My Clarity

Chapter two

"New money."

Ruth DeWitt Bukater whispered aloud to her seventeen-year-old daughter, Rose, who fiddled uncomfortably with her diamond and pearl earrings as they approached the reception area from the elevators to continue to the dining room down the stairs.

Wearing a long cream dress, with black sash details and a single red rose at the centre of her chest accompanied by black elbow length gloves, Rose was aware of the Titanic's stop at Cherbourg; from her private balcony she had admired the towns harbour lights and felt a light longing for land though one had only been about the ship seven or so hours.

"Margaret Brown," Ruth quietened her voice as they passed a broad lady, shooing away a porter loudly. "Her husband struck gold someplace out west. Rumour has it she vacationed with the Astor's in Egypt." Incredibly, her mother nodded an acknowledgement as they passed the woman who was the focus of her mother's gossip and then she quickly returned as soon as they were out of earshot. ''She is crass, rude and above all, she is the largest gossip, or so I hear.'' Rose smiled to the woman who her mother was referring to, who seemed above all, a lady in command.

"Speaking of the Astor's, they've a private nurse with them and that young bride is awfully plump on the middle for a newlywed. I've heard she is in a family way; poor woman is your age."

Ruth, dripping in diamonds herself with her fiery curls piled high upon her head and a new powder pink gown made especially by a London modiste for the occasion came up for air once more, as when approaching the Dining Saloon, the faces of Society swarmed around in flocks like bees about honey.

"And the boy with Molly. I'd assume him to be her son, perhaps the youngest. Although I do believe him to be married now. Good gracious, the way he marched past us and without any need to even sway and allow a lady through. That very fact tells you everything, girl, about how peasants are raised without respect for those in higher stature."

If listening, Rose ceased immediately upon entering the centre of social grace. It was frightfully overwhelming, perhaps as much as her cotillion. The sight and smell of those about her all merged into one along with the clattering of the china, the smell of the fresh paints and the feel of plush new carpets beneath her feet. It was all so beautiful. So brand new.

The dining room was decorated in wooden panelling, painted white, and the floors were covered in blue linoleum tiles, featuring an elaborate red and yellow pattern. For even more atmosphere, the windows were lit from behind during the evening meals. Dinner was certainly an elegant affair. With the men in Dinner Suits and the women wearing the latest fashions and imported exotic perfumes and showing off their finest jewellery all while eating a feast fit for royalty. The Jacobean-inspired room had panelled walls and a strap work ceiling. The walls were made distinctive by painting them white. Beautiful leaded-glass windows covered the portholes giving the room the appearance of an elegant, land-based restaurant. At evening meals, lighting behind the windows furthered this illusion and created a lovely atmosphere. Without a doubt, the most artistic decorative ornaments in the room were the neoclassical caryatid-like pilasters interspersing the windows. They were topped with beautiful goddess heads, and in the corners a handsome Neptune. On the fluted block below the heads was centred a regal lion medallion. The lion held a swag drapery in his mouth which continued onto the pilaster portion. The pilaster was highly ornamented with Arabesque grotesque Renaissance motifs such as twin swans that mirrored each other around a central, fluted urn.

There were about a hundred tables, filled with any range from two to twelve people. In the centre, seated with Sir Cosmo and Lucille Lady Duff Gordan was Caledon Hockley, his handsome face beamed, and his black hair were beautifully styled. His attire was flawless. His manners impeccable. As he caught sight of Rose DeWitt Bukater approaching with his soon to be mother-in-law, he stood promptly as society dictated and kissed her cheek delicately.