The group of young women she mostly considered her friends stared at her, some with their mouths slightly open. The Serpentine served as a backdrop, mere yards away. Judgmental pressure seemed to overpower even the beauty of their environment. Instead of being comforted by their outing in the park, Madeline felt anxious.
“I cannot say that I do,” replied Lady Rose, who seemed to serve as the group’s ringleader. “After all, it certainly did not change your circumstances much, even as you cling to yellows and oranges.”
Madeline was surprised. Although she had heard whispers about her sister, Cathy, when she was still unmarried, she had never personally witnessed such open hostility. Maybe she was just misunderstanding the situation?
“Speaking of gray afternoons...” Madeline said after taking a discreet breath. “Did any of you read today’s Morning Post? The Duke of Huntington has taken to advertising for a wife. What do you think of that?”
What did Madeline expect? She thought that her usual group of friends, perhaps more like companions at this point, wouldat least smile or titter. The laughter she expected did not come. Instead, Lady Rose stepped closer to her, a wicked flash in her eyes.
“I believe a woman of your current situation may even find such an advertisement quite generous, Madeline. It is likely the only way anyone would take you as a wife. However, given your family’s past and current reputation, you need not bother applying.”
Madeline’s smile froze on her face. She could not believe what she was hearing.
“My... my family is...” she stammered.
“Your family is a disgrace, Madeline,” Rose interrupted, raising her voice as if she wanted everyone to hear. “Do you not know what I am referring to? We heard the most recent news about your father. Honestly, I am surprised you were audacious enough to show your face here after that.”
“What... What happened to him?”
“He has been found floating in the Thames. Alive! But reeking of gin, and whatever else,” Rose explained, gleefully. “Perhaps, smelling like despair. Watchmen had to pull him out before he drowned.Unfortunately, I might add.”
Madeline felt the blood draining from her face. Something seemed to have slammed into her chest.
“How cruel! My father is a good man, Rose. He is just... struggling at the moment.”
“Struggling?” Miss Anne Murray echoed before she laughed.
“Oh, stop it,” Esther murmured, even as she looked at her dainty fingernails. “You will make Madeline cry. We do not want people to think we have made the ball of sunshine cry.”
“Aw, posh!” Rose snapped. “Let her cry. We have tolerated her long enough. Her father is a drunkard and a gambler. She should not be allowed to be with us here. If my mother finds out I am associated with her, she shall be furious. But I never thought she would have the gall to show up.”
Rose’s harsh words made Madeline recoil. As she stepped back, she already had a feeling it was not a good idea. The heel of her silk slipper grazed the grass, and she realized how close the lake was when she inhaled the smell of mud and reeds.
“I... I was not aware of what happened. I am sure it is some sort of misunderstanding.”
“It does not matter, Madeline. You do not belong here with us,” Rose taunted as she walked forward. Madeline stepped back a little more, trying to keep her footing steady. “You Quinten lot never did.”
“That is enough, Rose,” Esther warned.
“Why should I stop? The Quintens need to stay where they belong,” Rose said, her voice barely a whisper now, but the menace on her face was just as clear. “Madeline needs to wash away the Quinten grime from her.”
“What do you mean?” Madeline asked, her eyes focused on Rose. The other young woman looked tense. That was not good news for her.
“You know better, Madeline. You have the nerve to come here and join us for a walk when you know that you do not belong inpolite society. Now, your father has proven how much he loves the water. Why do you not show us just how much you love it, too? An afternoon dip is waiting for you.”
No!
Before Madeline could reply or react to that, a gloved hand shoved her hard against one shoulder. She gasped and flailed her arms to try to regain her balance, but it was completely gone. Her silk slippers were no match for the slick grass. Soon, her body crashed into the water of the Serpentine. She was submerged in the cold world around her, and for a moment, she could not breathe. Her descent seemed to be never-ending, leaving her lungs burning and her gown dragging her downward. For a moment, she almost gave in to the suffocating, silent world, but Madeline’s fingers and legs almost had minds of their own, kicking and moving until her head broke the surface.
With a choking sound that clamped her throat, she gasped as she inhaled the murky air. Her eyes smarted from the water streaming into them. The world had momentarily become a blur of blues and greens.
How humiliating.
Instead of people panicking over her, they were laughing. One person in particular was filled with so much obvious mirth.
Lady Rose.
She stood with her back ramrod straight by the bank, a sharp silhouette against the pale sky.
