One Night to Remember by Kristin Miller

Author:Kristin Miller [Miller, Kristin]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-02-29T06:00:00+00:00

*

Elizabeth couldn’t believe her eyes.

The first class lounge was bustling with passengers. Most of them had donned their life vests and looked rather irritated about the new attire. Men tipped back drinks and talked business that they’d carried up from the smoking room. Women were bundled for the cold, gossiping and speculating as to what had caused the ship to stop. The band was stationed in the corner, playing a lively waltz. Waiters served drinks, swerving through the crowd with trays held high.

Perhaps Thomas was wrong and there was no urgent matter after all.

He’d been gone ten minutes. He’d asked her kindly to remain in the lounge and had also asked her to refrain from reaching into others’ pockets. He’d smiled at the last remark, but she could tell it bothered him to have to say such things.

It’s not that she was a heartless thief…Elizabeth simply considered herself an opportunist. And even though the lounge was large, with passengers not paying much attention to the location of their assets, Elizabeth couldn’t think about taking advantage. Not while everyone was waiting for the news of the night.

She spotted Thomas streaking through the crowd, his stride fast and determined.

When he reached her side, his expression was grim. “Let’s go,” he said, and lifted her gently by the elbow.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

He leaned in to her ear. “We must get you to a lifeboat immediately.”

She pulled back, examining every shadowed corner of his eyes. “Whatever for?”

“What other reason would one have to abandon ship?”

“We’re sinking?” Her heart caught as her stomach fell. “You told me it wasn’t serious.”

“Shh, love.” Thomas led her across the lounge. “You must not say it so loudly.”

She cowered from the bone-numbing cold as they swept out the doors leading to the first class promenade. Wind bit at her cheeks and puffs of cold air escaped her mouth. Steam hissed from the towering stack above their heads, so loud she could barely hear her own thoughts. On the far end of the deck, a lifeboat was already being prepped for lowering.

They were serious about this, weren’t they? Somehow, Elizabeth still couldn’t believe it. Perhaps that’s why everyone remained indoors, talking like they’d be on their way in no time—they couldn’t believe it either. This was not a drill, she told herself, though the crew hadn’t led one anyway; it’d been postponed and deemed unnecessary. Irony choked the tears in her throat.

“It’s imperative we do not cause a panic,” Thomas hollered over the booming sound of steam being released. He helped her out of her coat and put on her life vest.

“There should be panic, Thomas,” Elizabeth said while he replaced the fur over her shoulders. She burrowed into its warmth, gazing at the first class passengers milling about indoors. “If the ship is sinking, everyone needs to get to a boat. Why aren’t they coming out on deck?”

Thomas shook his head. “There aren’t enough lifeboats, Elizabeth. There’s simply not enough room. We’ve been told to keep everyone calm.”

“Calm?” Air tore from her lungs as the gravity of the situation hit her full force.

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