Chapter 17 - Everyone Was Dazed (2) (1/2)

Before long, the day of the tea party luncheon had arrived. As it was a charity event, Marchioness Marissa Holland kept it relatively simple instead of extravagant.

However, the ladies and gentlemen who attended the tea party were by no means common guests. As it should be. Marissa was a leading member of high society in the south, and though the event was only one small tea party, no one invited would have refused.

As the hour for the tea party approached, magnificent carriages began to flow into the Holland estate. None of those present treated the event casually and everyone was splendidly attired. High society was a small group, but it was still a battlefield.

Outdoor tables and chairs were arranged neatly under the shade of a spacious garden, within it a tree that the Hollands boasted was centuries old. The guests, one by one, began to flock here under the guidance of the attendants as Marissa greeted them.

“I’ve heard rumors about this tree. It’s ancient, isn’t it? That’s incredible, My Lady.”

“I’m flattered. I thought you couldn’t attend today because you had a cold, but thank you for coming to see me.”

“Not at all. My wife invited me to come with her and I couldn’t turn it down.”

Becoming a pillar of high society, where real power lay, was not a position that could only be gained by looking beautiful or having a high position. Of course, both conditions were necessary to some extent, but it was not a title anyone could have. Marissa was now well over forty, and while she was relatively attractive, she wasn’t quite a stunning beauty. Marissa’s main reason for dominating southern society was her dignity. Her excellent leadership and discernment what was right and wrong made her what she was today, and many ladies had begun to follow her. The conversation around the southern social elite flowed around her smoothly.

As the time drew near for the party, most of the people who arrived early were chatting away. Until then, Helen pretended to be looking around the garden and waited until almost everyone gathered. It was only after a sidelong glance did she determine it was time to move into the scene.

Helen, the only daughter of Marquis Selby, was one of the three most beautiful women in the region, with her dark blonde hair that flowed like honey and smooth, unblemished skin. She also had brown, cat-like eyes that matched her perfect heart-shaped lips. It was her signature trademark, and when she wore red lipstick she would kiss a tissue to create a picturesque heart shape. Her dress had been a priority job for this party, a deep green that matched the color of the garden. The unique color dress and the design was so ingenious it would capture the eye of anyone.

Helen made sure she arrived later than the others and was naturally in the center of attention. Like the phrase, “The main character always appears at the end,” the eyes that focused on her were the ones she had waited for.

As expected, some of the young people gathered began to whisper and point to Helen. She couldn’t hear what they said but she could imagine their awe.

Where did she get that dress? Is this my first time seeing that kind of gem? All it was sure to be words of praise for her. Helen could easily read the familiar envy on their faces. Walking her way through the crowd Helen approached Marissa.

“Thank you for your invitation. The garden is as beautiful as your elegant figure.”

She thickly poured out excessive praise. Every action was carefully calculated. As Helen had planned, Marissa spoke to her in a gentle voice.

“Thank you for your words. You are always beautiful, but today you are glowing.”