Disclaimer: I do not own Titanic or Brandy's Cinderella, or any songs!
Chapter 9: Masquerade
April 12th, 1912
Gabriella Macy's Stateroom
Evening
Rose DeWitter rushed about, looking to make sure she had completed everything before Gabriella's march to the dance hall. No matter how hard she tried, she could not seem to make Gabriella happy. Rose stole several secret glares in the girl's direction. She was sure Gabriella was doing this on purpose...making sure that Rose was too tired to go to the ball.
"Why would you want to go anyway?" Gabriella drawled as she twirled around in her yellow taffeta dress. "No one would want to dance with a maid! Even one as hideous looking as you"
Try taking a look at yourself in the mirror sometime and then answer your own blasted question! Rose thought to herself. She didn't dare say that out loud, however, no telling what Lady Macy would do!
"Gabriella! Darling are you ready yet?" Lady Macy said from the hallway in a sickly sweet voice.
"Yes, Mother...almost done!" Gabriella chirped. "Now...put on my shoes! Or did you steal them?" with a silent glare and a deadly growl, Rose begrudgingly put on the girl's shoes.
You could go barefoot for all I care! she thought. See how it feels for someone to step on your toes for a change!
Rose grinned to herself. Thomas and Jack would be proud of her!
Oh, Thomas! she thought. If only we could dance together in each other's arms! Just for a little while!
As Gabriella finished, Rose sighed. After the haughty girl had left, Rose continued on to her own stateroom, hoping to get some rest before she'd have to do it all over again.
Disclaimer: I do not own Cinderella, Titanic, or the lyrics to any of the songs!
I'm as mild and as meek as a mouse
When I hear a command I obey.
Well that was mostly true, Rose thought as she entered her stateroom and closed the door.
But I know of a spot in my house
where no one can stand in my way.
Rose smiled as she looked at the mirror and chair by the doorway. She walked over and sat down.
In my own little corner in my own little chair
I can be whatever I want to be.
Rose grinned to herself as she pulled her legs up to her knees and hugged them to herself.
On the wings of my fancy I can fly anywhere
and the world will open its arms to me.
Looking through the mirror, she thought she could see Thomas standing there in a white tuxedo with black pants, smiling at her, ready to take her in his arms as they danced.
I'm a young Egyptian princess or a milkmaid
I'm the greatest prima donna in Milan
Feeling a little shy, and silly, Rose stood up and curtsied in front of the mirror and twirled around.
I'm an heiress who has always had her silk made
By her own flock of silkworms in Japan
Grabbing a bolt of cloth off of the bed, she twirled around with it, pretending to fight a bull.
I'm a girl men go mad for love's a game I can play with
cool and confident kind of air.
Rose giggled, taking her hair down from its tie, and shaking it out a little, smiling flirtatiously in the mirror.
Just as long as I stay in my own little corner
All alone in my own little chair.
She sat back in the chair looking up at the lights.
I can be whatever I want to be.
I'm a thief in Calcutta I'm a queen in Peru.
She 'pretended' to steal her comb and brush, then brushed her hair
I'm a mermaid dancing upon the sea
Rolling on the bed, she pretended to be a mermaid.
I'm a huntress on an African safari.. it's a dangerous type of sport and yet it's fun
Taking one of the pokers, Rose pointed it at the bed as if there were a monster on top.
In the night I sally forth to seek my quarry
And I find I forgot to bring my gun.
Dropping the poker, she stalked toward the bed, crawling on her hands and knees, towards the door.
I am lost in the jungle all alone and unarmed when I meet a lioness in her lair
Moving quietly down the hallway, she went so far, before she thought she saw Lady and Ms. Macy before rushing back to the room and slamming the door.
Then I'm glad to be back in my own little corner,
All alone in my own little chair.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Rose sat down in the chair brushing her hair out, wishing she too could be at the ball.
The Ballroom
The festivities were in full swing when Molly Brown entered the room on the arm of Henry Murdoch. "Thanks, Mister" she grinned. Murdoch grinned back, tipping his hat.
