The conversation drifted to gardens and conservatories after my unexpected defense of Orion, a safe topic that allowed Lady Lavinia to recover her composure. I half-listened as she extolled the virtues of her newly imported exotic plants, my thoughts elsewhere.
Society's hypocritical nature never ceased to amaze me. The same people who condemned Orion's relationship would turn a blind eye to husbands keeping mistresses or peers using their power to take advantage of servants. I'd seen it enough to recognize the pattern: it wasn't the act that offended these nobles, but whether it threatened their carefully constructed social order.
"Don't you agree, Duchess Isabella?" Lady Lavinia's pointed question yanked me from my thoughts.
I smiled apologetically. "Forgive me, I was momentarily distracted by the lovely arrangement of flowers."
