Lavinia had come back from the doctor. Of course she wasn't pregnant...again. No wonder, she didn't even remember the last time they had slept together.
She had heard much talking from both Nathan and Cal about someone called Rose. Especially Nathan spoke of that person like she was some saint. Lavinia knew that Cal had once been engaged to a girl named Rose Dewitt Bukater, but from what she had been told that Rose had perished with the Titanic.
They couldn't have been speaking about the same person.
She was knitting with her mother-in-law, something she didn't enjoy very much. However, what else was there to do for her?
"You've got to use this yellow colour; it perfectly matches with the green."
"Of course," she mumbled taking the wool from her hand.
She wasn't the least bit interested.
"Did you hear about Mrs. Graham's pregnancy, my dear? I believe it's her third already."
I've heard it for the hundredth time.
"Sure, it must be wonderful for her," Lavinia added silently.
She wasn't about to cry in front of that witch. She wasn't going to give her that satisfaction.
"Now my dear, I'm sure that we would be able to congratulate you on a pregnancy, if you would just…," she started her voice drifting. "Cal is really looking forward to having a son."
They heard voices coming up from the parlour.
"Has he called already?"
"No and I don't think that he will," Cal answered.
"You know what they're talking about, my dear?" Millicent laughed slightly drawing closer to her as if they would be sharing some secret. Lavinia hated her calling her my dear. It didn't sound caring at all.
"I've no idea," Lavinia said although she believed that she did.
Cal had come up her, giving her a little kiss on her cheek.
"You two look like you're sharing some secret?" he laughed much like his mother a fake laugh.
Lavinia didn't know what to answer and simply smiled back.
"Now that's my girl, always cheerful," Cal spoke up.
Lavinia felt uncomfortable.
…..
Nathan meanwhile had been going into his office ringing for George.
"Yes, Sir?"
"A brandy George…"
"Of course, Sir," George bowed about the extent the room.
"One more thing, tell Miss Pierson I want to speak with her."
"I will," George nodded.
Olivia, as was her name, was the younger Mrs. Hockley's personal maid, but completely committed to the elder Hockley's, who had hired her.
George felt a little bit sorry for the young Mrs. Hockley with enemies and spies all around her.
…
Lavinia was faking interest, when Cal presented her other jewellery.
I've got enough of that those stupid necklaces already.
"Why thank you, darling," Lavinia placed a kiss on his cheek. "It looks beautiful."
Like someone ran out of good taste.
Cal smiled up at her.
"Well ladies, I got to go back to work. See you at dinner."
Lavinia forced another fake smile.
Cal must've known, but didn't seem to care or mind whatever was truer.
…
Cal and his father were discussing Lavinia, Rose and Jack some time later in Nathan's office.
"I can't understand why you're so interested in him. Jack Dawson isn't that great or important."
Nathan looked at him.
"Maybe, but at least he managed to make your fiancée leave you for him. And I would say that they're also having children already, something that you don't seem to be able to achieve…"
He saw Cal's somehow hurt look.
"Oh, I know…but still I don't understand it. Lavinia no doubt is stupid and dull compared to our lovely Rose. I mean it's not like I'm asking you to let her help you with business. God forbid, I would never do that."
It was clear that Nathan truly hated his wife, while he had somehow put Rose on a shelf, glorifying her.
He's talking about her like she was a dead item not a real person at all.
Cal surprisingly found anger coming up inside him at his father's comment.
She's my wife.
But he didn't dare to object him.