Isadora led the group down the pathway. It was meant to be a pleasant outing, a chance to distract Penelope from the tension that had consumed their home ever since the wedding had been called off. Isadora had assured her sister that a walk in the fresh air, accompanied by their closest friends, would do her the world of good. In her mind, it was a chance to forget and move forward.
She had been wrong.
The moment they stepped onto the main promenade, Isadora felt it—the shift in the atmosphere, the sudden weight of attention pressing down on them. Heads turned too quickly. Isadora caught snippets of conversation—just enough to make her blood boil.
“—the poor girl?—”
“—an engagement so publicly ruined?—”
“—can you imagine the humiliation?”
It was all about Penelope.
Isadora clenched her jaw as she stole a glance at her sister. Penelope’s steps had slowed, her face pale. She was enduring it but just barely.
Daphne and Violet noticed too. Violet exhaled in frustration. “Honestly, one would think you had committed a crime, Penelope, rather than having been saved from one.”
Daphne’s voice was gentler. “They are gossiping simply because they have nothing better to do. If it had not been you, it would have been some other young lady.” She cast a disdainful glance toward a group of older women sitting on a nearby bench. “They thrive on scandal. Do not give them the satisfaction of seeing you affected.”
Isadora turned toward her sister and nudged her chin up with a firm hand. “Hold your head high, Penelope. You did nothing wrong.”
Penelope swallowed, her lips parting as if she wanted to say something, but the words failed her. Isadora could see the humiliation settling in, creeping up her sister’s throat.
A group of young ladies walked past, their giggles soft but unmistakable.
“Such a shame,” one of them murmured just loud enough to be heard. Isadora knew it was intentional.
“Oh, I do hope she finds another match soon,” another added. “Or what will she do?”
Isadora stopped walking.Enough.
The group stiffened, realizing that she had heard them. She turned to them with the coolest of smiles.
“Ladies,” she said sweetly, inclining her head. “How fortunate that you are so concerned with my sister’s affairs. And yet, I find myself wondering… do you not have any of your own to occupy you?”
One of the girls—a blonde lady with an expression so innocent that you would not believe the venom she had been spewing just moment ago—flushed. “I—well—of course, we did not mean to?—”
“I do hope not,” Isadora said, her smile never wavering. “It would be rather tragic, after all, if your only amusement came at the expense of another.”
The blonde girl faltered. Her companions looked away. One of them even had the grace to appear ashamed. Isadora did notwait for them to recover—she merely turned back to Penelope, looping her arm through hers, and resumed walking.
“Isadora,” Penelope murmured under her breath, “you did not have to do that. You’ve done enough for me as it is.”
“Yes, I did have to,” Isadora said simply.
Daphne let out a delighted laugh. “Oh, how I love watching you eviscerate people with nothing but politeness.”
Violet nodded. “Isadora will never let a slight go unanswered.”
“Not when it concerns my family,” Isadora agreed.
They continued walking, but the damage had been done. No matter how much they lifted their chins, the whispers continued. The ton had latched onto the scandal eagerly, and they would not let go so easily.
“Isadora,” Penelope murmured at last, “I know you mean well. And I appreciate it, truly. But… I just wish it did not have to be this way.”
Isadora slowed her steps. “What way?”
Penelope let out a soft, almost defeated laugh. “This. The way people look at me now. As if I am something ruined. As if Ihave done something wrong.” She exhaled. “I know what you are going to say. I know I should not let it bother me. But it does.”
