Chapter 34
Classie felt the heat rise in her cheeks. She cast a fleeting look toward Kishin before dropping her gaze to the floor.
“You speak like a practiced rogue, Sir Kishin.”
“I assure you, I am nothing of the sort.”
“And yet you sound like one. How can you say such bold things…”
She shifted her weight, overcome by a wave of bashfulness. Kishin didn’t miss the way the tips of her ears had turned a deep crimson.
Watching the exchange from a nearby window, Anna felt a pang of concern. She shook her head slightly and retreated into the house, choosing to grant the pair some privacy.
Classie had been hunching her shoulders in a tight knot of nerves, but she straightened the moment Kishin’s hand came to rest gently on her arm.
“I only confessed to missing you because it was the simple truth.”
“You claimed I cross your mind once a day.”
“If I am being honest… it happens far more often than that.”
He paused, his gaze steady. “I only said once because I didn’t wish to overwhelm you.”
Classie looked up at him, her expression dazed. When she realized she was about to break into a wide, silly grin, she quickly tucked her chin again.
“Tell me, Miss Classie—do I only occupy your thoughts once a day?”
“I… I certainly think of you more than that.”
“In that case,” he countered softly, “it is you who are the rogue, Miss Classie.”
Nearby, Merran happened to catch sight of this display during her afternoon stroll. She ground her teeth, a wave of internal mockery washing over her. She viewed them as two pathetic amateurs, exchanging clumsy sweet nothings as if they were protagonists in a grand romance.
While Classie remained oblivious to her niece’s presence, Kishin’s instincts were sharper. He felt the weight of an observer and immediately scanned the area, his eyes landing on Merran.
Caught in his sights, Merran felt a flicker of unease. His expression was frigid. Usually, people were falling over themselves to be kind to a woman of her beauty, but Kishin’s stare held nothing but icy indifference.
It wasn’t just her own vanity talking; Karen, standing just behind her, let out a low mutter.
“Did Miss Classie poison his mind against you? I cannot fathom why he is glaring at you with such hostility.”
Classie finally looked up and noticed Merran standing there. She immediately smoothed her features, erasing her previous giddiness.
Merran realized she could no longer lurk in the shadows and decided to approach.
“Sir Kishin, are you here on a visit to my aunt?”
Though she looked rattled for a second, she quickly regained her practiced, easy smile. Kishin offered a polite greeting, though his eyes never thawed.
“Indeed. I trust you have been well, Miss Merran? It has been some time.”
Merran let out a melodic, airy laugh and looped her arm through Classie’s.
“I do hope I’m not intruding on your little tryst. I was simply enjoying the air and stumbled upon you. Please don’t think me rude.”
Classie found herself doubting the coincidence. She wondered if Merran had truly forgotten her earlier pledge or if she was intentionally sabotaging her happiness once again.
That flicker of doubt caused Classie’s expression to falter—a momentary grimace that Kishin caught instantly.
Understanding the tension, Kishin decided to be blunt while maintaining a thin veneer of etiquette.
“I wouldn’t dream of interrupting your exercise. Please, do continue your walk.”
The dismissal was unmistakable. Merran’s face flushed as deeply as Classie’s had earlier, though her heat was born of pure indignation.
In the past, every man who pursued Classie had made an effort to be charming toward Merran as well. Even those who didn’t fall for her charms were at least cordial. As Classie’s relative, she expected a certain level of deference.
Being treated with such blatant coldness by Kishin felt like a slap in the face.
Karen, who had been quietly admiring Kishin’s striking features, felt a surge of disappointment. She reflected that the rumors about his terrible personality must be true.
Classie forced an awkward chuckle. She was already well-acquainted with Kishin’s bluntness, having been on the receiving end of it during their previous misunderstandings.
Merran shot her aunt a look that pleaded for intervention, expecting Classie to defend her and reprimand Kishin.
Instead, Classie remained lost in her own thoughts, giving only a faint, non-committal shake of her head.
Merran’s fury boiled over. She found it insane that her own flesh and blood would prioritize a man over her. She yanked her arm away from Classie and marched off without even a parting word to their guest.
Karen hurried to keep up, whispering urgently.
“Miss, isn’t he a close associate of Lord Dernick? Is it wise to depart so abruptly?”
The reminder only fueled Merran’s rage. Once they were out of earshot, she exploded.
“You saw how that red-haired man treated me! You expect me to stand there and play nice after that?”
“Even if he was uncouth, should we not maintain our dignity? Especially when we are the ones who need his favor.”
