Hey people!

Well here I go again, I was seriously considering retiring after The mystery of red silk, but then I got this idea and I just couldn't help myself. So I hope you all like it, leave a comment or any questions and I'll get back to you in the next chappy okay?

Once again thankyou to my fabulous editor Deadly Diva, without her, none of this would have been possible! And a big thankyou to all of you who reviewed the last chapter of Red Silk!

Enjoy!

WWWWWWWWWWWW

"Why do you insist on going tonight? There won't be anyone interesting there, just a bunch of old hens getting all puffed up about the latest moral depravities of the younger generation." Molly stated, rolling her eyes and almost shuddering at the thought of attending.

Serena shook her head at her friend and smiled. She loved Molly dearly, really she did. It was such a pity that the girl was a half wit that couldn't comprehend the most obvious facts of life. Expecting her to comprehend subtleties would be equivalent to expecting a rock to bleed.

"My Father expects me to attend and I shall not let him down."

"Oh, Serena, don't be such a bore. Come to the jazz club with me."

Serena rose an eyebrow at this comment, but she would not be baited so easily.

"I am quite certain that there shall be a number of interesting people there, not just old hens, but a few men as well."

Molly scoffed at this comment. "Yes, fine gentlemen over the age of fifty. Really Serena, they're a bunch of old windbags. You don't need to find a husband tonight. Come to the club with me, that is unless your afraid of dancing."

"Perhaps I am. Now will you go and let me prepare?" Serena stated calmly. Molly rolled her eyes in an exasperated fashion and walked out letting out a frustrated huff. Serena glanced at her reflection and was not dissatisfied with what she saw. The cream dress was very different from the boyish fashions of the 1920's. The front dipped a fraction lower than what would strictly be deemed appropriate, while the soft satin material hugged her curves like a glove, flowing to her feet like an elaborate waterfall. She was wearing a string a pearls and lace gloves. Her hair however defied the fashions of the day, remaining ostentatiously long and sensuous. At present, it was pulled up into a simple bun with pearls intertwined with her golden locks.

A gentle sigh escaped full lips. Molly was a fool, but then again Serena was thankful for that. It provided her with a guarantee that Molly would never be able to fathom her real reasons for attending dinner parties and the such. On the surface they were tediously dull, however, if one looked the slightest bit further one would discover a world of intrigue, seduction and betrayal. Attending such parties also gave her a fine cover to maintain her reputation.

For although everyone described her as the one girl who had maintained Edwardian standards of morality, nothing could have been further from the truth. In truth, Serena had enjoyed a great many love affairs, all with men who were guaranteed to stay quiet because they stood as much to lose in the eyes of society as she did. This way she would not only be the treasure of society, but she had the freedom to do as she pleased. No such guarantees existed in jazz clubs where people of her age made themselves at home. Such men or rather, boys, would take the first opportunity of announcing the smallest of conquests to the entire world. Frankly, Serena thought such escapades beneath her. The only relapse was a question of morality and honesty, and Serena's pragmatic nature had banished such considerations from her conscious many years ago.

After all this was 1933.

Serena wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and stepped out into the hallway confidently. Her back was regal and her walk oozed sophistication and confidence. She ran into her father on her way down stairs. They greeted each other with warm smiles. He offered her his hand, and she accepted without hesitation.

"You look positively beautiful. I worry you know. Sometimes I think that a young rogue will come and steal my little girl."

Serena smiled at her father.

"I hardly think I'm a little girl anymore father, especially after turning twenty one." Her father nodded solemnly, his heavy gray hair falling into his eyes. His skin had paled and wrinkles had marred what had once been a flawless complexion. However, his vibrant green eyes had not gained a single year. They still sparked with intelligence and passion, a feature that his daughter had inherited.

"Your mother would have been proud." He whispered quietly, his voice almost breaking. Serena glanced up at him worriedly, gently squeezing his hand with her own. It was only in moments such as these that the heavy burden of guilt wrapped around Serena's heart and almost robbed her of the ability to breathe. When they reached the carriage her father gallantly helped her into the carriage, however, they spent the journey in silence.

They arrived at the mansion minutes later and as Serena stared at the gaudy overly ostentatious house. A smirk passed her lips. The monstrosity before her eyes was a reminder that money would never be able to buy good taste. She took a deep breath and smiled at her father. Together they climbed up the stairs leading to the door and waited patiently to be greeted.

Mrs Stilley, the hostess, greeted them warmly. A sincere smile played on her lips causing the loops of fat around her cheeks to widen and overemphasize themselves. Her lips were heavily rouged with a color far too bright for her skin tone. Serena cringed inwardly. She had sat through many of Mrs Stilley's long winded speeches about her son in New York, the past and how she had been the most sought after girl in this side of England. Each time Serena would have to swallow a snigger as she knew that a wrinkled, mole infested toad would have been more sought after. She believed this more so after seeing pictures of the past. Serena despised the woman because she was fickle, superficial and utterly scatterbrained. However, no one in her near acquaintance would believe such a thing. For Serena's dislike propelled her to be more attentive to Mrs Stilley than anyone else.

