6

Mabel

The last thing I wanted to do days before the stores were to reopen was to have tea with the queen, but when invited to have tea with the queen, it wasn't really a request. I knew she was trying to help my reputation, and this was for my benefit more than hers or to keep me close.

I knew Ian had even asked for her to do it since he seemed ready for me to give him never-ending kisses when he heard I'd received the invitation. Instead, I'd done my best not to throttle him.

I was exhausted, and I wasn't downplaying that or exaggerating that.

Luckily everything turned out with the doctor at the hospital and the story Ian had come up with. The king received a boost in popularity for being so forward-thinking and even using family funds to gamble on something with mages to help the kingdom. The story was everywhere and all people could talk about.

Good. That meant no one had any chance to connect it to me.

Andthe king listened to Ian and the doctor about the state of the hospitals in the kingdom. He went on the record about hoping to breathe new life and talent into the hospitals by getting better medicines that were only available there with the proper training.

Which meant the healers and doctors of the nobles couldn't turn up their noses at them anymore. It was genius.

I put my upset aside with how Violetta had handled everything and prayed to her that I hoped she understood that the outcome was more important than people praising her. That I could not take on the temple and handle that mess of corruption. I couldn't. They would kill me. It would be a mess.

So like I had trusted her that what she was giving me would work, she needed to start having trust and faith in me that I was doing the best I could as well. That I was never selfish, but trying my best.

Wanting to live wasn't selfish. It wasn't abusing the gift of life she'd given me.

It made sense to me, and I got the feeling she was pleased that I was strong enough to push back. Maybe?

Maybe Andre was right and I was too stressed to figure out what I really felt and my state of mind was influencing everything.

Right before it was time to leave, nothing shocked me more than hearing horns to signal the arrival of the royal carriage. I blinked in the mirror I was checking myself in and about fled to the door.

Sure enough, the queen was stepping out of her carriage as I opened the front door. My guards fell back and let the royal guards handle everything, opening my gate and coming down the path to me. They asked if they could go in first and check the house to make sure.

"Of course, but please be gentle with my staff and those who live here," I said quietly. "They were not warned of this and will be nervous. There's also an off duty officer who works evenings and is sleeping."

"The grand duke has cleared everyone here and I can show you the room," James, one of the grand duke's knights, told the royal guard. They seemed to recognize each other and that was enough.

I thanked him and hurried towards the queen, dipping into a low curtsey as I reached her.

"Your house is lovely, Countess," she praised after telling me to rise. "This whole neighborhood is well done. I have heard the builder is talented, but I thought I would take this opportunity to see it for myself."

"You honor me, Your Majesty," I said. "And yes, the attention to detail is very apparent. He is a man of vision and hires only the most talented. The few changes I requested in the contract were handled flawlessly and quickly."

"How rare to find business handled that way," she said with a smile. "I did not mean to impose."

"You are always welcome in my home. I am a loyal servant to you and Areca."

She gave me a kind look. "So many say it as is required, but you always truly mean it. It is why you are becoming one of my favorite people, Countess. Truly, you are."

"I do mean it. I am glad you believe me."

The guards came out and said everything was fine, explaining that the off duty officer was sleeping and in the staff area. The queen shot me a look that she wanted to know more about that later. Then I led her inside. Everyone was polite, and the maid on loan from Colin looked like she might have a panic attack actually meeting the queen.

Poor thing.

The queen caught on though and didn't linger, mostly just wanting to get a feel that I was settled. Or maybe that I was being taken care of?

She complimented some of the decor and gave a few recommendations on how I could finish an area that were very helpful. I thanked her and absolutely agreed, impressed with her eye and talent.

We headed out and I rode with her, not saying anything until we were in the carriage alone with two of her ladies-in-waiting.

"While I did not want to open the doors to every noble making excuses to drop by your house, I wanted to take away the idiotic stigma of nobles being able to visit high-class neighborhoods," the queen explained. "Especially for Lady Kathy. That child is too sweet for anything to ever affect her reputation."

"Agreed. Thank you, Your Majesty."

She nodded. "Ian told me about that coed group you saved her from. He's handling it." She smiled when I snickered. "Yes, that man is—is it true you call him a steamroller?"

"That's very fitting," one of the other ladies chuckled.

It was and I smiled. "No, I tell him I am going to kick him out if he does not stop steamrolling me, but I should." We had a chuckle at that.

"I was also glad to see that the guards actually spoke with my guards and the security of the neighborhood is actually working as they should," the queen said after a moment. "I was less than thrilled to hear that every scoundrel was allowed right at your front gate when you paid so much for privacy and a nice neighborhood."

