Four Days in April
by Del_kaidin
Day 1 - April 10, 1912
9:30 AM
As she started out of the Aston Martin, Catherine Grey glanced once more at the small
bundle held in her Aunt's arms. Only three weeks old and she had to leave him forever in
England. Her Son. The only link between her and her past in Virginia. She was going
home to New York. The Grey family had already joined the social elite of that city and
now she was returning to join them, supposedly from a European tour.
She should be happy and excited about living in New York and escaping the scandal her
pregnancy could have caused. Still her heart ached to stay and be a mother to her son.
Watch him take his first steps, hear his first words, but that was not to be.
Behind her, she heard her Uncle clear his throat, breaking the spell of wishful thinking.
She turned to him, sapphire eyes filled with unshed tears. "Take care of him. Let him
know how much I love him." she implored.
"Now, none of that. You should be grateful that we are saving your reputation and honor
girl. Put this unfortunate incident behind you and enjoy the trip home. Your father has
booked you a first class cabin and arranged for you to have a maid and a chaperon." He
lectured. Pointing at the large ship, which dwarfed the Southhampton docks, "There is
your future."
The ship gleamed in the sunlight her four stacks reaching into the sky. This was to be the
maiden voyage of the Titanic and with the elite of American society taking this voyage the
press had dubbed her "The Millionaire Special", with her safety features she was called
"Unsinkable".
While they had spoken and looked at the ship they hadn't noticed the petite redhead who
had come up to them until she spoke.
"Excuse me. Would you be Lord Grey? I'm to meet him and his niece here. I'm the maid
that has been engaged for her crossing." Erin O'Rilley, unlike her employer, was excited
to be going aboard the Titanic. Here was the great adventure she had waited for her entire
life. Tucked safely away on a small farm in County Mead, she had dreamed of traveling
the world and having adventures. Unlike her sister who was content to stay home and
marry. Then had come the announcement that an American was looking for a lady's maid
for his daughter. The opportunity had been to great for her to ignore. First class
accommodations on the Titanic and if her services onboard was acceptable she would be
retained permanently.
"Yes I am Lord Grey and you would be a Miss O'Rilley?"
"Yes sir. I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of having my belongings sent to the
cabin and arranged for porters to take the lady's trunks there." She prayed she had not
overstepped her bounds. This was her first job as a lady's maid and she wanted so to do
everything right.
"Good. Very Good. Miss." A small smile crossed the Lord's face as he looked down at
this energetic young woman. She is just the thing to pull Catherine out of her melancholy
he thought. "This is my niece Catherine. Now let's get you onboard and homeward
bound." He stepped away from the girls toward the ship spouting instructions to his driver
and the porters waiting near.
"Catherine?" From inside the car her aunt's voice called. Turning Catherine watched as
her aunt mouthed I'll tell him. aloud she said "Be safe child."
"Thank you for everything Aunt Lucille." Kissing her Aunt's cheek Catherine turned to
her companion and maid for the next week. "Miss. O'Rilley..."
"Oh call me Erin. Please ma'am."
"Very well, Erin. I suppose I should see this cabin that has been procured for me. And
please call me Catherine."
"Yes ma'a... I mean Catherine. If you would follow me we'll take the gangway across to
the first class area then you won't have to deal with the steerage passengers."
"Eh? Watch what yer sayin girlie ye be one of us cept fer that fancy job of yers." Cried a
voice from the crowd.
Catherine stiffened. For some unexplainable reason she was furious that this buffoon had
insulted her maid, even though they had met only moments ago a strange feeling of
connection had filled her. "You sir." She called to the offending oaf "Was your opinion
asked for? Please refrain from speaking so to my maid."
"Wha... girl I could..."
"Pipe down you idiot. Can't you tell she's society? Or are you that drunk?" The man
standing next to him asked, pushing him back and away. Removing his hat he bowed to
the two ladies. "I'm sorry ladies. If you need any help my name is Les and I'll be more
than happy to offer my assistance."
"Catherine!!! Come along we don't have all day."
"Thank you sir." Something familiar in his tousled blond curls told her this was a man she
could trust if the need arose, but what she couldn't say. Perhaps it was as simple as being
a good judge of character but that could not be all there was to it. She had known that
Brian would break her heart from the first moment she laid eyes on him but still she
couldn't resist him. Now he lay buried in Virginia.
************
11:30 AM
Entering the stateroom, Catherine was only mildly surprised at it's opulence. What
shocked her more were the mountain of trunks ships stewards were unpacking. The latest
styles from Paris were being pulled from them and put away. She knew the seamstresses
had worked long hours completing these from the measurements taken a week ago.
"Catherine," her uncle said pulling a box from his jacket pocket. "Your Aunt and I had this
made for you."
Catherine took the box from his outstretched hand and opened it. She gasped. The content
was breathtaking. a small golden circle surrounded a sapphire.
