Several days later, Mrs. Weathers interrupted Anna as she read in the parlor.
"Madam, there is a man here to see you. He says he is sent from Mr. Trent." She seemed to be apologetic for allowing the man into the house.
"Well, let’s see what he wants, shall we." Anna closed her book and set it on the table as a tall, thin gentleman was ushered into the room. She stood in greeting, and held out her hand.
He regarded her hand for a moment before he reached into the valise he held tucked under one arm. With a stone face, he retrieved a packet of papers and handed them to her. He was definitely all business.
"Mrs. Anna Scott Trent, you are to consider yourself properly served with the legal documents for dissolution of your marriage to Mr. Chase Trent. Please look the papers over and sign them. Notify my office and I will send a courier to pick them up." He handed Anna a card. "Thank you, madam." He left.
Mrs. Weathers, who stood at the door, gasped and watched with disbelief as the man found his own way out.
"Well, that was simple enough, now, wasn't it," Anna noted, and looked at the papers in her hand. Mrs. Weathers covered her mouth with her apron and disappeared toward the kitchen. It wouldn't take long before the whole of society knew. Anna went to the desk and scribbled a quick note to Colin to meet her at the café.
Strangely enough, she felt no emotion. It did not hurt; nor did it thrill. She felt only an emptiness she could not explain. How could it be over so soon, so easily? Was there not supposed to be some tears, some measurable amount of mourning – something? Or were her emotions so seared she could not be affected by his rejection? Whatever it was, Anna dispatched Shaw to deliver the note to Colin, and sat down on the sofa to scan the papers.
* * * *
A thousand voices cried out as one; thunder rolled across black water. Shivers, of cold or of fear, she knew not which, raced through her as the Union Jack disappeared into the inky black. There were muffled sobs and whispered prayers all around. Silence.
Anna awoke with a start, and sat up, frantic. She leapt from the bed, raced to the window, and threw back the heavy curtains to let in the early morning light. Her heart took its ease from the vigorous dance it had engaged in against her ribs as she looked out onto the rainy day. Even the dimness of the overcast sky was a comfort.
She wrapped her arms around her body, curled up in a chair, and watched the rain patter on the windowpanes. The sound was soothing and if it were not for the chill in the room, she might have gone back to sleep where she was. Before she could, the reality of her situation flooded her mind. Divorce. Freedom. What of the house? Would she be forced to give it up? She was uncertain of what she would have to do in the coming weeks and months. Surely, she would get some sort of award to live on.
Southampton in the winter could be so dreary. It only served to mirror Anna's feelings. Today, it would all be over.
* * * *
She had her nerve being here. Hanging on his arm. When Chase accused Anna of infidelity? She could see that the magistrate wondered about the woman as well. Anna felt relieved when it was over. She left the building, intent on reaching the coach where Shaw waited without having to speak to anyone. With only steps to go, Chase called out.
"Anna, I need to speak with you," he called, his voice overly cheerful. The last thing she wanted was to hear him gloat. She turned to watch his approach.
"Was there something else?" Anna tried to keep her voice steady. She did not want the turmoil inside of her to bubble to the surface until she was home in the privacy of her own room. He stopped halfway across the courtyard, whispered to Lydia and sent her on to his carriage. Anna was slightly pleased he hadn't brought her face to face with the woman.
"After much communication with my father, we have decided to close the firm here. I will be returning to the States. Lydia will be going with me. My mother is planning a wedding for us to be held shortly after we arrive. My agent will be selling the estate and you will need to move very soon. I wanted you to know ahead of time."
"Kind of you." Anna had no idea where she would go. "Chase, could you give me some time before you list the house? I don't want to rush into any decisions about where to live."
"All right." He glanced toward Lydia who watched from what used to be Anna's place in the carriage. "It will take us some time to close down or sell out the firm. How would three months be?"
"That would be more than kind. Thank you." Anna turned from him as Shaw opened the door. Chase pushed in front of Shaw, and took her hand to help her in.
"Thank you, again," she said, her eyes cast down so she would not see his face.
"Take care of yourself, Anna." He closed the door.
As she watched him walk away, she replied, "I always have."
* * * *
"May I help you?" the young man offered as Anna looked around the office.
"Yes, I would like to purchase passage for two, first class, on your most elegant vessel."
