"Big Aunt, Second Aunt and Fifth Aunt, meet my new god-Aunt Amabel. She is a senior of mine, and also Aunt Beatrix's friend," Berth made the introductions and the three aunts plus cousins were speechless upon learning Amabel's identity.
"You …. Where is your Third Aunt?" Big Aunt asked reproachfully upon seeing that Beatrix wasn't there, and upon hearing that, Berth guiltily looked towards the back and spotted Beatrix who was elegantly making her way towards them.
She sheepishly looked at her aunts and responded, "she is coming. I got a bit overexcited after meeting my idol," her tone lowering at the end.
When they heard that, all focus shifted back to Amabel, who was standing there like a spectator, a smile on her face.
"You are Amabel, right? Third sister-in-law's friend?" Big Aunt asked and Amabel looked at the middle-aged woman and nodded her head politely.
"Yes, Big sister. I am her friend. We recently became friends," and didn't bother to hide anything from these big sisters.
Upon hearing that, the sisters looked at each other, all of them having their own thoughts which they didn't express but still responded to her, "it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope that this little troublemaker hasn't troubled you?"
Amabel smiled as she shook her head and answered, "No, it's quite entertaining. She is quite fun," and honestly responded.
She wasn't just used to having such a talkative person next to her. Berth wasn't trouble at all.
Berth's eyes lit up after hearing that and hugged Amabel's arm tighter, making the other cousins to roll their eyes at her.
"Shameless!"
And Berth stuck her tongue at them, earning more glares from her cousins.
It was the scene that Beatrix arrived and witnessed.
However, she didn't focus on the other nieces but her sisters-in-law instead.
"Big sister, second sister and fifth sister. I hope that you are all well?" she greeted them first as she stood next to Amabel, making Amabel feel very relieved to see her good friend next to her.
It was truly uncomfortable being surrounded by strangers who were looking at her with disturbing gazes.
"Third sister, it's good that you have made it. We were just getting acquainted with your friend here."
Beatrix took Amabel's free arm and smilingly responded her sister-in-law, "I hope that everything was going well. My friend here, is a bit shy. I hope that you won't mind," speaking up for Amabel, in case something else happens.
Amabel gratefully looked at Beatrix and Beatrix patted her hand comfortingly.
"She is a good one. How did you guys meet?" Fifth sister, eager to learn how these two met, curiously asked, and all focus was back on the two. Even Berth was interested as well.
Thinking about how they met, Beatrix couldn't help but chuckle as the found the situation quite hilarious.
There wasn't much to hide about the first meeting. In fact, telling these sisters-in-law would make them not look down on Amabel that much.
It wasn't like they would delve into details to look into Amabel. Amabel wasn't that important for them to use such resources.
So, she happily narrated and Amabel chimed in, making the women in the group fascinated with the story.
"It must have been a scene. You didn't suffer a loss, did you?"
Amabel chuckled as she looked at the women with reassuring eyes.
"I will never let myself suffer a loss. It's just a pity that someone I took as a good friend would end up stooping so low. But it's also good, thanks to that I managed to see through the real colors of her."
"That's indeed true."
"You don't have to waste time getting hurt with such kinds of people. It's good that you are no longer friends."
They were very supportive, and it made Amabel feel a sense of comfort that she was lacking quite a bit.
However, there were others who felt only better after getting to the gist of the story.
"So, what kind of job do you have?" Big Aunt couldn't help but ask, making the cheerful atmosphere to chill instantly at the unexpected question.
Must she really ask such a question?
Even Beatrix didn't expect such happening. How were they supposed to answer this one?
Amabel also regretted. She hasn't concocted a lie about that. It wasn't like she could go around and tell everyone that she was a kept mistress. What was she supposed to say?
Thankfully, after the question was asked, she didn't show any panic but looked at Big Aunt with a pair of clear eyes.
"I am_" And as she was about to respond, something unexpected happened.
"Amabel, Beatrix, I found you!" a familiar voice called out to them excitedly, and all focus once again shifted to the visitor, saving Amabel from answering.
Beatrix looked at Daphne like a savior and beaming waved with the other hand, "are you done chatting with your friend?" her tone laced with familiarity that stunned the Kemble ladies.
Daphne chuckled as she approached the group, but before she answered that question looked at the three older women, she had some little information about and greeted them first.
The Kemble ladies didn't expect that these two knew Daphne at all. Berth was also shocked. When Amabel earlier said that they greeted each other, she didn't think that the greeting extended to acting with so much familiarity towards each other.
To which extent do those people know each other?
She was curious.
After exchanging pleasantries, and seeing their shock, Beatrix felt triumphant for once and happily introduced Daphne to them.
"Sisters, meet Daphne, a good friend of ours. We met today. Isn't it fate?" finding pure joy at being able to snag such a big shot as a friend.
Looking at their stunned and disbelief faces made her so happy. Coming to this tea party, no longer looked like a bad thing, after all.