LOVE FOR LIFE AND BEYOND
Chapter Four
"What should we do about this?"
asked Rose, holding up the Heart of the Ocean. "It may be worth a fortune,
but it’s not worth even two cents to me. Same with this," she said,
holding up her engagement ring.
"Maybe we ought to sell them. I don’t
know about you, but I haven’t a cent in the world," replied Jack.
"Oh, don’t worry about money," said
Rose. "The jewelry will fetch quite a lot."
"Your father gave it to you. I don’t
want—"
Rose cut him off at that point. "I’m not
going to live off Cal’s money. The watch will be all the keepsake I need,"
she said.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Rose opened it to find a steward holding a tray of food. "Mrs. Brown sent
this up. She’s going to be back soon with a doctor."
Rose thanked him and took the tray. She was
suddenly ravenous. Jack and Rose sat down and polished off the entire tray of
food. They were just finishing when Molly returned with the doctor.
"Hello, I am Dr. Wilkes," said the
doctor. "You both look quite healthy, so I’ll just do a general
checkup."
He examined Rose, then Jack.
"You are both perfectly fine," he
said. "Just make sure to get plenty of rest."
Molly grinned. "I’ll take care of
that."
The doctor departed and Molly turned to Jack
and Rose.
"We’ll be docking in New York in a few
hours’ time. Will you need money or a place to stay?" she asked.
"No. We’ll be fine," Rose replied.
"Cal unconsciously provided for us when he took most of my jewelry for
safekeeping," she said. "It was in the coat."
"So, that’s why he was raving about
it," said Molly. "It sure turned out well for you two. I’m sorry, but
I have to see Madeleine Astor. She goes into hysterics every few minutes and
the others aren’t fit to take care of themselves yet, let alone another."
With that, Molly turned to depart.
"Wait! How is Mother?" asked Rose.
"Your mother’s quite upset about Cal not
finding you. Should I tell her you’re alive?" queried Molly.
"No. Not yet. She would force me into marrying
Cal, and I won’t go back to that life," said Rose.
"That’s fine. Your secret is safe with
me. I’ll be off, then."
Jack turned to Rose after Molly had left. His
mouth was dry and he felt very nervous. "Rose, I have a question to ask
you. Will you marry me?"