Chapter six

The dinner table was silent, only the scraping of forks against the expensive china plates could be heard and Rose tried to ignore that, just to shake her headache away. Dinner with her mother was like a slow and painful death, it was always a formal affair even though she was her daughter. Her mother's sharp gaze fell on Rose every few seconds as she cut her meat and then delicately placed it in her mouth. Rose knew what the problem was. She sighed, heavily wishing to just have time to be alone away from this charade. She glanced at the clock and noted that her Mother would be here for a couple of hours at least.

Ruth's sharp eyes fell on Rose again. This time, she remained silent as she picked at her meat and took another sip of her wine.

''For goodness sake, Rose. I am glad we didn't dine out this evening.''

Rose took a long sip of red wine. It was the strongest which she had amongst the dinner wines and went to her head the quickest she had noticed in recent weeks. She needed it after the day's events. She had arrived home from the fields with Jack the day before and had unknowingly caught the sun all over her face. She was burning up. Trudy had cared for her with a cool cloth but her mother was more embarrassed than concerned and soon after returning she had fell into a deep, sleep with only him in her dreams. Every moment with him had been worth the sickness from the sun, and a secret which she knew would be easy to keep. During the day she had found herself frequently day dreaming of their talk the day before but in this moment, she tried to remain as sharp as tack, just like her Mother.

''Oh stop it, mother. I told you, I was simply running some errands.''

''This is what you have hired help for. Your face is hideous!''

''I refused to let every day needs become such a problem for the hired help. They do enough,'' she snapped. ''Besides it was a beautiful day outside.''

''Then you should have been inside, Rose! I told you as a child, your skin is far too fair to be outside in the sun.''

''Yes but I am no longer a child.''

''Then please stop acting like one.''

Rose pushed her plate away from her. She had had enough. The air was still warm and the argument made her appetite supress even more. ''I am a grown woman; I can run my own errands. If you come to my house to make comments, you can leave right away.'' She felt her hands shake as she touched the stem of her wine glass.

Ruth looked at Rose sharply. Never had she been spoken to in such a way, especially not by her own daughter. She had not raised her this way and she wasn't going to tolerate it. Marriage should settle a woman not fire her up. Rose felt her head throb more. She half wanted to excuse herself and go to bed but she knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep. Her mind was continually consumed.

Ruth was just about to open her mouth to fire back when Cal entered through the door leading from the kitchen with his father Nathan. Immediately, Ruth clamped her mouth shut and played the delightful guest at the table. Rose rubbed her face, feeling the burn. She craned her neck to see her father in law stood in the doorway and internally hoped their presence would steer the limelight away from her. The sting of her sunburn flared up in that moment and she winced.

''Good evening, ladies.''

''Good evening, Nathan.'' Ruth greeted him sweetly.

''Oh, caught the sun a little I see.' Nathan smirked, catching glimpse of Rose's red cheeks as he approached the dining table followed by Cal.

''Yes, my darling wife was silly enough to take a walk into town yesterday without the aid of assistance – or a hat.'' Cal kissed the top of his wife's head. Nathan held a bottle of Champagne in his right hand and from what Rose could see it was one of the finer brands which were used at the wedding. She was curious.

''Now please, forgive the intrusion at dinner ladies, I know you two have lots to speak about. But my son and I have an announcement to make...''

''Trudy, fetch four glasses.'' Cal shouted to the maid who scurried to the cupboard the fetch the fancy glasses.

''Darling, just what is going on?''

''Caledon and I have sealed a contract in New York City. A meeting will take place there in May.''

Rose remained silent as the father and son beamed between themselves as she failed to see the need for such a bottle of Champagne.

''Why all of the celebrations?'' Rose stood from the chair. She was dressed in the red dress which he loved to see her wearing, with black details. It showed her skin, her décolletage and the tops of her breasts. He diverted his gaze to not ogle his wife right there in front of their parents. He knew that he could do that later on in the evening.

''Because sweet pea, I have also secured us tickets onboard the Mauretania, the most luxurious ship to sail the Atlantic.'' He swished his hand about in the air. ''We are heading to Paris before seeing London for the first time.'' He placed his arm around his wife's waist and she smiled hesitantly. ''We are to leave in four days...''

Rose raised her eyebrows. ''Four days but...'' Rose glanced to her mother who appeared to be on cloud nine. ''Ruth, would you be joining us?''

Cal was obviously very happy with the decision to take the trip. Rose felt her stomach sink and yet she didn't know why. This would mean that she would no longer be cooped up in the house, they could travel. They were going to see the world and yet she felt nothing in her own heart. This was what she had prayed for when they had first married.

''Oh Cal, of course.'' Ruth took a chute of champagne as handed to her by Trudy. She didn't stand, just simply took a sip from her glass. The news was like music to her ears since the argument with her daughter. This would be something which would calm her, surely. ''It is a long length since I have seen Paris.''

Rose struggled to remember a time when her Mother had mentioned going to Paris. She knocked the thoughts from her head as she recalled Jack's conversation with her about wanting to see Europe, especially the art capital of the world.

''Darling, this is all so sudden.'' Rose couldn't understand where this had come from. It was just days before he had been sure that they wouldn't be travelling for a long while due to his heavy work commitments and now this.

''Only the best for my wife,'' He pulled her closer. Never showing so much affection in front of their families. He whispered to her quietly, ''And to make up for my lack of existence over the last few weeks.''

She was shocked to her core. This was what they needed to help them. Maybe this was the trip needed to secure her a happy marriage. She felt him tighten his grip on her and she smiled. She caught eye contact with her mother who she knew could read her like a book. Her mother was counting on her to make this marriage work, to see their family name wasn't dragged through the mud and right in that moment, she felt the heavy burden weighing upon her shoulders. The boulder which a seventeen-year-old girl shouldn't be carrying. She took another sip of her wine, leaving the champagne to one side. She didn't have the heart to celebrate, not yet. Nathan spoke, his words mumbled even though he spoke so very clear.

''Isn't it wonderful?'' Cal smiled.

''Of course, darling.''

The celebrations continued until late in the evening.

''I noticed the dress you wore this evening.'' Cal had drunk one or two flutes too many. The excitement of the business deal, whatever it was had brought out a softer side to him. It was rare that he showed this side of himself and it was one she wished that she could fall in love with, as much as she tried to, she felt a block on her feelings. ''You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.''

She shivered as he touched the back of her neck, kissing the spot which tickled. ''Thank you.''

He turned her around, touching her waist. ''I was lucky, Rose. To have found you.''

''And I was you.''

She saw his eyes didn't waver one bit. He had never been as serious as he was right now. His dark eyes were clouded with tiny specks of emotions which she hadn't even seen the moments in which they had exchanged their wedding vows.

''I want to see your eyes light up when that ship sets sail.''

She touched his face before leaning forward to kiss him. It was the only thing she could do. She didn't know what else to say. He reciprocated of course. Kissing her the way he always did. The thoughts which entered her head lingered way into the night. She thought of Jack Dawson; the boy who was hired to tend to their garden. The boy who had grown to become her friend and the person she trusted more than her husband whose chest she laid on. He had long since fell asleep, their lovemaking and champagne a contributing factor to his snores. She didn't budge from his chest, she just fell into her own world. A world where she and Jack walked the cool grass of the rose fields, they swirled around before collapsing into a fit of giggles and then maybe, just maybe he would kiss her. Just once. Then she slept, soundly.