CHAPTER 19

Sylvia had not slept at all.

Tiredness covered her like a blanket as she sat in the drawing room, her fingers idly tracing the intricate pattern of the lace handkerchief in her lap. Her walk in the park with Lord Marcus had given her far too much to think about, and honestly it was overwhelming. She could not help wishing that she could simply return to Bath, to simply forget about all of this. It was a nightmare and it was only getting worse. The fact that she could not escape it was truly crushing her spirit.

As she looked up from her thoughts, she noticed Aunt Grace standing by the doorway, observing her with a concerned expression. She entered the room and took a seat beside her, her presence a comforting reminder of their close bond. At least she still had her aunt, even if everything else was a mess.

"You seem troubled, Sylvia," Aunt Grace said gently, her eyes searching Sylvia's face. "What is on your mind?"

Sylvia sighed, her thoughts heavy with uncertainty. "I can not stop thinking about everything. I can not settle my thoughts. Yesterday, my walk in Hyde Park with Lord Marcus had me reeling. Thinking about life here in London and the constant scrutiny of the ton."

Aunt Grace nodded, understanding the unspoken sentiment. "It can be overwhelming, I know. But you have always managed to navigate it with such grace."

"Have I?" Sylvia's voice was tinged with doubt. "Sometimes, I feel like I am merely playing a part, one that does not fit me at all. One that I will never be able to really step into."

Aunt Grace smiled softly "You are more than just a part, Sylvia. You are genuine and kind, and those who matter can see that. That is why I wanted to sponsor you for this Season, because I want the world to see what I can see. I want everyone to know just how wonderful you are."

Slyvia shook her head sadly. "I feel like I am just letting you down."

"You could never disappoint me, Sylvia. I truly lament that you feel thus. However, you have committed no fault."

She met her aunt's eyes with tears brimming in them. "I do not know if I can keep on going. I do not know if I can attend another ball."

Her aunt sat back a little further in her chair. "Well, there is actually another ball this evening. At the home of Lady Victoria Montclair."

Sylvia's heart sank at the mention of the ball. The thought of another evening filled with forced pleasantries, superficial conversations, and the inevitable scrutiny of the ton filled her with dread. Especially in the home of a woman who did not like her, and had made that obvious. In fact, she was the woman who hated her the most.

"I do not know if I can do it, Aunt Grace," Sylvia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I feel increasingly out of place among the elite. Their world is so different from mine. My encounters with them have only left me disillusioned."

"But you have befriended the children of Lady Victoria, have you not? Will that not make it a little easier?"

Sylvia shook her head sadly. "I just wish I could escape it all, even if only for a while. Return to Bath, where things are simpler, quieter."

"I understand, my dear, but I think it would be a shame to leave the Season now, while you are doing so well."

"Aunt Grace, there is something else," Sylvia began hesitantly, her fingers once more toying with the lace handkerchief. She did not wish to talk about this, but she felt compelled to share it, so her aunt would know why she was having such a hard time with this. "A fact that might show you I am not doing so well after all. It is Lady Victoria herself... she warned me about Lord Wesley."

Aunt Grace's brow furrowed in concern. "Warned you? In what way?"

"She suggested that I would do well to distance myself from him," Sylvia explained, her voice trembling slightly. "That our association could lead to complications — scandal, even. She made it clear that Lord Wesley has duties and expectations to fulfill, ones that do not include someone like me."

Aunt Grace's expression softened with understanding. "It sounds like she's trying to protect Lord Wesley's future, and perhaps their family's reputation. But that does not make her words any less hurtful. It also does not make them accurate. It is up to Lord Wesley himself what he does with his future."

Sylvia nodded, her heart aching with the memory of Lady Victoria's stern admonition. "I know Lord Wesley cares for me, but I can not help feeling like a burden, an obstacle in his path. Lady Victoria made it clear that I will cause him nothing but issues." She threw her hands in the air in frustration. "And then there is Lord Marcus…"

Before Aunt Grace could respond, the conversation was abruptly interrupted by the butler's discreet cough from the doorway. "Lady Grace, Lord George has arrived and requests to see you."

For the first time, Sylvia's heart sank as Lord George arrived. She just wanted a moment alone with her aunt to get the answers that she so desperately needed.

"Yes, of course. He may come in."

Aunt Grace and Sylvia greeted Lord George warmly, before Aunt Grace brought him into the conversation that they were just sharing, silently letting Sylvia know that they were not done with their conversation, but that Lord George might have some perspective on it.

"George, I wanted to hear your thoughts on something," Aunt Grace began, her voice tentative yet sincere. "Sylvia has been feeling quite conflicted about the upcoming ball and her interactions with certain individuals, particularly Lord Marcus. Your perspective might help us navigate this."

Lord George's expression darkened, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I am glad you mentioned Lord Marcus," he said, his tone serious. "There is something I need to tell you both, something that happened earlier today."

Sylvia's heart skipped a beat, her anxiety mounting. She leaned forward, her eyes locked on Lord George's while she waited with bated breath. "What is it, Lord George?"

