Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 969

With Tarquin out of the picture, the crowd grew bold and brash. They traded barbs like kids trading baseball cards, each comment sharper and less polite than the last.

Elysia, frowning deeply, watched them with a quiet disdain, choosing to rise above the noise.

Her heart ached for Tarquin!

The Bradford clan was notorious for their sharp tongues and sharper claws. She couldn't even begin to imagine the kind of torment Tarquin must have endured as a child at their hands!

Once the hubbub died down, Elysia finally spoke up, her voice cutting through the silence. She pointedly asked each of them, “And what’s your name? You, you, and you… and you over there. Let's have it. I’ll be remembering.”

The instigators of the harsh words frowned, suspicious and wary, “And why exactly do you want to know our names?”

“To make sure I don’t mix up the names when it’s time to cut out some tongues,” Elysia replied, her tone icy.

The group gasped collectively, their lips sealed shut in fear and anger. They remembered all too well Tarquin’s warning about losing their tongues if they stepped out of line…

Elysia’s gaze was icy as she continued, “When it comes to my son, I don’t need your judgments or your gossip. Mind your own business and keep my son’s name out of your mouths!”

Allegra, unable to contain her rage, snapped back, “Oh, Elysia, acting all high and mighty just because you snagged a powerful man! Without him, you’re nothing!”

Quick as a whip, Elysia retorted, “Why don’t you go ahead and try marrying someone powerful yourself? No? Then I suggest you keep quiet.”

“You…”

Before Allegra could muster a comeback, she suddenly felt an unbearable itching sensation. She scratched at her face, her neck, her arms, her legs… It was as if her entire body was under siege by an invisible army of itch.

Not just Allegra, but the entire group started scratching furiously, a chorus of discomfort filling the air.

Elysia’s voice softened, “I learned medicine to heal, not to harm. That is, unless someone harms me first.”

Verity’s eyes welled up with tears as she confided, “I wish I were as strong as you. To have a powerful husband and to be powerful in my own right, capable of protecting my kids… You’ve seen it, the Bradford household is no place for the faint-hearted. I’ve been living a nightmare.”

Elysia eyed her, sensing the shift in the conversation.

Verity, teary-eyed, leaned closer, her voice barely a whisper, “Elysia, you’ve been with Tarquin for a while now. He must have told you about his parents’ death. You know they weren’t just accidents, but murder, right?”

Elysia was taken aback, not expecting Verity to broach such a dark topic.

Verity sniffled, glancing around to make sure they were alone, then whispered, “If I tell you who killed his parents, would you grant me a favor?”