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“Do not be so impressed by mere display of wealth,” a more mature feminine voice said.

Ava frowned.

This lady certainly sounds jealous.

“You do not know how she has come to afford such frivolity,” the older woman continued.

Ava shook her head in disbelief.

“She is the new Duchess of Gillingham. I saw her arrive with him. Her husband is quite wealthy.”

“Isn’t he the same one who sold his soul to the devil?” the older lady countered.

Ava gasped.

How rude!

It took everything in her not to walk up to the woman and defend her husband.

“His wife is only able to spend so much on clothing because he has partnered with the devil. Do you not see his eyes? How cold and unfeeling they are?” the older woman continued.

Ava could feel the anger bubble up inside her. She could not take it anymore. She stomped towards the group, determined to put the older woman in her place.

She had scarcely taken two steps when she felt a familiar hand on her shoulder.

“Let them be,” Eveline murmured.

It was then that Ava came back to her senses. Walking over to the group and condemning their words might not reflect well on her and her husband.

“They are simply jealous of your fortune,” Eveline added.

Ava could not see her sister, but she felt a rush of gratitude for her at that moment.

It was true. Her husband was lucky in business, and many in the ton despised him for it.

“I have been searching for you and Stella,” she said to her sister. “I did not quite realize how difficult it would be to search for people when everyone has their masks on,” she complained.

“Isn’t that the appeal of masquerade balls? That you can do whatever you please without anyone being able to put a name to your face,” Eveline pointed out.

“I suppose this is why those ladies felt bold enough to say what they wished about my husband,” Ava huffed.

“Don’t pay them any mind. Now, hurry, we must speak to Papa about Stella and her beloved,” Eveline said. “Papa has only just arrived with Stella. We must speak to him before he disappears into the crowd.”

With that, Ava followed her sister closely as they navigated the crowd, until Eveline stopped by a pillar where their father was standing, with Stella several feet away from him.

It was not so surprising that he looked so unhappy at having to chaperone his own daughter. After all, he was used to having Ava perform that duty for him.

“Now, what is the matter that is so important that you must speak with me here?” he asked, disgruntled.

“It is lovely to see you too, Father,” Ava drawled.

“Your husband is not here?” the Viscount asked, peering behind her as though a man as huge as her husband would somehow be hiding behind her.

“He is speaking with some of his business partners,” Ava said.

“Ah!” The Viscount nodded in satisfaction as he turned to face Stella. “This is what you must do. Find a man with a pedigree and you shall have a beautiful life. Do you not want to be as happy as your sisters?”

“Father, you must let Stella marry the man she loves,” Ava insisted.