The Resilient Lady Collins

Chapter 68: Ruffling feathers (2)

"Now all of my guests are here. I didn’t get the chance to speak to all of you at the ball since I was sitting with the king. Did you enjoy the ball?" Madilyn questioned, fishing for compliments since she was the one to take charge of preparing the diamond ball this year.

Scarlet looked across the table at Alana who offered her a smile. From a young age, they were partners in getting out of these gatherings and going somewhere to be alone.

"It was lovely. Perhaps the best ball held in the palace," said Holly.

"You’re too kind but thank you. I worked hard to put it all together for you to enjoy. Scarlet, I was told that you left the ball early. Was it not to your liking?" Madilyn inquired.

It was starting to feel like nothing in the palace could impress the heiress.

"I had other matters to tend to-"

"You left with a man," Holly interjected. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"Must I inform my guard to keep an eye on you with how much you pay attention to me?" Scarlet questioned, causing Holly to frown. "I’m joking. Don’t look so worried."

Alana’s snort caught the attention of the women at the table. "Forgive me. The flowers bother my nose."

"Elegance, Alana. A royal should have it," Madilyn said. "And who is this man, Scarlet? You can share with us as we are all your friends."

Scarlet chuckled as it was funny how they threw around the word friend. There were some she held a conversation with and some she was truly friends with, but that was a small part of the group of women here. "Yes, you’re all my friends. I see it from how concerned you were about my split that you didn’t write or call."

"I thought to give you some space," Keira said, sharing her husband’s idea. At the time, Scarlet had so much said about her so it wasn’t the time to go around her to have your life put in the spotlight. Her husband wouldn’t have liked it.

"And I ask now that you keep giving me that space by not questioning me about what you have heard of. We should be speaking on the ball and placing the attention on the queen as it is her gathering. I regret that I didn’t see you dancing with the king at the ball," said Scarlet.

Holly looked to Madilyn to get more answers out of Scarlet. It was going around that Scarlet was now with the son of Lord Kingsley and now was the perfect time to get the truth.

Madilyn knew what Holly wanted but she couldn’t push any further even when she was curious. If she upset Scarlet then she was going to upset her husband. "Let’s move on. I hear that there is going to be a festival soon. Will anyone be attending? It might be a celebration of Alana’s arranged marriage."

Alana glared at Madilyn for speaking of that now when it wasn’t decided. She was still against the marriage her brother was proposing so he could get someone as his ally.

"Princess Alana is a little nervous so you must offer her some marriage advice," Madilyn said, ignoring how Alana felt. It was either Alana or later on one of her children would have to get married and Madilyn was ready to sacrifice Alana first.

Scarlet’s small interest in the party was gone seeing that the queen was enjoying Alana potentially being with a man she didn’t know. "Is it fun?" She asked, staring at the queen so it was known who she was speaking to.

"What do you mean? I was speaking about the festival," Madilyn said, not knowing what she had done to upset Scarlet.

"So that is how you will be," Scarlet replied.

"I think we should go back to Scarlet," Holly said, not finished with getting her answers. "I heard that the man you have been spotted with is the oldest son of Lord Kingsley. I fail to believe that it is true because you might have missed that he’s a bastard," she revealed, earning a few gasps from the women at the table.

"So?" Scarlet responded, her reaction unamused by Holly’s need to bring up what was said about Ian. It wasn’t some sort of secret how Ian came into this world.

"So? I mean, you were once married to Jack Humphrey. A man who not only had wealth but was a legitimate son. We’re not in the old days but to be a bastard is a little embarrassing and a bit low for you, don’t you think?" Holly asked, wondering what about the man who made Scarlet blind.

Was he handsome to make her lose all train of thought or was he good in bed?

Scarlet smiled as it was interesting how they thought Jack’s background made him better than Ian. Anyone would be worth her time more than the man who cheated on her. It was also interesting how they spoke so highly of Jack like they truly knew him. They only knew that he had money.

"What causes you to smile?" Madilyn wondered as Scarlet’s reaction to the question was odd.

"How you would jump to shame Ian and not his father is worth looking into. Our scholars must look into the way the people in this town think. Ian is his father’s son. Not a bastard," Scarlet corrected Holly.

Scarlet had given him that title when she first saw him as she had thought of the drama surrounding the Kingsleys but she wouldn’t allow Holly to insult him.

"It is true that you are with him since you are so defensive. Honestly, shouldn’t you follow what you said and take your time with a man? It is a little soon for you-"

"Jack is already engaged with a woman pregnant but yet, all of you want to convince me that it is too soon for me to move on? Was I to sit at home crying to give you some sort of satisfaction or put the idea in your minds that I regretted letting my cheating husband go?" Scarlet questioned and then gave them time to answer.

It was still confusing how she was the one cheated on and Jack moved on when he was still married, but she was the one to be always told what she should or shouldn’t do.

"This town will always be stuck with having so many rules for women when people like you prefer to gossip than see the ignorance. That is why I am not friends with many of you and I will not share anything about myself with you. Thank you for the invitation, Queen Madilyn. You can make note that a Collins showed up," Scarlet said.

It was time to leave as she had run out of patience with these women. These gatherings were always like this and she had no time to spare for it.

"I must also leave," Alana announced. With Scarlet not around, she was prey for Madilyn.

Scarlet stood from her seat and then waited for Alana so they could leave together. Luckily, the day was not ruined since she would get to catch up with the princess.