Hearts That Survive Read Online Free Page A

needed to bring this work of poetry to life. He must not only tell Lydia about the depth of his love.
    He must not only avow his love, he must show it.
    With a start, he rose from the chair. His mind formed a plan as clear as sunlight. He hastened from the room, praying it wasn't too late.

 
4
 
Saturday morning, April 13, 1912
     
     
    L ydia was dressed long before the ship's bugler passed along the deck announcing meal call. She'd had Marcella ask the steward to bring breakfast for two to her private deck.
    John had told the steward to have Lydia order for him. Not knowing what he liked for breakfast, she smiled, thinking of all the things she would learn about him. Looking at the menu gave her a ravenous appetite. She ordered baked apples, grilled sausage, tomato omelets, Vienna rolls, buckwheat cakes, and Narbonne honey. "Oh," she said, "get the grilled ham too. He may not like sausage."
    Feeling a chill, she considered turning on the heater in the sitting room and opening the door. But that would be much too cozy. She longed to return to the carefree days when she and John sneaked away to enjoy each other's company. Everything was light and gay and they laughed at the most minute happening.
    They'd only meant to talk more seriously the night she had pulled the fur-trimmed hood close around her face lest she be seen. She'd reveled in being so naughty as to visit a man's apartment. Since then, she had been a person divided. Now she was a person responsible for another life, and she trembled at the thought.
    Marcella had not been able to keep a sly little smile from her lips ever since Lydia mentioned breakfast for two on the deck. Now, while her maid set the table and the steward placed the food on the sideboard, Lydia looked out the windows and faced another beautiful day.
    "The air is cooler this morning than last, miss, but quite pleasant." The steward's weather report mimicked yesterday's.
    "Marcella," Lydia said, "I need the Bible brought in from the bedroom."
    "Yes, miss." She headed for the bedroom.
    Lydia glanced at George. Was she trying too hard to make others think everything was fine and she was simply going to have a Bible study with someone? My goodness, would she ever be able to think properly again? Marcella and George were the hired help.
    But already John had an influence on her. John was the dearest, smartest, most creative, kindest person she'd ever known. Money and background had not made him so. And what had money and background done for her? She'd begun to see even the hired help as people. Of course, she'd known that, but now she knew it in a different way.
    "Anything else I can do for you, miss?" George said.
    "No, that will be all. Thank you."
    He nodded, put his hands on the handle of the food cart, and rolled it from the room. Marcella brought the Bible, and Lydia placed it on the corner of the breakfast table. When the light tap sounded, Marcella opened the door and John walked in.
    Last night she'd been anxious over what John's reaction might be, so confused by learning that love was not only simple and beautiful but could also be filled with problems. Now all she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms and tell him never to let her go, and to make her believe everything was fine and they would live like the ending of a fairy tale, happily ever after.
    Ach! If she were such a vixen, she would not be so troubled by it all. And John had not shown much of a reaction last night. In fact, he'd been speechless. Now, he looked at her with loving eyes, then walked over to the sideboard. He lifted a couple of silver covers. "My, this is quite a spread."
    Lydia joined him, deciding she could serve herself. "It all looks so good."
    They filled their plates and took them to the table. John sat opposite her. Marcella poured their coffee.
    Lydia glanced up at her. "You may leave, Marcella. Take as long as you like."
    "Thank you, miss." Her glance moved from Lydia to John, and pink tinged her cheeks.