Chapter Ten

Back in their cabin after dinner, Penelope locked the door and moved towards Ruby, settling her hands on her hips.

With a seductive smile, she tilted her head towards Ruby’s and kissed her.

She released a soft whimper as her hands circled Ruby’s waist, adjusting the position of her head to deepen the kiss. Her hands travelled upwards, seeking out the small pearl buttons at the back of Ruby’s dress, but when they found them, Ruby pulled away.

“Wait, wait, wait.” Ruby took a ragged breath, resting her forehead against Penelope’s. The strands of hair she had left loose to frame her face tickled Penelope’s nose. “If we start that, we won’t stop.”

Penelope laughed breathlessly. “And why should we stop?” She pulled her head back and lifted her hand to cup Ruby’s cheek.

Ruby’s lips grew into that sure smile that Penelope had come to adore. “Because we have a party to attend.”

Penelope lowered her hand from Ruby’s cheek, cocking her head to the side as Ruby continued to grin at her. “Away and boil your head,” she said with a nervous laugh, almost expecting Ruby to declare it a joke. When that didn’t come, she pulled herself free from Ruby’s hold, stepping back to stare incredulously.

Ruby shrugged elegantly with one shoulder as she fiddled with the black lace around the neckline of her underdress. The emerald-green silk chiffon of her overdress clung stunningly to her figure, draping her like some Greek goddess.

“Why shouldn’t we go?” Ruby smoothed her hair, twirling those strands that had just been tickling Penelope’s nose around her finger.

Penelope had no real answer to that. It just seemed so risky.

Not only because her parents would be upset if they found out, but because they didn’t know anyone in Third Class. Whilst they weren’t wealthy duchesses decked out in diamonds and pearls, they were still better-off than those they’d be celebrating with.

You sound just like Father, her mind hissed at her, and she was just able to hold back a grimace. She hated that she was judging these people before she even knew them based purely on their societal status.

Ruby reached up and smoothed the wrinkles on Penelope’s forehead with her gloved hand. The action made Penelope smile and she relaxed, casting away her worries.

She took Ruby’s hand in hers, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. “All right. But if you cast me aside for your Prince Charming, I will not be pleased.”

Ruby laughed loudly, closing the distance between them. “The chances of that happening are as likely as Titanic sinking.” Ruby placed a fleeting kiss on Penelope’s lips, just enough for her to want more, to crave Ruby’s fingers on her skin, before she pulled away and made her way back to the door.

Penelope watched as Ruby unlocked it and opened it just a little, looking from left to right to ensure that no one was around to see them. “Why do I feel you’ve done this before?”

Ruby turned back around with a wide grin. “Maybe because I have. Not a lot, but once or twice I’ve sneaked out to attend a party thrown by the duke’s servants. And the odd time I wanted to meet a pretty girl without the risk of getting caught.” Ruby winked before turning to face the front once more. “The corridor is clear—I can’t see your parents or my family, so I think we’re fine.”

Her expression softened when she seemed to notice how nervous Penelope was. She closed the door and came close to her again. “If you really don’t want to go, I won’t pressure you. I just didn’t want you saying no because of some misguided sense of propriety or honour or whatever other reason they use to prevent women from enjoying our lives.”

Penelope shook her head. “No. I do wish to go…” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Come on. Before Father comes back from the smoking room.”

Ruby’s smile was dazzling as she giggled, took Penelope’s hand, and led them out of the room.

Penelope refused to release her hold on Ruby, even as they weaved their way towards the stairs instead of the lift so that not even the staff saw them. They passed one or two people, but no one looked their way. For all intents and purposes, they looked like they were making their way back to their cabin after dinner.

Music started to filter down the corridor when they stepped through the barrier that kept Third Class separate from Second Class.

It was a melody that reminded her of home, of those rare nights she had attended dinners and she had been allowed to reel, with its lively fiddle, steady drumbeat, and tinkle of a piano. The only sound missing to make her truly feel at home was the wail of bagpipes.

When they finally reached the Third Class General Room, Penelope and Ruby drew to a halt outside, their eyes wide as they took in the sight before them.

