A/N: For once, I don't really have anything special to say before I kick off the new chapter. I just hope you guys enjoy it!

Book One: Antebellum

Chapter Seven: A Barron Ball

"Oh, hey!" Steve rose from the red booth.

He waited eagerly for the jingle followed by the bombshell blonde he's been so blessed with. Earlier while Bucky showered, Steve ate breakfast with his mother and she indulged in her favorite sin: Gossip. Now he knew everything. Something in him wanted to man up and drop to one knee. He just didn't know how go about it, let alone provide for the rest of their lives. But one thing was certain. In the short time he's known her, it was safe to say he was in love. Sure, it was a whole lot slower than all the other young and fresh couples he's known. By god, half of his graduating class tied the knot with each other or whoever they went steady with by now. It was only him, Bucky, and probably only a handful of the class that was still single. He was unsure about this whole situation. At least his mother approved. There certainly would be hell to pay if she didn't and he did. But first, baby steps.

"Steve! Oh, you look so good today!"

She sounded breathless. Breathless was good. Right?

"Well, I try."

"You don't need to! You've got a handsome face most are too vain to see."

The way she rested a hand upon his cheek, something stirred within. Everyone he's met agreed that he had quite the face. Very few, however, accepted his body. Vernetta didn't seem bothered and that made his stomach flutter.

"Would you like to sit?"

"That would be lovely."

They both slid into the red booth. Vernetta took the extra step by removing her sunglasses and sunhat. The last to go were her gloves and after they were tossed aside, she immediately reached over the table. She set a hand above Steve's.

"It's so nice to see you well rested...and without a drunk friend."

"Yeah, well, you should've heard him yelling."

"He did leave his mark on my skirt, so I have an idea."

Steve and Vernetta ordered and conversed only pausing twice. First to be served was their sodas followed shortly by their meals.

"So I met up with an old friend yesterday. Told her all about Brooklyn and you."

"Manhattan girl?"

"Nothing less. She's the queen bee, actually."

Steve's heart palpitated. He knew Vernetta would speak so freely and highly of her experience in the borough, yet didn't think in the whole wide world she'd talk about him of all things. He tried to muster some courage to remain composed and kept the conversation going.

"Queen bee?" He tilted his head.

"You know, the leader in a girl group? In this case it's not really a group but more of all of New York's young socialites."

Vernetta's "adventure" would surely spread like wildfire throughout the state with those kind of connections. It made Steve a little uneasy, knowing his name would be passed around and couldn't do a thing about it.

"The thing about gossip is that it doesn't have to be real." She read the look on his face. "We know the truth about us and that's all that should matter.

There was something more to that than her and Steve verses the rich world. No, the way she tightened her grip on him, the sad twinkle in her eye, it said more than she let on. Steve assumed it had something to do with her predicament. As far as she knew, only Amelia and Sarah were let on to the fact that she would have nothing, be nothing in her eyes. Steve put another hand over her.

"I'll always be here for you, Vernetta."

"I know." She smiled. "You're such a good man. It's such a shame most don't see that."

Vernetta saw it. Yet, she didn't want it. All those months of pining and her true feelings finally surface.

Her music was enough to bring tears to the eyes of even the most jaded of souls. She guessed it had something to do with her own heavy energy pouring into fingers. Whether it was received by the strings of her most prized violin or the blanche keys of a grand piano, a girl like Gloria Lawrence could ensnare an entire party. It was unfortunate that she often serviced them instead of performing wonders. But then again, her polishing skills and table setting were quite the rage in the housekeeping community. Just shy of seventeen, she hopped from one American manor to the next as did her mother and her mother before hoping to one day be a princess in the spotlight. Yet girls like Madeleine Tinsley and Caroline Mortimer keep getting the flashes they well don't deserve with their reckless and unapologetic behaviors. Most of the light filters on that brazen excuse of a well-bred girl named Victoria Barron so suddenly from the even more impudent Vernetta Holbrook. Yet ever since the previous night, whispers had been growing. Victoria was about to throw her first soiree introducing her as the queen of the socialites. No Vernetta in sight, either, which was quite fascinating. As much as Gloria despised the culture of wealth, she oh-so enjoyed hearing about all the trainwrecks.

"Oh you would not believe the details Victoria shared."

Gloria tended to the siblings Charlotte and Samuel Devereux by refilling their drinks or cleaning up their messes. Until she was called upon, she was a wallflower. One with perfectly capable ears that is.

"I wouldn't believe a word she says." The sister was quick to wave away the words. "So what she's throwing a stupid party?"

"People tell me that this party will revive the dead. You know? Blonde? Lipstick enthusiast? Ye' high?"

"Too many girls with that description, dear brother."

"Who's the most prestigious of us who disappeared recently? Go on, tell me!"

Gloria stared into the blank space as the Devereux's rose their voices. She heard only ill remarks about the Holbrook family, and that Victoria was planning on luring her predecessor back into the fold.

"Oh she wouldn't dare!"

"I speak no lie, Charlotte. Victoria will break her heart to show her that wherever she ended up isn't good for her."

"But..Vernetta will surely dethrone her if that succeeds."

"Dear sister, one Queen Victoria ruled for sixty-three years. This one will surely rule for sixty-four."

They schemed to see tears fall from Vernetta's perfect eyes. No way were they going to let her think that running away came with no strings attached. No, Charlotte instead telephoned her queen and affirmed her alliance. It was with a cold look to her maid that really struck a deal.

"I have a maid in my service: a pretty distraction who's the next Mozart. Will that do?"

Gloria fought to keep her eyes down. She knew very well Charlotte was talking about her.

"Pretty enough to distract a Brooklyn boy? How odd...yet I believe so."

Her eyes went up. Gloria finally saw the horrible Devereaux woman she's served for a year with her own eyes.

"What in the hell?"

There was a fancy envelope in the mailbox all crisp and white. And of course, how could he forget the gold seal with a large 'B' taking up most of it? Rich people.

Bucky examined the outside but only found the seal and his address written in smooth cursive. Probably for one of his sisters but that still didn't sit right with him. Dorothy and Doris were completely out of the question so it fell to the more believable choice named Hazel. Finally moving up in the world, he guessed.

"Here, this is for you."

Bucky was quick to throw the envelope on his sister's desk and planned to dash out of her room. It was so girly that it made him uncomfortable, and they're related. He was used to the strange things Hazel does or likes. But her bedroom? Never.

The girl herself glanced up and smirked.

"Me and you."

She was quick to peel off the envelope and study the invitation that riddled her with anticipation. A Barron Ball as the event was named.

"What do you mean 'Me and you.'?"

"We're going to this. Together." Hazel held up the invitation. "I'm gonna be your wingwoman."

"Why the hell would you be my wingwoman?"

She flashed him a look all sisters who knew secrets had. She even held up a hand to make the look more believable.

"Uh, to help you and Vernetta of course?"

Bucky smirked, eventually throwing back for a laugh. Hazel didn't know what was so funny. She simply stared at him waiting for the end of it.

"I don't think I heard you right-"

"-Because you're still probably too hungover to function properly."

Hazel was jittery. She was definitely jittery and as giddy as a girl could be. She turned away from the desk and towards her brother with the biggest smile in the whole world.

"Usually people reach couple status before they shove each other's tongues down their throats."

She rose a brow. He dropped his cocky smile. That simple act made Hazel maniacal.

"Don't worry." She wiped away the tears. "I'm dead set on helping you. Even got a little friend pulling the strings."

"Oh jesus christ, more people know. It'll be only a matter of time before Steve finds out…"

Bobby was certainly furious. He had just caught wind of the little Barron Ball in production catching the Upper East Side by storm. His first reaction was that he couldn't believe he wasn't invited. He was better than the Barrons, of course they'd try to shut him out and his entire family. But that wasn't what piqued his interest. Whispers. Oh yes, the whispers had returned and they spelled an eight letter word. Disrepute came close but in a delicate situation such as this, of course it had to be Vernetta. Victoria wouldn't just up and secretly invite Vernetta. How in the hell did she find out about Brooklyn? This was going to have to involve some sleuth work.

He lounged in the family Hamptons away from all the Manhattan nonsense. It was a safe place to begin. The golden light of a beachside dawn was a clear indication to Bobby that his last step of preparation had finally arrived. As the early bird of the family, his breakfast was cooked first as he read the daily paper while sipping on some fresh tea. Even a man like him had a time frame of when it was appropriate to drink alcohol.

"Camilla, fetch me the telephone." Bobby rang a bell.

The maid did as she was told, bringing rotary candlestick and lightly set it on the side. It was pure white with intricate gold patterns. Most would favor sets that included gilded details: the appearance of gold and grandeur. But he was too good to merely pretend, so real gold it was. Camilla tucked the wire beneath the table and slinked back to the wall awaiting another command.

Bobby had written a number on a small white card the night before. Now it stared straight up to him. Should he call? Should he refrain? His sinister soul decided for him, reaching for the candlestick with one hand and turned the rotary with the other. He patiently listened to the constant rings.

"Tinsley Residence." A snobby voice answered the telephone. English butler, no doubt.

"Ah yes, Mr. Archibald. It's Robert Holbrook calling. Is the young Miss in?"

"A moment, if you will."

Bobby waited, thinking that in the future, there better be telephones where one could transfer the line immediately. He flipped through the pages deciding on who to invite. Most of his people were in her directory, so it would be up to his distinguished taste.

"Bobby?" A female voice entered his head. "What dares you to call?"

"Madeleine! It's one word, eight letters, ran off at the start of summer, newly returned to the fold for a brief period."

"Vernetta?! Where on earth has she been?"

"A secret that's no longer hidden. Somehow, a little Barron ventured out of her territory."

There was a pregnant pause.

"What would make her do such a thing?"

"You ask her. Party in the Hamptons tomorrow night, Barron House."

"Why would I even consider driving all the way out there?"

"Because I have a bad feeling that the first thing my sister will step in when she returns is shit."

"No.19, this is Vernetta."

"Vernetta darling. It's Victoria. Have a minute?"

Amelia nodded and took over the appointment as Vernetta made herself at home at the front desk. She leaned on the glass.

"I'm not in the mood, especially if you're going to be insufferable."

"Insufferable? Me? I'm simply calling to invite you to my debut party."

"Why would I even consider that?"

"You're my best friend! I would especially like for my predecessor to make an appearance."

Of course it was rooted in appearances. It was what made a person shine or dim and Vernetta would surely be the one under a broken spotlight.

"That would be humiliating to me." Vernetta slowly answered.

Victoria laughed on the other side.

"Everyone loves a graceful queen. You'll be better than all of us if you show up and bless me."

Silence wasn't a positive sign. No, it only showed doubt and disinterest. What made Vernetta think that calling and meeting Victoria yesterday was a good idea? She was clearly a different woman and not for the better. But also, Brooklyn humbled herself. Victoria's always been, well...Victoria, but a new light finally revealed her other layer.

"C'mon V, I even invited your friends! If they love you so much, why not let them see the life you had?"

Vernetta quieted herself, turning towards the tower of shelves and cupped the bottom of the telephone.

"I left to avoid everything that came with wealth."

"From what you told me, your old ways seemed to have followed you."

Proclaiming her interest in one man, scandalously pursuing another. The idea of one, the attention of the other. It was always a tricky situation for a girl like Vernetta. She's certainly been around the Upper East Side but nothing in a too serious fashion. It always ended up with the men fighting for her; never have they once realized they were being used and banded against her instead. She was hoping to avoid such a mess.

"If you really want me to be seen as better, find me the best of both worlds." Vernetta sighed.

"Elaborate for poor Victoria here."

"A man who wants and needs me. You said you invited my friends?"

"Well the male ones, yes."

"The last thing I need is a fight over me. Convince them to make a move or find me someone who will."

With that, Vernetta hung up the phone and hung her head low. Girlish romances were beginning to bore her; to take a toll on her time that was running out. It was '36 and she was twenty-two, an age well past marriage for someone of her status. Perhaps Victoria's party would pair chance and fate together. Steve wasn't going to do anything. She hadn't a clue why she decided to meet him earlier and indulge him with nothing. Bucky, well, he was complicated. He's been hidden since that night clearly avoiding her. Maybe Brooklyn wasn't the way to go, as much as she hated thinking about it.

"Hey, you okay?"

Vernetta spun around only to find Amelia at the counter. She had a worried look on her face: a soft smile with tired eyes.

"Yeah. You know talking about the future always makes one melancholy." Vernetta shrugged.

"Only if the future they thought upon was dreary. You'll be fine, I just know it."

Night was soon to be a reality. Automobiles piled in only to drive away until called upon at a later hour, dropping off living money to the doorstep of Barron House. Victoria personally stood with a man with the guestlist making sure everyone from obligatories to her most special guests had arrived. Maybe inviting old beaus of her best friend wasn't exactly the smartest thing. It had dawned upon her after the conversation. Victoria knew she had to fix the mistake. She just hoped it wasn't too short notice for him.

"So this is your grand plan?" Henry Livingston slithered to Victoria's side with bourbon in his grasp.

She simply scoffed, only offering him a side glance.

"I'm helping myself and my best friend. She's in a bad place and I'd like to extend my influences."

"How bad?"

"Why would I tell you?"

"Because Bobby thinks you're up to something." Henry purred into her ear. "Rounded up all his friends to keep an eye on her."

Victoria only saw some Vanderbilt heir checked off before turning towards Henry. Usually he was some suave jokester looking for a little fun up a girl's skirt. Yet the look in his eye conveyed his unusual serious tone.

"Who's here because of Bobby?"

"Me, Tinsley, Mortimer, Townsend, Conrad, some other hopefuls who want to rub elbows with us."

Victoria massaged her temples. Of course everyone would think she would be nasty and cruel. A true Queen Bee. Couldn't they have thought for a second that she genuinely cared for Vernetta? Her heart had swelled when she heard her voice for the first time in months. She knew her best friend, too, and could hear the pain and doubt over the phone and in person.

"We have common interests, all of us." Victoria reassured Henry. "Vernetta asked me herself to help her in her issue."

She simply asked him to trust her. With an uneasy nod, she gained that. But Henry grabbed onto her arm before returning to the party.

"You have to let us in on it then." He whispered. "All of us."

Gloria played the piano as classically as she could. Donned all in expensive black, she blended with the instrument. The only white was her flesh and the keys she touched. Not even a sheet of music was found before her; all the songs she played was from memory. Victoria thought it would make her more mesmerizing: a young girl with talent. It was to her advantage as well. She often looked up for a signal from either Victoria or Charlotte. The former would check on her occasionally before wandering into another room. The latter strictly stayed in the main social area.

Gloria thought upon this as she played mindlessly. Two different women now controlled her for two entirely different motives under the guise of one. Both of the women stated that in order to help Vernetta, she must move on. Then it came time for the one-on-one planning. That was when Gloria truly saw what each wanted.

Victoria Barron, despite the reputation that precedes her, was merely a girlhood friend trying her best. Her version of helping Vernetta move on was to show her that her beau in the making wasn't right for her. Another man had her heart and vice versa, so that's where Gloria comes in to show the first man a good time. Appropriately, of course. She could live with that.

Charlotte Devereux's definition of Vernetta moving on was to humiliate her by having Gloria seduce the man she cared about the most. Victoria had, foolishly, explained it all for her. The maid realized that she and the former queen had something in common: they were now caught between two men. Vernetta wanted some Steve but needed some Bucky. Victoria wanted to free her from Steve whereas Charlotte wanted to humiliate her with Bucky. It was scandalous alright. Her morals have already chosen the path but as long as Victoria mingled and Charlotte stayed, she would have to move against her conscience.

The crowd silenced itself. Usually this meant someone important arrived. Gloria ceased her music and sat with a stiff back. People shuffled to make room for this entrance and she saw a pillar of white satin upon the earthy marble. Pale flesh and ashen blonde hair contrasted with deep red lips. Gloria had an idea of who this woman was. She was a bit surprised when the woman acted more introverted than she imagined with only a soft smile and weak wave. The crowd, however, was hungry for more. Vernetta Holbrook had been missing for over two months. Her sudden return would spark the dying fire of her popularity, that was for sure. Now Gloria only had to wait for one more guest. She continued where she left off.

They had just gotten out of the cab and Steve slowly began to venture in. Bucky, however, stayed behind and grabbed his sister's arm before she could walk off.

"Mind telling me why he's here?" He harshly whispered.

He loved Steve with all his heart, no doubt about that. Yet this was a very delicate situation. His features were hard compared to Hazel's easy-going expression.

"Don't worry about it. They need to move on before they commit. We can all work on Steve after, too."

She was extremely calm for his tastes. Bucky almost felt as if he were going to have a heart attack soon.

"Trust me, Buck," Hazel patted his cheek, "Victoria assured me everything will be fine. No hard feelings or anything. Just talking and sorting things out."

Well she certainly hoped. She has a feeling Victoria might have a change in plans just because it's Victoria. Hazel grabbed her brother's hand, prying it off before hooking her arm with his.

"Now let's go have a ball."

Victoria was glad that her doorman could listen to simple instructions. She was just informed by one of the servants of an expected arrival. She waltzed through the house and found three guests waiting at the door. They were dressed quite plainly and for that sole reason, Victoria's spirits soared.

"Oh I'm just so pleased you all arrived!" She exclaimed.

Hazel introduced Bucky and Steve to her but she could already guess who was who. It wasn't hard to figure out. The one that had to look like Hazel must be her brother. The one who didn't look like them had to be Steve. Yet Victoria smiled and shook their hands. They brought Steve along, the other man. There had to be some logic behind it.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to lead you to the ball."

The two gentlemen took the lead whereas Victoria grabbed onto the girl.

"Care to explain?" She whispered through her tight-lipped smile.

Hazel indeed informed her of the plan. Turns out, great minds think alike. Victoria hadn't invited Steve, knowing his mother would talk. She simply told Vernetta she did and got Gloria but somehow didn't think it through on how he would be here. Luckily Hazel's plan patched hers up.

"You don't realize how much you saved this party, dear Hazel." Victoria exhaled.

She still doubted Bucky's competence. Yet since her prized guest hasn't arrived, she'll just see what happens.

They arrived to the ballroom to find many young and wealthy people surrounded by the sound of a gorgeous piano. They all buzzed like bees with the latest gossip and whatnot.

"Steve," the hostess lightly touched his shoulder, "are you a pianist?"

"I-er, no."

"Would you like to learn? Why, I have a girl just a year younger than you that's just as good as the legends!"

She motioned towards the piano, seeing Gloria in all her namesake. The girl was quite a pretty thing. Perhaps something could be born from this for Hazel's sake. Victoria made sure to be extra kind with Steve. She didn't know how delicate this would be; she just met the man.

"To think you would learn from the next Mozart at the best soiree in 1936. Would you be mad enough to pass that up?"

He looked to his best friend and his sister. They wanted to encourage him but could only muster silent smiles.

"I don't want to leave you guys all alone."

"Trust me, I have things planned for them as well." Victoria pounced. "Hazel will be in touch with some fashion designers. Bucky will be in touch with some women, lest he thinks cheating is okay."

In an instant, all three eyed them. Six eyes staring with such intensity that he began to shift uncomfortably.

"Okay, I get it!" He dodged their looks.

"I'm willing to extend my kindness to friends of Vernetta." Victoria now looked them all over. "Her friends are mine as well."

