Liam tried to keep warm by bouncing on the balls of his feet as he waited for Susan to arrive for dinner. As the sun set, the temperature seemed to drop drastically leaving the air on the ocean feel even icier than normal. But he wasn’t only cold; he was excited. He and Susan were going to spend the evening talking and dancing in his world. His only wish was that he could have as much fun in hers.

Sure, her world wasn’t all fun and games but it was probably nice to go to bed with a full stomach; he would never truly fit in there. Did that worry him? No, because something inside of him said that Susan was the one. He may only have known her for a few hours, but he knew she was definitely the woman he was going to spend forever with.

Sighing, he stated pacing. He had found an outmoded, caramel colored suit buried within his case. His mother must have packed it in hopes that it might bring him better work or perhaps for use on courting a woman. He knew most men on the upper decks would laugh at his feeble attempt to dress for dining with a woman. It was old and nothing like the ones he had seen on the first class men, but what could he do? He didn’t have the money for a new suit and, even if he did, there was no place to get one in steerage class.

“Where is she?” he groaned, looking around. Of course, he wasn’t sure just what time it was or how long he had been waiting, but he did know that it was cold and lonely and Susan showed no signs of arriving soon. He looked up at the doorway leading to the first class ballroom above him. The bright lights and soft music from the violins seemed so welcoming. He couldn’t understand why she would chose their third class hall and folk music over the beauty upstairs. Unless she hadn’t actually decided to join him…

“She’s probably up there, Liam…she only said those things today ‘cause you did first and she didn’t want to ‘urt you…she’s not comin’ back ever.”

Casting his eyes downward, Liam turned on his heels and headed for the doorway feeling stupid. How could he have deluded himself into thinking that Susan could possibly love him? Love! Ha! She was the American Princess, a woman who stood to inherit a hefty sum of money one day. Susan was going to be rich…well, richer than she already was and he couldn’t offer her a thing! Not one thing. Within a sigh, Liam started to step into the stairway that would lead him back to his life…

“LIAM! WAIT!”

He turned, looking over at the outdoor stairway to the upper decks and watched as Susan rushed down them, her loose blond hair floating in the cold wind and her hands lifting her skirt so she could make it down the stairs. She looked beautiful, her face glowing in the pale moonlight.

“Wait! Please!” she crossed the deck to meet him, her chest heaving in attempt to catch her breath as she arrived at his side.

“I thought you weren’t comin’,” he whispered, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear.

“And miss an evening with the man I love? Never!” she replied, offering him a bright smile as her erratic breathing finally calming slightly. “Liam, I would never do that to you…”

“I just…Susan, when I was standin’ ‘ere waitin’ I wondered what it would be like to be up there,” he motioned to the first class deck. “I’ll never be one o’ them…one o’ you.”

Susan cupped his cheek, her thumb gently caressing the smooth skin. “Oh Liam, I don’t want you to be like them…I love you just the way you are.” She laughed. “I love you…I honestly, truly and completely love you.”

He smiled. “I’m a lucky man,” he leaned in and gently kissed her lips. “I have me a beautiful lass and I’m takin’ ‘er to supper.”

Susan smiled. “Speaking of supper, I’m famished! When do we eat?”

A bell rang and Liam smirked. “Right now.” He took hold of her hand and led her down the staircase to the lower deck. Susan followed him happily, trying to think of a way to give him a chance to be part of her world. He seemed so interested in the happenings of the upper class and she would give anything to bring him there. Of course, that wouldn’t be permitted with the attire he had…that was it! He needed a suit! “Liam, would you mind if I purchased you a suit?” she asked as he dragged her down the hallway.

He wasn’t sure how to respond to her. Ceasing his walking, he turned to her. “Why? Don’t you like me suit?”

She smiled. “It suits you, Liam, but I would like to have my personal tailor make you a suit for supper on my deck tomorrow evening.”

“Susan, I don’t think…”

“No! Don’t start a sentence like that. Look, Liam, I want you to come upstairs and eat with me tomorrow night and to do that you need a suit. Now I certainly don’t have one in my trunk, but I do have a tailor and she has plenty of material and I know that she can have a suit made for you by tomorrow evening if I bring her down early in the morning to measure you.”

“Susan, I can’t ask you…”

“You are not asking. I am offering and I am not willing to take no for an answer. Therefore, you should repeat after me ‘Yes, Susan, I would love to have dinner with you tomorrow evening and allow you to purchase me a suit.’”

He chuckled. “Susan, I would love to ‘ave dinner with you t’morrow ‘n allow you to purchase me a suit. Was that right?”

She nodded. “You’ve learned very quickly that giving in to my whims will be beneficial for you.”

From the blank look on his face, Susan knew she used a word he didn’t understand. Mentally reviewing her sentence, Susan assumed he didn’t understand what beneficial meant. “I meant that if you learn to let me have my way it would be good for you.”

“Oh,” he blushed.

“Worry not, my love. We’ll teach each other many things.”

He smiled feebly, feeling slightly out of place in his own part of the ship. Could he possibly deal with this feeling of being a subordinate? What could he possibly teach her that she didn’t already know from her fancy boarding schools? With a sigh, he shrugged it off and pulled her into the third class dining hall. Susan gasped. It was nothing like the one in the first class. This was one long hall where long, wooden tables and benches lay. It was closed in and everyone sat shoulder to shoulder with no space between them. She shuddered.

“You don’t have to stay, Susan,” he whispered to her, placing a hand on the small of her back. “You ‘ave time to change and be with your friends if you’d like.”

She shook her head no. “I want to be with you.”

Liam smiled and the two found an area alone to sit and eat. Their gazes remained locked for the entire meal and they continued their conversation from the deck, talking about family and friends. Susan even spoke about America, both New York and Harmony, and Liam told her about his home in Ireland. They barely realized that their meals were finished and the supper hour over. Susan was surprised to find people clearing the tables while the passengers began to mill about.

