Adelaide POV
As if our trip couldn't get any worst we had decided to go to the Queens ball
"Oh, is this not lovely? All of us together again." Lady brigerton says pulling me closer to me and I roll my eyes
"Lovely, indeed. We should tempt scandal more often." I whisper and she looks at me sternly
"Let's go Addie" Cole says pulling me away from them as we entered through the crowd the Queen walks up to me
"Cole, Lady Waters" she states smiling
"How are you your majesty?" Cole says charming her and she looks at him flirtatiously
"Good, but I must worn you I have a bet that you two will be together by the end of the month" she states and I straighten my back in shock
"We should hope to see our queen soon satisfied." Cole states and I almost have to laugh at his charm
"See to it that you do." she says before walking away I turn my smirk to Cole
"Your duplicity comes so naturally." I say laughing and he smiles
"I seem to have learned from the best." he says and I turn to him with mock offence covering a hand over my heart
"Sha'll we go to the drinks table?" Cole asks and I laugh
"God you know me too well" I say and he nods
"We have been under the roof way too long" he says smirking
"So, you have returned. Excellent timing, what with all the tittle-tattle concerning your brother." Lady Danbury says interrupting us
"Oh, a mere coincidence, Lady Danbury, I am sure" I state
"Mm. Your plan is working. I have heard nary a peep about Mr. Bridgerton's unfortunate entanglement with the Thompson girl. Oh, I almost forgot. I am hosting a party I would very much like you to attend." she says pulling me in for a kiss on the cheek and I smile
"We love a good party. We will inform the graces" Cole says and I look at him in horror
"I am not sure when the Graces will be accepting invitations." I state and Cole looks at me confused
"It is an invitation for women" she states
"Only you and Daphne. A special soiree with the married ladies of the ton, of which Daphne is the newest member and you of course are invited for your pleasant company" she continues and I laugh but the laughter dies as I see the Featheringtons walk through and the whole place goes dead quiet
"The audacity. After they tried to entrap poor Mr. Bridgerton into marriage with a woman with child." I hear the whispers speak and I feel Cole place his hand on my lower back and his body moves closer in a protective manner. When I see Lady Featherington walk up to Lady Bridgerton I feel Cole move me forward closer towards them.
"My dear Lady Bridgerton... is this not a dreadful circumstance, for us both to have been so duped by that scheming hussy? To think that Miss Thompson would take advantage of my kindness after I opened my home to her. You must believe, I had no idea of..." Lady Featherington says to Lady Bridgerton and I watch her start to panic and she turns and walks away from the red head
"Lady Featherington, I must ask you to leave." I say approaching her and I hear her scoff
"But I have an invitation." she says
"Not anymore." Cole states standing next to me now
"I am sure you wish to avoid any further unpleasantness" I whisper so that only she can hear it but as she walks away I hear laughter near me
"That should teach them." Miss Cowper snickers
"Teach them what, Miss Cowper? Judging not, lest we too be judged?" I state before walking away feeling myself become frustrated. As I walked to find Lady Bridgerton I bumped into Daphne who was broken down into tears
"Daphne you're ok" I whisper as she sobs into my arms again
"She prepared me for nothing Adel, I'm useless" she says and I feel my heart break
"It's going to be ok" I state. When I finally had gotten Daphne to calm down I walked towards Cole who stood quietly as women began to surround him as they usually did
"Your Grace" I state and he looks up at me spilling his drink as he walks over to me
"Are you ok?" he says alarmed
"I am, I just really need to go-I- I just need to go do something" I say and he nods as if he knows exactly what I'm doing
"Well take the carriage I'll get the others home in one piece" he states and I let out a breath of relief
"Thank you so much Cole" I say and I hug his waist and as I hear the shocked gasps around me I've realised what I've done and I go to pull back but I feel his arms engulf me back
"Don't worry about others think" he states and I feel him kissing my head as he moves back and I walk away. I finally make it to the Featherington house where Mrs Thompson still is. As Lady Featherington leads me through the house she begins to talk to me
"I am so glad you thought to visit us, Lady Waters. I fear Lady Bridgerton was rather heated at the luncheon. But of course, if you have come to offer an explanation..." she states and I scoff in her face
"I require a word with Miss Thompson. Alone." I state and Mrs Featherington looks surprised as soon as I walk in the room Miss Thompsons eyes light up
"Well... For what it is worth, I am sorry. Collin is a sweet boy." she says and I shake my head
"You do not need to... I came here to apologize to you." I state and she steps back shocked
"To me?" She questions
"I misjudged you, and I wanted to tell you that what you felt you had to do... I understand." I say and she shakes her head in shock
"I wish it had not happened this way." she says
"You are certainly not the only one." I agree
"George was a soldier... but he was also gentle and kind. He was perfect. I fancied myself in love. The next thing I knew, my courses stopped, and I found myself with child, and... and alone." she says and I nod in understanding
