PROLOGUE
From a certain source, this may very well be the wedding of the century.
- FROM THE "GAMESOME GALLANT" COLUMN IN THE NEW YORK IMPERIAL, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, 1898
Zooming in to Manhattan and all the finest houses there, we will see some spectacular scenes.
A man and woman, most certainly not married, laid in each other's arms at a famous hotel. His face was riddled with guilt. He had done something he really should not have and now, all his chances were gone.
Another couple, this one newly wedded, went to bed for their first night as a husband and wife. They had spent time naked before but this time it was different. It was as though their love was greater for every minute they spent with each other.
A lonely woman stood there in the rain, painfully aware that she had lost everything. It hurt so much. It was a pain that spread through the body and hopefully, she would die from it. Her own choices had brought her this unhappiness, and she damned herself for everything she had ever done.
Sleeping at different sides of the bed, putting as much of a distance between the two, did another husband and wife. Since their first night they had not touched each other, and they lived in fear of the other one. Not a good marriage at all.
ONE
THE ALISTAIR SYLVESTER FAMILY
REQUEST THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY
AT A BALL CELEBRATING
ROSELIA SYLVESTER'S
17TH BIRTHDAY
ON THE EVENING OF SATURDAY
THE FOURTH OF SEPTEMBER
AT NINE O'CLOCK AT THEIR RESIDENCE
670 FIFTH AVENUE
IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
Stepping outside the family carriage, Temperance Rutherford realized this would most certainly be the party of the year. The Sylvester's were a nouveau rich family and had moved here, to Fifth Avenue, earlier this year. Their mansion had more than one ballroom. Temperance could only guess that everything would be excessively ornate, decorated and planned in to the smallest detail. With a sigh, she also realized that it had nothing to do with the birthday girls wishes, sadly, and that said girl presumably had not said much in the process.
Temperance was offered a helping hand by her brother, Benjamin Rutherford, to climb the seven steps of sandstone. Her sea green dress surged after her. For a second, Benjamin left her side to sprint down and pick up the bouquet of gardenias left in the carriage. He then quickly skipped the steps to join his younger sister before entering the Sylvester mansion.
The grand foyer held black marble floor and in the middle of the room, beneath the flamboyant crystal chandelier and in front of the staircases that would lead you up to the second floor, was a mahogany table filled with flowers. Mostly lilies, as that seemed to be the flower of tonight, but also white roses which symbolized the youth of the birthday girl.
Said birthday girl, Miss Roselia Sylvester, stood next to the staircase along with her family, greeting the guests that had arrived to celebrate her. Temperance did not even think twice about the fact that a servant took her coat trimmed with fur nor the fact that Roselia was immensely beautiful.
Her steps managed to echo as she walked across the floor behind her parents, despite the fact that guests was arriving in incredible numbers. Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford congratulated first the Sylvester's, for having such a beautiful daughter and a splendid party and handsome son – although Reuben Sylvester was not someone to lay eyes on for a longer time – and then moved on to congratulating Roselia Sylvester.
Temperance did as much and then let go of her brother's arm, as he seemed to linger on next to Miss Sylvester. She herself was looking for her best friend who most certainly would have arrived at this hour. As she made her way through the ball room, this room too decorated with lilies, she greeted many of the old New York families such as Mr. William Schoonmaker and his newly wedded wife, much younger than her husband, Mr. Graham Cutting and his wife. Temperance' parents were good friends with the Cutting's and therefore Temperance greeted them and chatted for a second, before continuing her search party.
She passed Araminta Vanderbilt, who quietly sat next to the vivid character of Adelaide Wetmore, but only acknowledged them with a hastily nod. She had her eyes set at the one she had been looking for; on the other side, in a large circle of friends stood Nathaniel De Ford, her best friend and most talented dance partner.
Temperance made her way through the crowd, pausing to conserve politely with friends of her parents and her own. She was, however, on a mission and these people knew not to postpone Temperance Rutherford too long.
The blonde girl with freshwater pearls embedded in her hair leaned in between Nathaniel and her brother, who clearly had left Miss Sylvester's side. For a split of a second she listened to the conversation – today's horse racing – but it was quickly dismissed.
"Tempie!" Nathaniel exclaimed and embraced his friend. She did not wait to be asked to dance – she rarely did, with him at very least – but simply took his hand and dragged him out on the marble floor – this time in white – and curtsied, before joining the other couples dancing.
"When did you arrive from Newport, Nathaniel?" Curiosity sparked from Temperance. She should have known the answer, but her family's visit at the summer house was cut short when Aunt Mildred fell sick.
"Wednesday", replied the tall, brown haired man with a smile. "It was a shame you couldn't stay longer. I hope that your aunt is well?"
Temperance made a grimace as they danced past another couple, and before she could answer, Nathaniel made her turn underneath his arm.
"She is well enough the whole family could join the party tonight."
"It is a marvelous party, is it not?" Nathaniel posed it as a question, but really, it was not. It was a statement, because all of the Sylvester parties were extravagant, dramatically decorated and the food was delicious.
Temperance did not answer his question or statement, but simply gave him a broad smile. Being swept across a dance floor in his arms brought back memories of the early summer season in Newport, where they had danced the most dances, laughed together and throwing grapes at the old men from the balcony. A behavior that could be forgiven for a nineteen year old, rich boy, but not for a beautiful girl at eighteen.
Despite having known each other for most of their lives, this summer really had brought them closer. They were in deed best friends now, which was a relief for Temperance. She had never quite fit in with the girls her age, and always had that boyish touch to her personality, despite her very female looks. Having an actual best friend, male or female, was the best thing that could have happened her this summer.
"Oh, look at Araminta Vanderbilt", whispered Temperance and leaned in to Nathaniel's lean frame. "She has to dance with Reuben Sylvester."
They both looked in that direction before turning and continuing dancing their way through the night.
It is two years since I worked on this fanfic. It was my NaNoWriMo in 2013 and it was also the first time I won NaNo - which made me thrilled! I had like fifteen minutes to spare, but I made it!
I haven't worked on the project since. I have gone inside and read snippets, but mostly I was too exhausted from the sheer work put into it. But today, I got so vivid The Luxe vibes that I knew I had to do something. So I edited mis-spellings and corrected some grammar, and now it is hear for you guys to read. I will put up the entire story in time so you will have it all. It's always nice to have something to read, aye?
If you like or dislike what you read - please comment! It gives everyone a wonderful boost.