Life of a socialite

AN: titanic has always been a guilty pleasure of mine and I've always been one for unusual pairs, this is also going to divert from historical and movie plot, Anyway I don't own Titanic.

I wouldn't necessarily declare I was precocious, however, I had an easier upbringing than most.

My father William DeWitt Bukater was a businessman who owned several factories he had inherited from his father.

My mother Ruth DeWitt Bukater was the daughter of Lord Thomas Burton and Lady Mabel Burton a wealthy Lord whose father had served in the court of King George III.

Or so she liked to brag.

This gave me and my sister a comfortable childhood, however, no one ever truly knew what was happening behind the facade.

Allow me to introduce myself my name is Marigold DeWitt Bukater and I'm 17 years of age, born on December 10th 1893.

Rumour has it my father had chosen the name marigold because when I was born, I had come into the world with a smile on my face, I believe my mother just liked names that were to do with flowers because two years later my younger sister Rose DeWitt Bukater was born into the world on March 3rd 1895 screaming her lungs out the moment she first took a breath or so my mother implies.

Despite us being sisters we looked noting alike it became more apparent the older we got.

Rose however much she might dislike it took after our mother, with her fiery red locks, Fare skin and green eyes she was quite stunning and gained many of her features from the Burton clan.

I on the other hand gain the DeWitt Bukater features, with my bark brown curls, hazel eyes and porcelain skin, unlike my sister I was on the smaller side coming in at only 5'4 and possessed little muscle.

Let's go back to the present.

As of right now Mother and I are attending the Appleton yearly Tea party.

Charlotte Appleton hosted the tea party every year, many of the wealthy families of Pennsylvania came to flaunt their wealth be it with the latest fashion or best horse.

It was rather infantile in my opinion, Turing a simple tea party into a parade of boasting and snide remarks.

Unfortunately, rose was in school and hadn't been able to keep me company, which left me in the company of the other young ladies of my age.

I didn't mind the ladies some were even quite delightful however conversation can become quite dull or bothersome.

It was either about the latest gossip or about a brand new style of fashion that had recently been introduced to high society.

Still, I put on my best most convincing smile.

"Wouldn't you agree Mari?" Helen turned to me.

Helen Woodville was the daughter of the wealthy real estate developer George Woodville, recently she had become engaged to Sir Richard Rockefeller one of the wealthiest family in New York.

Mary Woodville had been preening May the thought of being so close to such a prestigious family.

"Pardon?"

Alice St.Regis tutted.

"Honestly Marigold why do we even include you."

Alice St.Regis was the wife of Ronald St Regis son of Frank St. Regis and heir to the St. Regis hotel.

Helen the pacifier of our trio is quick to Alice.

"Now Alice, Marigold isn't feeling too well today."

I was fine and Helen knew that I was just simply bored, however, we both knew that would not sit well with Alice.

Instantly The look of irritation melts from Alice's face, a look of worry appears and she is quick to embrace Me.

"Oh, my dear Mari! Why didn't you say something, shall we find a place to sit?"

Alice is scouting the crowded garden looking for an available seat.

I quickly reassure the fretting Alice.

"It's alright."

Alice still looks unsure but eventually nods.

"I was just explaining what I heard about the Astor's, Ronald overheard Caroline Astor gossiping to lady Guggenheim about her brother and Ava Astor, rumour has it lady Astor had found sir John Astor finding comfort outside the marriage bed with Madeline Talmage a socialite in New York," Alice spoke quietly.

Helen was quick to add in her two sense.

"I heard that they had been having difficulties for a while."

Alice nodded her head.

"Yes rumour has it Ava was the first to stray though that's just rumours."

"She came out very well indeed, sir John had to pay her an undisclosed amount."

Helen and Alice babble on, whereas content to just listen.

Soon they are moving on to the next topic of conversation.

"Do you remember mistress Henson?"

"Our old music tutor?" I ask Helen.

The three of us along with most of Philadelphia's wealthiest attended William Penn Charter School, one of Philadelphia's most prestigious schools.

"Not just anyone could attend."

Mother would boast.

"Lady Cecile told me that she and headmaster were engaging in a tumultuous love affair," Helen whispered as if it was some Greta secret.

That doesn't surprise me.

It's no secret that Adelaide Henson was a social climber and was always trying to integrate herself Into high society.

Neither the less I'm surprised rose hadn't shared that piece of gossip with me, she was always eager to share any form of school gossip she could, then again I haven't seen rose much, mother has been forcing me to attend more functions with her.

"You are a lady of society, it's time you began acting like one."

It didn't help that I was considered of marriage age, and my mother was using that to her advantage.

Sometimes I felt like a showhorse.

Being paraded about like some prize to be won and greedy men looked upon me.

A small bell distracts me from my contemplations.

Charlotte Appleton clad in a light green dress that was covered with intricate stitching of flowers and a matching green hat caught everyone's attention.

"The Gentlemen's polo match is about to start, all those who will be competing please make your way to the stable, your horses have been tacked up and are ready."

Alice wrapped her arm through mine and leads Helen and me towards the polo field.

"Ronald is competing today, normally he wouldn't, however, he recently purchased a new stallion, the breeder is well known for producing good bloodlines, Ronald tells me it was money well spent, this is the first time Harrington will be put on a show."

Alice was able to find us three chairs on the front row, naturally, Alice wanted the best view to cheer on her husband and in natural Alice style she had either of us sit beside her, Alice liked to think of herself as the leader of our trio, that meant she always had it be in the middle.

Not that I mined, the less attention on me the better.

Looking around the growing crowd I was able to spot mother.