The room was modest. Wooden benches covered the length of the walls with some in the centre. No one sat on those, though, instead moving around them as if they were some sort of centrepiece. A piano sat off to the side, and several people holding their own instruments stood beside it. There was a haze of smoke, a hum of constant chatter, and an alluring aroma of cigars, alcohol, and food. And every inch was filled with people expertly moving to avoid colliding with others.

It was so bizarre to see—the lively dancing, the utter chaos of it all.

“Wow,” Ruby whispered.

Two young women stumbled towards the door, pushing past Ruby and Penelope with a muttered apology before resuming the conversation they’d been having.

Penelope’s mind was torn. On one hand, she wanted nothing more than to step inside, to join in the revelry. The reckless abandon called to her soul. And yet, the other part of her wanted to run as far away from it as possible.

The amount of trouble she could get into if she stepped over the threshold was terrifying.

“Shall we go in?” Ruby asked in a soft voice.

Penelope swallowed, her heart thudding out a rapid rhythm against her chest. “Don’t you think we stand out a little?” She took in the people around her, all of them wearing casual clothes, whilst she and Ruby were still wearing their nice gowns from dinner. And goodness, how would she explain any marks on her dress when they landed in New York and her clothing had to be washed?

Ruby sharply exhaled. “Judging by how drunk they are, I don’t think they’re going to care.”

“That is not reassuring,” Penelope replied sharply, before taking a deep breath in to try and calm herself. She closed her eyes as she placed her hand over her heart, feeling the relentless thud greet her fingertips. The hard outline of her grandmother’s locket was hidden under her dress, and she trailed her fingers over it, trying to draw strength from the touch.

When she reopened her eyes, she nodded. Her fingers were still trembling, and her legs felt ready to crumble, but still she said, “Let’s go.”

She was rewarded by Ruby’s stunning smile and a tight squeeze of her hand. Ruby expertly weaved them through the crowds until they were able to find a spot where they could stand.

Three familiar figures appeared by their side.

“You made it!” one exclaimed, a huge smile on his face. It was the same man who had invited them. “We just realised we didn’t properly introduce ourselves. I’m Mr. Daniel Lee, and these are my friends, Mr. Albert Wright and Mr. Joshua Wilkinson.” The three of them touched the brim of their caps in order, and despite her nerves being aflame, Penelope managed a smile in return.

“Pleasure,” Ruby replied, easily taking the lead. “I’m Miss Ruby Cole, and this is my friend, Miss Penelope Fletcher.” Ruby glanced around. “This is rather lively.”

“I bet it’s nothing like the parties you’re used to,” Mr. Wright said. He had a strong Welsh accent and a thick, blond moustache. Despite his warm smile, the bags under his eyes gave him a rather sickly appearance.

“Not at all,” Penelope said, voice soft, almost drowned out by the music and cheers. She only hoped that the whisper of her tone hid the disdain that had crept in.

“So… What do we do?” Ruby enquired, giving Penelope’s hand another soft squeeze.

“Dance!” “Drink!” “Have fun!” the three men answered at the same time, then dissolved into laughter.

Penelope glanced at Ruby and saw her lips curl just a little.

“Dance wherever there’s a space, no fancy routine needed. There’s beer on a table in that corner there, you’re welcome to it. And, as we said, just have fun. Mingle. It’s up to you, ladies,” Mr. Lee said. “We’ll be here, so, if you need any help, or if someone is giving you a hard time, just come and find us.”

“You’re…not going to stay with us?” Both Ruby and the men looked at her, so she clarified, “I meant… I almost expected you to assume that we were interested. I…”

“I understand, Miss Penelope. But no. We invited you because you seemed like you needed a way to blow off some steam, so to speak. We’ve noticed you’ve been running around after kids for a bit now. I have a younger brother myself. However, if you’d feel safer having us around, we can form some sort of group…?”

“No, that won’t be necessary,” Ruby said with a kind smile. “Thank you so much, gentlemen.”

They tugged at the brims of their caps again and said their farewells.

Ruby turned to Penelope with wide, rather shocked eyes. “That was…unexpected. I almost believed we would have to fight them off.” She tilted her head, watching them retreat and embrace their loved ones. “Now, shall we go and visit that table with the beer?”