As expected, the news that Carina wanted to leave the Rayburn mansion was met with opposition, from Vanessa in particular.
Her father, it seemed, genuinely couldn't care less what Carina was up to.
Carina wondered if she should feel relieved, or insulted.
"Where exactly do you plan on going, Carina?" Vanessa asked, the corners of her smile twitching, as if she was just a step away from losing her temper.
Carina hummed thoughtfully. "Out, into town. I haven't been shopping in so long, I thought it was about time for my wardrobe to get updated."
"Nonsense, you have plenty of dresses-"
"-Second hand dresses, Stepmother. Isn't that quite shameful? For a Duke's daughter like me, to have to wear hand-me-downs? If I went and told someone, don't you think they would think I'm oh so pitiful, and figure out that my not so lovely stepmother isn't exactly treating me with kindness? I wonder what they would say about you then. I wonder if maybe the pristine reputation you've crafted so carefully yourself all these years might just get ruined."
Vanessa had nothing to say to that, her mouth open and gaping, her complexion becoming pale.
Carina had learned a lot from sending Marie to snoop on the staff surrounding Vanessa, and discovered that ever since Vanessa had become a Rayburn, she'd been hosting tea party after tea party, in an attempt to solidify her place in a famous circle of noble ladies. The circle was known as the Flowers of Aecus, and consisted in the wives of many influential noble men in the kingdom of Aecus. In some ways though, the Flowers of Aecus had much more influence than their husbands.
Whenever the Flowers were spotted together, people paid attention. Whichever shop they would be seen visiting would suddenly find an increase in business the next day. Whichever brand of tea they would have at one of their tea parties would be sold out in stores within the next week. The Flowers were influential in a different way to their husbands, they often started and ended trends, and were very popular amongst the nobles, even some commoners too.
Ever since Vanessa joined the Rayburn family, she's been trying to earn herself a place in the circle, as one of the Flowers. So far she hasn't exactly been offered a proper spot, but it was well known that the Flowers were already quite fond of Vanessa, so most thought it would be no time before they offered her an official invitation.
If Vanessa's reputation as the kind and lovely Duchess Rayburn were to plummet, then she would have to kiss her dream of becoming a Flower of Aecus goodbye.
Carina knew that, and knew just how to use it to her advantage.
"If you don't have anything else to say, I'll be leaving now. I should be back by dinner, so make sure to have someone prepare my place at the table. Toodles!"