Read Online Titanic Affair by Amanda P Grange - Free Book Online

or shut in where she is.’
    She felt a relaxing of a knot inside her as she realized that Mr Latimer had accepted defeat, and he had done so with a good grace. Rich though he was, he did not pursue his own goals at all costs. Perhaps he was not as much to be feared as she supposed. But that did not mean she could drop her guard entirely. Wealthy men were used to getting their own way, and she must not make the mistake of thinking that he was safe just because he no longer wanted her stateroom. There was a streak of ruthlessness in him that it would be perilous for her to ignore.
    But she could not help looking forward to dinner - although she still had one thing to worry her. Which was, what on earth should she wear?
     
    That question was still vexing her that evening, as she was preparing to go to the dining-room. She had only three evening gowns, and none of them were suitable. She had worn her home made dress the evening before, and although Mr Latimer had spoken up for her when the other passengers had made cutting remarks she did not want to embarrass him, and so she decided not to wear it again. But her other two gowns were scarcely any better. Both of them had belonged to her Aunt Clem, and were five years behind the times. One was made of yellow satin and the other was made of green silk. In the end she decided on the silk. Its waist sat on the natural waist line, instead of following the fashionable Empire line and sitting beneath the breasts, and its skirt was fuller than was presently fashionable, but it was very beautiful. A sudden inspiration hit her. If she tied a sash round the waist, making it wide enough to reach to just beneath her breasts, then it would make the gown appear to be high-waisted, and as sashes were very fashionable at the moment it would also add a contemporary look to the gown. The one from her home made dress would not do as the colours would clash, but by good fortune she possessed a white silk scarf which could pass for a sash.
    Having settled the problem to her satisfaction she luxuriated in a scented bath, then stepped into her cotton underwear and slipped on her gown, which rustled as it fell into place. She was just wondering how to fasten it when her stewardess, Mrs McLaren, called to see if she had everything she needed.
    ‘Could you help me with my dress?’ Emilia asked, grateful to see the stewardess.
    ‘Of course, miss. What a beautiful gown,’ said Mrs McLaren as she fastened it. ‘I’m so pleased you decided not to get off at Queenstown,’ she carried on, blissfully unaware of the real reason behind Emilia’s change of plans, for to explain the fact that she had not left the ship, Emilia had said she had changed her mind about disembarking in Ireland. As the stateroom had been booked for the entire journey there had fortunately been no problem about her remaining on board.
    ‘I think you’re right to take this opportunity to see New York . It’s a wonderful place,’ went on Mrs McLaren, before asking, ‘Would you like me to help you with your hair, miss?’
    ‘Oh, yes, please, could you?’ asked Emilia.
    She sat down in front of the dressing table whilst Mrs McLaren brushed her hair, then braided small sections before wrapping them round the bulk of her hair, which was arranged in a loose chignon.
    Emilia thanked her.
    ‘Not at all, miss,’ said the stewardess, before leaving to attend to her other passengers.
    When she had gone, Emilia brushed a few small waves around her face to soften the style, and combed the golden tendrils that were too short to fit into the chignon so that they were tidy. Then she picked up a string of pearls from the dressing table. It had belonged to her mother, and was the only piece of jewellery she possessed. She held it up against her golden hair, wondering whether to fasten it round her chignon, as was currently fashionable, or whether to wear it around her neck.
    At last she decided to wear it round her neck. It was not really