“What are they doing, Liam?” she asked, watching some men clear a space in the hall, thought it wasn’t much of a space and it meant the tables were pressed tight together.

“It’s time for dancin’, lass!” Liam smiled, watching as some other men and women brought out instruments and took seats on the tabletops. Immediately music filled the room and people began to partner up to dance to the lively tunes. Susan laughed and giggled. She seemed to enjoy this.

“Dancing?” she asked excitedly, watching a few couples spin and joined in the clapping.

“Yes, Miss Crane. We folk like to dance down ‘ere,” he laughed at her gleefulness.

She was glowing now, excited with the prospect of dancing with Liam. She knew tonight would be a night she would never forget. Pulling on his hand she shouted, “Dance with me!” above the music.

Liam smiled and led her into an open space. “With pleasure, lassie, with pleasure!”

From the corner of the room three pairs of eyes watched Susan and Liam as they chatted animatedly before their dancing began. Two pairs belonged to the not so dynamic duo that was following Susan wherever she went: Timmy and Tabby. They had no intention of missing this little party tonight, especially when it meant that Susan and Liam would be dancing close and could very well be on their way to making love.

But the final pair of eyes belonged to someone new, a man who would not allow Susan and Liam to be together if he had anything to say about it. His blue eyes were filled with anger and mystery; his name was Brandon and he, too, had a place in his heart for the dear Miss Crane.

“You say that she will be free of that gutter rat soon?” Brandon asked Tabby as she stepped forward into the light. Both wore similar looks of disgust from the actions of Miss Susan Crane.

“Yes, Susan Crane will be free of Liam Fitzgerald, but you will need to convince her of your intentions, Brandon, and it won’t be easy,” Tabby told him, watching as Liam spun Susan, eliciting a laugh from the young woman.

“Oh, I’m sure I can,” he smiled. “I’m positive of it.”

“Good, good,” Tabby grinned wickedly and stepped further away from Brandon, distancing herself so she could speak with Timmy.

“Timothy doesn’t understand, Princess. Why will Susan be free of Liam? Who is Brandon?” he whined, wishing he had a drink with him. Some princess she was, hiding his elixir.

Tabby merely smiled, her eyes darkening from the evil in her system. “You’ll learn it all in good time, Timmy boy…all in good time,” and she left the room with him in her arms, her laughter echoing in the empty halls.

<3<3Chapter Seven<3<3

The music and laughter of the other passengers filled the air, mingling with every word Susan tried to say to Liam. The room was smoky from the cigarettes that had been lit, dimming the lights from the light white haze. Yet they danced; in the middle of that room with the cacophonous noise of the bagpipes and fiddles, the high-pitched wails of laughter and song…

They just danced.

It was like they were the only two in the world as his arms slid around her, bringing her close as they spun in circles with the music playing. He had offered her a drink before they danced, and she had willingly accepted it, gulping the light brown liquor and finishing the glass. Liam had laughed, grabbing the glass and placing it on the table. But she wouldn’t wait, grabbing his hand and yanking him into an open space of floor before twirling with him. They made the steps up as they went along, spinning and laughing, kicking and clapping. He twirled her and dipped her, laughing when they both fell to the floor, landing on their backsides with a thud.

“Oh Liam!” she shouted, her voice straining above the music. “I’m having so much fun!”

He kissed her cheek, looking into her sparkling blue eyes. “Lassie, I ‘ope to show ya many ‘appy nights!”

She giggled, pushing herself off the floor and tugging on his hand. “Come on, Liam! I want to have more fun!”

He laughed, getting up off the floor and pulling her into his arms for a brief kiss. “Ya wish is me command, lassie.”

And then they danced some more.

A gentle rapping sound shook Susan from the dreams that replayed her night with Liam. Sighing, she rolled from her side onto her back, gazing up at the ceiling as if it would offer an answer. Why was someone waking her now? She didn’t have to meet Liam for hours and she was tired after her night of drinking and dancing.

Drinking! She could hardly believe that she had consumed alcohol the prior night. Her alcohol repertoire had consisted mainly of an occasional glass of wine and one attempt at drinking brandy on a cold winter evening. But with Liam she had multiple drinks in only a small period of time and now she felt extremely ill.

And yet that blasted knocking was still going!

“Coming,” she whimpered, her throat scratchy from sleep and yelling. She sighed, pushing the blankets off and grabbing her robe, pulling it on as she stumbled to the door. That was the last time she would partake of so much alcohol in one evening. Shaking her head slightly, she finished covering herself with her robe and opened the door to her bedroom.

“Miss Susan, I was beginning to worry,” Annette sighed, placing a hand to her chest. “Your seamstress is here saying that you requested her presence this morning.”

“Oh! I nearly forgot! Thank you, Annette. Tell her to make herself comfortable and then have a bath drawn for me. I shall be ready momentarily,” Susan instructed.

“Yes, Miss Susan,” Annette curtsied and began to leave the room.

“Oh, and Annette. Ring for some breakfast. Nothing too heavy, please.”

“Tea with your breakfast, Miss?” Annette asked, noting the change in Susan.

“No, coffee, please.”

Annette didn’t show her shock, knowing that it was rare for Susan to drink coffee. “Are you sure, Miss?”

“Yes, Annette, now get started on that bath please,” Susan shut the door. Checking the clock, she only had a half hour before she had told Liam she would meet him with Lauren for a fitting. Had she really be sleeping that long? She thought she had plenty of time! How was she ever going to be done in time?

“Calm down, Susan, you can do this. You need a fast bath and some breakfast and then you can meet Liam,” she sighed as a lazy grin spread on her face. Liam! Her Liam! Oh how was she ever going to make it through this half hour before she saw him?

