Rose sighed as she stared up at the night sky adorned with stars. The faint melody of a waltz had followed her out to the terrace and she found herself swaying softly to the music, lost in her own thoughts, enjoying the fresh, night air…
She could hardly say she was enjoying herself so far this evening. The gossip was stale and the dance partners were clumsy. She longed to be anywhere but the MacGregor's ballroom… Perhaps tucked away next to the fire with a book her mother would surely disapprove of… She sighed again, longing to fulfill her defiant daydream, her shoulders slumping with boredom.
"Are you lost?" a deep, smooth voice said behind her suddenly, making her jump in surprise.
Facing her intruder, Rose raised an eyebrow in annoyance. It was a man, perhaps only coming to ask her to dance as dozens had done before him. Little did he know she was tired of getting her toes stepped on.
"I beg your pardon?"
The man chuckled at her snappy reply, oozing arrogance. Rose narrowed her eyes, observing him. Despite her mild disgust she had to admit he was quite good looking, dressed in a perfectly tailored tuxedo; tall with sharp, masculine features, dark hair and shining, charcoal eyes. He had probably never known a woman to be so rude to him a day in his life.
"You do realize the party is inside, yes?" he continued, amused.
Rose was getting irritated.
"Who are you to tell me where I am supposed to be?"
The man approached her, still smiling, his gaze simmering with something she couldn't quite place… As he grasped her gloved hand to kiss it she felt herself shiver at his surprisingly cold touch.
"Caledon Hockley… if you must know…" he purred, watching her closely as her cheeks reddened.
Rose felt her stomach drop. She had heard that name before, and the nasty rumors that went with it… Her friends had chattered on about him, told her what a horrible playboy he was….. how filthy rich he was… The girls at finishing school had fawned over him, threatening to faint if even his name was brought up in conversation…
Rose had never expected that she would be the one to catch his interest.
She could feel her composure beginning to slip, her hard, indifferent exterior crumbling the longer she gazed back into those deep, captivating eyes…
However, refusing to become another mindless debutante, she assumed her aloof persona once again, squaring her shoulders as she replied, "Rose DeWitt Bukater…"
Around her, she could hear the music swell again and he motioned back to the ballroom, at the couples swirling gracefully in time to another waltz. Holding out his hand for her to take, he smirked, "Shall we?"
Rose felt her knees weaken. Taking his hand, she shivered with delight at his touch.
Rose shuddered, snapping out of her daydream as she heard her mother's shrill voice behind her, "Oh, darling, you look so beautiful!"
She couldn't manage to share her excitement. She only fidgeted in her gown, struggling to breathe in her tight corset.
No one would find out about her condition until weeks after the ceremony. Cal was more than paranoid about that.
"The ceremony will be starting soon," Ruth continued eagerly, motioning to the bridesmaids trailing her to help carry her daughter's extensive train. "Let's get in place, ladies!"
Rose nodded, taking the deepest breath possible. Walking towards the doors to the church where everyone was already seated, her thoughts flitted momentarily to Jack, their encounter in the gym…
I'm marrying Cal. I love Cal…
She scoffed to herself. If only he could see her now.
Feeling pressure building behind her eyes, she willed herself not to cry. And, if she did, they would be tears of joy on her wedding day.
Taking a step she wondered if she could still make a run for it…
Then the doors opened in front of her, revealing her to the eyes of hundreds. With the organ pounding in her ears, she began making her way towards Cal with shaking legs. He was standing at the altar in his tuxedo, the vision of groomed perfection. His dark eyes were piercing, laced with undying suspicion and exhaustion.
He was no happier about the occasion than she was.
The guests shuffled in their seats with delight as Rose glided past them, her white gown casting an ethereal glow about the magnificent cathedral. To all, she was a symbol of unworldly purity and grace. No one would ever know about Jack Dawson. He would remain a secret that she would keep tucked between her heartstrings - a place where nothing or no one could take him away from her again.
Approaching Cal, she took his hand in hers, his touch hard and possessive. Meeting his eyes, she could sense something stirring in them, something almost...hopeful. But it slipped away as soon as it had appeared, his composed facade washing over him once again.