"Turn it over." her uncle instructed and watched as she turned it over to find a small
locket hidden behind the sapphire. Opening it she found a lock of hair, her son's. At her
questioning glance "Your Aunt." Tears streamed down her face, unable to speak she
nodded her thanks and dashed into the adjoining room. "Now, Miss. O'Rilley, my niece
has been through some difficult times the last few months and I would appreciate...."
"Keeping an eye on her? Helping her get over it? Certainly. Why before we reach New
York she'll be her old self again. . . . Sir." Erin couldn't believe she had just interrupted
Lord Grey while he was giving her instructions. 'Will you ever learn to keep your mouth
shut?' she silently chastised herself. "I'm sorry, sir. Please continue."
Lord Grey was once again amazed at the bundle of energy this Irish girl was. Normally
he was distrustful of the Irish but this girl with her open manner and enthusiasm for life
was to likable to distrust. "Quite all right my girl. Now a Mrs. Margaret Brown is
coming aboard at Cherbourg, she will act as Catherine's chaperon while she is out of the
cabin, but I expect you to keep her entertained while here. Feel free to wander the ship,
while she is out with Mrs. Brown."
"Thank you sir. I'll be sure to follow your instructions. Is there anything else I should
know. A favorite novel? song? book of poetry? This ship has an extensive library I could
get one for her."
"She is fond of Shakespeare's sonnets, and has some fascination with Ancient Greece." He
was interrupted by the whistle signaling all visitors to go ashore. "Well let me say good
bye to my niece and you have a nice crossing." Stepping into the other room Lord Grey
went to Catherine's side as she lay across the bed silently crying into a pillow. "shhhhh
there now girl. Sit up." He pulled her into a sitting position and against his chest.
Stroking her hair that had fallen from its elaborate style. "I promise your aunt & I will
take care of him and love him as if he was ours. Now dry your tears, and kiss your uncle
good bye."
Drying her tears Catherine smiled and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. I know I've seemed
ungrateful, I'm not truly. I just wish for something that can never be. Have a safe trip
home Uncle."
"And you have a safe crossing" The second whistle blew "Well unless I want to go with
you to New York I'd best leave now."
Together they went back to the main room. Erin was standing in the middle directing the
stewards where to put the contents of each trunk. In her hand a pad and pencil where she
kept notes on where things went. Lord Grey silently edged his way out of the room and
off the ship.
****************************
7:00 PM
Erin had finally finished putting away the last of Catherine's wardrobe and was about to sit
when there was a knock at the door. "Now what?" she muttered. She opened the door to
find a woman, slightly overweight, covered with jewelry. "Can I help you ma'am?"
"You're not Catherine Grey are you child? Well speak up."
"No ma'am, I'm her maid. If you would like to come in and wait I'll be happy to get her for
you, Miss."
"Lord love ya child no miss about me. Just call me Molly everyone does." At the girls
continued puzzled expression she continued. "Oh where are my manners. I'm Mrs.
Margaret Brown, I wanted to meet this girl I'm to chaperone."
"Erin? Who's there?" Catherine called coming from the sleeping chamber. Hours ago she
had asked Erin to help her take her hair down and put on a nightrail, now she stood her
hair falling to her waist. Noticing Molly she pulled the robe tighter around her. "Excuse
me Ma'am. I thought it was one of the stewards bringing the meal I ordered."
"I'm Mrs. Brown, Molly to my friends and you have to be Catherine. Now you don't mean
to tell me you are going to lock yourself away in this cabin. Do You? Well I for one
won't have it. Their servin' a simply wonderful smellin' meal down in the dining room and
you are coming with me." Pointing at the stunned Erin "You get her dolled up for dinner.
I'll be back in thirty minutes and I expect her to be ready." With that said she walked out
almost slamming the door behind her.
"I guess I should pick something to wear." Catherine muttered distractedly. Then both
girls broke into giggles as they began rushing to get done in thirty minutes an hour chore.
*********************************
11:45 PM
Erin stood behind Catherine brushing the main of raven hair preparing Catherine for bed.
Once again Catherine was quiet and withdrawn. Erin knew something was bothering her
but what was the question. Putting the brush down she began braiding the dark hair. As
she did memories of doing this before flooded through her, even as she knew this was the
first time she had braided Catherine's hair, it felt as if she had brushed and braided this hair
hundreds of times. The memories danced at the edge of her consciousness only to slip
away as she tried to pull them forward. Finishing she patted Catherine's shoulder. "There.
I'm done miss. If you'll excuse me I think I'll ready myself for bed."
"What? Oh yes of course goodnight Erin." Catherine climbed into the bed, watching as
Erin finished straightening the dressing table and as she blew out the lamp.
"Good night Miss.
Day 2 Or Back To The Library.
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