The true cost of chaos part 7
Summary: When kate and the men leave for the hunt, the reagan family sits in a shaded area of the garden while the ladies of the ton enjoy the activities. Slyvia and Erin, the royal ladies taught to be perfect, talk about kate hunting with men, something particularly strange and almost disgusting to them. They then see edwina childishly chasing Newton, infuriating them more with her behaviour at 17. Then something troublesome happens..
The hounds’ baying faded into the distance as the hunting party disappeared beyond the tree line.
Silk, parasols, and manufactured laughter reclaimed the gardens.
Beneath a wide yew tree heavy with spring leaves, the Reagan family sat slightly apart from the rest of the ton—not isolated by exclusion, but by gravity. Chairs were arranged with intention. Guards remained unobtrusive but present. A blanket lay spread at Danny’s feet.
Prince Joseph lay atop it, surrounded by soft stuffed animals, pale fingers clutching a fabric lion as Jamie discreetly slipped a biscuit into Joey’s reach when Sylvia wasn’t looking.
Joey gnawed on it with unfocused determination.
Jamie smiled faintly. “I’m aiding development,” he murmured.
Danny didn’t bother to contradict him.
Across from them, Earl’s daughters embroidered. Gentlemen spoke of horses and wagers. Everything appeared idyllic—as long as one didn’t look too closely.
Her gaze followed the retreating hunt with open disdain. “Kate is wearing riding trousers.”
Sylvia’s mouth tightened. “Of course she is.”
“With a rifle,” Erin added flatly. “Surrounded by men.”
Sylvia exhaled slowly, a controlled breath meant to strangle memory. “She used to ride and hunt before the marriage,” she said. “She claimed it made her ‘equal.’”
Erin’s lip curled. “It makes her reckless.”
Danny glanced down at Joey, adjusting the blanket with his foot to ensure his youngest remained shaded and undisturbed. “Empires don’t survive on people who insist on proving themselves with weapons for sport.”
Jamie smirked. “Especially not people who confuse masculinity with authority.”
Laughter—too loud, too shrill—suddenly cut through the garden serenity.
Edwina Sharma burst into view, skirts hitched, chasing Newton across the lawn as the large dog dodged guests and overturned a side table.
“Newton!” Edwina shrieked, giggling breathlessly. “Stop—oh stop—it’s dreadful of you!”
Sylvia watched, expression hardening with each unrestrained step.
“She is seventeen,” Erin said quietly. “Is she feral, or simply unaccountable?”
Jamie tilted his head. “Same age as Jack.”
Jack’s gaze lifted briefly from the diplomatic paper he’d been reviewing.
Sylvia’s eyes darkened. “At seventeen, I was married, crown princess, and carrying him,” she said, nodding once toward Jack.
Jamie winced lightly. “When you put it like that.”
Jack looked toward Edwina again as she nearly collided with a countess. “She’s the Diamond of the Season,” he observed calmly. “Like Mother was.”
Jamie snorted. “Then Mother clearly raised the standard beyond anyone’s reach.”
Sylvia allowed herself the faintest, tired smile.
The dog’s attention locked onto the blanket.
Joey waved his stuffed lion clumsily.
“NO—” Danny was on his feet instantly.
But the dog reached the blanket first, bounding forward in excitement, paws landing too close, muzzle bumping into Joey’s space.
A full meltdown—high-pitched, panicked, inconsolable. His hands clawed at the blanket, stuffed animal tossed aside as his body stiffened and shook.
Danny scooped Joey up immediately, turning his back to shield him, murmuring firmly, rhythmically. Jamie drove Newton away with a sharp command as guards surged forward.
Sylvia stood—face white with fury.
“How many warnings,” she said quietly, voice trembling with control, “are required before negligence becomes cruelty?”
Newton was dragged away. Edwina stood frozen, laughter gone, staring in shock.
Joey sobbed helplessly against Danny’s chest, overstimulated and terrified, fingers curling desperately into fabric as Danny rocked him with practiced precision.
The garden had gone silent.
She laid a steadying hand on Joey’s back and looked directly at Edwina.
“You are not a child,” she said coldly. “And you will never again be allowed near my son.”
Jack and Sean stood without being told—forming a quiet barrier around their family.
And for the first time that morning, the laughter of Aubrey Hall did not return.
Because chaos—when finally witnessed—was no longer charming.
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