Penny Fey had spent the afternoon assisting preparing the Fey Community Hall on Big Island (the largest island in the Gulf) for the local community's annual ball.
She was astonished to learn that a last-minute rush on bookings had filled the hall to capacity and even later request for tickets had to be turned away apologetically.
Penny knew that meant a record number of ticket sales for a ball and sought an explanation from the treasurer, who looked at the chairman of the hall management committee who coughed and said he'd call his wife over to explain.
Helen Wright said, "Penny it's well-known you abhor gossip but phones have been running hot that Dan plans to marry the visitor staying with you who rescued our beloved Kip. Word is out that she's staunch and a real beauty and more people are coming tonight than usual to look her over."
"Christ I'm appalled," Penny blurted. "It's simply not true."
Helen laughed and said few rumors were true but perhaps most tended to be embellishments on something that was happening.
"There's nothing going on," Penny snapped.
"At least nothing you know about," said someone who's been listening.
Penny said, keeping her temper in control, "Rumors would cease if people stopped sticking their noses in other people's affairs. Those two obviously like each other but I can say categorically they have not committed to anything and that's all you need to know."
Phil Wright enquired softly, "I take it this lass will be here tonight?"
"Yes she's coming as part of the Fey party and I point out that I booked her in for the ball before she rose into prominence by saving Kip."
Phil smiled and said, "Then let's get on with the decorations and back to the kitchen you other volunteers. At least locals attending tonight will have the opportunity to meet this auspicious person in flesh."
Penny decided not to inform Dan and Rosina they were the subject of a new rumor. Instead, Penny told Rosina she had called Rosina's mother and they'd had a great chin-wag.
"We appear very compatible and she was excited to be invited here because they have been missing you. She called back an hour later to say they would like to come here for 3-nights and will arrive on Monday."
"Oh great, Um did you mention..."
"Not a word because that's your business."
"Gee Penny, I reckon you are totally unsuited to be involved in gossip."
They had a good laugh over that.
The Fey family arrived in time for Penny to join chairman on the hall management committee Dr. Philip Wright and his wife Helen to greet arriving guests to the ball when the doors opened at 7.45.
Phil and Helen knew the Fey family well and immediately had one eye on their houseguest Rosina and when she was introduced to them Phil placed his right hand over his heart and said, "I swear you are one of the most beautiful persons to have visited this island in the 32 years I'll be a resident GP (general medical practitioner) on this island."
"Why thank you sir," Rosina said with a slight bow and Helen, known for her sharp tongue, said sweetly, "My dear so the rumor is true, you have the beauty of a story-book princess."
"Thank you for such a warm welcome Mrs. Wright. Penny has told me you have a wonderful collection of orchids. My mother will be here next week; may we visit to view your orchids? She's into her sixth year as president of our regional Floral Arts society and is a noted breeder in our district of white peonies."
"Oh my goodness Penny, you must bring Rosina and her mother to me; I will be free on Tuesday, please arrive at 10.30 for coffee."
People began arriving, most of the older females in full-length gowns.
Rosina had called the twins earlier before going off with Penny for their hair appointments. Kirsten had answered the call and suggested white because that was the only color in formal gowns the women's fashion clothing shop in the township stocked. The styles and length varied and she suggested Rosina choose mid-calf length to be similar to what they had chosen.
Rosina accompanied Dan into the hall and found their table and waited for the Delany's to join them. People came over to Dan, obviously to be introduced to his partner and they were joined by his sister Trish and her partner Tim, a fellow long-distance learning student a year ahead of Trish and also doing business studies.
Then the Delany's arrived, with Della rushing noisily to hug Penny while the twins pulled Rosina to her feet for a comparison of gowns and hair styling. The photographer from the local newspaper recognized Rosina from the day she rescued Kip and pulled the three of them out on to the small dance-floor and got the people behind them to laugh and wave before taking several shots of the three lovely ladies.
Meanwhile the 5-piece dance band had been warming up and just before 8:00 the burly and loud-mouthed MC welcomed everyone to the district's annual ball and congratulated the hall committee for their wonderful decorations.
"This replacement hall has not been packed to this extent since the night it was officially opened fifteen years ago when the community honored the Fey family for its generosity in providing this wonderful civic community. Would Dan Fey please take his mother Penny Fey on to the floor to twice circle the floor before other couples join him."
Penny called, "Thanks for the honor Cyril but please allow Dan to begin the opening dance with his new girlfriend Rosina Swan."
"Very good Penny. Dan please take your partner for our opening dance, the 'Blue Danube Waltz'."
"But Mr. Hawkins I'm hopeless at waltzing... I become goofy-footed."
That produced a roar of laughter and then many people began a slow-handclap with Mr. Hawkins not intervening.
Rosina pulled Dan to his feet and dragged him to the dance floor and whispered that she would lead and count the timing softly and pressure the side of his back to indicated the direction they were about to turn.
"Just keep relax and look into my eyes and your feet will practically follow me automatically."
"What?"
"It's rather like sex, most of it comes naturally."
Dan's eyes flickered with interest and Rosina swept him into action.
He began with a stumble and Rosina reminded him to relax and he placed himself under her influence and they made it to complete the first circle because instead of counting 'one and two' smart Rosina had him partly mesmerized as she repeated over and over in perfect timing, 'in and out'. They completed the second circuit looking much better and people smiled and clapped.
The MC called, "Hold it everyone" we are in for an unexpected surprise.
A slender woman aged in her 60s, heavily made up and dressed immaculately in a black gown joined them.
"Hello Dan."
"Hi Mrs. Hawkins. Rosina this is Mary Hawkins, formerly the island only residential dance teacher. I guess she wishes to dance with you."