Molly walked over to Ruth, who was standing next to Bruce Ismay. "Hiya Bruce, Ruth, can I talk to you for a minute?" Ruth smiled and nodded.
She shifted uncomfortably in the black ball gown loaned to her by the Countess of Rothes.
"Whatever is the matter, Mrs. Brown?" Ruth asked. "It's Rose" Molly murmured. Ruth looked surprised. "Where is she? I thought she'd be here by now" Ruth said, a worried expression on her face.
"Now, don't go getting your hair in a knot...I'm sure she's fine wherever she is...she's probably with Andrews" Molly grinned. Ruth smiled, then noticed Mr. Hockley stepping over to them, Mr. Lovejoy not too far behind.
"Mr. Hockley, I was wondering if you may have seen my daughter, Rose?" Ruth asked. Cal snickered politely then shook his head. "Why no, madam, I haven't...surely she's about somewhere" he said, thankful that Ruth had popped the idea into his head.
Lovejoy was in a conversation with Molly. Molly nodded her head. "Thanks, Spicer" she said. He smirked slightly, handing her something. "for your troubles" he whispered. She grinned wider. "Thanks a bunch...in the room, right?" he nodded.
"Ruth, I'll be back...if you see Tom, just tell him I went to go look for somethin'" Ruth nodded, slightly confused.
Molly nodded. walking out the door, down the staircase, out on the deck, and back to the first class entrance. Thanks to a certain chambermaid named Trudy, she had work to do!
Molly Brown's Stateroom
"Where...? oh! there!" Molly grabbed the parcel from off the bed and looked it over. She whistled. Thank you Spicer Lovejoy she thought. Quickly she glanced at the clock. 5:45 not bad timing! Now, if she could just get Rose to get dressed in a hurry...
Rose's Stateroom
Rose heard a knock at the door while in the middle of the Grimm Brothers' Cinderella. It was a tragic tale, and she was grateful for the interruption.
"Hello...oh! Mrs. Brown! What are you doing here?" Molly smiled, "Hi Rose...mind if I come in for a bit?" she asked. Rose nodded, making room for her.
Molly scurried into the room, carrying the parcel and laying it gently on the bed.
Rose looked at it curiously. She had set her hair up again, the pins hurting her scalp.
Molly looked at her up and down. "So, what size dress can you wear?" she asked.
Rose blushed. "Oh, well, I'd say a size 4" Molly nodded. She'd guessed right!
"How fast do you think you can get dressed?" Molly asked. Rose blushed again.
"Dressed? I-er…" Molly frowned. "Whatsa matter darlin'?" she asked. "You're actin' as if that little floozy is gonna tear your hair out."
Rose blanched. "She just might" Molly rolled her eyes. "Well, she's gonna have to get through me, your mom and several others….including Mr. Andrews, to get to you, darlin'" Molly grinned. The girl was blushing as red as her hair. "Now, c'mon" I wanna see how this dress looks on you"
Rose stepped cautiously to the bed, fingering the dark green fabric. "It's lovely" she smiled.
"Yeah, and it'll be even more lovely on you, once you put it on"
Rose stepped back. "Oh, I can't…it's impossible"
Molly rolled her eyes again. "Ok, but it's your loss…" Rose 'hmphed' and stepped toward the bed, taking off her apron.
I don't own the lyrics to the songs!
Dancing bears,
Painted wings,
Things I almost remember,
Rose smiled as Molly tied up her corset.
And a song someone sings,
Once upon a December
As she thought about her birthday celebration, she remembered Thomas' strong gentle voice as he sang her the lullaby
Someone holds me safe and warm,
As she pulled on the dress, she twirled, imagining Thomas holding her in his arms.
Horses prance through a silver storm,
As everyone danced tonight, the ship would continue to sail through the night.
Figures dancing gracefully across my memory...
Rose imagined everyone dancing gracefully in a variety of costumes.
Someone holds me safe and warm,
Putting on the dress, Rose got a warm fuzzy feeling creeping in her body. Putting on her dark green slippers, size five, the girl walked over to the mirror and twirled.
