My Bratty Wife
Chapter 71 - Seventy One

Chapter 71: Chapter Seventy One

Suzy rejoined the festivities, a crystal glass of wine in hand. The ballroom was a whirlwind of activity, the music filling the air with a seductive rhythm. Yet, Suzy found herself lost in thought.

She watched Ryan from a distance, his figure a solitary beacon amidst the sea of guests. He moved through the crowd with an air of detachment, his face a mask of polite indifference. But Suzy could see the storm brewing beneath the surface, the tension in his clenched jaw, the hardness in his eyes. It was as if he were a fortress under siege, his guard up, his heart unreachable.

Where was the man who had held her in his arms, his eyes filled with a warmth that had sent shivers down her spine? The man who had made her feel safe, protected. Now, he was a stranger, a distant figure shrouded in an aura of aloofness.

She wondered what had happened in that study. Who was he talking to?

Suzy, lost in her thoughts, absentmindedly took a sip of her wine. The moment the liquid touched her tongue, a grimace contorted her face. The wine, once a soothing companion, now tasted bitter.

She spluttered, the wine spilling down her chin. "Arrgh!" she exclaimed, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "This is one of those soul-crushing wines!"

Just as she was about to call for a replacement, a voice cut through the din. "Miss Cassandra?"

Suzy turned to find the source of the voice. A woman, dressed in a stunning red gown, stood a few feet away, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Hello," Suzy replied, her voice laced with a hint of wariness.

"Hello," the woman replied, her voice smooth as velvet. "I’m afraid I’m a bit late in greeting you, Cassandra. You were always behind Ryan and you’ve been quite elusive."

Suzy felt a shiver run down her spine. Who was this woman, why didn’t she call her by the title like everyone else does? More importantly, why did she use Ryan’s first name instead of his title?

"I’m sorry," Suzy managed to say, her voice barely a whisper. "I haven’t been paying attention."

The woman laughed, a tinkling sound that filled the air. "I understand," she said. "But I couldn’t resist the opportunity to meet the woman who has captured the Duke’s heart."

Suzy’s heart skipped a beat. How did this woman know about her relationship with Ryan? And what did she mean by "captured his heart"? A wave of unease washed over her.

Eleanor continued, her voice dripping with affected sweetness, "Nice to meet you, Cassandra. I’m Eleanor Montgomery, daughter of Viscount Lewis Montgomery and Viscountess Laura Montgomery. Father sent his apologies for not being able to attend. He asked me to represent the family."

A chill ran down Suzy’s spine. The name Eleanor rang a bell. She had heard it before, a fleeting memory from a scene in Ryan’s room, a moment of vulnerability when he had lowered his guard. It was during one of his drunken stupors, a night when the usually stoic Duke had revealed a side of himself she had never seen before.

Eleanor, sensing Suzy’s growing unease, tilted her head and smiled. "Is something wrong, Cassandra?" she asked, her voice laced with feigned concern. "You look a bit pale."

Suzy forced a smile, her mind racing. She had to compose herself. "No, it’s nothing," she lied, her voice barely a whisper. "It’s just been a long evening."

Eleanor’s smile widened. "I understand," she said, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "Being a Duchess must be exhausting."

Suzy thinks to herself. This is the same voice she heard outside Ryan’s door. Is she the woman in the study with Ryan?

Eleanor, oblivious to Suzy’s internal turmoil, continued, "I do hope you’ll forgive his absence."

Suzy managed a nod, her mind still racing.

"Montgomery," She murmured, her voice barely audible. "I believe I’ve heard that name before."

Eleanor smiled, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "It’s a name that’s often mentioned in the highest circles, Cassandra" she replied, a touch of arrogance creeping into her voice.

Suzy forced herself to focus. She couldn’t allow Eleanor to see the impact her words had on her. "Of course," she said, feigning nonchalance. "A distinguished family."

