Chapter Twenty-One - The Ball: Gossip and Confrontations

Amelia stepped off the dance floor, her hand still warm from Alister's touch. She couldn't help but replay their dance in her mind, feeling a mixture of exhilaration and confusion. The night had only just begun, and she knew she had to navigate the intricate social web of the ball with grace.

As she moved through the crowd, she overheard snippets of conversation. Nobles whispered behind their fans, their eyes darting towards her and Alister. She tried to ignore it, but curiosity got the better of her.

"Did you hear? The Duchess has finally decided to show her face," one woman said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Yes, and with the Duke, no less. I wonder how long this charade will last," another replied.

Amelia felt a pang of irritation. She didn't want to let their words affect her, but it was difficult. She glanced around for Ethan, hoping to find a friendly face in the sea of judgment.

"Amelia, over here!" Ethan called, waving her over. He was standing with a small group of young nobles, looking slightly nervous but determined to fit in.

She made her way to him, grateful for the distraction. "Ethan, it's good to see you. How are you holding up?" she asked, her voice warm with affection.

Ethan smiled, though his eyes betrayed his nerves. "I'm managing. It's a bit overwhelming, but I think I'm getting the hang of it," he replied.

Before they could continue their conversation, a tall, elegant woman approached them. She was dressed in a stunning blue gown, her blonde hair cascading in perfect curls. Amelia recognized her as Lady Beatrice, one of the more influential nobles in their circle.

"Good evening, Duchess. It's a pleasure to see you here," Lady Beatrice said, her voice smooth but with an undertone of condescension.

"Good evening, Lady Beatrice," Amelia replied, keeping her tone polite. "It's a lovely ball, isn't it?"

"Indeed. I was just discussing with some friends how delightful it is to see you and the Duke together," Lady Beatrice continued, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Tell me, how is your relationship with the Crown Prince these days?"

Amelia's heart skipped a beat. The question was loaded, and she knew it. She forced a smile, trying to maintain her composure. "My relationship with the Crown Prince is purely formal. We are friends, nothing more," she said, hoping to end the line of questioning.

Lady Beatrice raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with her answer. "Is that so? There are quite a few rumors circulating, you know. People say you still harbor feelings for him."

Amelia felt a surge of anger. She wanted to snap back, but she knew she had to stay calm. "Rumors are just that, Lady Beatrice. They often have no basis in reality," she replied, her voice steady.

Before the conversation could escalate, Alister appeared at her side. His presence was reassuring, and Amelia felt a wave of relief.

"Is there a problem here?" Alister asked, his tone cool and authoritative.

Lady Beatrice's expression shifted, a hint of unease flickering in her eyes. "Not at all, Your Grace. We were just having a friendly chat," she said, her tone suddenly much more respectful.

Alister's gaze hardened. "I trust that my wife is being treated with the respect she deserves," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Lady Beatrice quickly nodded. "Of course, Your Grace. I apologize if there was any misunderstanding," she said, before making a hasty retreat.

Amelia let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you, Alister," she said, her voice soft.

He turned to her, his expression softening. "You don't have to thank me, Amelia. I'm just glad I could help," he replied.

Ethan, who had been watching the exchange with wide eyes, stepped forward. "Aunt Amelia, are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

She smiled at him, touched by his worry. "I'm fine, Ethan. Just a bit of drama, nothing to worry about," she said, ruffling his hair affectionately.

They moved away from the crowd, finding a quieter corner of the ballroom. Amelia felt a sense of relief to be away from the prying eyes and whispered gossip.

"High society can be quite... intense," Ethan remarked, trying to lighten the mood.

Amelia laughed softly. "That's an understatement. But we'll get through it together," she said, her confidence slowly returning.

As they stood there, a young noblewoman approached them. She was dressed in a vibrant red gown, her dark hair styled in an elaborate updo. Amelia recognized her as Lady Margaret, a known troublemaker in their social circle.

"Good evening, Duchess. I couldn't help but notice your earlier conversation with Lady Beatrice," Lady Margaret said, her tone deceptively sweet.

Amelia braced herself for another confrontation. "Good evening, Lady Margaret. Is there something you wish to discuss?" she asked, keeping her voice neutral.

Lady Margaret's eyes gleamed with malice. "Oh, nothing much. I just find it interesting how quickly you've managed to integrate yourself into high society, considering your... background," she said, her words laced with venom.

Amelia felt her temper flare. "My background is none of your concern, Lady Margaret," she replied, her voice firm.

Lady Margaret smirked. "Perhaps, but people talk. They wonder how a woman of such humble origins managed to capture the heart of the Duke," she said, her words intended to sting.

Before Amelia could respond, Ethan stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. "Lady Margaret, you have no right to speak to my aunt that way," he said, his voice trembling with emotion.

Lady Margaret looked taken aback by Ethan's outburst. "And who are you to speak to me like that?" she sneered.

Ethan stood his ground, his hands clenched into fists. "I'm Ethan, and I won't let anyone disrespect my family," he said, his voice steady.

Amelia felt a surge of pride at Ethan's bravery. She placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "Thank you, Ethan," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Lady Margaret seemed to realize she was outnumbered and backed down. "Very well. Enjoy the rest of your evening," she said, before turning on her heel and walking away.

As she disappeared into the crowd, Amelia let out a sigh of relief. "That was intense," she muttered, shaking her head.

Alister placed a hand on her arm, his touch comforting. "You handled it well, Amelia," he said, his voice warm.

She looked up at him, feeling a wave of gratitude. "Thank you, Alister. I don't know what I would have done without you and Ethan," she said, her voice sincere.

Ethan beamed at her, his earlier nerves forgotten. "We're a team, Aunt Amelia. We've got each other's backs," he said, his voice filled with determination.