Nate noticed the way Clara tensed whenever someone nodded a hello to them, he found it amusing.

"Where's the straight-backed girl I came across yesterday?" Nate gave her a brief smile before he turned them down the corridor leading to the West's parlor suites.

"She didn't have to face all these people; it's a little overwhelming, Nate."

"Yeah, it's big, it's okay, I guess. But just act like you're better than everyone else and you'll do fine."

"Where are we going? I thought the first-class staterooms were down a deck."

Nate childishly grinned again before he nodded.

"They are."

"Then why are we going this way?"

"Because my family didn't get a stateroom, they got the most expensive, sought after rooms available."

Clara smiled a hello at a woman who waved at her; these people were slightly odd, acting as though they knew everyone. Her feet felt squished in the shoes but Augusta had a point when she said they matched. Nate flinched for a moment when he saw a tall man who looked faintly like him. Clara instantly knew why when the man turned their way and looked bemused.

"Nathaniel? I've just spoken with your mother and she told me of your dinner plans. Tomorrow you will dine with us, understood?"

"Father, I'd like to introduce you to Miss Clara Forsyth, she's from New York as well."

And Clara was more than interested in how Mr. Nathaniel West knew where she was from. She had half a mind to elbow him in the ribs until Mr. West turned his concentration to her and took her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet the woman who stole Nathaniel's attention all day. May I ask what it is that your family does in New York?"

She swallowed her panic and turned a fleeting, pleading look at Nate who seemed to have it all under control.

"They control a porcelain plant; they also own several shops across America so they make a fair income."

"Well then, I shall have to look for it when we arrive in New York. Under what names are these shops?"

Nate knew his father didn't believe him, he also knew his father wouldn't tell his mother so long as Nate stayed on his good side.

"Forsyth's Fine Chinaware, sir." Clara said with a large, fake smile. She was only doing what Nate told her to, she was fitting in.

"I see. Well Nathaniel, Clara, if you will excuse me, I have an engagement with Mrs. West." Frederick West patted his son on the back then continued his way through the slim corridor.

Clara turned to Nate and cast him a questioning look to which he chuckled and shrugged, he wasn't telling.

"How did you know I'm from New York? What else do you know?"

"I know that you're the daughter of Isaac Forsyth, a pottery maker and artist who owns a small shop in New York."

"What else do you know, oh mighty Nathaniel West?" Clara was going to kill Ivy if she told Nate of Clara's history.

"It's a small world isn't it Clara, or should I say it's a small ship?" Nate stopped at a rather fancy looking door and pulled out a key.

"You didn't answer my question, Nate. How do you know that?"

"I have my resources, anyways are you coming in or not?" He held the door open for her as she stepped into the large room.

"You have this big of a room all to yourself?" She gasped as she went from the bureau to the bed to the doors leading to his private promenade deck.

"Mostly, mother and father leave me alone for the most part. They promised to before we boarded the ship. Maxwell checks in on occasion, he's our butler, Maxwell, are you here?" Nate called and the door leading to the adjoining sitting room slowly opened.

"Yes, Master Nate, I'm here. May I get you and the young lady something to drink or perhaps eat?"

"Nah, we'll be going to dinner soon. Maxwell, this is Clara. Clara, meet my friend, Maxwell."

Maxwell bowed politely before he looked at Nate and muttered, "That is the first time you've called me a friend."

"Times are changing, Maxwell; I've had a wonderful day with Miss Clara here."

Maxwell turned to Clara with his elderly brown eyes and made a sad attempt to smile.

"If just one day with you does this to Nathaniel, I ask you spend every moment possible by his side. It makes it better for all of us, good day."

After Maxwell shut the door, Nate heaved a sigh of relief and Clara turned from the doorway.

"What was that about, Nate? Are you really such a bad tempered man?" A teasing smile played at the corners of her lips.

"Not usually, demanding perhaps, but I do treat Maxwell with respect. He's been more of a father to me then my actual father; I've known Maxwell for years." Nate opened another door, which led to a closet and he withdrew a suit coat.

"You have a real view from this deck. Might I ask how much these cost?"

Nate snorted sarcastically as he slipped the coat on and tugged at the vest beneath as though it bothered him. He hated dressing up, his idea of dressing up involved simple, brown trousers and a shirt of any kind. Fumbling with the tie for a moment he finally turned to Clara and held the vicious thing to her.

"Mind helping me with this confounded thing? In answer to your question, I think my father paid about $4,350-ish for us to travel in luxury. Personally, I'd rather be on your deck laughing and having a good time verses what you've seen."

"Shush, I can't tie this if you're talking." Clara grumbled as she tied the tie extra tight for a moment and Nate choked.

"I need to breathe!" Nate gasped and she giggled.

"I'll tie it tighter if you don't hush." Finally, she finished and headed towards the door. Nate was about to call after her when Clay stumbled into the room.

