''I think pearls. They are understated yet elegant.'' Ruth circled a pair of pearls around a model's neck in a bridal book. Rose nodded. They were pretty but seemed to be nothing like what she would wear at all. The truth was, she didn't quite know what kind of bride she would be, but one thing was certain; she would never be Cal's wife. She tried at times to envision how she would be, if say, about to marry Jack and then realised nothing would matter to her other than becoming a wife to the man that she loved. With a wedding, everything was a show. A show of money, of luxury, and of how committed and infatuated the couple were, it seemed to have lost its sentiment where it was just a celebration of love.

''Yes, they are.'' She agreed, quietly.

Janet, the wedding planner took note. She was around her mother's age with a strict face, glasses and blonde hair pulled back tightly into a bun. She wore a formal jacket and tailored skirt with small court heels. Her presence was like a headteacher. Rose avoided eye contact with her frequently, feeling herself under the scrutinising gaze of those sharp eyes which were almost as bad as her mother's.

''Excellent choice.''

''Rose, what type of pearls were you thinking?'' Ruth asked her daughter.

Rose glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. It was almost midday. She was tired, bored and trying so very hard to focus on the minor details of this damned wedding just to forget about her night with Jack until she saw him once more. She had hoped to see him this afternoon. She needed to see him. Her heart was pounding just thinking of him. ''Um-'' She was about to answer when thankfully Trudy entered the sitting room.

''Oh, Miss Rose, Mrs. Dewitt Bukater, forgive my intrusion but Mr. Ethan Hockley is requesting your attention.''

''Oh, what a busy day.'' Ruth stood from the armchair and folded away her glasses. She smoothed out her dress before turning to the wedding planner.

''I do hope we can pick up where we left off, perhaps tomorrow afternoon?''

Janet stood from the chair and picked up her thick red book of details. ''Of course.'' She did appear slightly annoyed at the intrusion but could only respond politely. ''Is 2pm all right?''

''Quite all right.''

''Thank you for the tea.''

She shook hands with both Rose and Ruth before proceeding to the door. Trudy was about to show her out before she was thrown another command by Ruth, who stood with one hand on her left hip.

''More fresh tea, Trudy, and clear these cups away.''

''Of course.'' She nodded before smiling at Janet, showing her to the door.

Ethan allowed himself into the sitting room. His face was paler than usual, but his black suit was still worn, his sunglasses attached to his white shirt. He nodded a quiet 'hello' and the darkness of his presence didn't go unnoticed by Rose.

''No tea, thanks.'' He told Trudy. ''It is a quick stop by.''

Ruth ushered him into the sitting room. ''Please, sit.''

''No, thank you.'' Ethan glanced at Rose. She fiddled with her engagement ring as his stare seemed so intense. The resemblance between Ethan and brother was undeniable and no matter how hard she tried to distinguish between the two, she never could quite manage to. The fact that everything had changed since she had seen him last spiralled about her head, Cal was never going to be her husband, and nothing would stop that.

''My brother is to return Saturday morning. He sends his apologies, but the meeting is also being postponed.''

''What a shame.'' Rose spoke clearly and confidently. ''We were expecting his arrival this evening but as these things happen.'' Inside, she was giddy. She knew that would be extra time which could be spent with Jack. She glanced at the clock again. She needed to see him. She ached with a deep need.

''These things happen, right?'' Ethan cocked his head to one side.

''Of course. Are you sure we cannot offer you a cup of something?'' Ruth offered once more.

Ethan put his hand up. ''Not right now. I also come on another matter.''

''Yes, the house, your brother sends word tha-'' Ruth started but Ethan cut her off.

''Not right now.'' He stated, more firmly this time, with a swish of his hand.

He glanced straight at Rose. She stood as straight as she could, refusing to be intimidated by his stare. She tried to find any evidence on his face of the fight he and Tommy had engaged in, there was none but it would have now healed just leaving probably a bruised ego. A dint in his reputation.

''May I speak freely, between us as family?''

Ruth nodded, ''feel free.''

''Rose, you remember the party at the ballroom for my brother's birthday?''

''Yes.'' Rose said, slowly.

He came closer. ''You remember a guy there, an Irish guy, names Tommy Ryan.''

Rose felt her stomach flip but outwardly she didn't falter. Yes, she knew Tommy. But that not well. She could almost forget him, she told herself. She was more intrigued by what this was about. ''I'm afraid I didn't leave Cal's side all night, until he left mine and then I left with Lovejoy.''

Ethan narrowed his eyes at Rose as she stood beside her mother. She seemed sure. ''Ask both your brother and the butler.'' Rose told him. That much was the truth.