Eleanor tilted her head, her eyes studying Suzy with a curious intensity. "Indeed," she replied. "And you, Duchess, are the talk of the town. Your arrival has caused quite a stir."

Suzy felt a strange mix of emotions. Anger, discomfort, jealousy, a strange sense of betrayal and a touch of fear coursed through her veins. Why did she feel so unsettled? Why did she feel so uncomfortable around this woman? Was it Eleanor’s brazen disregard for her presence as Ryan’s wife, or something more sinister? The way she had called Ryan "my love" sent a shiver down Suzy’s spine. Was Eleanor his ex-lover? The thought was both terrifying and intoxicating.

"Why do I feel so angry?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. "Is she his ex? And that endearment... ’my love’? It’s like she owns him."

Suzy offered her hand for a handshake, her grip firm. "Well then, since you introduced yourself I guess it’s my turn. I’m Cassandra Blackmore, Grand Duchess of Carleton and wife of Grand Duke Ryan Blackmore of Carleton," she replied, her voice steady.

Eleanor’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "The ball is absolutely stunning," she said, her voice dripping with false admiration. "The decorations, the music, the food – everything is perfect. You’ve done a wonderful job, Miss Cassandra. I’m sure Duchess Leah would be proud in the afterlife, May her soul rest in peace."

Suzy forced a smile. Eleanor’s words were laced with a strange undercurrent, a veiled insult hidden beneath the veneer of praise. And the way she said ’Miss Cassandra’ instead of ’Duchess’ was a deliberate snub.

She had to regain control. This woman was clearly a threat, and she needed to protect her territory.

Just as she was about to confront Eleanor, the woman spoke, her voice laced with a condescending sweetness. "I’m glad you’re welcoming," she said, her voice dripping with false sincerity. " I was worried you might be cold towards me."

Suzy forced a smile, her mind racing. Why was this woman so insistent on being in her presence? Was she trying to provoke her?

"Of course," Suzy replied, her voice carefully neutral. "It’s always nice to meet new people."

Eleanor nodded, her eyes scanning Suzy from head to toe. "I’ve only just returned to the kingdom," she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I heard you’re quite the businesswoman. It seems we have a lot in common."

Suzy raised an eyebrow. "Really?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "And what might that be?"

Eleanor paused, her eyes scanning Suzy’s face. "Well, for starters, we’re both strong, independent women," she said, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "We both know what it’s like to be in the spotlight, to have everyone watching our every move."

Suzy felt a surge of irritation. Was this woman trying to create a bond with her based on shared adversity? She was starting to feel like a pawn in a game she didn’t understand.

"Perhaps we can discuss this another time," Suzy said, her voice firm. She didn’t want to engage Eleanor any further, not in the middle of the ballroom.

Eleanor’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "Of course," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "But I would love to get to know you better. Perhaps we can meet for tea sometime?"

"I need to attend to my guests."

Eleanor nodded, her smile returning. "Of course," she said. "But I hope we can continue this conversation soon. I have a feeling we’ll be great friends."

With that, Eleanor turned and walked away, leaving Suzy feeling more confused than ever. As she watched the woman disappear into the crowd, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched, that there was a storm brewing on the horizon.

As Eleanor turned to leave, Suzy caught a glimpse of Ryan watching them from across the room. His face was a mask of indifference, but Suzy could sense the tension in him. She knew he was aware of Eleanor’s presence, and she wondered what he thought of their interaction.

With a final, lingering look at Suzy, Eleanor disappeared into the crowd. Suzy took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

Eleanor’s words and actions echoed in her mind, leaving a bitter taste. She forced a smile took another glass of wine and continued mingling with the guests, her eyes searching for Ryan. But he was gone, vanished like smoke.

The night wore on, and Suzy, with a heavy heart, concluded the ball with a heartfelt speech thanking the guest for attending. Yet, her focus remained fractured. Where had Ryan gone? And what did Eleanor want from her? The night that started with joy-filled celebration had morphed into a tangled web of suspicion and unease.