Chapter 1: The Beginning of It All

Sitting in a red velvet chair, I looked down at my pocket watch, wondering when this dull and tasteless performance would finally end. Suddenly, I heard a something. Pure. Intriguing. Her voice was melodic; a sound that sent ripples of warmth and electricity down my spine. Where had it come from? I looked up, searching the stage for the girl whose voice I had heard. Then, I saw her. She wore a green Elizabethan era dress, intricately studded with rows of precious stones. Locks of red hair that looked like scorching flames cascaded down her back. Her face was pale; she looked like an apparition under the spotlight. Her lips were crimson, vibrant against the stark background of her powdered face. A lone tear streaked down her face, as she collapsed on the ground, clutching a bloodied dagger. Suddenly, the curtains were drawn, red velvet drapes severing me from my glorious view. How could I not have seen her before?

"Dorian!" I heard someone bark, interrupting my thoughts. It was Henry.

"Yes?" I said, still dazed.

"Let's go! Did you not hear? The show has ended, we must leave!" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Uh-um, no, I did not. My apologies," I said, casting an innocent glance back at him.

"Let us leave before it gets too dreadful outside," Henry replied, buttoning his wool coat and donning his hat.

"Right," I said, doing the same.

We walked out of the theatre, the breeze chilling my very bones. "Lord Wotton! O, Lord Wotton!" shouted a woman, walking towards us, clutching her hat so that it would not be blown away.

Henry saw her, and muttered something under his breath, then replied with a polite "Yes, Ms Caraway?"

"Oh Henry, please, call me April!" the woman said.

"As you wish," he replied, dismissively.

She smiled, blushing at his comment. "Your wife requests your presence immediately at your residence. The Duchess has arrived and would like to speak with you in private."

"Ah!" Henry said, a look of disdain clouding his features. "Dorian, my sincerest apologies, I must go. I will call for you tomorrow afternoon for tea."

"Of course," I replied, masking a face of true interest.

"Goodnight." he said, tipping his hat, strolling away with the rather infatuated Ms. Caraway.

"Goodnight! I replied hastily, running to the alleyway of the theatre, hoping to catch a glimpse of the stunning woman I had seen perform earlier.


A/N Please review or PM, and tell me if you would like to hear more!
TheBrightEyedOne