Ella's pregnancy wasn't going on a smoothly as it should be. Being a member of the high society though, she had the privilege of staying in bed, not having to worry about food and money. Rose, who was worried about Jack's behaviour lately, had decided to put aside her own and instead help Ella out. Despite them being almost the same age and both young married women, they somehow didn't quite get along. There was some tension between them hanging up in the air.

Both didn't want to admit it. They put up a brave front instead.

Ruth and Lettice had gone out shopping for the baby, while Jack and Roger were out working, leaving Rose and Ella alone. Her former governess was sent away by the latter.

"I believe I still haven't thanked you for saving me," Rose spoke up remembering all of a sudden the day they had first met.

Ella just nodded, mumbling something under her breath. She eyed the other women suspiciously; knowing that it was her, her husband was acquainted to. While not being actually in love with her spouse, it still made her furious somehow to know that there was someone else, whom he was thinking about, while sleeping with her. The young Ella had, a fact that happened with many young married girls, in some way, persuaded herself to fall in love with her husband to such an impact that she was jealous of Rose.

Of course this was being ridiculous and deep inside Ella must've known that her marriage was nothing more than an arranged business, but she managed to convince herself that it was more than that.

Roger Lindsay could've chosen every other young debutante, now, couldn't he? But he selected you! Doesn't that mean that he cares for you?

Ella feeling flattered by Roger's presents at first, a thing she shared unknowingly with Rose and Caledon Hockley, had unlike Rose not taken a step away from him, but chosen the path towards him. She wanted to please her husband and it angered her that whatever she was doing, it was seemingly her enough.

Rose was on his mind every time they spoke to each other and she knew it. And now she wished someone, also it was being cruel that she had never helped her out.

"It was nothing."

Rose looked at her, wondering what she was really thinking.

Should she tell her about Jack?

He and Ella seemed to be getting along quite well.

Maybe too well?

Rose shook her head. Jack hadn't saved her, almost given up his own life for her, just to start an affair with another girl now. Not surprisingly though, this instant thought didn't do much good to Rose's and Ella's relationship. Speak of people, who never quarrel and marriages, where everything is all good and well…

Jack's attitude and his behaviour it scared Rose. However, whom should she turn to? Her mother surely wasn't the right one, Lettice she didn't know, Roger Lindsay she didn't trust and Ella – Mrs Lindsay as it was to her – well now, she was a mystery to Rose.

What did she want from for instance?

How did she even know where to find me?

Rose watched closely as Ella was moving her hand up and down her still flat belly. When observing her, she was somehow glad that she still wasn't pregnant herself. Jack at least didn't force her into bearing him an heir, like Cal had done.

Tell me, what it's being like with having a baby growing up inside oneself.

Her mouth stuck however and Rose instead of being open minded, shut up, gulping in apprehension. For sure Ella didn't need any pregnancy talk now, she quite successfully convinced herself. Neither her mother nor any other women Rose had come across in her life had actually been happy with being with child. It was their duty giving their husbands girls, but mostly sons.

Although Rose concluded that her mother had in her own way loved her and cared for her, like all the other parents in this society had, there hadn't been any real affection towards their sons and daughters. Her mother had been no exception in this. And now with having overheard her mother's talk with this young boy lately, it seemed liked, her father hadn't been either.

Ella reached out for the glass of water standing on her bedside table, but alas didn't look, while doing so and so it crashed on the floor, breaking down in a million of pieces. Immediately Rose rushed aside to pick them up, not bothering that her dress might get dirty.

What does she have that I don't?

As Rose was rising up again, having cleaned the floor of dangerous flinders, she saw Ella look at her with a kind of – distrust? She shook it off instantly. It didn't occur to Rose that Ella might've wondered about her relationship with Roger; after all she hadn't gotten any idea that Ella even knew of theirs.

For Rose this was part of her past and nothing to dwell about now, not for anyone.

Still the image of Ella's eyes wasn't totally forgotten, when Rose finally left her alone.

In the evening with Jack still not being home, Rose had moved down the hallway, now having time to think, with Ella sleeping upstairs and the house otherwise empty. As Rose made herself some tea in the kitchen along with something to eat, her mind was on Jack once more and the reason why he seemed so strange.

'You can come to me, Rose and talk to me, whenever you need someone.'

Rose shook it off. It was completely ridiculous to even think it. Roger Lindsay was some horrible evil man, who didn't care for anyone. Jack was her husband. It was him she should turn to.

Roger Lindsay had brought her presents as well, as had Cal, though both in a most demanding way, always expecting something in return. It still made her shiver, when she remembered the days and nights he had visited her.

Rose moved over to the window, looking out, trying to clear off her thoughts. In Nice it had been, when Cal had first…

Rose again shook it off. It didn't matter now. All that mattered was her marriage to Jack. She opened to window, hoping to reveal some fresh and cooling air. The cold wind rushed against her, but it didn't bother her. In fact it was quite refreshing.

