The Duchess and the Devil - Chapter 37.2

— Did you think that if the rumors were true, Sylvia would have been invited to the funeral?

The girls continued to discuss this topic, refuting any information about Derrick’s affair.

“No way,” said Judith. — I never invited Madame to the funeral.

All conversations suddenly died down. The girls looked at each other, not quite understanding what was happening. However, Judith did not say this to confuse the guests. She really didn’t do this, because she personally approved the list of invited people.

– But that day…

The lady who first spoke of Sylvia hesitated a little, not knowing what to say in her own defence.

“I saw Sylvia too.” But not in the garden, but in front of the main gate.

– And I happened to see her there!

– You know, if you think about it, I saw her not far from the gate after the funeral.

— On the day of the funeral, was she not far from the mansion? – Judith asked in surprise, not understanding why Sylvia had come. To find out about Derrick’s condition?

No matter how you look at it, this is the perfect candidate for the role of Hannibal. However, there was no point in him coming to the mansion on the day of the funeral. Or did it happen? What was happening was more like a terrible puzzle that Judith needed to put together.

The tea party quickly returned to its usual, friendly atmosphere as the ladies moved on to other topics. But Judith simply could not concentrate on talking with the guests. Each time she returned to the thought of the funeral.

It was pouring rain, and everything around was shrouded in fog. And in this hazy memory there was no Sylvia, about whom the others spoke. Therefore, Judith could not say for sure, because she was not a direct witness.

Fortunately, the tea party ended well. Judith gave each lady a bouquet of flowers from the garden and a small gift as they left the mansion one by one. All the girls were pleasantly surprised by such attention and, of course, smiling, accepted all the gifts, thanking the hostess of the tea party for her hospitality.

Judith did this to soften the temper of the guests, who would definitely want to talk about what happened in social circles . And this, at least, could be a small bribe that will make you wonder if the relationship between the Duke and Duchess is worth talking about?

“Today was fun,” Dyer noted, receiving her gift.

“I liked everything too,” Judith answered also politely.

– Excuse me.

Judith did not understand why the Marquise was apologizing, but she remained silent, and she continued:

“Until now, I thought the rumors about you were true.” After all, many people talked about this, so I didn’t even doubt the information. Of course, I didn’t talk about it too much – it’s a very sensitive issue, but it was still wrong of me to think about you that way.

It was the first time Judith had ever heard someone apologize.

“Thank you,” the Duchess nodded, accepting the apology.

“And you looked great together today.” Therefore, I don’t understand where such rumors could come from.

Judith knew full well that Derrick was a different person now, but she couldn’t say it. Although sometimes I really wanted to. As the Marquise said, there were many rumors about the couple in high society. And now the Duchess was even glad that many of them would get divorced.

And the most unexpected thing of the evening was the behavior of the Marquise Dyer, who seemed to be a very prudent woman in high society. It was she, and not anyone else, who opened her true heart to Judith. The Duchess really liked such a polite and calm apology, touching her heart with its sincerity.