Not Such An Innocent Girl.
Cal's vice-like grip upon her arms was like acid splashing across her skin. It was a compelling contrast to the way Jack had touched her merely a short time ago, and now, faced with the demons of her own life, when she had been so playfully happy within Jack's world, it was a complete difference. Cal's hand had struck her face. But the blow was nothing in comparison to the one which fate had dealt her heart…
Jack had stolen from her. A priceless diamond. Priceless in dollars but worthless within her own eyes.
"Oh, it is a little slut, isn't it?"
It was like taking an arrow to the heart. Perhaps, a bullet through her entire dreams. The cascading flow of happiness which had saturated her entire being, allowing her to radiate and glow. Allowing her to taste freedom. She had felt so very much like the bird that he had allowed her to be. What were dreams if they couldn't come true? What was her life so deeply covered in cobwebs and submerged into a deep depth of darkness which he had shown her that the light does indeed exist, and not just in her mind, but in her soul. Now though, she was glimpsing into a darkness which for one small moment in time, she believed could be her destiny.
''Would you look at me when I am talking to you?''
Rough hands hoisted her against the sideboard, but within the depths of those cold eyes, she found nothing worth hanging on to. There was nothing but a raging jealousy burning within their pits and Rose could only think of Jack's iced blue, until she felt the bitter sting of betrayal once again which he had burdened her with.
''Why do women trust men?'' Her mother had asked the very question as Jack had been dragged away from the stateroom and off to God knows where with his hands cuffed, when just merely an hour ago, his fingers had been all across her naked skin. Now, she couldn't fathom an answer. And it certainly wasn't to be found in Cal's heated face. Could women truly not trust men?
A knock sounded at the door, interrupting their personal moment and in walked a steward, as breezy as could be. ''Get out, we are busy.'' Cal ordered.
The steward was flustered as he caught sight of the private moment, and Cal could only slightly release Rose's arms. The steward persisted, coming in to get the lifebelts down from the top of a dresser as though he was an authoritarian. This didn't sit right with Cal, who closed his eyes in complete annoyance at the lack of respect for his privacy.
''I'm sorry about the inconvenience, Mr. Hockley, but it's the Captain's orders. Please dress warmly, it's quite cold tonight.''
He came to Rose, as she rubbed her hands across her face in the most unladylike fashion. ''Not to worry, miss, I'm sure it's just a precaution.''
''This is ridiculous.'' Cal flared, going to the cabinet situated within the centre of the sitting room and pouring himself a brandy, almost to the rim of the glass in order to relieve himself of the stress.
''I would suggest top coats and hats.''.
''I would suggest that you leave, right away.'' Cal chased the steward out of the door, with him mumbling the Captain's orders as he went but the door clicked closed behind him once more, ensuring thorough privacy between himself and Rose. Outside in the corridor, the stewards continued to call upon the passengers to dress warmly and head out onto the decks but it all became a blur behind closed doors.
''The situation is serious.'' Rose was unnerved, watching as Cal stood nursing his brandy as though there was no emergency. As though the ship hadn't struck ice. As though the only matter of any importance was playing the bigger man.
'Yes, indeed it is.'' Cal was rather calm. ''Not only does my fiancee allow a homeless, gutter rat to draw her as she parades utterly unattired across the suite which I purchased for us, but she also appears to have foolishly given her heart to him as well.''
''First impressions can be wrong. Just because what you see when you look at him, is a man of limited means, it certainly doesn't mean that he has ill intentions. With that you are mistaken.''
''No, he intended to befriend you, and then steal away some of your innocence.'' Cal snapped, his eyes burning bright with the fires of anger.
''Oh, what if I gave it away willingly?''
Cal's eyes drew sharp, narrowing at her, as though trying to gauge if she was serious or not. If she had done the unthinkable. The unimaginable.
''Then you're the fool and he the enticer.''
Rose wished to laugh. ''Indeed you shall think that.'' She moved towards her bedroom, but he stopped her with a pull of her arm. ''Take your hands off me.''
''Ah yes, the opposite of what you asked of him.''
This time, without even thinking a second of it, Rose snatched her hand back from his grip.
