Chapter Twenty-Two - The Ball: Confrontations and Courage

The ball continued in full swing, the chandeliers casting glittering reflections across the opulent room. Amelia mingled with the other guests, trying to maintain her composure despite the whispers and sidelong glances. She felt a sense of accomplishment from the way she and Alister had handled the earlier confrontations, but she knew the night wasn't over yet.

As she moved towards the refreshment table, Amelia overheard a group of noblewomen talking in hushed tones. She couldn't help but eavesdrop when she caught Ethan's name mentioned.

"Did you hear about the Duke's nephew? They say he's an illegitimate child, brought into the family out of pity," one woman whispered, her voice dripping with malice.

Amelia felt her blood boil. Ethan was far from illegitimate; he was a rightful heir and a good-hearted boy who deserved respect. She clenched her fists, trying to calm herself as she listened further.

"Yes, and I heard the Duchess only tolerates him because she has no children of her own. It's all a façade," another woman added, her tone equally venomous.

Unable to contain her anger any longer, Amelia stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest. She picked up a glass of red wine from the table and walked straight towards the group. The women stopped talking, their eyes widening in surprise as they noticed her approach.

"Good evening, ladies," Amelia said, her voice steady but filled with barely suppressed rage. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation."

The women exchanged nervous glances but said nothing, clearly taken aback by her directness.

Amelia took a deep breath, reminding herself to stay calm. "I must correct you on a few points. Ethan is a legitimate member of the Duke's family and deserves every bit of respect you would afford any noble child. And as for my feelings towards him, let me assure you that I care for him deeply."

One of the women, a particularly haughty-looking lady in a green gown, sneered at her. "Really, Duchess? It seems rather convenient for you to say that now."

Amelia felt her anger surge again. Without thinking, she raised the glass of wine and tipped it over the woman's dress. The red liquid spread across the green fabric like a blooming flower, eliciting gasps from the surrounding guests.

The woman shrieked in indignation, her face turning an ugly shade of red. "How dare you!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with fury.

Amelia stood her ground, her eyes blazing. "I dare because I will not stand by and let anyone insult my family. Not Ethan, not my husband, and certainly not myself. You would do well to remember that, Lady Vivian."

Lady Vivian sputtered, unable to form a coherent response. The other women quickly backed away, clearly not wanting to be associated with her.

Amelia turned on her heel and walked away, her heart still pounding but feeling a sense of vindication. She knew she had just caused a scene, but she couldn't bring herself to regret it. Ethan's honor and her own dignity were worth defending.

As she moved through the crowd, she saw Alister approaching, a look of concern on his face. "Amelia, what happened?" he asked, his eyes scanning her for any signs of distress.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I overheard some nobles talking about Ethan. They were spreading lies and insults. I couldn't just stand by and do nothing," she explained.

Alister's expression softened, and he reached out to take her hand. "You did what you thought was right. I'm proud of you," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

Amelia felt a wave of relief wash over her. She squeezed his hand, grateful for his support. "Thank you, Alister. It means a lot to hear you say that," she replied.

Ethan, who had been watching the scene unfold from a distance, hurried over to them. "Aunt Amelia, are you okay? I saw what happened," he said, his voice filled with worry.

She smiled at him, her heart swelling with affection. "I'm fine, Ethan. Just a bit of excitement, that's all," she said, ruffling his hair.

Ethan looked relieved, but his eyes still held a trace of concern. "I'm sorry they were talking about me like that. I never wanted to cause any trouble," he said, his voice small.

Amelia knelt down so she was at eye level with him. "Ethan, you are not causing any trouble. You are a wonderful boy, and don't let anyone make you feel otherwise. We are a family, and we stand up for each other," she said firmly.

Ethan nodded, his eyes brightening with determination. "Thank you, Aunt Amelia. I'll do my best to be strong," he said.

Amelia stood up, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. She looked around the ballroom, seeing the curious and sometimes judgmental gazes of the other guests. But she didn't care. She had her family by her side, and that was all that mattered.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of conversations and dances, but Amelia felt a newfound confidence. She had faced down the gossip and slander, and she had stood up for what she believed in. As the night drew to a close, she knew that she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, with Alister and Ethan by her side.