The Captain's Daughter Read Free Page B

ahead, dying to inspect the transatlantic liner from bow to stern.
    ‘Wait for me!’ she called.
    Selwyn turned and grinned. ‘Come on, slow coach, I want to see what all the bally fuss is about this Titanic , and Father wants you to meet that old dear, the archdeacon’s aunt . . .’
    ‘My chaperone. Honestly, can’t a married woman be allowed on board without a guardian? I hope Mrs Grant isn’t as awful as the one I had coming over. She could see I was worried about Mama but she insisted on talking throughout the entire journey.’
    ‘Grover was quite insistent you were not to travel unaccompanied,’ Selwyn replied. ‘Though why he couldn’t accompany you himself beats me. We all wanted to meet little Roddy too. Poor Mama never got to see him . . .’
    ‘I know, but my husband’s a very busy man.’
    ‘It was your mother’s funeral, for pity’s sake! You could have done with some support on the journey over, especially in the circumstances.’ Selwyn was not one to mince his words. It was one of the things Celestine loved about him.
    ‘You’ve all looked after me so well. I’m fine. Of course, I’d like to have my own family around me but Grover said funerals are not for children.’
    ‘He could have made the effort, Sis.’
    ‘I know . . . it’s just . . .’ How could she explain that Grover didn’t take much interest in England or her family? He had his own parents close by and was insistent that Roddy’s routine must not be disturbed. Her only thought now was to return to her son and settle back into the daily routine, and to do that she must climb onto this monster whale’s back to go west, home to Akron, Ohio.
    Selwyn helped her settle herself into her cabin, making sure she could spread herself out and not be disturbed. If the voyage were as bad as her crossing five weeks ago, she was in for a painful time and would spend most of it in her cabin.
    Because of a coal strike that had caused disruption to shipping schedules, she’d been given an alternative berth on the Titanic for her return to New York. She ought to be thrilled to be on its maiden voyage with all the razzmatazz in Southampton, but her heart was heavy to be leaving her family behind. She wondered when she would see them again. If she would ever see her father again. He’d looked so frail, so broken after her mother’s death.
    The First Class apartments were on the upper decks; state rooms and private cabins were connected by corridors laid with thick, plush carpets. Her cabin was well lit with electric lamps, and she had a brass-railed bed with sumptuous soft linens and an eiderdown. The walls were lined with panels of flock wallpaper like a fine hotel room, and fresh flowers everywhere; the scents of hothouse lilies, freesias and jasmine barely disguised the odour of newly decorated paintwork. There were even excellent stewardesses at her beck and call with the push of a button on the wall. If only she could get away from the smell of paint and glue, which made her feel queasy. It was a pity her sea legs were so poor. Sea travel was a luxurious business these days.
    They met up with the elderly widow Mrs Grant at the top of the grand staircase by the wonderful carved clock. Selwyn stood to admire the elegant sweep of the stairs and the great latticed glass dome, which allowed light to shine down the carved oak balustrades. ‘Not one for sliding down, Sis?’ he smiled. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’
    Ada Grant was going out to visit her sister in Pennsylvania for the summer. There wasn’t time to get very well acquainted before the whistle blew, but Celeste promised to take tea with her later.
    It was time for Selwyn to leave the ship but Celeste clutched his hand. Tears welled and she clung to him. ‘I wish I could stay longer.’
    ‘Steady on, old girl. Mama’s at peace now.’
    How she wanted to cry out to him, finally to tell him the truth. ‘I know and I must return. Roddy needs me but . . . You will