Chapter 3 "Don't mention it." "You ok Rose?" Anne hadn't been as lucky as her friend had. Although it wasn't bad, she had managed to get some tea and brandy on her dress. "What?" Rose asked, half paying attention and half being mesmerized by Mr. Dawson's ocean blue eyes. Slightly annoyed, Anne asked again, "Are you ok Rose?" "Oh yes, thanks to Mr. Dawson here I am." Rose brought her attention back to him. She didn't quite know what it was at the time, but there seemed to be some sort of message being transmitted between the two of them. "Rose?" Ruth Dewitt-Bukator suddenly emerged from a small group of people. "Yes Mother?" "Rose, please escort Annabelle up to your room where she kind find something suitable to wear." Ruth turned towards Anne and looked her over with sympathy in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Annabelle. Your dress is ruined! That stupid waiter. He's going to pay for this-" "Mrs. Bukator, it's quite alright. I have plenty more of them at home. Besides, the stain isn't too bad. It should wash out." Ruth nodded her head slightly as if she were disappointed about not being able to complain about the situation anymore. "Very well then. Rose, will you please?" "Of coarse Mother." Ruth nodded and walked briskly over to the poor waiter who was now struggling to pick the mess up. Rose could hear her mother insulting him and ordering him around. Rose rolled her eyes and looked up at Mr. Dawson again. He was watching Rose's mother and the waiter. He seemed pained in some way, like it hurt him to watch the whole scene. Then, as swiftly as it had come, the pain look was gone. His attention lay on Rose. "Thank you again Mr. Dawson." "My pleasure." He smiled and grasped her gloved hand gently. Slowly, he brought it up to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss. Rose felt like she would burst. She could feel goose bumps all over her arms. Rose smiled and looked over at her awaiting friend. "Well I'd better be going. Perhaps I'll see you again later tonight." Mr. Dawson smiled at the thought. "Ya never know." Smiling, Rose turned towards Anne and together they walked up the staircase to Rose's room. Jack watched them gracefully climb each step. He didn't know why, but he just wanted to see Rose again. "Hey there Jack. Are you going to join in our conversation or are you just going to stare at the staircase for the rest of the evening?" Brian Larson asked as he placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. A little startled, Jack looked over his shoulder to see Brian. "What? Oh…sure. " "Great, come on." "How's this one?" Rose asked as she held up one of her dresses in front of Anne. It was one of Rose's favorites. It was lavender with little rosebuds and lace decorating the skirt. "Just fine." Anne took the dress, slipped her dirty one off and replaced it with Rose's dress. "So what happened down there?" "I'm really sorry about that Anne. My mother's always on the servants cases, that whenever they're in her presence, they get nervous and agitated." "That's not what I meant. I was implying the Mr. Dawson who caught you." Rose looked up, somewhat startled at Anne's question. "Well…I…what do you mean?" "Oh Rosie! You know perfectly what I mean. I practically had to drag you away from him!" "Annabelle Wilson! You stop that right now. I'm not at all….well, I'm not at all…" "I think he's handsome." "You think any man is handsome." "So, what's wrong with that?" Rose just rolled her eyes. "I can't believe you. Well we'd better get back down there. The first dance should start any minute and you know what my mother would do if I were to miss it." "I know all too well. But let's not think about your mother. Not tonight Rosie. It's your birthday! You're supposed to be happy." "Well I'd be a lot more happier if we could get back down there so I don't get in trouble." Anne smiled as she walked out of the door in front of Rose. "Ya know Rose, you are hopeless sometimes." "You sound like my mother." Anne just laughed. "Ah Rose, there you are. I've been looking all over for you." Ruth came over to the girls just as they had descended the stairs. "Rose, the first dance is to start soon. Mr. Hockley has already asked for you to give him the honor. Such a gentleman Rose. He's quite charming." "Yes Mother." Outwardly, Rose seemed like every other well brought up girl. But deep down, Rose could already feel the walls of her heart close and lock. Her mother's wishes would prevail. There would be no stopping the outcome. Rose was to someday be Mrs. Caledon Hockley. Then, as if in a dream, Rose could hear the faintest sounds of music start. She watched as the crowd moved on to the dance floor, gliding like flowers in the wind. "Why Miss Rose, it's so good to see you again." Rose turned around at the familiar voice. It was none but Caledon Hockley himself. "My, you look radiant tonight Rose." "Why thank you Mr. Hockley." "Still the same Rose Dewitt Bukator that I remember. Always so formal. Just call me Cal. When will you ever open up to me Rose?" Rose wanted to blurt out a hot retort, but held it back since her mother was still within earshot. "I suppose it will take some time." "Yes well, why don't we take some of that time onto the dance floor. Would you give me the honor of having the first dance with you Rose?" "Why certainly…Cal." Cal smiled then offered his arm to Rose, who took it. Off in the distance, were Jack and Brian talking with some other friends. But Jack's mind was elsewhere. He watched the many people grace the dance floor as they went round and round and back again. But something caught his eye on the dance floor. He caught his breath as he watched the familiar red headed woman glide in circles. He couldn't quite make out the face though. Finally, he caught a good glimpse of her as she and her partner made their way towards his side of the room. Yes, it was most definitely Rose Dewitt Bukator herself. She looked so beautiful. Jack watched her as she spun around and back again. When she got to his side of the room, Jack could see her wonderful blue eyes. He thought they could light up a room. But as he looked closer, Jack started to think he saw sadness in them. Why…? "Jack, are you listening to me?" "Oh I'm sorry Brian. What was that you were saying?" Brian sighed, a little annoyed. "Don't worry about it. Why are you so quite tonight Jack? Liven up a little." "Just thinking, that's all Brian." Jack watched as the dance number ended and everyone stopped. A new tune started playing almost immediately. Jack suddenly had an impulse. He didn't know what would happen, but he just had to do this. "Brian….I'll be right back." |
