The Samurai That I Loved

第42章

1855 
Ten years later…

“Good heavens, there has hardly been a lick of excitement in all of London for the entire season! My nerves are dulling with positive boredom. Wouldn’t you agree, Lady Georgiana?” Lady Gwendolyn complained to her companion over a cup of tea in the corner of the ballroom. Lady Georgiana nodded her head emphatically, causing her lavish updo of curls to bob back and forth on top of her head amongst the peacock feathers. 

“Indeed, I do. Why, when was the last time we heard a decent scandal around here?” She replied haughtily while her eyes scanned over the crowded ballroom as if in search of a new recipient for their gossip mongering, “I believe the last exciting news I heard was an old rumor of the Marquise of Dorn’s little wife. You know the one who was in that frightful carriage accident on her way home from sick holiday all those years ago?” 

“Ah yes, I do! What about her? She is hardly one for any scintillating gossip. I say that woman looks like a veritable statue with little to no emotions at all!” Lady Gwendolyn remarked with a scoffing laugh of irony. Lady Georgiana raised her fan to cover her chortle of amusement before answering, 

“Well, I heard from one of my lady’s maids who’s cousin worked in her father’s household that she hadn’t been on a sick holiday at all. The rumor is she actually ran away from home and would you believe of all the places they say she went?” 

“Where?” Lady Gwendolyn asked with wide eyes of fascination. 

“Japan! But apparently she returned and the Duke covered up the entire ordeal. Some say that is where she lost her…you know. That there was no carriage accident at all.” Lady Georgiana whispered conspiratorially with narrowed eyes. Lady Gwendolyn stared at her dubiously for a moment before sighing and turning away as she said with disappointment, 

“And here I thought you actually had juicy gossip, not whimsical servant stories. That is the most ridiculous rumor I have ever heard and hardly believable. Really, Lady Georgiana, Japan? You should step outside for walks more often.” 

“Why I never! It was just something I heard! Besides, it was a decade ago, so it hardly matters anymore. But look, there she is now entering the ballroom with her husband. Maybe I shall go and ask her myself.” 

“Then I shall disown you as my friend, you old bat. Don’t make a fool of yourself. Besides, the poor girl has enough to deal with. I heard her husband has a handsomely paid mistress that he gallavants about in broad daylight.” 

“Oh dear.” 

“Exactly. So watch who you’re spreading lies about, Lady Georgiana.” Lady Gwendolyn tisked and whacked her shoulder with her fan just as they both turned to look towards the stairwell where the couple in question were walking down. 

Lady Eliza of Dorn was a lovely sight. She stood tall with her vibrant, red hair pulled back in a tight bun. Her face was expressionless and she practically floated behind the elderly Marquis, her husband, like a servant would. Her eyes remained on the floor instead of facing the pitied or fascinated looks of others all around her. 

Everyone in the Ton knew she was not quite able to do most things other women could. Ever since her “tragic carriage accident”, she was now considered a pitiful, disabled woman. It was a wonder at all- despite her father increasing her dowry to a staggering amount- that she had found a husband. 

Although her husband in question was old enough to be her father and a spendthrift of the highest caliber. Which was why they were here on this night. 

Radford ,the Marquis of Dorn grabbed a flute of champagne from a footman’s tray. Turning to face Eliza, he mumbled gruffly, “Go fill out your dance card. I have business to attend to.”