Liam sat on the bottom bunk, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. How could he let himself be talked into this? Susan just batted those big blue eyes at him and suddenly he was lost to her whims. She wasn’t asking him for much, just the honor of having a suit made for him so they could go to dinner together. It wouldn’t kill him to let her do this, right?

Right.

And if he kept telling himself that he might begin to believe it.

But did it matter what he believed? He honestly wouldn’t love her any less and he certainly would want to be with her as often; he already wanted to spend forever with her. Why should he bother denying it? Liam Fitzgerald was head over heels in love with Susan Crane and if there was anything he could do to keep a smile on her face, he would do it.

And he already was.

“Knock, knock,” her sweet voice filled the room as she peeked in, her blond hair falling into her face. She had worn it lose, just the way he liked it, and her eyes were sparkling. “Mind if we come in?”

“Course not,” he stood up, walking over to her. “Mornin’, Susan.”

“Morning, Liam,” she pecked his cheek and stepped inside, dragging her seamstress behind her. “This is Lauren, my tailor. She’ll be making your suit.”

“All right,” he nodded, watching the two enter and survey the room. He was sure his little cabin, which was split with four other men, was nothing like the one Susan had on her deck. His thoughts were confirmed when Susan’s nose scrunched up as she sat on the bottom bunk to his bed.

“How do you sleep in here, Liam?” she bounced gently on the mattress, causing it to squeak in protest. “It’s…”

“Just like ‘ome,” he cut her off. “It ain’t easy, lassie, but I make do. ‘Sides, I spend a lot of time with me lady from the first class…”

She grinned. “Well, I am going to leave Lauren with you for a few minutes so she can get some measurements from you and then you and I can take our daily stroll on the deck while she works.”

“You’re leavin’?” he looked surprised.

She blushed. “Liam, she will be taking some very…personal…measurements from you. I can hardly sit around and watch. It would be inappropriate.”

And kissing him on the decks had been appropriate? He laughed lightly. “All right, lassie, I’m sure Lauren and I’ll be fine without ya.”

She pecked his cheek again. “Lauren, I expect you to be done in fifteen minutes time with the measurements. I will be up on deck, come find me when you are finished.”

“Yes, Miss Susan.”

“And Lauren, I want this to be the finest suit you have ever made.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Lauren nodded, pulling out her supplies from a small basket on her arm.

Susan smiled. “Well, I shall see you later, my love,” she kissed his cheek one last time. “Behave and Lauren won’t have to hurt you, darling.”

He chuckled. “I’m sure I can ‘andle it.”

She winked. “I hope so.” One last kiss and she was gone.

“So, Lauren, where do we begin?” he smiled slightly.

Lauren tried to hide her smirk. “Well, sir, I need you to remove your shirt.”

“Me shirt?!” he gasped. “Lass, we’re ‘ere just to make a suit…”

She giggled. “Yes, sir, but your shirt is far too large for me to get the proper measurements to make you a new one.”

“But…but if I take me shirt off…”

“Sir, I have made clothing for all of Susan’s family members and some of the richest men in the world,” she tried not to laugh at his behavior. Sure, she *had* made suits for some of the most eligible bachelors in the world, but none looked anything like Liam Fitzgerald. He was perfection…Adonis even. Oh, the Greek gods had nothing on this man. But was she going to tell him that? Oh heck no!

“If ya insist,” he grumbled, quickly shedding the vest and shirt he had been wearing.

Lauren nearly swooned. “Thank you,” she stepped closer, pulling out the measuring tape and starting with his shoulders, jotting down numbers on a piece of paper in her hand. His skin was glittering in the dim light and he constantly seemed to fidget nervously.

“Are ya done yet, lass?” he asked as she started to measure his arms.

“No, sir, please hold still.”

“I’m tryin’, lass, but it ain’t easy to be looked at so…personally.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” she said, her hands aching to touch the skin she was measuring. She had to thank Miss Susan for this with a new dress! This was well worth the early rising and the hours of labor it would take to have his suit done for tonight.

Liam just stared at the ceiling, again wondering how he allowed Susan to talk him into this. He didn’t know that some woman would be measuring him *without* his shirt on! “Done yet?” he whined.

She laughed, taking the final measurement from above his waist. “Almost, but I promise you get to keep your pants on for this, Mr. Fitzgerald.”

The blush on his cheeks was well worth the effort it took to tease him and she could barely contain her excitement at what came next. “Feet apart, Mr. Fitzgerald,” she instructed.

“For what?” he looked as she knelt beside him.

She just gave him a look. “Feet apart sir.”

Separating his feet, he gasped when her hand brushed his knee. “Oh, I don’t think so!” He jumped back.

She laughed. “Mr. Fitzgerald, I need to measure your legs for the pants!”

“Can’t you just use the ones I ‘ave?”

She probably could have, now that she thought about it, but her job was to measure Mr. Fitzgerald and darn it she was going to do it! And enjoy it too! “Please, I can lose my job if Miss Susan returns and I’m not finished. Just let me take these last measurements,” she begged.

“Fine,” he sighed, hating the sad look on her face. He knew what it was like to need work and he certainly couldn’t let her lose a perfectly good job because he was being uncooperative.

She grinned and quickly took the last few measurements she needed. “If you give me your suit, sir, I can alter it as well.”

“Really?”

She nodded.

He quickly dug out his suit, handing it to her. “Thank you.”

“Welcome, sir. I’ll send Miss Susan back down to you…”

He nodded, realizing he still had no shirt on and quickly grabbed it to put it on. “Thank you.”

She just grinned and left the room, whistling as she went. Oh she would work for free if it meant measuring him again! With a giggle, she headed up the stairs to the deck and found Susan looking out at the ocean.

