Dark Passions

18.

"Where are my shoes?" Addison demanded, tossing dresses and undergarments across the bed. "Hurry up, girl, Her Grace will be summoning me soon!"

Belinda looked at the mess on the bed, suitcases and bags open everywhere, and jewelry cases spilling across the dressing table - jewels and chains of every color and magnitude sparkling in the firelight. How was she supposed to find anything in this mess, she wondered briefly - let alone having to put the room to rights after Lady Addison went to talk to Her Grace. She sighed to herself and finally spotted a bag with shoes piled inside it haphazardly. "Here, m'lady," she said. "Is this it?"

"Thank god - I can hardly go barefoot to see the Duchess!" Addison snapped, grabbing the bag from the girl's hands. "Here - polish these for me!" She pulled out a pair and dropped the bag to the floor. Then she turned back to the mirror, and surveyed her outfit. The gown of emerald watered silk dipped low, her breasts nearly falling out of it, with small puffed sleeves and ribbons trailing down her back. She fastened the emerald necklace around her throat, nodding in satisfaction at the huge stone that rested on her bosom. That should draw Derek's eyes to where she wanted them. Her red hair was pulled back, swept up sleekly, combs of emeralds and pearls glittering in the tresses. Her dark green eyes narrowed, as her thoughts turned to the Duchess. Derek and that insipid girl of his seemed to think that Her Grace was going to put Addison out of favor. Her lips thinned evilly - it would take more than that to get rid of her.

She turned back to Belinda and snatched the shoes from her. "That is all - leave me," she said, turning back to the mirror. After the girl left the room, Addison pinched her cheeks to add more color, and ran her fingers across the swell of her breasts, moaning at the pleasurable sensation. How could Derek resist these charms - he always had enjoyed her body, and he would do so again.

There was a soft tap at the door, and she flung it open. Eleanor's maid stood there. "M'lady, please follow me to Her Grace's chambers - she is prepared to see you now."

"Excellent." Addison sailed confidently through the door, slamming it behind her, and followed the maid along the corridors. As she walked, her eyes jumped everywhere, assessing the manor, finding it lacking in her regard. Well, Derek was welcome to stay here, she would not be spending time here once they were wed.

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The maid pushed open the door to the suite, and ushered Addison inside, where Eleanor was waiting, standing in front of the fireplace. Her posture was ramrod straight, as she watched the other woman cross the room. Addison curtsied briefly. "Your Grace, thank you for seeing me," she murmured.

"Lady Addison," Eleanor nodded. "Sit, please."

Addison sank into the wing chair, arranging her skirts around her, and folding her hands in her lap. She smiled at the older woman, keeping any sign of discontent from her expression.

Eleanor's imperious gaze swept over Addison, displeasure clouding her eyes at the vulgar gown and the ostentatious emeralds. "My son tells me that you were the party at fault in the breakup of your betrothal," she stated, without any small talk. "You lied to me, Lady Addison - on several occasions, regarding this. What do you have to say about this?"

Addison's jaw dropped, and anger rushed through her again. "Your Grace, I cannot believe Derek would tell you such tales....he left me, without regard for my feelings. It was most humiliating..."

"What feelings, Lady Addison? And now tell me the truth - that you were unfaithful? That you and your lover were most blatant, without morals?"

"Your Grace, many women take lovers...." Addison tried to defend herself.