'I expect that you now know, how to behave, Rose.'

Cal's voice…

Had she been judging him unfairly? After all, it had been him playing for the trip to Europe and back. Wasn't it natural that he demanded something in return?

Her mother had been thrilled with the prospect of her marrying Cal, the first day, she had met him. At last she had convinced Rose to accept his proposal. The young Rose, also the married one, didn't want to admit it now, had been flattered that it was her, the great Nathan Hockley had chosen for his son.

Only with time had Cal shown his true nature…

"Thinking about someone?"

Rose smiled, when she recognized the voice behind the words.

"I thought you wouldn't come home until…"

"Do you wish me to go out again and come back on latter?" he asked her half serious, putting her finger on her mouth.

"No," Rose laughed happily twisting in his embrace. "I'm glad that you're here now."

As a matter of fact, she was more than happy, she was delighted. Jack always managed to take her dark thought away, only with being next to her. She happily obeyed as the started to drag her upstairs.

Caledon Hockley and Roger Lindsay were forgotten as Rose was lying blissfully next to the Jack in the aftermath of their lovemaking.

"I never thought that a person could be this happy," she smiled moving her head to rest on his chest, while Jack put his arm behind her back, drawing her close.

"I love you," he told her quietly kissing the top of her head.

Rose sighed, wondering if she should tell him of what happened between her and Ella today. Then again what should she tell him with nothing really happening?

Jack though had noticed the change in her mood and he was questioning her now.

"Something wrong?"

Actually Rose didn't know herself.

"I've spent the day with Mrs Lindsay. I think she's a bit worried about the baby."

Jack raised his eyebrows, asking himself, if this was all about it or if there was something else to that matter that she wasn't telling him. Jack had spent a lot time with Ella, before having finally found Rose again and in fact he very much cared about her and felt like that someone as Roger Lindsay didn't deserve her.

"It must be, being her first child," he answered diplomatically.

After all he didn't want to make Rose jealous; there was no need for her to be anyway.

Rose looked at him and unexpectedly both started to grin at the other, Jack began tickling her and soon they ended up in a whole lot of laughter.

When it stopped Jack's body was above her, both suddenly covered in sweat.

"Why did you…?"

This time Jack stopped her with a kiss.

Rose laughed again, eagerly shifting back on the bed.

The sun was showing through the curtains already as Rose noticed Jack getting up and dressed. Her eyelids shut up.

"Hey, I didn't want to wake you up," Jack told her, while quietly stepping into his trousers.

Rose sat up in bed.

"I think you work too much," she stated blankly.

Jack stared at her, like she had just told him that the earth was flat. Wasn't this what they both wanted, so they could get out of here and live a life of their own, in California maybe, like they had talked about?

Jack's change of mood wasn't lost to Rose however.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

Why am I suddenly apologizing to Jack like I did with Cal?

His eyes, they were so – scary…but outside he was smiling at her.

"You know that I have to earn money for us to get out of here," she heard his voice or better say she saw his mouth moving.

Was this her Jack speaking?

His eyes looked tired.

"If I work like this another two months or so than we'll be able to buy a little flat and don't have to…," he stopped, when he noted she wasn't listening anymore, putting an arm around her back.

"Rose, what's the matter? Come on, tell me," he wanted to know.

Rose couldn't help for the tears to start streaming down her cheeks.

"Rose, hey, what's wrong?"

This was her Jack now, being concerned again her about her, but still there was something alien in his voice that made Rose tremble slightly inside.

"Nothing," she lied, but this time Jack didn't buy it.

"You wouldn't cry then," he rightfully called out.

The clock in the hallway told them that it was time to go, but Jack in fact didn't want to now.

"I think it's time for you to go to work."

Jack just shook his head, gently caressing her cheek.

"I hate to see you like this."

Rose closed her eyes for a moment, opening them again to look into Jack's worried ones. Actually she didn't know herself what was wrong with her and if there was, it was certainly nothing to be told in a few minutes.

There was too much on her mind at the moment.

Cal, Roger Lindsay, Mrs Lindsay, but most of all Jack himself.

"It's nothing. Really…," she said to him trying to sound convincing, smiling up at him.

Although not believing a word, Jack realized that she wouldn't tell him at the moment.

"Alright, if you say so," he got up again, putting on his jacket, but returned for a second to give her a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too," Rose said in response watching him moving out of the room.

In fact she wanted to jump up and stop him from doing something...stupid? Now that was ridiculous, totally laughable. Jack would know, when he was time to rest, wouldn't he?

'I'm a survivor.'

Indeed he was, he had proven so many times.

You look tired…

Stay here…

Once more the words were stuck up in her mouth.

Roger Lindsay happily watched Jack descending down the stairs, bringing his hand up to his head. He instantly decided to follow him an evil smile appearing on his face.