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2021-02-25 04:20:30“Mummy!” Ruth yelled, rushing into her mother’s arms just as soon as Meg had the door open, despite the fact that Baby Lizzy was sleeping, as were her parents.
“Shhh!” Kelly scolded, still smiling at her little one as she flung her small body into her arms. “We mustn’t be so loud when Baby Lizzy is asleep,” she reminded.
“Sorry!” Ruth whispered sharply, almost as loudly as her normal volume. “Guess who I met!”
Meg took a deep breath and tossed herself onto her bunk. The furniture in the room was sparse, and there wasn’t much space between the five occupants. Daniel was snoring on the top bunk above where Lizzy and Kelly were sleeping, and Ruth had the bunk above Meg. Though she had been tempted to ease back out the door, she knew this conversation was inevitable, and she may as well get it over with.
“Who did you meet?” Kelly asked as Ruth climbed into the crowded be
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Ghosts of Southampton Dinner
“Why if it isn’t Mr. Charles Ashton. Whatever are you doing here, darlin’? I thought you was planning on sticking around in Southampton for a while,” an older, well-dressed woman asked as Charlie entered the First Class Dining Hall. He recognized her, of course, as millionaire Molly Brown from Colorado. He wasn’t too surprised that she would find a way to make a prying question sound innocent enough.“Mrs. Brown,” he replied, “it’s nice to see you. It seems I had a change of plans and am now available to join all of you on what is sure to be an historic maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic.”“Well, it sure is nice to see you as well,” she gushed, not letting him get by so easily. “Where is your lovely betrothed, Miss Westmoreland? I would love to meet the young lady in person.”Charlie hesitated, staring into her eyes for a moment to ascertain whether or not she already knew
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Molly
By the time he reached his cabin, the peculiar thought had almost left him completely. He knew Jonathan wouldn’t expect him back for several hours, assuming he would not be able to escape the lounge. He poured himself a brandy and made his way out to the private deck. The evening was chilly, but the air felt good, and he was hoping it would clear his mind. While visions of little Ruth and her intriguing aunt were welcome thoughts, his mind kept returning to the events of the last few days that had led him to his current position. It all seemed a bit surreal, but then so had his entire engagement, quite honestly, and only now that it seemed to be over did he feel he could finally get on with his life at long last.He had arrived in London to attend to a few business matters, both on behalf of his father’s steel company as well as the new celluloid manufacturing company he was starting on his own. His father had made a name for himself in the steel industry early on
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Shady
Charlie nodded. He had heard that before, but considering Mary Margaret was engaged to be his wife, and she was Bertram’s family, he never thought she was at any risk. The uncle had lived with Mary Margaret’s parents even before she was born. The older brother of Henry by a considerable margin, he had wasted away his portion of the family inheritance before Henry even graduated from university, and by the time the younger brother began his textile company, Bertram was eagerly awaiting any opportunity to profit from his brother’s hard work. Charlie had met him a few times when he had come to New York on business, and though he had been frightening as a young child, he seemed like a harmless old man now. Molly seemed to think otherwise. “Do you think something shady was going on?”“I’m not sure,” Molly replied, finishing her drink. “I know one of the girls was saying Bertram wouldn’t take no for an answer once several
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Memories
Her bedroom was always dark. She wanted the shades open, at least partially, so some of the light from the street, or better still, the stars, could shine in. But no matter how many times she opened them, even if it was just a crack, her mother’s lady, Ms. Julia, would always come in just as she was about to drift off and close them. Even when she had asked nicely, even when she had begged her mother, she was told they needed to be closed. Closed tight.It was the same nearly every night. She’d beg to stay up, to read another book, to sit by the fire, even to clean her room. Eventually, her mother would have enough and send her up. She’d linger with the toiletries, sometimes insisting on putting on several of her nightshirts all at the same time. In the summer it was unbearable to do so, but then, so was the alternative. Of course, it didn’t make a difference. Regardless of what she wore, it never made a difference.Eventually, she’d give
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Lucky
When she returned to the cabin, she slipped in as quietly as possible, disrobed, and climbed back into bed, hoping she had not disturbed anyone. However, a few moments later, Kelly unwound herself from Baby Lizzy and slid in beside her, wrapping her arm beneath her shoulders. “Everythin’ okay, darlin’?” she whispered.“Yes,” Meg replied as quietly as possible. “I just had another bad dream, that’s all.”“I’m so sorry,” her friend replied, kissing her gently on the forehead. “It’ll get better, the farther away from England we go. You’ll see.”Meg nodded. “I hope so. I just… I keep thinking about Charlie, too, and how lucky he is that, despite the ridicule he may be suffering now, how things are so much better now that I am out of his life forever. He didn’t deserve to be married to someone like me… someone who’s capable of the things I&r
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Guggenheim
Jonathan Lane was a wiz at gaining information, in any situation, in any location, and being aboard the Titanic had not limited his resourcefulness. Though they had just encountered little Ruth and her Aunty Meg the day before, he had already ascertained a room number, the names of Ruth’s parents—Daniel and Kelly O’Connell—and the fact that the other woman sharing their room was registered on the ship’s roster as Meg Sister, which he thought was rather odd and perhaps a clerical mistake. Early on the morning of April 12, he ran into a steward for Steerage passengers who mentioned the peculiar sight of a very attractive, fair-haired passenger leaving Third Class accommodations dressed in a pink robe in the middle of the night, spending several minutes peering into the Atlantic before returning to her cabin. He said the only thing truly unusual about it was the fact that the robe did not match the class. It seemed rather expensive, he noted.
