Chapter 8
Rose stared at her reflection as the seamstress was fitting her for the wedding dress that she had chosen. Unlike the dress that her mother would have picked out, this one was relatively simple. On the original dress, it was nothing but sequins, crystals, and lace. Rose felt like she was a walking ornament in that dress. She hated it. This dress, there was not a sequin, crystal, or lace to be found. It was all silk, from the bodice to the train. The veil began with a diamond tiara, which was Cal's idea. He had stated that Rose was his princess and he wanted that to be obvious, so Rose had given in and allowed it. It was the only extravagance that she had allowed and as a result, she had a wedding dress that she loved.
The bridesmaids gowns were in a similar fashion except that the were lavender, her favorite color. Ruth had begged her to change her mind, but her pleas had been ignored.
"I must say, you are the loveliest bride we've had in our shop yet, Miss. Dewitt Bukater," the seamstress smiled, beyond pleased with her work. This was one of the most talked about weddings of the year and it was going to be her dress that was going to be a model for the coming wedding season. This summer, Fall, and Winter, all the ladies were going to want dresses from her shop, and most of them were going to want the same style of dress that the beautiful Hockley bride had worn.
"I love it. It suits me much more than that monstrosity mother had picked out," Rose smiled, running her hands along the soft silk of the full skirt that reached down to her feet.
"That dress had been perfect for the occasion, Rose," Ruth gave an indignant sniff. "It was a dress that bragged of the wealth and prestige that you are marrying into. This dress tells none of that."
"No it doesn't. It tells of a girl that has found her prince who values her as his princess and that's what I and Cal want. Everyone already knows how rich the Hockley's are. What they don't know is how much Cal and I mean to each other and this dress states that perfectly."
"She is hopeless," Ruth gave a defeated sigh, giving up all hope of this wedding being anything like she had dreamed. She had so wanted it to be the most extravagant wedding of the decade, possibly the century. But Rose and Cal were changing all that she had planned. By time they were finished, it was just going to be a regular wedding that no one was going to remember much less care about come ten years from now. How could they not see that? "What of the dress or the gala. Have you finished with that one, yet?"
"Oh yes, Miss. I hope that it is to your satisfaction. Gretchen, be a dear and bring out the dress for the Hockley's engagement gala!" the seamstress, a woman with graying black hair tied back into a braid ordered.
A young girl close to Rose's age wheeled a dummy wearing a beautiful sequined green and black dress that reached down to the floor. Rose couldn't help but gasp in delight.
"Oh my, this is gorgeous! Cal will love me in this!" Rose stepped off the small platform that she was standing on. "Isn't it lovely mother? It brings out the color of my eyes."
"It is pretty. Very suitable for the gala. But what of her wardrobe for the honeymoon? I know that you won't be going to Europe, but you will still want to make an impression on California society," Ruth questioned, wishing that she had some sort of control, but at least she could bring up some concerns that she knew that her daughter wouldn't bother to bring up.
"We are still researching that. We have sent or a catalog detailing the fashion of the area and once it arrives, we will call and have Miss. Dewitt Bukater point out what she would and would not like to be a part of her wardrobe."
"Not to worry, mother. I won't pick out anything inappropriate," Rose chuckled, knowing what was going through her mother's mind. "Oh thank you so much Mrs. Lansbury. Your shop has been quite a help and at such short notice too. I do apologize."
"Oh no need for apologies dear. You had been through such an ordeal with the Titanic sinking, it makes sense that you'd want to downsize some," the woman waved away Rose's apology.
"Rose, we still have to shop for Caledon's gift. I think it's time you change into your regular clothes and we be on our way," Ruth sighed, tired of being stuck inside this shop and watch all of her plans get thrown out the window.
Rose rolled her eyes, thinking that her mother was behaving like a child, but also agreeing that it was time to go. "Of course mother, I guess we have taken up enough of these ladies time."
Fifteen minutes later, Rose was back into her clothes and following Ruth to the car that Ruth had ordered.
"I was thinking that we should stop for some tea at that quaint little shop we went to before we had left for Europe," Ruth pulled on her black leather gloves. Usually she didn't like to eat while out shopping, but today she was feeling quite peckish.
"Oh mother, must we? I was looking forward to purchasing Cal's gift and I want to get to it before someone else does," Rose stared out at the passing scenery.
"Oh so you know what you are going to give him?"
"Of course. It's a lovely briefcase and I can have it engraved. He'll need one with all the meetings and business trips he'll be attending," Rose smiled, proud that she had thought of something useful for Cal. "I saw it just the other day. It was gorgeous and made of real leather. Cal will love it."
"I was hoping that you would have gotten something like an expensive bottle of brandy or something of the sort," Ruth frowned.
"And how would Cal be able to use that, mother? Really, a wife should be of some use to her husband. There's more to life than to be decorative and I want to show Cal that he has all my support as well as my love."
"Well at least it's nothing inappropriate. I am at least thankful for that," Ruth sighed, leaning back in her seat, not happy at all.
…..
When Cal reached Pittsburgh, Nathan was impatiently waiting for him at the train station. Cal sighed as he saw his father outside, checking his watch. He was not looking forward to this at all, plus he missed Rose terribly. He wished that he could have stayed in Philadelphia longer, but with the women shopping for the wedding dress, Ruth was not going to take any chances and immediately sent him home to his father.
