DANGEROUS GAMES
Chapter One

A shudder of disgust coursed through Savannah as she felt his hand upon her once again. "Bruce, please," she groaned exasperatedly. "We’re in public." Savannah’s husband, J. Bruce Ismay, allowed his hand to inch up her leg a bit further before removing it.

"We’re not in public, darling. We’re in the privacy of our own motor coach." Savannah scoffed and turned to face her window.

Outside, people gathered on the docks to witness the goddess of the sea that was the Titanic. She could not help but smile as she saw all her father’s hard work come into fruition. Savannah’s father, Gustav Wolff, was one of the founders of Harland and Wolff, the company that built the Titanic. Her husband was the actual person who funded the ship. That was how they met. Gustav and Bruce’s father, Thomas, had been in business together for years. When Thomas died, Bruce took over his father’s business, which put him and Gustav into constant contact.

When Savannah first met Bruce, she was ten and he was forty. Because of her father’s business, she spent many hours in his office with Bruce and her father, often sitting on her father’s lap watching them work. When her father died eight years later, Savannah was devastated. Her mother, Marie, worked hard to maintain their social and economic standing, but found it to be a slippery slope. Bruce soon stepped in with a solution to all their problems. In February of 1912, Savannah became Mrs. J. Bruce Ismay.

That was three months ago. Now she sat in the back of their car, watching all the people gathered on the docks. "Savannah," she heard Bruce say from his place beside her. She returned her gaze to him, wondering what he wanted now. "Savannah, I can’t help but feel you have been…well, distant, I suppose is the word. Is there anything wrong?"

Savannah listened to the gentle putter of the motor as she pondered her answer. "Of course not," she answered softly. "I suppose I am a bit apprehensive about the trip. That’s all."

Bruce smiled and took her hand in his own. "Don’t worry, my love. There’s nothing to be worried about." Smiling at her one last time, he returned his gaze to the front window, watching his driver creep through the crowded streets. Savannah could not help but smile to herself. The truth was she had been distant. What Bruce did not know was the truth. Since their wedding three months ago, Savannah had begun a relationship with Thomas Andrews, the Master Shipbuilder of the Titanic.

When Bruce began courting Savannah, she spent a lot of time at the shipyard with him as he oversaw the construction of his masterpiece. While Bruce spent countless hours looking over plans and accounting forms, Savannah was left to amuse herself in the immense shipping yard. That was where she met Thomas. He had been working closely with Bruce for countless months. While Bruce was held up in shareholder meetings and the like, Thomas would accompany Savannah around the yard, all the while talking about anything they could think of.

Thomas was ten years younger than Bruce and, in Savannah’s opinion, much more attractive. He was a smart, funny, soft-spoken gentleman. He would always ask Savannah what she saw in Bruce, and she would continually answer, "Security."

It was about a week ago when Savannah last saw Thomas. Bruce was sealed in his office at Harland and Wolff, poring over papers and books. Thomas was there as well, helping with the final preparations for the Titanic’s maiden voyage. Savannah sat quietly in an overstuffed wingback chair, nursing a book and a cup of tea.

"Thomas," Bruce said, never lifting his eyes from his current page. "It’s nearly ten. You can go for the night." Thomas nodded and closed his small brown leather notebook. As he straightened his tie and pulled on his overcoat, Bruce spoke again. "Oh, Thomas," he said, rising from his worn leather chair. "Would you mind escorting Savannah home?"

Thomas shook his head and answered, "Of course not. I’d be happy to."

Bruce helped Savannah rise from the chair and helped her slide into her long fur coat. Kissing her cheek, Bruce said, "I most likely will not be home until tomorrow morning. Sleep well, darling."

Savannah nodded and said, "Good night," before taking Thomas’ arm and following him out to a waiting motor coach.

Savannah brought her gloved fingers up to her lips as she remembered what happened that night. Thomas had indeed escorted her home, but what Bruce did not know was he stayed with her until about seven the next morning, two hours before Bruce arrived home. A small smile crept over Savannah’s face as she remembered everything about that night, right down to the smell that covered the pillow where Thomas had slept. Ever since that night, nothing Bruce did was ever quite enough. Before that night with Thomas, Bruce’s touch was the only one Savannah had ever known. But now, she understood all she had been missing.

