“I’m not in the pickpocket business.” Reverend Harper’s carefree expression shifted to one of concern. “It’s not pocketbooks I’m after, but hearts.” He settled into a chair across from hers.
Tessa eased herself back into her seat. “Hearts?”
“Yes. If I snagged a reticule, the money inside would see me through a few days, perhaps, but not into eternity. I want to fetch hearts from people. Hearts for the kingdom, I mean.”
“The kingdom?” She found herself more perplexed than ever. “You mean the British Empire?”
“No, my dear.” A hearty chuckle followed on his end. “I daresay we have plenty of support for the British Empire already. This ship is all the proof we will ever need that the Empire is alive and well. But even she cannot assure the kind of peace and long-lasting security I’m referring to. I speak of the kingdom of heaven.”
“Heaven?” At once Tessa’s knees ached. She thought of her father. Thought of that rocky path. Remembered her rock prayers, how they had scarred both her knees and her soul.
In that moment, she felt as transparent as the glass surrounding the promenade deck. Did this man, this minister, realize the depth of her deception? Did he know she didn’t belong on this ship?
From his calm, kindly expression, probably not. Still, she felt uncomfortable presenting herself to a minister as Jacquie Abingdon, particularly when he spoke of heaven. Likely she would never make it, if one could judge such things by behavior.
Reverend Harper rose and walked to a bookshelf then returned with a stack of books. “I do hope you girls will forgive me, but I’ve got to study.”
“Of course, Uncle John.” Jessie reached for her wrap. “Do you mind if we take a stroll on the deck?”
“Not at all. Just make sure Annie stays warm. It’s chilly out there today.”
“Of course.” Jessie turned to face Tessa and extended a hand. “Would you like to join us for a turn around the deck?”
Overwhelmed at the young woman’s generosity, Tessa nodded. “I would love that.”
They made their way to the glass-enclosed promenade deck to avoid the cold. As they walked, Annie—who turned out to be quite playful and talkative now that they were outside the library—kept them entertained with her antics. She skipped along ahead of them, and Jessie kept a watchful eye on her.
Tessa enjoyed the peaceful conversation with Jessie more than she might have imagined. Though they were different in many respects, something about the young woman drew her in. Her kindness, perhaps. Her gentle way of leading the conversation back around to spiritual things.
Not that Tessa cared to discuss religion. No, thank you. After Pa’s attempt to convert her to his cruel religiosity, she would rather steer clear of the subject. Still, as Jessie talked about God as if He were a friend, Tessa found herself curious. Intrigued.
At one point Jessie paused and gazed out over the waters, a serene expression on her face. “‘In the beginning’”—she gestured to the ocean—“‘God created the heaven and the earth.’” A lovely smile followed as the young woman closed her eyes.
There was something rather majestic about the tone of her voice. It captivated Tessa.
“‘And the earth was without form, and void,’” Jessie continued, eyes still closed, “‘and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.’” She punctuated each word with dramatic flair, adding just the right amount of volume.
“Goodness.” Tessa shook her head as she recalled the woman’s dissertation. “You sound like an actress on a stage.”
Jessie chuckled and her eyes popped open. “More like a preacher behind a pulpit, but I come by it honestly, you see. I do spend a lot of time in church, after all. I did mention that my uncle’s a pastor.”
“Yes, but what did you mean by what you said?”
Jessie shrugged. “It’s a favorite Scripture of mine. When I close my eyes, I can almost imagine the Almighty forming the seas by speaking them into existence. I picture His Spirit, that wonderful Comforter, over the waters. And it gives me hope.”
“Hope?” There was that word again, the same word that had latched onto her as she gazed up at the ribbons of sunlight streaming through the glass dome above the Grand Staircase. Hope.
“Yes.” The most peaceful expression settled on Jessie’s face. “For as surely as the Spirit moved over the seas, as surely as He rose and fell with the tide, our loving Father is at work inside of me, bringing peace and comfort. I am His creation, after all, formed in His image.” The young woman paused and gave Tessa a pensive look. “And so are you, Jacquie Abingdon. So are you.”