"What is Sir George's surname? Or do you know where he is stationed, his regiment?" I ask
"Whatever for, Lady Waters?" she asks tilting her head
"I hear General Langham and his wife are in London. Perhaps I could speak to him or her and have... have Sir George found." I say
"What use would that be?George does not want to be with me." she says with a sigh
"But do you really want to be alone?No rank, no protection, no support for you or your child. Surely anything is better than that. Why should he be the one to choose your futurewhen he clearly cares not for the outcome? He is at fault here. Perhaps I can make him come back... and take responsibility for you and his child. Why should you be left all alone to bear the punishment for his crime?" I say feeling my own voice rise
"You truly think you can do this?" She asks and I nod
"I assure you, Miss Thompson... I am quite capable of doing more than you think." I state and she gives me a soft smile before grabbing me into a hug. When I arrive back home I am greeted by the maid
"The ton has been desperate for you since you returned. We've been drowning in calling cards. Lady Danbury requires your attendance at her party on Thursday." she says and I roll my eyes
"Mm. A collection of married ladies. I can only imagine the questions they will have for me." I say smirking
"I shall inform her footman that you are not feeling well from the travel." She says and I laugh
"Lady Waters" Simon says as I watch him pass me with a serious expression. If I was being honest I hadn't really gotten to know Simon as well as I thought I would have. But considering him and Daphne were fighting all the time I really couldn't have Simon talking to me alone without Daphne slapping.
"Your Grace." I say giving him a small nod and when he finally walks away I turn back towards the maid
"Do you suppose the general's wife will be in attendance at Lady Danbury's soiree?" I say
"Mrs. Langham? I heard she enjoys society." the maid says and I nod
"Then send word back. I would love to attend." I state and that was how I ended up at this party. It was busy and the sounds of women chirping had my eyes looking towards the tables of women drinking and playing cards
"Lady Waters Welcome to my den of iniquity." Lady Danbury states
"I believe you already know Lady Trowbridge, Adelaide, but have you met Lucy Granville? And this is Kitty Langham." she says pointing out everyone and I turn to smile
"The general's wife, yes. Well, lovely to meet you all." I state and Kitty raises her glass up at me
"Well, do not just stare. Deal Lady Waters in." she says and I sit down "We shall teach you the rules. First, a woman takes her wedding vows, then we gamblers take her virtue. If her husband has left any to be taken.
Have no fear. Each turn, all you have to do is set your token on the card
you believe the dealer will turn over. Now, ladies, place your bets." Lady Danbury says smiling
"Takes away the sting of losing, I rather think." One of the women say handing me what looks to me whisky
"Lady Waters is a quick study. I'm sure she will have the measure of things in no time. All it takes is a little practice and perseverance." Lady Danbury raises her glass and we all follow.
Cole POV
"Evening, Your Grace. It's funny meeting you here." I say smirking as I see Simon sitting by himself I watch as Anthony walks in
"I am utterly comical." Simon responds
"You've been avoiding me." Anthony states down at Simon
"Now you are being the jester." Simon states and I smirk
"If you're not avoiding my company, you won't mind if I join you for a drink?" Anthony says but suddenly his eyes drift to a woman and he looks as if he's drooling.
"I shall need a large glass." He says to a waiter and I leave as I feel the room become awkward.
Adelaide POV
"The earl would have my head if he knew how much money I have lost." One of the wives states
"The earl is but two years old." Lady Danbury laughs
"Hmm. Well, then, I'm in luck, am I not?" She responds laughing
"Seems I have been blessed with some beginner's luck." I state as the woman walks away
"The game is not over yet, Lady Waters." Kitty says looking over at me
"I wonder, Mrs. Langham..." I begin but she interrupts me
"Kitty, please." she responds laughing "You have won so much of my money, it is only right."
"Kitty, then. There is a soldier in service I am hoping to find for a friend. Do you think your husband might be able to assist me?" I ask smiling
"You will have to ask that of him yourself. He is so rarely at home." she says and I feel awkward
"I am so sorry." I gulp
"Whatever for? It is quite the ideal situation to live a separate life to one's husband. I am afforded all the freedoms of marriage while bearing none of the burden of his company." she says
"Well, what of your children? Do they not miss their father?" I ask feeling myself before curious
"It's difficult to miss someone you've never known." she says laughing
"You forget Lady Waters is still not part of the season yet" Lady Danbury says interrupting.
"I can tell you where to write. My husband. Perhaps the general will grant you a response. It is not as if you are his wife." Kitty says
"Adelaide, you win again!" Lady Danbury says laughing
"Seeing how you entertain yourself, I rather think you the victor, Lady Danbury." I say laughing
"I rather think so too. Again." she states