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Dolphins
Ruth had all but refused to eat a bite of her breakfast, insisting that they make their way to the deck as soon as possible so that she could continue her pursuit of finding “dawfins.” However, the longer she fussed the more waiting she had to endure, and by the time they had finished at last, they had one cranky, persnickety little girl on their hands.Meg followed behind the family, Ruth’s small hands grasping her parents’ as she led them to her favorite spot for dawfin watching, about where she had run into Charlie only the day before. Meg was holding a sleeping Lizzy, rocking her gently, and cooing at her softly. Even though Lizzy was not her own, she couldn’t help but treat her as such in these small moments when she had the baby in her arms.As Ruth turned around to tell Meg something, her face broke into a wide smile, and she immediately burst free from her parents’ grasps, shouting, “Uncle Charlie!” as she shot pa
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Questions
It seemed Jonathan didn’t like the lack of conversation either. Eventually, he asked, “What are your plans once you reach America, Miss Meg?”“Oh, I’m not sure yet,” she admitted. They had made their way to the stairwell, and she was ever so cautious to watch her footing above the sleeping babe’s head as she made her descent. Jonathan seemed ready, lest she slip or fall, but she made it safely down, heading toward the corridor.Once she reached level ground, he asked, “What was your trade in England?”“Actually,” she dodged, “America is all about fresh starts. I think I may try my hand at something entirely different than what I am used to.” She could see their room just at the end of the hall, and though she didn’t mind Jonathan’s questions, they were becoming more personal and more pointed.“That sounds like an exciting venture,” he replied. “And
Last Updated : 2021-02-25
Latest chapter
Ghosts of Southampton Love
She’d been in Charlie’s bedroom a few times before, but this time was certainly different. Butterflies fluttered around her stomach, some of the nervous variety, but most of them fueled by excitement.They were sitting on the edge of his bed, the door closed and locked, the drapes pulled tightly. She knew that there were a few servants elsewhere in the house, but they would leave the couple undisturbed at least until mid-morning. Glancing up at him, she could see that he felt much the same way that she did.“It turned out quite well, don’t you think?” Charlie asked, clearly meaning the wedding.“Yes,” Meg nodded.“Even though a few guests certainly had too much to drink.”She giggled, thinking of one older gentleman who had made quite a spectacle of himself trying to climb atop one of the tables to dance. He had been escorted out, but Meg was thankful for the diversion. For once, everyone wasn&r
Ghosts of Southampton Married
Ruth looked adorable in her pink dress, which hung to the floor, nearly tripping her as she danced around her parents. Kelly had stood beside Meg, along with Grace, and Charlie had been proud to have both Walter—who turned out to be every bit as silly as Charlie had described—and Quincy on his side.Now, it was all over, except for the reception. Then, Meg would return to Charlie’s house—the house they would share together—and embark on a new adventure, that of being Mrs. Charles Ashton.“Meg Ashton,” she said aloud, once the last of the well-wishers had moved along. “What do you think?”Charlie was already grinning from ear to ear, but his face brightened even more. “I think it sounds remarkable.”“That’s my name now, you know? Meg Ashton.”“What about Mary Margaret Ashton?” he asked, leaning close to her ear.“Heaven’s no. That&rsquo
Ghosts of Southampton Progress
Sitting next to Meg alone in the overly opulent dining room, Charlie couldn’t help but smile. Even though the voices still clung to him, he had a feeling Dr. Morgan could actually help. For the first time since he’d arrived back in New York City, he felt hopeful that he could return to his former self.“You look awfully chipper this evening,” Meg said, as she took a sip of her soup. “I suppose that means Dr. Morgan was helpful?”“It does,” Charlie admitted, noting how lovely she looked in the light blue gown she wore. It made her eyes sparkle. “He really does know precisely what to ask and how to ask it.”“Are you studying him as much as he’s studying you?” she asked, amusement pulling at the corners of her exquisite lips.He looked at her for a moment, his head tipped to the side a bit, seeing if she would break into a giggle. She did. “And what if I am?”&ld
Ghosts of Southampton Help
Dr. Morgan’s office was on the third floor of a five story building, nestled between two similar looking offices, and Charlie attempted to be discreet as he slipped inside for the first time. He knew that the field of psychiatry was growing in acceptance, yet he didn’t necessarily want to make an announcement to the world that he needed help. However, the accompanying chorus of voices that stepped off of the elevator with him was a reminder that he hadn’t been capable of getting better on his own.The receptionist was an older woman with a nice smile. She asked Charlie to wait one moment while she informed Dr. Morgan that he was there, and though there were a few leather bound chairs to choose from, Charlie chose to stand instead. He peeked beneath the curtains at the few autos and pedestrians traveling about below and wondered if any of those people belonged in here as much as he did.“Mr. Ashton!” Dr. Morgan said, his quiet voice still s