“I—I am.” She’d spent little time thinking of herself as a creation. Indeed, Tessa’s only view of herself—other than the fictional life she’d imagined back in Countess’s stall—was what had been spoken about her by her father.
“My father…” Tessa shook her head, unable to go on.
“What about him?” Jessie asked.
“He’s…” She tried to get the words out, but they refused to come.
“When you want to share, I’m here.” Jessie gazed at her with such intensity that Tessa wondered if she could see all the way to Gloucestershire County, all the way to the rocky path. “Until then, just rest in the comfort that your heavenly Father adores you. He does, you know.”
This certainly contradicted everything Tessa had ever been taught. Obviously Jessie’s God was considerably different than Pa’s, to say the least. An adoring, loving Father? Bringing peace? Comfort? She could hardly fathom any of those things. Not with the picture Pa had painted in her head and ground into her knees. His God was cruel. Merciless. Intent on bringing pain when she failed.
Jessie slipped her arm through Tessa’s and took a few steps down the corridor. She began to sing a little hymn as they walked, one that soothed Tessa’s aching soul, if only for those few moments.
When they reached the starboard side of the ship, she caught a glimpse of Iris standing at the glass, looking out on the water. Tessa made introductions and her new friend graciously included Iris in the conversation, even asking her to join them for their walk. Iris seemed a bit hesitant to do so, but Jessie won her over with a lovely comment about her hairstyle.
Before long, the three ladies walked side by side with little Annie leading the way. The youngster hopscotched her way along, all giggles and smiles until she ran headlong into one of the passengers.
Nathan.
For whatever reason, Tessa found her cheeks growing warm when she realized he stood in front of them. A smile turned up the edges of her lips, and her heart flooded with joy. Jessie must have noticed, because she gave Tessa a “who do we have here?” look. Tessa introduced him at once, doing her best not to act smitten. Still, she could hardly deny the fact that feelings were growing, especially after witnessing the efforts Nathan had gone to with Edith Russell. Oh, Iris would be so thrilled when she found out!
“Am I interrupting anything?” Nathan asked.
“Not at all,” Jessie said. “We’re just having a little stroll around the deck.”
Before long, Annie had convinced Nathan to join her in a game of hopscotch. Tessa watched, amused, as he hop-hop-hopped his way along. Only when he extended his hand and encouraged her to join them did she get nervous.
“Go ahead, Jacquie,” Jessie said with a smile. “I’ll stay and visit with Iris. You two play with Annie. I’m sure she’s thrilled to have new friends.”
“All right.” Tessa could hardly believe it, but she found herself looking forward to skipping along the deck with the excited youngster. And having Nathan’s hand in hers as she did? Well, that was just the icing on the cake.
Iris stood along the railing next to Jessie and watched the others in their game of hopscotch. She noticed Tessa’s cheeks turning pink and couldn’t help but smile when Annie’s giggles filled the air.
Jessie leaned against the railing and chuckled. “Jacquie is a rare find, isn’t she?”
/> “A rare find?”
“Yes. I’ve found her to be charming in every respect.”
“Charming. Yes.” Iris closed her mouth to keep from saying more.
“Have you worked for her for long?” Jessie turned her way, her soft brown eyes filled with kindness.
“No.” At least she didn’t have to lie. She’d only worked with Tessa for two weeks now. Well, two weeks and a handful of days at seas.
“There’s a certain childlikeness about her that I find endearing,” Jessie said. “She reminds me of a bird just nudged from the nest. I can almost picture her curled up at home on the sofa instead of traveling the Atlantic by herself.” Jessie turned to Iris and took her hand. “Forgive me. She’s not alone, is she? She’s got you, and for that she is very grateful. I can tell by the way she looks at you that you are the best of friends.”
“Yes. She’s got me.” Iris swallowed hard, realizing that she’d been anything but a friend to Tessa.
