ALMOST TOO LATE
Chapter Three
Jack continued to sit on the bench, hoping
for a miracle. His miracle would be Rose. He wanted so much to explain to her
about Jolie. He wished he could remember that night that he had made love to
Jolie. He closed his eyes and desperately tried to recall anything about that
night. A few vague images came to mind; he remembered feeling uncomfortable
after everyone else had left. He remembered Jolie begging him draw her, her
undressing for the picture. How he felt like he couldn’t draw her because he
had had too much to drink. Then, nothing. It was like his mind balked at
anything more.
"Jack?" A voice interrupted him. He
opened his eyes and saw Rose standing before him.
She had seen him sitting on the bench. It
seemed to her that he was thinking about something painful; and indeed, his
eyes looked haunted.
"Hello, Rose."
"May I join you?"
"Sure."
"It’s a lovely day out, isn’t it?"
"Yeah, although I hadn’t noticed
much."
"I could tell you were lost in thought.
Want to talk about it?"
Jack looked deep into her eyes. Time seemed
to stand still as he was weighing what to tell her. Instinctively, he knew he
could trust her. "I’m sure you remember the lady who came and got
me."
"Yes."
"Well, she is the woman I’m going home
to marry."
"And this is why you look so sad?"
Jack gave a small laugh. "It’s a long
story."
"I have time. You look like you need
someone to listen."
Jack looked at Rose again, this time taking
her whole image into his mind. I would love to draw her, he thought. She
was stunningly beautiful in a yellow tea dress. She had taken off the matching
hat and had set it in her lap.
"We could go somewhere more private, if
you like," Rose said.
"Maybe I do need someone to
listen."
They got up and walked towards the door
leading into the grand staircase. Rose and Jack went into the library. They sat
on the settee there. Jack told Rose the whole story of his life. She seemed
enthralled. That she sat and listened was something new to him. Most people
didn’t care, so he had gotten used to saying little about himself.
It seemed like hours later, and he was done.
A sound not unlike a bugle call interrupted Jack.
"It’s time to go dress for dinner. Would
you like to join me? As my guest?"
"I don’t know if that would be appropriate."
"Jack, I’d like the chance to show you
my world."
"Okay. I’m game."
"I have a tuxedo in my room. Mother
bought it for a cousin; I can’t remember which one. I think it might fit
you."
They got up and walked to Rose’s stateroom.
Jack waited in the sitting room while Rose went and got the tuxedo. She brought
it out and rang for her maid.
"Yes, Miss?" Trudy asked.
"Find a good manservant to help Jack
dress. Or do it yourself, please. I’ll have Mother help me."
"Yes, Miss," Trudy said. Trudy
looked at the young man, and thought, My, he’s a gorgeous one.
Rose left the room to get ready herself. Jack
felt lost. Trudy cleared her throat and asked, "Do you know how to put one
of these on?"
Jack smiled a little. "No," he
said.
"I’ll help. Do you have any
undergarments on?"
Jack blushed. "Yes."
"Then let’s go in the other bedroom and
get you dressed. Or would you prefer that a man help?"
"No. I’ve never had anyone help me dress
before."
This might be fun, Trudy thought.