“Miss Susan?”

“Yes, Lauren.”

“We’re done, miss,” she grinned. “Oh and Miss Susan, may I say Mr. Fitzgerald is quite a handsome man.”

Susan laughed at the woman’s compliment of the man she loved. “I know, Lauren, you needn’t tell me. Now, get to work on that suit.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she dashed away, the tune she was whistling still heard as she climbed the steps to the first class deck.

Susan shook her head. “Amazing, simply amazing…”

“I know I am, but what can I do?” Liam’s chuckled as he slid his arms around her waist from behind. “Mornin’ ag’in, lassie. You and me need to talk ‘bout this measurement thing sometime, love, and why I won’t be doin’ it ag’in.”

She laughed. “Liam, it could not have been that horrible.”

“It was!” he replied emphatically. “She made me remove me shirt!”

Susan laughed again, knowing full well that Lauren probably hadn’t needed Liam to remove his shirt before she took his measurements, though she honestly couldn’t blame the woman for trying. With a smile, she turned to face Luis and pecked his lips lightly. “Well, Liam, I can only tell you that I am touched you were willing to subject yourself to Lauren for me?”

He stared at her blankly.

She sighed. “Thank you for going through that for me.”

“You’re welcome love,” he grinned.

Susan looked deep into his eyes and smiled back. “Tonight is going to be a night you never forget, Liam, I promise.”

Leaning in and kissing her softly, he whispered, “I was goin’ ta say the same thin’ to you, lassie.”

She kissed him again, forgetting about their differences and the people all around. They were in their own little word on the Titanic, again oblivious to the eyes watching them.

“You promised that she wouldn’t be with him again today,” Brandon grumbled, watching the lovely Miss Crane kiss Liam Fitzgerald. She was supposed to be his and seeing her with that disgusting man was killing him.

“They weren’t supposed to be,” Tabby whined, looking at the pair with disgust. Damn that spell book! What good was it if the spells weren’t going to work? And then what was she sent to aid her in this battle to destroy their love? A doll with cotton for brains and a man that couldn’t be more useless if he tried. She must have been a terrible witch somewhere in the past to have deserved such incompetent assistants as these!

“Well they better not be together long, Miss Lennox. The captain won’t appreciate the stowaways!”

Wonderful! Now he was threatening her! Stupid first mate! Did he realize the extent of the power she had? Obviously not! “They won’t be together long, Brandon, my boy. Trust me on that.”

“I do, for now,” he glared at her and then stalked away, his eyes never leaving Liam and Susan.

“Blast it all, Timmy! Those two are harder to split than King George from America! I swear they’ll be the death of me.”

“And here Timmy thought the death of Tabby would be water,” Timmy grumbled, rolling his tiny eyes.

“Everyone is a jester!” the old witch replied sarcastically. “Don’t forget, cotton boy, that there’s a cat aboard the ship that would be more than happy to bat you around in his cage…”

“Idle threats,” Timmy smiled.

She glared at him. “Try me.”

His smiled faded.

“Now Timmy, I want you to sneak to Susan’s room and make sure that suit isn’t made. The demons say it’s near time for Liam and Susan to strengthen their love beyond breaking…if that happens than we’re finished!”

“Where has Timmy heard that before?” the doll mumbled in reply, immediately being dropped to the ground again. “Ow! Tabby needs to work on her hold!”

“Timmy has to work on his mouth!” Tabby growled. “Get to work!”

The doll sighed and watched her walk away, leaving him on the deck watching Susan and Liam. “Timmy is sorry, but Tabby will tear Timmy’s seams if Timmy doesn’t do what Tabby asks,” he waited and snuck away. “But one martimmy won’t hurt before work begins!”

And then they were all gone, leaving Susan and Liam in a world of their own.

<3<3Chapter Eight<3<3

Susan looked at the crimson gown that hugged her slim figure, a slight smile on her face. She loved this dress! It was form fitting and silky, a thin cream lace covering portions of the skirt. The satin gown shimmered in the dim light of her bedroom and she found her hands smoothing the silky garment. Red wasn’t usually a color she wore; she tended to save it for special occasions, especially this particular gown. However, tonight was definitely a special occasion. Susan planned on spending the entire evening in Liam’s arms, dining with the upper class and dancing to the soft strains of music from the quartet. She would proudly display Liam, his new suit fitting him like a glove as he twirled her on the floor. Susan had spent all afternoon teaching Liam the steps needed for waltzing as well as which utensils were used on the table. He seemed bewildered at first, but he slowly began to grasp the concept of one fork for each dish.

Not that she would have cared if he hadn’t learned a thing. All that mattered was being with the man she truly loved.

Of course she did have more trouble with Liam than dishes and dancing. He was totally against the final fitting of his suit, begging and pleading with her to let him wear it however it fit. She had refused, telling him that Lauren needed to make sure the suit was perfect or else, but he continued to whine. He was almost child-like in his behavior, nearly crying when Lauren neared him with his suit in one arm and her sewing kit in the other. But Susan merely shook her head, gave him and kiss and walked off, leaving him to Lauren’s capable hands…

She only hoped the girl was behaving herself!

A giggle escaping her painted lips, Susan spun before the mirror, her body falling into her nearby vanity chair. She was completely, totally and hopelessly in love with Liam Fitzgerald and she knew deep down in her heart that tonight would be special. It would be a turning point in their future. Tonight, Susan fully intended on spending every hour, every moment in Liam’s arms. She planned on being there when he fell asleep and woke to the early dawn light…

She planned on spending every moment with him until their lives ended…

Whenever that should be!

