Rose was too busy worrying about Jack to remember to worry about herself until it was too late. Until she already had one foot on the ground and had accepted Cal's offer to help her out of the car by holding out her left hand for him to take. His eyes narrowed immediately. For a moment, neither of them said anything. Rose was sure her lungs had closed up in her chest. She watched, frozen, as he ran his thumb across the place on her finger where her engagement ring normally rested.
"Sweetpea, where is your ring?" There was an edge in his tone that only she could have heard. To anyone else, it would have sounded like nothing more than a pleasant inquiry.
"I left it at home," she said simply. She grabbed the first explanation that came to mind. "I was afraid to wear it. The diamond seems to be coming loose."
His tone became one of gentle—yet patronizing—chiding. "You should have told me before we left. I could have already had it fixed."
She lowered her eyes. "I'd already been such a bother this morning. I really didn't want to trouble you any further."
"You should know by now that I don't allow myself to be troubled by anything or anyone," he said, holding out his arm.
She slipped her arm through his. "Because you're royalty, right?"
He smiled and laid his hand over hers. So, she does listen, he thought. "That's right. As are you. And royalty always get what they want," he added.
"That's good to know," Rose said. Because I want Jack, you smug bastard.
*****
Jack, meanwhile, was frantically searching for a way to explain his presence in Rose's room that didn't include the words carry her off forever. "Well?" Mary demanded. "I've only got so much patience—and time."
No, I only have so much time, he thought. "Where's Rose?"
"What?" Mary stared at him, confused. "Why do you want to know that?"
"It doesn't matter why I want to know," he said quickly. "Could you please just tell me?" He looked at her with pleading eyes. "I know you don't have any reason to. I know you don't know me and you probably don't care, but I need to find her. Fast."
Mary tilted her head to the side. "Why? What can possibly be so urgent?"
"Look, it's a long story, and I'll be happy to explain it all to you later, but right now, I need to know where she is." His voice was thick with desperation. "Something really awful might happen if I don't get this back to her," he said, holding up the ring.
Mary's jaw dropped. "Why do you have that?" she gasped. "How did you get it?"
"Let's just say she gave it to me and she shouldn't have."
"She most definitely shouldn't have! What could she have been thinking? Doesn't she realize what he'll do when he sees it's missing?"
"I know what she was thinking, but it doesn't matter right now. Where is she?"
"You'll never be able to get that back on her hand without him seeing you. You have to know that."
"I—" Jack sighed in frustration. "I have to try! And if he sees me, well…" He threw his hands up. "I just don't give a damn anymore! And you know what, the way I feel right now, I almost hope he does."
"You're crazy," Mary said, shaking her head.
"I'm in love."
*****
Rose sighed and leaned back against the wall. Finally. I thought he'd never let go of me. She eyed her empty left hand. At least he believed me.
"You could've warned me you were gonna do that," said a voice close to her ear.
Rose's heart leapt into her throat. "Jack!" she cried, spinning around.
He held a hand up. "Shh! I don't think everyone else'll be as excited to see me."
She threw her arms around him, too overjoyed to care if anyone saw them. "How did you know where I was?"
He hesitated before answering. "Mary told me."
"Mary—"
"There's no time to explain," he said. He reached into his pocket. "I came to give this back to you."
She pushed his hand away. "No. Take it."
"Rose, you can't just—if he sees—"
"He already did. I took care of it."
"How?" He touched her face. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She smiled and leaned her face into his hand. "You really risked getting caught just to find out where I was so you could make sure I was all right?"
"Of course I did." He pulled her into his arms and pressed his forehead to hers. "Rose, I love you. I can't—I don't know how to—there just aren't words for how much."
Rose began to tremble. "I love you, too," she whispered. "I love you so much, Jack." She kissed him. "Don't ever leave me."
"I won't."
Her eyes lit up. "Let's go now," she said. "Let's just run away now, while no one's looking."
Jack couldn't believe his ears. "Now? Do you mean it?"
She nodded eagerly. "Yes! I don't want to wait another second. I shouldn't have even waited this long."
He grinned and pulled her into another kiss. "Okay."
They were too absorbed in each other to notice Cal walk in.