Titanic - The Heart Goes On By HL Griffiths

(Sequel to The Heart Never Lies)

Chapter Four - Revelations

End of September 1912

Cal

I was sitting in the garden smoking one late September evening and was waiting for Bonner to come to me. He had been to New York to speak to Mr Fisher of the Detective Agency my father had employed to track down Rose. After the dinner party where my Father had ridiculed me in front of Sylvie and Gerard I kept out of their way. Spent my days sleeping, walking and going to my club and drinking to excess to dull the anger brewing inside me.

Titanic had taken my life and turned it upside down. Before it I was rich, respected, an heir to millions, on the cusp of marrying a nubile spirited flame haired temptress with everything I could possibly ever want. Now it was all gone. Gerard was poncing about with his 20 year old blonde china doll Fiancée Emily, Sylvie crowing about their coming wedding and I had to endure my father wrath and contempt. No certainty of inheriting anything and Rose long gone.

The thought of marriage to me was anemic to her and I did not understand why. I had tried so hard with that girl. Whisked her off her feet, brought her those absurd paintings, spent money and gifts on her. And still she denied me.

Argued with me, showed me up, rebelled but for all that fire she was as cold as ice with me. Oh I had tried to be loving. Brought her that necklace and gave it her as a wedding gift. And she threw it back in my face.

I ground my cigarette into the floor and my hands curled into fists I could still feel the astonishment and anger now as I had discovered the drawing of her nude wearing my necklace. Drawn by that Gutter rat.

I smashed my fist into my leg, angry hot tears stung my eyes Anger coursing through me. She could give herself to that steerage trash and not to me. Even jumping back on the ship and rushing back to him to die with him if needed; made me a fool and no one did that to me!

And the necklace I hadn't told Father about that yet. He would blow a gasket if he knew. I had to get Rose back and the necklace too.

The sight of Bonners short swat body coming to me stopped me short. I stood up and breathed heavily

"Well man, what do you have to say for yourself" I barked.

Bonner replied "We have a trail Sir"

"Ruth Dewitt Bukater was seen traveling with Molly Brown, destination California someplace. There is a clerk in her office that spilled that. And the best bit" Bonner puffed his shoulders up and looked smug.

"What" I shouted.

"There was some body that sneaked a look at the official Titanic survivor lists. There was a Rose Dawson listed Sir. Steerage class"

My head started to swim, the awlful realization made me go hot all over. It was so obvious!

"Rose Dawson" The little tart had taken his name when we docked at pier 51. She had gone to Jack, he was alive. Ruth knew where Rose was and that was where that Dawson garbage was too

I grabbed Bonners lapels with both hands and shook him. "We are going to California Bonner, that where the slut is, we find the Mother we find them make the car ready to leave tomorrow"

Bonner was shocked by my violence

"But sir" he exclaimed and stepped back dusting him self down.

"We have Master Gerard's Fiancée here tonight at you step mammas soiree, you have to attend Mr Hockley Snr insists"

"Tomorrow we leave" I snapped, "I'll get this party out the way first if I don't have a choice"

Again being dictated to by father like I was ten. I would show him and Gerard I would not be played with.

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The music spilled out from the ball room, I was stood by the palms watching the coming and goings of the guests.

I was sipping wine and watching my brother waltzing with Emily.

I hadn't had the chance to study her before. She was nothing special, 20 years old like Gerard insipid fine blonde hair, limpid blue eyes and a slim childlike figure. She looked like a little girl.

Her blonde head close to Gerard's brown head Gerard seemed taken with her. Oh Gerard golden boy. His eyes fixed on her as they danced, she was laughing and he was pleased. Oh he pleased everyone. They fitted to the dance steps well. They belonged.

Rose had never danced with me like that. Lovejoy my dead valet had said he followed her down to steerage on the boat and watched her dance with him; that Jack and smoke, drink and laugh.

I felt in torment watching them. Rose and I could have been like that. I had to win her back. She would have her price, everyone did. I was getting more and more morose and drunk. People avoiding my hard eyes and belligerence that sat on me these days.

The music was ceased and my father was standing up and making a speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen I have an announcement blah blah blah" he whittered about his precious Gerard and doll like Emily. I was about to leave and have a sneaky cigarette when my father said something which stopped me dead in my tracks and made my blood run cold.

"On the commencement of the marriage of dear Gerard and Emily I will bequeath half of the holdings of Hockley mills to my dear Dutiful son Gerard" I inhaled deeply and ran from the room no one saw me. I ran outside feeling sick. I ran all the way down to the summer house and vomited violently.

My father leaving half of everything to that brother of mine. The French Trollope's son. NO No! My father couldn't do this. It was mine. The Hockley fortune was mine!.

I drunkenly slumped down behind the summer house, It was over, everything I had ever wanted was gone and Titanic was to blame I had done nothing wrong.

Some time later I heard a low humming, I stood up and from the shadows I saw Emily Harrington Smyth walking towards me. Alone.. Her pink dress fluttering in the breeze.

"Ahh Good evening" I said appearing.

She gasped and looked at me "Caledon, what are you doing out here?" she asked and fluttered blonde lashes at me.

"Just taking the air, what about you?" I soothed.

"Oh just getting some air too I got so hot. Gerard is celebrating and is a bit tipsy I said I would be back in ten minutes"

Oh I bet he was celebrating his luck, taking what was mine.

Anger boiled over in me. Everyone took what was mine. Well I would have to take something that wasn't mine.

"Come and sit with me in the summer house "said to Emily taking her arm gently... She smiled at me. Trusting child.

She followed me into the darkness of the summer house.

I pulled her to me before she had time to do anything and slammed my lips on to hers kissing her hard she tried to squeal but I put my hand over her mouth and threatened her to be quiet.

Rose might have denied me. No girl would ever again.