Love Me For Tonight

Chapter 5

          *12 April, 1912*

Lily woke in the morning and her whole face hurt. Her cheek from being slapped, her nose from being hit with a book, and her lip from her teeth because of getting hit with a book. Lily was scared to look into the mirror and see how battered she looked. Her mother was already gone, which brought a little relief to Lily.  A series of knocks on the door rang in her ear and Lily knew it was John.  "Come in." Lily called out.  John came in and sighed.  "Those are quite the shiners." John commented.  Lily softly touched her lip where it was split and sighed.  "Maybe I should stop fighting her so hard and just... just go with it." Lily said, picking up her powder and dabbing her face.  John came out to the other side of the vanity and gawked at her.  "Sister... if anything, you need to tell her your heart is spoken for." John said.  Lily stopped powdering her face long enough to cock an eyebrow at her brother.  "How do you mean?" Lily asked. "Do you need me to paint a picture?  Mr. Lowe last night couldn't get you away quick enough.  Not to mention the concern he had in his eye." John said.  "You're mental." Lily retorted back quickly.  John knelt down to her level and grabbed her hand.  "Not to mention the way you seemed pretty content standing in his arms last night in the library." John said quietly.

Lily's heart dropped and she turned to her brother. John smiled and shook his head. "Relax, Lily Pad. I'm obviously not going to say anything. But be careful. It was me this time. Next time it might be someone who shouldn't be seeing." John warned her. "I mean nothing to him, John. I'm sure he flirts with women all the time." Lily said. John rolled his eyes and stood up. "There is no sense in arguing with you. You're too damn stubborn to listen." John said.  "It would make things easier if we just kept. . . Whatever this is, as it is.  I'm a passenger, his a crew member.  That is all." Lily insists.  John huffs out a bitter chuckle and shakes his head.  "I'll see you at breakfast, Lily." John stated before walking out of the room.  Lily was left with a sense that she couldn't make anyone happy.  Her parents were furious with her, John was now disappointed in her, and she couldn't fathom how she could be anything more than mere maritime entertainment to Harold. 

     Lily got dressed for breakfast and walked out on deck, she glanced over at the rail and saw the sun shining vibrantly in the clear blue sky. Lily took a deep breath and slowly walked over towards the rail. Lily took slow, deep breathes as she grasped the rail and looked out at the open ocean. Nothing else was around. For a brief moment, Lily lost sight of where the ocean ended and the sky began. Lily remembered back to the other night, and Harold telling her how to take deep breathes. His voice rang in her ears, his Welsh accent warming her soul.

Lily was so lost in her own thoughts that she hadn't heard Harold call out for her as he made his rounds. Harold looked around to see if anyone was around and not too many were at this early hour of the morning. Harold walked up to Lily and placed his hand in her shoulder, calling out her name was more. Lily jumped a bit in surprise and turned to face him, painting a disingenuous smile on her face. "Hello, Mr. Lowe. Are you finishing up your rounds?" Lily asked. Harold cocked an eyebrow and gave her a look of confusion.  Harold looked around again quickly and then back at Lily.  "Are you alright, Lily?" Harold asked softly.  Harold noticed the smile on her face wasn't reaching her eyes.  "I'm well.  I trust you had a good watch over this ship?" Lily asked.  Harold scoffed and stared at the woman, baffled.  "Lily.. Has something happened? Have I done something?" Harold asked.  He wouldn't know how he offended her if he had, but the unexpected thought of Lily not wanting to be around him worried him.