Unsinkable by Lynn Murphy

opposite Jackson Mackenzie.
     
    “Did you speak to Beckett?”
     
    “I did, Wilson. But I’m not sure how much good it did.”
     
    “What was his response?”
     
    Jackson said, “He claims he is love with Carrington. I am not excusing his actions, mind you.”
     
    “I’ve given this whole situation some thought since this morning. Perhaps I over reacted. Certainly her mother did.”
     
    “I’ve made it clear to Beckett that some things aren’t to be tolerated. Certainly not in this kind of setting.”
     
    “Unlike Rose, I hardly think anyone aboard the Titanic is talking about our children, or even how and where they spent the night.”
     
    “I agree, but I still find that kind of circumstance unacceptable.”
     
    “Agreed, they need to be more discreet. That girl has given us some trying moments. She’s far too smart to be a woman and has a stubborn streak as well. She does at least seem fond of Beckett.”
     
    “What are you thinking?”
     
    “That perhaps this is a union that should be encouraged. Except that if we told Carrington we were in favor of it, it would send her running the other way.”
     
    “Beckett needs some reason to give up this notion about writing and settle down. Having a wife to support might be just what he needs.”
     
    “At the risk of sounding crude, is he well set for money?”
     
    “He has a substantial trust fund from Alice’s father that he has rights to now, and more that he will come into in time. As well as a position waiting for him at the bank. And he is of course, the sole heir to the rest.”
     
    “How to go about this is the question.”
     
    “I say we leave it until we get back to New York, see how the relationship seems to be going. I haven’t noticed them together today.”
     
    “I heard from Warren that they argued.”
     
    Wilson nodded. “Fueled, no doubt by our own objections. Well, let’s hope things work out.”
     
    “Normally I wouldn’t be in favor of making this kind of arrangement,” Jackson said. “But Beckett needs to settle down.”
     
    “I think we could make this work to all of our advantage.”
     
    Wilson stood and left, leaving Jackson sitting at the table. He knew that Wilson was suggesting that a marriage between their children would also include joint business ventures between the two of them.
     
    Wilson seemed sure that it was going to happen. But Jackson knew Beckett better than his son realized. This might be a business deal that was hard to pin down.
     
                                      ******
     
    Beckett watched Carrington walk to the bow of the ship from the other side of the deck. She looked beautiful, sad, determined. He knew that as soon as he showed up, as soon as he stood beside her that she would know he had written the meeting in the book. He took the opportunity to watch her as she leaned on the rail, her hair blowing gently over her shoulder.
     
    He sighed and walked toward her.
     
    “Hello, Carri.”
     
    “I distinctly remember telling you that I don’t wish to be called that.”
     
    So this was the way the conversation was going to go. That was all right, at least they were talking and it hadn’t been previously scripted.
     
    “I’m sorry. Old habits are hard to break.”
     
    “What did you want Beckett? Did you write this scene too? Have I said all the things I’m supposed to up to this point?”
     
    “I wrote that we would meet here. But I swear to you
     
    I didn’t write our conversation.”
     
    “Give me one reason why I should believe that.”
     
    “I just didn’t. That’s all I can tell you.”
     
    “So what did you expect us to talk about?”
     
    He leaned on the railing, facing her. “Maybe about what happened this morning.”
     
    “We argued. But maybe they’re right.”
     
    “Who?”
     
    “Our parents.”
     
    “What do they know about you and me?”
     
    Her heart softened a little at the way he said that, dropping