''Maybe it was. You think that I am some delicate, mild little flower. One slip and the damage would be done towards me.'' Rose's temperament had slipped. Her voice showed every ounce of venom which she held for the man who she was meant to hold dearest to her. ''I am not made of china, I am not made of glass and I certainly was never made to order about like that damned manservant of yours.''
Clearly, her own exhaustion had worn away whatever armour had carried her through these past few months of her engagement. There was nothing left of her bravado, of her determination. This was rage. Pure rage, spewing forth in the most undignified fashion, revealing far too much. The need to spew out anything toward him, to hurtle words that could damage him, just how she had been and still was.
"Are you quite finished?" he said softly.
Considering she wanted to vomit with the stress of it all, yes, she was likely finished. ''I was not-''
"You are obviously distraught and weary after the travels and exertions of this evening. I shall forget that we spoke. Of this whole evening. Perhaps you will regain your senses by morning." He turned on his heel, his shoes ringing loudly on the wood but with each step, Rose could feel just how the distance was irritating her more. Shaking with such adrenaline, or something else—whatever else could it be? She followed him towards his bedroom. He was standing at the window inside the dim room before she caught up with him.
Rose was furious. Terribly so.
"Go on then," she sneered, slamming the door closed. "Walk away. You cannot stand to face me can you?'' Her eyes glowed brightly, tears lining them. ''Cannot stand the fact that I am not a child! That I was never yours to order!'' This was shock, stunned shock speaking. There seemed to be some remorse within him, but to her, for some reason, that didn't matter. It wasn't that she was seeking. It was something further. She was seeking emotion. Something. Something to prove that her time with Jack had affected Cal. Had affected her, too.
He pivoted and strode back toward her at twice the pace. "Do not push me, Rose. I have had quite enough.''
"And what about me? Your actions are-''
"You were the unfaithful one, Rose. Or so you say. Now, cease this nonsense. You are overtired and raving like a lunatic."
"Do not. Speak to me. As if I were a child."
"A child would have more sense. I actually do understand why you are behaving this way."
''You do?'' She held her arms out wide. "Because of this blasted night! I did this, all of it, I wish to escape this life and become another version of myself. Perhaps I have.'' She thought perhaps tears were spilling down her cheeks, but she could barely feel her skin. ''I ran away from you all to find my own happiness and then, you are so hell bent on dragging me back. On punishing me. Punishing Jack. The man did nothing-''
''He did everything.''
''Nothing I didn't ask him to do!'' Gaining a shaky breath, her eyes fixed him a dangerously icy glare, which he dismissed quickly. "You still speak to me like I haven't left the schoolroom—still! I am a woman who you wished to take to bed and yet, you speak to me as though I am younger. I was meant to be your fiancee. I am seventeen years old. No longer an innocent!''
"That is ridiculous. If I had known you were to be this way, I should not have permitted him to come to dinner. To woo you into whatever bohemian lifestyle that man has undertaken and thought would completely appeal to you. Of course it would.''
"I do not want you to permit me.'' She fired back. ''I shall not be here.''
''Oh, what of your gutter rat?''
Her chin rose. "Call him what you will.''
His eyes were full of caution, as though watching a shower of sparks fall on a pile of gunpowder. ''I shall answer for you then. You shall not be going to him. He will be detained and possibly imprisoned for the crimes of which he commited." Cal downed the remainder of his brandy. ''He should be hanged if you asked me.''
Rose swiped at her cheeks impatiently. "Oh, but no one should ask you.'' She narrowed her eyes at the pitiful man. Oh, how he believed himself to be greater than God, even now, as they stood upon a sinking ship. ''Explain it, then…I know you have regretted our engagement for the shame that I brought. I know that I have acted in a way that was improper, but I care for him. Truly, I do.'' She held the ache within her stomach that existed there for Jack, and only him. The thought of him committing such a crime, hurting her in such a way was the only pain within her side at that moment. It wasn't the stealing part, but the fact she had trusted him so damned much. With her secrets, her dreams, her virginity and even her life…
"I do not regret our engagement." His answer was ghostly, almost a whisper. She stepped closer.
