Chapter 96 - - 96 : Exceptions of the perfect marriage
Claudine found herself strolling along the rose garden. Their thin vines arched overhead on the pergola they walked under through, allowing the morning sun to seep through the gaps, but enough to make them remain in the shaded area.
She stopped for a moment, glancing around with a pleasant smile on the garden, before she finally turned to her companion.
"Ah, don't you think the weather today is nice? Seems like spring really is arriving any day now! Don't you think so too, Leyla?" She inquired, trying to engage the other woman in light conversation.
Leyla stood away from her, a few paces behind, and her head bowed pitifully as a stiff smile was held on her lips. She remained silent. Claudine tilted her head, raising a brow over to the girl.
"Leyla?" She prompted once more, and Leyla finally let out a grimace of a smile.
She was very pale as she stood in front of the Duke's fiance, and her damp hair was tied haphazardly behind her, as she was prompted to come quickly in front of Lady Brandt. She barely had time to pick out some proper clothes.
She couldn't help shivering at the droplets that drizzled down her hair and landed on her back.
"I- I agree as well, my Lady." She answered softly. Claudine shot her a satisfied smile, before turning her attention back to the rose garden.
Leyla was acting just as she expected. Then again, Claudine also firmly believed if the Duke were to ever have just one mistress, it would always, and remained to be, one Leyla Lewellin.
Mistresses in the aristocratic class were not unheard of. In fact, having one was hardly special. But while the Lords would parade their mistresses like trophies on their arm, a mistress was a direct blow to a Lady's worth.
She's seen and heard of the many Lords who fell for the less desirable sorts. People like their own maids, or prostitutes. They all ended up being humiliated in front of society, especially when their husbands proceeded to make a fool of themselves for everyone to bore witness to.