Page 16 of The Girl Out of Time
She nearly doubled over in laughter from Leon’s shocked, wide-eyed look. “Have you never been to a gymnasium?”
“Not really.”
“You’d better get used to it, going to the States. They’re all the rage in New York. Brendon begged Father to go to one, but Father said hewas still too young. I caught him in front of the mirror one day, flexing his would-be-biceps.” She imitated her brother by lifting her arm and emulating a powerful pose.
“I fail to see how this would help.” Leon pointed to the stomach-rubbing machine.
“Well, not this one, but maybe the rowing? Or, we could do a bicycle race.”
They did that, and raced and laughed, until the attendant came and shooed them out, murmuring something about it “being dangerous, here unattended.” Luckily, he didn’t pursue the matter further.
For the rest of the morning, they finally visited the third class promenade on the bow, where a little girl started sighing over Emmeline’s hairstyle, and Emmeline spent the next half hour twisting the girl’s hair into a perfect Psyche knot, while Leon folded a flower from a ribbon the girl had, to finish off her brand new hairstyle. Emmeline snuck into her room as Mother checked on her before lunch, and afterward, it was back to the deck and finding Leon. Afternoon passed in them watching a game in the Squash Court, deep inside the ship, and walking the two terriers of a lady who’d gotten a sudden bout of seasickness.
Then came dinnertime.
“The band has a concert in the reception after dinner,” Emmeline said to Leon as they stood before the first class entrance on the deck, about to say goodbye. “Would you like to go see it?”
“What about your parents?”
“They never stay in the reception afterward. They see my brothers to their beds, then retire to their cabin. I promise it’ll be safe.”
“All right, then.”
“Perfect! Meet me here at eight.” She didn’t know why she suddenly had a fluttering feeling in her stomach, but it was pleasant and exciting, and she wanted to hold on to it forever. “I’ll see you,” she said and, after Leon gave her a smile goodbye, left to get ready.
Emmeline spent twice as much time as usual that evening picking out the right dress. She finally decided on a cream-colored silk gown with short sleeves and a skirt draped to one side. It had a navy blue velvet sash wrapping around like a bodice and forming a bow on the back, its ends extending down, almost like a train. She wrangled her curls into a voluminous bun and wrapped a string of pearls around it, the white perfectly contrasting her black hair.
Mother was impressed, at least, and praised her fashionable choice, but throughout dinner, Emmeline’s thoughts were already on the events to come. Giddy with anticipation, she couldn’t wait for the meal to be over and her family to leave. She accompanied them back to their deck, waited until they were all settled in their cabins, and slipped out.
Leon was already waiting outside the promenade door. He opened his mouth but only continued to stare for a few moments, finally blinking. “You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She did a little curtsy. “So are you—I mean, uh, you look great.”
He dusted the sleeve of his finely tailored, stark black jacket, then brought out the hand he’d been hiding behind his back. “This is for you.” He offered her a pale pink rose. “It’s not real, it’s silk, but I couldn’t—”
“It’s lovely.” She twirled it between her fingers. The jacket and the rose didn’t seem like something easily acquirable in third class, but what did she know? “Where did you get it?”
“A lady in second class was kind enough to give it to me in exchange for teaching her a few phrases in French.” He drew his eyebrows together. “I’m rather certain they were for a lover. In fact, the jacket might be his, as well …”
Emmeline burst into a laugh. “You speak French?”
He squinted, as if he wasn’t sure of the answer. “Yes.”
“Me, too. My father’s side of the family is partially French, so it made sense to learn. It’s by no means perfect, though.” Perhaps he could teach her a few phrases, too.
Or perhaps, that would be considered brazen flirting.
Clearing her throat, she tucked the rose into her sash and offered him a hand. “Come. The band’s already started.”
They headed several floors down the grand staircase until they arrived at the spacious reception room spreading across the deck. Unlike most areas of the ship, the flooring was carpet here—a crimson red with a complex floral pattern—and every settee and wicker chair at every table was occupied; in fact, Emmeline was certain they’d brought in additional seating because the reception was filled to the brim. The ship’s quintet of musicians played in the central space close to the stairs, in front of a wall featuring a rich tapestry depicting a medieval hunting scene.
Emmeline and Leon stopped on the stairs.
“There’s no room,” he said.
“Well …” She shrugged and sat on the stairs. “Nice enough view from here.”
“Youarequite adept at finding a nice view.” He sat next to her.