"I do not believe you." Rose shook her head. ''But either way, you know that it is over now.''
He was breathing faster , his eyes dilating, his face tight. He did not respond. So, she lashed him again. "With another as your wife, you shall not treat them as you have treated me. You shall not become infuriated by another as you did me! Will you?''
Still, he refused to answer.
"Admit it!" she shouted. ''It is only me who you would ever treat this way. So cruelly as though you need to bully me into this little trap. To cultivate into the perfect wife. You knew how I was before we became engaged, so why ask me to become your wife knowing that I could never change.''
"It is true," he said hoarsely, breaking her in half. "I would not treat another that way."
Somehow, she had convinced herself it could not be worse, that the gnawing pain of Jack, of how Cal had treated her, how he had hit her and yet, how he had cared for her, it was all tied up together in one huge bow of confusion.
''I simply thrive on a challenge.'' He admitted, solemnly.
''And I am the challenge to change?''
She stumbled backward, her hand forming a claw at the centre of her chest, needing to rip out her own heart. Needing the anguish to stop. Turning blindly for the door, her steps faltered, they were awkward and unsynchronised, the world around her moving out of rhythm. Someone was saying her name and holding her, from behind with arms that felt tender toward her, in a dazed way.
''I have to go.''
She went to move his arms.
''No, Rose.''
''I have to leave.''
''I will not let you go.'' The cry was an echo. The need. Rose squeezed her eyes closed, his body curving about hers from behind. His arms held her so fiercely that she almost couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.
"Rose," Cal groaned, his voice raw, his face pressing into her neck in a way that he always did. "My Rose." His hands found hers where they pressed into her abdomen. He clasped one and brought it up to cup his cheek, holding it captive there. "Touch me, please do not go.''
He was holding her up, his arms strong, his heat surrounding her. But she was numb, not understanding why he would cling to her this way. ''No.''
He turned his face and pressed his lips to her palm, cupping her fingers so they curved along his jaw. "I ache for you."
She shook her head. "You ache for someone. Not me. I am not the one for you."
"Only you."
"No," she whispered, her denial one of sure fire.
"You cannot leave."
"I have to go."
"Why?" His voice tortured. if he had decided something important, his chin came up a fraction, his gaze resolute. "He is not the one for you. He will leave you stranded. Pregnant. You are just his weakness for something…''
His weakness? Rose shook her head, now breathless. Astounded "That is ... that is merely preposterous ..."
His lips twisted. "Dawson sees lust." He stroked her cheek with heartrending tenderness. "I would kill for you. I very nearly did."
In part, it was his words, spoken like a confession. But mostly, it was the way he looked at her—as though she were infinitely precious, although he had mapped her heart and mirrored the pattern precisely. Rose's body flooded with coldness.
With Jack, when he had held her so close it had caused tingling sparks to shower across her scalp and down her spine, trailing along her arms to her fingertips and down her legs to her toes. It lingered in her breasts and between her thighs, firing her blood. Fire. Not ice.
"The way I feel is dangerous, Rose. And it must be controlled." She tried to move past him. Somehow. It was twisted...
''Yes, everything must be controlled. Everything.''
''Yes, before things become out of hand.'' Cal whispered, against her neck, before she finally untangled herself from his limbs and felt the coldness come back into his eyes. It was as though the truth had finally dawned on him. ''So, your heart does lie with the lowest of the low.''
Rose started to back away, feeling the touch of him still against her, masking the magic of Jack's expressive hands. For just a second, she tried to cleanse herself with thoughts of their mere time together within the backseat of a Daimler, but it was the second time, pinned against the side of a stack of mail which had been the most erotic moment of her entire life.
With one move, Jack was inside her. The thrust was ferocious deep and hard enough to bring her up on her toes. His hips hammered into hers, and she was helpless in his embrace, her core was stretched, pleasured and on fire with the friction. He was a force of nature, just claiming her in every single way , but it wasn't primitive, it was as though he was sensually asking her and all she could do was agree. But this was not everything. He must give her everything.
"Jack," she panted, grunting as his thrusts quickened. "Touch me. Put your hands on me."
