Lady Fanny Marling was a respectable woman. She was the younger sister of the Duke of Avon, and the beloved wife of sir Edward Marling. She was the most ladylike woman that her older brother knew, which is why the latter had asked her to teach her good manners to his ward, mademoiselle Bonnard.

Fanny enjoyed dressing the younger girl, teaching her how to curtsy properly and how to behave in the high society. The pride over her ward was enormous when she presented Léonie to Avon, and later to the different people at the many balls and parties they attended together. Fanny would never forget the look on Justin's face when Léonie had first appeared in front of him in Fanny's elegant dress. The girl was no longer the page Léon, she was now mademoiselle Léonie Bonnard, the ward of the English Duke.

The popularity of the young redhead was growing, and along with it Fanny's. She was in the wonderful Paris now! The invitations to the balls, soirées, card-parties, and dinners kept coming every day, and nor Fanny or the rest of the family had a chance for a quiet evening at home.

Fanny quite liked all the events and the elegant people of the high society, and the attention she was getting from everyone. She had always been a little flirt, although less after she had got married. She did have her husband with her in Paris, but she hadn't changed too much to not like the compliments of the monsieur's at the parties.

And so it happened that one night at Versailles Fanny met an old admirer of hers.

"So, Alastair has brought his so charming sister! Madame, votre serviteur!"

Hearing the voice of Etienne de Stainville, Fanny turned around.

"So, it's you, m'sieur," milady said and held out her hand. "I declare it's been forever since I have seen you!"

"Madame, the years fly back when I look upon you," de Stainville said, kissing her hand. "But surely it was Etienne once, and not that cold m'sieur?"

Fanny hid behind her fan playfully. "I vow I have no recollection of it!" she said, lying pleasantly. "No doubt I was very foolish... so long ago!"

"Nevertheless, I would love to spend some time with you, madame," he continued with a cunning smile. "Alone."

"Oh, but monsieur, I really should be accompanying my brother's ward," Fanny made up an excuse, but behind her fan, she was smiling.

"I believe mademoiselle Bonnard is very comfortable by monseigneur Avon." De Stainville glanced at Léonie at the other side of the ball room. "It would be a great pleasure if you would honor me with your company."

And seemingly unwillingly Fanny let de Stainville draw her apart, and in a short time they fell to talking of the bygone days.

De Stainville talked about his fondness for milady, so that Fanny recognized the young and headstrong boy she had known. Monsieur talked about their long forgotten love, adding many compliments to his talk, so that milady had to hide her blush many times, secretly liking the flattery.

De Stainville spoke about the divine blue eyes of milady and her wonderful fair hair, her irresistible nature and virtue. Finally Fanny had to scold him gently, because she was a married woman.

"Of course, madame. I only mean that your respectable husband is very lucky to have earned the hand of a wonderful lady like yourself," de Stainville replied. But beside the flattered smile on Fanny's face, he could see some monotony. "Shall I get us something to drink?" monsieur asked to change the subject a little.

"Yes, you shall," Fanny answered, and de Stainville left her after a nod of his head. He almost flew towards the refreshing room.

Lady Fanny sighed dreamily. Oh, she liked the attention of the men! But she only played with them, in her heart she loved her Edward truly and with no exceptions. Still, it was amusing to see the men laboring to be to her liking. Fanny wasn't afraid of where this would lead her, she never went too far.

In a short time, she heard de Stainville whisper in her ear, "I am most fortunate to share my evening with the most wonderful lady in Paris."

Fanny turned around with a bright smile on her light pinkish lips. The comment had come unexpected to her, but she was pleased nevertheless. Monsieur offered her a glass of red wine, which she gladly accepted. The drink was a real refreshment after the events of the ball.

Farther from the two of them, Edward Marling walked into the room, watching the people to find a conversation partner. He saw his wife with de Stainville, and set his steps towards them.

Fanny looked into the admiring eyes of de Stainville, offering him a charming smile. She found his efforts to make her like him truly fort amusant, as Léonie would have said. But she was surprised when she looked away, and monsieur de Stainville kissed her cheek tenderly.

Milady looked up at him in surprise, and unknowingly took a tiny step back. "M-Monsieur!"

"I apologize if I have taken advantage of you, milady. But you are simply too attractive," de Stainville apologized, lowering his head. "If your ladyship could forgive me, I would be most grateful."

Fanny couldn't keep the smile from curving her perfect lips. "You are forgiven, monsieur, but only if you never try something so abrupt and indecent again."

"You have my word," bowed de Stainville. He cast a glance over milady's shoulder, and added, "I believe there is someone who wants to speak to you, madame."

Fanny turned around, and dropped her wine glass in surprise, the claret spattering monsieur Marling's fancy shoes. "Edward!"

Marling's face was glum as he looked at his beautiful wife.

"Ah, monsieur Marling! It is an honor to finally meet madame's respectable husband," de Stainville said quickly, trying to save milady from the situation. Marling turned to him.

"I believe it would be best, monsieur, if you would leave me alone with my wife."

De Stainville nodded to him, and bowed before lady Fanny before leaving the two of them. Marling turned to his wife again.

"Is there something you would like to say, my dearest?" he asked sternly. Fanny's eyes had turned teary.

"Oh, dear Edward! It's not like you think," Fanny said, desperately searching her mind for an explanation.

"It isn't? Well, I am eager to hear what you have to say."

"You see..." Fanny fiddled with her fan. "He simply amused himself... It was unexpected."

"So I see." Marling turned away with no further comment.

"Oh, Edward, you do believe me, don't you?" Fanny hurried around her husband to stop him from leaving.

"If you would have wanted, you could have stopped him."

"I didn't expect him to... Oh, h-how can you be so cruel!" Fanny sobbed. It had not been her fault that de Stainville had been charmed by her. Well, perhaps it had.

One large tear stole down Fanny's cheek, and she wiped at it feebly. Marling suddenly turned gentle, and took milady's hands.

"My love, I cannot bear to see you weep," he said as his wife looked up at him. "I believe you."

Fanny cast herself into his arms, still sobbing quietly. She silently vowed to never give her Edward a reason to doubt her again.