BETRAYAL OF DIGNITY
Part 8
Scandal
Was even marriage unable to extinguish Duke Thisse's fiery passion? The war hero, who stunned the entire kingdom by wedding a young lady from a modest family, has been seen dallying with the Marquise, Lady Isabella. He rarely leaves his chambers, and the candlelight in the uppermost room of Castle Rose is never extinguished. Meanwhile, three months after the wedding, his pitiful bride has been abandoned in the countryside...
"Shall I fetch some tea?" Deborah, the proprietress of the tailor shop, inquired in a trembling voice.
Chloe had not expected to come across a tabloid with news from Swane at the tailor shop. After reading each line, she folded the paper neatly and placed it back on the table.
"No, that won't be necessary," she replied. "I had heard of the existence of such intriguing publications, but this is the first time l've laid eyes on one."
The Red Veil was a rumor sheet secretly published and circulated without the royal family's approval. Its primary focus was on ridiculing the private lives and infidelities of nobles, making it an entertaining read but strictly forbidden within the royal palace.
Deborah bowed her head. "I shall burn it at once, Your Grace."
Chloe gestured for her to stop. "That will not be necessary.
Burning these pieces of paper will not turn the rumors to ash." Deborah clenched her lips tightly, astonished that Chloe, who was younger than her own daughter, could wear such a tranquil smile even in this predicament.
"If you have finished taking my measurements, I shall take my leave."
"But we have yet to discuss the fabric and design..."
Still smiling reassuringly, Chloe shook her head as she picked up her cane. "I trust you to handle that. You are more knowledgeable in these matters than I."
With a gentle chime, the door opened, and the Duchess ex ited with a limp. Deborah stared at the neatly folded paper resting on the table. The speculation about the Duke and Lady Isabella was featured on the first page, and the tabloid had gone to great lengths to illustrate their likeness. They were depicted gazing at each other on the balcony of Castle Rose. Lady Isabella wore a seductive smile, her hair styled so extravagantly high that it seemed to reach the heavens, while the Duke appeared captivated by the ample cleavage her dress revealed.
Deborah sighed heavily. "Men and their inability to control themselves will be the ruin of this country!"
Clicking her tongue, she vowed to create the most exquisite dress in the world for the poor Duchess. The drab dress that Chloe had been wearing had looked outdated by centuries. A change of outfit was sure to enhance her already striking visage.
"I'll show them just how skilled a rural tailor can be!"
With the cost of the dress to be borne by the Duke, Deborah resolved to spare no expense in constructing the dress, and her hands busied themselves with selecting the finest fabric that would complement Chloes fair complexion.
* * *
"Lady Chloe, I think it would be wise for you to return to the castle," said Gilles.
"But I have yet to meet with Madam Walton to discuss the establishment of the hospital, and I need to inspect the canals and the windmills."
Gilles bit his lip upon observing Chloe's face as she climbed into the carriage. He, too, had read the morning's copy of The Red Veil. While Chloe was in the tailor shop, a boy selling newspapers had excitedly dashed around the street. Gilles had torn up the image of the Duke and the unfamiliar woman and discarded it in the drain, but it was not enough to dispel his anger.
