A Scandal By Any Other Name-Chapter 148 - Hundred And Forty Eight

Back at Hamilton House in London, the atmosphere was entirely different. There was no silence. There was only glorious, organized chaos.

Ines and Aunt Margery oversaw the preparations for the grand Hamilton ball. The event was only a few days away, and keeping up the illusion that the Duke was happily preparing to announce his engagement was vital to their plan. If Lord Farrington suspected they were fighting back, he might trigger the penalty clause early.

The grand ballroom on the first floor was a hive of activity. Dozens of maids were polishing the massive crystal chandeliers until they sparkled like diamonds. Footmen were carrying tall, heavy silver candelabras and placing them perfectly around the edges of the room. The air smelled strongly of beeswax polish, fresh linen, and hundreds of blooming flowers.

Aunt Margery was in her absolute element.

She stood in the very center of the polished wooden dance floor. She was wearing a bright, vibrant purple day dress that made her look like a very commanding plum. She held a long wooden pointing stick in her hand, using it to direct the florists who had been hired to decorate the room. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"No, no, absolutely not!" Aunt Margery shouted cheerfully, pointing her stick at a massive arrangement of white lilies near the main doors. "Move those lilies to the left! No, your other left, Andrew!"

The young footman named Andrew quickly scrambled to drag the heavy stone vase a few inches across the floor.

"The lilies are entirely too tall," Aunt Margery complained loudly to Ines, who was standing beside her holding a silver clipboard. "If we leave them there, they will completely block my view of the entrance. I need a clear line of sight to see the exact moment the Farringtons arrive. I want to see the looks on their greedy faces."

Ines laughed smoothly, checking a delicate gold watch pinned to her bodice.

"I am sure you will have a perfect view of their downfall, Aunt Margery," Ines replied, making a small checkmark on her list. "But we must ensure the room looks completely perfect. We want Lady Farrington to believe she has secured the greatest prize in London."

Fifi was currently running around the legs of the footmen, barking happily at a stray feather that had fallen from a dusting cloth.

"Exactly," Aunt Margery agreed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She tapped her wooden stick on the floor. "We are setting a beautiful, expensive, highly decorated trap. Make sure the silk ribbons on the chairs are tied tightly. We don’t want anything slipping!"

As the two women laughed and directed the endless stream of servants, the doors of the ballroom opened.

Mr. Simmons stepped into the room. He walked with his usual slow, measured pace, completely ignoring the chaotic rushing of the maids around him. He carried a small, polished silver tray in his white-gloved hands.

Simmons walked directly toward Ines.

"Excuse me, Your Grace," Simmons said, offering a polite bow.

Ines turned away from Aunt Margery and lowered her clipboard. "Yes, Mr. Simmons? Has the delivery of the French wine arrived?"

"No, Your Grace," Simmons replied. He held out the silver tray. Resting in the center of the shining metal was a single, thick envelope made of expensive cream-colored parchment. It was sealed with a heavy drop of dark red wax, stamped with a very famous, very powerful family crest. "A special messenger just arrived at the front door. He brought a letter from the Duchess of Hastings. He was instructed to deliver it directly into your hands."

Ines’s eyes lit up instantly. She had written to the Duchess of Hastings two days ago, begging for any high-society gossip regarding Lady Celine Farrington’s sudden disappearance to France three years ago. The Duchess of Hastings was the most connected, most observant woman in all of London. If anyone knew the truth, it was her.

Ines reached out and picked up the envelope.

"Thank you, Mr. Simmons," Ines said smoothly.

Simmons bowed again. He turned and quietly left the busy ballroom, leaving the ladies to their secrets.

Aunt Margery immediately abandoned the floral arrangements. She hurried over to Ines’s side, her purple silk skirts swishing loudly against the polished floor. Her eyes were wide with eager anticipation. Fifi trotted over and sat neatly at Aunt Margery’s feet.

"Well?" Aunt Margery demanded in a hushed, excited whisper. "Open it, Ines! What does Daphne say? Did she hear the rumors? Does she know why the girl was sent away?"

Ines did not need to be told twice. She slid her manicured thumbnail under the edge of the dark red wax seal. The wax broke with a sharp, satisfying snap.

She unfolded the thick, cream-colored parchment. The handwriting inside was elegant, flowing, and completely steady.

Ines smiled, fully expecting a long, detailed letter filled with the usual polite society greetings before getting to the juicy gossip.

She opened the letter and looked at the top of the page.

Her eyes scanned the very first line of ink.

Instantly, the bright, confident smile completely vanished from Ines’s beautiful face.

She stopped breathing. Her body went perfectly rigid. The playful energy she had carried all morning completely evaporated, replaced by a sudden, chilling shock.

Her brow frowned deeply as she read the first sentence. She read it once, and then she read it a second time, simply to make sure her eyes were not playing a terrible trick on her.

Aunt Margery saw the drastic, sudden change in her niece’s expression. The older woman’s playful excitement faded away. She stepped closer, her face turning serious.

"Ines?" Aunt Margery asked, her voice dropping all its usual volume. She reached out and touched Ines’s arm. "What is it? What does the letter say?"

Ines did not look up. She kept her eyes glued to the elegant handwriting on the parchment. Her hands, usually so steady and graceful, began to tremble very slightly holding the edges of the paper.

"Ines?" Aunt Margery looked at Ines’s expression, completely worried.