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Bree reached out with both hands and clasped Elizabeth's.

"Please don't worry. I have no family or friends here. Except you," she added, pleased to see the older woman's face brighten. Then, trying to sound nonchalant, Bree asked,

"Now, what was that you said about Malcolm being injured?"

"He's doing much better now. He's been up and about for the last few days, but the doctor didn't want him to leave just yet. He was hit on the head and fell into the water."

Bree gasped.

"Oh, don't worry. He always did have a hard head,"

Elizabeth said with a wave of her hand and a roll of her eyes.

Her face turned serious. "He had a concussion and made it a bit worse by running all over the Carpathia trying to find us."

At Bree's confused expression, she explained, "That's the name of the ship which rescued us. It brought us to New York. There was so much confusion. I don't know if they've sorted out all the people who were rescued or even know who died. There were so very many." She closed her eyes, shaking her head.

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"And Eldon? It sounds like he survived." Bree didn't even attempt to stifle the dislike in her voice.

Elizabeth didn't appear to notice her tone. "Oh, yes.

Apparently, he jumped in the water to rescue people and barely managed to grab on to a lifeboat before he drowned.

That's Eldon for you. Came out without a scratch, and a hero to boot. Picture in the paper and everything. He has invitations to breakfast, lunch and dinner every day from people who want to thank him."

"Do you go with him?" Bree knew what the answer would be before Elizabeth spoke.

"No. No, I've been so worried about you and Malcolm. My ribs have been hurting quite a bit, too. It seemed easier to stay here. Dr. Tumey arranged rooms for us at the Brevoort Hotel not far away. It's a lovely place. The doctor's been very kind."

Bree noticed a slight flush on Elizabeth's face as she talked about the doctor, and smiled.

"Now, back to the question at hand. Will you come to Massachusetts with us? We have such a big house. It's absolutely beautiful this time of year. We can enjoy a nice visit while you get your health back. Then you can decide what you would like to do next." Elizabeth said, nodding as if the decision were already made.

Bree frowned and chewed her lip. She didn't want to be alone—not with everything in such an uproar. She certainly didn't want to abandon her new friend to Eldon's not-so-tender mercies. And, of course, there was Malcolm. This sounded like an awfully good idea. Then an awfully bad 118

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thought popped into her head. "Oh, no. My money.

Everything!" she wailed.

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Chapter 17


Eldon enjoyed his newfound celebrity status. He hadn't spent a dime since the ship had docked. Every time he turned around someone wanted to buy him a drink or a meal, or whatever else took his fancy.

He took the steps into St. Vincent's hospital two at a time.

If he were lucky, Malcolm would have taken a turn for the worse and Elizabeth would be too busy to interrupt his plans for the evening. He stopped short as he came around a corner and saw a large group of people milling in the hallway.

Irritated, he snapped, "See here, what's all this about? I need to get through." He shoved against the throng until he heard his wife's shrill voice call out.

"Eldon, dear. How wonderful. You're just in time to attend the ceremony." Elizabeth hurried forward, her arm linked in that of a tall, dark-haired woman. "Louise, this is my husband, Eldon. Eldon, this is Louise Vanderbilt." The woman inclined her head regally.

And so she should. Vanderbilt! The family controlled a vast fortune spanning the entire country. "How do you do?" He bent over her hand with a gallant flourish.

"Quite well, thank you." She turned, dismissing him. "Now, Elizabeth, shall we continue? I would hate to delay the young woman's voyage into matrimony, being as her voyage to America has been such a tragedy."

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Eldon stepped up beside his wife, eyebrow raised, not about to miss out on one second in the company of a Vanderbilt.