“Why is that?” Annie asked softly.
“He’s convinced there are some in thetonwho will not be affected by hearsay.” She shrugged with the words, appearing rather unconvinced herself. “I would be glad of an outsider’s opinion. May I ask what you think, Miss Storey?”
“I think….” Annie paused, finding her honest thoughts came to her with startling speed. “Any person here who is worth your true friendship would not partake in gossip, nor will they hide behind fluttered fans. Perhaps these events are a good thing for you. They will allow you to see who is worth having as a true friend.”
“What a wise thing to say for one so young.” Lady Shrewsbury’s smile grew wider. Annie wanted to stay and continue the conversation. It was such an open and honest conversation that she was truly enjoying it, but her mother was waving madly across the room toward her, and it was time to leave.
“I must leave,” Annie said, gesturing to her mother to show Lady Shrewsbury why, “but I hope we shall have the chance to speak again, Lady Shrewsbury.”
“Yes, I would like that too.”
Annie curtsied quickly and hurried off, feeling herself glance back more than once with interest at the lady.
Scandals are not the summaries of a person’s character. I should not have been so cruel to think ill of Lady Shrewsbury from the off.