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Aunt Theodora huffed but she did not object. “I suppose there is no harm in having a little fun.”

Louise scooted closer to her aunt on the bed and patted her cheeks affectionately. “Aunt Theodora, do not look so downcast. I know that there is a certain gentleman that occupied your time yesterday,” Louise said.

For the first time that morning, her aunt smiled and even blushed. “Oh, stop it,” Aunt Theodora said, playfully swatting her niece off.

“You know I am right, Aunt Theodora,” Louise said. “You and this gentleman seemed to be enamored by each other.”

Aunt Theodora smiled again, “He is simply a gentleman who made me feel better after the experience I had.”

“Aunt Theodora, you are blushing. This is not just another gentleman. I can tell that you took a fancy to the gentleman,” Louise continued.

Aunt Theodora shrugged. “I suppose if we were both in our prime, there might have been something special between us. But now…”

“Aha!” Louise said triumphantly, “I knew you were enamored with him.”

“If we are going to meet the morning’s event, you need to dress up now,” Louise’s mother said, looking out of Louise’s window, “people are beginning to assemble at the garden for the morning tea.”

Louise took a deep sigh as she prepared herself for what was to come that day. “I need to make a statement today,” she said as she began to rummage through her clothes.

“What statement?” her aunt asked, confused.

“I do not have to say a word. Instead, I need my dress to do all the talking,” Louise said as she pulled out a peach dress, “this is too feminine.” She returned the peach dress. “Everyone would expect me to leave in shame or to be moody and look depressed even if I decided to stay,” Louise said, holding up a green dress, “This is too festive. I need a dress that says ‘You tried to bury me but I am not so easily gotten rid of’.” She smiled, “but I also want to look fashionable as always.” She held up a red dress and this time, she smiled. “This is the perfect dress.” Louise smoothed her hands over the dress lovingly. “I have always looked beautiful in this dress but today, the dress would serve another purpose asides from beautifying me. Red is the color of anger and revenge.”

“It is also the color of life and love,” Aunt Theodora said.

Louise nodded. “Moreover, the color would go perfectly with my flushed skin,” she said.

“Now, get prepared so we can head for the garden,” her mother said.

Within moments, Louise had slipped into the dress, applied cosmetics on her face, and accompanied her beautiful look with one of her most beautiful jewels; a pearl necklace. It rested beautifully on her bosom and when Louise looked at herself in the mirror, she could not help but smile at the reflection. She looked beautiful and she knew she would turn more heads than one.

The moment Louise stepped into the gardens, her mother and aunt flanking her, heads turned. Of course, Louise expected the reaction considering the events of the previous day. With a big smile plastered on her face, she, her mother, and her aunt began their walk around the garden. Everywhere they went, guests who were taking a walk or taking their morning tea stopped whatever they were doing to stare at Louise.

“It is a beautiful morning, isn’t it, Miss Mercoft,” Louise said, waving merrily at one woman who was gaping blatantly at her. This seemed to jolt the woman awake because she hurriedly walked away.

“How could she show her face here?” one woman said.

“I would have already left if I were her,” another replied.

“I would not be able to show my face again if this ever happened to me,” The first woman said.

These and many more were the whispers that followed Louise. She was not fazed, though. The statement she wanted to make was that she would not cower when she had done nothing wrong. Therefore, she held her head up high and walked with the pride of one who was loved by all.

“There he is,” Louise’s mother muttered.

Louise looked at what her mother was talking about and the sight she saw made her feel humiliated yet again. For the first time since she entered the gardens, she faltered and nearly stumbled but she caught herself just in time.

Sitting just some feet away from where Louise stood was the Earl and with him was Emily. Louise’s eyes watered but she quickly blinked the tears away. She knew that her every movement was being noticed by everyone, therefore, she could not afford to show any sign of hurt. Presently, the Earl and his fiancée were having a hearty laugh.

Louise’s friends, Amelia and Catherine, also stood around Emily, looking at her as though she was the most amazing person they had ever seen. Louise was sick to her stomach at the sight. She could not believe that her other friends would take Emily’s side so easily and she could understand why. It was at that moment that Catherine's eyes caught Louise. She quickly looked away, then whispered something to Emily. Soon enough, they all began to stare at Louise while laughing behind their fans.

Louise’s blood boiled as she watched them.

“Ignore them,” her mother said. Louise was about to take her mother’s suggestion when a painter stopped in front of the Earl and Emily, and they sat to get their portrait drawn.

The anger built up within her again. Louise found it hurtful that Felington could act so composed and at peace despite him intentionally humiliating her the previous night. Louise had never felt as bitter as she did at that moment. It did not matter to her anymore that he had jilted her, she just wanted to know why the Earl had lied to her and why her friend treated her like that.

She began to walk toward the couple. She had no plan; she just wanted the couple to look her in the eyes and tell her why they had both conspired to hurt her. Then, she would be the bigger person and wish them all the happiness in the world. After all, they deserved each other.