She was sat with countesses of Rothes on the far left, both women were in conversation with each other no doubt boasting about how wonderful they are.

It wasn't long after everyone had found their seat did the competitors gallop onto the field, polite applause was heard.

The game began.

If you were to ask me I would not be able to tell you who was winning, I had never been interested in polo, I applauded with everyone else when one of the riders made a goal but that was the extent of my knowledge.

Some time had passed and I was beginning to tire, I was trying to think of excuses to dismiss myself when there was a low voice to my left.

"Excuse me dear, but I do believe you are sat on my jacket."

I look down and in embarrassment realised the stranger was correct.

Blushing up to my roots I swiftly rise.

"I'm so sorry." I apologised.

It's at this time I look up to the stranger.

To my surprise, it was none other than Sir John Jacob Astor IV.

Mr Astor smiles at me.

"Do not fret my dear all is forgiven."

Astor holds out his hand.

"John Jacob Astor though most refer to me as J.J." Astor introduced himself.

I place my palm in his outstretched hand expecting a small shake to my surprise J.J brings my hand up to his lips and kisses my knuckles.

"Marigold DeWitt Bukater."

His eyes gleam with recognition m.

"Oh yes! Williams eldest daughter."

Does he know who I am?

My cheeks redden

"That is me."

"Your father is always boasting of your virtues and accomplishments." John boasted.

A grin splashed across my face.

I loved my father deeply and it filled my heart knowing that he spoke so highly of me.

"My father is too boastful I'm afraid."

I'm no different to any other lady many other ladies outshine me.

"Now don't be modest your father had told us about your affinity for music and French."

"Vous êtes gentil monsieur john le français est un si bel endroit comment pourrais-je ne pas avoir envie d'apprendre la langue" I couldn't help but proclaim.

"As I said a true jewel to your father." John Finished in confidence.

We would continue our conversation well into the afternoon, long after the polo match had ended and everyone was beginning to disburse.

I pretend not to notice the stares we were r receiving from nosy onlookers who had nothing better to do with their life.

I was able to find out that John was spending some time in Philadelphia but was due to travel back to New York in a few weeks.

To my surprise, the rumours were true, in fact for the first time they deeply underplayed this gentlemen's success.

John truly was a successful gentleman indeed, he owned the Astoria hotel in New York said to be one of the most luxurious hotels in New York, he had also patented several inventions, including a bicycle brake and a vibratory disintegrator

John explained to me it was used to produce gas from peat moss of all things.

He had even written a science fiction book named 'A journey in other worlds' it was about life in the year 2000 on the planets Saturn and Jupiter.

"It sounds delightful, I will have to read it."

"If you would like I will personally send you a copy to read." John offered.

I lit up.

"Would you? That would be lovely."

John puffed up.

"Then it shall be."

I did not doubt him.

We both continue to smile at each other before a cough breaks our focus.

Mother was standing a few feet away, her face scrunched up as if she had twisted something truly foul.

"We need to be heading home now marigold." Her voice was sharp and left no room for disagreement.

"Very well." John stood up before offering me his hand so I may stand as well.

John once again placed a kiss on my knuckles.

"It was lovely to spend the afternoon with your dear, I very much hope we can do it again sometime."

"I would appreciate that Mr Astor, I still have so many questions about your book."

"I shall have a copy sent to you the moment I return to my lodgings."

John bid both me and my mother fear-well before disappearing into the disbursing crowd.

I found Helen and Alice both openly starring at me.

Mother grasped my arm and led me through the crowd, I was beginning to worry about potential bruising because she didn't realise my arm until we were once again in the privacy of our vehicle.

Silence, mother did not say a word.

Until.

"I don't want you speaking to that man ever again marigold."

"Mother!"

"Do I make myself clear?"

I say nothing.

The rest of the car ride home is filled with uncomfortable silence.

I had never been more relieved when our house came into view.

The driver hadn't even opened the door properly before I was sliding out the door, what to put as much space between me and my mother as possible.

I flounced down the elegantly decorated hall in the direction of my room, embarrassment coursing through me.

Did my mother think so low of me?

Desperate to calm me I decided to make a quick detour.

There is one person who always brightens my day.

Once I reach my intended door I knock.

Someone yells

"Come in!"

I open the door and walk into the bedroom.

there sat on her vanity chair is my little spitfire rose.

Her fiery curls cascade around her, I notice she is still in her uniform most likely having just returned herself.

"How was school?"

Rose in a very unladylike manner one I know would have mother reeling shrugged her shoulders.

"Nothing new to report."

"Is that so?" I prod.

Rose gets a mischievous glint in her eyes.

She leans in as if to tell a secret despite my being stationed by the door.

"Well, Michael Prince tried to lift Lilly Howard's skirt."

"No" I pretend to gasp.

We both dissolve into a fit of giggles.

Walking up to Rose I grab her brush and start running it through her curly hair being careful with the knots.

"How was the tea party," Rose asked exited.

"Nothing interesting rose, mostly ladies gossiping about each other in their groups, gentlemen trying to outman each other." I joke to rose, who laughs.

"I can't wait until I can join high society, mother said next year shall be my debut, I will be finished with school and shall be allowed to join you and mother at gala's."

I halt my brush strokes.

"You will make a lovely Lady."

Rose brightens up.

"Or perhaps an actress!" Rose dramatically sighs while holding her hand to her head.

We both share a laugh.

Trudy summons us from the door.

"My ladies dinner is ready."

Before she departs I thank her.

Rose now knot-free stands from the chair and grasps my elbow and the two of us journey from the room.