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 stood. "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 - April 11, 1912
10:00 AM

Erin stood on deck watching Ireland come into view. At 8 AM Molly Brown had come and awoken both her and Catherine with orders for Catherine to be dressed and ready for breakfast no later than 9:30. Then the whirlwind had left to prepare herself. Erin quickly discovered she had a lot to learn about being a lady's maid. She would never forget the expression on Catherine's face when she had brought the dress she had picked out for her. Patiently Catherine explained the difference between a morning, tea, evening and formal dress. When she had commented that she saw no reason for a body to change clothes five times a day, Catherine had smiled and said she was sensible and fashion was definitely not sensible.

The Emerald Isle, grew larger and larger by noon they had pulled into the Queenstown docks. Erin watched the passengers embark and disembark, cargo loaded and unloaded. Her thoughts were not on the activity below her but on Catherine's mood. She was unhappy about something. All through the night Erin had awoken to alternately screams and sobs coming from Catherine's room. Once she had heard the name Gabrielle screamed followed by heart breaking sobs. This morning there was a quiet sadness that hung around her.

'If only she would confide in me. Think, Erin, you're her maid not her confidant.' she thought. 'She has something tearing a whole in her soul. Some type of loss. It has to be. Only that would account for her behavior.' Her thoughts racing Erin stood looking at the dock but not seeing it.

3:00PM

Molly Brown watched the girl sitting beside her. Tea was a social event for the British and she had every intention of enjoying the society of the ship. For all her boldness Molly had a heart of gold, she sensed Catherine's melancholy and wondered how to pull the girl back to the living.

"If you will excuse me." Catherine said rising from the table.

"Certainly you just run along and get some rest. This will be our first full night at sea and I want you fresh and well rested for the Captain's Dinner tonight." Molly shooed the girl on her way, but watched as she headed for the door.

With her coloring, those sapphire eyes and that mass of black hair Catherine was a beauty, but with her shoulders slumped, any light in her eyes dark, and that magnificent face slightly bowed, the girl was the picture of sadness. A plan began to form in Molly's mind. 'Now what was that fellow's name? They would be so perfect together....' It was easy to picture him, that one was hard to forget, tall, broad shouldered, handsome, blond hair, blue eyes.... oh what was his name... Matchmaking was second nature to Molly, she thought everyone should be happily married and a man was just the thing to perk up the girls spirits. She saw him enter the (name of resturant) and went to speak with him.

Molly was more right than she knew, but only one man could have healed Catherine's shattered heart... who was even now resting in his crib in Grey Manor.

7:00PM

Erin was putting the final pins in Catherine's hair when a knock sounded at the door. "Well I'm glad I got that done. Let me just go let Mrs. Brown in and I'll be back to help you get dressed." Without realizing it Erin squeezed her shoulder before leaving to open the door.

"Evening, Mrs. Brown. I'll...." Erin broke off, standing in the door was not Mrs. Brown. but a tall, handsome, blue eyed, blond haired stranger. "Excuse me sir, but I think you may have the wrong stateroom."

"This is Catherine Grey's room? Mrs. Brown isn't feeling well this evening and asked me to act as escort."

Erin motioned for him to come in. "Sir if you'll just take a seat I'll have Miss Catherine ready in a few minutes. Who shall I tell her is calling?"

"Oh forgive me, Matthew Light."

"Well, Mr. Light if you won't mind waiting I'll go get Miss Catherine ready for dinner." Erin reentered the dressing area where Catherine was waiting patiently. "Ma'am..."

"I thought I asked you to call me Catherine. What's wrong you look so shaken."

"Catherine... I thought that the door would be Mrs. Brown but..."

"But?" Catherine prompted arching an eyebrow.

In a rush Erin explained "Mrs. Brown sends her regrets she's not feeling well and has sent a Mr. Matthew Light to escort you to dinner."

"I see. Hand me my robe." Puzzled by the request Erin handed the requested robe to her. "Now I'll speak with this Mr. Light." Catherine swept from the room reminding Erin of a queen or a warrior...... the memory which for a second had floated into focus retreated back.

7:15PM

Entering the sitting room, Catherine reagally nodded to the man rising from the chair. "Mr. Light?"

"I'm sorry I was under the impression that you knew... about Mrs. Brown not feeling well that is."

"No, I was not. Sir if you will forgive me I am not feeling well myself and was about to ask my maid to inform Mrs. Brown I wouldn't be able to join her. If you would please excuse me. I think I'll lie down for a while. Good night sir." Finishing she shut the door on the surprised man's face.

Outside the door Matthew Light was stunned. She had maneuvered him so skillfully to the door and out he was surprised when it shut in his face. Smiling he turned and headed to Mrs. Brown's room to inform her the plan had failed.

10:00PM

Erin sat in the sitting room reading one of the many books from the ships library on Ancient Greece. Sometimes she could almost see the places they spoke of, Athens, Corinth, Thesely, she could almost smell the streets, hear the voices of people walking, talking through there streets.

An hour ago she had given up trying to sleep. Catherine had climbed immediately into bed after ejecting Mr. Light, with Erin doing likewise thirty minutes later. Then the screams had started, those heart breaking soul wrenching screams of pain and grief, issuing from Catherine as she slept. More names had emerged from the sleeping woman, Gabrielle, Ephiny, Solon, Callisto and one she recognized Hercules. So her she sat researching each name. She had only been able to find Callisto and Hercules so far.

11:00PM

An hour later and Erin finally found a mysterious reference in the last book.

"Legend has it that Hercules turned the Destroyer of Nations from her path of destruction. However it should be noted that other than this one source there is no evidence the Destroyer of Nations was female."

A few minutes later the book slipped from a sleeping Erin's hand to the floor. Her dreams filled with Warlords, Heroes, Kings and Adventure.

To be continued...

Read Del's story Labor Pains,
& it's sequel, Growing Pains: The Adventures of Terris and Cyrena

E-mail Del

Visit Del's Page

Return to XenaCrazed's General Fan Fiction and Poetry

Go to the Absolutely XenaCrazed Home Page