The Duke's Passion

For the past month, I had been busy tending to my son and preparing for his birthday celebration. I even sent invitations to the people I longed to see. Sam told me that Law's birthday had always been simple, so I initially wanted it to be simple. However, since Sam and Law finally agreed on something and wanted a grand banquet, I had no option but to do that.

Now that I finished the first phase of the preparation, I had to socialize to invite local guests. I couldn't just invite those people from outside the south, right? Our family also needed some friends in the place we now lived in. 

Thus, I accepted Baroness Fletcher's invitation among all other invitations our house received for the past month. With Fabian's help, I got the information I needed from each noble house in Minowa. And the House Fletcher was the best to start with.

Although the Baroness had a humble title, she was quite close with the high-ranking noble ladies in Minowa. Jaime Malum's daughter even invited her to some of the tea parties she hosted; the queen in the tea parties and banquet in the south. I was hopeful of gaining one or two friends at this tea party.

"Mother." I snapped my eyes and gazed down at Law. "You are smirking."

"I'm just excited since this is my first tea party." I patted his head gently, glancing at Charlotte out of instinct. The latter let out a sigh as if she had read my mind. 

Soon, we reached the Baroness Estate. It wasn't that far from our house, so Sam was exaggerating. As we entered the gates of the Fletcher's estate, I caught a figure from the corner of my eyes. I looked outside the window, but there was no one. 

'Was it just my imagination?' I wondered before mentally shaking my head. 'Maybe it was a servant in this estate.'

I ignored the feeling of being watched until the carriage stopped. The head butler greeted us and lead me to the tea party. Since the children had their own place to play, I asked Charlotte to look after Adam and Law. 

"Madam Fletcher is inside, Madam Roux." The butler bowed, gesturing for me to enter the greenhouse where the party was being held in. I offered him a smile and nodded before he opened the door for me. 

As soon as I stepped in, the harmonious waves of laughter of the ladies and the fresh atmosphere the greenhouse offered welcomed me. My smile remained as I followed the butler. We soon reached a group of ladies around the table, laughing and enjoying their time leisurely. 

"Madam, Madam Roux had arrived." The butler announced politely, catching the women's attention. They slowly turned their head in my direction as their laughter receded.

"Good day, Madam Fletcher. Thank you for inviting me to your tea party." I smiled modestly, scanning the table. It seemed they started early.

"Madam Roux!" The host of the tea party, Baroness Fletcher, clapped before she motioned her hand. "Please, join us! We were excited to meet Madam Roux that we started early!"

"Thank you," I replied as I took a seat near Baroness Fletcher. I naturally glanced at everyone and smiled. There were six ladies around the table, all wives of prominent figures in the south. 

"Baroness Fletcher, I bought gifts and tea to express my gratitude for inviting me to your tea party." I set my focus on Baroness Fletcher and smiled, wanting to leave a good impression on them.

"Oh, Madam Roux. That is so sweet of you!" she exclaimed as she glanced at the gifts the butler showed her. "Thank you."

I just smiled politely, already bored at sucking up. The only tea time I enjoyed was when I was with Yul and Silvia. But socializing was the duty of the lady in the house. I had to show a little more interest. 

There was a moment of silence after Baroness Fletcher asked the butler to take the gifts. I could feel the other ladies gaze on me, but I kept my smile and composure. 

"As we were talking, the Roux Family had moved in the south five years ago. We heard that Madam Roux was gravely ill, so she couldn't attend social gatherings. We're truly glad to hear that Madam Roux had recovered." Baroness Fletcher broke the silence as she smiled at me kindly. "Now that I see Madam Roux, no wonder Sir Roux is so devoted to you. You are stunning."

I ignored how she sounded a little... bitter. "You flatter me, Baroness. But thank you."

There was a long exchange of flatteries to the extent it was uncomfortable. The other ladies also joined in the conversation as they relaxed with the presence of the outsider. It felt... enervating to keep smiling and laughing along with their shallow conversation.

'Calm down, Lilou. You have to do this so Adam will have more supporters,' I told myself while chuckling at the conversation I wasn't following. 'That's right. These women have the power to whisper in their husband's ears and influence them with their opinions. Just think of this as a mission. A mission!'

"Oh, right! Madam Roux, did you receive the gift I sent you and Sir Roux?" I snapped my eyes back at the Baroness, at her sudden inquiry. "When Sir Roux told me about your full recovery, I sent a flower and told him it was to express that I am glad you have recovered."

'Huh?' A huge question mark hovered over my head.

"Oh, my! Madam Roux, please do not misunderstand." Another lady spoke, making me look at her in confusion. "Baroness Fletcher and Sir Roux were simply friends and business partners."

"Right. Even when Sir Roux visits Baroness' boutique, it is really nothing."

Honestly, I wouldn't misunderstand because I knew my husband. However, they sounded like they wanted me to misunderstand...???

'Ahh...' I smiled and rocked my head lightly. 'It seems Fabian failed to tell me one thing. Is it because he didn't think it was necessary? Well, he was right, but this was a little shocking. Baroness Fletcher seemed to bear feelings for my husband, and it was totally understandable. Sam was gorgeous and even without a noble title, he was richer than lower nobles.'

"Haha. What's there to misunderstand?" I said sweetly, staring at Baroness Fletcher with large a smile. "My husband is a gentleman and Baroness is a virtuous woman. How can I bear malicious thoughts, such as the Baroness wanting to covet another woman's husband? That is ridiculous, don't you think?"

A soft laugh slipped past my lips as I picked up the teacup. I studied their expression discreetly while sipping, pleased at the change in their expression. Now, this was interesting.. My desire to befriend Baroness Fletcher just increased by several levels.