Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 42: The Baroness’s Tea Party

Chapter 42: The Baroness’s Tea Party

Morning, Courtyard.

Theodore Mansion, Critic Arley.

"I could go with you" Theodore, lord of Critic Arley said to his wife who was dressed up for the baron house party.

"Lord! Stop it, Theodore, I shall be fine, we’re all women and I need to start meeting people"

"Women are most dangerous to each other" he advised

She nodded, commenting "That I do know, now..." he cut her off

"Are you certain the honeymoon phase is over for us" anything to make his wife stay back or follow her, his possessiveness springing out.

She cocked her head "We never really had a honeymoon now, did we honey?" She primly waited for his answer

"I like that" he growled inching closer

"What?" She asked with a shy smile

He took dangerous steps closer before pinning her with his gaze "Honey, you keep calling me that" he ordered

"Oh but I won’t call you that, that was a jab" she giggled when he abruptly drew her into his arms

"I like your honey-like jabs" he confessed their faces a breath away, her lips parted.

Feeling bright she says "And I like you" her eyes widening immediately.

Theodore elated bent his head, cradled her head and took her parted lips, sweet savoury and soft Lydia’s eyes shuttered closed, her left hand travelling to her husband’s arm to steady herself, the world around them seemed to disappear leaving only them in the expanse courtyard of the mansion, he pulled her flush into him as he deepened the kiss, her lips tasted like something limited and delectable so he feasted on it, he came up for air before diving back in for his appetite was no where near full, the couple shared a deep kiss before Theodore eased out of it, gazing at her ocean blue eyes he swiped his thumb over her lower lip, she blinked, flustered again.

"Will you let me leave now, husband?" She purred and his shaft twitched in agreement.

"I shall come pick you up, don’t trust those women" he warned releasing her slowly

She scoffed "If I am to make a friend, I need to trust them" she told him with a smile

He waved it off "Don’t make friends then, you shall forever have me by your side for whatever shenanigans you think you need a friend for" he told her matter-factly

She glared at him "You think what I crave to do are shenanigans?" She asked, her eyes fiery

"Gooseberry, No, I shall never" She kept her glare "Go on, Hound shall drop you off and even stay with you if you want" he said

"I don’t want that," she told him curtly.

"Alright," he said in agreement, then looked at her expectantly afterwards but she only briskly turned and she was off for her waiting cart. He lets out a deep sigh, watching her with a look in his eyes undecipherable and strong just as much as the one their employed ’Mira’ was giving them both.

Theodore’s eyes met with Hound and the latter nodded in understanding.

*********

Evening.

Guest hall, The Barons Brighton manse.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

Lydia reached the baron’s home that was at the other side of the city earlier than she had thought, the carriage had been steady and quick, she got down from the carriage with the help of Blanc, enjoy your outing Lady Theodore he whispered to ber she drew in a deep breath, glanced back at the carriage in a brief moment of panic, the last she had gone to a new place like this with a carriage he had left her there thinking it was the monsters den and she should perish alone, now the carriage is directed by the manse’s guard to a parking area. Lydia sighed in relief picked up the front of her dress and headed into the manse, where coming out if hr small mumbles and murmurs could be heard, she smiled unconsciously, she would lay low today know ladies from the side, the documentaries she had read cannot cover for the experience she would begin to get as the baroness has opened a way dir her. She thought in her walk that she would surely thank the baroness because she was grateful for the benefit of the doubt that she had so generously offered to her.

A warden stood tall and gaunt by the entrance as Lydia got to it, she expected him to maybe look at her, acknowledge or direct her, or even interrogate her but no, the door was left wide open and the man kept his gaze straight and uncaring till she strutted past him and into the vast hall.

As though clothed in an invisible cloak, Lydia walked into the plausible amount of gathering without anyone saying a word to her, she searched calmly for a seat she could take, there should have been a warden guiding them to a seat but there was none so she made a mental documentation that she will have a warden for whatever thing she ever organises and invites people over. She stood still unconsciously and naturally to appreciate the view, the manse wasn’t as humongous as the mansion she just left and neither was it as dark which was why she already loved it, the big bright windows with curtains so long they swept the floor, the marble is clean and the table clothes white, the wall painted a beautiful grey and white, she respected the lady of the house immediately.

