An Unsinkable Love - By Terri Benson Page 0,11

few minutes later Bree stepped off the last tread to F Deck.

Before she schooled her mind against it, she found herself surveying the empty corridors. As she headed toward the tiny workroom, she muttered under her breath about being spellbound by Asrais, the water faerie that like to cause trouble aboard ships. An odd thumping drew her attention, and she noted a sign that said Squash Court. The vision of gourds arguing law on a ship sent her into a peal of laughter as she hurried down the hall. She barely managed to get her mirth under control before entering Mr. Thorpe's lair.

Moments later, she was ensconced on the hard chair, surrounded by a new pile of mending. Her boss spent his time slowly opening and closing seemingly random drawers at his desk.

The hallway door had been left open to ventilate the stuffy room and, at midmorning, a steward appeared. He silently 42

An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

handed Mr. Thorpe a note. The old man clucked his tongue over the contents of the message before he turned to Bree.

"One of the first class passengers requires our services.

You will follow this man to their cabin and see what is needed.

Often our customers wish you to do the sewing there. If you are unable to do so, or they prefer, bring the garments here and complete the work. Speak as little as possible, be extremely polite and do not, under any circumstances, argue.

I'd better not hear about any problems, understand?"

Bree bobbed her head, knowing it was no use telling him she knew how to behave.

Mr. Thorpe handed her a heavy wooden box with a leather handle on top. "This is your kit. Make sure you bring it back intact. The cost of anything missing will be deducted from your wages."

Bree took time to open it, knowing she risked his wrath, but wanting to make sure it included everything she would need. The interior was ingenious, with oak trays on brass hinges that allowed them to swing up and away, revealing more trays below. There were spools of silk thread in dozens of colors, cards of needles and packets of long pins. Two pairs of sharp scissors, one large and one small, fit into felt-lined shallow trays. Folding measuring sticks, thimbles and a jar of assorted buttons completed the contents. The head tailor might be unfriendly, but he clearly did know his business.

Before Bree investigated further, Mr. Thorpe cleared his throat. She quickly replaced the trays, latched the box and turned to the steward. As Bree stepped out into the corridor, the tailor called out, "Remember what I said, young lady, and 43

An Unsinkable Love

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don't dawdle on your way back here. We have lots of work and can't afford time wasted on idle chit-chat with everyone you come across."

She didn't bother answering, too busy scurrying along to catch up with the fast-moving steward. Bree followed his stiff, black-clad figure up five levels of service stairs to A Deck, then down a hallway and out onto the open polished teakwood deck. She realized they were in the forward first class section. It was difficult to keep up, and several times she nearly collided with furniture or people as her inquisitive gaze was drawn by the sight of gentlemen in lounge coats escorting women in colorful frocks with large-brimmed, fanciful hats and parasols. Children in sailor suits and knee britches or frilly white dresses followed in their wake, herded by frazzled nannies. Bree trotted along behind the steward, who kept up a brisk pace, weaving between the passengers.

He turned back inside the ship, went a short distance down a plush carpeted and paneled hall and stopped outside a carved wooden door with a shiny brass Suite A5 plaque. He knocked.

The door was opened by a frail woman in a quilted dressing gown, her blue-veined hand grasping the collar tight to her neck. The steward bowed. "Madame, this is the seamstress, Miss Barry. She will assist you. Is there anything else you require at this time?"

The woman shook her head slightly, her face pale and tense, eyes red-rimmed. "No, thank you, Mr. Cave. I believe you've taken quite good care of me for the moment." Her voice was so low Bree barely caught the words.

"Very good, madam."

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An Unsinkable Love

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The steward bowed again and slipped away, striding down the corridor. Bree turned to find the woman observing her closely.

"Come in, my dear." She stepped back and motioned Bree in. "I'm Elizabeth. I'm afraid I've