-The disclaimer is in chapter 1 if you're looking for it
-Oh my god, you guys, thank you so much for the reviews, you really to borrow a quote from Clint Eastwood "made my day".
Chapter 4
"Miss Layton, Miss Krux, what a nice surprise. What are you doing here?" Gladys pasted a smile as she entered the dress shop. Her informants would be paid nicely for the tip.
"Mademoiselle Layton, you must remain still" the dressmaker begged.
Begrudgingly, Veronica stepped back onto the platform.
"May I help you, Mademoiselle Avigdon?" one of the dressmaker's assistant's approached her.
"No thank you, I'm just looking. I've been feeling a little down since Gerard and I cancelled our engagement. Daddy thought a new dress might help" she examined the mass of fabrics, pretending to compare colors and patterns.
"What do you think?" Veronica turned to Marguerite.
"You look beautiful".
Both Marguerite and Veronica felt their stomach's growling. Breakfast had been short, Veronica spending the morning with Challenger and Jessie as Marguerite's time was torn between the lawyers with the discussion regarding her and Roxton's mutual fortunes and the buyers who were eager to buy her line of jewelry. They agreed that a prenuptial agreement was unnecessary, but Lady Roxton had convinced them otherwise, for the safety of not only their future children, but also in case of a financial emergency.
"We are done, Mademoiselle" Veronica breathed a sigh of relief as she finally stepped off the platform.
"When is the wedding?" Glady's innocently asked.
"A month".
"You're lucky, you have Lord Roxton, Miss Layton has Ned. I have nobody".
"You'll find someone" Marguerite politely replied. Miss Avigdon's reputation may be that of an innocent, but Marguerite knew when trouble when she it.
"You ready?" Veronica walked out of the dressing room.
"The dresses shall be ready in three days, shall I send someone over for the final fitting?" the dressmaker offered.
"Yes, thank you, that will be fine".
"I know this sounds awful sudden, but would you mind if I joined you for lunch? Daddy is busy at work and I am dying for female companionship" Gladys interjected.
"Excuse us".
Gladys watched the interaction between the women, this was too easy. Once she extracted the information, it would be too easy to convince Ned away from the jungle princess.
After conferring with Veronica, Marguerite spoke briefly on the phone.
"After you" Marguerite extended a polite smile to Gladys.
"What do you think your doing?" Veronica demanded in the car.
"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer".
Miss Krux, Miss Layton, Miss Avidgon, welcome. Your table is ready" a waiter led them to the table.
"May I congratulate you on your engagement Miss Layton? The staff is very excited to read the next chapter in Mr. Malone's book" the concierge gushed.
"Thank you" Veronica was not used to gossip hounds who frequented society parties for the latest gossip and eagerly passed it around to all who would listen.
"It's just gossip, never mind them. If I listened to the half the gossip spread about me, one might believe that my reputation is puckered by blemishes" Gladys offered polite assurance.
Veronica and Marguerite smile back politely. Considering her own reputation, Marguerite knew the power of gossip, but she also saw the truth. Miss Avigdon was not the innocent she claimed to be.
"May I take your order?" the waiter returned to the table.
"What can I get for you?" he asked.
"As you wish" he departed soon after, order in hand.
"You must tell me about your adventures" Gladys gushed.
Veronica and Marguerite looked at each other; perhaps one story would quell her thirst.
"There was one day..." Marguerite started to tell.
"Poor Neddy, he must have looked a fright" Gladys exclaimed as Marguerite finished the story.
"We were a little worse for wear, but it comes with the territory".
"Your food" The waiter returned, the bus boy behind him, pushing the cart along.
"It's done" Danubis's voice echoed in her head. Gladys forced a smile down.
"Veronica!" she fell off her chair as the world became dark.
She opened her eyes to feel her head throbbing and dozens of eyes looking down on her with concern.
"Here, drink".
"Miss Krux, I am so sorry, the food is on the house, he will be fired" the concierge sent dagger eyes at the waiter.
"No, please, that's not necessary" Veronica was helped to her feet.
"Perhaps a free meal next time?" the concierge offered sweetly.
"That's fine".
"I'm calling the doctor" Marguerite said as they entered the house.
"No, I'm fine, really" Veronica protested.
"You haven't been sleeping well, you fainted at the restaurant, I'm calling the doctor".
"Fine, just don't tell Ned" Veronica agreed as Mary helped her up the stairs.
"As far as I can tell, you're a sound, healthy young lady. I see no reason for you to faint as you did" Doctor Newton finished examining Veronica.
"There is nothing, are you sure?" Marguerite asked, concern marring her face.
"If it makes you feel better, get plenty of rest and stay away from heavy meals for the next few days" he turned to Veronica.
"Thank you, Doctor, Daniel will see you out".
Back in Avalon, the Protector was dragged from her jail cell where Danubis sat triumphantly on her golden throne, flanked by guards.
"My Lady Protector, so glad you could join us".
"I thought I smelled your foul stench" Abigail remained defiant.
"That attitude is not going to help Veronica".
"What do you want with my daughter?" Abigail demanded.
"What does anyone want with the Protector's only daughter? She's young, beautiful, intelligent, currently engaged to a Mr. Edward T. Malone, and away from the plateau, where we both know her powers are severely diminished" he smirked.
"Bastard".
"I seem to remember you calling me that name, as did your mother and grandmother" he approached her as the guards holding her stepped aside.
"I'll give you anything, just don't hurt Veronica".
"See, that's exactly what I want. The throne and your daughter".
"I am the Protector, you have no claim to the plateau".
"I disagree; we both know my line has as much right as the Protector's line. Give me the throne and your daughter and you shall live to see your grandchild born".
"Never!"
"Then you shall die, your daughter with you, ending the line of the Protector" the guard stood over, sword in hand.
"Don't hurt Veronica, please," Abigail begged.
"I didn't know begging was in the Protector's nature. You have 24 hours to decide, either way, I shall rule the Plateau" the guards dragged her back to cell.
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