"It's good to have you back again child."
"Indeed," he said and gave her a light peck on her cheek and a hug and went up without turning back to see the smiling faces that were his family. This was where he belonged. With these people. With these people, nothing mattered. Yes, there was work to do, and obligations to fulfill but these people will always be his top priority no matter what. And was _Diane_? Who was she? A governess so as Eloise had said but why did the name send shivers down his spine like she was someone to be avoided? Well, he did have to flee from her. Eloise had said she was mean but yeah she had also said she was pretty and very pretty at that. She had emphasized the on 'pretty'. Was he to avoid her badly for, at the mention of her name, he was hard and ridged for her. At this point, the hot bath was what mattered.
Diane sat still on her bed. She had been told that lord Richard had returned and gas turned down Elisa's offer to go meet him downstairs with them. It had been a difficult situation for her for she had become dear to the girls. She felt Elisa kind of opening up to her though still a but closed. Well, Eloise on the other hand, the easy but difficult one, was so much fun on the other hand. One couldn't be sad and be next to her. She always had something to make you feel better or smooth your boring mood. The duchess wasn't as mean as she was to the other helps. Well if she must give her grace credit, she is indeed kind. It had been a great thing of joy to accompany Elisa to her first ball. Though it wasn't as interesting as she had hoped for it to be. Well, all the same, it was just a place where noble men and women comes to have fun. She had noticed Elisa's unease at the ball and felt maybe she was just being shy because it was her first ball but then she wasn't giving any Lord her dance card to fill and when she had urged her to, she had politely declined. Saying she wasn't ready to dance and age didn't want to embarrass herself. It wasn't easy to fend men away from her for she was the center of attraction. Everyman wanted her in their arms where they believed she was meant to be. Well, she had spoken to all politely and declined in same. She had made light conversations with some and had ended anyone that was going deep. Aye, she had danced with only one lad. Without any persuasion. He had come and asked and she had agreed so willingly. She wanted to know who he was because they couldn't stop staring at each other as they danced. One would think they were lovers. Or were they? Well, that is Elisa's business. She thought. Her problem now was Richard. The name alone starred emotions that should be avoided.
Chapter Three
"Oh, child, I do not wish to trouble you." Her face said. "His grace wishes to go along with you and Eloise for the ball tonight," she said with a pause and then looked at Diane waiting for expression. Well, she got none. "I am not oblivious to the fact you go out of your way to avoid him. Whatever are you doing that for."
"Avoid your grace, is a huge word to use. I just do my job and stay in my lane."
"For a governess and you know it. you can do more than that and you know it. Richard doesn't bite the child. Whatever rumor did you about him that makes you abolish? They were nothing mere rumors.
" you do not need to tell me much about the rumor. Your grace. For I am...fir I know what rumors are and how they can ruin once and fulfill. I am not a child and as for his grace your grace, I have heard no rumor about him but of nice things."
"Very well then, the ball is by 5. Eliza is your priority. If she dances with a lord, ask about him. His background and everything.
"Am I to spy on her? Your grace?" She asked with a frown.
"No, you see only looking after her. The ton about the people they live with."
"Then I will be listening to nothing but rumors"
"Nonsense child. That won't be a rumor. You are only making inquiries."
"Whatever I get from the ton, your grace, will be a rumor. If I am to make inquiries as you say, I should be asking a relative or a very good friend. Not some ton people who know nothing but gossip"
"Do you have a personnel issue with them, child?"
"Of course not your grace"
"You sounded like you've been wrong by them" she pointed out.
"Whatever will I be wronged by them for? I just do not like gossip but I will do this for Elisa. She deserves to be in the right hand for she deserves the best. She deserves true love."
"Nonsense. Love does not exist child. It's just a fantasy. Just wish to earn your husband's respect and that's all. Love is nothing child."
"You know better your grace." Who was she to correct her not like she knew anything about it. All she knew was she deserved love and if she wasn't getting it, she wasn't going to settle for less.
****************
After getting lectured by the Duchess, Diane finally made the decision to go to the ball. Not that she could reject it but anyways, she has to do her job.
Before the time of the ball, Diane had to make sure that everything is in place. Her charge's dressing, accessories, no mistake could be tolerated. After all, overlooking a little detail can definitely cause disasters.
Diane might not be too updated in the ways of nobles, but she knows that all eyes will be on the Ladies that enter the ball.
Human tongues are like snakes, just one bite and you will be poisoned.
That is how vicious rumors can be, like it has been said, rumors can either aid you or destroy you.