Ruth wasn't surprised by how easily she slipped into her public role. She had always liked it, and unlike Rose, she didn't understand what could be so suffocating about it. What was wrong with a few hours of simple—if sometimes a bit vapid—conversation? What was wrong with rating people based on their background and bank balance? Didn't those things show they had made an effort? Truly, she believed those on the bottom were there because they just didn't understand there was a better way to live.
Looking around the hotel's lavish dining room, she thought, How could Rose not have wanted this? How could she give this up—and for him?
It would have been different if she had left Cal because she found someone better. Ruth could have understood that. After all, there were wealthier and better-connected men out there, and in her opinion, Rose could have had any one of them if she'd only cared to. Why she never bothered was a mystery to Ruth. Why Cal had been so willing to marry her when she barely paid the slightest bit of attention to him was also a mystery. However, it was true that beauty could go a long way toward securing a man's interest, and there was no question about whether or not Rose was beautiful.
But she wasn't smart, Ruth thought bitterly. In this world, a woman had to have a man, but not just any man. She needed someone who could take care of her. And I have no one to do that anymore.
Almost as if cued by her thought, Cal strode into the dining room. His entrance caught the attention of most of the women there, and that fact wasn't lost on him. He flashed a smile at each one as he made his way to his table.
Glancing around the room, he accidentally caught Ruth's eye. They stared at each other silently for a moment before he nodded and tilted his head slightly in the direction of the door.
They would discuss the situation later.
*****
Meanwhile, Jack and Rose were skipping dinner altogether. After leaving the courthouse, they headed back to the hotel, and though neither ever said what was going on, they both knew.
In the elevator, Jack began to slowly stroke Rose's palm with his thumb. He didn't look in her direction, just continued staring straight ahead as if nothing was happening. Rose did nothing to acknowledge she knew what he was doing.
When they finally reached their floor and stepped out into the hallway—and the elevator attendant was safely out of sight—she threw her arms around his neck, pulling him into a frenzied kiss.
"How could you do that to me?" she whispered.
Jack didn't answer. With one quick movement, he swept her into his arms and started carrying her to their room. Rose recognized the look in his eyes. She'd known all along what he was up to in the elevator, but now that she could clearly see it, things were a bit different.
It wasn't that she didn't want him, because she did—very much. She just wasn't sure she was supposed to want what was about to happen as much as she did. That just wasn't how things worked. She'd been surprised by the force of her feelings and by the way she had been acting on them. She had most definitely not been behaving like a well-brought-up girl.
She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice when Jack carried her into their room. She did notice his lips on her neck. Slowly, he kissed the space between her ear and shoulder. She sighed quietly and tilted her head to give him easier access.
"So, you like that, miss?" he asked in a mock servant tone.
Rose nodded. "Yes," she answered in the best exaggerated society woman voice she could. If he could play, then so could she.
Jack gently lowered her onto the bed and positioned himself beside her. He slowly ran his fingertips across her cheek. He'd never known a person could have skin as soft as hers.
"I love you," he said quietly.
Rose smiled. "I know you do."
"You know that's not exactly the answer I was looking for."
She giggled. "Wasn't it?"
Jack shook his head as though he were terribly disappointed. "Oh, well."
"Jack." Rose's voice held no hint of teasing.
He looked deep into her eyes. Was something wrong? He chose not to say anything. It was best to wait for her to continue.
"I love you so much."
He smiled. "Nothing wrong, then?"
"Oh, no," Rose said quickly.
Jack just leaned down and began kissing her. She responded by wrapping her arms around him and pulling him on top of her. Jack groaned quietly. His skin felt like it was on fire. He shifted the arm he still had around her slightly to give him more room to work on the buttons on her dress. He had reached the conclusion that it needed to come off as quickly as possible.
Rose squirmed under his weight, enjoying the way his body felt pressed against hers. She could tell he was trying desperately to unbutton her dress, but the buttons were tiny and he was only working with one hand. She didn't want to wait the half hour it would probably take him.
"Stop," she whispered, pulling away from the kiss.
"What?" Jack was confused. "Do you not—"
"Just wait a moment," she said, untangling herself from him. She climbed off the bed and quickly began unbuttoning her dress. It didn't take her long to finish. "Are you watching me?" she asked.
Jack nodded. "I'm watching," he said huskily.
Rose smiled haughtily. "Good." She lightly shrugged the dress from her shoulders. Slowly, it slid down her body and formed a pool of green silk around her feet.
Jack could only stare. He hadn't known she wasn't wearing anything underneath the dress.
"Why are you staring?" Rose felt self-conscious under his gaze. He'd seen so many other women's bodies. Was he comparing her?
"You're just so beautiful."
Rose blushed. She didn't know why she felt so nervous this time. Maybe it was because now they had time. There was no chance of someone discovering them. They weren't running from anyone. Would that make things better or worse?
"Rose."
"Yes?"
"Would you come here?"
She stepped over to him. He grabbed her hands and pulled her back onto the bed. She giggled. "Not eager, are you?" she teased, slowly beginning to unbutton his shirt.