Rumors about Rumors

I have just finished The Luxe and am now reading Rumors, the second book in The Luxe series.  At the end of The Luxe, it was revealed to the reader, and Elizabeth’s sister Diana, that Elizabeth who was engaged to be married to Henry wasn’t dead. She had run off to be with her coachman and true love, Will.  We also learned that Elizabeth’s “best friend” Penelope had helped Elizabeth fake her death so that Penelope could marry Henry.

I’m just starting Rumors but after reading The Luxe and getting to know the characters, I already have some predictions on what may happen in this book to Penelope and Diana.  Penelope is evil, conniving and selfish. This was earlier displayed in The Luxe where Penelope paid for secret information about Elizabeth from her maid in order to get rid of Elizabeth.  She threatened to ruin Elizabeth’s reputation by exposing her affair with Will.  She only helped Elizabeth escape and fake her death so she could marry Henry.  Now that Elizabeth is out of her way, there’s nothing to stop Penelope from marrying Henry.  I’m predicting that Penelope will try to gain Henry’s love by acting like Elizabeth.  Penelope and Elizabeth were the two stars in society, but Elizabeth was always more well liked because of her flawless manners and obedience.  Now Penelope can play that role. This will help Penelope’s reputation and allow her to work her way higher on the social ladder and into Henry’s heart.

Little does Penelope know, Henry wasn’t in love with Elizabeth, but with her little sister, Diana. I’m predicting that Diana and Henry will continue to be in love and later get married. This could happen because Diana’s family is still deep in debt and Henry’s father still needs to find Henry a suitable wife. This is not what Penelope wants so she will probably form another plan to destroy Diana like she did to Elizabeth.  She may do this by getting secret information about Diana and worsen Diana’s already bad reputation and social status so that Penelope can end up with Henry.  Penelope may even drive Diana out of town like she did to Elizabeth.

Now that quiet, sweet, and beautiful Elizabeth is gone. The evil Penelope and willful Diana will take center stage in Rumors. Penelope is fierce and determined to get what she wants. She will do whatever she has to do to get it.  Diana is determined as well as unruly.  She doesn’t care what others think and does as she pleases.  I’m predicting that there will be lots of conflict between these two girls, wanting and battling for the same thing.  

The next book in the series is called Envy, maybe that book will be about Penelope’s envy for Diana after she marries Henry or Diana’s envy for Penelope after she marries Henry.  I guess I’ll have to read it to find out!