Immediately one of the hands gripping her hips loosened and glided up her back, the silk of her dress rustling as he passed, a counterpoint to the quiet slap of flesh, the heavy sawing of his breath which both echoed about the cargo hold. Jack's hand tickled over her nape, curved over her jaw. His forefinger teased her lips with surprisingly tender hands. His hand left her mouth and travelled back to her hip, where it curled around her thigh, sifted past her skirts, and used his wet fingers to lay a stunning kiss against her fiercely swollen bud. The sensations were simply too much-too sharp, too intense. She bit at her swollen lips, her core gripping furiously, her fists clenching on the desk, body demanding more. And he gave her more. But still, not enough. Arching her back, she reached behind her to grasp his hand where it dug into her hip. "Come closer," she rasped, her voice all but gone, so near climax, she felt it gathering in her toes. He slowed his pace and, on the next thrust, held himself deep inside. It was almost too much.
"Rose…"
She refused to release his hand, tugging until he bent forward over her, his face dropping next to hers. She pushed herself up until her back was warmed by his front, then brought his hand around to the centre of her chest.
"Say that this will be it," Rose whispered. "For, this"-she tapped the back of his hand where it rested over her heart-"is where I feel everything. I need to feel everything just now, in these few moments.''
"Ah, Rose." His lips found her neck, his hips now thrusting in small, helpless movements. "It will be.''
"Rose," he groaned, his voice guttural and raw.
"It is all right.''
His thrusts increased in power and pace once again, the sounds from his throat wordless pleas.
''Jack, I have never felt anything like this.'' Rose squeezed out, each word harder to say than the other, like a pressure, that felt painful and yet freeing.
And then, as if something had shattered inside Jack, he pulled her in tight, his arms hard and relentless across her waist and her breasts. His lips dragged from her shoulder to her cheek.
The first time he said the words, she didn't so much hear as feel them, a hot caress against her skin. "Neither have I." Then once more, whispered louder. "Neither have I.''
''Nothing else matters.''
Over and over. The climax that had been standing at the gates rushed in upon her with tidal force making her claw at his arms as her hips writhed and ground back against his, and within seconds, he followed her into the abyss, filling her with his seed, taking her heart and giving her his own.
Cal's hand reached out to grasp her own but she pulled it away, snatching herself away from his grip.
''Put your hands on me like that again and I will scream.'' Rose's eyes were in flames, severity in them, warning him away like a red light.
''Oh, you would not play such a game.''
''Another game! Why is everything to be played like a game? This is people's lives. Half the people on the ship could perish.''
''Oh, I worry for nothing.'' Cal's face was red, anger bit at him. At himself more than anything. Perhaps for allowing it to grow this wild and untamed. ''I simply need to keep a leash on what is mine.''
''Well, I hope you find what is yours, Mr. Caledon Hockley for it certainly is not me.''
Rose's body was pressed against the door once more by the strength of his body. She didn't fight as his hot breath came against her cheek. Her eyes gained contact, seeing how much he was seething beneath that cool exterior which Philadelphia society seemed to know so well. Outwardly, he was a polished and put together man about to turn thirty-one years old and yet, here was a man about to fall apart due to not getting his own damned way; just like a child. Studying his reaction ensured she feared him less. What could she fear only with his upper hand? A cut and bruise would be gone in a few days. He would never do more than that for fear of his own reputation being in tatters.
''You think you can just bully me into doing whatever you deem is right for me to do.''
''As a fiancé should. A woman has very little choice in this world, you know that. You were to obey me and allow me to protect you-''
''Protect me?'' She laughed. Her hand slipped her hair behind her ear to reveal the mark upon her face from his strike upon her cheek just moments before. ''Yes, you do protect me.''
''You forced me into that. Your Goddamned temper and unruly state drives me to do the things which I do. It always has. God knows how you like to play this game, knowing how it would cause me to be.''
''Yes, it was always my fault wasn't it? The adolescent pistol who cannot be handled correctly by the man she was about to marry. It was actually a little bit funny.''
Cal's eyes darkened; his body weight increased upon her. Rose allowed him to hurt her, to instil the fear within herself for she knew that she would never look in those dark eyes again and feel frightened any longer.