Ruth stepped forward. ''Could I ask what this has to do with my daughter?''

''Mrs. Dewitt Bukater, there was a girl at the party that night, a girl I care a lot about, her name is Cara.'' Ethan began. Rose wanted to laugh so harshly. Ethan didn't 'care' at all about Cara. She was an easy girl to get into bed and a guaranteed way to get relief. ''This Tommy Ryan was after my girl, wanting her. But now it has come to my attention that night she went home with another guy, who Tommy is friends with.''

Rose felt her stomach tighten. Jack! She so badly wanted to run to the door and find him, but she now needed more information. Her head throbbed. The last thing she wanted was more reminders of him and Cara together but now, they seemed to be all over her head. She felt dizzy, weak and was thrust back to the night when she witnessed them together but now, it was all gone. It had to be. Gaining her steadiness, Rose turned to face him, directly.

''Ethan, I don't know who these people are.'' Rose told him, firmly. ''Perhaps a description may help.''

Ethan shrugged. ''I don't have one. But Cara told me that you know this guy. This Jack.'' He emphasized the name as though it would jog Rose's memory but still, she remained nonchalant, with an expressionless face.

Ruth turned to Rose, her eyes silently questioning. ''And do you have a surname?''

''No.''

Rose didn't lose her calm. ''Well, I am afraid your trip here is in vain, Ethan. I do not know anybody. I certainly don't know Cara, except that she was the woman who I caught dallying with my fiancé. Which, you know as well as I, that is correct. Other than that, I told you what I know. My fiancé will tell you I never left his sight; Lovejoy will tell you when I left, and my mother can confirm what time I arrived home.''

Ruth was silent as she glanced at Ethan. She seemed to have bought Rose's lie. ''Rose did arrive home very early.'' She confirmed. There was her backup. That was the truth about the whole night. ''And she told me the same account of the evening then, as she tells you now.''

Ethan watched Rose but he was certain there was more to it than what she had said but without proof, what could one do? His sigh was full of frustration, but he would not show it to the ladies in front of him.

''I am at quite a loss as to why Cara would believe that I knew anyone at the party that evening, but I think you know as well as I that some girls like that are jealous, they like to stir up trouble and I, for one, refuse to be a part of such games.''

Ethan narrowed his eyes at Rose, and was apparently about to respond when Rose glanced at the clock upon the mantel once more and made a move to leave.

''Forgive me, Mother. I am late for my appointment at the boutique.'' Rose smiled to her mother, kissing her cheek as she went to keep everything sweet. ''Ethan, good afternoon.'' She left them in silence. As she went into the hallway, she found Trudy fettling with a duster.

''Call the chauffeur, I am to go shopping.''

''Yes ma'am.'' She curtseyed as she went to find the correct staff for Rose to take her out.

Rose wiped her face with her hands as she grasped her bag, and it was then she realised that she was shaking. But why, she did not know. She needed to tell Jack that Ethan knew more. Cara had told Ethan about Jack for a reason; to cause trouble. She just knew it. She bit her lips, feeling how dry they were. She could still hear Ethan's voice chattering with her mother and she squeezed her eyes closed. She needed Jack to hold her and take her mind away from the cloud of confusion which was threatening to consume her slowly.

Cara hadn't been to the Grill since the day Jack had asked her to leave and he couldn't have been more thrilled about it. The days had been more pleasant without seeing her and the gaggling geese she called friends sat in a corner, conjuring up lies and deceit for anyone to listen to.

He had fifteen minutes left of his shift, but Rose had not come to see him all day. Truth be told, he was half glad that she hadn't, knowing that he would have left the moment that she came through the door, to spent time alone with her. It was almost seven and the customers had died down a long time ago. Mostly it was the older ones, taking tea after walking their dogs along the promenade, some having a late dinner after work and others just married couples having a bite to eat. It was those which kept him smiling as they had sat with joined hands across the table and gazing longingly into the other eyes as though it was a first date.

Jack rolled the pencil which he kept behind his ear along the counter between his fingers. The noise annoyed him, but it was better than silence. That was the enemy. He sighed once more glancing at the late evening sky. A car pulled up outside, a cab by the looks of it. He sat back on his stool as he saw someone get out of the back-passenger side, a hand full of boutique bags. She ran to the front and offered the driver cash before looking both ways across the road and running into the Grill. It was Rose. He stood from the stool and came around the front of the counter. She had just opened the door. He wanted to hold her so badly, yet something told him not to. Her face was flushed, her hair had gone limp. Her eyes were lighter than usual and her lips that lovely red they had been painted the first night he had met her.

