And thus I clothe my naked villainy
With old odd ends, stol'n forth of holy writ;
And seem a saint, when most I play the devil.
William Shakespeare (Richard III.)
The church was fully crowded, while the priest had given the sermon. He had spoken of forgiveness and missed opportunities and how god loved everyone the same whether he did well or not. Rose hadn't paid much attention just sitting silently between two unknown women, folding her hands in prayer. Occasionally she would look over to Cal, who had taken place behind the Lovett family and Rose noticed that Lucy would glance at him every few minutes, when she thought that no one noted.
In fact her mother did and more than once gave her a pat on her knee.
Lucy eventually stopped with what she was doing and turned her head down, oblivious to the people around her.
Rose could tell that she was smiling without seeing her.
Lucy reminded her at lot of herself, just at a younger age. Cal and she had been so totally in love or at least pretended too and everyone was happy with the marriage – including her.
Suddenly Rose noticed someone's eyes on her.
It was Cal.
I should've known.
Cal had never realized when it was time to back away. Still it made her feel uncomfortable and for some reason edgy too. She would've preferred to get up and run away – here and there – but her ladylike manner got the best for her. She had to stay.
Rose tightened her coat feeling a sudden breath of cold around her.
"We also like to welcome a new inhabitant to our little town…," the priest's words brought her back into reality. "…Mrs Michael Calvert…"
Rose heard hands clapping and saw people smiling at her, nodding to everybody…
Mrs Michael Calvert…
It seemed odd being addressed like that her husband and she had been divorced since four years already and even before this time had hardly lived together, but still it seemed to be customary among these people.
She had noted so, when speaking with some women. Obviously to them divorce or separation didn't exist – better pretend to be a widow.
Rose had only faked a smile in fact being the reminded of the world of her mother. She had thought that the war, the glowing afterwards and especially now the depression would've changed that housewife attire.
For sure the clocks here were going differently than in the rest of the world.
People nearby were whispering about her – about the great and famous actress, who had chosen their small town to spend her fortune on them.
Rose was bathing in the glory.
"And now ladies and gentlemen a special wish for a song to end today's…"
Rose thought she was going crazy, when she was listening to what it was.
They had actually started singing – For those in peril on the sea. Rose knew what that meant.
Cal!
That damn bastard was going to pay for that.
"What a wonderful song. Don't you think so, Mrs Calvert?"
Rose smiled half-heartedly at her. She would've preferred to be called Miss Dawson or even Miss Dewitt Bukater. Her marriage to Mrs Calvert didn't bring back the best memories…
When they stood up, the mess being finally over, Rose noted Cal speaking with the priest seemingly thanking him.
Rose decided to interrupt them.
"What a nice speech you gave," she stepped forward between them.
"Ah, Mrs Calvert," the priest looked at her. "It's a pleasure to have you here with us."
"I would like to ask you a question though."
"Of course madam whatever you want."
"Would you be so kind to tell me, who suggested the song we're singing at the end?" she asked although already knowing it.
"Well, of course, it was Mr Hockley," he answering motioning towards Cal, who nervously tripped around on his feet.
Maybe Rose should've felt sorry for him, but after all it was his own fault.
"So, well, Mr Hockley…," she said turning to Cal.
"Ahem, if you excuse me," the priest cleared his throat. "I've to…"
He wasn't agreeing with what Rose was doing and wanted to get out of here as soon as possible, realizing that some horrible things may be ahead.
"Sure," she said having already forgotten about him.
"So, Mr Hockley, you did select a very nice…"
Cal looked at her. He felt sorry for her for some reason. He knew he shouldn't. He should probably just take a leave and do what she wanted. However, Rose wasn't just someone…
They had been engaged once, even if not in love they had cared for each other.
What had happened to that lovely girl he had once proposed to?
Who was that strange woman full of animosities standing in front of him now?
He had never seen her before.
Every joy seemed to have left her heart.
"Cal, I just wanted to ask you, if you've time to eat dinner with us," Lucy had appeared besides them neither of noticing her.
"I'd love to," he told her grinning at her feeling Rose's hatred eyes on him.
"Oh of course you can come as well, Mrs Calvert," Lucy added mistaking her expression for sadness.
"No thanks, I've to politely decline. I've an appointment with someone else. I'm already going to eat somewhere else," she said starring at Cal both knowing that she had lied.
Lucy sensed that they wanted to be alone and excused herself.
"What a pity," Cal got out once she had left his voice sounding between annoyed and indeed wanting to help her.
"As if you would care," Rose hissed at him. "Tell me, Mr Hockley, why did you pick that song out of all?"
Cal gazed at her his eyes blank, but with a look of sorrow in them.
Rose, whatever happened to you?
"If you haven't grasped it by now, you may never. God day, Rose," he told her turning on the heel.