Because Susan Crane knew that she only had now to truly enjoy Liam freely; for when they docked in New York, she would be faced with the reality of her father. Yet, for the first time in her life, Susan realized that her father couldn't stand in the way of her happiness. He couldn't take Liam from her this week and she was sure that the longer they were together, the more powerful their love would be. No one would ever separate them! Ever!

And yet that didn’t bring peace to her unsettled soul as she checked herself over one last time. She feared that she would lose Liam even without the power her father had, that some unknown force was pulling them apart. Shaking her head, she refused to think about such terrible things as death and misfortune now. She would enjoy tonight and worry about the future later.

Grabbing her purse, Susan rushed from her room. Liam was probably done and Lauren had to be bothering him now.

Liam paced, Lauren watching his every move as her eyes twinkled with laughter. She had thoroughly enjoyed measuring him, but getting to do the final fitting was beyond thrilling. Oh yes! A years pay to make this man another suit…

Or shirt…

Or pants…

Or even just a pair of socks!

He was too good looking to be dressed in rags and outmoded suits. Liam needed to be finely dressed all the time and she knew her boss would be sure that he was. The good news: she was Susan’s head seamstress and would be making ALL his suits! Yes, there really was a silver lining to every gray cloud.

“Where is she?” he grumbled, looking at Lauren. It was cold and he was hungry, but her stare bothered him most. He missed Susan. When she was away, time moved slowly and his heart ached. He needed her. “Shouldn’t she be here by now?”

“Liam, women take ages to prepare for such events. Remain calm. Miss Susan shall be here soon,” she laughed, shaking her head. What this man didn’t know about woman would fill the Titanic twice! “Susan spends hours merely choosing a gown never mind her hair and actually dressing!”

“Aye and that’s why I like havin’ but one suit. No choices! I have me one suit and I put it on, nothin’ else needed, lass.” He smiled, looking the suit over. “I do love this one, lassie. Much finer than me last.”

“Thank you, Mr. Fitzgerald. I aim to please,” Lauren winked, enjoying the crimson that rose to his cheeks. Oh, he truly was to die for.

“You’re welcome lass, ya do a fine job of it.”

Before she could reply, Susan’s sweet voice filled the air. “Liam!! Darling!!”

His attention immediately turned to Susan, who was quickly dashing across the deck in her tightly fitting gown. She arrived out of breath, her porcelain skin flushed from exertion in the binding clothing. Her chest heaved, but her smile was unfaltering as she hugged the man she loved. “Sorry I’m late, darling. I couldn’t decide on a gown to wear.”

“Told you,” Lauren whispered in his ear as she passed the pair, heading for the stairs so she could attend dinner as well.

He laughed. “It’s all right, me love. Shall we?” he asked, offering her his arm.

She nodded. “Come, Mr. Fitzgerald. You’re going to be the finest man there…so follow me, my love.”

He smiled, his eyes boring into hers. “I’d follow ya to the ends of the earth n’ back, lassie. Anywhere as long as ya were there.”

Susan’s eyes filled with joy and she dragged him towards the stairs. “Then what are we waiting for, Liam? It’s time for dinner!”

She was amazing, simply amazing. Her grace and charm were barely outdone by her outer beauty. But what amazed him most was her heart. Susan Crane had a heart bigger than the ocean they were crossing. All the looks they had received, all the whispered comments, and still she smiled, her hand gently holding his and her eyes filled with the utmost devotion. Susan was beyond perfection; she was angelic.

But Liam still felt completely out of place sitting here, sipping wine from the finest crystal and eating dinner on the sparkling white china plates. The music was slow, depressing even, and the conversation businesslike. The woman chatted about so-and-so’s latest husband or the newest money of the group, while the men discussed their financial status and how well their companies were doing.

“So, Liam is it, what kind of work do you do?” one of the gentlemen asked, looking over the rim of his glasses to see Liam.

He took a sip from his wine glass and placed it back on the table gently. “I, um, I was a farmer. I don’t know what I’ll do in America.”

Susan looked at him with a lopsided smile, trying her best to offer him support. She could almost hear the comments now, the derogatory statements that would escape their lips later…

‘Who needs work when he can live off of her money…’

‘Doesn’t know, doesn’t care. Susan will support him…’

‘A gold digger! The man is simply taking advantage of Susan!’

She didn’t believe a word of it, not a single word. Liam loved her as she loved him and never would she turn her back on him. In the three days she had known him, Susan knew this was the man she had looked for since she was only a child. This was the man her mother had told her stories about…

The man she was destined to marry some day…

“Liam is moving to America to send money home to his parents and siblings. I think it’s honorable,” Susan squeezed his hand, her smile brightening.

He tried to smile back, but it didn’t work. “You needn’t defend me lass. I don’t have to explain myself to them.”

Susan gently caressed his hand, trying to soothe him. “I wasn’t trying to defend you.”

“Yes, Susan was merely stating your…finer points,” one of the women smiled. “I’m sure she has a list of them…”

“Of course,” an older woman to her left replied. “I’m sure she’s seen them all.”

The ladies laughed.

Liam looked at Susan who was bright red, her head bowed silently in embarrassment. He was a disappointment to her, ruining her reputation by just knowing her. Pulling his hand free from Susan’s, he stood.

“Excuse me,” he said so silently that Susan barely heard him. Throwing his napkin on the table, Liam left the dinning room never looking back. Susan watched him leave.

“Well that was quite rude,” one of the men at the table commented, shaking his head. “Really, Susan, what would your father think?”

Susan laughed. “Do you honestly believe I care what my father thinks?” She shook her head, standing to place her napkin on the table as well. “I’m sorry ladies and gentlemen, but I plan on being rude as well. I think you are all a bunch of self-righteous old biddies and you, gentlemen,” the word was used quite sarcastically, “may go to hell with all your money.” With that, she left the table, the mouths of the group hanging open as she headed into the cold night air to find her date.

