The Resilient Lady Collins

Chapter 85: When enemies meet (1)

"Those crazy old bats," Beth muttered.

Beth looked at her aching hands which had been tortured by the tasks Jack’s mother and aunt had put her through. There was always something the two needed done and to no surprise, they looked to her as the person to do it.

From cutting apples, washing plates, and knitting when she had no clue how to do it. It was torture. She was nothing more than a servant when those two came around her home.

Beth wanted to yell at Jack for not saying a word, letting her have to do the work of a maid, but she couldn’t show him another side of her to upset him.

"It is only until we wed," Beth said to motivate herself. frёewebηovel.cѳm

This was all a test and when she was officially Beth Humphrey those women couldn’t easily boss her around. Then she would get revenge over all the small tasks they made her do.

Still, Beth frowned as she looked at her hands. "They need to be treated," she pouted.

She could not let any of her friends know that she had been acting as a servant after all that she had said to make them jealous.

"At least he has a sense of what would make me happy," Beth said, looking up at the sign of the shop she was going to for new clothes.

Jack had rewarded her with money for putting up with his aunt and mother. How could she stay angry when she got the chance to spoil herself? Who else had the opportunity to buy out a store when they were in the middle of planning a wedding and moving into a larger home?

Beth couldn’t help but laugh at the others who were told to be frugal at this point. That kind of life was no more for her and she was going to shop until she was no longer bothered by the work she did for Dorothy.

"Stay close to me," Beth said to the guard Jack assigned her. She believed that she needed more than one guard since her wedding brought her a lot of attention. "He’ll have to do for now," she decided.

Beth entered the shop she wished had closed off for everyone else to let her buy what she needed without being disturbed. A Humphrey should be granted such privacy.

The second Beth entered the shop, she went straight to a dress that had caught her attention a few days ago but she didn’t have the money to buy then. Jack wouldn’t allow her to go over what she was given weekly and she had already bought other dresses before she saw this one.

"That is an excellent choice, Milady-"

"Beth Valentine."

"Beth Valentine," Willow, the shop attendant, corrected her greeting. She didn’t know who the customer was so she was confused as to why it seemed like she had made a grave mistake with the greeting. It was how she addressed everyone. "That dress is quite trendy right now. It is the last we have in store."

"I am aware of the trend surrounding it. That is why I am here to buy it. Put it aside for me and show me what else is new. What does no other woman have yet?" Beth asked as she wanted to be the one setting the trends.

Beth was ready to have all the elite women in town turning heads when she came around. Jack’s new wife would be hard to forget and simple women like the one before her would not mistake who she was.

Just a little more time and she would be able to snap her fingers to have the woman beside her fired. Beth couldn’t wait to have that power.

Willow looked around the shop. Unfortunately for Beth, what was new was sent off to private customers first and then displayed here. Beth would need to have more status in town for her to be the first to get anything.

"We don’t have anything new at the moment but you can request for new stock to be sent to your home. It is a bit pricey-"

"Do I look like I cannot afford it?" Beth questioned, once again annoyed by the woman. It had to be on purpose at this point.

The dress Beth wore now could be able to feed a common family for a week yet she needed to be reminded about something being expensive.

Willow could only smile to not upset the difficult customer. This was what she told the others. Those with money didn’t complain about what she said. She found that those who recently touched a lot of money were the loud ones and it wouldn’t be the first time someone in expensive clothes came in here pretending to be rich.

"I will take it from here. Bring us a few bags to look at," Naomi said, slowly approaching Beth. Beth was just the person she wanted to see today. "Beth, you look wonderful. Pregnancy hasn’t started to drain you yet."

"The child is being easy on me," Beth replied, faking a smile.

Naomi wasn’t exactly someone Beth liked but it was apparent that Naomi disliked Scarlet so the two could be close for now.

"That dress that you just picked I have seen on someone recently. Oh, it is quite similar to what Scarlet wore at the viscount’s garden party," Naomi remembered. "Luckily, it is not from the same dressmaker so no one should think you’re after everything she has."

Beth continued to smile though she didn’t like Naomi’s jab. She didn’t want the dress now that it did look like what Scarlet recently wore. Still, she couldn’t put it back now to let Naomi enjoy pointing out the similarity.

"My husband is thankful that Jack will continue to do business with us. We still see Jack as family so if there is ever something you need. Please come to me," Naomi offered.

"I will," Beth replied.

"I was just thinking of buying something for Scarlet because of all that she is going through now. How terrible," Naomi sighed, going ahead of Beth to look around.

Beth was curious about what was troubling Scarlet. Was Scarlet sad that Jack was now getting married? She had thought that a woman like Scarlet would expect Jack to run back to her. All the money Scarlet had couldn’t bring back her husband.

"What is she going through now?" Beth asked.

Naomi’s smile was hidden from Beth thanks to being in front. Beth truly was stupid and easy to trick which made Beth just the kind of person Naomi liked to have around. "Well, after being approached by a man far older than her and being seen with an illegitimate son, how can I not be worried?"

"Oh, right," Beth remembered. It was embarrassing for Scarlet to be approached by Robert. The type of men willing to court Scarlet had dropped and rightfully so. A good man shouldn’t waste his time with Scarlet.

"But it was also quite funny, wasn’t it?" Naomi chuckled. "She needs to be embarrassed a few times. Oh, don’t look so surprised. You didn’t think my interest in you was because I like you, right?"