Masquerade by Nancy Moser

attendant their tickets. He looked them over and nodded. “Welcome aboard, Miss Gleason. Miss Connors. If there is anything the crew can do to make your journey more comfortable, please let us know.”
    Speaking of comfort … Dora’s traveling suit felt stiff and confining. But her brimmed hat, complemented with some feathers dyed aubergine to match her costume, made her feel regal. To a girl used to the simple lines of a maid’s uniform, the detail of her new clothes was both fascinating and daunting. The pleated skirt had drapery drawn across the front and into a bustle, and the jacket had long, tight sleeves and a high collar that was far more restrictive than anything she’d ever worn. But she’d get used to it—for the sake of fashion.
    The two women ascended the gangway and were helped on board by more attendants. While the boarding continued they strolled arm in arm along the outer deck that ran around two huge smokestacks beneath three masts set with sails. It was a little confusing. Was the Etruria a steamship or a sailing vessel? Dora decided it really didn’t matter as long as the ship got them to America.
    As they walked around the promenade deck, gentlemen tipped their brims and smiled appreciatively—to the consternation of many a woman companion on their arm. Dora had never received such attention. Traversing the streets of Lacock or London in her maid’s uniform or a simple dress had rendered her invisible to any man of means. “They’re flirting with us,“ Dora whispered.
    “They’re appreciating us,” Lottie said as she acknowledged another gentleman. “Get used to it, Dora. This is one of the best perks of society.”
    Dora couldn’t argue with her. She’d never walked past a man and had him gaze at her with utter admiration. She’d received the occasional lustful scrutiny of a workingman on the street, but never this … never adulation. Never … awe.
    When a gentleman with a dashing mustache tipped his hat and smiled directly at her , she felt herself blush. Then she did as Lottie had done and nodded back at him with just a hint of a smile upon her lips.
    How luscious.

    Lottie handed the stateroom key to Dora. “You may do the honors.”
    With a little wiggling, Dora turned the key in the lock and opened the door to what would be their home for the next eight days.
    She gasped at the sight of it.
    Lottie strode around the room, nodding. “My, my, this is more luxurious than I expected.”
    Dora didn’t want to say so, but the stateroom was grander than the best room in the Gleasons’ home. It was filled with ornately carved furniture, and the small windows were draped with heavy velvet curtains. Fancy bric-a-brac made the room feel more like a home than a ship’s cabin.
    “Ah,” Lottie said, opening the door to one of the two armoires. “Our trunks have been delivered and unpacked.”
    “They do that for us?”
    “They do if we ask them to, which I did.”
    Dora noticed Lottie still held the leather box of jewels. “What are you going to do with those while we’re on board?” she asked.
    “Mother instructed me that once we are under way, I should ring for the purser to put them in the ship’s safe.”
    “Wouldn’t it be better to keep them here, with us?”
    Lottie shook her head. “I may trust my gowns to unknown servants coming and going, but never my jewels. Remember that, Dora.” She opened a drawer beside a bed and placed the box inside, stuffing a shawl around it. “We aren’t trying to impress anyone here, not to the extent of risking my jewels. I’ve brought along lesser pieces that will be sufficient adornment. No one will dare ask if they’re real; they’ll assume as much.” She gave the shawl an extra tuck.
    A long blast sounded. Then another.
    “What’s that?” Dora asked.
    “I believe it’s an all-ashore. The guests must leave now.”
    “Guests?”
    “You didn’t think the ship would be as crowded as it is now for the entire trip, did you?