Without thinking about it at all, she reached for the loveliest evening gown in her wardrobe, a new creation made of cream colored lace over lavender silk. The gown was empire style, with a neck that was just low enough but still proper for a girl her age and embroidered all over with clusters of sequins and crystals. A small train swept behind her and the shoes she wore matched the gown. She piled her hair high on her head and let only a few red-gold tendrils cascade down her back and dressed her upsweep with a crystal comb and white gardenias. A glittering diamond necklace finished her outfit. Even her mother approved. “That is a lovely gown,” she said as they started down the grand carved staircase for dinner. “Even prettier than I had imagined it would be when we had it made.” She kept looking for the handsome man she had seen on deck as they were escorted to their table. She temporarily forgot about him as they were introduced to the Astors who would be dining with them for the duration of the voyage.
