Chapter 21
If Amanda Szardos was a big woman- or if she has a somewhat different uprising maybe she could feel a tiny bit of remorse- as she looks at her reflection and has no guilty in wear a dress that originally was supposed to be from Dr Rory´s original fiance. Sygn is a heroine in Irland and her union with Dr Rory was planned since she was a baby, sadly, Dr Rory is too taken by a Bavarian courtesan and seems to snub the red hair to the point the great heroine of Irland cancelled the wedding.
If Amanda was a caring woman she could show some remorse and even concern about his consequences she manipulated him to take, after all, Banshee is a big name in Irland and the Eldritch abomination that rules the Emerald island seem to favour Banshee like no one else and if an eldritch abomination is backing you up, well, you can do almost anything.
But, Amanda Stetfon is only Amanda Stefton and can´t care for anyone else but herself. She stops admiring a dress that should be to another woman with a big smile on her face, a victorious feeling in her soul as she closes her fan and gives her attention to the true owner of this splendid house.
Elisabeth Braddock has her own manor, of course, a present that Queen Gloriana allowed with as much pompous for her excellent work and charity with orphans and the creation of more hospitals in needing areas of Europe. Now, the purple hair lady is greeting the courtesan as a proper lady should, after all, Amanda is not ignorant of their social classes here.
“Doug warmed you wouldn´t take no for answer” Elisabeth is not exactly amused by such fact, however, Betsy was the one who wants to speak with Amanda- sadly, Amanda is not one to bow so easily.
“Of course not, your messenger should know by now...I´m persistent...” a sultry smile forms on her painted lips. Pink is now considered a scandalous colour for well behave ladies, but, Betsy often wears purple.
“I see” and her eyes land on Doug who is not happy to see Amanda and can send a pleading looks at Betsy “send her away now” and is only met with a politic shake of her head. “We´re here now...let´s cut the chase, Miss Stefton, I´m well aware you used to be acquainted with Dr Darkholme...in Bavaria”
Doug is still present in the room. The elegantly decorated room does nothing to hide the atmosphere of doom emitting from the two ladies and Doug knows if the worst come to by, and he knows 60% of chance of this to happen, he can shoot Amanda and claim self-defence as he´s protecting the honour of his lady aka boss.
Amanda frowns a little, but, is quick to hide and offer the fakest and prettiest smile one can imagine. “Of course, after his first wife's death...she was eaten by Blop if you have any misunderstanding about my involvement here, I´d not need to get rid of the wife to steal a husband” there's a tone of proudness here. “back to the topic in question after he got widow ...he became acquainted as you pointed out, but, he moved to England and completely cut ties with me and all the other ladies in Bavaria”
“All the ladies? I have hard to believe Dr Darkholme would be...into so many women?” Doug pipes in using his powers to see the lies in her half-truth story. “Is more likely that Dr Darkholme only sleeps with you out of desperation and I can sense ...it was an incredibly short affair as he ended before going to England, London” Doug completes and Betsy has a proud smile to her employee.
Amanda can´t lie very well. “Fine, it was a short affair, however, at very least he noticed me” and now is a subtle cut to Betsy´s pride. Good. “He really notices me as a woman...and never seem to care if I´m wearing the right gall or not”
Doug looks at Betsy for a moment. He does not need his powers to know she didn´t like those words.
“And in the end, he´ll not marry you! Isn´t that hilarious?! You stole a man from a lower rank and all the while still think he´ll marry ...but he´ll marry this Ariel woman”
“He won´t marry you neither”
“Not if we stop it.” Betsy states and now Doug is paying attention for what she´ll say now. “What´s Dr Darkholme weakest point? What can make the man lose his cool?”
Amanda offers a smirk. “The fact he lost people. He got revenge for Linda, sure, but I suppose he wouldn´t like if Ariel suddenly were to question this...”
Betsy is not amused. “No, I supposed he wouldn´t, but, if Ariel were to be in a dangerous situation and can´t be rescued...at least if he believes in that...Ariel would have more reason to end this relationship”
“NO!” Doug states angrily. “We´re not harming her. You promised”
“And I´ll keep my promise to you, Doug, your beloved Ariel won´t be in any real dangerous situation, but, Doug...rumours can be as dangerous as any gun” Betsy states calmly at Doug and then looks at Amanda. “What do you know about Dr Darkholme´s first marriage?”
“Lots to see a pattern with Dr Darkholme and Ariel”
“Then tell me...tell me all you know it”