An Unsinkable Love(6)
Bree halted and groaned quietly in frustration as she considered what she should do. She chewed her lip a 25
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
moment, then turned to find him uncomfortably close and drew back a step. He really didn't seem the least bit contrite as he stood there, hand held out and eyebrow cocked.
Mr. DuMont obviously wasn't an employee. Bree wished she had been given instruction on how she should behave when speaking to a paying passenger. Mr. Barton would probably fire her on the spot if the man complained then she'd have no choice but to pay out her few coins for passage. He continued to watch her, head tipped to the side, as she hesitated.
With a resigned sigh she said, "Bridget Barry," and briefly shook his hand. "I don't mean to be rude, sir, but I do need to be about my business." Bree turned and scurried down the corridor, so flustered by the lingering warmth of his touch she could only hope she headed in the right direction.
* * * *
Malcolm watched the trim figure hurry down the hall. He smiled again, enjoying the view. Her long, wavy, auburn hair bounced with each step and the fabric of the slim skirt twitched over her hips in a most beguiling way. She dressed with style; the outfit could have come straight out of a Parisian design house, and he would certainly know. Of course, she was far too short for a couturier model, but he liked her small, shapely figure sheathed in the clinging outfit.
He'd felt no stirring, no interest, in the tall, gangly women strutting through the French salons these past several weeks.
His fingers itched to burrow into Miss Barry's long coppery 26
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
hair, a welcome relief to the boyish bobs sported by the haute couture.
He reached back and scrubbed the short damp hair on the back of his neck. He would definitely need to find out more about Miss Bridget Barry. The Titanic might be huge, but there weren't all that many people in first class—and she definitely qualified as first class. He wondered vaguely what brought her below decks. As far as he knew, the only facilities here were squash and racquet courts, the pool and Turkish bath, and third class quarters.
Already devising his seduction, he whistled as he sauntered to the elevator to meet his mother for tea.
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27
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
Chapter 2
Bree had to ask two different stewards before she found the tailor shop tucked away in the bow between the linen storage and soiled linen rooms. Mr. Thorpe, a thin, balding and taciturn man, introduced himself as the head tailor. He stood next to a long table, frowning and clearly unhappy to find his new subordinate a female.
"I suppose I'll have to make do with you, young lady. But mark my words, you will follow my instructions precisely. If I receive even one complaint about the quality of your work, you will be discharged, Mr. Barton or no Mr. Barton."
"Of course, sir. I won't disappoint you."
"I'm sure you will, but that's a burden I've borne before.
All you young people are alike. More interested in meeting a wealthy passenger or carrying on with the other employees.
Well, I won't tolerate such behavior. Are you clear on that?"
He glared down at her through thick glasses perched on the end of his nose.
Bree nodded silently. With an abbreviated wave of his hand, he signaled her into a narrow wooden chair on the other side of his small desk. He opened a drawer in a cabinet behind him, retrieved a piece of White Star watermarked notepaper and scribbled a few lines.
Mr. Thorpe held the missive out to her and said, "Take this to the fitting room two doors down, on the other side of the soils room. Mrs. Unger will see to your uniform. Report back here as soon as she has you kitted out. Most of the day is 28
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
wasted, but you can still manage a little work, I expect." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder.
Bree didn't think it fair to be blamed for not working all day, considering she'd only just arrived, but she held her tongue. A large heap of clothing sat on a worktable and she wondered if it represented only a half-day's work, or more.
He continued, "Tomorrow morning you will arrive by six o'clock sharp. I will assign your duties for the day. You will work until six o'clock in the evening, with one half hour for your midday meal. In addition, some of the passengers may require your services in the evening. You will remain in the employee recreation areas or dining rooms or your own room during the off hours so we can locate you when needed."