''You knew just how to behave in front of the wonders of Society and yet, still chose to embarrass me, your mother and yourself.''
''How foolish of me,'' she breathed, ''how callous of me to enable others to think of me as something else other than an inanimate object, a piece of furniture or some pretty bauble you once purchased.''
''And Dawson would treat you better?'' Cal's breath left in a woosh. ''I was proud to show you on my arm.''
''No, to show ownership.''
''Yes. I do own you.''
''No. You own nothing of me.''
''That would have changed if you would have allowed me into your bed and not been as frigid.''
Rose's hand came up and slapped Cal straight around the face and it caused him to back away immediately, fuelling his anger tenfold. Cal touched his cheek, it stung.
''Hours ago, I would have believed such a statement to be true but it turns out that I am not such an innocent girl after all.''
Rose should have witnessed Cal's reaction, but her mother chose that moment to return to the suite, trussed up in every piece of warm outerwear that she owned, complete with hat and gloves. If she sensed the hostility then she never battered an eye about it and simply conversed as usual, perhaps to her own convenience.
''I would very much like to get this underway, past midnight and we all are dressed up as though we are to take to the ski slopes. Just what is happening.'' Upon seeing Rose's lack of coat, she immediately proceeded to scold and a moment later, Trudy arrived with a beige coat, one purchased in Paris and not as warm as possibly needed out in the frigid temperatures of the North Atlantic but with a once over from Cal, whose jaw was a tight as a coil, he simply nodded.
''Let us get underway.''
There had been somewhat partial relief of her confessions. There had been something sinful of her lust filled rendezvous with Jack Dawson, but there was also something much more beautiful than that. What though, was yet to be known. The truth was, she could still feel the sting of him, between her legs. Felt the unfamiliar ache in her thighs and the fullness of her heart after feeling the powerful intoxication one felt from a brutal orgasm, twice in a short span of time. The addiction to a man such as Jack Dawson was like those drugs given to bring life to those in asylums. A woman was not meant to feel such spirit about bedroom sport with a man, but those moments with Jack had meant more to her, and made her feel more alive than anything or anyone ever had.
In a daze filled twenty or so minutes, they filtered from the A-deck foyer, to the strange, jumpy piano rhythm of "Alexander's Ragtime Band" coming out of the first class lounge a few yards away.
Cal carried the lifejackets almost as an afterthought as they came across a large number of passengers gathering at the staircase as they grew indignant from the confusion. Molly Brown snagged a young passing steward, other passengers gossiped and others complained. Rose felt as though she was sleepwalking through the entire time. The spectacular lit up dome of the Grand Staircase felt like the entrance to heaven when below, on her level, she was in utter hell.
''It is the God damned English, they're doing everything by the book.'' Cal jostled with folk passing him by, almost barging into him when he bared his teeth in annoyance.
Ruth, despite the nuisance of the night, seemed chirpy as she scolded Cal's language before turning to Trudy. ''Go back to turn the heaters on in our rooms, I should like a cup of tea when I return. We should also cancel breakfast reservations if we are-''
Rose raised her heavy eyelids to take in the entire chaos, despite everything, the mood was cheery and light. But she had seen the iceberg. Seen it with her own eyes whilst so wrapped within the arms of a beautiful artist after their intimate exchange.
The air was cold and biting but Jack and Rose didn't even shiver as they left the interior through the deck door. Their laughs pierced the quiet air. They fought for breath as they burst out onto the deck.
''Did you see the look on those guys faces?'' Jack held his stomach, his left hand clasping Rose's. The cold air hit his face and he pulled Rose closer towards him. ''Did you see them?''
In that moment realisation hit Rose hard. She and Jack were going to create a new life together, they had started their journey together and it would go on. Her face was suddenly very serious. This moment. With him. It would change everything. Not only had she given him her body but a part of her soul, too.
She placed her fingers on his lips to shush him as his wonderful laugh caused her stomach to fly a thousand miles across the ocean.
''When this ship docks, I am getting off with you.''