I sighed, having been annoyed at that as well. "There were some miscommunications and… It's hard to be upset when life is complicated and nobles are such a handful." I went on when she gave me a questioning look. "I am the only noble that lives in that district, Your Majesty. The guards thought I was being a handful and not following the rules of listing guests."

I felt better when all three ladies gave a form of an elegant snort or annoyed sound.

"I have barely met you and already can tell you are a polite, refined, and kind young lady, Countess," the lady who hadn't spoken yet said. "Men are fools and make too many assumptions. You are the type who would not make the jobs of others harder and probably have your cook share food with the district guards at night or allow them to stop at your house for coffee."

I felt my face flush. "I brought them all food when I moved in and yes, the guards bring over thermoses now and again for the night guards when it's cold."

"Exactly. That is a considerate woman who would not abuse her privilege."

"I have though," I admitted, noting the surprise on their faces. "We all have as women. We are hindered in so many other ways that I have to at times to level things. So it's why I cannot blame them. I did not realize that was part of the problem. The other part was simply people lying. Deliveries are allowed through, and that was what they were saying."

"They simply did not leave after. How disgusting," the queen grumbled. "And they figured out a system for that."

"The commander did," I assured her. "Plus, he arrested the next gathered group when he came home and found another scene. He did not process them or charge them, but he brought them down to the station and made it clear that he would take out the trash as many times as needed."

"You lucked out having him as your next-door neighbor," the first lady said with a smirk. "How handsome he is also helps."

I snickered, thinking back to the first night I'd lived there. I realized I had to explain and did about how I'd gone out on my balcony and found him sitting there basically shirtless and he'd scared the life out of me.

The other two women chuckled, but the queen frowned at me. I did not understand until I remembered that Ian wasn't simply her husband's cousin, but she'd been friends with his older sister who had died.

And she clearly knew that Ian had feelings for me.

Luckily, we arrived at the Langkamp Hotel, the oldest and most prestigious hotel in the capital, where the queen was hosting the tea party. I had thought it odd that she didn't simply have it at the palace, but if she wanted to be seen with me in public, it made sense.

Plus, she was making a spectacle of her influence. Not just anyone could take over the famous afternoon tea of the hotel, especially on a busy Saturday. The guests of the hotel would still be able to see us and anyone having lunch in the dining room. There was a special room for the actual afternoon tea though that was booked out weeks in advance normally for just a table.

There were additional royal guards all over, and I wouldn't have been surprised if the kitchen was being overseen by palace chefs and more. That had to be nerve-racking for the staff but then again, given they were the top in the kingdom, they were probably used to the pressure.

"I have always wanted to partake in this tea," I admitted as we were shown to our tables. "It's truly an honor to be included, Your Majesty."

"You are such a delight, Countess," someone else said as others joined us.

"Countess Phoenix is of the highest caliber of person, even after all she has been through, and one of the brightest minds I have ever met, and my brother is hailed as one of the smartest in the kingdom," Kathy boasted. She dipped her head to me. "It's my honor to call her my friend."

I dipped my head back. "The honor is mine. The friendship you and your brother have shown me is the only way I have made it through so much, Lady Kathy." I approached her since I could as the higher rank and gave her a half hug and kiss on the cheek.

I was introduced around and greeted everyone, noting the impressed looks when my manners were flawless. I was sure that most had ill impressions of me with the current rumors and what was always said about me from before.

"Several other tables will be used by the young ladies who will be debuting at the royal ball in the spring," the queen explained as a line of very young girls filed in. "I like to have them experience something a bit out of the nest but not completely out on their own."

"But also something they will take seriously given your presence," Duchess Woods said as she nodded. "Well done, Your Majesty."

"I am more than my looks," the queen teased.

She was at that.

The young ladies were actually seated behind a partition, and the room divided in a way I didn't think it normally was. Still, the queen was there and they would take it seriously, but it was clear they were to do their own thing and weren't included in our conversation. It meant there were about fifteen of us having tea with the queen then.

A nice number but not overwhelming. The smaller tables were pushed together for one larger table we would all use and be able to converse together at. Not the normal for a tea party—especially in a hotel—but I preferred it instead of being sat with a small group and the risk of being stuck with someone you had nothing to talk about.

I went with a black tea with strawberry that sounded nice and noticed Kathy ordered a blackberry that I'd been thinking of as well.