"Past time, Nate, we've been waiting for a while now. Hello, Miss Clara. I see Augusta dressed you right up." Clay held the door open for her and as she passed by him. Clara noticed he gave Nate an approving nod.

"I can see you, you know. I may be poor but that doesn't mean I'm blind."

"Ah, tall and spunky. Well I meant no offense by it, Miss Clara."

"I shall not hold you to it, Mr. Barker." Clara said with a slight nod of her head and Clay broke into peels of laughter.

"Nate, she's trained quite well, what did you do?"

Nate knew the moment Clay said it that Clara wasn't going to stay calm.

"He did nothing, Clay. I am just as 'well-bred' as the rest of you." Clara began marching down the corridor as though she knew exactly where she was going. She didn't let the men behind her see the hurt on her face and she sure didn't want them spying the oncoming tears. It's all right Clara, girl, after tonight you won't be a seein' them again, she decided that was the better opinion to listen to at the moment.

"Clara, do you know where you're going?"

"I'm sure I can find my way to somewhere which serves food considering you have such a choice up here." Clara shouted back, she wasn't in a good mood thanks to that Clay fellow.

Nate cast a warning look at Clay as he rushed to catch up with Clara who looked like she wanted nothing better than to kill him.

"Clara, listen to me. Clay meant no offense by how he looked at me when you passed him...it was more a look of admiration for you."

"It wasn't the look, Nate, it was what he said as though I am an animal who needs training! I am not like one of your fragile woman who must have attention at all times least I swoon." Clara wasn't enjoying her little trip at all as she tried hard to keep the tears from forming at the edges of her eyes. Why cry now, it will only show them that what you just said isn't true, she thought as she gently dabbed at the corners of her eyes.

"You aren't an animal, Clara; at least not one I can 'train' as you so kindly put it. That's all right, that's what made me take a liking to you anyways."

"So now you like me? Nate, after tonight I don't wish to ever set eyes on you again, whether we are aboard the Titanic or in the streets of New York." Clara knew part of that wasn't true but Nate didn't and it was better she keep it that way.

Nate couldn't understand her as he took her arm then turned her towards the Café Parisien, he was almost afraid of what she'd do. Clay didn't look baffled by the argument he had just witnessed. When they approached the doors leading into the Café, Clara bulked and turned to Nate.

"You're taking me here?"

"Isn't this the place you wanted to see?" Nate felt that ever present smile he had when he was around her spring to the surface. The quarrels they'd had all day almost felt worth it as he saw the surprise on her face.

"I never said I wanted to see. I simply asked you about it; however, I shan't object if this is where we will dine." Clara flashed the briefest of smiles at him as Nate, Clara and Clay entered the room. Augusta waved them over to a table she'd reserved near a window, which let in the last rays of sunlight.

As Clara sat in one of the wicker chairs that Nate pulled out for her, she felt somewhat touched that he picked this Café. She did want to see if it was anything like the places she'd seen and it was to an extent. The waiters were French and spoke it fluently; she was horrible at French so she let Augusta order for her.

Nate hated French and probably wouldn't have chosen the Parisien Café if Clara hadn't wanted to see it. He had hoped that even that one, small act of kindness might soften her outlook on him. Clay noticed the way he sat brooding and kicked him under the table.

"So Nate, what are you and Clara planning on doing tomorrow?" Clay smiled widely as though encouraging him to say something.

"I have no intentions to overstay my welcome; I shan't be coming back tomorrow or any other day." Clara said politely as she placed a napkin on her lap, following Augusta's example.

"I've tried to convince her to spend the day with me, she's an excellent conversationalist." Augusta took a sip of her water before sending Clara a pleading look.

"It is not my place; I belong with the other passengers of my grade, besides we've got nothing to complain about. Steerage aboard Titanic is the best I've ever set eyes on and I shall not mention how pleasant the food is." Clara made sure to let the others know just where she ranked, as if they didn't already know.

"Clara, when Jordan gets here I ask that you make no mention of your class or your lack of funds." Nate said and finally turned his attention to her for the first time since sitting.

"Why ever not? Do I not possess the right to tell whomever I wish whatever I desire, or is that part of your society too? A woman doesn't have a voice, we're merely ornaments that men adorn to look better." Clara snapped, Augusta clapped and said a quiet, "Amen, Clara."

"A woman has as much a voice as the man of whom they're with will let them." Jordan spoke up from behind Nate; a stern look was plastered on his face.

"Is that so? So in your opinion we're simple minded creatures?" Clara spoke before Nate could hush her.

Jordan sat down, stared at Clara like she was a filthy thing then rolled his eyes.

"Aren't you? You sit around tittering about fashion and your households leaving us men to work."

Clara licked her lips and took a drink of her partial glass of water before she spoke again.

"Men don't allow the women out of their 'households' so I shall not expect you to complain."

"You're one of those women, who think women should have the same rights as men, aren't you?"

Clay held up his hand before Clara could continue.

