"You know, your stepsister's marriage was quite the scandal," Gabriella said, her eyes gleaming with malice as she sipped her tea across from me. "Some say Isabella only proposed to Duke Alaric out of jealousy."
I arched an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Jealousy? Of whom?"
"Of you, of course," Gabriella leaned forward conspiratorially. "The beautiful Clara Beaumont, admired by all, including the men Isabella desperately wanted to notice her. What better revenge than to secure the most eligible bachelor in the kingdom?"
Her words pleased me, though I knew they weren't entirely true. Isabella had always been pathetically withdrawn, more interested in her books than society. Still, I wouldn't correct Gabriella's flattering assumption.
"Others suggest she might have been with child," Gabriella continued, her voice dropping to a scandalized whisper. "Though I personally find that hard to believe. Who would touch a woman with such... unfortunate features?"
