Alternative opening chapter
Alternate opening chapter to Rumours by Anna Godbersen written by Kathryn Bell, Molly Drummond and Chee Man, (without any prior knowledge of New York society. Forgive us.)
Chapter 1
Diana forced her way through the hoards of dancers, all crowded inside the Schoonmaker ballroom. The turnout was impressive; but a Schoonmaker ball, and one that wasn’t private or invitational at that, wasn’t to be missed.
Convinced that he should have been right in front of where she had stopped Diana span around in search. Her bohemian, Penelope-esque red dressed swished around her and a stray lock of brown hair escaped and fell down the right side of her face. Pushing it back impatiently, she finally found who she was looking for. Henry.
He was engaged in conversation with her mother who would surely keep him occupied long enough for her to get there. Their voices began to become clearer as she approached and she could pick out her mother’s numerous comments and Henry’s indifferent replies.
Stifling a smile, Diana caught Henry’s eye and he smiled from the corner of his mouth.
“Good evening Miss Diana” he greeted her in secretly sarcastic politeness whilst nodding his head.
“Good evening Henry” she replied in mock stiffness, inclining her head in his direction. Her mother soon interrupted their private joke, reproaching Diana as usual.
“Where have you been, Di? I’ve been searching for you all evening.”
Ever since Elizabeth’s hoax death her mother had entertained a hope that Diana would take up her stead and marry Henry. Mrs Holland had no idea how right she was. For many months Diana and Henry had been dearly in love and had been having many secret meetings behind this family’s backs. The only reason they were still in hiding was because they were entertaining an appropriate mourning period for Elizabeth before they could officially begin courting. Thankfully Mrs Holland chose this as the appropriate moment to bow out and leave Diana and Henry to dance, much to the relief of both. Henry offered his arm whilst pretending to look indifferent and Diana took it as if obliged.
They knew perfectly well that the eyes of many a young gentleman and lady would be upon them so were careful enough to keep their appearance indifferent to avoid suspicion. But the conversation picked up almost exactly where it had left off the night before.
“Have you seen much of Penelope Hayes recently?” Diana asked, a playful edge to her tone.
“If you mean what I think you do then, yes, she hasn’t stopped throwing herself at me.” Henry replied trying to sound exasperated. Diana stifled a laugh and they shared hardly concealed grins.
Penelope had been almost stalking Henry since Elizabeth’s supposed death. Now that she thought her biggest competition was out of the picture, Henry’s refusal had frustrated her since the very beginning.
Diana cast her eyes around and soon spotted Penelope stood dramatically by a pillar, watching them with narrowed eyes. Good, Diana thought. In spite of herself she had begun to wear slightly more eye-catching dresses than she used to. Partly to show Penelope who her real competition was and partly because Henry liked it.
“Can you escape in five minutes time?" Henry almost whispered into her ear. Diana’s heartrate quickened as it always did, but she was used to that now so could keep her face straight.
I expect so yes.” She whispered in return.
“Conservatory.” He answered.
They continued spinning around the floor, saving anything they might want to say for later. The music came to a stop and they separated and clapped the band. Henry walked Diana to the side of the room where her mother was stood gossiping with her aunt. Henry inclined his head concealing a wink meant only for her.
It wasn’t difficult for Diana to disengage herself from her mother’s conversation. She was used to Diana’s drifting moments by now and didn’t complain when she turned to watch Henry leave the room. She itched to follow him but knew she would have to wait a few minutes first.
Turning away to try and resist the impulse, Diana spotted Penelope gliding towards her. Putting a complacent smile on her face. She met Penelope in the middle, she didn’t want anyone to overhear and especially not her mother and aunt. “Penelope.” Diana greeted her lightly.
“Di.” She replied coldly. Penelope glanced around the room, obviously gathering her thoughts. Without turning back, she spoke again but this time more composed.
“I see you were dancing with Mr Schoonmaker earlier.” Diana knew she was pushing her luck but couldn’t help it.
“Yes Henry was quite insistent that we continue.” Penelope’s eyes flashed to her in loosely concealed rage. “But I was too thirsty so had to stop.” Diana longed to laugh in her face but resisted the temptation.
“And why would he insist?” Penelope tried to sound calm but was doing a bad job of it.
“I am told he is quite taken by me…” Diana replied, she was toeing the line now and added.
“I expect it’s just the loss of Elizabeth that’s affecting him.”
They both knew it was a poor excuse but Penelope thought Diana more ignorant than she was so didn’t push it.
“Hmm.” Was Penelope’s only reply and they lapsed into silence both looking around the room. Penelope seething in rage and thought herself betrayed, Diana considering the effects of her words and silently gloating.
A few uncomfortable moments passed before a word was said between them. “Ahh Buck has finally arrived.” The excuse suited them both and they moved to opposite ends of the room without a parting word. Diana resolved to warn Henry about the encounter and also complain about Penelope’s insistence but knew as soon as she was with him all would be forgotten.
The crowd almost flinched out of the way as Penelope stormed through. Rage plastered across her features. How dare that insolent girl take her place with Henry? Was she exaggerating? Possibly not. But still, Penelope was fuming. Reaching Buck she dragged him into a small side room and started pacing.
“Penelope?” He asked. She span around, eyes glinting with fury.
“Diana Holland.” She spat out as if it pained her.
“Was dancing with Henry.”
She carried on pacing as if this fully explained it.
“So?”
“So!?” Penelope screeched as she flew to a stop.
“She has led me to believe that he admires her!”
She span around looking for a shiny object as if her reflection would calm her.
“But why would he do that Penny? He has you!”
This, coupled with the full-length mirror she found, managed to calm her so Buck continued.
“She was probably just jealous.”
“Yes.” She answered. “I expect she was.”
Turning her chin to admire her profile, Penelope wondered why Henry could ever want anyone else, but the problem was he didn’t know that. Yet.
“He doesn’t realise how perfect I am for him though Buck.”
Penelope complained, pouting to add to the effect.
“Then we need to show him.”
Buck replied softly.
“But how?” She pined, in the mood to be nursed and Buck humoured her as always.
“Make him jealous.”
Penelope turned quickly to face him. It wasn’t an original idea in the slightest but it suited her purposes.
“Buck you’re a genius.” She said, smiling finally.
“I try.”
Buck gave a mock-sigh and watched as Penelope waked back towards the ballroom with new vigour. Her plan had been forming even as Buck spoke. Henry Schoonmaker didn’t know just how lucky he was, so she would take his privilege away and then he would realise what he was missing. It perplexed her how he could refuse her even now when this level of perfection was being openly handed to him. Any other man would jump at the opportunity. And she would give it to them. Vowing she would dance with the first eligible man she saw, Penelope took up her place by a pillar and watched the crowd. A few possibilities passed by her but they weren’t quite right.
Then Teddy Cutting entered her view. A wide smile spread across her face and her plans took a new direction. Henry’s best friend was bound to leave a mark. Teddy had never before had anything that Henry didn’t. It was all so perfect in her head that she couldn’t see it failing. With this assurance, she walked towards Teddy, smiling warmly and batting her eyelashes.