The car lurched to a stop, bringing Savannah from her daydream. Bruce exited the car and came around to help Savannah. Taking his hand, she gracefully placed her feet on the cobblestone street and looked up to see the Titanic. She was truly a wonder to see. "Come, darling. We board over here," Bruce said as he led her off toward the bow of the ship. Glancing back at the car, Savannah watched as an army of stewards scrambled to unload all their bags and bring them aboard.

"Mr. Ismay, Mrs. Ismay," the young officer said with a respectful nod. "Welcome to Titanic. May I lead you to your room?"

Bruce shook his head and said, "That won’t be necessary, Officer Moody. I think we can manage."

Officer Moody nodded and said, "Very well, sir. Have a pleasant day," before handing back their tickets and moving on to the next party trying to board.

Bruce held his head high as he led Savannah down the endless corridors of B-Deck. Finally, he stopped and opened a large white door. Entering first, Savannah glance around the dark mahogany room. Bruce followed her closely, observing her every reaction.

"So, what do you think?" he asked her as he waved a steward in with their trunks.

Savannah glanced around once more before finally stating, "It’s lovely, Bruce. It really is." He smiled victoriously and kissed her cheek.

Savannah continued to study the rooms of their suite. Could he have made it any darker in here? she asked herself silently as she fingered the heavy drapes and ran a hand along the dark blanket that covered her bed. "Bruce, I’m going to head up to the deck," she called from the sitting room.

From their bedroom Bruce emerged, brandy in hand, saying, "I really do not think that appropriate. Wait a few hours and we’ll go for a stroll along the promenade." Bruce smiled at Savannah as if he were doing her a favor.

She returned a weak smile and said, "I had better go dress." She sulked past Bruce and, accompanied by her maid, Jane, entered her bedroom and closed the door.

Savannah stood in the center of the room while Jane helped her out of her traveling suit. She was standing in her corset and petticoat when there was a knock on the door. Jane handed Savannah a purple silk robe and waited until she was covered before answering the knock. Bruce stepped inside and dismissed the young maid with a wave of his hand. Savannah clutched her robe tighter to her body as Bruce walked past the windows. "Savannah," he began, taking his attention from the sea to his beautiful young bride. He came closer to her again, and again Savannah clutched at her robe. "Why do you resist me?" he asked her, taking her hands and winding her arms out of the self-hug they had found their way into.

Savannah looked away as Bruce kissed her hand. Bruce cradled her face in his free hand and kissed her cheek. She could feel a blush rising. After three months of marriage to this man, she was still uncomfortable with him…physically. "Bruce, please," she whispered in vain. Her voice seemed to entice him more as he turned her face to his and kissed her lips.

"Savannah, let yourself go," he whispered to her as he attempted to slide her robe away from her collarbone.

"Bruce, stop, please," she said again, this time on the verge of hysterics. Savannah sighed in relief when a knock came at the door.

Bruce regained his composure and drew a hand through his hair. "Come in," he said sternly and quickly as Savannah drew her robe tight again.

Jane entered the room and said, "I beg your pardon, sir, but Mr. Andrews is here to see you." With a nod, Bruce thanked Jane and left the room. Once the door was closed, Savannah questioned Jane.

"Is Mr. Andrews really here?" Savannah asked hopefully.

"Yes. He is enjoying a brandy with Mr. Ismay, ma’am," Jane said as she hung the robe back in the closet and began to dress Savannah again.

"Let’s hurry, then," Savannah said, doing everything she could to expedite the dressing process. Within fifteen minutes, Savannah was dressed in a stunning pale pink day dress and was making her entrance into the sitting room.

Bruce heard the bedroom door open and rose from his seat as Savannah entered the room. "You look beautiful, darling," he said as he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. Savannah resisted his affection the best she could, but was powerless against his strength.

"Mr. Andrews," Savannah said sweetly as she pulled away from Bruce.

Thomas took Savannah’s bare hand and kissed it softly before saying, "Mrs. Ismay, a pleasure, as always." Savannah tried in vain to veil the blush that rose from the neckline of her dress.

"Darling, Thomas and I were just discussing dinner. He will be joining us this evening, as will Captain Smith and Mr. Hockley and his fiancée. Surely you remember them?"

