Aria had eventually left the drawing room after the performances, after making it perfectly clear that she wasn’t to be undermined in any way. The only good part of her time spent there was being informed that Lucette had found herself a suitor who had made his intention to marry her very clear.
Of course she was happy for her; she was sure Lucette would be better off without the company of the other ladies.
Ultimately, she would like to believe she had been victorious today, but of course, Lady Bellatrix had gone ahead to say that she looked radiant from all the activities of a newlywed couple. She had felt her heart clench and her throat tighten as she recalled how Alder had walked away from her. Nonetheless, she had simply pulled on a smile and thanked the woman; she couldn’t let anyo
