Chapter 25
Charity Bazaar
Perhaps it would be prudent for a woman in Prim’s situation to stay silent, obscure, and downright hidden.
But Prim was not prepared to do any of these things.
Instead, she decided to do the exact opposite.
She was the Duchess of Mildenhall, so it was virtually impossible to be denied any invitation. Especially as a newlywed.
Prim made herself seen. In two weeks' time, she had attended three balls with Leo and two tea parties, one of which was in the royal drawing room.
Leo seemed to fully support her campaign and provided the funds needed.
Needless to say, Prim made an impression.
The invitation by the Princess in the royal palace was an absolute success.
There were, of course, voices that wanted to diminish her worth, making subtle mentions to the scandals, but Prim had defended herself in such a witty and elegant way that not even those that dare to accuse her had to admit defeat.
Now, she was attending a charity bazaar aimed at the hospital in East London. Her goal was to become a patroness of the charity foundation and establish herself as a figure in the social life of London.
“So who are you dazzling today?” Leo asked over his coffee one morning.
“There is a charity event that I have every intention of attending.”
“And what is the angle, my little strategist?”
“More like a target. It is common knowledge that Lady Hastings is proudly keeping her organization exclusive, with only a few people gaining access.”
“You want to be one of these people.”
“I do. With the help of your generous funding, of course.”
“And what exactly am I funding?”
“A hospital for children in East London.
“An admirable cause. I will make sure I allocate from my personal funds.”
“Thank you, Leo.”
“Do not thank me. I am following the plan you devised, and so far it has been working.”
“You flatter me.”
“I must admit it is a long-range strategy, but I think the impact will be visible soon. So far, we had the sheets offering their opinion on my person. Perhaps my best shield is to create a narrative around me that would make it a little bit more difficult to smear my reputation.”
“You strategize like an ancient Greek general.”
“I am aiming for less Thermopylae and more Battle of Marathon.”
“The fact that you are comparing the Persian Wars to navigating the social events over the ton is beyond my comprehension,” Leo said.
“Yet the analogies are great. I will be merciful today, and I will spare you the numbers.”
“Please see that you do.”
Prim drank some of her tea and looked out the window.
“My mother visited me yesterday.”
“That must have been interesting.”
“I didn't exactly get that particular sentiment. But she was open to discussing past mistakes and ways to improve her presence at least as a mother.”
“That is a triumph!”
“That is merely progress. ”
There was something more that she needed to talk to him about. Perhaps it was her newfound confidence that demanded some serious testing.
“Speaking of mothers, did you have any contact with your mother?”
His whole body changed, his relaxed, laid-back posture stiffened in an instant.
The air in the breakfast room completely crystallized in icicles.
Leo put the cup of coffee down, adjusted his cufflinks accordingly, and then turned to face with one of the coldest looks anyone could have.
His blue eyes that were just dancing with mirth, were now hidden unbelievable blue color, same as a glacier.
Prim really was afraid that if exposed to this look any longer, she would definitely get frostbite.
“Did I have any contact with my mother?” his voice was not the one that just teased her. “No.”
That simple word was so much more than just simple. It was an irrefutable period to a question that Prin didn't even have the opportunity to ask. It left no room for negotiation or comment, and the purpose was for this to be used as a warning shot for those thinking of rebellion.
“I see,” Prim said.
She didn't push further because she knew how easily he would snap. They were finally having some quiet moments, and she intended to savor them. Wasting them on fighting for Bridget was not in her immediate plans.
“We are so happy to have you, Your Grace,” Lady Hastings said.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Prim responded, looking around in the opulent venue.
The garden where the event took place resembled more of a carnival rather than a charity event. It had acrobats performing as well as a tent with a fortune teller, for anyone bold enough looking for answers about the future.
There were some items for sale, some prizes for the lottery, and an auction of personal effects of various ladies.
The charity part was admirable, but the social part was even more influential.
This particular event was addressed only to the married ladies of the ton.
Prim was not only one of this particular group, but also a prominent member of it.
“It is an excellent event you have organized here, Lady Hastings,” Prim said with practiced courtesy. “I would be honored to be able to contribute to the needs of the people through your foundation.”
Lady Hastings’s eyes lit up with the prospect. Leo was one of the richest men in England. So far, his funds were invested… in less charitable institutions. But now he was married, and she, Lady Mildenhall, could direct some of this wealth to the functions of the foundation.
Deep down, she had to admit to herself that it was intoxicating to use the little power that society allowed women by the authority of her name. It was even more amusing to see all these dignified members of the ton who so easily mocked her before, now flattering her and vying for her attention.
“The honor would be ours, Your Grace. Perhaps we could discuss this over the next week?”
“Have you had the chance to visit Mildenhall Estate?”
The woman's eyes lit up with joy. A ducal estate opening its arms to accommodate the functions of the foundation. That was always amazing news. Prim had every intention of using every inch of her newly renovated drawing room to establish herself as an impeccable lady.