"Good evening Mrs Stilley. I have to say that your house never seems to fail to leave me awestruck. Why are you quite sure that you designed the layout yourself?" Serena greeted warmly, her entire complexion seeming to glow with radiance. Mrs Stilley blushed and clasped Serena's hands in her own, kissing her on each cheek.

"Why Bruce, your daughter has become quite a charmer, She's definitely going to break hearts." She replied timidly addressing Serena's father. He in turn merely smiled and nodded towards the hostess politely. Serena smiled, satisfied with herself. For once Mrs Stilley was right, she was going to break many hearts-more so than the ones she had already broken. A satisfied smirk began dancing on her lips as she entered the drawing room. There stood one of the most eligible bachelorettes in London.

Raye Hino.

Her long dark mane of ebony silk and exotic violet eyes had roused the interests of many men. Her reputation was quite an impressive one, and would have no doubt guaranteed her expulsion from all good society had she been born a decade ago. As it was, the older women looked down on her and gossiped to their hearts content about her. However, none dared to exclude her from such social occasions for she had inherited quite a hefty sum of money and was one of the richest members of society. At times such as these, when the economy was riddled with the depression, nothing spoke or determined one's position like money.

Raye's dislike of society and seeming determination to mock their traditions was not merely due to the headstrong character of an only child. Although that did play a great role, it was more influenced by her late grandmother, the woman from whom she had inherited her name. Raye Matrice had been a leading suffragette during the war years. She had campaigned for women to get equal rights in life and not just for the vote. When the women simply refused to fight for themselves, Raye Matrice was heartbroken and the light was robbed from her eyes. Raye had never forgiven the women of older generations for that cruelty. Even though she had never known her grandmother, they shared the same burning fire and passions. Those passions could be used to advance the greater good, or be used for manipulation.

Serena had a deep respect for Raye, although she would scarce admit it. She admired Raye's bold defiance and carefree nature. However, there was no love lost between the two. Why they were arch rivals, especially when it came to men. They had stolen many lovers from each other. Raye blatantly; Serena subtly, cautiously. While Raye could have exposed Serena on many occasions, she never did for she was well aware that Serena had the power to turn all of London's society against her. Although she didn't like to think she was reliant on their support, in truth they were at times her only means of escaping loneliness.

The two women locked eyes across the room. Many emotions passed between them - respect, barely contained rivalry and above all the desire to gain the upper hand, to win. Raye smirked, raised a pointed eyebrow and then made a point of turning away, as if Serena was beneath her. Serena smiled and shook her head bemusedly.

'Well, we'll see about that,' she thought to herself quietly. Serena made her way through the room and sat down beside Luna.

Luna was the only matron that allowed almost anyone to call her by her first name. A widow of thirteen years, she was not only witty and sharp, but absolutely reckless. She would call people by their right names and not fail to ridicule them if they said an untruth or insulted her intelligence. Luna was one women who had earned not only Serena's respect, but her love. Luna greeted Serena warmly, before turning to young woman on her left.

"Serena dear, you remember Mina don't you?"

Indeed, she remembered Mina. If Serena was said to be the lady of London society, then Mina would have no doubt been it's sweetheart. Although her behavior had sometimes been questionable in the eyes of the ever moral older matrons, her joyous nature was one that would not allow them to stay mad or gossip about her for long. Without a cent to her name, Mina was cautious of her behavior. Under the guise of a scatter-brained, unintelligent, but social blonde, she schemed to find a suitable match. In truth, she was incredibly intelligent and strategic. While she flirted with many men and had had her own share of proposals, she had not yet had the full blow out affairs that Serena and Raye had indulged in. For she was not only much more innocent, but had far more to lose.

"I hear that the Empire State building was finished today." Mr Stilley commented, one hand in his amber waist coat, the other protectively clutching a Cuban cigar.

"Those flamboyant Americans, it just goes to show that only good breeding bears good taste." Artemis Backer scoffed. He was a highly conservative man with views that seemed to reflected circles of the last decade as opposed to the present day. Serena found him irritating beyond belief. For that reason, she never understood the strange curiosity that seemed to sparkle in Luna's eyes whenever she was in his company. A slight chuckle could be heard from across the room and all the guests turned their attention to its source.

"I'm sure you'll agree that good taste, rather than a product of good breeding, is an attribute of being in tune with the times." Raye smirked in satisfaction when Artemis's features grew red with indignation as a response to her comment. Raye raised an eyebrow at Serena, throwing down a challenge, which she didn't hesitate to accept.

"However, Art Deco being what it is requires a true contemporary mind to understand its avant-garde charm. Yet, it cannot compare to the lavish designs and sophistication of the past." Serena voiced. Her comment was diplomatic in that it satisfied both sides of the argument without causing either party offense. She smiled triumphantly at Raye, who glowered back as if saying that she would still win the war.

