Chapter 2
Three Days Later
Just as Hades predicted, Persephone brought up the matter with him three days later.
"Mr. Princeton dear! You MUST call on Mr. Kent!" Persephone declared as the family was once again in the sitting room except this time Harley and Cassie were crocheting, Diana was drawing, Lois was writing, and Shayera was reading. Hades, however, was reading the latest news.
"What if I don't want to?" Hades responded.
"Hades! You promised!" Persephone exclaimed.
"Now when I did I say that?" Hades stated.
"Three days ago!" Persephone shouted.
"Oh boy," Shayera muttered. "Here it comes."
"You can not go back on your word like THAT!" Persephone was near screaming. "You horrible rotten son of..."
"Language, my dear," Hades interrupted. "There are children in the room."
"The youngest of which being FIFTEEN," Persephone pointed out. "She's not a child."
"She's not an adult either," Hades stated.
"I'm right here!" Harley exclaimed.
"Ask me if I care?" Hades responded. He turned his attention back to his wife. "Anyways, my dear, again, why would I want to marry off one of my few RATIONAL daughters? And why are you so obsessed with this?"
"Because...I...GAGGGGAAAG!" Persephone exclaimed. "Forget it! At this point I don't even care! If I hear the name Mr. Kent any time soon, it'll be TOO SOON!"
"Well that's too bad," Hades said. "Since I called on Mr. Kent last week and I found him positively delightful. He should be at the next ball which is tonight at 6 o'clock at our dear friend, Mr. Bradshaw's house." Persephone squealed in delight and Harley and Cassie giggled giddily. Shayera groaned since she hated parties.
"A party!" Harley exclaimed. "I love PARTIES!"
"Oh THANK YOU MR. PRINCETON!" Persephone shouted in pure excitement and delight. She turned to the girls. "Why are you standing around!? Go and get yourselves ready!"
"But Mom! It's not even noon yet!" Cassie complained.
"No buts," Persephone said. "Go and get ready. OH! Diana make sure to give Lois your diadem. It would go perfectly with her sapphire gown."
"Miss Persephone...I'm NOT wearing Diana's diadem," Lois responded. "I'm going to wear my locket. Besides, the diadem does not even fit me."
"Fine, just go get ready," Persephone said. Diana and Lois walked off towards their room and Cassie and Harley went off to theirs while Shayera continued sitting in her spot on the coach. "Why are you still sitting here?"
"Because there are only two brushes in our room and Harley and Cassie will want to use them," Shayera stated. "Besides, I'm in no rush."
"But you need to look your best for the party," Persephone said.
"It takes me thirty minutes to get ready," Shayera informed her. "I'll be fine."
Shayera was right as rain, as always. Harley and Cassie were using the hairbrushes and were fighting over who got to wear which trinket to the party. Meanwhile, Diana and Lois were getting ready quietly. Diana put on her puffed sleeved scarlet dress while Lois put on her puffed sleeved sapphire dress. Diana currently was braiding Lois' hair as Lois sat in front of the mirror. Lois sighed.
"What do you think Mr. Kent will be like?" Lois asked.
"I do not know," Diana admitted. "Hopefully he'll either be the perfect gentleman and everything you find admirable in a man or he'll be so repulsive that Miss Persephone can not stand the sight of him."
"Hopefully," Lois said. "Though I do wish she would let ME pick who I want to court. I mean, it's MY life and I'M the one who has to live with him."
"I know," Diana responded. "I know. I do too. I'll be lucky if she let's me pick who I WANT to court. Though with my luck I'll end up with someone horribly indecent."
"Who WOULD you like to marry?" Lois asked.
"I'd want to marry a man..." Diana paused to think. "Who is considerate and respectful. Intelligent enough for me to match wits with and is completely and wholly in love with me. And I him. How about you?"
"I want to marry a kind, caring man," Lois said. "One who loves me beyond my looks and is respectful. But the probability of Mr. Kent being all those things is unlikely. And Miss Persephone is determined to have me marry him. And we all know she doesn't have...the best judgment when it comes to men."
"Don't lose hope before you meet him," Diana responded. "Father found him likable and we all know how hard it is to gain his favor. There's hope for you yet." Lois smiled.
"Lois! Diana! Are you two done yet?!" Persephone called out from downstairs.
"Almost!" Diana responded. "We'll be down soon!"