“I don’t need anything from him! Lord Dernick will surely see his friend’s true colors eventually.”
Karen let out a weary sigh. She noted that while Kishin had the looks and the status, his temperament was clearly lacking. She wondered how Classie could possibly be interested in such a prickly man.
Merran scoffed, suggesting that her aunt was simply desperate for a husband. She told Karen that Classie was acting like a predator, willing to overlook any character flaw just to secure a high-ranking match. She admitted that while Classie was generally capable, she became utterly foolish whenever a man was involved.
Karen kept her thoughts to herself. She knew very well that Classie’s romantic failures were usually Merran’s doing, but as Merran’s loyal attendant, she saw no benefit in pointing that out.
Back in the garden, Classie felt a strange tingling in her ears. She had seen Merran’s silent plea for help, but she had chosen to ignore it.
Part of her felt it would be wrong to criticize Kishin when he was clearly acting in her defense. More than that, she simply didn’t want to encourage Merran to linger and turn their private time into a group outing. If Merran were a typical, supportive niece, things would be different, but her history of interference made Classie wary.
Still, a shadow of guilt lingered. She worried that Kishin might view her as heartless for letting her niece walk away in such a state.
“Are you upset with me for being blunt with Lady Merran?”
Kishin spoke first, mirroring her own internal anxiety. Classie looked at him in shock, finding only genuine concern in his eyes.
The warmth in his expression chased away her doubts. She found herself speaking with newfound energy.
“I was actually worried you’d think less of me for not defending her. It seems we were both concerned about the same thing.”
Kishin’s mouth curved into a smile, and Classie found herself laughing in relief. He offered his arm, and she took it.
As they walked toward the manor, Classie felt a sense of security. She realized that no matter what schemes Merran devised, this man would not be easily manipulated.
Kishin explained that while he had originally intended for a walk, the presence of others on the grounds made him crave a more secluded setting. It was obvious he wanted her all to himself.
Classie led him to her private sitting room. They spent a few moments exchanging pleasantries and catching up on the day’s events, even though they had already communicated by letter that morning.
Eventually, the conversation turned toward Greengall City, a topic Classie had mentioned briefly in her correspondence.
“If you depart now, the New Year’s festivities will be over by the time you arrive. Is the trip truly necessary?” Kishin asked tentatively.
He was right about the timing. It was already the twenty-third of December, and the festival was only a week away.
Classie twisted her fingers together before admitting the truth. The festival was merely a cover. Her second sister was expecting a child and had requested Classie’s presence during the birth. With their mother traveling abroad, her sister had no other female relatives to turn to for support.
“Then your stay will likely be an extended one,” Kishin noted.
Classie nodded gloomily. She explained that even a month of helping would result in a three-month absence once travel was factored in. And if her sister proved demanding, it could be even longer.
The memory of a similar trip two years ago weighed on her. She had spent months caring for twins while Merran had refused to lift a finger, claiming it wasn’t her responsibility.
Classie sighed. She worried that three months away would erase the progress she had made with Kishin. She feared he might lose interest in her absence.
Kishin, sensing her reluctance, tried to persuade her to stay. He pointed out that her sister surely had staff to assist her and that Classie’s presence wasn’t a strict necessity.
“I don’t want to go,” Classie admitted. “But she is my sister. Refusing her feels impossible.”
Kishin, who held a much firmer boundary with his own kin, found the request selfish. He couldn’t understand why a sister would demand such a long journey from a sibling.
“Forgive my bluntness,” he said softly. “I am only speaking from a place of frustration at the thought of being without you for so long.”
Classie’s heart skipped a beat. “Do you truly wish for me to stay?”
Kishin was never one for subtlety. Classie had to look away to hide her growing smile.
“I feel the same way,” she whispered. “I want to be near you too.”
Kishin moved closer, standing behind her. For a moment, Classie expected him to pull her into an embrace, but he instead stepped around to face her directly.
“Stay,” he urged. “I want you here.”
Classie felt torn. She desperately wanted to choose him over her sister, but she knew her parents would be crushed if she failed to help. Their approval was vital to her standing.
She hesitated, unable to give him the answer he wanted.
Seeing her struggle, Kishin softened his stance. He told her not to worry and that she should go, as he didn’t want to be the source of her distress. Yet, his voice carried a clear note of sorrow.
Classie couldn’t bear to see him disappointed. The words tumbled out before she could stop them.
“Then… let us get married.”
