Serenity

A Meeting of Worlds

Her heart had been looking for a home for a long time. Now though, it was the most unsettled that she had ever felt, flitting about within her chest. Trudy stood behind Rose at her vanity, the pair meeting Cal's eyes in the mirror as he entered her bedroom, fiddling with his bow tie, a dark salacious glow across his face. 

The one that she had witnessed before when he had tried to lure her into his bed. 

“Good Lord, your beauty rituals keep us running late, sweet pea.”

Rose had intentionally taken her time and made Trudy work for a while longer on perfecting her hair, trying on several shades of red lipstick before selecting a deep burgundy to match the colour of her dress which was covered with a layer of black beading. It was a fascinating and intricate design, one that she had selected herself in Paris. One that she felt quite attractive to be wearing. The low decolletage had caught Cal's attention through the mirror briefly, but his gaze then went upwards.

“You look ravishing, darling."

“So my efforts are not in vain.”

Trudy continued to fix an intricate beading into Rose's curls. A heated curler had been used to tease some life back into her hair after her afternoon in the sun. The wind had straightened out her tendrils ensuring she was thoroughly windswept.

“Indeed not.” Cal finished his bow tie, before flicking off invisible pieces of dust from his suit. “Although I shall have to leave now, I cannot keep our party waiting and Mr. Andrews is to dine with us this evening.”

“Of course. I shall not be long, dear.”

At the term of endearment, Cal smiled and perhaps it was a little bit genuine, but for Rose, all she could do was pretend. It was all part of a show, an act. The part of Cal’s wife. He lingered within the doorway for just a moment before deciding to come forth to her, and Trudy politely stepped away as protocol dictated that they should require a moment alone.

His mouth went near her ear, tickling in a way that made her feel ill. Of course, he was oblivious to how she felt. A gentleman was never aware of his fiancée's turmoil. The melancholy haze which seemed to cloud her even on the brightest days. The impassive face had been perfected down to an art when inside was utter chaos. The one occasion in which Rose had broached the subject with her mother and then Cal, only for it to be dismissed instantly.

The cardinal sin had been broken; ladies didn't speak about their feelings to those nearest and closest. Regardless of the notions which had played in her head, even contemplated suicide as a way out of the life which had been so carefully planned.

She was so carefully wrapped up. Like the perfect China doll that was too dainty to touch or she would break. Yet, it was those who had trapped her that were causing her to crack.

Slowly and then, Cal spoke.

"I am glad that you are feeling better, sweetpea. This trip has done wonders for your moods." A single kiss to her ear seemed to seal her fate.

"The pills are working wonderfully well." 

The truth was, that she had not taken those damned pills for weeks, and had felt a severe improvement. They made her feel cloudy-headed and unsteady. Unbeknownst to Cal, he knew none of that. Keeping that a secret, as well as her friendship with Jack felt criminally satisfying.

"I shall see you at dinner then."

As Cal left, Rose went back to the reflection in the mirror. She felt as though, for once, instead of resentment, there was a little piece of happiness there. After Trudy ceased fiddling with her hair, she had created an ethereal look, and even Rose had to admit that she felt different.