Horses prance through a silver storm,
Figures dancing gracefully across my memory...
Molly looked on approvingly. Perfect! It wouldn't be long now! Quickly and carefully she helped the girl put on her eye mask. Dark green with gold trimming.
"Lovely" Molly smiled. Rose giggled excitedly as the two women walked out of the room and down the hall.
Far away, long ago
Glowing dim as an ember,
They made their way down the deck hall into the grand foyer. The chandelier was glowing dimly.
Things my heart used to know,
Things it yearns to remember.
The dining hall and ball room were lovely. Rose wanted to remember this night for years to come.
And a song someone sings,
Once upon a December
Soon she laid eyes on him. Thomas Andrews was dancing with Gabriella Macy! NO!
Crestfallen, Rose was about to make her way back down the stairs to the Grand Staircase, when she accidentally bumped into one of the shipmates.
"Oh, begging your pardon miss" said the young man. Rose looked up at him, slightly embarrassed.
The young Welshman, whose name was Harry Lowe, smiled kindly at the young lady.
"Pardon me, sir" Rose said in the best English accent she could muster. Suddenly she heard the band start up another song.
"Please, miss…if it's all the same to you, it looks as if you just walked in…please don't leave without having at least one dance…"
Rose smiled slightly. How kind this young man was…he reminded her of Jack.
Hesitantly, she accepted his hand, and he led her over to the dance floor.
Incidentally the band was playing one of Henry Purcell's classics The postcard.
Rose smiled. She loved this dace. It was quite easy, and Mr. Lowe was an exceptional dance partner.
Out of the corner of his eye, Thomas Andrews noticed that Harry Lowe had finally found a dance partner. But who was she?
Her gown of green and gold intrigued him…and goodness knows…where had he seen such red hair before?
Thomas tried to wrack his brain, but to no avail. He was still wondering, hoping if Rose had arrived. Oh to dance with his lovely Irish Rose…little did he know, she was five feet away from him.
As the dance progressed, Thomas' mind raced. The young girl with Harry seemed so familiar…yet, where had he seen her before?
He felt ridiculously uncomfortable in the presence of Ms. Macy. She was continually, selfishly, keeping him to herself, or so it seemed.
Thomas wished he knew of a way to get rid of her. As the dance ended, he bowed and quickly walked over to Bruce and Ruth.
Smiling at Ruth, he kissed her outstretched hand. "May I have this next dance?" he asked with a wink. Ruth grinned and nodded.
"Why of course, Mr. Andrews" she curtsied. Phew! Andrews thought. That would get rid of Gabriella for a time, but still…would he be able to…?
Ruth caught Thomas staring at a young lady coming near them. Off the top she knew it was Rose.
Glory be! Ruth thought delightedly. And to think that Tom has no idea!
"Mr. Andrews she said politely. "Would you consider instead this lovely young lady as a dance partner?"
Rose looked at her mother and grinned inwardly. Thomas had no clue who she was!
"How do you do, Mr. Andrews" she said in her best English accent possible. She curtsied lowly. Thomas looked at her in awe.
"If the young lady will allow…?" Thomas asked nervously, offering his hand.
Rose accepted his hand. "I will" she said with a smile. They walked together to the dance floor.
Thomas smiled and bowed, taking the girl into his arms.
"I can't help but get the feeling I've met you somewhere before" Thomas said.
Rose grinned. "I can't help but think so" she answered.
"Was it at the Café?" Thomas asked.
"No, I've never eaten there before" the girl smiled.
"Perhaps at the swimming pool?" the shipbuilder guessed again, wracking his brain for different locations.
"No, I didn't know the ship had a swimming pool" Rose said, managing to keep herself from laughing.
"Those eyes…I know I've seen them before, but where?" Thomas asked.
Rose shrugged. "Keep deep in thought, Mr. Andrews…perhaps you'll find the answer"
Thomas smiled. How mysterious this girl was…so enigmatic.