Jack took her cheeks with his wondrous fingers, trying to take away the sting of the wind. She leaned into him, and the warmth he found in her eyes warmed him too. How was it that after only a handful of kisses, and making love just twice, he felt so bound to this woman? They'd only just met, and yet he felt tied to her somehow, as if nothing would be right without her. She set his body on fire, without a doubt. But she was so much more than that. Rose was necessary to him somehow, in a way he couldn't quite articulate to himself. Jack knew he should be keeping his distance. But he couldn't help himself. Bending his head, he brushed his lips to hers, tasting that slow, delicious surrender that warmed and steadied him like nothing else ever could. He breathed in deep. And there it was, that pull, that connection. Rose. Her mouth was chilly with cold against his, but they tangled together effortlessly, and things soon heated up. Lord, how he wanted her—her body, yes, but her sweetness, her understanding, and maybe even the challenge.
''This is crazy.''
'I know it is, but that is why I trust it.''
Jack kissed her, with such fire and passion. This was the beginning of their lives together. He didn't care who saw them; they were too lost in the moment. She leaned into him, tightening her fist in his coat as she kissed him back boldly, with no hesitation. The cold bite of the wind snapped his skin to attention and made the heat of their kiss so hot, so intoxicating that it felt like warm whiskey travelling through him. Was it the thin air, or was it her, making his head a bit tingly and dizzy? Pulling back, they tipped their foreheads together, breathing each other's air. Good Lord, just a few kisses, and they were both breathing hard. His heart thundered in his chest, kicking to life for the first time in so, so long. This woman. What is it about this woman? He wanted more—so much more. The air was heavy with their rapid breaths, puffing out in icy clouds.
They failed to hear the ship's bell ring three times above them. Not knowing their journey was about to be halted.
Their breath clouded around them, the freezing air which neither of them felt due to being so wrapped up in the other. He wanted her, for the rest of his life, he did.
It was a minute or so before Jack broke their kiss, the deck beneath their feet vibrating. Seconds later, chunks of ice rained down onto the deck.
''Get back!'' Jack pulled Rose away from the rail. They watched in amazement as a massive iceberg crossed their sight. As quickly as it had arrived, it vanished. Jack shot to the rail and watched as it disappeared into blackness. The ship's tremor had stopped as soon as it had started. If a person blinked then they would have missed it and, in Rose's mind, she started to wonder what she had seen.
''Did we hit it?'' Rose shivered, the cold now hitting her as though reality was dawning.
''I think so.'' Jack looked over the rail once more, the berg had gone into the blackness. ''Did you feel the shudder.''
''Yes.''
Rose glanced over the rail. The berg was more or less out of sight. First class passengers had begun to gather out on deck. Some still wore their lavish evening gowns, whilst some wore pyjamas with overcoats. Some were worried, some played football with ice on the deck. Jack took Rose's hand and began to lead her back towards the entrance. They needed to get warm inside someplace.
It was the sight of Thomas Andrew's heartbroken and haunting expression which chased away any reminder of her time with Jack, and she caught him as he ascended the stairs.
''Mr Andrews?''
He turned, his eyes faintly haunted. ''Oh, Rose…''
''I saw the iceberg and I can see it within your eyes. Please tell me the truth.''
Misty gazed, he penetrated Rose with something which sent chills down her spine.
''The ship will sink.''
''You're certain?''
''Yes. In an hour or so... all this... will be at the bottom of the Atlantic.''
''My God.'' Now it was Cal's turn to look stunned, as he stood behind Rose.
''Please tell only who you must, I don't want to be responsible for a panic. And get to a boat quickly. Don't wait. You remember what I told you about the boats?''
''Yes, I understand. Thank you.''
As Thomas Andrews went on, Rose disappeared into her own daydream. Although she had seen the ice-berg with her very eyes, to hear the words said aloud by the master ship-builder was causing her insides to become something of a riot. Her thoughts were with Jack…
As soon as Jack's hand was un-entwined with her own, Rose felt the anchor to reality slip away. Lovejoy pulled at Jack's coat and Jack shook his head in dismay, shrugging out of it as the Master at Arms pats him down. For the second time in three days, this was the scenario. As though Jack was some sort of common thief.
''This is horseshit.''