"Jordan, Clara, even though I find this argument endearing we shouldn't upset ourselves so close to dinner." Clay flashed a smile in Clara's direction before he turned to Nate.

"So, Nate, my friend, tell me. What is it that your family does for business?"

"We do a number of things mostly producing car products for the bigger companies."

"Fascinating. Jordan would you care to join our conversation or shall you sit there all night as though suffering from a belly ache?" Nate had to mentally applaud Clay for trying to keep the peace between Clara and Jordan. The woman couldn't keep herself away from a good row it seemed.

"I shall when I see fit. Miss Clara, what does your family do?" Jordan flicked his eyes to Nate before turning his full attention to Clara. She didn't like him... every time a word came out of his mouth she wanted to throw him overboard.

"We're in the fine chinaware industry; we sell it all over the world." Clara kept her back straight, her chin up and her eyes half-lidded like she'd seen so many women do in first-class.

"Truly? How is it you afforded a passage aboard an exquisite ship such as Titanic?" Jordan didn't look like he was going to quit with his questions but Nate didn't interfere, he wanted to see where the conversation would go.

"Anyone could afford passage, even if it meant sailing in steerage, however, as I said before Mr. Jordan, my family sells our china across the world. We make more money than most people would assume, probably more than your family. Might I ask what is it that you do?"

"I'm a student studying how to run stocks, my family finds it necessary that I better educate myself on such a matter."

"I wouldn't trust my life in the stock business, Mr. Jordan. It's unstable."

"Unlike this ship, eh?" Clay cut in before Clara said something to further upset the already troubled looking Jordan Henry.

"It is unsinkable, which is why when I laid my head on the crisp, new pillows last night I slept without a care. I feel as though we're not even on the ocean, and the interior design of the Titanic is amazing! I shall have to pay my compliments to Mr. Andrews the next time I see him." Augusta stated as she tried to flag down a waiter to refill her glass.

"He's a kind man, Mr. Andrews. I met him earlier. He says Mr. Ismay thinks we may make it into New York by Tuesday, if we keep up such an excellent pace." Clara soon saw the waiter with their food and settled in for the meal.

"The Titanic is unsinkable, no doubt there; however, I find it just like the other ships with a little more room."

"Jordan, do you ever find anything to your liking?" Augusta complained and Jordan looked down his uneven nose at her.

"On very rare occasions, Miss Lowell, and when I do I like to snatch them and keep them captive."

Clara shivered at the unpleasant look on his face and she suddenly discovered why Nate wanted her to keep the secret. Jordan was the type of man who would fetch a steward and send her back to third-class never to return. Not like she had any intentions of returning anyways.

Nate was feeling rather fed up with the way Jordan was casting a gloomy cloud over the dinner. He wanted to impress Clara, show her that not everything in first-class was so horrid but Jordan was undoing Nate's work. So far all he'd seen on Clara's face was the look of an animal wanting out of its cage. The talk about the Titanic had lifted his optimism before Jordan shot it down again.

"I think it is bad luck to speak about the Titanic being unsinkable... fate might prove us different." Clara piped in after she read the look on Nate's face.

"Ah, fate is just like lady luck, she's there one day then gone pestering some other fellow the next. You'll see, Clara, the Titanic won't sink, at least not on this voyage!" Clay commented as he began slicing the odd looking meat on his plate.

Clara looked at her food, glanced at Augusta, then cut a small piece of whatever it was and stuck it in her mouth.

"I hope you don't mind. I ordered you fish, it's a very good French-style in a sauce that is the best I've ever tasted." Augusta said when she noticed the odd look on Clara's face.

Nearly an hour had passed while the five young people ate and Clara found herself enjoying the food. She stared out the window at the passing ocean and the stars that were beginning to pop out. Glancing at the clock on the far well she gasped, Ivy wanted her back long before eight o' clock! She cast a desperate look at Nate and gestured towards the door.

"If you'll pardon us, Clay, Augusta and Jordan, it was a pleasure to dine with you; we're taking our leave now." Nate stood and helped Clara to her feet.

As they exited the Café, he cocked his head questioningly at Clara who broke into a grin.

"I've promised Ivy I'd be there for a big get-together in the general room. It's supposed to have music and dancing, sounds much more fun then what you'll end up doing." Clara didn't know whether to hug Nate and tell him thank you, or just leave him never to see him again.

"Well then, I shan't keep you waiting. You have fun, Miss Clara. I'll see you tomorrow."

Nate hugged her before she could object, then he released her and turned to walk away. She wanted to keep him back, tell him that of course he'd see her the next day and every day after that. She couldn't and it was better if she told him sooner, so he wouldn't get false ideas.

"Nate, I won't be coming back tomorrow or any other day. I'm sorry but Ivy was right... our worlds are simply too different...things would be complicated." She lowered her eyes as he stared at her, unable to believe what she was saying.

"No, Clara, things only get complicated when we make them that way. If you truly feel so revolted towards me, then I guess this is goodbye." Nate stomped away leaving her on the deck alone.