A New Beginning

Chapter 36: Dawn of a New Day

Chapter 36: Dawn of a New Day

"Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion" Wendy reads from Jane Austen's book Pride and Prejudice.

"That was great Wendy," Rose says, who re-adjusts the candle, which is slowly dying out.

Wendy yawns and so does Rose.

"I think we should call it a night," Rose says.

"I think so too, Miss Rose."

"What have I told you, Wendy?"

"Sorry, Rose."

"That's better," Rose smiles and then stretches out. "You have really made some great progress Wendy, in reading and writing,"

"Thank you, Rose,"

"It was my pleasure Wendy, helping you brings me a lot of joy."

"Really?"

"Yes and you are helping me be a good housewife too. You are my friend Wendy..."

The maid leans over and hugs Rose.

"Thank you, Rose, and you are mine too. I've never had many friends before now, but you are the kindest and the nicest."

"Thank you, Wendy," Rose says before she begins cleaning up the papers and pencils, putting them back under her bed.

"I better get downstairs before anyone suspects anything," Wendy says.

"We have been getting away with it for weeks Wendy, I think we'll be okay," Rose smiles.

Wendy gets up to leave

"Rose?" Wendy asks.

"Yes?"

"I just wanted to ask you this and whatever you may say I will believe you...Are you with child?"

The papers go falling to the floor and Rose freezes in place.

"W-Why do you ask?"

"I don't really know; it is just the little things that I've noticed. Mostly the sickness and the eating, but also I couldn't help but overhear a conversation between your mother and yourself about your wedding dress not fitting properly...most of those things usually indicate a child..."

Rose swallows and tears up.

"Y-you won't tell anyone will you?"

"So it is true?"

"Yes... it is"

Wendy tries to give a comforting smile. "I will not tell anyone, as long as you want me to... Is it okay if I ask who's it is? Is it Mr. Hockley's"

"No, not at all... You do know that we were on the Titanic?"

"Yes miss, it was such a tragedy. I cried when I heard about it..."

"Well, Mr. Hockley was not the only man I was...connected to on the ship..."

Rose spends the next hour or so telling Wendy all about her, Jack and the Titanic. She cries through some of it, the wound still very fresh in her heart and she had been trying to forget it for the sake of her child and herself. She describes her attempted suicide, Jack's dinner up in first class, the party, Emma and Peter's wedding, their night and of course...the sinking. Wendy listens with wide eyes which produce tears by the end. She cannot believe how miserable Rose was in her life. Wendy had always assumed that life in first-class was amazing, never having to worry about money, having a full education and basically having everything you ever wanted to be served to you on a silver platter. But this was not the case as poor her poor mistress wasn't allowed to do anything, but sit around and look pretty and she was being forced into a loveless marriage, one that was going to be abusive and terrified her. To Wendy, first class sounded like a prison... not like life in service was any better, but at least Wendy earned her own money and most of the time, was allowed to have her own opinions. But now her mistress lost the man she loved and is now back where she started, carrying his child and without any sort of plan.