A broad smile followed from Jessie. “And what a blessed girl she is to have such a confidante. I’ve often thought that if I had someone about my age to share my joys and sorrows with, life would be much easier. You two must be very close.”
“I…” She didn’t know what to say, exactly.
“Do you have family, Iris?”
“My mother and father and enough brothers to form a ball team.” She chuckled.
“Well, then, do take advantage of the time to get to know Jacquie as a sister. One can never have too many of those, especially with so many boys about.” Jessie pointed to little Annie. “She’s young, but Annie has become the kid sister I never had. And though her circumstances are difficult, we’ve made the best of it. I count it my joy—and honor—that the Lord has planted me in her life for such a time as this. I know you must feel the same about Jacquie, particularly since you’re so close in age.”
A coil of shame wound around Iris’s heart as she thought about Jessie’s words. In truth, she hadn’t given Tessa a fair shake. The young woman did seem lost, just as Jessie had described. A bird out of the nest. Yes, that aptly described the situation. Iris’s only plan, up to this point, had been to make the flight more difficult. Perhaps she should change course and offer a hand of friendship to Tessa. It would make the rest of the voyage more pleasant, after all.
Of course, it would require laying down her pride. Still, after Tessa’s offering the other day—the lovely Irish lace—it might be time to toss her bitterness overboard. She would give it some thought, anyway.
Off in the distance, little Annie continued to play. The youngster’s giggles soon filled the air, coupled with the sound of Nathan’s laughter. Before long, Tessa joined in, and the threesome hopscotched down the corridor.
Jessie slipped her arm through Iris’s as she watched them play. “I have the strongest sense we were all brought together for a reason. Do you feel it too?”
“I suppose.” Iris shrugged, unsure of what to say. Still, she could not deny that something unusual now stirred her heart. The idea that a total stranger would take the time to speak so kindly to her brought a rush of warmth to her soul and made her want to be a better person, a person like the young woman whose arm was now happily looped through hers.
She continued to watch the others play until little Annie took a tumble and scraped her knee. Jessie drew near and kissed away the youngster’s tears and then ushered her off to their cabin to tend to the wound. This left Iris alone with Nathan and Tessa.
She had just turned to head back to the cabin when Nathan called her name. Turning back, he pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket.
“Almost forgot to give you this.”
“What is it?” She took the crumpled paper from his outstretched hand and tried to make sense of it. Just a combination of letters and numbers. E-19. Odd.
“It’s a cabin number,” Nathan said. “You’re supposed to meet someone there at four o’clock today. Someone who’s very anxious to meet you and hear your thoughts on the fashion industry.”
She paused for a moment and tried to make sense of his words. “And who, might I ask, would that be?”
“Oh, no one special,” Nathan said with a shrug. “Just one of our country’s most notable fashion experts, Edith Louise Rosenbaum Russell. She wants to see your sketches, so take everything you have.”
“I—I—I…” Iris would’ve said more, but the wave of dizziness that passed over her made it impossible. Had he really just said that Edith Russell wanted to speak to her? To look at her sketches?
She glanced down at the paper in her hand, clutched it to her heart, and took off running toward her cabin. Behind her, Tessa and Nathan cheered her on. Iris barely heard them as she ran ever forward toward her destination—the one she prayed would change her life forever.
Chapter Twenty-One
Saturday Afternoon, April 13, 1912
Cabin E-19
At four o’clock that afternoon, Iris stood in front of Edith Russell, barely able to speak. She finally managed a shaky “M–Miss Rosenbaum.”
“Russell, my dear. Most people call me Edith Russell.” The woman clutched a little stuffed pig in her left hand, never loosening her hold on it.
Iris bit back a nervous giggle at the name. “Miss Edith…er, Russell.”
The woman extended her gloved right hand, still holding onto the pig with the left. “I hear you’re quite the designer.”
“I— You did?”
“Yes. Your friend Nathan came to see me yesterday. And then I spoke with your delightful friend Jacquie, as well. She sings your praises. Is it true that you had a hand in designing the dress she wore to dinner last night?”