I don't own the lyrics to Ten Minutes Ago *I'm just borrowing them*
Thomas: Ten minutes ago, I saw you I looked up when you came through the door my head started reeling you gave me the feeling the room had no ceiling or floor. Ten minutes ago, I met you, and we murmured our how do you dos I wanted to ring out the bells and fling out my arms and sing out the news. I have found her, she's an angel, with the dust of the stars in her eyes. We are dancing, we are flying, and she's taking me back to the skies! In the arms of my love, I'm flying, over mountain and meadow and glen. And I like it so well that for all I can tell I may never come down again. I may never come down to earth again.
Rose: Ten minutes ago, I saw you. You looked up when I came through the door. My head started reeling you gave me the feeling the room had no ceiling or floor. Ten minutes ago I met you and we murmured our how do you dos.
She curtsies and he bows. Smiling through her mask, Thomas grins and takes her into his arms once more.
I wanted to ring out the bells and fling out my arms and to sing out the news.
Thomas: I have found her.
Rose: I have found him, he's the light of the stars in my eyes.
Thomas: We are dancing
Rose: We are flying
Thomas: And she's taking me back to the skies
Rose: In the arms of my love, I'm flying over mountain and meadow and glen.
Thomas: And I like it so well that for all I can tell I may never come down again.
Both: I may never come down to earth again.
As the band continues to play, and everyone else is dancing, Andrews leads his lovely mysterious dance partner outside to the bow of the ship. There, they are able to watch the sun set.
"'Tis beautiful, isn't it?" Thomas asked.
The young woman beside him smiled and nodded. "Yes, it's lovely."
There was a gentle breeze, blowing through her hair. The scent of her perfume intoxicated Thomas with a euphoria that he took an exceptional delight in. His heart beat faster, his palms got wetter, from condensation or sweat, the shipbuilder had no clue, nor cared at the moment. He continued to stare at the lovely lass beside him. It was Rose. His Irish Rose. Every instinct told him it was true.
"What made ye do it?" Thomas asked her in deliberate Gaelic. "Do what?" she replied. "What gave ye the strength to overcome that pompous little…priss?" Tom chuckled, for lack of a better word.
The young lady smiled. "Mr. Andrews, I do believe I have no conceivable contemplation of what you are speaking of" With that, she walked on, leaving Andrews in a stupor.
So, the lass was playing hard to get? Hmm… two could play that game! He made his decision. Tomorrow morning, he would ask Ruth's blessing. By tomorrow night, if he proposed marriage, and Rose did not accept, he was at a loss of what else to do. He was a man helplessly in love. If he didn't know better, he'd say Rose felt the same.
Quickly, with boyish excitement, the Irishman followed the girl back into the ball room for supper. One way or another, he'd get Rose to tell him how she overcame Gabriella's demanding demeanor. He would have Rose as his own, if it were the last thing he'd do!
Despite his brave intentions, the shipbuilder forgot one major hurdle in his plan. Cal Hockley. He too, had set his sights on the mysterious evergreen girl. Unlike Thomas, who planned to do things the right way and ask Rose's mother for permission for her hand in marriage, Cal found that taking the direct approach was the best option. As he danced with the girl now in his arms, very close to plotting his next move on her,
Lovejoy was watching his 'boss' very closely, while dancing with a young lady named Amelia Manderly.
"Rose, I think it's time we stop playing games, hm?" Cal said, feeling below to her backside. Rose pushed his arm off and glared at him. "I have no idea to whom you are referring" she answered in English. Cal chuckled and went for her again.
"Oh, I think you do" he said, slightly rubbing her back. Behind her mask, Rose couldn't help but feel anything but fear. What did Hockley want with her. He answered her inward question with a smile as he offered her his arm. "Let's talk in private, shall we?" he asked, leading her to the stairwell.
Lovejoy's throat tightened as he watched that pitiful excuse of a beast walk off with Andrews' soon-to-be-fiancée. The way the man had looked when he came in, told Lovejoy that Andrews was ready to propose marriage. The only problem, was escorting Rose out of the ball room at this very moment. The music stopped and everyone clapped. Lovejoy excused himself from his partner, and walked silently out of the room.