Lord George took a deep breath before continuing. "I ran into Lord Marcus on the stairs earlier. He was on his way to visit you, Lady Sylvia. I stopped him and had a rather... revealing conversation with him."

Aunt Grace's brows furrowed in concern, and Sylvia felt a knot of dread tightening in her stomach. "What do you mean?" Sylvia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Lord Marcus lost a significant sum of money in a gambling game last night," Lord George revealed, his eyes meeting Sylvia's with a mixture of pity and resolve. "It became clear during our conversation that his interest in you might not be as genuine as he has led you to believe. He is after your dowry, Lady Sylvia — courtesy of Grace's generosity. He sees it as a way to cover his debts."

The revelation hit Sylvia like a physical blow. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Aunt Grace reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, but Sylvia could hardly feel it. The idea that Lord Marcus had been pursuing her for selfish reasons, exploiting her connection to Aunt Grace for financial gain, felt like the ultimate betrayal.

"How could he?" Sylvia murmured, her voice choked with emotion. "I thought... I thought he cared. He truly made me feel like he cared."

Now it felt even worse, the fact that he had only been acting about liking the same things as her… it was sinister. Not to impress her, but to ensnare her instead.

Lord George's expression softened with empathy. "I am truly sorry, Lady Sylvia. It is a harsh truth, but one you needed to know. The facade of high society often hides such deceit and manipulation. The last thing I want is for you to get caught up in that. You do not deserve it."

Aunt Grace's eyes flashed with anger. "This is unacceptable. Lord Marcus has no right to treat you this way, Sylvia. You deserve far better."

Sylvia's mind raced, the deceit hidden under the polished veneer of high society now glaringly apparent. She had been so focused on navigating the expectations and maintaining appearances that she had not seen the treachery lurking beneath. She had not seen that others were lying as well.

"Thank you for telling me, Lord George," Sylvia said, her voice steadier now. "I needed to hear this, even though it is painful. I would prefer to know before I get too caught up in anything."

Lord George nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes. "I am glad you understand, Lady Sylvia. You deserve someone who values you for who you are, not for what you can provide. If there is any way in which I can help you, I will."

Sylvia took a deep breath, the initial shock giving way to a surge of determination. She would not let Lord Marcus's betrayal define her. She would not be made a fool of, just because she was not as accustomed to London society as everyone else, did not mean she was going to be manipulated and made a fool of.

"Maybe I should miss the ball tonight, Aunt Grace," she offered. "It might make everything easier…"

Aunt Grace reached out, taking Sylvia's hand in hers once more, squeezing with reassurance. "I understand how you feel, truly I do. But it is precisely because of what happened that you must attend. You can not let Lord Marcus's despicable actions dictate your decisions. You need to show everyone, including yourself, that you are stronger than that. You need to show that to Lady Victoria, as well."

Lord George nodded in agreement, his voice steady. "I agree, Lady Sylvia, you need to show people that they can not tear you down. Then they will learn to respect you more."

Sylvia looked between them, her heart heavy with indecision. "But what if I can not face them? What if they see through my facade?"

Aunt Grace squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You need not don a facade, dear Sylvia. Simply be yourself. Those who truly matter shall recognise your strength and grace. And do remember, you are not alone in this endeavour. George and I shall be at your side every step of the way, ever ready to attend to whatever you may require."

Sylvia took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of their support. She could sense the truth in their words, the necessity of facing her fears head on. "All right," she said finally, her voice firming with resolve. "I will go. But only because I know you will be there with me."

***

Sylvia stood in front of her bedroom mirror, the intricate silver frame catching the light from the candle-light above. Her emotions swirled more violently than the fabric of her gown as she tried to prepare for what was going to be the hardest night of her life so far. This was most certainly going to be more challenging than other parties, but that was exactly why she needed to survive it.

Even if it meant facing Lady Victoria in her own home.

That was absolutely terrifying.

Her dress, a sweet lavender color that complemented her eyes, shimmered as she moved, made her feel like she was stepping out of a fairy tale. As she adjusted the bodice, ensuring every detail was perfect, Sylvia could not help but reflect on how much had changed in such a short time. London had already hardened her and made her a stronger version of herself. She was not sure if that was what Aunt Grace had planned for her, but it had happened nonetheless.

She was going to have to survive tonight, some way or another.

"You look lovely," Aunt Grace told her, giving her all the support that she so desperately needed as she entered her room. "Do not worry, I will be by your side tonight. Nothing bad will happen, I can assure you of that. George and I will have an eye on you the whole time."

Sylvia turned to her aunt, a comforting presence in the whirlwind of her thoughts. "Thank you, Aunt Grace," she said softly, her voice steadying with each word. "I do not know what I would do without you."

Aunt Grace's smile was warm, her eyes twinkling with affection. "It is going to be fine. Who knows, you might even have fun…"

Well, that was likely asking too much, but she was going to try and get through it one way or another.