“Madeline Huges,” Riyah introduced. She had plucked the name out of the air. She never concerned herself with the lies she told. She wouldn’t have to remember the lies. The people she lied to certainly wouldn’t.

“It is wonderful to finally meet you, Madeline,” Mary dutifully said.

“My Miss Hughes,” one of the girls said, “What a lovely dress you have on.” The girls snickered at the clear insult.

“Thank you,” Riyah pretended she didn’t understand the slight, “Wearing vintage dresses is all the rage in the capital right now. I see the trend hasn’t caught on here yet.” The girls frowned, appalled at the thought that they weren’t on top of the trends.

“Lady Mayfield,” Riyah continued on, “I wonder if we could have a private word concerning my cousin.” Mary tilted her head in confusion but agreed. Riyah led her out of the ballroom and down an empty hallway away from prying eyes.

“Where are we going,” Mary asked nervously. Riyah pulled her into an alcove.

“I did not want to risk anyone overhearing us,” Riyah said, “To protect your reputation and that of my cousin. You understand don’t you?”

“Maybe we should have this conversation another time,” Mary suggested but Riyah patted her hand.

“When else will I get to see such a pretty lady without my cousin glued to your hip? I am surprised I found you without him near.”

“H-he had some business to discuss with some old schoolmates.” Mary’s face grew red. He must have left her alone often Riyah assumed.

“Anyway Lady Mayfield,” Riyah pressed on, “I was wondering how much you really knew about your future husband.”

“What do you mean?” Mary’s posture suddenly became very guarded.

“Well,” Riyah said slowly. She was trying her best to be vague enough that Mary would let Derek Hughes’ secret slip but give enough detail so she didn’t catch that Riyah didn’t actually know the secret.

“All men have certain interests that he may not share with anyone but with those he shares a bed with,” she said carefully. Mary’s rosy cheeks deepened in color.

“This isn’t really appropriate Miss Madeline,” she scolded. She tried to storm off but Riyah caught her wrist and squeezed.

“Please Lady Mayfield,” Riyah urged, “This topic may be uncomfortable but it is better discussed with me before your wedding than with my cousin after.”

“If you want to know if I am aware of his indiscretion with that lewd maid, I am,” she snapped, “Lord Hughes took care of it, and when I am Lady of the house any pregnant servant will be dismissed so it will not be an issue.” Pregnant servant? What did that mean? Had Derek Hughes gotten a maid pregnant? Mary deflated a little and looked at Riyah earnestly.

“Has Derek always been this way,” she asked her. Riyah pursed her lips and nodded. Mary released a little sob.

“When I confronted him about it he told me it was just a phase,” she cried. Riyah pulled a handkerchief from her skirt pocket and handed it to her.

“I am sorry to bring up such unpleasantness,” Riyah said sincerely. Did this girl truly want to marry Derek Hughes?

“It’s just so lewd,” she said with a look of pure disgust on her face. She blew her nose into the handkerchief.

“You know I was afraid to come to this ball because Lord Calloway’s wife was pregnant. It is ridiculous that he would try to woo the wife of a Marquis but he made it sound like his attraction to round bellies was primal and animalistic,” Mary admitted, “I thanked the gods that she delivered her baby a few weeks ago. It was the only thing that put my mind at ease coming here.” So Derek Hughes was attracted to pregnant women in an animalistic way?

“Can you tell me when it started,” Mary suddenly took her hand and looked at her with pleading hands, “There must be a reason he has such a perversion?” That took Riyah off guard. What would cause a man to have such a proclivity?

“His nanny,” Riyah blurted out.

“His nanny?” Mary repeated.

“He had a crush on his nanny when he was young,” Riyah let the words fall out of her mouth without thinking, “His feelings were stronger than any young boy should have and the nanny did nothing to dissuade him. In fact, I think she encouraged his feelings for her, telling him things like ‘When you are older Derek we will be able to run away and get married.’ But his nanny was entertaining all kinds of men at night and she soon fell pregnant. Lord Hughes thought that Derek was too old for a nanny so he dismissed her. Distressed Derek begged his nanny to run away with him so they could have a life together just like they always talked about. But the nanny told him no and laughed at him. She was never serious she told him but because she was fond of him and she felt bad about hurting him she agreed to lay with him.”

Mary gasped, “How old was he?”

“Thirteen,” Riyah replied.

“He was still a child!” Mary shouted. Riyah slapped a hand over her mouth and leaned out of the alcove to ensure that no one had heard her shout. The hallway was still empty. Riyah removed her hand from Mary’s mouth and put her finger to her lips. Mary nodded but continued in an angry whisper.

“That woman should be rotting in jail.”

“Yes,” Riyah agreed, “However she and her baby died in childbirth only a couple of days later.”

“Oh my,” Mary shuddered.

“Again I am sorry to bring such unpleasantness to you during a party,” Riyah said. She wasn’t too concerned though. The story she weaved together would be forgotten before she even made it back to the ballroom.

“I must know,” Riyah continued, “What did Lord Hughes do with the maid? Are we sure she won’t bring any of this to light?”

“We don’t need to worry about her,” Mary assured her, “Lord Hughes sent her to Midland. And told her if she ever spoke of what happened he would make sure she and her child were sent to Lowland.” Riyah made sure to hide the horror she felt. Midland was a town near the border between their country, Opallia, and the wasteland, a barren country populated only by monsters. Midland was where the outcast of society was sent and Lowland was where people were sent to never be seen again since that town was often overrun with monsters from the wastelands.

“That’s g-good,” Riyah lied, “I am glad that we were able to have this talk. I hope this doesn’t change your decision to marry my cousin. He really is quite fond of you.” Riyah assumed he would be even fonder of her were she swollen with child.

“My decision has not changed,” Mary said determined, “My family will greatly benefit from being tied to the Hughes family. I cannot turn back now.” Riyah kind of felt sorry for the girl. She doubted that Mary Mayfield would agree to tie her life with such a person if it were not for climbing a social ladder of some sort.

“Well then,” Riyah plastered on a smile, “Shall we go back to the ballroom?” Mary returned the fake smile.

“Let’s,” she agreed. The two walked side by side back toward the ballroom. The group of ladies Mary had previously been hanging out with was gathered just outside the ballroom.

“There she is,” one said. They all started to wave at her.

“Mary, where did you go?” another asked. Mary smiled at them and joined their group.

“Who is it you’re walking with?” Mary looked back at Riyah with dull eyes. Riyah smiled at her knowing exactly what she’d say.

“I do not know. Come let’s go back to the ballroom.”