Cal dragged Rose by her arm through the dining hall back to the staircase. Letting go of her, he shoved her toward the stairs. Rose gasped and held onto the banister. "What do you want?" Rose asked. "I should think that that answer is quite simple" Cal sneered. He walked toward her in a pompous manner with his hands behind his back.
"Now, if you do as I say and marry me, I might be convinced to allow your precious shipbuilder to live… if not, well, the both of you will have a nice swim in the cold waters." He whispered, his green eyes gleaming. Rose gasped. Surely he would not harm Thomas! How she hoped he had noticed her being led out of the ball room and was watching for her even now
. To her surprise, she caught not the eye of Mr. Andrews, but of the enigmatic Mr. Lovejoy. He put a finger to his lips requesting her silence. She nodded ever so slightly and looked back at Cal. "If I do marry you, will you promise to leave Thomas alone?" she asked.
"Upon my word" Cal grinned. Rose watched his eyes flicker. "Will you marry me Rose?" She glared at him. He could never harm Thomas, she knew that now. Secretly she hoped Mr. Lovejoy would shoot him on sight, but it appeared that the man was waiting for something.
"My answer is no….I will NEVER marry you!" With that she ran around him, but not before he caught her arm. "Mr. Hockley, I do believe the Captain has requested your presence in the ball room presently." stated Mr. Lovejoy, coming out of his hiding place. Cal looked up with surprise at his valet. What was he doing here? He kept his brutish grip around Rose's arm. She winced.
"Mr. Hockley, please…I beg of you to let go of my arm" Cal seethed. "Never" he hissed. "If I can't have you, no one will!" He tried to drag her down the stairs. "No!" Rose cried. "You will do as I—say!" Cal grunted. Rose shook her head and cried out again. "No, please let go…you're hurting me!" Lovejoy by now had raced by her side and punched Cal in the face. He fell down the stairs.
Lovejoy looked at Rose with a smug smile on his face. "Now then, shall I escort you back to your partner Mr. Andrews, Miss Rose?" he asked, giving her his arm. She blushed and accepted.
Looking down at Cal's unconscious body, she shivered. "Yes… please. This is not how I want to remember this night… please, tell no one of this" She looked him in the eye as she said this. Lovejoy knew that by 'no one' she meant Mr. Andrews. "I will only keep silent for so long" he said, giving her a knowing look.
Rose gulped. He meant that she would have to face Thomas herself and suffer the consequences. "Very well… Let us go"
Masquerade Ball Ballroom 10:45pm
Thomas was currently dancing with Molly who was slightly teasing him about the girl he had been dancing with earlier. "I don't know Tom…you think she could be a passenger on the Titanic? Looks to me as if she appeared out of nowhere" Thomas looked at her quizzically as he took a back step then moved forward again. "What do you mean, Molly? All passengers have been accounted for" Molly grinned suddenly.
"Have they Tom? I don't see Rose DeWitter anywhere around here, do you?" Just then, Rose came back in the door with Mr. Lovejoy. Thomas' smile grew into a grin. His fingers started to itch. Molly noticed this. "Go get her Tom…we'll dance more later on" she grinned.
Thomas nodded his thanks and walked towards the girl. Unfortunately, Colonel Gracie got to her first, smiling at her. They bowed to each other and the elder man took the girl into his arms. A hot unrelenting tightness overcame Thomas at that moment, he couldn't possibly be jealous of the Colonel, surely not!
Lady Gracie came up to him with a smile. "Would you care to dance, Mr. Andrews?" Thomas looked at her and smiled. She was about as old as the colonel and could pass for his mother. "Of course, madam" he smiled. As they danced Colonel Gracie indulged himself in flattering the girl a bit. "Have we met your parents before, my dear? Why, it appears as if you've come here by magic" Rose colored a little.
"No sir… I assure you I am a passenger, my escort can attest to that." Colonel Gracie got a cheeky look on his face then.