“Well, I suggested the colors and the trim. And the fabric choice too, of course.” A wave of heat washed over Iris as she let the flattery sink in.
“The dress was exquisite. And I adored the choice of hat. Perfect. No doubt you helped with that, as well.”
Iris felt her cheeks grow hot as she nodded. “Oh, Miss Russell, it’s only because of people like you that I’m interested in fashion at all. You can see how it is.” She pointed to her simple dress. “I’m a lady’s maid. In England, I stand no chance of becoming anything else, no matter how hard I work.”
“But in America…” Edith quirked a brow.
“In America my chances to meet people in the industry are a bit higher.”
“Dear girl.” Edith reached for her hand. “Onboard Titanic, your chances are higher still. And with friends like Nathan and Jacquie, the possibilities have risen to greater heights. Clearly, we were destined to meet, you and I.”
“Oh, I have no doubt about it.” Had Providence arranged this meeting, or had it all happened by chance?
Edith put the little stuffed pig down on the settee and covered him with a lace-trimmed hankie, as one would tuck a child into bed at night. “People find me eccentric. Odd, even. They do not know the depth of my suffering over the past year since the tragic accident.” The woman’s eyes filled with tears. “You see, my dear, my fiancé, Ludwig, lost his life, and I, myself, am still recovering.”
“I had heard as much, and I’m so terribly sorry.”
“I’m sure you will understand what I mean when I say that I take comfort in my work. In that creative place, I am free from pain for a short while.”
Understand? Iris felt exactly the same way. She could hardly get her words out fast enough as she attempted to explain. “I know what you mean. When I’m designing a gown—or a hat, even—my thoughts are solely focused on that, not on…” She paused and attempted to swallow the lump in her throat. “On the things I cannot change.”
“Where are these designs of yours, dear? Anything you could show me?”
Iris’s heart raced. “I’ve brought my sketches to show you.” She opened her sketch pad and thumbed through the drawings, one after the other. Edith oohed and aahed in all the right places, pointing out both the things she liked and the things she didn’t. Iris accepted the critique
. Welcomed it, even. To have a woman like Miss Russell offer advice? Such a thing was priceless.
When they had looked through all of the sketches, Edith reached for the stuffed pig once more, cradling it in her arm like an infant. “We have much to discuss, you and I.”
“We—we do?” Iris closed the sketchbook and tucked it under her arm.
“Yes, but a headache prevents me from doing so now. Would you meet me in the Verandah Cafe tomorrow evening for a late dinner? By then I will have put together a plan for your future with my new line. Elrose is to be featured at Lord & Taylor, you know.”
“I—I know.” Iris couldn’t seem to manage anything else. “I would be honored, Miss Russell. Thank you.”
“You are so welcome, Iris. And by the way, I love your name.”
“Thank you.” She felt her cheeks turn warm. “Mother named me after the flower. It wasn’t until I reached my teens that I realized Iris means rainbow.” She felt her lips curl up in a smile. “Suits me, since I love color so much.”
“And all the more reason why we need to get you out of a lady’s maid dress and into something that properly reflects your name.” Edith smiled and placed a hand on her arm. “An iris is strong and beautiful, as well. And from everything your friend Jacquie told me at dinner last night, you epitomize both of those words.”
“Jacquie told you that?”
“That and much more. She says you’re the bravest, strongest girl she’s met.” Edith patted her on the arm. “She’s very taken with you, Iris. You’re lucky to have such a friend.”
“Yes, I suppose I am.” Iris took a couple of steps toward the door then turned back to give Miss Russell a smile. “I will see you tomorrow night in the Verandah Cafe.”
“Until then, my dear.” The woman’s eyes narrowed and she held up her hand, so Iris paused. “Oh, just one more thing, if you please.”
“Yes?”
Edith cradled her stuffed pig, winding his tail until a cheerful little melody sounded. “Promise me you won’t let that Lady Duff Gordon get her hooks into you.”