This was nothing more to him than a simple business transaction.
The epiphany made Rose shudder.
The vows were meaningless, the words "I do" lingering in the echoey church… The ceremony whirled past, as if it hadn't been real at all…
Rose had always pictured her wedding day to be… different.
The only solid detail she could remember was when Cal leaned in to kiss her. As his lips met hers, she ached to feel any sort of emotion, longed for any bit of passion in his touch as there had been once…
But he only placed a stiff hand on her back as he pulled her close to him and brushed his lips against hers quickly as if he was trying not to awaken the painful memories between them…
God forbid he felt something for once.
xXx
She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
From against the wall of the MacGregor's ballroom he studied her out on the veranda; her feminine, smooth features; delicate as a porcelain doll… Her fiery, auburn curls swept up in the perfect chignon, her tempestuous curves accentuated by her lavish gown that was begging to be discarded, ravished by his touch…
Cal couldn't take his eyes off of her. He hadn't been able to all evening.
He had watched her dance with other men throughout the evening, watched her shrug them off without further interest once the music had stopped. He had felt his chest choke up with jealousy at the sight, his mind mad with the prospect of having her…
His friends had laughed when he declared the idea, told him he was insane to even think of taming the wild beast that was Rose Dewitt Bukater...
Draining his champagne glass he stepped outside into the cool, night air.
He enjoyed a challenge every now and then.
xXx
Cal frowned as Rose separated herself from her place on his arm, vanishing with a huff into the sea of people surrounding them.
Her performance so far through their reception had scarcely been satisfactory. She was detached, her smile lackluster and her handshake limp. People had approached him, wondering if his beautiful bride had feeling well. He had reassured them she was simply overwhelmed by the festivities.
They lapped up every word, nodding in sympathy.
They would believe anything.
They were idiots.
The woman that in front of him, the wife of some business associate whose name he had already forgotten, wouldn't stop rambling on about the ceremony, the flower arrangements or something… Cal smiled brilliantly at her, her irrelevant thoughts subdued by his charm momentarily. Before she could open her mouth again Cal excused himself with a nod and he slipped off into the crowd.
He spotted Rose on the balcony, gazing off into the distance amongst the flowers, the jewels on her white gown glittering dully; a melancholy dream in the afternoon sunlight.
Shaking his head he stepped outside into the heat, champagne in hand. He could feel a migraine coming on.
Without a chance to open his mouth, Rose whirled around to face him, frustrated tears spilling from her eyes, "Can't you leave me be for even a moment?"
Cal didn't respond. He only watched her, his brow arched, as he drained his drink from its chilled glass. She was on the verge of an hysterical tantrum.
As he stepped towards her, she backed away, crossing her arms over her chest, jutting out her chin defiantly in an attempt to look menacing.
He wondered for a moment if she knew how to act her age.
Setting down his empty glass, he advanced on her with the tactical approach of capturing a feral cat.
He felt her struggle against his touch as he laced an arm around her waist, the other cupping her face. He knew all of her hissing and scratching was for show, but looking into her eyes he could find nothing but malice.
Frowning, he let go of her. He had almost hoped to find something else.
Rose stayed put, her gaze stony.
He couldn't remember the last time he had seen her smile.
"Dance with me." Cal spoke suddenly, reaching for her hand.
"What?"
"You heard what I said…" he sighed, not wishing to cause a scene, "Don't make me repeat myself…"
He watched as her face shifted in confusion, stunned by his sporadic request.
Rose hesitated for a moment before taking his hand, allowing him to lead her back inside just as another waltz was striking up.
As he placed a hand on the small of her back Cal felt her stiffen, her breath catch in her throat. As they swirled in time to the music he craved to see that flame return to her eyes, shine like they used to...
He knew how much she loved to dance.
He had asked her to just hoping for a flicker of joy to pass through her, remind her of a simpler time.. But as he looked at her he swore he smelt smoke, catching a whiff of a fire freshly smothered.