"Yes, madam. She is selling out very quickly, but I think you are in luck. I believe that I can arrange for two in second class. First class has been filled for weeks. Would second be acceptable?"
Anna thought for several heartbeats, her eyes closed. "Yes, I think second class would be perfect. It is a wedding gift for someone special. 'Til death do us part.
"I can't think of a better gift than to be a part of this voyage. Will the happy couple be honeymooning in New York?" He made small talk as he wrote out the paperwork.
"Actually, they plan to marry in New York. I thought I would help them on their way."
"Very thoughtful, indeed." The clerk nodded to her in admiration.
"I have put a lot of thought into this voyage. I think it will suit them perfectly. Mr. Trent always did want the best," Anna commented, with a knowing wink.
It took only a few minutes to process the information. Anna left the White Star Line office with the most appropriate gift she could think of for Chase. She knew he would be pleased—at last.
* * * *
"Thank you again for this voyage. You have truly surprised me after all I've done. Outstanding. I have something for you." Chase held out an envelope as he waited to board.
"It was the only way I could truly express my feelings for you, Chase." Her eyes drifted to Lydia who stood on the far side of Chase with a snobbish countenance on her face. Anna grinned at her and turned to Chase. "What is in the envelope?" Anna tried hard to be cordial. The press of the crowd was frightful and loud.
"Something I think you'll like. I feel I owe it to you." He placed his hand on her shoulder.
"You owe me nothing." Anna wanted their last words to at least be kind.
His brown eyes were suddenly moist as he lowered his voice, his eyes darting to the new woman in his life. "I never stopped loving you, Anna."
"But it wasn't enough, was it?" Anna looked up at the four black stacks looming high above the crowd.
The huge funnel tumbled to the water with a tremendous crash, and just missed the lifeboat.
Anna blinked as she smiled at Chase.
"Take care of yourself." Chase squeezed her hand and walked briskly up the gangway with Lydia. They disappeared, one of the last to board before the gangway was removed. After a few minutes, they pushed their way to the railing and waved. Anna thought about how terribly happy they looked together. Anna watched with dread and anticipation as the tugboats bullied the great liner along. She could no longer see Chase and Lydia as the ship was maneuvered from the dock.
Shaw stood beside her in the crush of people who came to witness this momentous occasion, to see the mammoth ship on her way.
"Madam," he shouted to be heard above the cheering. "Shall we go now?"
"Not yet."
Anna gasped as the large ship passed too close to a smaller liner. The displacement pulled the smaller ship from the dock, its ropes strained until it nearly collided with the great liner. The tugs scampered about the ships like puppies, but with a greater purpose. Finally, the grandest ocean liner afloat was on her way.
Colin lay on a field of rippling blue-black. Stars twinkled overhead. He held out his hands toward Anna, unable to reach her.
Anna blinked away the vision, momentarily immersed in confusion. She watched the ship until she could no longer see the large white letters on the stern of the White Star Steamer, R.M.S. Titanic. Shaw stood silently by as the crowd thinned, until they were the only two people left.
"Do you miss him, madam?" he asked, quietly.
"No." Anna turned to him, surprised at his question. "I don't miss him at all. I want him to be happy for the rest of his life." However long it may be.
"That is a very nice sentiment after everything he put you through, madam." Shaw said, admiringly.
"Well, it was just not meant to be. Shaw?"
"Yes, madam?"
"Call me Miss Anna. I never did like 'madam'. I'm not that old." She smiled.
"Yes, ma—uh, Miss Anna."
"Much better."
Anna turned the envelope over in her hands as they returned to the carriage. Nothing was written on the outside. Shaw opened the carriage door, and helped her in. As they made their way through the streets of Southampton, Anna opened the envelope. Unfolding several sheets of paper, she began to read.
Anna,
Because we are leaving, I have decided the estate and all furniture and fixtures there should be left to you. I hope you will be happy and will find your perfect man, the one you used to think I was. Enclosed please find the deed to the estate and my solicitors' card if you have any questions.
You will also find a passbook to a bank account set aside for your comfort. It contains 5,000 pounds to be used as you wish, no strings attached. You might want to look into investing it so you should not want for anything as long as you live.
Best of luck to you,
Chase Trent
Imagine that.
To Be Continued...
________________________________________________
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination, or are fictitiously used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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© 2008 Jena Galifany/Marge Conrad
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