An Unsinkable Love

chapter 8


Malcolm searched high and low, but Eldon couldn't be found anywhere. A few of the men he'd spoken to remembered seeing his stepfather playing cards, but that had been hours ago. It was nearing midnight now. Malcolm chaffed, admitting to himself his mind wasn't really on the task. His thoughts were distracted by memories of the auburn-haired seamstress currently occupying his mother's suite. More than once in the past few hours he'd considered returning to spend more time with the delectable Miss Barry instead of hunting for Eldon, who clearly didn't want to be found.

He was crossing the thick carpet in the paneled library on his way to the card room as the ship seemed to lurch. It threw him off half a stride and his hip connected painfully with the corner of a heavily carved rococo table. He rubbed the bruised muscle, frowning, and continued on his way. A moment later, he stopped abruptly to avoid colliding with a frightened young man in heavy pea coat who ran by. Within minutes he noticed crew scattering in every direction, all very much in a hurry. Just then, Malcolm spotted Robert Chisholm, whom he'd spent time with on occasion since the voyage started.

"Excuse me, Robert. Have you seen Eldon?"

Mr. Chisholm didn't seem to be aware of him. His eyes were blank and he mumbled something over and over.

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An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

Malcolm touched his shoulder. He heard the words the man kept repeating, "It can't. It can't. It just can't."

"Robert?"

The man jumped and looked at Malcolm in surprise. He shook off his daze and frowned. "What are you doing here?

Get to your lifeboat station, man. There isn't much time."

It was Malcolm's turn to be perplexed. "Lifeboat? What on earth are you talking about?"

"We've struck a berg, you see. She's going down. She shouldn't. We built her to be unsinkable, you know. But she is. There's no doubt." He nearly stuttered in an effort to get the words out.

Malcolm remembered Mr. Chisholm was the chief draughtsman on the Titanic and, along with several White Star executives, attended the ship's maiden voyage to observe how she handled. "You're sure it will sink? When?"

"Hours. Minutes. I can't say. There's too much flooding to do a proper inspection." He stood tall and took a deep breath.

"Please, Mr. DuMont. Get your life vest and report to the boat deck. If your family is still in their cabin, get them out as well." He turned and strode down the corridor toward the bridge.

Malcolm reversed direction and raced toward their suite.

The closer he got, the harder it became to move forward in the face of the advancing tide of bodies going the other direction. Many passengers appeared annoyed or curious, moving in groups, talking animatedly.

"Well, I never! A boat drill in the middle of the night is most uncalled for!" a portly matron grumbled, as her much-85

An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

smaller husband patted her arm and urged her to keep moving.

Another strident voice carried over the din. He recognized the speaker as Mrs. Brown, a newly rich matron from Colorado. Her coarse language and commanding personality irritated Eldon to the point of madness, but Malcolm found her quite entertaining whenever they had met at dinners or other gatherings aboard the ship. She herded several reluctant passengers ahead of her, keeping up a running diatribe. "Now don't slow down, we've still got a ways to go. I don't care if it is a drill, I ain't takin' any chances. If there's nothin' to it, we'll all be snug in our beds shortly, so quit your caterwaulin'

and let's get a move on." She winked at Malcolm as they passed, and he couldn't help but smile.

His smile faded as he grasped the doorknob to his mother's cabin. It was unlocked. He flung open the door.

They were gone. His mother's armoire stood wide and he saw most of her clothes and coats were missing. Eldon's closet, likewise ajar, showed empty space on the floor. Malcolm sighed with relief. They must have already been warned. He fought his way one more door down the hall and entered his cabin where he donned a heavy cashmere coat with fur collar, matching scarf and a pair of thick gloves. At the last moment, he sat on a bench and changed his light leather shoes for a pair of heavier boots. He strode to the door before he remembered his life vest. Another vest nestled with it, and he caught it up as well.

Back out in the corridor, the crowd grew more alarmed as rumors circulated that water covered the lower decks and 86

An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

there weren't enough boats for everyone. Any hope that Mr.

Chisholm had been wrong was squelched by the sight of so many terrified passengers. Malcolm watched as a young man was shoved and fell. He struggled through the throng and, with savage use of his elbows and a sharp kick or two, forced the mass to move away enough so he could help the frightened boy to his feet. Wild-eyed and pale, his nose bleeding profusely, the young man clutched a bloodied hand to his chest as he looked up at Malcolm.

Malcolm realized the boy wasn't wearing a life vest and helped him into the extra one. Anxious to find his mother and Bree, he said, "Grab on to my coat and hang tight. I'm sure we'll find your family out on the deck." Keeping near the wall, they worked their way down the crowded corridor. His mind roiled with concern for his mother and the seamstress. If only he'd stayed in the cabin, he could have made sure they were safe. Instead, he'd foolishly wasted time hunting for Eldon.

His musings came to an abrupt halt when he stepped out onto the deck. What he beheld took his breath away.

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87

An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson