Diana is a very shy, yet intelligent debutant in 1860's New York. She has spent the last few years of her life focusing on her studies, but is now thrown into the grasps of polite society, where at the season's opening ball, she rekindles her relat...
Diana gently rubbed her eyes and sat up from under her linen covers. The sunlight flooded into her room, causing her to aggressively rub her eyes. Though getting up today was difficult, it was not nearly as difficult for her as what was to come in the following hours.
She looked over to her right to see Molly, her lady's-maid, standing next to her bed. Molly had a gentle look to her face, but was silently urging Diana to get up.
Now that it was November of 1861, Diana was to make her debut. This is when she will present herself as an eligible bachelorette to all of respectable Albany society. Due to her family's great wealth, she was amongst the most eligible, but this was of little importance to her. She preferred reading and writing over silly gossip and dancing.
There is a war going on! She would think to herself, Yet all anyone can think about is what dresses to buy and who will make the best match this upcoming season!
"Must I get up?" Diana groaned as she stretched her arms over her head and got out from under the covers.
Molly softly chuckled and helped Diana get out of bed. "You know you must. Today is a very important day!"
Diana groaned again, this time flopping back onto her bed. "Yes, because dancing in frilly dresses is ever so important. "
Molly went over to Diana's dresser and rummaged through it. "Your family is just doing what's best for you. They were doing the same thing when they decided to send you off to the finishing school."
Diana sat back up and frowned. "The difference is I actually enjoyed school. It made me feel capable."
Molly grabbed Diana's wrapper from the dresser and handed to her. "I'm sorry miss, but I'm afraid you have not choice."
Diana snatched the wrapper from Molly's hand and quickly put it on. "Fine."
Diana then began walking down to the dining room for breakfast.
When she got to the dining room, she was greeted by her older brother, John.
John was closest to Diana both age and relationship-wise. Despite the differences in their personalities, they always got along very well.
"Morning, Di." He said, rather chipper.
"Good morning, Jo-Jo." She teased as she messed with his hair when she walked past him.
"You have everything ready for tonight?" John asked.
She sat down and reached for the pastries that were set on the table by the cook. She put a couple on her plate.
"Begrudgingly, yes." Diana responded, "In fact, I've been preparing for this day for the past year. Mother has been such a pain, and won't leave me alone!"
Diana was not lying when she said this. She has been in and out of dress shops, being fitted for enough dresses to last the season, while also being badgered by her mother on how to be a proper lady.
Luckily, Diana was patient, and never complained much, at least outwardly. She was very thankful that her mother was not there at that moment, because she was secretly at her wits end with her.
John chuckled and shook his head. "She was the same way with me when I was traveling to Europe. She sent an excessive amount of letters, and I could hardly keep track of them!"
"Mother is such a worry-wart. It's a wonder she even let you go on that trip." Diana joked.
"It's even crazier that she let David volunteer when the war started." John replied. "Even though he only had to serve for three months, she worried nonstop."
The both sat and pondered over when the family was sending David, the oldest of the three, off. Their mother was sobbing and David was trying his best to console her. John and Diana just watched from the side.
Thankfully, David never saw any fighting, and had only been used for building a fort during his three months. Their mother had never been so thankful.
"Well I sure hope that David shows up later, or else I will have to present you tonight." John spoke.
"Yes, because I will be doomed if you walk me into that ballroom!" Diana joked.
The two chatted for awhile, and then there was a knock at the door. Molly went and answered it, and in walked two young ladies. They happened to be Emily and Victoria, Diana's closest friends.
"Oh boy," John sighed, "I better get out of here before they talk my head off."
Diana laughed, and then walked to the door.
Her best friends awaited her.
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Wrapper: A long dress that is tied in the front like a robe. It was an informal dress, made to be worn around the house or in the morning. Typically made of silk or other fine fabrics.
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