Page 122 of The Make-Believe Marriage
She could fight her own battles and was ready to give the odious Lady Clementine a poke in the nose if the girl dared insult her beyond merely giving her the cut direct. Syd did not care about that insignificant slight. That was to be expected since the wickedtondiamond routinely snubbed all those who fell out of her favor, and there were many hapless souls who had fallen victim to her wrath.
One might even consider it a badge of honor to be cut by her.
It meant one was worthy of her notice, in the first place.
But Syd would not allow her to get away with anything more.
As for her mother…Lady Harcourt…Syd had no idea what to do about her. The woman was going to spew her poison.
Well, Syd could only wait and see what happened next.
Octavian was going to stand beside her and be the voice of reason should there be an altercation.
He was the most sensible, thoughtful man she had ever met.
She might even surprise him by following his advice to remain dignified in the face of hurled insults.
She glanced at him and her heart began to flutter.
He looked quite magnificent in his black tie and tails. He had always looked wonderful in his uniform, but now stole her breath away while dressed in his evening clothes that accentuated his broad shoulders and masculine physique.
He arched an eyebrow. “Syd, why are you smiling at me?”
“Can a wife not be happy to be standing beside her handsome husband?”
“Perhaps, but you are no ordinary wife. Are you going to behave yourself tonight?”
She gasped. “Me? What about–”
“It matters not what Clementine or your mother do. It is up to you to show the world that you are the better lady.”
“I hate it when you are being reasonable,” she muttered, but tossed him an endearing smile.
They did not have long to wait before trouble started.
Clementine purposely walked by them with her group of snide friends, all of whom sauntered past her and sneered as they gave her the cut.
No big surprise there.
Was she supposed to beat her chest in despair and weep?
Their feeble attempt to insult her was completely neutralized when Marigold and her Farthingale cousins, some of whom shedid not know, rushed toward her and greeted her effusively. To all who were watching– and everyone was, since this erupting scandal was quite juicy– she and the Farthingales could have been lifelong friends.
How was she ever to repay this family’s kindness?
Marigold was a marchioness, and the list of titles among her cousins included duchess, baroness, viscountess, and there were several countesses. Indeed, Daffodil Farthingale was the Duchess of Edgeware and Syd did not think there was a more powerful duke in the realm.
Take that, Lady Clementine.
When the two dowagers walked in, Lady Dayne and Lady Withnall, the first thing they also did was greet Syd warmly.
This was another victory shot across the bow, for no one was more respected among thetonthan these two ladies.
First skirmish won.
Clementine defeated.
Not only defeated, but rendered insignificant.