Savannah took her seat beside Bruce and said, "Of course," with a small nod. Savannah sat in silence as Bruce and Thomas conversed. When a heavy knock came on the door, the room went silent.

"Are you expecting someone?" Bruce asked Savannah in a suspicious tone. Savannah shook her head vehemently as Bruce stood and went to answer the door. Outside stood Captain Smith, accompanied by one of his officers. "Ah, E.J.!" Bruce greeted. "Please, come in." Bruce stepped to the side to admit the captain, but the older gentleman declined.

"No, thank you, Bruce. This must be a rather hasty visit. May I speak with you?"

Bruce nodded and said, "Of course," as he stepped out into the hallway, drawing the door closed behind him.

Thomas smiled at Savannah with a twinkle in his eye. She left her seat and crossed to him on the sofa. "You really look divine, Savannah," Thomas whispered as her lips closed in on his. It was a fleeting moment of intimacy as Savannah basked in the slight aroma of his aftershave.

"When can we be alone again?" Savannah whispered, desperate to feel his touch again. Thomas kissed her cheek as he heard the door creak. Savannah hurried back to her seat, her hand resting on the place where Thomas’ lips had been.

"Terribly sorry for the interruption," Bruce said as he reentered the room and closed the door behind him.

Thomas rose from his place in the arm chair and said, "No, it is I who is sorry, Bruce. I must be on my way. But I will see you at dinner this evening?"

Bruce shook Thomas’ hand and said, "Yes. We will see you tonight."

Thomas kissed Savannah’s hand and said softly, "Good day, Mrs. Ismay," before leaving them alone.

"Bruce," Savannah said softly, her eyes not moving from the mantle of the lavish fireplace.

"What is it, my love?" Bruce asked her as he sat down at his desk.

"I’m going to spend some time in the library before dinner," Savannah said, a bit louder, as she rose from her seat slowly and moved towards the door.

"All right, dear, but be sure to return by six so you may dress for dinner." Savannah nodded and was about to leave when Bruce took hold of her wrist. Confused, Savannah faced Bruce and stood still as a stone while Bruce kissed her before allowing her to leave.

Savannah walked the hall with a purpose. Her eyes scanned every hall for a steward. She quickly glanced at her delicate watch and saw that it was two o’clock. "Oh, excuse me, sir," Savannah said to a passing steward. The young man stopped and bowed his head to her.

"Yes, Mrs. Ismay? What may I assist you with?"

Savannah smiled, and said, "Can you please tell me where Mr. Andrews is staying?"

The young man answered, "Of course, ma’am. Mr. Andrews is staying in cabin A-36. May I escort you?"

Savannah held up a hand and said, "Thank you, but I think I can manage." The steward bowed his head to her once more and continued on his way.

Savannah strolled down the white corridor, stopping at each door until she found her destination. She fixed her hair and smoothed her dress before taking a deep breath and knocking at the door. A moment later, Thomas answered the door. Savannah could not help but smile at his appearance. His tie had been discarded, as had his suit coat. The sleeves of his crisp white shirt were rolled up to his elbows and his top button gaped at the hollow of his throat. "Savannah," he said with a smile gracing his lips. "Come in, please." He stepped aside and Savannah entered the large suite.

Once inside, Savannah turned to face Thomas and leaned against the back of the sofa. "Does Bruce know you’re here?" Thomas asked as he slowly approached her.

Savannah wrapped her arms around his neck and shook her head, saying, "He thinks I’m in the library."

Thomas nodded his head and whispered, "Good," before kissing her lips. Savannah allowed Thomas to take control of her. His hands rested on her hips as hers found their way to his face. Thomas pulled away from her and said, "I have a secret to tell you." Savannah cocked her head and said, "Oh, really?" Thomas nodded and began to pull her towards his bedroom by the hand. Savannah followed, eager to find out what Thomas had in store.

Once in his bedroom, Thomas twirled Savannah around as if they were dancing to some invisible orchestra. He selfishly pulled her back to himself and said, "I haven’t been able to stop thinking of you since…well…you know." Savannah playfully pulled away from him and approached his bed. He followed her slowly, a wily smile on his face. When he reached her, he slowly reclined her against his pillow and kissed her again.

Chapter Two
Stories