An Unsinkable Love

chapter 17


Eldon enjoyed his newfound celebrity status. He hadn't spent a dime since the ship had docked. Every time he turned around someone wanted to buy him a drink or a meal, or whatever else took his fancy.

He took the steps into St. Vincent's hospital two at a time.

If he were lucky, Malcolm would have taken a turn for the worse and Elizabeth would be too busy to interrupt his plans for the evening. He stopped short as he came around a corner and saw a large group of people milling in the hallway.

Irritated, he snapped, "See here, what's all this about? I need to get through." He shoved against the throng until he heard his wife's shrill voice call out.

"Eldon, dear. How wonderful. You're just in time to attend the ceremony." Elizabeth hurried forward, her arm linked in that of a tall, dark-haired woman. "Louise, this is my husband, Eldon. Eldon, this is Louise Vanderbilt." The woman inclined her head regally.

And so she should. Vanderbilt! The family controlled a vast fortune spanning the entire country. "How do you do?" He bent over her hand with a gallant flourish.

"Quite well, thank you." She turned, dismissing him. "Now, Elizabeth, shall we continue? I would hate to delay the young woman's voyage into matrimony, being as her voyage to America has been such a tragedy."

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An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

Eldon stepped up beside his wife, eyebrow raised, not about to miss out on one second in the company of a Vanderbilt.

Elizabeth explained, "It's so romantic. This young lady, Sarah Roth, came to America to wed her betrothed. She lost everything on the ship, even the wedding dress she made.

Louise and the Women's Relief Committee have provided her with a lovely trousseau and they're being wed right here at the hospital."

Eldon searched his mind for an excuse to avoid the maudlin event without offending Miss Vanderbilt.

Malcolm appeared at his mother's side and in a derisive tone said, "Ah, Eldon, you've decided to grace us with your heroic presence?"

Damn the boy! Eldon wished he could do something to wipe the false smile off his stepson's face, but that simply wouldn't do. Instead, he plastered on a phony smile of his own and nodded. "I wouldn't miss such a joyous occasion for anything, dear boy." He took Elizabeth's arm and escorted her down the hall to the chapel. He deftly worked his way next to Miss Vanderbilt and made sure to voice the proper exclamations of excitement and happiness, while he smiled and nodded like a fool. His reward came when Louise invited the four of them to dinner at her mansion that evening.

"How kind, Louise," Elizabeth said, "but I can't leave poor Bree here alone."

Apparently, Elizabeth and Louise had discussed the seamstress earlier, as Louise nodded. "Of course. I understand. Perhaps another time." Eldon bit his tongue to 121

An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

keep from screaming at his wife. This was his big opportunity, his chance to rub elbows with the highest echelon of power in the country. He would finally have a venue to show the right people just how clever he was. It would be perfect.

Malcolm, of all people, came to his rescue. "You do go on, Mother. I'll sit with Bree tonight. You deserve some fun after caring for the two of us so well. And all by yourself."

Eldon flushed with anger at the jab and forced a benign smile. "That's right, dear. I've been trying to drag you away from this place for days. You're beginning to look quite haggard again. And you were really beginning to make such good progress getting your strength back."

Elizabeth put her hand to her cheek, as if making sure her face hadn't lost more of its appeal.

Louise patted her shoulder. "It's settled then. Why not come with me right now in the car? It will save you trying to get a taxi. The streets are still packed with people coming and going to the pier and family and friends arriving for visits.

We'll have time to chat before dinner. I'd like to talk with you about a few of my pet projects."

Eldon cringed. Pet projects to the Vanderbilts ran into the millions. If Louise got her hooks into Elizabeth, she would likely give her— his—entire fortune to the filthy masses. He turned up the amperage on his false smile and nodded agreeably as he steered the women toward the entrance. He shot a quick glance over his shoulder and saw Malcolm's decidedly unfriendly glare. Eldon turned around and smirked to himself. There's not a thing he can do to me. He schemed 122

An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

to insinuate himself into the Vanderbilt's business while he pretended attention to the women's prattling.

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123

An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson