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A thousand times I have thanked God for sparing your life, and Iris’s too. A thousand times I have begged Him to forgive me for the role I played. Only recently have I begun to think He might be willing to do so. Though I don’t deserve it, I ask—no, I beg—you to forgive me, as well. Perhaps that way I can move forward into whatever life has to offer without the weight of guilt pressing me down.

On a happier note, I received a letter from Grandmother, telling me of your visit. It warms my heart to know that you have taken the time to get to know her. She had nothing but kind things to say about you and about your young man. From what she shared, Nathan is both handsome and kind. Grandmother has always been the sort to play matchmaker, and she feels sure you two are a perfect match. If this is the case—and I pray it is—then I will have the consolation of knowing that you met him aboard the ship. I suppose it’s true what Roland says—that God can bring good out of bad. Then again, Roland always manages to see the good in everything and everyone…even me.

I haven’t been to America since I was a little girl, but I would love to visit you, should you decide to stay on in New York. Grandmother says that you seem content. That brings such peace to my heart. She also said that you are a beautiful, refined young lady, with “impeccable manners and exquisite taste in hats.” I couldn’t help but chuckle when I read the line about hats, though I suspect Iris has played a role in that. You once told me that feathers belonged on peacocks, not on hats. Do you still feel that way? I rather envision you wearing a feather-plumed hat and loving it.

Truly, I envision you as a young woman of great strength and character and will be proud to call you friend, should you allow me that privilege. I look forward to hearing from you, and I offer you all my best wishes for happiness.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Abingdon

June 10, 1912

New York

Dear Jacquie,

How wonderful to hear from you. Many times I have thought about you and wondered how you were doing, so your letter brought the answers I needed and made me feel close to you once again. I am delighted to hear that you are back home with your family and pray they can wrap you in their arms of love.

Speaking of family, I have heard from Peter. He seems happy in his new position at Richmond Park, but I sensed the sadness in his words when he spoke of you. His regrets are many. No doubt he has already shared them with you. I pray you can let go of whatever pain he has caused and find joy in the days to come.

You asked about Nathan, and I am pleased to share our news. He has asked me to be his wife, and I have happily agreed. The ceremony will take place in his father’s home in early August. Oh, how I wish you could come. Iris will stand up for me, and I feel sure she would love to share that honor with you. Of course, she has insisted upon designing my dress. I pretended to balk at first but truly wouldn’t have it any other way.

I think you would be very proud of her, Jacquie. New York has opened up a whole new world of opportunities, and she is enjoying every moment. She has made a new friend in William, a young steward who works aboard the
Carpathia
. William is very interested in helping those less fortunate and has encouraged Iris and me to join him. You can’t imagine how many events we have all attended and how many families we have helped. Together, we are all learning to let go of the past and to get on with the business of living.

As I read your letter, particularly the part about the weight of guilt, I thought about my life in England. I remembered that rocky path where I spent so many hours weighted down with guilt I was never meant to carry. I know the burden you are carrying right now, in part because I have borne it so many times myself. I also know that letting go of that burden is possible if you ask the Lord to help you.

Please allow me to ease your mind. You asked for my forgiveness and I wholeheartedly extend it, though we both know that I carry my own responsibility in the matter. No one forced me to board
Titanic
. I went of my own choosing. As a result of that decision, I witnessed unspeakable horrors. And yet, for whatever reason, my life was spared.

Many times I have asked the Lord why He chose to let me live when so many around me perished. I may never know. Nathan says that we must live our lives in a manner worthy of the grace God has bestowed. As you can tell, Nathan is quite the philosopher. No doubt he and Roland would get along nicely!

Am I sorry I came to America? Not at all! Am I sorry that I chose to board
Titanic
to make the journey? The only answer I can give is this: I’m not sure I chose
Titanic
. In so many ways, I believe she chose me. And should she ask me to climb aboard one last time to sail from one shore to the next, I would not hesitate to do so. For on her decks, I laid down one life…and found another. In some small way, I have you to thank for that.

All my love,

Tessa

S
TAND TO
Y
OUR
P
OST

by Bennett Scott (1912)

When the mighty ship
Titanic

Started from Southampton Bay

There were cheers

And fond good-byes too

As she proudly steamed away

But soon alas disaster came

And filled our hearts with woe

Although in sorrow now we weep

We yet are proud to know

Every man at his post

As the big ship went down

To save precious lives

There we find them

They died like heroes true

Now something we must do

For the wives and the little ones

They left behind them

About the Author

Award-winning author Janice Thompson, who also writes under the name Janice Hanna, has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books, and more.

Janice formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network (
christianauthorsnetwork.com
) and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian Fiction Writers organization. She is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing.

Janice lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all.
www.janicehannathompson.com

A
MERICAN
T
APESTRIES
^TM

Each novel in the American Tapestries
^TM
series sets a heart-stirring love story against the backdrop of an epic moment in American history. Whether they settled her first colonies, fought in her battles, built her cities, or forged paths to new territories, a diverse tapestry of men and women shaped this great nation into a Land of Opportunity. Then, as now, the search for romance was part of the American dream. Summerside Press invites lovers of historical romance stories to fall in love with this line, and with America, all over again.

N
OW
A
VAILABLE

C
OMING
S
OON