Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 84

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 84

Adelia, who had been watching him, spoke carefully.

“Um, Miss Ellie. Why is he coming this way?”
“Miss Rumble!”

Almost simultaneously with her, Thomas Witter called out to Ellie in a lively voice. The moment he stepped before her, he broke into a radiant smile as though he’d never been downcast at all.

“It’s been far too long. When I heard that Miss Rumble was hosting a dance party today, I couldn’t have been more delighted.”
“Hah, is that so? Ah, Mr. Witter. This is the Duchess of Insel. Do greet her.”

Thomas Witter turned to Adelia with a startled expression, then offered his greeting hesitantly.

“I, I beg your pardon. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Thomas Witter. What an honor to meet a duchess in such a place. A true honor.”
“Think nothing of it. I’m delighted to meet you as well.”

Thomas Witter brushed his lips lightly against the Duchy Ring adorning Adelia’s finger, then turned his body back toward Ellie.

In that instant, a realization flashed through Adelia’s mind like a spark.

This Thomas Witter…

‘He’s fond of Miss Ellie!’

It was so obvious that even Adelia, who was ordinarily blind to such matters, couldn’t help but notice—the way Thomas smiled at Ellie was so broad it bordered on foolish.

‘Does Sophie Kissing not know about this?’

She probably doesn’t, Adelia thought.

And it seemed best that she never find out. If Miss Kissing learned the truth, it would cause quite the scandal.

Then Ellie spoke.

“Mr. Witter, wouldn’t you like to dance with the duchess? Do you think Miss Kissing would mind?”

For a moment, a tangle of fear flashed across Thomas Witter’s face.

Sophie would certainly be furious. She’d throw a fit. But he had no wish to show such an unseemly side of himself before Ellie Rumble, the woman he secretly loved.

‘Just stand by my side and be my escort!’

That’s what Sophie had said before going off to dance with another man. Well then… perhaps it wouldn’t be so wrong to dance once?

He held no particular interest in this Duchess of Insel, but the slim hope that he might actually dance with Ellie kindled a fragile courage within Thomas.

“A gentleman cannot abandon propriety simply because Sophie objects to it.”
“How fortunate. Then do dance with the duchess, and I’ll wait here with His Grace. You don’t mind, do you, Your Grace?”

Loerston found this fumbling Thomas Witter rather distasteful, but he was preferable to the preening fools surrounding them.

When he nodded, Thomas Witter extended a hand to escort Adelia.

‘Oh God, is this really all right?’

Adelia’s heart hammered with anxiety. They’d taken their positions for the dance, yet her unease only grew rather than faded.

Even as she grasped Thomas’s hand and twirled, her eyes stubbornly tracked Loerston.

They stepped backward, bowed, and when they joined hands again, Thomas unexpectedly spoke.

“Are you… watching His Grace?”
“What? Oh, I’m terribly sorry. How rude of me. I’m simply not accustomed to these sorts of gatherings.”
“Even though you’re a duchess?”
“Not all noblewoman enjoy balls and parties, regardless of their rank.”
“Ah, I see.”

The conversation ended there.

Adelia herself was far from practiced in social discourse, but Thomas Witter was in a league of his own—his gaze was chaotic, and he was only fortunate that his footwork remained steady.

As the dance drew to a close, Adelia felt a wave of relief wash over her—at last she could escape this ordeal.

One final bow and it would all be over. No more dancing, no more awkward hand-holding with strangers…

“What is this!”

The moment they straightened from their final position, a sharp voice cut through the room and seized everyone’s attention.

‘Sophie Kissing…!’

Adelia felt cold sweat trickling down the back of her neck. Anyone who had ever been on the receiving end of Sophie Kissing’s glare would understand.

“Tommy! Come here!”

The command, issued as though calling a dog, made Thomas’s shoulders flinch visibly.

The young man’s cowed expression was so pitiful that even Adelia, meeting him for the first time tonight, felt sympathetic.

“Didn’t you hear me, Tommy? Get over here!”

Just as Thomas was about to shuffle forward, Adelia seized his hand and tucked him behind her, facing down Sophie Kissing.

“What?”
“Miss Kissing, I think you ought to review the Basic Etiquette Manual again. You seem to have forgotten how a lady should conduct herself at a social gathering.”
“Don’t interfere! You stole my fiancé!”
“People might misunderstand. I had no idea Mr. Witter was your fiancé. But even if I had known, what of it? Don’t you realize that dancing only with one’s own partner at a ball isn’t propriety—it’s poor form?”
“What are you saying? Of course I know that much! But Tommy was supposed to stay at my side!”
“Mr. Witter isn’t a dog.”

At that, snickers erupted from all sides. Some seemed to relish Sophie’s comeuppance, while others reveled in mocking Witter’s spinelessness.

It must always be like this, Adelia thought.

She understood that engaging with Sophie Kissing any further would be nothing but a waste of time—and a wound to her own dignity.

She executed the formal curtsy that concluded the dance for Thomas Witter, then gave him a gentle push on the back.

“Mr. Witter, thank you for being my partner. Now do return to Miss Kissing.”
“Your Grace, I…”
“Don’t dither about it.”

Adelia’s words meant ‘stop waffling and go,’ though whether Thomas Witter grasped her meaning was doubtful.

As Sophie Kissing hauled Thomas Witter away and disappeared, bristling with indignation, the onlookers who had been holding back rushed toward Adelia.

“What boldness, Your Grace!”
“Sophie Kissing has finally met her match!”
“Your Grace, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
“To silence that wild child of the Kissing family!”

‘Oh my!’

Adelia fielded the crowd’s advances while her eyes searched for Loerston.

To her surprise, he stood nearby, arms crossed, wearing a satisfied expression—and showing no inclination whatsoever to rescue her.

“Thank you all, truly. Miss Kissing has surely reconsidered how to behave at a party by now. I think I should take a stroll—my head is rather stuffy.”
“Allow me to escort you!”
“No, permit me to be your escort.”

Adelia laughed and waved her hand.

“No, I should like to walk with my husband. Your kindness is much appreciated.”

At the word ‘husband,’ the crowd fell silent. Adelia slipped deftly through their ranks and hooked her arm through Loerston’s, dragging him away.

“Why the rush? I was quite enjoying the spectacle.”
“Senior!”

Adelia glanced back to ensure no one was listening, then lowered her voice.

“Don’t jest. Would you really like to watch me get torn to shreds by that crowd?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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