She was tired of reacting to whoever was attacking her and Leo. She preferred a more proactive approach. Having people in debt to her was one of the strategies that she used. Small favors and simple kindness could prove more impactful than Leo’s money and title.
She was ready to collect another favor from Lady Hastings, getting in the inner circle of the affluent foundation she ran, when a voice interrupted the conversation.
“Prim, I was hoping to find you here.”
Prim froze on the spot and for good reason.
This was none other than Bridget. Prim turned and found the Duchess of Covington standing a few paces away from her.
She was still that beautiful woman with elegance and poise, but Prim could see the weary lines around her eyes and the tightness of her lips.
“Can we talk?” Bridget asked.
Prim thought to herself a little. It was quite the public event, and it would be a bad idea to create a scene. She had worked very hard to create this image that had nothing to do with scandals on the sheets. But it was Bridget, and it was complicated, especially if you found out.
Still, there was something inside Prim, an instinct that followed her since the modiste.
That somehow got solidified at the family dinner.
Bridget was flawed, that was true, and like her parents, Bridget had to face the consequences of her actions.
But deep down, Prim knew that the Duchess was not the one after her and Leo.
“There are a few tables by the fortune teller’s tent,” Prim said.
Relief in Bridget’s face came instantly. Her tight lips softened, and she managed to give Prim a smile, albeit insecure and tentative.
“Thank you so much, Prim.”
“Do not thank me yet.”
“Even this much is important to me.”
They found an empty table behind the tent, and they didn't even pretend they were having tea or a refreshment. After what happened at that family dinner, it would be hypocritical to maintain all facade of civility.
“How is he?” Bridget asked.
“I could tell you the civil lie that he is fine. which is true. He's healthy both mentally and physically. But Bridget, he is angry.”
“He can't possibly believe that I…”
“He truly believes it deep in his soul that it is both you and Aaron coming after him.”
“But you have to believe me. I would never do such a thing to Leo.”
Prim decided that it was a good time to exercise silence. Anything she would say could be used by Bridget in the unlikely event she was a co-conspirator. And if she wasn't, all Prim had to do was listen.
“For Aaron…” Bridget hesitated. “I do have my suspicions myself. Yet, I can't believe that he would go that far just to hurt Leo and implicate you, an innocent girl. I am not so sure that he would have the capacity to do such a thing.”
“I don't have any proof, Bridget. And frankly, I don't really mind. So far, your son’s plans have inflicted some wounds, but nothing critical. Not that I forgive him, but I can't spend my life looking over my shoulder expecting Aaron to strike.”
“What about Leo?”
“For him, this is personal. personal because they went after his reputation, and because he values my reputation as well. This double attack is not discouraging him, nor is it intimidating him. Aaron keeps circling the lion’s den, and eventually the lion will strike.”
“You must help me.”
“I don't think I must.”
The Duchess looked at Prim, stunned. It wasn't like Bridget had ever met Prim, being spineless, but this time around, Prim showed a spine of iron. Something akin to pride passed by Bridget's eyes before sadness came over.
“No, you don't have to help me. But please do. My relationship with Leo has always been... difficult. But I don't want him to hate me, to even think that I will do such a thing to him. All I need is a chance to talk to him, to explain, to let him hear my side of the story.”
An explosive mixture came over Prim. First, it was the sight that she had in front of her, a miserable mother trying to fix the relationship she had with her son before it was too late.
Then her own relationship with her parents was added to the mix.
She was on the other side of this relationship, and she would love to hear, in a civilized, open, and sincere way, what her parents were thinking about everything.
Trying to understand them in order to move forward.
And the last thing weighing in her decision was Leo himself.
Decisive, tough, and light-hearted, carefree and relaxed as he may seem, Prim knew better.
There was still a boy deep down who felt betrayed by his own mother.
that felt abandoned and had all this rage festering inside him.
If Prim harbored resentment for the way her parents treated her, she could only imagine how Leo felt being abandoned at a young age when he had just lost his father.
“I can invite you to the Mildenhall Estate. And I can somehow start the mediation between you and Leo. But after that, you’re on your own. I will not try to influence Leo. That is between you and him.”
Relief washed over Bridget. It was the same thing Prim saw before at the modiste.
That same raw, unfiltered vulnerability.
Her eyes welled with tears that remained unshed since there were still eyes on them.
And though both of them had a plastered smile so that any onlookers would think that this was a cordial conversation, Bridget’s smile had some truth in it.
“Thank you,” Bridget said. “You have a gentle heart, and my son is lucky to have you. You are kinder than I deserve. You have all the reasons to not like me, and yet you are willing to give me a chance.”
“Do not thank me. I am not doing this for you. I am doing this for Leo. It is a heavy feeling to think that your own mother would betray you like this. I would love for this wound to stop festering.”
Prim got up and gave Bridget a little nod, a signal to their mutual understanding.
Then the strategic plan resumed. Only this time frame was not feeling very confident.
She could face the whole ton, but facing Leo was a different thing.
Her only wish was that Leo would see that she was trying to help him, help him heal, and move on.