My Bratty Wife
Chapter 168 - Hundred And Sixty Eight

Chapter 168: Chapter Hundred And Sixty Eight

A servant pulled out a chair for Suzy. She settled into it gracefully, offering a soft smile and a whispered "thank you" to the servant. Noah stood attentively at her right hand side, while Irene, a trusted lady’s maid, stood at her left. Suzy surveyed the scene, her gaze sweeping over the assembled ladies.

Viscountess Daphne, her face beaming with a youthful enthusiasm, broke the silence. "Welcome, Your Grace," she said, her voice bright and cheerful. "I’m so happy you could make it."

Suzy took a moment to observe the Viscountess. She appeared to be around the same age as Isabella, perhaps a year or two older, radiating a youthful exuberance. She was, in Suzy’s estimation, still very much a child in the ways of the court. Suzy’s gaze then shifted to the other ladies seated around the table. They were, for the most part, of Cassandra’s age group or slightly older, their expressions a mixture of polite curiosity and thinly veiled scrutiny. Her eyes finally rested on a familiar face, seated close to Daphne. It was Eleanor. A flicker of annoyance crossed Suzy’s face. "Why does this woman have to be in every gathering I attend?" she thought to herself, a sigh escaping her lips internally.

Eleanor, noticing Suzy’s gaze, offered a small, knowing smirk as she took a delicate sip of her tea.

Suzy turned back to Daphne, offering a polite smile. "It’s a pleasure to be here, Viscountess," she replied, her voice calm and composed.

Daphne, oblivious to the small tension in the air, proceeded to introduce each of the ladies present. They were a collection of wives and daughters of various noblemen, their titles ranging from Lord and Count to Marquis, Baron, and Earl. Daphne, herself, was married to a Viscount, a fact she seemed particularly proud of. Eleanor, of course, was the widow of a Duke, and the daughter of a viscount.

When Daphne reached Eleanor’s turn, Eleanor interrupted her, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I believe the Duchess and I have been acquainted several times," she said, her gaze shifting to Suzy. "So we know each other quite well."

She turned her full attention to Suzy, a smile playing on her lips. "Don’t we, Cassandra?" she asked, her voice laced with a subtle challenge.

Suzy returned the smile, her own expression carefully neutral. "Of course, Miss Montgomery," she replied, her tone equally sweet. The air was thick with polite but underlying tension.

Suzy shifted her gaze towards Viscountess Daphne, a subtle smile playing on her lips. "I brought you a gift," she announced, her voice clear and composed. "I couldn’t come empty-handed."

She turned slightly towards Irene, who stood patiently at her side. Irene extended her hand, revealing a beautifully crafted set of porcelain cups, their delicate designs shimmering in the sunlight. A collective gasp rippled through the gathered ladies, their eyes widening at the sight of the exquisite gift. The porcelain, a rare and highly prized material, was clearly of exceptional quality.

Daphne’s eyes shone with delight, her face flushed with excitement. She immediately called for her servant, who approached Irene with a respectful bow. The servant carefully took the porcelain cups, their movements precise and delicate, and carried them away to be safely stored inside.

"Thank you so much, Your Grace," Daphne exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. "They’re absolutely beautiful."

Suzy offered a polite smile. "Consider it my congratulatory gift for the new heir," she replied, her tone warm and sincere.

The rest of the ladies, their initial excitement subsiding, returned to their tea and conversations. The garden buzzed with the gentle murmur of gossip and the occasional ripple of laughter. Some of the ladies, their competitive spirits ignited, began a spirited game of croquet, their mallets clicking against the brightly painted balls. Others, drawn to the tranquility of the nearby pond, amused themselves by feeding the ducklings that paddled gracefully through the water.

Suzy, however, remained seated, her posture relaxed yet attentive. She sipped her tea slowly, savoring the delicate flavor, and nibbled on a scone, her gaze sweeping across the scene before her.

She observed the ladies, their interactions, their expressions, noting the subtle nuances of their behavior. She listened to their conversations, each filled with idle gossips.

As the afternoon drew to a close, it was time to depart. Viscountess Daphne, her face still flushed with the lingering excitement of the gathering, accompanied Suzy to her carriage. "Thank you again for coming, Your Grace," Daphne said, her voice warm and sincere.

"You’re welcome, Viscountess," Suzy replied, offering a gentle smile. "Be well, for yourself and the baby."

Daphne’s smile widened, her hand instinctively resting on her slightly rounded abdomen. She nodded in approval. "Thank you, Your Grace. I will."

Noah offered Suzy his hand as she stepped into the carriage. She settled onto the plush seat, the soft cushions providing a welcome comfort. As she looked out the window, she saw Eleanor standing near her own carriage, a wide, almost triumphant smile plastered on her face. The other ladies were also bidding each other farewell, their voices a gentle murmur against the backdrop of the garden.

Suddenly, a vivid flashback flooded Suzy’s mind, transporting her back to an earlier moment in the afternoon.

[FLASHBACK]:

Suzy was walking along a secluded path that led to the central garden, her conversation with Noah flowing easily. "Your eyes are on Evan, right?" she asked, her voice low.

"Actually," Noah replied, his tone thoughtful, "I sent someone to keep an eye on his aide. Since he does his master’s bidding, it will be easier and safer to watch Lord Evan through him."

Suzy was genuinely impressed. It was a strategy she hadn’t considered. "Well done, Noah," she praised him, her voice sincere.

Noah’s face lit up with a flash of happiness. As they approached the central garden, they overheard a conversation, the words carrying clearly through the air.

"Hasn’t Duke Ryan been married for a year now? Why isn’t the Duchess showing any signs of pregnancy?"

"Or is she barren?"

Noah’s face etched with concern, turned to Suzy. She showed no emotion, but listened closely.

"How can one so ugly have a child? What if she passes her disability to the child?" another voice whispered. a voice, which Suzy believed to be Viscountess Daphne’s, asked.

"We shouldn’t be talking about others like that. You don’t know what the reason for their childlessness might be, so refrain from saying anything about this issue," a voice, which Suzy believed to be Viscountess Daphne’s, spoke trying to shush the gossiping ladies.

"I feel sorry for the Duke. No heir to inherit the duchy. I’m sure he’s just enduring the sham of a marriage," a third voice added.

Suzy could no longer bear to listen to the cruel gossip. She made her presence known, her footsteps deliberately loud as she approached the group. The conversation abruptly ceased, replaced by an awkward silence.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Noah tapped the top of the carriage, signaling the coachman to begin their journey. The horses began to move, the carriage wheels turning smoothly along the path. As the carriage picked up speed, Suzy’s grip on her fan tightened. The words she had overheard, the cruel and judgmental whispers, echoed in her mind. Her knuckles turned white, and the delicate lace of her fan crumpled beneath her increasingly forceful grip. She was fighting to keep her anger in check.