Aurelia said, "Aunt Harriet, if you ever run into trouble, feel free to talk it out with me."
"I appreciate that." Harriet nodded, her voice a whisper of gratitude.
They chatted for a bit before spotting Charles strolling into the yard.
"Mom, Dad's back." Beverley said.
"I see him," Harriet replied, her tone flat, barely concealing her dismay.
Charles soon entered, glaring at Harriet, his face a stormy shade of grey, "I'm telling you, this isn't over."
Slamming her teacup onto the table with a forceful thud, Harriet retorted, "This has nothing to do with me. Even if it does, what can you possibly do about it? You planning on killing me to atone for your bastard's life?"
Charles was fuming, "I thought you were a compassionate and virtuous woman, but you're nothing but venom."
Harriet let out a scornful laugh, "All these years, I've turned a blind eye to your flings, but instead of reining yourself in, you've gotten bolder, going from flings to openly keeping that woman. Have you ever considered me?"
"You have joined the Stirling family for a long time. Have you forgotten the family rules?" Charles snapped.
Cutting in calmly, Aurelia said, "Uncle Charles, the rules have changed."
"That's for the next generation, not ours," Charles shot back irritably, glaring at her. He knew Aurelia was siding with Harriet, and the Stirling women always banded together against the men in matters like these.
"Regardless, respect is a two-way street," Aurelia continued, "The Stirling family doesn't allow a man to hurt his lawful wife over some mistress. Mistresses were nothing. Since when has the highborn ever given them any standing? They're nothing but maids serving the lady of the house."
Beverley admired Aurelia's courage internally, and Charles was probably about to burst with anger.
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