BREAKING FREE
Chapter Two
For the next few days, Rose lived
life contained inside the four walls of her Carpathia stateroom, not wishing to
face the outside world.
The few times she did come down
to breakfast, she was met with cold stares. She wasn’t really sure why until
she heard two women talking at tea.
"Oh, look," said one.
"That DeWitt Bukater girl!"
"Isn’t she the one who tried
to run off with a third class boy?" asked the other, glancing sideways at
Rose.
"Yes, I believe so. Well,
it’s a good thing she didn’t succeed. Her family needs that Hockley man right
now."
"Why?"
"Rumor has it…" She
lowered her voice. "…the money all ran out when the father died. The girl
is the only card left to play."
Upon hearing this, Rose was
shocked. So, now everyone knew she was just a pawn in a financial scheme? So,
the fact that she had fallen in love meant nothing? She didn’t leave her room
often after that. She just stayed in bed, listening to Ruth lecture her on her
reputation. What would people think when the beautiful Rose DeWitt Bukater just
disappeared from society?
"Honestly, darling,"
she said. "You have responsibilities. You’re getting married, for God’s
sakes, and you look like you’re being sent to prison! If you really feel so
strongly about this…boy…um…what was his name…" She paused, trying to
recall the name that was etched into Rose’s heart. "…was it Jack? Well,
then, invite him to the wedding. Just make sure you dress him up quite
adequately. Otherwise, the guests may suspect things…"
There was a long silence, and
then Rose spoke for what seemed like the first time in days. "Jack is
dead, Mother," she said softly, more to herself than anyone else.
"I’m sorry. What did you
say, my dear?" asked Ruth.
"Jack is dead!" shouted
Rose. "He’s gone, Mother! It’s been days since the Titanic and you haven’t
even had the heart to ask about him! All you’ve cared about is society and
reputation!" She was standing up by this point, almost in tears.
"Hush, darling. Shh,"
Ruth said gently, drawing the girl towards her. "It’s all right. It will
all be all right. You know, when your father died, I felt the exact same way,
but we must move on, and you must marry Cal. He adores you, Rose, and we need
this marriage to happen." She sighed and dried her damp eyes with a
handkerchief, changing back into her normal, sophisticated self. "Well,
then, look at the time! Why don’t you get something nicer on, and I’ll meet you
down in the dining room for dinner. Cal will be so excited to see you!" And
with that, she hastened to her room.
Rose strode towards the closet to
find a dress. She was rummaging through brand new, shiny gowns when one caught
her eye. It was a pale, flowing white dress--the one she had been wearing when
the ship sank. It was dried out and clean now, but it was the only dress that
seemed rightfully hers. She reached for it and felt a hand grab her wrist. She
pushed aside all of the dresses and looked up to see her captor.
No. It couldn’t be.
"Jack?" she cried,
right before fainting.