''Rose?''

She put her bags on the floor of the Grill. ''Can we talk, please?'' Her eyes begged him.

''Yes.'' He glanced about. ''My shift ends in fifteen minutes.'' He put his hands inside his pants pocket and pulled out his car keys. ''Go, sit in the car and put those bags in the trunk.''

Rose took the keys, grateful that she could have some time to sit down and gather her thoughts before she did. ''Thank you.''

Jack watched as the left in the same hurrying manner which she had entered the Grill. His mind raced of what could be the matter. The last fifteen minutes of the shift seemed to go slower than it had before. He kept glancing about to see Rose in his car, she had kept herself looking downward for most of the time and fiddling about with something to probably calm her nerves.

It was five to seven when Carlo turned up. He would work until midnight that evening. Jack practically jumped as he removed his apron and left the keys to the Grill on the counter.

As Jack approached the car, he noticed Rose seemed to perk up a little. He got into the car and felt as though he wasn't close enough. He heard her sigh and reached his hand out to her, and she grasped it tightly with both hands, finally happy to just be with him, alone and not just in her thoughts. He was about to ask what was weighing her down when she spoke.

''Take me somewhere, Jack. out of here.'' She asked him quietly.

He started the car.

''All right, we'll go.''

Jack's hand didn't leave hers at he drove. He didn't know where they were going but he kept half an eye on the road. Rose was quiet and wasn't used to this, and he was wondering just what was on her mind.

''Are you all right?''

''Yes.''

She squeezed his hand.

''I apologise for the bags in the trunk. I had to tell my mother that I had gone wedding shopping and bought half of the shop to make it appear that I have indeed half an interest in the upcoming nuptials.''

Jack felt his stomach sinking. Was she still going ahead with the wedding or was it simply an excuse?

''It's fine.'' He smiled. ''Tell me.''

Rose turned to face him. ''It's Ethan. He came to the house this afternoon.'' She hesitated. ''He knows more about you and Cara. She has told him what happened between the two of you. She knows of Tommy's friend named Jack. Cara has told Ethan that I know you. I, of course, told him that was ludicrous and that I didn't. He also has a different version of events from the night in question, but Lovejoy took me home. I'm all right, I am covered. I just-I was worried about you.'' Rose lowered her lashes glancing at their adjoining hands. Last night those hands had touched every inch of her. The bedding on which they had laid still smelled of him and her. Their sex. Their sweat. All of it. That was the only place where she wished to be right now, wrapped up in a lust filled daze.

Jack, though, if he wasn't angry before with the Hockley's and Cara. He was now. ''That stupid-''He was about to swear when he realised that she wasn't even worth getting stressed over. He turned to Rose; his priority. ''I am sorry that you got caught up in this.'' He hung his head. ''I will talk to her. Sort this out.''

Rose's heart sank. ''I-I don't like that.'' She told him timidly, knowing that she had no right to determine who Jack spoke to or not, but Cara was one person who she despised for more than one reason. ''I know that I have no right to ask that of you, but just this afternoon and hearing of all the details seemed to fetch the thoughts of you two screaming back to me.'' Rose bowed her head, as though she was ashamed.

Jack knew why. He sighed. He was stupid to even suggest that he did such a thing. ''I won't go near her. I will ask Tommy to. We just need to sort this now. Then I need to take you away from here.''

''Do you still mean that?''

''Of course, I do, if you still want it?''

Rose held his hand tighter. She watched the road for just a second. She realised that they were near to the beach, but it was a part of the area which she didn't recognise.

''Where are we?'' She asked, looking out of the window.

''You'll see.'' He told her, grinning.

Jack had led her along the promenade right to the end when they approached a couple of stables. Jack had been down here before, alone just to gather his thoughts. He had watched the horses from afar, just grazing in the fields behind.

''Is this place in use often?'' Rose enquired, glancing about in the bright light of the beautiful warm sun.

''Yes.''

Rose could see two horses standing next to the stable, already saddled and bridled.

As Rose saw the horse, she let go of Jack's hand staying close, but she carefully approached the horse.

''Oh my, isn't she beautiful?''

Rose rubbed the mare's nose, causing her ears to prick up.

''Well, she's never usually so taken.'' A stable worker laughed, approaching from the barn. He was around fifty, wearing work jeans and an old shirt. ''Can I help you?''

''I've come to rent a horse,'' Jack glanced at Rose with the mare and couldn't help but notice her natural tenderness with animals, ''or this one if we may.''

''You ridden before?''

''Yeah.''

''Only side-saddle.'' Rose turned her attention away from the horse for just a moment, ''but I would try any other way.''

