My Clarity

Chapter nineteen

As the Heart of the Ocean was nestled within Jack’s palm, he was suddenly aware of the kind of wealth Caledon Hockley had. Perhaps there should have been a jolt of awareness, or jealousy but there was nothing there at all which sprang to the forefront of his mind.

‘’It's nice. Is it a sapphire?’’

‘’No, it is a diamond. A very rare diamond. It was worn by Louis the Sixteenth.”

“The Heart of the Ocean,” Jack furrowed his brow.

Examining the piece, it glittered beautifully beneath the lamp of Rose’s private deck. The skies had darkened some time before leaving a trail of stars and a clear glassy sky which met the endlessly calm ocean. It was like a deep reflection, as though a mirror had been placed somewhere between the two on the horizon.

“Are you familiar with the story?”

“Yes, and it was chopped from the piece he wore as a crown.” Jack’s eyes sparkled in the light, almost as blue as the stone and more transfixing to witness than any jewel could be. ‘’About the same time that he was beheaded.’’

‘’Yes.’’ Rose smiled, recalling the tale.

‘’And this is your prize, is it?’’

‘’Yes.’’ Rose pitifully laughed, ‘’the night that we met he presented it to me, to end my melancholy and one assumes to tempt me into his bed.’’

Through a shaft of light which slipped through the glass, Rose was witness to quite a murderous expression, one should have been terrified but instead, it stirred her stomach.

‘’Tell me of Cal, what led to this rivalry between the two of you?’’ Rose pressed her curiously, only having heard scandalous gossip of the supposed feud so far.

‘’It was his father. There was always trouble with Nathan Hockley. I think his son just followed his footsteps, typically...’’

‘’The necklace was bought in Paris using his father's name of credit. I saw amongst some files in the safe.’’ Rose gazed out at the sea as they stood at the rail of her private deck. It felt almost safe here, as though they were the only two in existence and yet, Hockley or his manservant could return at any given moment to break their peace but none of that seemed to matter.

‘’The name could buy anything he ever wanted.’’ Jack snapped. ‘’He was at Harvard with my uncle. I believe at one point they were friends; both were intelligent and literate whereas my own father would chop wood for entertainment.’’ A line formed between his brows. ‘’Hockley built his empire just as Eric did his, and the rivalry started as most others probably did but soon there would be bad publicity, stealing of shares and such. Eric never went into it too much, but I saw that it had hurt him. Cal naturally had a hatred for the Dawson’s because for the past few years the industry has boomed and yet his own company seemed to have stalled but that isn’t public knowledge. The name itself could buy anything for its worth has plenty. Hockley begs, lies and steals to make his way to the top of the ladder and when another has success then he will do what he can to watch you fall.’’

‘'But Dawson Steel never fell?’’

‘’Not ever that I know of. Nathan tried to purchase shares in the place once or twice, but the buyers never allowed their stock to slip through their fingers, and since the White Star Line purchased the steel for their very own latest fleets then that was possibly the bitterest thing for Hockley.’’

‘’So, its jealousy?’’

‘’Perhaps, and the fact that I am not one of you. I will never be seen as a member of society and for that I am glad.’’ Jack found her gaze. ‘’Perhaps it is because he is slowly burdened with debts himself, which was why I am surprised he was able to become engaged to you and willingly clear your father’s debt—or claim to be willing to.’’