
“All right then,” Charlie said, wrapping his arms around her.
Meg glanced up at him. “You’re certain there’s no regret, though? You don’t wish things had happened differently?”
His only answer was to kiss her in such a way that Carrie might have even had to put a stop to it if she’d been awake. Meg was grateful she could still hear her lady’s snores as Charlie’s sweet kisses carried her away.
* * *
Seeing Southampton from a distance was surreal, and Meg almost wished she’d stayed inside of her room until the ship docked, but she’d been drawn to the upper deck where she could see her hometown unfurl before her. When she’d left, not nearly as long ago as it seemed, she’d done so assuming her future would hold freedom and a new beginning in New York. While that had been the case, it was nothing like what she’d imagined. If she’d had her way, she’d be working her fingers to the bone in a factory somewhere, living in a dirty hole in the wall, who knows where, with dozens of other tenants, barely eating, wearing rags. She’d have been free, but she wouldn’t be with Charlie. Kelly and Daniel would be in the same situation—living a meager existence just scraping by to feed their children. While Meg was certain she’d be happier in such a situation than she had been under her uncle’s roof, she was thankful fate had other things in store for her.
Charlie was with her. It was the first time he’d come out of his cabin the entire trip, and with the sunshine and fresh air, his coloring did look better, but she could tell he was nervous, and his hand shook where it grasped the railing in front of them. This would be the hardest part for him, she was certain. Going back, he would be more assured of himself. Perhaps he’d even join her on the promenade or frequent the First Class dining hall.
“How do you feel about going home?” he asked, not even turning to look at her since his eyes were fixated on the buildings in the distance.
“Nervous,” she admitted. “I’m glad you’re here with me.”
“I know it will be difficult to face your mother and uncle again, but you can do it.”
She agreed. It would likely be the hardest thing she’d ever done, but she had no choice. On top of that, she’d have to speak to Ezra again as well. She needed to know what really happened and if Charlotte was all right. The thought of what she was about to discover made her stomach tangle into knots.
Once they reached the pier and the ship stopped moving, Charlie managed to loosen his grip on the rail and slip his arm around her. “Don’t worry, Meg. You don’t have to face those monsters on your own ever again.”
She leaned her head into his shoulder and steeled herself for what may lie ahead, praying for the strength to bring this nightmare to an end once and for all.
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