SCENES OF LOVE
Chapter Two

Rose sat silently as Trudy poured her coffee. She felt as if a heavy weight lay on her shoulders--as if Cal's eyes were burning her. No words passed between the engaged couple as the maid and butler set out their breakfast, and while Rose was painfully hungry, she knew she'd not be able to eat a bite. Trudy and the butler left and Rose's stomach burst into a million butterflies. She nervously wiped her spoon across the rim of her cup and leaned back, taking a sip of her coffee, hoping it would calm her nerves.

It did no such thing.

"I had hoped you would come to me last night," Cal said quietly, leaning forward. There was something in his voice...his eyes...

"I was tired," she answered timidly as she placed her cup back on the saucer.

A strange expression crossed Caledon's face. His mouth twitched and he nodded his head as if hiding something--keeping something in. "Your exertions below decks were no doubt exhausting." He slightly cocked his head to the side, as if challenging her.

Anger filled Rose. A challenge? Yes, she would accept a challenge at that! "I see you had that undertaker of a manservant follow me. How typical." It took all her might not to hurl the coffee cup and saucer at him, but she gingerly set it down and leaned back in the wicker chair.

"You will never behave like that again, Rose. Do you understand?" He looked up at her, somewhat of a smirk on his face.

Rose inhaled, trying to control herself, trying to think of something to say. "I'm not a foreman in one of your mills that you can command. I'm your fiancée!"

He looked up, his eyes flashing angrily. "My fiancée." He stood up, sending the dishes and silver on the table clattering. "My fiancée--my FIANCEE! Yes, you are!" He rattled the table violently. "And my wife!" he spat, near screaming, and sent the table hurling across the deck. Cal lunged toward her, pinning her in the chair. Terror filled her. "My wife in practice if not yet by law, so you will honor me! Honor me the way a wife is required to honor a husband, because I will not be a fool, Rose. Is this in any way unclear?" he asked angrily.

She shook her head. It was all she could do. "No," Rose said breathlessly.

"Good. Excuse me."

And with that, Cal turned and left, leaving Rose feeling as if she would fall to pieces.

How can I marry him, Daddy? He frightens me, but Mother is depending on this marriage. What am I supposed to do?

Rose heard her father’s voice again, echoing through her mind. Trust me, Rose. I will show you. You are going to be all right.

She was pulled out of her thoughts as Trudy rushed forward, whispering, "Oh, Miss Rose..." She knelt on the floor to begin picking up the shattered remains of the dishes. Suddenly realizing what a mess things were, Rose put her napkin aside and stood up. "I’m sorry, Trudy. We had a little...accident..." Rose was still nearly breathless with fear. Her excuses were useless. She knew Trudy had seen what had happened.

"That’s all right, Miss Rose. That’s all right." Trudy could actually feel Rose’s fear. She dearly wished she could do more to help than just clean up this mess.

"I’m sorry, Trudy," Rose repeated, her voice still trembling badly. Inwardly, Trudy sighed. She wished Rose didn’t feel she had to apologize for what that man did. She hadn’t made him what he was. "It’s all right, Miss," Trudy said again, more firmly now, in hopes of convincing herself as well as Rose. To her surprise, Rose knelt on the floor beside her.

"Let me help you." Rose absently picked up the flower from amidst the glass, holding it tightly. "It’s all right, Miss."

Rose extended her hand, resting it on Trudy’s shoulder, truly struggling now to hold back her tears. Her strength seeming to give out, she collapsed backward, into the chair she had just a moment before been sitting in. She looked so desperately unhappy, Trudy wanted to say something that would truly comfort her. In the end, she just whispered, once more, "It’s all right, Miss."

Rose knew Trudy was trying to give all the comfort she could, but she also knew things certainly were not all right. Daddy, I hope you do know the way I should go. I’m so lost!

Her father spoke in his gentlest whisper, which seemed to flow from Rose’s heart rather than her mind. I do know, my Rose. I will show you, because I love you so.

I love you, Daddy. Thank you for being with me this way.

I always will, Rose. Always.

The End.

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