Tabby sat in her room, pouring over her books. She had decided not to attend dinner, foolishly trusting Timmy to have destroyed the suit and therefore separating the happy couple for the evening. The door to her room opened, revealing her doll holding a pitcher in one hand and some glass bottles in the other.

“Hello, Princess,” he hiccupped, smiling at her with a twinkle in his eye. Oh the thrill of alcohol.

Tabby rolled her eyes. “Where did you pick up that word, stuffing for brains?”

“It is what Brandon calls Miss Crane…the American Princess. Timothy thought Tabby would like being called that,” he shut the door with his backside, carrying his supplies to the table. “Martimmies for everyone!”

She eyed him cautiously. “Timmy…”

“Timothy,” he corrected.

“I’ll call you catnip if I so feel like it, Timmy!” she growled, grabbing his arm. “Where is the suit?”

“Oops,” Timmy gulped. “Timothy knew he forgot something!”

“Timmy, you better be telling me that you merely left the suit behind because so help me Satan, if you didn’t destroy it, I’ll tear you to shreds!”

“Timothy was going to destroy the suit, but Lauren had already had Liam try it on and then Susan and Liam went to dinner! Timothy had no time!”

Tabby groaned, falling back against the cushions of her couch. “You are the most incompetent pincushion I could have!” she screeched. “Do you realize what you’ve done?”

“Umm, no?” he began pouring his drink while she whined.

“You ruined us, Timmy! Now Liam and Susan will carry out the remaining plans for the evening!” she hissed.

“Umm, so?”

“They plan on making love you dolt!” she knocked the glass from his hand. “Timmy, I’m giving you one last chance to save your sackcloth hide!”

“Umm, ok,” he sighed, looking at the spilled drink. “How?”

“You MUST keep Susan and Liam from going back to her cabin and making love! Do you understand?”

He sighed. “Yes, Tabby.”

“Good, now get out of my hair. I have to find a plan to ruin those two once and for all! Stupid star-crossed lovers spell! I never should have blessed them with that!”

“That was sweet of Tabby…”

She glared at him.

“Timothy’s going,” he grumbled, heading for the door and leaving the room. Sometimes he felt as if he was merely a doll….

Good feelings when one WAS a doll.

“Stupid spells, Timothy needs a drink. Timothy wonders where that bar was again,” he headed off towards the dinning room. “Susan and Liam can wait. How long can it take to make a martimmy?”

And those would be Timmy’s famous last words.

<3<3Chapter Nine<3<3

He looked out at the moonlight shimmering on the waves, listening to the quiet sloshing of the water against the boat. All he could see was her face, the bright red color that highlighted her cheeks and the downcast eyes that proved how embarrassed she had been. How could he have been so foolish to believe that he and Susan could be together? It just wasn’t feasible. He could never be part of her world and she just never could be part of his.

He didn’t need to see her coming; he could smell her perfume as it floated in the icy air and hear the clicking of her shoes on the empty hardwood decks. She didn’t say a word as she slowly neared his side; her silence speaking volumes as her arms gently came around his waist.

“Liam?” she whispered unsurely, her sweet voice like music to his ears.

“Susan,” he replied, straightening up and causing her arms to fall from around him. Sometimes a man had to do things that he did not wish to do and this was one of those times. If he was supposed to tell Susan that they could no longer be together, then he had to do it now and without looking into her bright blue eyes that he knew held so much love for him.

“Please, Liam, don’t let them get to you. Those people don’t know what it means to actually love someone. They think that the only thing other people are good for is advancing their status in life.”

“Maybe they’re right, Susan. ‘ow can I be good for you?” he made the fatal mistake of looking into her eyes, finding them shimmering with devotion.

“You are everything I’ve ever wanted, Liam Fitzgerald, and I refuse to let anyone take you away from me. Don’t you understand, Liam? I love you!”

Was love enough though? Could a man with no status, no money, possibly be the supportive husband that the richest woman in the world could need? Could they have enough in common to keep them together forever? He wasn’t so sure, afraid of hurting her more in the future by continuing on with a relationship that could never work. “Susan, it can’t work.”

“Liam, do you *want* it to work?” she asked, her eyes meeting his.

Liam did have an answer for her, but he couldn’t possibly tell her the truth. Of course he wanted this to work, wanted to spend his life showing her what true love and dedication was. However, he couldn’t forget the looks of the men and women inside, the laughter in their eyes as they mocked him. Liam Fitzgerald would never fit in Susan’s first class world of crystal and violins, of money and power and self-appreciation. He looked away; he would never tell Susan that he thought it could work, never giver her that hope.

But Susan cupped his cheek and brought his eyes back to hers. She wanted to, no needed to, know the truth. If Liam didn’t believe they stood a chance, then she would ask again. She would walk away right now, her dignity still in tact, and go back to her room to mend her wounded heart. One last time, Susan asked, “Do you want it to work?”

Their eyes met and Liam wasn’t sure of anything but the vulnerability that he found in her eyes. Susan’s blue orbs were slowly filling with tears, dulling their beauty. How could he lie to her? How could he treat her like all of them, pretending that there was nothing between them? With a sigh, he resigned himself to the fate that he was in love with Susan Crane and had every intention of staying with her for the rest of his days on earth. “Yes, Susan, I want it to work.”

To say that his response shocked Susan would have been an understatement. She froze completely, having prepared herself for the worst. “You really mean that, Liam?”

Her insecurity made him smile as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently. “I really mean that, Susan Crane.”

She hugged him close. “Oh Liam, I promise you’ll never regret it. You’ll never regret wanting to be with me. I promise.”