"I apologize if this is overstepping, Your Majesty, but I heard a rumor that you are consulting a fertility specialist from another kingdom, and I thought I might ask you directly so I knew the truth," one of the women said sheepishly.

And I was very sure the queen put her up to it.

The queen didn't respond right away. "I would be upset if it was brought up in any other company, but everyone here is trustworthy and beyond reproach. I thank you for broaching the topic respectfully and being honorable enough to say it to my face instead of all the nastiness we allow to fester. We have all allowed it and are party to it. It must end."

"I agree, Your Majesty," the woman said sadly. "Sometimes it's just easier to say nothing and let it pass, but it hurts all of us." She gave me a sad look. "I was party to much being said about you, Countess Phoenix. I did not know the truth and—I am sorry."

I was shocked she said it so bluntly. I dipped my head to her. "I never blame anyone for that, My Lady. I know too well that we can never fully know another's circumstances. I never spoke up for others either for fear of what might happen to me as well. I hold no ill will towards anyone for that. Others who spoke firmly about knowledge of me are harder to forgive."

"You should not forgive it without an apology," she said firmly before focusing back on the queen.

"What you heard is true," the queen confirmed. "While we know those nobles who made a move against my husband are not acting in good faith, the concerns of him not having an heir yet are valid. We have been married many years now and—we do listen and care."

"It's not fair all the blame is placed on you, Your Majesty," I interjected. "Not to disparage the king, but stress affects both men and women. It's basic biology, and you are both in the most stressful positions in the kingdom. People throwing tantrums over the situation instead of offering help is maddening." I cleared my throat when several people looked at me.

"Thank you for saying that, Countess," she chuckled. She glanced around the table. "I told you there was a reason I immediately took a liking to her. Her heart is very pure, and she is genuine in a way we rarely see in society."

"You were very right, Your Majesty," Duchess Woods agreed. "I also agree with the countess. I am glad the king found help. I assume there's hope then?"

"Yes, but the king is a prudent man," the queen answered. "No matter the testimonials and results from another kingdom, he would never allow something new to be tested on either of us. We have found some trusted couples that have the same issue who will work with the specialist first. The kingdom has waited this long; a bit longer to make sure it's safe is best."

"I am glad to hear it," the first woman said firmly. "I am also glad to hear there's hope. My cousin was the one who mentioned the rumor, not out of ill intent, but because she's desperate to conceive as well and is hopeful. There are many in the kingdom who would be thrilled to learn of such a treatment."

"Yes, but unfortunately the king brought up the point that it could be a double-edged sword," the queen said with a sigh.

Duchess Woods flinched, and I wasn't the only one who focused on her. She sighed, realizing she was busted. "Yes, my mother-in-law would sneak me such a concoction if she had access to it. She recently let it slip that she hoped I filled the whole house with babies since that increased the chances of me not surviving one of the births."

I barely kept my mouth from dropping open, and I saw Kathy couldn't even hide her horror.

"Unfortunately, I am not surprised with the viper's nest you were forced to marry into," the queen said, anger in her eyes. "And given you hold the purse strings of the Woods fortunes, I just bet she wishes you die and your foolish husband would take over the finances and give her access to the vast wealth she wants so there's nothing left for your future children."

I was shocked that the queen would say that much to the women sitting there, but then I realized it was clear they already all knew it. The sad looks they gave the duchess—even Kathy—made it clear that this was a hot topic all over society.

The queen's gaze landed on me and I saw hope there that confused me. "I apologize, Countess. You were so locked in your own issues these past few months that you must not be caught up on the dramas of others."

"No, I am not, Your Majesty," I admitted. "Plus, given my divorced status, many are hesitant to associate with me even if I was more outgoing."

"It's jealousy of fools," she said easily. "Or fear of men that worry you will put good ideas in the minds of women who put up with too much. But more than that, you are a very smart woman and now many know that you saved your family from ruin. That you were the reason the opinion of David Matthias changed from a buffoon to something reputable."

I couldn't get my mouth to work and merely blinked at her, several people chuckling.

The queen simply smirked at me as servers came out and the tea was served along with an array of scones, clotted cream, and jams. She waited until we all fixed our tea and made up our scones before she continued.

"You are not allowed to speak on how you lived and your divorce without paying a penalty, Countess, but I was at your hearing, and I am not held to such restrictions." She chuckled before taking a sip of her tea. "And I agree with what you told young Lady Kathy that women should never stop learning and all of us should understand much more than we do."

"I apologize, but I am not sure that I follow, Your Majesty," I hedged before taking a bite of my raisin scone with clotted cream and mango jam that was heavenly.

