A Rake, A Spinster, And An Arrangement

Chapter 8 : The Honorable Baroness Molly Weasley (Ep 2)

Dear Readers, I must confess, I am in a state of shock. I do not believe anyone could have guessed what we would see last evening at the Fawley Ball. Oh, there was dancing and laughter and rumors, of course - all the normal things that make an evening out so much fun.

But the scandal! And not just a scandal that is whispered about, but one that was on full display, for all to view. It was as though we were all at the theatre, for indeed, the very public argument between the Viscount Potter, the Duke of Wiltshire, and the Honorable Mr R. Weasley was a complete show.

How Miss Potter has caused such a fuss, one will never know or understand, but clearly, she has confounded even the most respectable men of the Ton. Given the previous display at Abbott Hall, one would have thought that Miss Potter was well on her way to becoming a Duchess!

What she is doing with the sixth son of a mere Baron is beyond anyone's guess. Is she simply toying with the young Mr. Weasley's heart, or is her heart interested in him in return? Is she simply playing the poor Duke, who looked well and truly heartbroken after the display.

What is it about her that she has caused such a ruckus? No one seems to have the answer, but do not fear, dear Reader - I can sense a scandal beneath her surface, and I shall find it out, so that we might all know how it is that she has made even the most rational of men lose his mind.

Hopefully, I shall discover it before the poor Duke and the actually poor Mr Weasley are in too deep to her seduction.

Lady Whistledown

Hermione had read the latest edition of the Society Papers while still in bed, refusing to move. She did not care that there was a picnic today, nor did she care that she had previously promised to meet the Duke there. She doubted she would ever see him again, given their argument the night before.

If she rose from this bed, then she would have to face the day. Face Ginny and Harry. Face the Ton. Face Ron. She should have confronted this sooner, should have ended it before it even began so many years ago...

She loved Ron, she did, but as a brother, as a friend. The thought of living with him for even a week, let alone a lifetime... they would murder one another. She could not stand his gross eating habits. She detested the fact he loved to smoke. She hated how much he drank. He did not like her reading books. He mocked her for her high necklines and her hair being tied back.

They were friends, siblings, but to be married? And what was more, the current way he was behaving... it was atrocious. She had allowed it to reach this point, however, and now... now, she did not know what to do.

Hopefully... hopefully, the twins had taken him home and beaten some sense into him, but if not... well, it would be no surprise if the Weasley tent was beside the Potter one. Of course, because the Baroness would want to be near her daughter.

Hermione had not seen the Baroness since she had left the service of the woman's eldest son and daughter-in-law. To see her today, after she had been in the society papers, accused of hurting Ronald...

It would be better to stay in bed, but Ginny would not allow it.

And so, instead, Hermione was forced to the park, so that they could enjoy a picnic . As though anyone would truly sit and eat. It was all a show, all a display. Everyone would come out to see which couples had begun to flourish, and who was still unattached. Given that the society papers were filled with her name, they would likely all be looking her direction.

What if the Duke did not attend, and she was left to sit alone? Worse, what if Ronald did attend, and insisted on being near her? Or worst of all... what if the Duke and Ronald both attended, and demanded her attention?