''Cal, you can't be serious! We're in the middle of an emergency and you-''
Steward Barnes pulled the Heart of the Ocean out of the pocket of Jack's coat.
''Is this it?''
Rose was completely stunned but as she looked at Jack, she could see that he was, too.
''That's it.'
''Right then. Now don't make a fuss.'' The Master at Arms proceeded to handcuff Jack.
''Don't you believe it, Rose. Don't!''
Rose was uncertain as everything about her completely unravelled. Was this the reason that he didn't wish to return to her stateroom? No…
''He couldn't have.''
''Of course he could. Easy enough for a professional. He memorised the combination when you opened the safe.'' Now, Cal seemed to be feeding her mind possible scenarios of how Jack could have possibly…
''But I was with him the whole time.''
''Maybe he did it while you were putting your clothes back on.'' Cal whispered to her alone, so very cold.
''They put it in my pocket!''
''It's not even your pocket, son.'' Lovejoy sneered, whilst reading the label. "Property of A. L. Ryerson". Lovejoy showed the coat to the Master at Arms. There was a label inside the collar with the owner's name.
''That was reported stolen today.''
''I was going to return it! Rose-''
Rose felt utterly betrayed, hurt and confused. She shrank away from him. He started shouting to her as Lovejoy and the Master at Arms dragged him out into the hall. She can't look him in the eye.
''Rose, don't listen to them... I didn't do this! You know I didn't! You know it! You know me-''
And she did. She knew everything about him. Seen into his absolute soul and those eyes, as one says, is the window to that. She had witnessed the change within him, towards her, as soon as he had expressed his feelings in the gymnasium. Felt the tenderness within his touch. The nerves within his voice. The hesitance of his lovemaking the first time in the Renault. Rose did know him.
Upon the boat deck, Rose watched the farewells taking place right in front of her as they stepped closer to the boat. Husbands saying goodbye to wives and children. Lovers and friends parted. Nearby Molly Brown was getting a reluctant woman to board the boat.
Rose felt as though she was having an out of body experience, that this wasn't happening. She thought of Jack, with tears welling in her eyes. She wore just a coat which wasn't sufficed to the weather, but she didn't feel the cold one bit. Her body had numbed. The last hour had been one mass of information to take in and now she had taken a moment to think she had realised something - she may never see Jack again.
''Come on, you heard the man. Get in the boat, sister.'' Molly ushered another woman aboard the lifeboat.
''Hundreds of men will be left on the ship to die.'' Rose turned away from the crowd to Cal.
''There's always room for gentlemen.'' Cal smirked.
Rose shook her head in disbelief. ''That's right, always you. But what about the others?''
''Like your friend the thief?'' Cal raised a brow. ''You know, it's a pity that I didn't keep that drawing. It will be worth a lot more by morning.''
Intuitively, she knew. Cal only grinned at her as though he had won. Jack was set up. He didn't steal the diamond and she kicked herself for not realising sooner. Of course, he didn't take the diamond. She was the only thing he had wanted all along.
''You unimaginable bastard.''
She backed away from him, needing to put the most distance in between them as she could.
''Come on, Ruth, get in the boat. These are the first class seats right up here.''
Molly practically handed Ruth over to Lightoller, then looked around for some other women who might need a push. This needed to be done as fast and calmly as possible.
''Come on, Rose. You're next, darling.''
Rose shook her head.
''Rose, get into the boat.'' Ruth ordered.
Her eyes glazed over as she looked at her mother in the lifeboat.
''Goodbye Mother. Take care.''
Cal grabbed Rose's arm but she pulled it free and walked away through the crowd. Cal caught up to Rose and grabbed her again, roughly.
''Where are you going? To him? Is that it? To be a whore to that gutter rat?''
''I'd rather be his whore than your wife.'' She ripped herself free of him.
''No.'' Cal grappled with her, jostling within the crowds to get a grasp of her. ''I said no.''
Instinctively, when faced with Cal's snarling, Rose recalled the one thing which Jack had taught her. Summoning as much spittle as she could within her mouth, Rose launched it, true to target into his face. It was met by a disgusted moan and his hands freed her for long enough to run out into the crowds.
But Rose was gone.
Cal was breathless.