The Princeton family rode in a carriage all the way to the Bradshaw's manor; it took them about thirty minutes. Harley, Cassie, and Persephone were gossiping the entire time while the other four members stayed silent. When they arrived Persephone and Hades got out first, followed by Lois, then Diana, then Shayera, Cassie, and lastly Harley. They all walked inside and made their way to the sitting room. Diana instantly found Mercy in a far corner of the sitting room and she walked quickly towards her.
"Hello Mercy," Diana said. Mercy turned and saw Diana; she smiled.
"Diana," Mercy responded. She hugged her. "It's good to see you again." They stopped hugging. "How have you been?"
"Fine," Diana stated. "Nothing new. Except now Miss Persephone is trying to hook up Lois and Mr. Kent. You haven't by any chance met Mr. Kent, have you?" Mercy shook her head.
"No, though I have heard rumors," Mercy informed her. "From what I've heard he'll be attending tonight's ball along with two other women, his best friend, and his brother-in-law."
"Two other women?" Diana questioned. Mercy nodded. "One of them is probably his sister since his brother-in-law is attending. But the other one...either she's his wife or his sister."
"I hope for Lois' sake she's his sister," Mercy responded. "Your stepmother will not be happy if it turns out Mr. Kent is already married."
"True," Diana said. "Though the other woman might be his friend's wife."
"Possibly," Mercy admitted.
"Anyway, how was your trip?" Diana asked.
"Average," Mercy answered. "The view was great, the food was fine, but the people and carriage ride were torture." Diana smirked.
"Attention!" Mr. Bradshaw exclaimed. Everyone turned their attention to him. "Thank you for coming. Now, it is with great pleasure that I introduce the new taker of Netherfield, Mr. Kent. Along with his sister Miss Kent and Mrs. Savage and her husband Mr. Savage. And his best friend, Mr. Wayne."
Mr. Kent walked in first, he was a tall man with black hair, twinkling blue eyes, and his face carried a gentleness about him. Then Miss Kent, she was pale, had auburn hair, emerald eyes, and she was wearing a fancy and long emerald gown. Mrs. Savage was a blonde with baby blue eyes, and she was wearing a fancy and long sky blue dress. Mr. Savage had black hair, mustache, and beard and his face came off as stern. Then Mr. Wayne walked in. Diana noted that he was without a doubt the most handsome of the group. He had slicked back black hair, sapphire eyes, but his face was a bit hard for Diana to decipher. He seemed angry but sad at the same time and stern yet not quite.
"Hi," Mr. Kent said as he waved his hand at the crowd. Mr. Wayne elbowed him and he brought his hand down.
"Now let's go dance in the ballroom!" Mr. Bradshaw declared. Everyone loved that idea and headed over almost immediately. Diana joined in the large group dances along with Lois, Cassie, and Harley while Shayera and Mercy sulked in the corner. Eventually the dances shifted to duel dances. When they did, Diana and Lois joined Shayera and Mercy in the corner.
"Done dancing?" Mercy asked.
"Pretty much," Diana said. "I don't think anyone's going to dance with me."
"Same," Lois responded. Then she felt a tap on her shoulder; she turned to see Mr. Kent.
"Ummm...sorry to bother you," Mr. Kent started nervously. "But I was wondering if maybe...I mean...would you like to dance with me?" Lois was honestly surprised and it showed on her face. "But if you don't want to..."
"No. I mean, yes. I would love to dance with you," Lois answered. Mr. Kent smiled. She took Mr. Kent's hand and was led gently to the center of the room.
"Well I'll be," Shayera said. "She actually said yes. That's new." Harley and Cassie ran over to them.
"You all are NOT going to believe what we just saw," Cassie exclaimed.
"Lois dancing with Mr. Kent?" Mercy guessed. Their faces fell.
"How'd you know?" Cassie asked.
"Lucky guess," Mercy responded.
"This is GREAT!" Harley exclaimed. "Lois FINALLY accepted a dance. And from Mr. KENT. I am SO going to tease her about this later!"
"Like you don't tease her enough already," Shayera said. "Don't you have something better to do with your time?"
"What? You want me to do what you?" Harley responded. "Be sad and gloomy all the time."
"Harley, why don't we go get some punch?" Cassie suggested trying to stop things before they got too far out of hand. "Then it'll be easier to find mother and we can tell her the great news."
"Great idea, Cassie!" Harley responded. They both headed toward the refreshment table. Mr. Princeton walked over towards the three girls.
"Shayera, Diana, come here," Hades said. "We have to introduce you to Mr. Kent."
"Do Cassie and Harley first," Shayera replied. "They probably would enjoy it more."