"Your escort wouldn't happen to be Andrews, would it? A fine bloke, that Andrews chap… couldn't find a better gentleman in all the seven seas… quite young I'd say too… why the man is hardly thirty. He he I wouldn't mind admitting that he got a bit of advice from yours truly about courting women, but there's no doubt he made a fine choice in finding such a rare gem such as you."
Rose blushed harder, grateful her mask was hiding it. All of this about Thomas she knew… why should she feel embarrassed from it coming from the colonel? Perhaps it was because he was complimenting her as well. She laughed softly to cover her embarrassment.
"There's no doubt that the gentleman Thomas Andrews has been graced by your generosity and gentle mannerisms, Colonel Gracie" Gracie colored pink as they continued dancing.
Meanwhile, Lady Gracie was chatting with Thomas. "You know, Mr. Andrews, you might find a fine young lady to suit your fancy among these young ladies tonight… such refinery! Such excellent breeding!" She drawled the last word completely unintentional. Nonetheless, Thomas colored noticeably.
The last thing he wanted was to be matched by the likes of Lady Gracie. "Oh, I think I see someone dancing with George…. If you'll excuse me for a moment" Thomas nodded and let her go, still thoroughly embarrassed by her insinuations about the young ladies here.
One twirl later, Gracie let go of Rose, who wanted to make her way back to the safety of Thomas' arms. He too noticed her, but she'd been intercepted by Lady Gracie. "My dear I must say what an honor it is to see you here tonight…. Are your parents here this evening by any chance?"
Rose looked nervously around the room for her mother, and noticed Gabriella sneaking her way back to Thomas' side. "...Well, my father, is…um" Lady Gracie noticed the girl's hesitation. "What about your mother?" As Rose continued to look around for her mother, she noticed that Caledon Hockley had made his way back into the room, his eye blackened, his limping gate, directing his seething glare straight at her.
She gulped quietly. "I-I am sorry… I am afraid I must go…" with that, Rose picked up her skirt slightly and made her way to the smoking room where Molly Brown was talking to Spencer Lovejoy. Molly noticed Rose's look of terror and looked concerned.
"Something' wrong darlin'?" She asked. Rose shook her head. "I feel slightly nauseated and I shall return to my room." Lovejoy gripped her arm lightly. "No" he whispered. "Your partner is looking for you… continue your affair and I will see to the problem. No harm will come to you, Miss Rose" Rose nodded. "Thank you" She went back into the ball room.
Meanwhile, Thomas had seen the girl rush off after speaking to Lady Gracie. After asking which way the girl had gone, he went in search of her. He met her in the doorway of the ballroom. "I thought you had left….I wasn't sure where you went…" he smiled awkwardly. Rose smiled back reassuring him. "I am alright" she said in English, disguising her accent.
Though she disguised her voice, Thomas had suspicions that she wasn't truly English. His ears picked up on a certain lilt in her voice, but not certain of its origin. "Shall we dance?" he asked with a smile, stretching out his hand. Rose nodded accepting, thinking that they were going back into the ballroom.
Instead, Thomas led her through the rooms until they got outside. Leading her to the stern of the ship, he took her into his arms again. As they danced, Rose smiled. "There's no music" she commented. He smiled and nodded to someone standing in the corner. It was one of the violinists. Rose grinned.
"Mr. Andrews…surely someone will notice." Thomas winked at her. "I assure you, my dear no one will notice a thing." Rose giggled. As the violinist played a waltz, Thomas and Rose danced by the stern of Titanic under the full moon and stars, gazing into each other's eyes… the best that their masks would allow them.
Those eyes…those soft gentle blue eyes… Thomas thought. He'd seen them before, but where? As she looked at him, Rose couldn't help but feel pulled into his spell. He was a mountain of a man, yet gentle and soft, and so very handsome. Rose had to admit, in his white, ruffle collar shirt, black and gold trimmed coat, and white breeches with black socks and shoes, he looked quite dashing. (A/N: Now all he needs is a tri cornered hat, lol)
As the couple continued to dance, they didn't notice that Gabriella Macy was following them and was now spying on them. Something about the girl seemed familiar to Gabriella and she was going to figure out why.
