" Who told you such?"
Lady Anne gave a small shrug. "I cannot expose my source, but it is credible. The lady in question saw them in a most… compromising position in the gardens of their estate."
The murmurs grew louder, a mixture of disbelief and delight at the revelation.
"Who would have thought?" Lady Anne continued, her tone laced with mock pity. "The duchess, of all people, lowering herself to such disgrace. She always carried herself as if she were above us all. And now? I cannot wait for the Duke to hear of her betrayal."
Lady Fiona frowned slightly. "I doubt it will be that simple. She has been rather discreet."
Lady Anne let out a quiet laugh. "And yet, a guest saw her. The poor Duke… he will be so heartbroken once he learns of her exploits."
Lady Elliette smirked, lifting her teacup to her lips. "Heartbroken? Please. He should count himself fortunate that she has the courtesy to be discreet. What did he expect when he married someone so young and beautiful while he himself is old and frail?"
Lady Carlotta scoffed. "Oh, she certainly did not seem to mind his age when she wed him. But can we blame her? Who wouldn't want to be the Duchess of Bramwell? I hear there is a vault filled with jewels—gold, silver, diamonds. Enough to make any woman turn a blind eye. I, for one, wouldn't mind being married to a man in his grave if it meant I lived in such luxury."
A ripple of laughter followed, but Lady Anne was not finished. "At least she has better sense than Lady Antoinette. That one lowered herself from being a duke's daughter to marrying a farmer, all for love."
This time, the laughter was open, their amusement at Antoinette's supposed foolishness evident.
Queen Victoria, however, remained composed, though a flicker of disapproval crossed her features. "At least Lady Antoinette is happy," she said smoothly. "There is no shame in marrying for love. Besides, as someone closely tied to the royal family, her position is hardly insignificant. In fact, she enjoys liberties most of you do not."
The atmosphere shifted uncomfortably. Lady Carlotta, sensing the change, quickly nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty. You are quite right." Murmurs of agreement followed.
"I pity the young Miss Beaumont," one of them murmured. "Her chances of securing a good husband may be ruined by the duchess… behavior."
A quiet murmur of agreement followed.
"Her father's title still gives her an advantage," another added. "And I heard Lord Thurston might be interested in her."
Victoria stilled, her cup hovering mid-air.
"Really?" A woman sighed dreamily. "Imagine it. A duke's daughter, a future duchess, and wife to the Prime Minister. How lucky she would be."
"Is that true, Your Majesty?" Anne asked, turning to Victoria. "You are close to Lord Thurston. Surely, he must have told you something?"
Victoria set her cup down gently. "I have never heard such from him."
"Perhaps you could ask him?" Anne pressed. "It has been years since his wife passed. Surely, he is ready to remarry. He needs an heir, after all."
Victoria smiled, though there was little warmth in it. "When next I see him, I shall mention your concerns."
Lady Anne, eager to regain control of the conversation, tilted her head. "But why, then, did the duchess not attend today's soiree? Surely, it is rather disrespectful to excuse herself when Her Majesty has graced us with her presence."
Lady Carlotta gasped theatrically. "Perhaps she is unwell. Or—what if she is with child?" She paused dramatically, then added, "And what if that child is not the duke's? Imagine the scandal!"
The room erupted into hushed whispers, speculation running wild.
Victoria, watching the scene unfold, sipped her tea with quiet detachment. These gatherings, she had come to realize, served little purpose beyond gossip and veiled rivalries. She listened, but her mind was elsewhere, knowing full well that the moment she left, she would become the subject of their discussions.
Lady Anne straightened, her voice tinged with satisfaction. "I think the duchess should be excluded from future gatherings until she properly apologizes to Her Majesty."
"Yes," Lady Carlotta agreed. "That would be suitable punishment."
Lady Elliette, eager to change the subject, turned to Vitoria. "Your Majesty, will you be hosting a gathering at your new summer estate? I have heard it is a marvel of splendor."
A small smile played at Victoria's lips. "Indeed, it is splendid."
"I heard it is larger than the palace," another lady interjected.
Victoria chuckled. "Not quite. It comes close, but nothing rivals the palace."
"Have you named it?"
"Yes," Victoria said, setting down her teacup. "Castle Varnor."
A chorus of admiration followed.
"What a beautiful name," Lady Anne murmured. "I cannot wait to see it."
"I plan to host a ball there," Vitoria continued. "But not this season. It will require careful planning."
"I heard the entire estate is made of gold."
Vitoria laughed softly. "Not entirely. But hundreds of carts of gold were used in its construction. In fact, the gold within the estate is worth more than the castle itself.
The collective gasp from the ladies was almost theatrical.
"The statues alone number 157, each crafted from gold."
Lady Anne's eyes gleamed with envy. "One hundred and fifty-seven statues? That is extraordinary."
Victoria inclined her head. "I am considering commissioning another."
Lady Anne seized the opportunity. "Surely, Your Majesty, the King would be most honored if it were his likeness."
Vitoria's smile remained serene. "Castle Varnor is a monument to the Lyndor lineage. It is a tribute to my forefathers. The King's place is within the palace, while the castle honors those of my bloodline who perished at the fire incident." She let the words settle before adding, "No, the next statue will be mine. And one day, perhaps, my child's likeness will join it."
"You will look magnificent in the sculpture," another lady offered.
Victoria's eyes glimmered with amusement. "Of course. I know I will.
A round of flattery followed.
Lady Anne, ever eager to probe, changed direction. "Speaking of the King, how is he? He looked rather pale at the last ball."
Victoria's expression did not change. "Ruling a kingdom is exacting. If you had observed closely, you would have noticed that I and the rest of the council looked pale as well."
Lady Anne immediately backtracked. "Oh, forgive me, Your Majesty. You have always looked splendid to me."
Victoria merely inclined her head. "It is no imperfection—only a sacrifice made for the kingdom."
Lady Carlotta interjected. "Should Lord Baldric not be informed of the kingdom's troubles? Surely he knows that the council has been more busy than usual because of the war?"
Silence filled the air as everyone looked at Lady Anne in amusement at the impending humiliation.
"Lord Baldric has not been a member of the council since my grandfather's reign." Victoria said.
Carlotta blanched. "Oh… how foolish of me."
Lady Anne smirked. "Yes, how thoughtless. But then, everyone knows thinking is not your strength."
The laughter that followed was ruthless. Lady Carlotta's face crumpled, her humiliation evident.