''Well, you can take Bella here and I will go fetch you another.'' The stable worker told them as he disappeared into the stable before returning with a brown chestnut gelding with a lazy walk and floppy ears. ''This is Biscuit, he likes the slower walks.''

Jack watched as the worker saddled up both horses. He had obviously been doing this for years with a vast enjoyment for it, chatting along as though they understood every word that he said.

''I'm sure we can manage a slow walk.'' Rose smiled. ''We don't want to wear the poor boy out.''

''Say I haven't seen you two young 'uns around here before.'' The stable worker commented. '''I am David.'' He held his hand out to Rose. ''I must say it's nice to see a couple of young faces. We usually get the older generation around here.''

''I'm Jack, and this is Rose.'' He shook David's hand before tossing him a few coins. ''Well, I will fetch them both back all intact.''

''That's good to hear.'' David smiled, watching them go as Jack led the horse which he would be riding, Biscuit, and Rose with her horse, Bella out of the stable and onto the promenade which led onto the beach. The sun was just beginning to set as they approached the warm sands.

"Alright," Jack was as calm and as confident as ever. "Here's what we're going to do. I'm going to get you set up on Bella first... you're going to put your left foot here in the stirrup, and you're going to grab this little knob here on the saddle, it's called the pommel. And I'm going to help you swing your right leg over the horse. I'll kind of help boost you."

Rose looked nervous.

''You ready?'' Jack asked. Rose nodded, clutching onto the reins of the mare. over the horse. I'll kind of help boost you."

Trying not to show how nervous she was, Rose slipped her left foot into the closest stirrup. The skirts of her pale pink and grey dress flourished about her boots, tangling round her legs and as she placed her foot where it should, Jack worked to arrange the layers about the place to ensure she had a smooth transition to the horse. When his fingers caught her thigh, even though all of the layers, Rose felt the warmth of something spread through her body but right now, that needed to be ignored to focus on the task at hand. With Jack holding Bella steady, Rose suspected that the horse would have stood and waited patiently even without Jack there. Even though she radiated gentleness, and she wasn't nearly as massive as Biscuit, she still felt much taller than Rose had expected. Adjusting her dress, Rose contemplated just how she was going to get her other leg over Bella's back, when that back was higher than her own shoulder.

However, as Rose stepped up into the stirrup, Jack put his hands around her waist and helped to lift her onto the wide back. With his boost, her right leg swung easily over the saddle. Rose wanted to squeal out, but knew not to spook the horse. It was damned high up! It was higher than expected. It was-wonderful.

''I thought I would have a hard time getting my thighs around her, but the saddle is comfortable.''

Jack adjusted Rose's pale pink skirts about the horse so they wouldn't tangle in the reins. It smelled nicely of leather, and Penny smelled nice too-like clean hay and sunshine. Beneath that, a not-unpleasant scent of animal sweat. Jack passed Rose the reins, and she took them hesitantly and he sensed the nerves as it flashed upon her eyes.

''Right, hold these and sit tight one second while I get up too," he told her.

He turned to see her worried expression. ''Relax, you don't need a death grip on poor Bella.''

''I'm sorry. I have just only ever ridden side saddle and that was at my uncle's farm. This is so-open.'' She glanced ahead at the open space of the beach as the horses left little footprints in the white sand. She looked about at everything, taking it all in.

''You will get used to it. You have adapted so quickly to everything. You may even like it.'' He winked.

''I already am beginning to.'' She laughed.

Rose released her grip a little more and her face changed from terror to ease and she even began trotting and matched the pace which Jack was taking Biscuit. Every so often he would glance behind to watch her and he would have done anything to keep that picture of her forever. She was beautiful, her hair billowing loosely in the warm breeze of the summer evening, the sky an array of pinks, blues and purples and then the sea which was growing closer inwards with the tide. Rose remembered their first kiss right there in the tide, laid in the cool water, screaming and chasing each other. She smiled to herself as she glanced over at Jack. He made her feel so happy.

She relaxed as the salty sea breeze washed over her. Jack was taking it slowly at first but then they had begun to trot, side by side. She felt her confidence growing and as Jack smirked mischievously they both soon began to canter and the next thing they knew they were both galloping down the beach, their laughter lost in the wind.

This was what she had wanted her entire life; this freedom. She had never soared so much in her entire life. This feeling of flying was a taste of what her life could be like. It didn't take long for her to forget everything which had took place that day.

Adapting to a better position, to mirror the one which Jack was taking, Rose felt ridiculous, but still, once Jack had nodded his approval, he shouted-

"HA!"

And the horses took off.