Chapter 52
The rumors originated from a real estate agent. According to the information cheapened by the man who made his living brokering land in this area for generations, their new neighbor was a very young, wealthy, and handsome man.
The maids were skeptical that such a perfect man would buy a house in this remote corner of the countryside, but they looked at River Ross and nodded in understanding. If a man like him lived in someone else’s storehouse, they reasoned, buying an abandoned mansion was hardly a stretch.
Once the rumors were accepted as fact, the maids grew even more excited. They joked that perhaps the Earl would try to introduce their young lady to that household—and if so, they would push to go in Mary’s stead to uncover the truth of the man’s identity.
“The maids say a gentleman is moving into the abandoned mansion.”
“Is that so?”
“There’s an old estate on the way to Rear Coast. You can see it from here when the weather is clear. Rumor has it the buyer is a young Navy Officer.”
Giving Vanessa a brief glance, he finished undoing his cufflinks as if it were of no consequence. She continued, resting her chin on her hand.
“It used to be a villa for the old Lennox family, but it’s been neglected for so long that they say it will cost a fortune just to repair it.”
The view from there was undoubtedly magnificent and beautiful, but since the previous owner’s death, it had been left to rot until it was little more than a ruin. It had been a headache for the family with no way to dispose of it, but now, a certain gentleman had reportedly purchased it for a vast sum.
They said it was because the former Admiral Lennox, who had been the sole holdout against selling it, had granted permission after hearing the buyer’s identity… Though, of course, it was all close to idle gossip that couldn’t be entirely trusted.
“The maids say all sorts of precious materials from the south are being delivered to that mansion. They think he might be someone of very high rank.”
“Ah, that.”
“River, do you know about it? Did you see it on your way here?”
“A few times.”
He didn’t seem particularly interested in the subject. Then again, this was the concern of Southerners who intended to be buried in this land. It was natural for River Ross, an outsider soon to depart, to have no interest in such things. Besides, no matter how many fellow officers there were, how could he know the personal affairs of every single one?
It was in that moment, as she awkwardly toyed with the petals of a rose in a vase after the conversation hit a dead end, that he placed a small box on the table.
“I almost forgot.”
It was a small jewelry box. Vanessa looked at River Ross’s face with startled eyes, then turned her gaze to the box on the table. Adorned in luxurious red velvet, the jewelry box looked expensive even at a glance.
Handkerchiefs, perfume, parasols, and gloves—jewelry was not included in the list of ‘appropriate’ gifts a woman could receive from a man. While Vanessa stood frozen in uncertainty, River Ross, having loosened the collar button of his shirt, turned back as if asking why she was still just staring at it. After a moment of conflict, Vanessa carefully opened the box. Whether she intended to refuse it or not, it was only polite to check the gift.
“Ah… Oh my god.”
The moment she opened the box, she was dazzled by a vivid radiance reflecting the sunlight. Staring inside in disbelief, Vanessa pulled out the pendant with trembling hands.
It was the peridot pendant she had lost at the night market. The piece set with olivine exactly the color of Rosalyn and Blair’s eyes, the one she had overextended herself to buy as a coming-of-age gift. She had worried that even if she found it, it might have been handled so roughly that it would be unfit for a gift, but remarkably, it was perfectly intact without a single scratch.
“The constable contacted me saying they found it on the way. It seems they’re still looking for the cufflinks, though.”
“I had no idea. The box is different, so at first, I didn’t think it was the pendant I bought.”
Vanessa let out a deep sigh of relief and beamed. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had laughed so freely without a care. It felt like a story from a lifetime ago.
“Thank you, truly… If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have recovered it in time. I’ve been so preoccupied that I wouldn’t have had time to stop by Shelvron Robe this week.”
More than anything, she was happy she could give Rosalyn a proper gift. Her thoughtful sister would cherish even a pair of gloves with crude embroidery, but a coming-of-age was a very special day.
People believed that one’s destiny hung upon the first gift received on their coming-of-age. And Vanessa desperately hoped that Rosalyn’s future would be more sparkling and beautiful than anything else.
“Did you stop by the dress shop specifically for this?”
“They said the item I ordered was finished, so I picked it up while I was at it.”
“That must be the clothes you mentioned ordering last time.”
He pulled out a paper box adorned with a large ribbon and placed it on the table. Vanessa looked back and forth between River Ross and the box with soft eyes before realizing one thing.
“Wait… Is this for me?”
“Open it.”
Vanessa reached for the ribbon hesitantly, then carefully pushed the box away. Since River Ross was the one who had first breached the etiquette of gift-giving, this slight discourtesy would hardly be a flaw on her part.
“I… I can’t accept this.”
“Even if you refuse, at least open it.”
“It’s wrapping paper from Shelvron Robe. I think I know without opening it. It’s a dress, isn’t it?”
Of course, River Ross’s insight in gifting a dress was correct. The clothes she would wear to the upcoming shipboard party were already a problem.
The clothes she owned were either so plain they could be donated to a convent, or they were dresses meant to cinch the corset tight to catch the eyes of dinner guests. She had intended to borrow a long shawl from Rosalyn just to attend this party.
In such a position, a new dress was what she needed most, but there was a limit to the gifts a woman could receive from a man without shame. Something small, not burdensome to either party, and something that did not compromise one’s dignity. Etiquette books clearly stated that there were only two cases where one would receive more than that: a token from a fiancé, or payment for a mistress.
Vanessa looked up at him silently. River Ross wouldn’t have chosen such a gift to insult her. It might just be that their perspectives were different. Or perhaps she was still living trapped in a world that was too old-fashioned. As Blair had said, it was common enough in society for couples to marry and keep separate lovers.
But even if the whole world believed she was selling her body for a few coins, River Ross was the one person who knew otherwise. She didn’t want to let him treat her that way. Because they were equals. She didn’t want to feel ashamed of herself. Vanessa met his gaze with clear eyes.
“I think it’s best if you cancel this.”
“Do you think that’s possible?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“You’ll see when you try it on. It’s a dress tailored specifically to your measurements.”
“…How did you even know my measurements?”
“How do you think I knew?”
Vanessa’s eyes widened, then blinked rapidly. It was galling how he shot back so shamelessly, without any intention of backing down. Before she could retort, River Ross took hold of one end of the long, trailing ribbon.
“You said you were grateful I found the pendant.”
“That’s…”
“If you’re grateful, you should accept it without refusing.”
“How can you be so unreasonable?”
When Vanessa let out a hollow laugh, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly into a smile. She didn’t have the confidence to persuade him. Hadn’t it ended before with her being the one to step back? The only thing that had changed since then was River Ross’s attitude. Back then, he had reacted as if Vanessa’s fastidiousness was quite excessive and incomprehensible. But now.
He was pushing his decision even more firmly than before. It was as if he wasn’t just giving her a dress, but trying to break the very convictions beyond it. And yet, he hid the blade he held with an utterly gentlemanly and aristocratic demeanor.
“Vanessa.”
Leaning forward, he took her hand. River Ross, who insisted on placing the end of the ribbon in her palm, kissed the back of her hand briefly. It was an act of polite, profound reverence—or at least, it held a similar emotion that appeared to be so.
“I want to see you wearing this dress.”
She meant to push his shoulder away, but the gaze looking down at her was sweet. Her cheeks burned hot.
He was cunning. He didn’t usually use himself in this way, but he was a man who wouldn’t hesitate to employ any means necessary when the need arose. He was doing this because he knew she was weak to his voice, his face.
