Hidden Motives

The Duchess took a deep breath and looked down for a second. She looked up at Adeline, then smiled. 

"You are right. I do owe you this favour." 

The Duchess smirked and turned towards the servant, "Prepare a bath, it is time to make an entrance."

"An entrance, Your Grace?" Adeline asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"Yes, Adeline," the Duchess replied with a slight smile as she moved towards her wardrobe.

Going through her dresses she spoke as a manner of fact, "If we're going to make this adoption believable, then we'll have to do it properly. There's nothing like a touch of spectacle to make people talk, to spread the story without question. After all, a noble family's reputation is built on perception."

Adeline smirked, she likes this Duchess. She was extra... She liked it.