Chapter 306: New rumours [2]
"That is kind of your mother. Please tell her that I send my thanks," Eloise said, comforted that others were looking out for her. "Why does it seem like there is more to be shared?"
Rosalie hesitated, her hands tightening around the folds of her gown. "I only spoke of the tamer rumours. There are far more that are vile. Of how Lord Hawthorne wasn’t the first man you lay with, and that is why, on the night of your wedding, there wasn’t any blood to be found."
Eloise frowned, her stomach twisting. The memory of that night returned of how there had been no intimacy between her and Damien then, only the quiet awkwardness of learning to share a chamber.
She turned to Damien, her eyes searching his face. "I don’t think this is the work of Agatha. It has to be someone here, trying to share tales with outsiders."
Rosalie’s gaze moved between them, curiosity betraying her composure. She wondered if it were true that Eloise hadn’t bled, though she knew it was not her place to question what occurred within their marriage.
"I would need to hear more of the tales before we assume it is someone here spreading stories. That rumour is one that anyone could conjure. It sounds like they are simply plucking tales out of the air and speaking them," said Damien.
Eloise caught Rosalie’s expression. "Are you well, Rosalie?"
Rosalie blinked, snapping out of her daze. "I am well," she said quickly. She knew better than to pry into the sanctity of another’s marriage.
"My mother spoke of more," Rosalie continued. "From the sound of it, it does seem like someone here might be watching and reporting to someone outside. They spoke of Eloise getting angry with Quinn and forcing Damien to pick a side. The story has been twisted."
An ordinary disagreement, which was nothing more, now had been reshaped into poison.
Rosalie pressed on, her voice low. "It has been made to sound as though Eloise came in and has been trying to push you away from your siblings. That Jane felt so uncomfortable that she ran to her aunt for comfort. I don’t know about the Jane one, but I assume it has been twisted as well."
Eloise’s heart sank. "It has all been twisted. The estate is quite large. How are we to find who is sharing this?" Her voice trembled with frustration. It would be no different than finding a needle in a haystack.
Damien heard all he needed. "I will find them. Whoever it is must be lurking around."
Rosalie had not shared the worst of it. "There is one important one that I was trying not to mention. It is known that your cousin now resides here, and there was talk of her becoming close to Damien. A closeness that hints at an affair happening right under your nose."
Rosalie’s eyes studied Eloise’s face, bracing for the reaction. "I heard that your cousin held some interest in Damien first, so the ladies think this is their way of getting back together since you stole him."
Eloise didn’t like Iris being dragged into her troubles. "Nothing occurred between Damien and Iris, but they did speak in private. It must be whoever was near in that moment. Where did you speak?"
"On the second floor near our chamber. I will speak with the butler and head maid to get the names of those who were present that day. Is there more you have to share?" Damien asked, disliking how Rosalie revealed the story in fragments. "I’d rather hear the most important tales first."
"That is all," Rosalie replied.
Damien leaned down, pressing a kiss to Eloise’s cheek, a gesture of reassurance before he walked away to settle the matter.
"I am sorry that you had to hear of this," Rosalie said apologetically. "Those ladies my mother sat with are going to speak of it, but even if they don’t, I’m sure the same lies have been told to others to tarnish your name. If I had been present, I would have spoken on your behalf."
Eloise managed a smile. "I know you would have. Your mother doesn’t know me well enough to defend my name, and I am not completely disturbed by what is being said. I should have known it was coming that someone would try to sully my name. It happened before."
Her mind drifted to Agatha, who had once gone about declaring that Eloise had stabbed Iris in the back by marrying the man she loved long before the season began. That chatter had died down only when Agatha went into hiding after Clive’s crimes were exposed.
Rosalie stepped closer to whisper. "I think it is the work of Camille. She hasn’t been quite active in the season of late, which is odd. There are a few events she attends each year, but now she is gracing her presence at more."
Rosalie continued, "My family received an invitation to a gathering she is hosting, but out of respect for you, I will not be attending. I even convinced my mother not to show. I spoke of how you helped me during the time of my divorce."
Eloise’s heart softened. "Thank you for your continuous loyalty. I hope it is not placing you in an awful position with other ladies."
Rosalie shook her head. "No, not at all. I must stand by those who helped me during my time in need and didn’t judge me. Many of those ladies are speaking of me behind my back, but I do not think you do it. I must return the favour of helping you now."
Rosalie reached for Eloise’s hand. "I am going to sit with some of my peers to start clearing your name. My mother has more of her peers she must sit with soon, so I will have her do the same. All the lies shall be uncovered."
Rosalie longed for the town to see Camille’s true nature.
"I hope so," Eloise said, annoyed. There was now another plot for Damien to fix. Another burden upon their shoulders. She sighed. "Besides what I face now, are you well? I haven’t gotten the chance to write to you."
Rosalie nodded. "I am well. Victoria visited to share that she is leaving town, so I won’t have to face her anymore. I was right that there was a baby, but she lost it. It is unfortunate for her, but a child shouldn’t be born into that mess. She will leave town and start anew."
"I see. Well, slowly you are getting to move on, which is all that matters. I’ll remain hopeful that soon enough, we shall be left alone by the town. Would you care for a drink before you leave?" Eloise asked, motioning to the door.
Rosalie shook her head. "No, no. I have to go be with my mother, but I will keep the offer for another day. This shall all pass soon," she promised, embracing Rosalie.
Eloise wrapped her arms around Rosalie. She longed for the day when whispers would fade and when her name would no longer be dragged through the mud.