He rocked slowly, caressing her back through the light shawl she wore. Closing his eyes, he placed a gentle kiss to the crown of her head and whispered soothing words of love to her. Susan closed her eyes in reply, reveling in the feel of Liam’s strong arms around her body. This felt so right, being close to him felt so right. Raising her head from his chest, Susan’s eyes met his. For a moment they just gazed at each other, seeing into each other’s souls. Her gaze dropped to his lips and watched as he parted them. Slowly, she met his eyes again; hers filled with desire and wanting, but also with a bit of fear and doubt.

“Susan?”

“Shh,” she replied, placing her palms on his chest. Pushing herself up on tiptoes, Susan leaned in and kissed him, caressing his warm mouth with her soft lips. He pulled her closer, partially lifting Susan off the ground to deepen their kiss. He was drowning in the feel of her body against him, the meshing of their lips in the cold night air. His heart rate accelerated, causing his heart to thud heavily in his chest, which was mirroring Susan’s. Her hands made their way to his head, playing in the soft black hair at the base of his neck.

Their kissing continued until they needed air, slowly ending but not once breaking their connection as Susan placed her forehead to his. Both gasped for the much-needed oxygen, filling their lungs as quickly as possibly, but their hands continued to hold the other close.

Their lips met again and again in light, brief, kisses, but each warmed their cold bodies by sending electric shocks through their veins. They knew what they had started, also knowing that there was no turning back. Pulling away slightly, Susan surveyed the area, finding the eyes of many a crewmember watching them. Blushing slightly, Susan whispered, “Why don’t I show you my cabin, Liam? We can warm up there and…talk.”

He nodded, pulling away to grasp her hand, but she would have none of that. Releasing their linked hands, Susan slid an arm around his waist, leaning her head against him as she led him off to her room. She smiled as the cold air nipped at her rosy cheeks.

"What's goin' on in that 'ead of yours, Miss Crane?" he asked, his warm breath brushing against her forehead, causing her to shiver.

"Nothing," she blushed, not wanting to admit that she was having thoughts of seeing Liam, but without his suit. She wanted him, wanted to be connected to him like she had never been with another man. Susan knew her heart and soul already belonged to Liam, knew that should they ever part he would be taking those parts of her with him. However, she wanted, no needed, more. She wanted to belong to him with her body...

And she fully intended for that to be tonight.

Finally reaching their destination, Susan pulled away to open the door of the suite. Before her hand could touch the fine brass doorknob, Liam had her in his arms, cradled against his body and the door open.

She looked at him, confusion marring her beautiful features, and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Me lass, I fully intend on carryin' ya inside these doors, and not comin' out to mornin'," his brown eyes were hooded with desire.

She shivered again, her eyes meeting his and softening. "Liam, I was just thinking the same thing," she placed a hand on his cold cheek. "I want to..." blushed, chewing on her lip unsurely.

"I know, Susan, I know," he kissed her cheek and carried her inside. Kicking the door closed with the heel of his shoe, Liam placed Susan on her feet and cupped her cheek. “Do ya know ‘ow beautiful I think you are? ‘ow much I love ya?”

She simply nodded, her voice caught in her throat just by looking into his eyes. She read such passion there, such desire, and that frightened her. “Liam, I…”

He placed a finger to her lips. “Don’t say a word, just let me love ya, Susan.”

She nodded, drawing his finger into her mouth and gently sucking on it. Her eyes, purple with desire, held his as her tongue caressed the pad of his finger. He groaned. One thing Liam hadn’t expected was Susan to suddenly start to take charge.

He dropped his hand from her face to her hip, pulling her closer to him. Both were breathing hard from the anticipation they were feeling. Slowly his face neared hers, his breath brushing against her face. She swallowed hard just before their lips met in another passionate kiss.

Her hands found his waist and slowly traced up his sides and then across his chest as she deepened the kiss, her tongue running over his lips begging for entrance. He groaned. This was spiraling out of control and he wasn’t sure he was strong enough to hold on. When he felt her hands on the top button of his shirt, he knew that there was no turning back.

Susan’s dainty fingers stumbled on the small buttons of his shirt in her haste to remove the barrier. She pulled out of the kiss, catching her swollen bottom lip between her teeth and immediately focusing on the task at hand. Her breathing was irregular as her fingers finally opened the uppermost button, finding a small patch of his bronze skin. She moaned and fumbled with the next button.

“Susan…Susan,” Liam cried hoarsely, trying his best to attain some sort of control over his raging hormones.

Her eyes looked away from the buttons as he caught her hands between his, stilling them. He could see that she was confused and afraid that he was stopping her because he didn’t find her desirable. The tears already began to pool in her beautiful eyes at the mere thought that she wasn’t worthy of him.

Like that could ever be!

“Lass, ya goin’ ta be the death o’ me if you be keepin’ this pace. Slow down, Susan, we ‘ave all night.”

“All night,” she echoed, taking deep, calming breaths. “All right,” she nodded, still trying to suppress the urge to tear his shirt from his chest. Her hands quivered and finally she groaned. “Liam, control and patience were never virtues bestowed upon me!”

He chuckled. He didn’t have to know what all her words meant to know that look in her eyes, the way her body was trembling because of the overwhelming emotions surging through her veins. “Oh ‘ell,” he swept her into his arms. “Which way, lass?”

She merely pointed to the bedroom, her arms then going around him as her lips sought out the soft, warm flesh of his ear and neck. He groaned, forcing his eyes to remain open as he carried her to her chamber, kicking open the door and slamming it closed with his foot before placing her on her feet.

Susan smirked against his neck as her hands slid down his muscled shoulders, to his well-defined pectorals and back to the annoying little buttons on his shirt. Again she began awkwardly pulling at the small white objects, groaning when she couldn’t get the next one open. “To hell with the shirt, I’ll buy you three to replace it,” she cried, pulling so hard the buttons flew around the bedroom.

