The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 98: The Braze’n’Bold (1)

Chapter 98: The Braze’n’Bold (1)

With a soft gasp, Madeline rose to her full height at the sound of the unfamiliar voice. Turning around swiftly, she looked startled to see Abbot standing in front of her with a soured expression displaying on his face, and in the garden of all places.

"A....Abbot?"

"You’re not wearing shoes." He clicked his tongue in displeasure, his gaze on her bare feet that had been coated with Earth’s gift. "Why am I not surprised? You’re a typical example of the children who came from the mud."

"That is certainly no way to speak to me." Stunned by his ill-mannered advances towards her, Madeline refused to tie her tongue and watch him refer to her as an abandoned child, and then she smiled widely with her eyes instinctively closing, to Abbot’s surprise.

"This is our first time getting into a conversation, can you not reveal your inconsiderate character just yet and pretend to be nice? You need to learn this if you wish to be Duke. That must explain why the Duke himself keeps withholding it." Opening her eyes, she warmly met his flagrant stare.

"No one will like you and they will throw stones at you if you keep this attitude up. Just because you were born with a silver spoon at the top of your head doesn’t make you any better than us, we might not be up to your standards but we are equally humans, aren’t we?"

Stealing a glance at the ground, Madeline noticed the words Lily had written were erased along with her presence, which was strange as her eyebrows creased subconsciously.

Abbot’s contemptuous scoff made her return her gaze to the man she had asked a simple question. When he opened his mouth to give an answer, Madeline deliberately turned away to avoid getting the answer. She went on her knees and used both her hands to pack the dirt from the ground, then she got to her feet and faced Abbot with a smile.

"No parent likes it when their children play with mud or dirt, but the reality of it is that most children love it. This allows children to connect and interact with the natural world around them." She said enthusiastically. "Parents can be over-sensitive in these matters, and I do know that you grew up in a healthy, clean environment, free from all the germs..... isn’t that why you people are more prone to allergies and asthma?"

"What?! How...!!.."

"But I am correct." She interrupted him once more while looking at the dirt she had in her grasp. "Earlier exposure to these kinds of things can build immunity and prevent allergies, but of course I don’t expect you to know this since you’re so sparkling clean, proves not everyone here is as educated as they say." She mumbled, rolling her eyes at him.

"Are you referring to me as uneducated??" Abbot’s voice revealed he was as angry as he was startled. He had always seen Cassian’s wife act naive and quiet in front of the family, but he was basically stunned to see her speak with such unwarranted audacity, and that infuriated him as much as it shocked him to the core, so much so that he found it difficult to retaliate with a woman of her class.

With her smile still intact, it gradually faded at his question, and what Abbot never saw coming was for the woman to rub those dirt in his clothes, soiling it messily while wiping her hands clean on his shirt.

"You uncivilized bitch!" Abbot cursed as he immediately withdrew back from her touch, except it was too late since the deed had already been done. His favorite shirt had been messily ruined by this crazy frump!!

"See?" She showed him her hands, "Now who’s the one from the mud?" Her smile returned, and with a giggle that increased his fury, she walked past him and stepped out of the garden, silently pondering on how she would tell this story to Cassian once he was done.

Abbot stood morbid in the garden, his veins popping out from the side of his head in an attempt to not let the volcano inside of him burst.

~~~

Meanwhile, in the outskirts of the upper East quarters, a figure could be seen coming down from his carriage and stepping into a fancy-looking tavern with the name ’The Braze’n’Bold’ written at the front. He had made sure no eyes were able to see him make his way here, and after confirming with his Coachman to keep his lips sealed, he freely stepped into the tavern.

Unknown to him, a little ghost had trailed him here.

Walking past the rows of charming buildings and shops, Lily followed his carriage until he rounded it at the corner of a tavern. It was a grand building with a beautiful façade, adorned with intricate carvings and elegant windows.

Stepping into the tavern, the atmosphere was lively and bustling, with patrons laughing, talking and drinking. The aroma of roasted meat filled the air, and lanterns cast a warm glow over the room.

Not minding the rest of the crowd and even walking through them, Lily quickly scanned the room, looking for the person she had followed here.

Finally, she spotted him sitting at a table near a cozy fireplace, but with a young woman as they indulged in small talks. The lady was wearing a beautiful gown of deep blue silk, with delicate lace accents at the neckline.

Moving closer to their table, she noticed the lady bring out a small bottle containing colorless liquid and handing it to the man facing her. A cunning smile graced her lips as she shook the bottle at the man’s face.

"Use this, and believe me when I say you will get your revenge." Catherine confidently handed the bottle to Jeremy who stared at it, his doubt increasing as he didn’t reach to take it from her.

"You’re Orson’s sister if I’m not mistaken, the ’well-mannered’ daughter of the Marquees, why will you volunteer to help a shrewd man like myself?"