Maids scurry around with trains and buckets, and there is an array of five chairs arranged around oval-shaped tables, the voice is louder as she resumes her walk further inside, every lady so busy and engaged she wondered how long it had been they must have met, not long she was sure but ladies will always talk. She walked until she reached the first table and without thinking much she decided she’d sit there, the point was to blend in confidently and stand out still.

The moment she takes the empty seat, a soft scent hits her, scones! Her mind screamed, she had almost forgotten how much she liked them, she had not had any since she got married and now it hit her with a craving so strong she prudently drew a plate closer to her, happy no one heard her, she started to eat it as she listen to the women talk amongst themselves.

"I really think spinsters shouldn’t be invited to all the city teas" a squeaky voice from the table made Lydia’s ears perk

Another voice started to reply "And I couldn’t agree more, Lady Jerald, despite you being a shitty judge of character" She completed

Lady Jerald’s eyes went livid "You absolute toad, how dare you judge me when you’re equally shady, Lady Lively" Lydia took another scone.

"Ahhh that’s a stretch, she was talking about how judgemental you are, she wasn’t being judgemental, Lady Lively" Lady Alice as Lydia remembered her face from being on the muckrake during the scandalous affair at her shop where a girl who worked for her got impregnated by the magistrate, she is a noblewoman who makes pottery her new source of income, independent Lydia agrees.

"My ears could bleed from how stupid you sound speaking like a repetitive dog" Lady Lively countered with a sneer.

"I’m the friend of the baroness you can’t talk to me like that" Lady Alice warned

Lady Lively scoffed "How obnoxious of you to think so, yet here you are in our midst" she sassed, Lydia noticed her scones finished and wondered what more the table could offer her.

Her face is beet red now, from anger or embarrassment Lydia couldn’t tell "That’s because I’m not a clingy friend, Lady Lively"

"Or you don’t have the status to be in the league, just shut it and enjoy the tea please" Lafy Lively retorted, the matter forgotten quickly as the Lady that lady Alice had gone on to defend remained silent, strange.

Lydia had a small smile on her face as she stood up leaving that table for another, she wished to know more and that table was filled with..., he merely shook her head, the thought dispersing.

*******

2nd Table

Baron Brighton’s Manse, Critic Arley.

A new person walked with followed by her loud laugh that drew almost everyone’s attention the second table Lydia moved to included, they all turned and one person suckered. Lydia looked at her and Lydia almost lost her and laughed out loud at the ridiculous make-up the lady had on, her lips were painted green with her hair was in an updo only she could carry.

"Oh look at her, her chins so high up despite losing her third pregnancy now," the green-lipped lady said with a snicker

Another looked back at the table mumbling "I feel horrible for Ronald, he was such a fine young man until she snagged him" Lydia frowned at the implication from the rather young lady

Lady green-lipped nodded agreeably "Now he looks old and wrinkled, worries about not having a child and aspiring to be a father" she countered

Perhaps just to feel among a fat lady who looked like she was forced into her seat added crudely "She doesn’t look remorseful or ready to get pregnant again to me" Lydia started with cakes here, her invisible fingers snatching bites and slices.

"Yes Lady Fatridge, Speaking of which, did you hear about the bastard Phillipa’s husband brought home last week? He insists it’s an orphan he felt drawn to but that child has his nose I assure you" A woman who looks like the leader of this group said with a scowl, drawing the green-lipped lady’s curiosity.

She started "Have you seen the child? You sure go arou-"

"No I have not seen the child yet but I heard so myself, Lady Solomon" So the green-lipped lady’s name is Lady Solomon, that’s the magistrate’s wife, dear lord.

"I will never trust my heart with a sailor, those species are never completely yours" Lady Jane who is unmarried commented

"You are right, lady Jane, so true" Lady

Lydia watched them through the whole conversation and her frown slowly deepened till the end, which is merely an end but a pause to take in some actual tea.

She hoped no one noticed her, she now applauded herself for putting on something that easily blended in, the night might actually go well, she thought.

That was before the door swinged open an hour later.

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