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Chapter 26

As Hugh and Harriet entered the ballroom, a hush fell over the gathered crowd, the air thick with surprise and speculation. It was highly unusual for the Duke of Frighton to attend a ball - especially with the scandal that had led to his marriage so fresh in everyone's minds.

Whispers began to circulate through the room, the rustling of fans and the low murmur of gossip filling the air like a swarm of angry bees. Harriet could feel the weight of their stares, the judgment and condemnation that radiated from every corner of the room.

But she held her head high, her hand resting lightly on Hugh"s arm as they made their way through the crowd. She would not let them see her discomfort, would not give them the satisfaction of knowing that their whispers and stares had hit their mark.

As they approached the refreshment table, Harriet"s heart sank as she caught sight of Lady Granfouly, the old woman"s face pinched with disapproval as she watched them approach. She had always been one of the most vocal critics of their marriage, had made no secret of her disdain for the scandal that had brought them together.

"Well, well, well," Lady Granfouly said, her voice dripping with scorn as they drew near. "If it isn"t the newlyweds, gracing us with their presence. How very... unexpected."

Harriet bristled at the old woman"s tone, her fingers tightening instinctively around Hugh"s arm. She wanted to lash out, to put the old biddy in her place and remind her of just who she was talking to. But she knew that it would only make things worse, would only give the gossips more fodder for their wagging tongues.

And so she bit her tongue, forcing a smile to her lips as she inclined her head in a polite nod. "Lady Granfouly," she said, her voice cool and measured. "How lovely to see you again."

But Hugh, it seemed, had no such reservations. He stepped forward, his eyes flashing with barely contained anger as he stared down at the old woman. "Is there somethin" ye'd like to say, Lady Granfouly?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Somethin" ye'd like to share with the rest of the room?"

Lady Granfouly's eyes widened, her face flushing with indignation at his tone. But she lifted her chin, her gaze defiant as she met his stare. "As a matter of fact, there is," she said, her voice ringing out clear and sharp. "It"s one thing to cause a scandal, to bring shame and disgrace upon your names with your...your loose behavior. But to flaunt it in front of all of society, to attend a ball when the ink on your marriage license is barely dry... it"s a clear indication of just what kind of marriage this is. One built on money and loose morals, nothing more."

Harriet felt her cheeks burn with shame and anger, her heart pounding in her chest as she listened to the old woman"s tirade. She wanted to defend herself, to tell Lady Granfouly just how wrong she was, how little she understood about the true nature of their marriage.

But before she could speak, Hugh's voice cut through the air like a knife, his tone icy and commanding. "I beg your pardon, Lady Granfouly," he said, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "But I daenae believe I quite caught that. Would you care to repeat yourself, so that everyone in the room can hear your thoughts on the matter?"

Lady Granfouly's face paled, her eyes darting nervously around the room as she realized the gravity of her mistake. She had gone too far, had overstepped the bounds of propriety and respect in her eagerness to condemn and judge.

But she was not one to back down easily, and so she lifted her chin once more, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke. "I said what I meant, Your Grace," she said, her tone defiant even as her hands shook. "And I stand by it. Your marriage is a sham, a disgrace to everything that society holds dear. And you... you are nothing more than a brute, a man without honor or decency."

Harriet gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock at the old woman"s words. She could see the anger building in Hugh"s face, the way his jaw clenched and his eyes flashed with barely contained rage.

But before he could speak, before he could unleash the full force of his fury upon the hapless Lady Granfouly... Harriet stepped forward, her hand coming to rest gently on his arm.

"That is enough, Lady Granfouly," she said, her voice calm and measured even as her heart raced in her chest. "My husband is one of the last true gentlemen remaining in this society, a man of honor and integrity who has shown me nothing but kindness and respect from the moment we met. And a well-bred lady such as yourself should know better than to speak to a duke in such a manner, no matter what your personal feelings on the matter may be."

Lady Granfouly"s mouth fell open, her face flushing with anger and embarrassment as she realized the full implications of Harriet"s words. She had been put in her place, had been reminded of her own station and the respect that was due to those of higher rank.

But Harriet was not finished, and she turned to face the rest of the room, her head held high and her voice ringing out clear and strong. "My husband and I may have had an unconventional start to our marriage," she said, her gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd. "But that does not give anyone the right to judge us, to speculate on the nature of our relationship or the motivations behind our actions. We are here tonight because we choose to be, because we refuse to let the narrow-minded opinions of others dictate how we live our lives. And if that is a crime, then so be it. We will bear the consequences with pride and dignity, secure in the knowledge that our love is true and our commitment unshakeable."

A murmur went through the crowd, a ripple of surprise and admiration at the strength and conviction of Harriet"s words. She could feel the mood in the room shifting, the hostility and judgment giving way to a grudging respect and even a hint of envy.

And as she turned back to Hugh, as she saw the look of pride and amazement in his eyes... Harriet felt a rush of love and gratitude so powerful that it nearly took her breath away. He had stood by her side, had defended her honor and her reputation even in the face of such blatant hostility and disrespect.

"Hugh," Harriet said, her voice ringing through the hall. "Let us dance."

Hugh looked at his wife, his eyes wide. His mouth opened and closed and he shook his head almost imperceptibly. "I... I..."

Harriet, though, would not take no for an answer. Instead, she took Hugh's hand in this, her eyes meeting his. "Dance with me, Hugh," she said again, mindful of the various gazes upon them. This was the closest she'd been to her husband in quite a while, and she let out a sigh.

"Please?"

Hugh could not help but smile as he looked down at her, then he nodded.

"All right," he said at last, his voice a mere whisper. "Let us dance."

Harriet's heart fluttered wildly in her chest as she placed her hand in her husband's and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. Around them, couples stood ready to dance - but Harriet paid them no mind.

She saw nothing except the man in front of her and she opened and closed her mouth, wondering silently if she would find the words - the right words, words that would help her.

She wanted nothing more than to plead with her husband to stay put, to not go to another estate. She wanted more than anything else in the world to plead with him to give their marriage another chance.

But she couldn't. The promise they had made to each other to not develop feelings was fresh in her mind and it suddenly felt foolish.

Foolish as she knew it to be, however, Harriet knew she had no choice but to smile and dance - after which she would have to give her husband the freedom she was quite certain he craved.

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