Rose woke up stretched out on the couch in the setting room. Jack was by her side, pressing a damp cloth to her head, his eyes were full of concern. Everyone else stood around her, waiting for her to wake up. Even the Hockleys, were there looking a very confused on what had just happened.
"Jack?" She moaned, feeling her head ache and her stomach rumble from hunger. "What happened?"
Jack sighed and looked at everyone around him then back at Rose. "You fainted."
"Oh. Is that all? You know, I had the strangest dream…"
"I'm afraid that was no dream, dear," Jack gave her an apologetic smile, hating to burst whatever fantasy her mind had built to deal with the latest revelation.
"You mean mother and Bradley…?"
Jack simply nodded.
"It wasn't just a dream?"
"Sorry sweetie," Jack's voice was apologetic, yet there was a laughing quality to it that annoyed Rose. He found this completely hilarious. He thought that this was funny! Didn't he see how highly inappropriate this was? She's half Bradley's age, not to mention that she was her mother and he was Jack's cousin! How could this not be thought of as inappropriate?
"Honestly, Rose. Fainting? Once again, you are being completely melodramatic," Ruth sighed, annoyed at her daughter. She didn't get Rose. She was never happy. One would think that she would be glad that her mother was going to marry and be taken care of.
Rose sat up, openly glaring at her mother. "You think that I'm being melodramatic? How about you, mother? Ever since daddy died, you placed our survival on my shoulders, when look! You could have found a suitor of your own instead of forcing me to get engaged to Cal!"
"Rose, sweetie, calm down," Jack squeezed her hand, not liking how pale she was.
"I was only thinking of our survival, then Rose. I had no idea that I was a viable option. Not many men look for a woman my age, therefore, it fell to you to marry into money. Dear Bradley wasn't even an option then since he lived here in Boston and was nowhere near Philadelphia. But he is an option now, and if the man wants to marry me, I don't see the reason why not," Ruth turned to her betrothed. "I am happy and taken care of. As my daughter, you should be happy for me."
"How can I be happy when you're betraying daddy?" Rose got to her feet, her eyes flashing with anger. Why couldn't her mother see why this was so hurtful to her? To their family? "Daddy's only been gone for two years and you're off marrying someone else."
Ruth's composure grew rigid at the mention of her deceased husband. She never did forgive him for burying them so deep in dept. For not taking care of the needs of the family before passing away. He had put both herself and Rose in a horrible position and she despised the fact that the man could do no wrong in Rose's eyes.
"Well it was thanks to your daddy that we were in such a vulnerable situation in the first place. What man spends all of his wealth and leaves his daughter and wife with nothing to support themselves? Nothing but the mother's wits and quick thinking while the daughter was doing everything she could to push them into poverty?" Ruth ranted, again annoyed by the way Rose saw her father while demonizing her. "I did the best I could at the time, Rose. I was trying to protect the both us, which is a lot more than your precious daddy had ever done for either of us. So don't stand there and expect me to continue to mourn the man that nearly ruined us!"
"Come now, let's all calm down," Bradley intervened. He walked up to Rose and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Rose, I assure you. I am not trying to take the place of your father. I would never do such a thing. I know what it's like to lose a beloved parent. I care for your mother deeply and just want to make sure that she's taken care of."
"And you!" Rose glared at Bradley. "I don't know what game you're playing, seducing my poor naïve mother! But let me tell you, you are not going to get away with it!"
"I am not playing a game, Rose. I genuinely care for Ruth and plan to take care of her for the rest of her life. We will give you a brother and sister and neither will want for anything. I promise you."
"Rose, calm down. It's not that bad. So what he's younger than she is. Cal was older than you and he's older than Elizabeth. This is just the other way around. Would it be such a problem if Bradley was Mr. Hockley's age?" Jack questioned, not really getting why Rose was so outraged. In his opinion, this was awesome. Ruth would no longer be Rose's responsibility. She would be Bradley's.
"This is highly unusual, Lewis. I am surprised that you're allowing this," Nathan piped in, having heard enough. "A young man like Bradley, marrying a widow?"
"That widow knows how to be a proper wife to a gentleman of my caliber. I won't have to worry about having to tell her what to do or how to behave like I would with someone younger," Bradley spoke up in his defense. "Come on, you cannot tell me that you don't see the logic."
"Bradley does have a point, father," Cameron snorted, amused by the situation, even though he was concerned for Rose. Judging by her reaction, she was anything but happy.
"I hope that you two are not expecting my blessing on this," Rose crossed her arms. She didn't know what was worse, the age difference or the fact that her mother was moving on from her father.
"To be honest, we are not, even though it would be nice," Bradley sighed. Rose's blessing would be ideal, but it wasn't necessary. He'll marry Ruth regardless.
"Jack, please get me out of here. I need some air," Rose gripped his arm, still feeling rather lightheaded and wanting to just get away from the newly engaged couple.
"Sure thing," Jack escorted her outside and had her sit down on one of the benches on the porch of the mansion. "Shall I have some tea brought to you?"
Rose shook her head. "No. No tea, please. I just need time. Can you believe her, Jack? It's your cousin for goodness sake! How could she?"
"I know it's not of the norm, Rose. But look at it this way. Her well-being will not be your responsibility anymore. Once we leave this place, you won't have to worry about her. You'll be free," Jack rubbed her hand between his own. "She'll be Bradley's problem."
"I suppose you're right…but I just can't approve of this Jack. It disgusts me, it really does. And if they have a child, it'll be both my sibling and my cousin in law. How is that supposed to work?"
"Try not to think about it, dear. Think about other things. Like Molly's arrival. She should be arriving at any hour now. I am sure that once you two get together, you'll be too busy to even think about Bradley and your mother," Jack kissed her cheek. "It'll be alright. I promise you."
"I suppose you're right. It could be worse, I suppose," Rose sighed. She looked at Jack, realizing something. "You're late for work."
"I am?" Jack frowned and glanced at the stop watch that his Uncle had given him. "Oh shit, I am! What are they all going to think of me? Can't even be punctual," Jack got to his feet and looked around for the car that was supposed to take him to the factory.
Rose just smiled and got up and stood at the edge of the porch. "Sam! Bring the car around please!"
Jack stared at her, stunned. "That easy, huh?"
"I'm used to it," Rose smiled, kissing his cheek. "I would beg to go with you, but I should wait for Molly in the comfort of our room. I can't stand to see mother right now."
Jack just gave her a sad smile. "That is completely understandable. If Molly arrives before I return, tell her welcome and I'll see her just as soon as I get back."
"Of course," Rose smiled, kissing him long and deep this time. Her fingers gripped his coat tightly, as if she didn't want to let him go. "Good luck, Jack. Have a good day."
"See you this afternoon, sweetie. Don't let Bradley and Ruth upset you too much," Jack smiled kissing her one more time as the car pulled up.
Rose stood and watched Jack as he got into the car. She waved at Sam and then watched as the car drove off into the horizon, taking Jack into the unknown. She hoped that for both of their sake, the day would end better than it had begun.