As the train came to a stop, Cal grabbed what little luggage he had and disembarked. It was strange not to have a valet to handle everything. He almost felt guilty about Lovejoy. He had checked the lists and the man had not been on them. He was going to fire him anyway, but that hadn't meant that he had wanted him dead. If only there had been a way to save him.
"Caledon! There you are! It is about time that you have arrived!" Nathan Hockley entered the train station, his dark eyes landing on the slumped figure of his son. "And stand up straight! No Hockley has bad posture! There is no reason to slouch!"
No reason to slouch? His valet was dead, along with some business associates and friends. That was reason to slouch in itself. Not to mention that he missed the company of his beautiful fiancee. But this was no place to argue with his father and not a subject to argue over. It was best to just agree and move on.
"Yes father."
The ride home was done in silence. His father was reading the paper, while Cal stared at the passing scenery, wondering what Rose was up to. She was probably getting fitted for her wedding dress. He wondered what it looked like. She had said she wasn't going to keep the fancy extras that her mother had added before the European trip. She wanted simple, yet beautiful. He did hope that she kept his suggestion about the veil though. Simple was nice, but he wanted the world to know that she was his princess, soon to be queen. Whatever she chose, he was sure that it was going to be beautiful.
Finally they reached the Hockley estate and his father ushered him into his office. Nathan sat behind his desk and pulled out a ledger.
"We have some things to discuss son. Such as this expensive as hell wedding that the Dewitt Bukater woman is planning. It is costing me a fortune...a fortune that I do not appreciate spending. Then there's the issue of the woman's debts that we are to take care of once you and her daughter are wed. Now, first off, all of Philadelphia society will n..."
"Not be there," Cal grinned, cutting his father off, knowing where the lecture was going. He had told Ruth that his father already knew about the cutting down of the guest list. That was a lie. This was the first time talking with his father of the upcoming nuptials.
"Pardon me?" Nathan blinked.
"Rose and I sat down and talked. We want something quite different from what Ruth wants and I am hoping that you side with us, father. You know how arguing with Ruth can be..."
"What kind of wedding are you two wanting to plan and how much will this cost our family?" Nathan frowned. He had already spent quite a lot on his son's new bride. From that horribly expensive necklace that his son is to present to Rose at the gala, to the first class millionaire swuiteon the now sunk Titanic. He didn't look forward to spending anymore money.
"Well, for one, we rearranged the guest list. We only want friends and family there, not a bunch of strangers that we don't know and don't know us. We also don't want to show off our wealth. Rose has reordered the wedding dress and it won't be as expensive as Ruth had planned. As for the honeymoon..."
"I suppose that you and the girl expect me to shill out another million for another ship to Europe."
"Actually, a first class bunker on a train to California would be nice. After our ordeal, we want to stay on dry land. So a tour of California will do us just fine," Cal rubbed his hands together, hoping or a positive reaction.
Nathan for his part was surprised. He had been expecting to continue to shell out millions upon millions of his money for his son's wedding and honeymoon. He hadn't expected the changes that Caledon and his bride had made. It was a nice surprise indeed.
"Son, I have to say that I like it. I was a bit worried that we'd be throwing away our money into something as frivolous as a wedding. I am glad that you both have come to your senses," Nathan sat up and chuckled. "I suppose that the girl's other wasn't happy."
"You know she wasn't. The woman is a born bully, but I handled her. I say we pay off her debts as soon as possible and be done with her. Rose needs to be out from under her mother's thumb as soon as possible."
"So we're still paying the Dewitt Bukater debts?" Nathan frowned. He had hoped that his son had figured out a way to get out of that little arrangement. He did not look forward to forgiving his part of the debt and paying off others that Ralph Dewitt Bukater owed.
"Father, we had promised. I get Rose's hand in marriage if we pay off the Dewitt Bukater finances and save Ruth from ruin. I don't see the harm in keeping our part of the bargain."
"It's costing us money, that's what's wrong with it," Nathan grumbled then sat up in his chair. "Well, once you are back from your honeymoon, you do know that you are expected to take your place in the company."
"Of course father..."
"No more fun and games. No more slumming it parties. I can't have my son seen in those parts."
Cal just rolled his eyes, but nodded. "Of course father. I was planning to stop those anyway. Rose finds them distasteful."
"And I expect a grandchild by the end of the year. That is not too much to ask for. Both of you are young and healthy. There is no reason for a grandchild not to have appeared by then."
"Yes father," Cal sighed, beginning to feel the weight of his world return to its rightful place. On his shoulders. His father had so much expectations and looked to him to fulfill all of them and he just wasn't sure if he could.
"Do not disappointment Caledon. Right now, all eyes are on you, thanks to the Titanic disaster. Now go get some rest. Later, you will choose another valet and then I want to go over these reports with you."
"Yes father," Cal turned around and left the office. When he had been with Rose, he had felt carefree. He had allowed the worries of his father's expectations and his role as heir to slip away from him. Now they were back and he didn't know how to deal with them. Hopefully he can continue to please his father and remain the man he had become on Titanic, the man that Rose loved.
Going into his bedroom and flopping down onto his bed, Cal admitted that Dawson was right. He was lucky in his life. He had no overbearing father. No expectations. No responsibilities. He had air in his longs and a blank sheet of paper and he was happy. If only it could be the same for Cal. If only he had Rose and their plans ahead or their honeymoon and didn't have to worry about everything else...that would be a dream come true. At least from his perspective.
On Titanic with Rose, he had felt free. Now he was feeling trapped once again. He could only hope that Rose could help him find his way out of his cage once again.