With a light pat, the hostess tugged her guests away, leaving the poor man alone. No looking back.

"Good cover." Hazel chuckled, but Victoria wasn't amused.

"I meant it." She talked over the crowd. "You think your hat was stupid, I found it genius."

The woman halted, spinning on her heel and planted an open hand on Bucky's chest.

"And I'm not pairing Vernetta up with some cheater."

Bucky looked ashamed but his nod affirmed her words. He sighed. Victoria smiled to her namesake.

"I'm glad we're on the same page."

Vernetta forgot just how fun parties could be. Once she stepped in, old friends such as Madeleine and Caroline have been practically glued to her side. Even her brothers friends whom she didn't think liked her were quite sociable this evening.

"The last time I saw you Max was when you were engaged." Vernetta craned her head. "Is it still in the making?"

Maxwell Townsend shook his dirty blonde head. His intense brow furrowed while his green-blue eyes rolled in their sockets.

"Yeah, well…" He laughed nervously. "Turned out she was using me for my money. I had high hopes for the lower classes, but it turns out they're just as greedy as us."

Everyone offered a sympathetic squeeze as he took a large gulp of champagne. Unlike Henry on his left, he was classy at parties.

"Who isn't? It's human nature." Caroline piped in.

"Well you've been in a poorer borough for some time now." Henry focused his attention on Vernetta. "How do you ward them off from your money?"

She chuckled for a minute, just as nervous as Maxwell was a moment before. She traced the edge of her glass and gazed into the bubbles.

"I may have told a little lie…" She mischievously smiled.

Her friends followed her reaction in suit. The girls eyed each other, the men lowered their heads and looked to Vernetta with a deep gaze.

"The great Vernetta Holbrook lying? Why that's madness!" Madeleine giggled.

"Well what am I supposed to do? Suffer like our dear Max here?"

Vernetta rested a hand on his forearm and squeezed. She also flashed a sincere smile and he reciprocated.

"I told them that I would lose my money next year if I didn't return to Manhattan life. Really, my parents don't care like usual. I just wanted to look for normal people who didn't care about my money."

"How's that working then?"

"Great. They only care about me, so that's nice."

"Wait," Maxwell held up a hand, "what you said implies you'd choose Brooklyn over Manhattan. Is that true?"

Her gloved hand reached up to her neck, rubbing skin and pearls alike.

"I'm not too sure now. Drama doesn't always have to be about wealth like it is here…"

With some coaxing, Vernetta explained the difference between her want and need. Without names, of course. She told all but also refused to fully expose the full truth. It would be too easy to blackmail her if the need arises. No, the guest of honor was content on coming out on top in both her world and reality.

Bucky was told there was a gaggle of women waiting to educate him in the art of romance. Instead, a lone fiery redhead approached with a grand smile.

"I'm sorry to say I'm the only one who could make it tonight." She held out a hand. "I'm Charlotte."

"So you're going to talk to me about the dangers of cheating? Fucking unbelievable."

He was angry. He was only told he would be seeing Vernetta, not this. He didn't want to have to deal with the "better" folk or people getting into his business, yet girls like Hazel and Victoria working together sure knew how to strike every nerve in his body. Such factors only maimed his attraction for Vernetta. Hell, he can't even differentiate the lust and love he had. Anger clouded his judgement.

Charlotte was undeterred by his choice of vulgar words. Instead, she chose to move to his side and lock arms, leading him away from the party.

"I suggest saving the profanity for under the sheets. First lesson, always listen to what a woman has to say."

"But I already do-!"

"Ahem."

Bucky's hard jaw was like concrete at this point. He shut himself up but he didn't have to like it. He was already thinking of ways to get back at Hazel for this.

A/N: Ooh! Cliffhanger! I must confess, it was totally unintentional. Yet I racked up 10 pages worth of building up. It was time to start on a clean page without having to follow up a previous chunk and keep it flowing. It's hard to do that with 10 pages of different perspectives! Nevertheless, I hoped you enjoy it! Do what you guys do best and stay tuned for more drama!