Liam was stunned, but only briefly as Susan’s warm mouth kissed the newly exposed skin of his chest and stomach. Her small pink tongue darted out from time to time, caressing his skin and causing his knees to weaken. He pulled her up to his lips, crushing his mouth to hers in a possessive kiss while his hands pulled at the fastenings of her gown.

Slowly his hands progressed down her spine, sliding open her gown until it was undone to her waist. Pulling away, he used his fingertips to push the material from her shoulders to her elbows, trapping her arms at her sides as he lavished her shoulders and chest in small butterfly kisses. She moaned; his warm breath caused goose flesh on her sensitive skin and she ached to pull him closed. “Liam,” she whined in a ragged breath.

He smiled against her skin. “Be patient.”

“I can’t,” she whimpered, pulling one hand free from the sleeve of her dress, causing it to fall to the floor and pool at her feet. She stood before him in a corset and nothing more. He couldn’t wait to see what was beneath, already enjoying the taste and sight of her milky white skin. His hands gently turned her so that he could easily untie the restrictive garment. While he pulled on the strings binding her, his plied sweet kisses to her neck and ears. “I love you,” he whispered, as the final tie was pulled loose from the eyelet.

“I love you too,” she hesitated in turning around.

“Susan?” he placed his hands on her shoulders. “If ya want me to be stoppin’, I will, me love. I’ll turn around and let ya dress…”

“No,” she shook her head. “No,” she replied again, turning slowly to face him. Her hands immediately tried to cover her body, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and her eyes downcast. Gently placing two fingers beneath her chin, he eased her head up so he could look into her eyes. “I bet you’re beautiful.”

She smiled slightly.

He leaned in, gently kissing her lips and caressing her cheek. He allowed her time to relax into the meshing of their lips before he slowly directed her hands to fall to her sides. When he thought she had relaxed enough, he slowly pulled away. Liam’s eyes darkened further as they traveled from the floor, slowly up her long legs and flat abdomen, lingering at her chest before meeting her eyes. She truly was the most beautiful woman on earth and the sight of her standing before him without a stitch of clothing would forever be burned into his mind. “You ARE beautiful.”

Her cheeks grew rosier and she pulled her lip between her teeth. Now she was shy?

“Susan?”

Her head tilted as she looked at him. Slowly, a smile spread across her face and she whispered, “I believe you are over dressed,” before reaching for the belt of his trousers while he shrugged off his shirt and suit coat. The two items fell to the floor, waiting for his pants to join them. But again Susan’s hands, shaking from the sheer excitement of the night, fought with the clasp.

His hands caught hers. “Let me.”

She nodded, stepping back and sitting on the plush mattress of her bed while he slowly removed his pants. They dropped to the floor and now it was her turn to eye him. Her eyes were midnight blue by time they met his gaze and the appreciation of his looks was not lost to him. He smiled.

“Likin’ what ya see, me love?”

“Very much so,” she opened her arms to him. “Liam?”

He walked to the bed, looking down at her with unbridled desire in his eyes. “Yes?”

“Make love to me…”

He didn’t need to be asked twice as he slowly lowered her to the bed and leaned over her. Kissing her lips again, he allowed their tongues to mate much like their bodies soon would. His hands traveled up her sides to her breasts, kneading her curves in his strong hands. She moaned into his mouth, deepening the kiss and pulling him closer.

Leaving her mouth, he placed a trail of kisses across her chin to her ear, nibbling the flesh there before slowly kissing down her neck to her breasts. Once there, he slowly used his thumbs to harden one sensitive nub before suckling the peak while his other hand attempted to lavish similar treatment upon the twin. His mouth followed suit, soon leaving her breasts to kiss down her flat stomach to her belly button, circling the indentation with his tongue before blowing cool air on it. She shivered.

“Liam, please,” she begged, her breathing irregular, chest heaving with the effort to control her body.

Spreading her legs, Liam readied himself to enter her as he looked into her stunning blue eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she pulled him in for a kiss.

It was then he connected their bodies, causing Susan to cry out as Liam took her virginity. He kissed her ear, whispering, “Thank you, Susan.” His lips kissed away the tears that rolled down her cheeks as he whispered soothing words of love and apologizing for his roughness, before beginning to set the rhythm they would soon follow together. Their souls and hearts entwined as their bodies moved together, heading for the moon and the stars that night. The sounds of their love making echoed in the room until finally the pair reached the peak for lovers together, calling out each other’s names before collapsing onto the bed in panting heaps of flesh.

He rolled away, pulling her into his side and kissing her forehead. “Did I ‘urt ya?”

She gently rubbed his chest. “No, Liam. I’m fine.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, rubbing her hip. “I would ‘ave warned ya, me love…would have taken it slower, been more gentle.”

Her eyes were closed and she snuggled closer. “I simply couldn’t wait to make love to you…”

He smiled slightly. “I love you, Susan Crane.”

“I love you, Liam Fitzgerald…”

The room fell silent for a few moments.

“Susan?” he whispered.

“Hmm?” she replied, sleep slowly consuming her brain.

“Will ya marry me?” he asked.

“I thought you would never ask,” she replied. “I’d like nothing more.”

With a content sigh, the pair both fell asleep in the embrace of their soul mate.

Tabby felt the boat rumble and her eyes darkened with anger. She knew what that meant! Susan Crane and Liam Fitzgerald had united in body, thus connecting their souls in a way that could never be separated short of death! Blasted doll! Blasted souls! Blast it all!

Sighing, she fell back in her chair, knocking her spell books off the couch with a groan. She was going to need some major help if she was to redeem herself now! She was going to have to kill either, or both, of the lovers. To do that, she would need the help of all the evil spirits in the world…

And for that she would need the spell book of all spell books…

The one from her trunk…

The book of natural curses!

Part Three