Eyes of Blue, Heart of Stone (Baroness X Femme Reader)

Reassurance

Occasionally, Victoria worked from home. It was usually when it was clear that her designers needed protection from her human cyclone. Today it didn't seem as though she was seething, more just tired. Last night was pretty tolling on her and her temper was worn thin.

There were two studies in the house, Victoria's and the Baron's. Victoria dismissed herself to the former directly after breakfast.

"Y/N, may I speak with you?" John asked. He looked at you with a straight face, but there was an uncomfortable coldness in his overall manner. "Uh, s- sure?" You replied, following him to the sitting room. He sat down on the velvet sofa and poured you some tea.

"How do you like your tea my dear?"

You took a sip of the tea, made perfectly to your liking. "What was it you wanted to speak with me about?" You asked. "Last night." He said. "Listen I'm sorry for waking you up and all-" "I spoke to Victoria after you went to sleep." He stated.

There was a weight in your stomach. You felt your breath run wild. John could see this and he reassuringly put his hand on your shoulder.

"Y/N, do you know what the Baroness has been through?" John asked. "Obviously I do-" "That's what I was worried you'd say." John sighed. "As your friend I think it best that I explain why I'm concerned."

A huge wave of shame washed over you. Were you seriously too blind to notice Victoria feeling off? You seemed so sure that she was alright. She gave you thumbs up of reassurance.

Why was she lying to you?

"I assume you still remember Mrs Fitzgerald?" John asked. "How could I forget that pleasant woman?" You replied with sickly sweet sarcasm. "There was a similar incident with a Ms Agatha Hardgreaves."

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Being a daughter of a lowly schoolmistress in an old money school was a seemingly difficult task but seeing as Headmistress Hardgreaves was a psychotic power-crazed old hag with severe favouritism issues, Agatha wasn't too bad off.

That made it tough for Victoria to get any help with the torment.

————

"I have reason to believe Ms Hardgreaves, the child, was the reason she got married." John said. "What?" "What do you mean?"

"Do you know of Yvette?"

"Victoria- she spoke about her in her sleep."

"I'm not surprised."

————

Everything was hazy. She gagged. Stumbling forward, clinging desperately to the blonde, Victoria collapsed. "Aww! Did you fall?" She crooned, a foul grin coated her face. "Yvie-" Victoria groaned. "Come in booysssss!" She called, with dramatic emphasis.

"Yvette- don't- please! Don't leave me-"

————

"How does that Yvette woman have anything to do with the headmistress's daughter, let alone the Baron?" You questioned. It slowly became more and more clear why you was having this conversation with John. Saying 'no' wasn't something she felt she could do.

"Yvette, Elizabeth and Agatha were friends. I have a hunch that they prompted the marriage on."

————

Elizabeth sighed. "What I'm saying, Mrs H, is that that dirty little deviant should be corrected!" She stated. "I see your point Eliza..." "She is a thief, she is a pervert and she fornicates with other women!" Yvette sneered. "Again, a good point but we can't excuse it. The age excuse can't be used. There are several girls older than her."

"Mother, you need to get rid of her!"

Precious little Agatha swayed her.

-

"Oh look at the little broodmare!" Agatha laughed, humming the wedding march. Victoria was as white as the ghost of her lost dreams. "Broodmare? Don't put those poor creatures on her level! She's just some filthy breeding sow!" Yvette sneered, pushing her button nose upwards.

"Don't be so gloomy Sticky Vicky!" Elizabeth cackled. "I'm sure Hansy is just as foul as you!"

-

She didn't mean that, but it was more than true.

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"The Baron was your friend, wasn't he?"