**Chapter 7: The Scandal Unraveled**
The air inside the Duke’s castle buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the second week of the debutante ball commenced. Ophelia stood before her mirror, adjusting her hair, her heart fluttering with anticipation. Beside her, Avril paced anxiously, glancing out the window toward the arriving guests.
“I can’t believe Lord Edmond will be here tonight,” Ophelia said, a mix of excitement and apprehension in her voice.
“Just remember, Ophelia, it’s not just about him. You’re here to enjoy yourself,” Avril replied, though her own eyes betrayed a hint of envy. It was no secret that she had felt a connection with Lord Edmond before he turned his attention to Ophelia.
As the evening unfolded, the castle glittered with candlelight, and laughter echoed through the grand halls. Ophelia and Lord Edmond arrived together in a shared carriage, the murmurs of onlookers causing a flurry of excitement. As they entered the ballroom, Ophelia felt a rush of warmth flood her cheeks; the evening was finally theirs.
However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when whispers began to circulate. A group of young ladies, huddled together, pointed towards a corner of the ballroom where a scuffle was breaking out. Ophelia’s heart raced as she turned to Avril.
“Do you see what’s happening?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Avril’s eyes widened. “That’s Lord Edmond! What is he doing?”
The viscount had been cornered by a group of men, their faces twisted with anger. In the chaos, Ophelia caught sight of a familiar figure—Maggie, the daughter of a local blacksmith, standing wide-eyed at the center of it all. Her cheeks were flushed, and her gaze flickered between Lord Edmond and the advancing men.
“What’s going on?” Ophelia asked, feeling a knot form in her stomach.
As if sensing her gaze, Lord Edmond suddenly turned, his expression filled with panic. “Ophelia!” he shouted, but before he could say more, one of the men lunged at him, fists flying.
The hall fell silent, all eyes glued to the unfolding scene. Ophelia's heart pounded in her chest as she watched her suitor defend himself against the furious mob. It all came to a head when someone shouted, “He was caught kissing her! He’s dishonored himself!”
Avril gasped beside Ophelia. “What? He kissed her?”
Before Ophelia could respond, the situation escalated further. One of the men, a hulking figure with a scowl, charged at Lord Edmond, landing a heavy punch. The viscount staggered back, but his gaze remained fixed on Maggie, who looked torn between anger and despair.
Just as the chaos reached its peak, Avril, unable to contain herself, rushed toward the fray. “Stop this! You don’t know what you’re doing!” she cried out, but her voice was drowned in the tumult.
In a moment of fierce protectiveness, Ophelia followed Avril, determined to reach Lord Edmond. As they approached, she caught sight of Avril stepping forward, her hand raised, and then with a sharp crack, she landed a hard slap across Lord Edmond’s cheek.
“What were you thinking?” Avril exclaimed, her voice shaking with a mixture of anger and hurt. “You were supposed to be better than this!”
Lord Edmond turned, his eyes wide with shock, but before he could defend himself, another punch flew in his direction, landing squarely on his jaw. The fight erupted into chaos, with guests gasping and forming a ring around the brawling men.
“Avril, stop!” Ophelia shouted, desperately trying to pull her cousin back. But Avril was resolute, her emotions boiling over as she glared at Lord Edmond. “You humiliated her!”
