Shilla walked into Lucy's room and curtsied to Lucy, who seemed engrossed in a book.
"What is it?" Lucy asked. She had instructed all the maids to leave while she relaxed. Shilla coming in when the others had left was not without cause.
"I had done as you asked and told a maid in Lady Fontaine's household, that Lady Steinhouse had a man. I heard that Lady Fontaine had rushed to go join the tea session Lady Steinhouse was holding," Shilla reported. She was confused why her Lady had asked her to do this.
"Lady Fontaine is the core of all rumours in the capital. She knows all that is to be known behind closed doors. She is also one to spread gossip quite well. A woman of society that cannot keep her mouth silent is not one that can walk with head high amongst her peers, yet Lady Fontaine has managed to be seen as the quietest and most loving woman in society," Lucy explained.
"So, she is hiding her true face then?" Shilla asked.
"No. Lady Fontaine's ability is a talent, one might say. What she does not know is that when one needed a rumour started, they just had to slip it to a maid or servant around the Lady and it would be the talk of the town the next day," Lucy flipped through the pages of her book.
"A talent for gossip? How is it that good?" Shilla scoffed before recalling herself. She immediate apologized to Lucy.
"I'm sorry, my Lady. I should talk less," she immediately knelt.
"Get up, It's alright. One would not truly understand Lady Fontaine's skill. Let's just say, that a rumour started by Lady Fontaine is almost impossible to clear, no matter how ridiculous it may seem. That is true skill," Lucy said in appreciation.
"But My Lady, why would you start a rumour such as that? I thought you were okay with Lady Steinhouse's plans and had no intention of interfering?" Shilla asked standing up.
"Oh no, this will not disturb their plans, instead it will help it. Whatever she may do, people would think she is just a woman in love. No one would think she is up to no good. Besides, rumours are not only good for the one saying it. Sometimes, it is good for the ones talked about. When you want to put an idea in someone's head, it's the best way to go about it,"
"So, my lady intends her to find a man. The rumours may influence her to see someone she may have liked in a deeper light?" Shilla asked.
"Lady Steinhouse has only been known to talk or relate with three lords; all of whom, she grew up with. A new person hanging around is like dangling sweet before a child. This lady has offered her a man," Lucy chuckled.