But Duchess Woods did, giving the queen a look of love before focusing on me. "Originally, I was not going to be in charge of the family finances. My father changed his mind shortly before his death several months ago. I was married not a year ago and right after, my husband made a bad investment—a stupid investment that cost our family too much.

"My father was furious since he'd trusted my husband and my husband was cocky, unrepentant even. He was flippant and annoyed, saying that was the way business went—completely…" She shook her head when she got upset and sipped her tea. "My father had never apologized to me before, but he did that night, saying he was wrong to marry me to him."

"I am very sorry, also for your loss. I heard it was an accident?" I said gently, worried that maybe something more was going on now that I understood.

"It was," she sighed. "My father—both my parents were stubborn and always thought bad things only happened to others. Money would—money cannot save people from everything. Certainly not bad weather or rockslides. The fools." Her eyes teared up. "But my husband was enraged when he learned of the change. While I grieved and buried my only family, he made moves I cannot…"

I let out a slow breath, meeting the queen's worried gaze and understanding the situation better. "He's isolated you. He's put his people into all the positions to ‘advise' you and—you might have the authority, but if he controls the butlers and more, he still has all of the power."

"The butler is still mine and so are the knights but yes, the aides and managers of the business have been—their loyalty has been bought as they…" She let out a slow breath. "I am not even sure I blame them, Countess. They are not wrong that I was not raised to handle the duchy. I was not. I was not given the classes or training to take over."

"So? So what? Apparently, neither was your husband?" I seethed. "And that can still be corrected if they had any sense. Managing what is in place is not all that difficult if your father was competent, and clearly he was despite his sexism. And even that he admitted he was wrong about in the end, so the others should take that as their lead.

"Are you daft? Have you shown some sign of not being able to learn? Are you unable to grasp numbers? Or have they simply not given you a chance? And instead, wasted months fighting what your father wanted and showing disloyalty to the Woods duchy with his final wishes to throw in with an outsider who lost the family money that…" I cleared my throat. "I apologize."

"Not at all," the queen chuckled. "I knew you were the right woman to help us figure out how to handle the situation."

I studied her a moment and tried to figure out what I'd really stumbled into. It took me only a few moments before anyone was even able to finish their first scone.

"Not only has the Woods duchy always been the biggest supporter of the Brooker bloodline being the monarchy, but they are also the richest duchy in the kingdom, and their collapse would throw the economy into chaos."

Several of the ladies exchanged impressed looks, but the queen simply nodded. "Correct. And?"

That was easy. "It's rare that a woman be in charge of the purse strings of the family or inherit the official family title. The conservative families have to be livid about it just as much as my divorce and ready to oust the duchess or have the king shut it down. I would bet they are putting some law into place or any mistake she makes force her to turn it all over to her husband."

"Both actually," the queen agreed. "And?"

"The king cannot involve himself in what the husband and his family are doing because of it. He also cannot condone them divorcing because the only thing worse than her being in charge is for her to be in charge of the duchy without a husband at all. Especially after my divorce."

"Correct," she said as she set down her teacup. "And how would you handle the situation then? What would be your first steps?"

"Not to answer with the amount of people present, Your Majesty." I gave a half shrug when she couldn't hide her shock. "I only know you and Lady Kathy that I would trust."

"Thank you for your honesty, but I know every lady here better than I do you, and all of them are trustworthy and dedicated to helping the duchess. You are also a good judge of character." The look in her eyes told me to trust my instincts this time.

Yes, they all had light-colored sparkles. I'd seen that, but I wasn't used to trusting that or relying on it enough to let it be enough.

Please, Violetta, help the duchess and do not let these women betray her.

I thought about what the queen said and let out a slow breath before focusing on the duchess. "Forgive my rudeness, but have you had your wedding night with your husband yet?"

Her eyes flashed shock, but she shook her head. "No, given my father forced the marriage, I told him that I would not be intimate with a man I did not choose and he was a monster if he pushed it. He agreed and said it would happen in its own time. My husband went along with it and has not pushed it."

"That's your trump card now and what you have to protect at all costs."

"She could have an annulment," the queen gasped. "I never thought to ask because…"

"You fell in love with the king who you did not choose to marry," the duchess said, flinching and shooting the queen an apologetic look.

That was when I realized they were actually friends, not just allies. But they were at least ten years different in age, so I didn't know how that worked out, but then again, Kathy and I were almost that as well.

Sometimes age really was just a number.