"We already have," Hades said. "I know you don't want to but it's better now then later on."
"Of course father," Diana responded. She turned to Mercy. "I'll be back in a moment." She and Shayera followed their father and saw their stepmother and Lois already with Mr. Kent and Mr. Wayne.
"Oh! And these two are my other stepdaughters," Persephone said. She gestured to Diana first. "This is Diana. The second eldest." Diana curtsied and the two men bowed in response. When Diana came up she noticed that Mr. Wayne's eyes were on her. When she turned hers to look at him though, he turned away. "This is Shayera, the third eldest." Shayera curtsied to the two men and they bowed again.
"It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Kent," Diana said. "Mr. Wayne. I see you have already met my sister."
"Oh yes," Mr. Kent responded. "Miss Princeton and I have become acquainted." He bowed Lois. "It was a honor and a pleasure to dance with you." Lois curtsied.
"The pleasure is all mine," Lois replied. They both came up. Lois smirked. "I hope we will met again."
"As do I," Mr. Kent agreed. Diana kept her eyes on Mr. Wayne during the exchange and noticed that he seemed to be analyzing Lois. For what reason she did not know but it came off as unnerving a bit. Sure she would have done the exact same thing if she was in his place, but still it felt strange being on this end of the exchange. "Good day, Miss Princeton."
"Good day Mr. Kent," Lois responded. Mr. Kent smiled and he and his friend walked away.
"Well I'll be," Persephone said in disgustful tone. "I have never in my life met as arrogant or proud a man as that Mr. Wayne. He barely even spoke to me."
"My dear, you are aware that not everyone is as talkative as you," Hades replied.
"Yes, but he was crud and barely spoke more than two sentence responses to me," Persephone stated. "And the way he was glaring at Lois. Disgraceful."
"He wasn't glaring, Miss Persephone," Diana said. "He was analyzing. Probably to see if she is the right kind of woman for his friend."
"Diana, are you defending him?" Persephone responded.
"Merely stating facts," Diana answered. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I would like to go and talk to Mercy." Diana walked back toward the corner. She was almost there when she noticed Mr. Kent and Mr. Wayne against the wall talking. Her curiosity got the better of her and so she silently got close enough to where she could hear them and yet not be seen.
"Why were you glaring at Miss Princeton?" Mr. Kent asked.
"I wasn't glaring," Mr. Wayne responded. "I was analyzing. There's a difference."
"Analyzing what?" Mr. Kent said. "You think she's a thief in disguise and is trying to get into my back pockets?"
"It happens Kent," Mr. Wayne stated. "Men get swayed by a woman's looks and charms that they are completely blind to their real objective."
"You hardly even know her," Mr. Kent responded. "How could you possibly know if that's her objective or not."
"I could say the say about you and trusting her," Mr. Wayne said. "But you're right. I don't know her well enough to assess that. I'll just have to wait and see."
"You know not every woman is like that," Mr. Kent replied.
"No, but there's no way to know who is and who isn't," Mr. Wayne stated. "As of right now, I do not know into which category Miss Princeton falls. And only time will tell that."
"Well enough about me. Let's talk about you," Mr. Kent said.
"Let's not," Mr. Wayne responded.
"Come on," Mr. Kent started. "I know for a fact you have not danced ONCE tonight. And THAT needs to change."
"No it doesn't," Mr. Wayne said. "I would much rather stay put."
"Bruce...," Mr. Kent started. "You can't keep living like this. Don't you think you should move past this?"
"Ask me that AFTER you felt what I've felt and been through what I've been through," Mr. Wayne said. "Besides, you know I don't like dancing."
"Just one dance," Mr. Kent responded. "One. And it doesn't have to be with Pamela. How about with Miss Diana Princeton? I saw the way you were looking at her."
"Kent I'm not in the mood to dance with some random pretty girl I don't even know," Mr. Wayne said harshly. "I'm not dancing with anyone. Least of all someone that's as handsome as her." Diana was confused and a bit annoyed. He had called her a random pretty girl but what did he mean "someone that's as handsome as her"?
"You admit that she's handsome?" Mr. Kent said. "Are you afraid that she might be too tempting for you?"
"Yes she is handsome, and that much is fact," Mr. Wayne replied. "Any fool would agree. Now go back to your partner or get some punch you're wasting your time with me." Diana decided to leave and go back to Mercy. She needed someone to think this over with.
Note: Supergirl will come up in this story later. So who are Mr. Kent's sisters?