60 A jealous man (3)

"Welcome back, Lady Collins. May I take the hat?" Florence asked.

Scarlet handed the hat off to Florence for it to be put away. "Thank you. Were there any calls for me? Any letters sent or something worth noting?"

"Just a few gifts to win you over but I have thrown those away. Oh! There was an envelope from the palace. It looked to be an invitation. I will get it."

"Don't. I'm not in the mood to hear anything from the palace. It must be an invitation to sit down to speak about my divorce and heaven knows that I don't want to hear about their troubles. Only seek me out for important matters," Scarlet instructed Florence. 

"Of course. May I intrude and ask how the party was?" Florence asked, eager to know if Scarlet enjoyed herself. Scarlet was long overdue for enjoying herself with someone who wouldn't bother her. The servants were all on their toes.