A/N: don't own the lyrics to the 'Stepsisters' Lament
Gabriella: Why would a fellow want a girl like her?
A frail and fluffy beauty?
Why can't a fellow ever once prefer
a solid girl like me?
She's a frothy little bubble
with a flimsy kind of charm
And with very little trouble
I could break her little arm!
Oh oh why would a fellow want a girl like her?
So obviously unusual?
Why can't a fellow ever once prefer
a usual girl like me?
Her face is exquisite I suppose,
but no more exquisite than a rose is.
Her skin may be delicate and soft
but not any softer that a doe's is.
Her neck is no longer that a swan's
She's only as dainty as a daisy
She's only as graceful as a bird...
So why is the fellow going crazy?
Oh why would a fellow want a girl like her,
A girl who's merely lovely?
Why can't a fellow ever once prefer
a girl who's merely me?
She's a frothy little bubble
with a frilly sort of air
and with very little trouble
I could pull out all her hair! Haha ha ha!
Why would a fellow want a girl like her,
a girl who's merely lovely?
Why can't a fellow ever once prefer
a girl who's merely me?
What's the matter with the man?
What's the matter with the man?
What's the matter with the man?
She screamed as the deckhand cleaning the deck didn't notice her and splashed a bucket of water on her. Thomas and Rose didn't see or hear her and went back inside. The band continued to play Ten Minutes ago as they started to dance again. Dancing next to Bruce and Ruth, who, Rose thought with a smile, looked like the most charming couple on the dance floor, they willingly switched partners.
"I do hope that shipbuilder of ours is behaving himself" Bruce grunted.
Rose giggled slightly. "Oh yes Mr. Ismay, he's been a complete gentleman"
Bruce regarded her for a second or two. "You look vaguely familiar… aren't you that young lady I met last night at dinner?" he asked politely.
Rose colored a little. "You met several young ladies on this voyage Mr. Ismay…are you sure I am the one you met?" she asked in English. Bruce looked puzzled for a second. He smiled as Ruth decided to speak with the girl.
"My dear young lady, where on earth did you get that dress?" Ruth played along playfully. Rose smiled and curtsied. "From my escort, Mrs. Molly Brown, Madame…perhaps we should both thank her for her generosity, in that I was able to come this evening."
Ruth chuckled. "That we should" she whispered. Rose smiled as Thomas came over to her again to dance with her again.
"As long as the Titanic sails, I wish to never stop dancing with you, my lady" Rose giggled. "No wonder the Titanic is called the 'ship of dreams'" Thomas chuckled. "Miss…I believe in my heart that I have met you before… won't you tell me your name so that I will remember?"
Rose smiled and then froze as the clock struck once. It was eleven-fifty! She had ten minutes to get out of there and to get back to Gabriella's room before the girl came back and found that she was missing!
Suddenly, the captain rang the dinner bell. "Now then, everyone, it is almost midnight! It's nearly time to take off your masks and reveal who you've been dancing with…. Male to male contact will not be tolerated…those who do will be thrown in the brig for the remainder of the voyage. There was laughter throughout the room.
"I have to go" Rose whispered. She started walking towards the door. "What?" Thomas asked and then noticed the girl was not next to him. He noticed her about seven feet away from him. Catching up to her, he accidentally grabbed her bruised arm. She winced in pain and tried to grasp her arm back. Thomas looked down and lifted her sleeve. There was a large black bruise on Rose's arm where Cal had gripped it.
Confusion gripped Thomas like a vice, but unfortunately Rose slipped away before he could ask any more questions. "Tom…don't let that girl get away…she's too familiar I tell you" Thomas nodded and walked in the direction Rose had escaped.
Rushing down the stairs, she ripped off her mask, and there was a tiny ca-clank as her grandmother's green dragonfly hair comb hit the fifth to bottom stair. When Thomas got to the grand staircase, Rose was already gone. He went down the stairs and noticed something on the fifth stair. Picking it up, he noticed it was a hair comb. Examining it, he thought it looked familiar for some reason, but he didn't quite remember why.
