A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Three
Jack continued to tell Rose about his travels
and adventures, from his home in Wisconsin, across America to Europe, around
Europe and his return to America. Rose listened enthralled.
"I do wish I had seen it like that!" she sighed.
"But you've been to Europe" said Jack puzzled.
"Yes, but I did not see it like you. I saw through glass, through the
windows of hotels and carriages and restaurants. I would have loved to walk by
the banks of the Seine watching the artists paint. I wished I could have tasted
ice cream on the streets of Italy and drank red wine in the sun in Spain."
Jack noticed how sad she had become and it hurt him to see it. Although they
had met briefly, he had become quite fond of her. She was different to anyone
he had ever met, and more beautiful.
"But you can do that one day" Jack tried to cheer her up.
"I doubt it. If I go to Europe again, it will be in my glass cage"
Rose smiled sadly at Jack. "Any way, you have not told me yet how you came
to be here."
"Well, after a while in New York my friend Fabrizio met a girl and it was
love I guess. He wanted to stay and I didn't so we parted company."
"And do you have a girl Jack?"
"Well er no" Jack smiled and looked Rose directly in the eye.
"The only person I met who ever came close was er already taken"
"Oh how sad. I am sure you will find another"
"Yeah maybe. " Jack paused "Anyways I ended up here. I worked as
a waiter to get enough money for a deposit on a place and a few months rent in
hand, so I could concentrate on drawing again. It's been a while and now I feel
the urge to put down all I've seen and remembered." He paused again.
"I'd like to draw you Rose"
Rose flushed scarlet. "Oh Jack, I could not possibly!"
"Yes you could. It would be all proper in my studio, well apartment, but
you could bring your maid and I assure you no harm will come to you"
"It's not that Jack. I do not fear you. It is my husband. He would not
allow me to do it"
"That's a shame. Are you sure he would not lend you to me in exchange for
a drawing?"
"I will ask, but I doubt it."
"Your husband likes to keep you to himself then?" Rose didn't answer.
"You know. You've sat here and listened all about me, yet you've said
nothing about yourself."
"There is not a lot to say Jack. I am from Philadelphia, my Father passed
away some time ago and Cal and I have been married for two months. That is
about it."
"I can't believe that's all there is. Is he a good husband?" As soon
as he said it, Jack regretted it.
"Mr. Dawson that is a very personal question and I believe you must be
very rude to ask it." Rose stood up.
"Hey, it was just a question, I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that
you don't seem very happy and I find that strange 'cos you're rich and"
Jack swallowed hard "a very beautiful person."
Rose stood still and stared at Jack. Her first impulse was to follow etiquette
and to get out of this situation as quickly as possible. She was a married
woman and this conversation was not suitable. But something prevented her from
walking away. This man was talking directly to her. He was being honest and
above all paying her a compliment as a person not a possession. And she was
finding herself attracted to him in way she had never felt about Cal.
"Jack" she faltered "I am married. You must not forget
that" She noticed Trudy returning and sat down quickly so that she would
not see she had been standing. "Now please, change the subject, Trudy is
here."
Trudy had returned with a basket of sandwiches and some cake. She passed
napkins over and began to unwrap the food.
"This good" said Jack tucking in. "But I can't except dinner
from a lady. You must accept something in return. Maybe a drawing or two?"
"Very well then Jack, I will accept"
Lunch continued with pleasantries being exchanged. With lunch finished, Trudy
cleared everything away and went to return the basket.
"Rose, look. I didn't mean to upset you. I've known you two days and I
think you are a wonderful but sad person. I can only guess why you are sad. But
I wish I could cheer you up"
"It is not your problem Jack. It is mine. Things are difficult for Cal at
the moment. His father is terminally ill. I am sure that when things have been
settled things will improve. He has a lot on his mind."
"Rose, can we still be friends? Please?"
"Yes. Now tell me more about Paris"
They whiled away most of the afternoon in conversation. Rose reluctantly
announced it was time for her to go.
"I will try and come back to see you soon" she promised and after
shaking hands Rose and Trudy set off back home.
As they came up the steps, the butler opened the door for them. Rose started up
the stairs when Mr. Lovejoy spoke. At that moment Rose realized he had been
hiding in the corner of the hall!
"Mr. Hockley has requested that you meet him in the parlor on your
return"
Rose detested Lovejoy. "I will go when I have dressed" she replied
and carried on up the stairs,
"Rose, you will come to the parlor NOW!" Cal emerged from the doorway
of the parlor. Rose noting his anger came back down the stairs and followed him
in.
"Where have you been?" Cal demanded.
"I went out for a walk with Trudy and.." Rose got no further before
Cal cut in.
"You went for a walk. I see" Cal's voice and body trembled with
anger. " I come home and nobody knows where my wife is. I AM THE MASTER OF
THE HOUSE!" he stepped forward towards Rose. "I am the master of my
house and I should know where my wife is at all times."
"We went to the park," said Rose weakly.
"You were to come back in the car yesterday. You did not. You are being
difficult Rose and I will not have it" His right hand flew out and
connected with Rose's cheek. This caught Rose off guard and sent her flying
backwards fortunately into a chair and not onto the floor.
Cal stood over her cowering figure. "You will do as you are told Rose. I
will not have it otherwise. You do not leave this house without my permission.
Do you understand?"
"Yes Cal" replied Rose fighting not to sob in front of her tormentor.
"Good." Cal seemed to instantly calm down. "Now we have cleared
that matter up I wish to resolve something else. As you know, I want a son and
heir. My father has not long I fear and at the very least I want you pregnant
before he passes on. Should he survive longer than anticipated, I wish him to
be presented with his first grandson before he leaves us. I trust that the
headaches you have troubled with of late will get better. Or do I have to call
upon Doctor Henry to visit?"
"No Cal, that will not be necessary" Rose sniffed.
"Very good" Cal replied. "Now get dressed for dinner. Please put
on the blue dress I bought for you last week and do something with your
hair"
And with that he departed leaving a sobbing Rose behind.