"I would guess you do not have any female knights if your father was sexist," I hedged, nodding when the duchess did. "Do you have an annex or second house in the capital?" I waited until she nodded. "Or what about the situation at the duchy? Could you leave your husband here in the capital and return to the duchy?"

"You want to ensure he does not realize he should have their wedding night," the queen muttered.

"Yes, and pushing him to behave badly in a way to embarrass the Woods family further would be even better even if it's embarrassing," I admitted. "But the duchess has a year to annul her marriage if it's not consummated. I know. I made sure to know given my circumstances and I almost…" I looked away, once again mad at myself that I hadn't run when I should have.

I'd stayed to be abused instead of ruining my family who had never loved me.

"I am so sorry for what you went through, Countess," the duchess said.

I cleared my throat and wiped under my eyes before giving her a smile. "Call me Mabel, My Lady. I think we are quite past formalities as we are plotting something like this."

She smiled at me. "Lisa. It's lovely to meet you, Mabel."

I dipped my head to her. "You as well, Lisa." I cleared my throat and took a sip of tea. "Now, you are going to need a tutor. The queen will know one trusted. Also, a lot can be hidden like I now realize this tea party is. I took Kathy on an outing when I bought my house and taught her much."

"That one time taught me more than a month of classroom time could ever have taught me and I will not ever forget it," Kathy agreed. "It also made so much more of everything else I'd been taught since make sense. The reports my brother goes over. I now read the real estate papers and understand."

"I wish I could do that," one of the other ladies whispered. "My husband speaks on so much and so fast and—he chuckles and gives me a loving look when I ask questions, but I get so angry because it's the same look he gives the children." She looked away and my heart broke. "I love him, but I am not a child."

"You should be able to tell him that," I said gently. "If he's a good man, it will hurt him that he behaved that way." I shook my head when she argued. "Even Kathy's brother felt bad when he realized he skipped explaining things to me and I do understand a lot, My Lady. None of us can understand it all."

But I did know where we were going to start for now. I knew what I could do to enact real change to help women in the nobility and make things better for them just as the queen had done for me.

I smiled at the duchess. "You are going to send your husband on a wild goose chase. After his bad investment, you want him to get a bit of training to handle the duchy and prove himself after losing the trust of your father. It's not an option, and you will not hear of anything else as a dutiful daughter. He needs to see investments up close. There have to mines to send him to."

"Ships to send him off on or merchants to shadow," the queen agreed, giving her friend a look that it was smart. "He's never worked a day in his life, and only his slick tongue has gotten him to where he is. Yes, and you can stay here and work with a tutor while no one knows until it's too late. You have just over six months before the year is up on your marriage."

"But you would have to make a pledge to marry again in three years or something if you did," I told the duchess. "You know you could not stay single. Have possible candidates ready or ideas, but… It would be tricky. You need dirt dug up on that family. That mother on the record as wanting you dead. All of it."

Lisa snorted. "That will not be hard given she thinks she's smarter and better than everyone. I think she forgets she did not become duchess with the marriage."

"Then get an undercover police officer next to her as a maid," I suggested, nodding when they were all shocked. "It will be everything with the court. It made a huge difference with what happened with my family." I told them more and was glad when they all agreed. "The ladies here can have her over and let the wine flow freely. Members of their families with your husband. All of it."

"You are very devious, Mabel," the queen whispered, not hiding her shock well.

I swallowed loudly. "I did a lot in the name of survival, Your Majesty. I lied a lot and faked a lot. I will never apologize for that. I should not have to. Neither should the duchess. If she was not put in this position with bad people, she would never have to behave this way."

"You are absolutely right. Yes, you are—I always think that we as women behave better than men and we always should."

"And that is why men screw us over so often," I said bluntly, not shocked when most of the women there couldn't hide their surprise. "I was a well-trained doll and look what happened to me. I did everything for the men in my family and more. Let them take credit and stepped aside and all it brought me was pain. No more. No more accepting this behavior."

They were quiet for several moments before they seemed to come to an unspoken agreement.

"What comes next then, Mabel?" the duchess asked me.

"We buy a clubhouse," I answered with a smile, nodding when she couldn't hide her shock. "The men have them. Why cannot we? They have their cigar bars and card lounges and clubs. We will have our own females-only business and education place and I will teach you what I taught Kathy. We will have lectures and tutors. We will stop letting men restrict what we know."

"This better be beneficial to the kingdom or I might be the one we have to help next," the queen said, looking a bit worried and like she was trying to keep her tone light… But she clearly felt anything but inside.

And I honestly did not have any way to comfort her.