"Did you find her?" Bruce asked. Thomas looked forlornly at the door leading to the deck. "No" he said sadly, shaking his head. He sighed, and at that moment, he thought of Rose. Where had she been all evening? Why wasn't she here? Surely she knew that as her mother was invited, so was she. Thomas shrugged. He'd ask her tomorrow. Little did he know… he'd be doing much more than that…
April 13th, 1912
A-Deck Gabriella Macy's Stateroom: 12:05
Rose quickly and successfully took off her dress and carefully laid it on her bed, grabbing her black maid's dress and apron. Putting them on, she quickly put her hair up in a tight bun, as it had been beforehand.
Putting her key above her stateroom door, and grabbing the one that also belonged to Gabriella Macy, she locked her door from the inside and went down the hall, up the stairwell, and down the corridor to A-159, Gabriella Macy's room. Disgusted with the girl, and noticing that the room was spotlessly clean as she had requested,
Rose sat on the girl's chair, placing her hands on her lap, and sighed, thinking again of the wonderfully magical time she had had, dancing with Thomas Andrews. She giggled at her success of hiding her true identity… though she wondered now if he actually suspected who she truly was.
Rose gasped as she heard the loud banging on the door… Gabriella. She timidly opened the door to see that the girl was a sopping, sloshing wet mess… her yellow dress having green water stains on it, her hair coming out of the French style bun at the nape of her neck. She glared at Rose with a snarl.
"Well? What are you looking at?" she hissed. "Get this thing off of me!" Rose tried her best not to crack a smile, but she failed miserably. Her insides were shaking with laughter. "I'll venture to say that your time this evening was rather…eventful?" she asked, literally biting her tongue to keep from laughing.
"Oh, it was horrible!" the girl nearly shrieked. "I mean, I did get to dance with Mr. Andrews, but he kept looking at me as if I weren't there, and then he kept trying to escape from me… then SHE showed up!" Rose couldn't help but feel estrogen laced pride flow in her veins as she feigned sympathy.
"Who was she? Was she beautiful? Did she dance with Mr. Andrews?" Rose asked, knowing all of the answers to her questions, thrilled that Gabriella did not. "Ugh! Just do me a favor and be quiet!" Rose pretended to look put out. "Yes miss" she said quietly, turning her back to Gabriella and grinning for all she was worth.
"Yes" she cheered silently. "What was that?" Gabriella asked suspiciously. "Oh, er- I meant 'yes…it must have been awful…. Tis a pity that you had such a dreadful night" Rose remarked, crossing her fingers behind her back. Jack would have been roaring with laughter by now.
Helping Gabriella out of her dress, Rose started humming to herself. "What are you humming?" Gabriella snapped. Rose, with an evil twinkle in her blue eyes, started singing the tune.
A/N: I do not own the lyrics to A Lovely Night XD
A lovely night,
A lovely night,
A finer night you know you'll never see.
You meet your prince,
A charming prince
As charming as a prince will ever be.
Rose giggled to herself as she thought of Thomas in his costume: He did look like Prince Charming.
The stars in the hazy heaven
Tremble above you
While he is whispering
Darling I love you.
The girl smiled dreamily as she twirled in her maid's dress, remembering how she and Thomas danced under the stars, their eyes conveying their love for each other.
You say goodbye,
Away you fly
But on your lips you'll keep a kiss
All your life you'll dream of this
Lovely, lovely night.
As Gabriella put on her nightgown, Rose twirled around, sighing happily. Gabriella glared at her suspiciously.
You say goodbye,
Away you fly
but on your lips you'll keep a kiss
Rose winked at Gabriella mischievously. Gabriella scowled at her.
All your life you'll dream of this
Rose made her way to the door, still singing, twirling softly.
Lovely, lovely night.
She walked out the door, smiling at Gabriella, winked at her, and slammed the door. Walking back to her room slowly, Rose wondered if Thomas would have actually kissed her if he'd had the chance…