The depression had had many repercussions on every day society, even on the elite of London. Escalating prices had also founded the rise of cheaper entertainment, such as stamp collecting, but nothing more so than household games. After dinner, Mrs Stilley had suggested that the three young ladies of the circle sit together and play a friendly game of Scrabble. She had suggested it in such a way that if any of them had refused they would have not only been snubbing each other, but insulting the hostess. All three complied, although none did so willingly.

At first, they played in silence. All of them sizing each other up, trying to assess the strengths and weakness of their rivals. Mina, who was not at all used to such tension and did not like restraining her speech, was the first to break the silence.

"I hear the weather's been horrid in the country." She commented simply. Raye scoffed and gave her a look that resembled disbelief.

"It's at times like this when I truly appreciate the value of silence." Raye commented. A surprised gasp emerged from Mina's mouth as her lips formed a tight line of barely contained anger.

"I would have believed that your temperament would have led to you enjoying it very frequently." Serena shot back.

"At least I have the courage to say what I mean plainly." Raye hissed, her eyes flashing.

"I was attempting to spare your feelings, but it seems gallantry is completely lost on you. Well then, let me say what I intended in plain language so the you will be in no doubt of my meaning." Serena moved closer and lowered her voice so that it was barely above a whisper. "You're not only arrogant, but conceited. On top of that you're rude, obnoxious and what many would call the epitome of a loose woman."

"At least I don't pretend not to have desires or passions. Society has no claim over what I do, who I love or how I lust. I live my own life and I do it in the open. Unlike some." Raye sneered, her fingers clasped in tight fists.

"Many say that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit because it can be achieved by anyone in certain circumstances. Courage is not always a true measure of character, but rather of more material bearings such as wealth." Mina commented calmly. She looked up at the two flabbergasted women before her and smiled sweetly. Her scatterbrained mask once again taking over her fine features. Raye threw her head back and laughed, earning many disapproving glances.

"The girl has backbone, good to see." Raye smiled at Mina with new found respect. They once again played in silence, but this time a dangerous idea was blooming in Serena's mind. It was insane to be sure, but even more tempting. For the first time, Serena underestimated the repercussions her actions would have. If she had been aware of what would happen, would she have ever made the suggestion?

Perhaps. But then again, maybe not.

"Girls, I have a proposition to make." Serena stated easily, causing the other two to look up at her curiously. "We're all famous in our own ways. Each of us known for breaking hearts, for being the belle of one ball or the other. Perhaps it's time that we settled the whole thing once and for all. It's time that we find which one of us is best at playing the game."

"What do you have in mind?" Raye practically purred, adrenaline already pumping through her body at the prospect of adventure and scandal.

"Quite simple really, we're each assigned to seduce one man."

Mina giggled at Serena words, causing her to raise an eyebrow in warning.

"Why, that's simple." Mina replied demurely. It took all of Serena's self control not to roll her eyes.

"The first woman to seduce not only her designated man, but the men of her two rivals wins." Serena finished. She could see Raye nodding her head in approval and a glimmer of excitement in Mina's eyes. "What do you ladies think? Are you up for the game?"

"It leaves one question. Who are the men?" Raye asked and Serena smiled. Mina also nodded, acknowledging that she too was game.

"Well, they'll have to be three men who we can be certain will never come in contact with one another. Can you think of anyone?" Serena replied.

"Malachite Davenport. Chillingly handsome, but equally cold hearted. No sense of humor whatsoever and very picky with women, the classic British man." Raye suggested taking on a heavy accent as she recited the list of Malachite's charms.

"I'll take him." Mina stated quickly. On seeing the quizzical glances of the other two, she giggled. "Do you think you're the only two that can have fun?" Mina felt that she had something to prove to the other women. Even if she lost the bet of being able to seduce Malachite, she would no doubt secure their respect.

"Jadeite de Winter. American, flamboyant, insatiable when it comes to flirting with women." Serena suggested her tone uninterested.

"Mine." Raye stated calmly, her eyes flashing with excitement. "Comics are always entertaining, and foolish. He should be easy." Serena nodded.

"Which leaves me." Serena stated.

"Darien Shields, born in France but raised here in London. I'm sure you've all heard of him." Mina commented, smiling calmly at Serena. Serena in turn smiled. Who hadn't heard of Darien Shields? He was said to be ruthless in the business world, earning millions. Why, in such times it was absolutely unheard of. On top of that, he was said to be devilishly handsome, charming and cunning. Everyone deplored him because they envied his good fortune. Serena smiled, he seemed a worthy enough opponent.

"He'll be interesting." She commented with a sly smile. "Now girls, in order to win one needs to acquire declarations of love from all three men. And she needs to have proof of it, in a letter, or a proposal or the such."

Raye rolled her eyes in a gesture that screamed of course. While Mina merely nodded.

"Good, we're safe, cause I'm certain that the three men we have chosen do not know each other so they can't spoil our game. I even believe that Jadeite and Darien quite dislike each other." Mina added shyly.

Raye placed a cigar in a long black holder and pressed it against her lips, taking a deep breath before exhaling swirling waves of smoke.

"So the game begins." She purred, her voice as rich as established red wine.