An Unsinkable Love(23)
79
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
A stately older man held both his wife's hands in his, his other arm pulling her close as he spoke soothing words to her. A nearly hysterical woman carried a baby, a sleepy toddler stumbling along behind, calling out frantically, "Mrs.
Forth, Mrs. Forth, I have the children!" Uniformed stewards moved through the crowd, urging them to put on their vests and proceed calmly.
Bree slammed the door and leaned back against it.
Sinking! She shook her head and tried to pull herself together. She rushed to Elizabeth's bedroom and called her name loudly. The woman moaned and rolled her head from side to side. Bree picked up her hand and lightly slapped the back of it, repeatedly commanding Mrs. DuMont wake.
Eyelids flickering, Elizabeth frowned sleepily and mumbled,
"What is it, dear? Please don't shout."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. DuMont, but it's an emergency." The blonde head twisted toward the door. Bree reassured her,
"It's not Eldon. The ship has struck an iceberg and it may sink. We don't have much time. We need to get you into some warm clothes and get your life vest."
"But, Bree, dear, the ship can't sink. It was in all the papers." Elizabeth blinked and tried to push herself upright.
Bree slipped an arm behind her and eased her to a seated position.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. DuMont, but Mr. Cave assured me it's true. We don't have much time. Sit here for a moment and I'll gather up some clothing and a coat." She rushed to the armoire and found a heavy wool traveling suit then grabbed the thickest fur coat she found. Not bothering with the 80
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
hatboxes, she rummaged through the lingerie cabinet and found a feather-soft wool scarf and fur-lined gloves.
It seemed to take an hour to dress Elizabeth. Tears ran down the elder woman's face, but she didn't complain. At last, all that remained was to slip on the heavy fur, wrap the scarf around her head and pull on the gloves.
"Bree, dear, what about you?"
Bree looked down and realized her thin wool dress would provide minimal protection from the frigid air. "I'll run down and get my coat." But even as she spoke she heard more people moving down the corridor. She would have to fight her way through the crowd to the stairs, then get down four decks and back up again. She bit her lip as she debated what to do.
"Don't be silly, child. Take some of my clothing. I have more coats and gloves than I need, anyway. Why, we should see if anyone else needs anything."
Bree smiled at Elizabeth's kind suggestion. "What a wonderful idea." She ran to the armoire and pulled all the heavy fur and wool coats out then did the same with the scarves and gloves. She quickly selected items for herself then opened the door. The crowd had thinned considerably, and most of the people hurrying by appeared to be from second class or steerage. An older woman, who wore nothing but a cotton nightgown and a pair of men's boots, shuffled by. Bree ran out and threw a mink coat over her. The woman gaped at her, then pulled it close and scurried down the corridor, darting glances back. Bree quickly handed the 81
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
remaining articles of clothing to those who looked most in need and turned to Elizabeth.
"Mr. Cave said he'd come back for us, but it's been quite a long time. Perhaps we should go on ahead?" Before Elizabeth responded, a quick knock sounded at the door. It opened to reveal the dapper steward, a white life vest strapped on over his uniform.
"You must put on your life jackets, ladies." He went into Eldon's bedroom and retrieved two bulky white jackets from the bottom of the armoire, staggering a bit.
Bree felt a slight tilt to the floor and realized the ship was actually beginning to list. Mr. Cave helped Elizabeth into her vest, while Bree, following his movements, put on her own.
"Quickly, now. The boat deck is already very crowded."
He led them through corridors and up a flight of stairs.
Bree's ears were assailed as they stepped out into the night—
sobbing women and children, the cries of crewmen trying to make sense of the chaos and shouts and curses from angry and frightened passengers. Hundreds of people pushed and shoved to get closer to the boats. The steward and Bree did their best to protect Elizabeth from the elbows and shoulders threatening to knock them all to the ground.
In a commanding voice, Mr. Cave jockeyed them to the front lines. "Here, now, out of the way. Women and children first. You fellows, help make way for the ladies." Other women crowded in behind them as a narrow pathway opened.