Ghosts of Southampton Gown
Meg sat on a plush sofa in Maurice’s shop near Columbus Circle. From here, she could see the people outside bustling by on a warm June day, and she wondered where they were going and if any of them would mind if she went along. She’d rather be just about anywhere else.“I like the taffeta,” Grace was saying, “though with that tulle underneath, it seems a bit too… poofy, don’t you think?”It wasn’t Meg she was speaking to, so she remained silent, watching a plump, older woman proceed down the sidewalk with a little boy who she believed might be the woman’s grandson. He seemed reluctant to walk, and Meg imagined they must have had a disagreement. Perhaps he wanted a snack from one of the many street vendors, and Grandmother had said no….“Meg? Are you listening?”She turned her head to see Pamela addressing her. “I’m sorry—were you speaking to me?”
Ghosts of Southampton Analysis
“The brain is still quite a mystery,” Dr. Morgan was saying as he sat across from Charlie in a plush velvet chair, Dr. Shaw seated nearby. Circles of smoke lingered around them from the cigars of several dozen gentlemen seated in similar groupings, discussing business and other inconsequentialities. Jonathan and Edward were sitting across the room, and Charlie glanced in his friend’s direction every once in a while, noting that he seemed unusually amused about something.“I’ve been reading Freud’s theories of psychoanalysis,” Charlie said with a nod. “Do you think there’s any truth to his findings? Particularly regarding the unconscious mind?”Dr. Morgan nodded. “I can’t say that I completely agree with all that Freud has to say, but I do with his theory that the unconscious mind plays a larger role in our actions than we previously understood.”“Do you believe memories can be tr
Ghosts of Southampton Encounter
The First Class dining experience aboard the passenger liner they’d booked the next day to take them home was nothing compared to Titanic, and the ship was much smaller, which made the rocking more obvious, but as Meg sat next to Charlie at dinner, she was just happy to have him with her. She had been right in thinking he’d be more at ease on the way home.They’d insisted on having Jonathan and Carrie accompany them, and no one had objected. Dr. Shaw belonged there with them as much as anyone else, but Meg enjoyed watching Carrie’s face as others served her for a change, and Meg thought she looked lovely in one of her gowns.They’d spoken at great length about all that had transpired, and yet, from time to time, someone would still muse aloud, bringing the most astounding topics back to the conversation. Meg hadn’t allowed herself to shed a single tear for either Bertram or her mother, and she was hopeful that Ezra would get
Ghosts of Southampton Over
Mildred only raised her eyebrows at Charlie but didn’t say a word about his blunt statement of what Meg certainly saw as the truth. “I shall go upstairs and fetch Bertram for you,” Mildred said, glancing at the detective before she turned to ascend the stairs. “It will give me the opportunity to say goodbye to him privately.”Meg was certain that last comment was a jab at her, her mother implying what Meg had always known was true, that the relationship between her mother and uncle was more than either of them were ever willing to admit to, but Meg ignored it. The emotions running through her mind were too much, even for her carefully guarded compartments, and she felt like she might begin to crumble at any moment.“Miss Westmoreland, we are prepared to take your statement whenever you are ready,” the detective said quietly, a weak smile pulling at one corner of his mouth out of politeness.“Give her a few moments,
Ghosts of Southampton Considerations
They began to make their way through the kitchen, and Meg noticed Tessa had moved on to some sort of baking. She offered a smile but said nothing as they passed through. Meg made a mental note to make sure that Tessa received enough money that she wouldn’t have to work anymore. It was the least she could do for the woman who’d served her mother and put up with her uncle for so long.Mildred was standing in the foyer speaking to an officer Meg didn’t recognize. The other officers Det. Weber had mentioned must have arrived, because several men in uniforms stood both inside the entryway and on the porch. Officer Brown was speaking to the ones on the porch, and Meg decided to wait for him to notice her rather than announce her presence and be forced to get on with her report of what happened with her uncle any sooner than necessary.“Mary Margaret,” Mildred said, turning to face her daughter. “You’ve returned. Did you get everythin
