The Resilient Lady Collins

Chapter 43: Garden of drama (2)

"Must you keep looking at it?" Jack asked, watching as Beth held out her hand for the fifth time since they arrived at the party.

Jack had noticed how she kept doing hand gestures to show off the ring he had proposed to her with. It led to them being stopped from time to time to be congratulated on the engagement. freewebnoveℓ.com

Another day Jack would be happy with this if not for the fact he was trying to keep others from being too close to Beth for the sake of his child.

"Forgive me but I want to show that we are going to wed so they can stop speaking of me having a child out of wedlock. They also know that your marriage to Scarlet is officially over. This is a day for celebrating with your peers," Beth said, holding Jack’s arm for them to walk close.

"As long as it makes you happy, try not to get too excited and move around too much. The doctor said that you need to be careful," Jack reminded Beth.

"I am quite loved by everyone. Who here will want to hurt me?" Beth asked. She was still the sweet woman caught in a messy affair. If Scarlet had been a bit more friendly, it would’ve been hard for her to be seen as the angel, so Beth had something to thank Scarlet for. "We must greet the viscount and his wife. How many nobles do you think will be here?"

First the ball and now she was attending a party held by a viscount. Now that their relationship was out in the open, Beth got to enjoy another side of being with Jack. She was ready to attend many grand parties and have her name be the talk of it.

"Be patient and don’t show that you are so eager to speak with anyone here. You’ll be a Humphrey so remember your place," Jack said, hoping Beth wouldn’t show that she was new to this kind of event.

She would stick out if she spoke of wanting to see the nobles. Everyone present was used to seeing each other so they were not excited like Beth.

"I know. I just want to be a good guest and greet the host. What are they going on about now?" Beth asked, noticing that the couples around them were whispering about something. "Who is- Why?" Beth asked, her mouth parted as she couldn’t believe her eyes.

Jack followed her gaze and was in the same state of shock as Beth. His eyes had to be playing tricks on him as it couldn’t be that Scarlet was attending this party with the same man from the ball by her side. "Why is she here with him?"

Jack balled up his right hand as he was angered by Scarlet not listening to him. Why was she walking around with a man she did not know once more? She was warned not to do it so why? Why could she never listen to him?

"She truly has a lover," Beth said, now believing it. "But it is strange. You said she wouldn’t attend so why now is she going around showing him? Was I right that she hired someone to attend with her?"

"This is ridiculous," Jack said, not caring whether it was real or fake. The man beside Scarlet needed to disappear.

Since Jack didn’t know who this man was it had to be that he was someone not deserving of Scarlet’s time. Why was she stooping so low when she had a better man before?

Away from Jack and Beth, Scarlet was focused on not letting her hat blow away.

"I should just take it off," Scarlet said, touching the side of it to hold it in place. "Had I known that it would be so windy here, I would have left the hat in the carriage. Where do you think you are putting your hand?"

Ian kept his hand on her waist. "On you so the wind doesn’t blow you away from me."

"If only it would be so kind to do that," Scarlet replied, taking the hat off her head before it would annoy her further. "They’ve gone above and beyond for what was said to be a simple garden party."

"Simple and nobles do not go together," said Ian.

Ian led Scarlet away from the nosey crowd. He had to help Scarlet avoid them before they would make her want to leave. So far, there was no sight of the other Kingsley so Scarlet would get to enjoy the party for a moment before the drama came.

’Or not,’ Ian thought as there was a lot of whispering and looking in another direction as if there was someone that he or Scarlet needed to be mindful of.

"The ex-wife and soon-to-be wife is here. How awful."

Scarlet looked over her shoulder where she had heard the gossip. It couldn’t be coincidental that they spoke of that as she arrived.

’Jack is engaged already. Now he can leave me alone,’ Scarlet hoped. She didn’t need his warnings to be mindful of the men around her. Hopefully, the engagement would keep Jack away from her and focused on his family.

"Out of the way. It’s a bit rude to block us when we’ve just arrived," Ian said, looking at the slimy old fool before them who he wouldn’t doubt was going to say something foolish.

"Forgive me but like everyone present, I am curious who Miss Scarlet has shown up with."

"You are neither her father nor a cat so put an end to your curiosity," Ian said, guiding Scarlet around the man.

Scarlet stared at the man as she walked around him with Ian. Ian seemed to have done a good job of breaking the man as he did not move. Scarlet couldn’t stop herself from laughing at Ian’s words. ’You certainly know how to avoid unwanted small talk."

"I had a lot of practice in the past. I can’t allow their foolish questions to annoy you when we just arrived. That is why you must stay close to me. Let me be the bad man sending them away," Ian proposed.

"So, I get to enjoy a party and not have to speak. You certainly know how to be a good partner," Scarlet replied.

"Good that you noticed it. Would you like something to drink? Their tea so you can appreciate mine more?" Ian asked, searching for a maid.

"On a warm day like this, I would prefer to have some sort of juice, but first we should find somewhere cool to stand. I need it with a good view so I can save you from trying to throw someone from a balcony," Scarlet teased.

"I have not forgotten that I am with my knight today. Though I think I might need to do some protecting over you. Jealousy is also in attendance," Ian whispered, meeting eyes with Jack. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Ian smiled while Jack scowled. There was someone other than the lawyer to tease that he was the one to have Scarlet by his side. Seeing how upset Jack was, Ian might be able to succeed in having someone act a fool today.