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William watched his wife’s eyes twinkle as she told the story of how she had put the rude girl in her place.

“She was shocked.” Eveline giggled.

“How I wish I could have witnessed the day words failed Lady Sarah,” Lily said.

“You do not know how much I wished you and my sisters were there to share the moment with me.”

“Were her followers not there to witness it?” Lily asked.

“Oh, they were. However, they were all silenced. Even Lady Helen could not utter a word.”

“Speaking of Lady Helen, have you heard the scandal she was recently caught in?” Lily asked in a low voice.

As much as William hated to admit it, he loved hearing about the latest gossip, and Lily seemed to be a rather compelling storyteller.

“You must tell me,” Eveline pressed in an equally low voice.

“She no longer has a dowry,” Lily hissed.

Eveline gasped again. “How so?”

William also itched to know the reason. After all, having no dowry was the worst nightmare of most ladies of the ton.

“Do you know her brother, the Earl of Mallory?” Lily asked.

“I might have seen him once or twice before at a party. He has a reputation for being a rake, does he not?” Eveline responded.

“Well, he has squandered their fortune.”

“Oh, how sad!” Eveline shook her head. “Did he invest in a bad business?”

Lily shook her head. “That would have been honorable. It is the details of this that make it so scandalous. Lord Mallory has squandered his fortune on visiting brothels and consorting with whores.”

William’s eyes widened. “Oh, this is truly scandalous.”

“Apparently, he even paid for the services of some highly sought-after courtesans who, of course, cost a fortune.”

Eveline clapped a hand over her mouth in shock. “That is truly embarrassing.”

“Lady Helen can only wish for a love marriage, now that she no longer has a dowry,” Lily said.

“Despite her transgressions towards me, I cannot help but feel sorry for her,” Eveline admitted. “I wish her nothing but the best, and I can only hope that she learns from this.”

“You are far too gracious,” William commented. “From what I have gathered, this Lady Helen was eager to put you down.”

“Precisely!” Eveline responded. “I know how damning it feels to be the object of ridicule for the ton, and I would not wish that on anyone, not even those who ridiculed me.”

“You have a good heart, Evie,” Lily said, before pointing at something in the distance. “Oh, there they are, Miss Mary and Lady Amelia. The ladies I have been waiting for.”

“Then we must take our leave,” Eveline announced.

William helped her up, and they said their goodbyes to the amiable Lady Lily.

“It was lovely to make your acquaintance, Lady Lily,” William offered.

“You must come to the estate for tea or dinner, Lily,” Eveline added.

“I shall honor your invitation in the coming days,” Lily said.