Titanic - The Heart Goes On By HL Griffiths

(Sequel to The Heart Never Lies)

Chapter Two – Happy Families?

September 1912

Authors note: I thought I would explore Cals background a bit more, and try and look into what makes him act the way he does!

September 1912

Cal

Bonner my valet stood in the hall of "Cross winds" our Philadelphia house. We had had been here five months since the night of the abortive never-happened Engagement Gala and Rose had disappeared off the face of the Earth and my world had fallen apart and I been summoned back to Cross winds in disgrace by my fuming Father.

"Excuse me Mr Hockley" Bonner was saying. "Your Father and step mother are returning this afternoon after their tour of the Mills and he had requested that you be at dinner" I frowned; this was the last thing I needed. Another audience with my dear Father and the witch of my Step mamma Sylvie

"Oh and Sir, your brother Gerard is returning from business in Virginia as well"

I turned abruptly away from Bonner. "Yes

Very good man" I snapped, I needed to collect my thoughts. The news my darling brother Gerry was coming home made my mood even bleaker.

I walked out into the September afternoon sunshine and lit a cigarette and looked over the manicured gardens feeling ill at ease letting my thoughts wander back.

The small ten year old boy stood awkwardly before his stern faced father in his study, shuffling his feet his father was immaculately dressed, his arms folded, his gaze unyielding..

"Caledon stop wriggling" he demanded "And stand up straight" "You are a Hockley male, stand up with pride" he roared.

I had looked up to my fathers face with fear. Tears welled in my dark brown almost black eyes eyes. "I miss Mamma" I whispered missing my Mothers soft scented embrace.

My fathers eyes flashed angrily "Stop wailing for your mamma" he wagged a finger at me. I felt so small and tongue tied.

"Mamma has gone to heaven, you know that, she was always frail after YOUR birth Caledon, no more sons after you mores the pity, what a disappointment she was"

I loooked at him agog. My father was frightening; he had never once kissed me or hugged me. He was quick to scold me and chastise me with his belt. Only my beautiful Mother Demelza ever had held me, kissed me. Grey eyed and fair haired, a soft warm smile and loving arms.

"Caledon" Listen", my Father the great Nathan Frederick Hockley barked" You have a new mamma now. I got married last year and your new Mamma has a new baby, your brother. Gerard Dubois Hockley. And my new wife is called Sylvie. I want you to afford her the privileges you would afford your mamma. She is your mamma now. I never want to hear you mention Demelza Tremaine your mother ever again do you understand me Caledon?"

"Yes Sir" I had replied in a childish whisper, so it had begun, the wilderness years. My father brought his second wife Sylvie Dubois Hockley to Cross winds and she ruled it with a rod of iron, she was French, chestnut haired, passionate and demanding, her loves being my father, she was more than a match for him and the second love their son my brother Gerard, ten years my junior; with his winning smile, beguiling nature and soft chocolate brown hair and eyes. Everybody's darling. And I the oldest son of the dead forgotten first wife. She never liked me and pushed her darling Gerard's advantage forward at every turn. I was so glad to escape to school where no one got in my way or ruled me!

So I fought back. I made myself strong; my father's son, the one he could be proud off, the one like him. The one he would leave the Hockley steel fortune too.

I ground my cigarette under my foot and walked quickly up the stairs to my suite. I had to change for dinner before I entered the lions den and I wanted to be ready.

The servant poured me a glass of wine I picked it up and surveyed my family round the table having after dinner drinks.

At the head sat Nathan, Father, straight back, grey flecking his black hair, his lined black eyes like mine steely. He was listening to Gerard retelling some story of his trip to Virginia. Gerard was talking animatedly, waving his hands about His only likeness to me was his firm Hockley mouth. He had his mother's smooth silky brown hair and her big brown eyes. Oh the women loved him. Our father indulged him, his mother adored him!.

I regarded Sylvie. I had never called her Mamma, always Sylvie, she had on a rich red gown, low cut and her hair was dressed elaborately, she was staring at Gerard with motherly possessiveness and pride.

As if my Father could feel me watching him his eyes swept to me.

"Caledon" he said in an icy tone "Any news of that missing Fiancée of yours?" Gerard looked at me, Sylvie gazed at me a smirk on her lips.

"No, but Bonner is working on tracking her down as we speak" I dabbed my napkin to my lips

"Hmmmmmph" My father sighed then said "I believe that you deliberately threw out the girls mother Ruth, is that correct Caledon"... he gaze on me intent. I met his stare. "Yes that is correct, but I was angry with..."

"Caledon" he yelled. Throwing his cutlery down so it clattered. "I will PAY for a private investigator to find that girl and her Mother. You wanted that marriage badly enough so I suggest she is found and a match made soon. You know what will happen if you don't marry Rose Dewitt Bukater!"

Sylvie turned to him and said in deliberate tones" Pray Nate remind me what your wishes are regarding Caledon's nuptials?" She said smiling. Gerard looked like he was holding his breath, his eyes were dropped. My father's outbursts always reduced him to silence.

"Well Sylvie sweetness, if Caledon doesn't get his act together and make Rose his wife and produce heirs, firstly Hockley Steel won't have successors and someone won't inherit their millions." He continued in separate tones directed to me

"God knows Caledon that Bukater girl was yours for the taking!."

"Father please" I exclaimed and placed my wine glass down, desperation making me want to retreat. My interruption made my father angrier.

"I hear that girl made a first class fool of you with another man, a guttersnipe. Hockley's don't make that sort of mistake!".

Anger burned in my gut.

"Caledon" my stepmother mocked "I should hurry up and find your Rose; she is a handful and obviously needs a man to tame her. Did you know Gerard has his heart set on a match with Emily Harrington-Smyth; her father is well connected and is very approving of the match. Emily is so sweet and gentile" Gerard coughed embarrassed.

I stood up abruptly. "Excuse me" I said, blindly I pushed my chair back "I am going to have a after dinner brandy"

My father nodded curtly and turned back to Gerard and talked as if I wasn't there. Gerard shot me a sympathetic look. I did not want his sympathy. I wanted Rose back and I would get her back, by whatever means. No one made a food out of a Hockley. She would not cost me everything I had ever wanted and was born too.