Chapter 18
Diane Glenn’s question was natural. After all, Rosalyn was the only one who didn’t have a room to return to. The other six ladies present were all from families close to the ducal house and had been staying at Maxville as guests since before the ball.
“I will be taking the train, Dowager Duchess.”
“Oh dear. It seems you don’t have a townhouse in the city.”
It was customary for the northern nobility to maintain a separate residence within the city of Windberg. Staying in the city center was necessary to enjoy social activities and cultural life.
Viscount Andover did own a townhouse in the city, but Rosalyn had considered it a waste to leave the house empty for so long. For that reason, it was currently leased out and could not be used at her discretion.
However, there was no need to explain those circumstances in detail, so she simply replied with a humble smile.
“It is a bit of a hassle, but Andover Station is quite close to the Viscount’s estate. It takes less than ten minutes by carriage.”
“I see. Then we must prepare a carriage for our guest.”
The Dowager Duchess nodded and turned to her son. Rosalyn lowered her gaze slightly and waited for the Duke’s consent.
Providing such a courtesy to a guest who visited without their own carriage was basic etiquette. Rosalyn herself always provided a coachman and carriage to take guests visiting Fairfield House back to the station.
However, the Duke made an unexpected proposal.
“Why not stay here? I will have a room prepared.”
It was a far more generous offer of hospitality than merely lending a carriage, but Rosalyn couldn’t help but flinch. Accepting a guest room in another’s home usually meant staying for at least a week as a matter of courtesy. She had barely spent half a day here and it had been a series of endless discomforts; how could she possibly stay for a whole week?
Rosalyn looked up at the Duke with troubled eyes. Seeing his indifferent expression, it didn’t seem like he truly wanted her to stay. If it was a proposal made merely out of politeness, it was only right for her to decline politely as well.
“I am truly grateful for the consideration, but I think it would be best if I returned today. I didn’t bring any luggage, as I only intended to attend the tea party.”
“I will send someone to the Viscount’s estate to fetch whatever you need.”
“No, Your Grace. I am truly thankful, but there is no need to go to such trouble.”
When she declined for a second time, the Duke nodded readily. As expected, it seemed he hadn’t been serious about the offer.
What on earth were you hoping for, Rosalyn Fairfield? Chiding herself, she gave a bitter smile.
“If you insist, then it cannot be helped. I will take you home in my car.”
“That is a kind offer, but there is still plenty of time before the train—”
“Miss Fairfield is my guest. Surely you aren’t telling me to send a lady off alone on a train at this hour.”
Cutting her off, the Duke’s tone suddenly grew sharp. Rosalyn inwardly shrank back, sensing that he had taken offense.
Did I upset him? Because I was too modest?
She met the man’s eyes—eyes that seemed to be suppressing some sort of emotion. Only then did she realize that repeatedly refusing his favors might have come across as rude. She tried to offer her thanks belatedly, but the Duke gave her no chance.
“I will see our guest out and return, Mother.”
“Go ahead.”
“Ladies. Thank you for accepting today’s invitation. I hope you have a restful evening.”
After perfunctorily bidding farewell to those gathered in the drawing room, he turned back to her.
“Shall we, Miss Fairfield?”
He spoke with a face that was nearly expressionless. His gaze was such that she felt she had no choice but to follow.
Ultimately, feeling almost as if she were being taken into custody, Rosalyn left the drawing room under the Duke’s escort.
The dining room and the drawing room were on the second floor. When they stepped out, a young butler was waiting in the hallway. After instructing him to have the car ready, the Duke guided Rosalyn toward the grand central staircase.
Descending the wide, long staircase led to the main hall of the mansion. It was half past eight in the evening. As it was time to wind down the day’s work, the hall was quiet.
“The car will be here shortly. Do you mind standing for a moment until then?”
“Of course not.”
Rosalyn gave a short reply and fell silent. Normally, she would have added that it felt good to stand after sitting throughout dinner. She would have continued the conversation by more actively pointing out the decorations in the main hall. That would have been enough of a topic to fill the gap until the car arrived.
However, Rosalyn couldn’t employ any of the social skills that were second nature to her. She just stood silently by the Duke’s side. She was afraid that if she spoke, she might make a mistake.
Yes, Rosalyn was afraid.
She didn’t know why she was so nervous. Being conscious of how she appeared in the eyes of others was familiar to her. Every noble who valued dignity carried that kind of pressure, and as the daughter of a Viscount, it was an unavoidable task for Rosalyn as well.
But the tension she felt beside the Duke was different from that pressure. For some reason, she found herself constantly walking on eggshells. She felt cowed even though she had done nothing wrong. She grew tense out of a desire to look her best, and she was terrified that she would fail to win his favor in the end.
That was why she chose to remain silent. If she attempted nothing, at least things wouldn’t get any worse.
Though she still had no idea what she had done wrong or why he seemed to find her so disagreeable.
“When would be a good time for a return visit?”
So when the Duke said those words, Rosalyn truly thought she had misheard him.
“Do you mean… that Your Grace will be coming to Andover?”
“Unless there is some other meaning to a return visit that I am unaware of.”
The Duke replied in a nonchalant tone. Facing him, Rosalyn was at a loss for words.
“A lady has visited my home twice now, so is it not only right that I pay a return visit?”
He was right. If this were standard social etiquette, that is. But the exchange between a Duke and a lower-ranking noble was not a standard social affair, and considering the attitude he had shown her thus far, the situation was all the more absurd.
A return visit. Rosalyn was stunned, but she did not flounder for long. Following her ingrained manners, she accepted it calmly and naturally.
“It would be an honor, of course.”
“How about next Thursday?”
“That is fine. I will make the necessary preparations.”
She replied politely, hiding her excitement. Whatever the reason for proposing a return visit, if the Duke visited in person, it would elevate the prestige of the Fairfield family. The Viscount and his heir would be able to build a connection with the Duke. That alone was reason enough to be thrilled.
“My father and brothers will be delighted to have Your Grace for dinner.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
He replied courteously and looked at her. Rosalyn looked up into the green eyes that were gazing down at her. Meeting them again, there was no particular animosity, but there was also no special sign of favor.
Even that eye contact did not last long. At the same moment the Duke turned his gaze away, the entrance doors opened.
As the massive, heavy doors made of wood and iron swung open, the outside scenery came into view. Beside a large automobile stood a young man and the middle-aged maid who had accompanied her. Rosalyn looked at the people waiting for her from the main hall.
Through the wide-open doors, the May night rushed in. The fragrant air of a mild spring night wrapped around her body.
“Safe travels.”
At the Duke’s words, she turned her head to look at him again. He was telling her that he would only see her off this far and that she should go on alone. Although he didn’t go through the trouble of walking the few extra steps to the car parked outside the mansion, the Duke had already shown more than enough consideration by escorting her to the entrance and waiting with her.
“I will see you next Thursday.”
“Yes. I will see you then.”
Rosalyn bowed her head slightly in a gesture of farewell. The man responded with a nod and turned back toward the interior of the mansion without lingering. There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in his manner, which made Rosalyn feel calm again.
The sound of his footsteps was so firm and resolute. Listening to that sound, she stepped out of the mansion alone.
The young attendant greeted her respectfully. The man she had seen once before in front of the department store opened the rear door of the automobile with a polite manner, and Rosalyn boarded a self-propelled machine without horses for the first time in her life.
The interior was narrower than a carriage. Perhaps because of that, the scent of the owner’s perfume lingered particularly strongly. A scent that was unfamiliar, yet one she could immediately recognize as his. Inhaling it, Rosalyn calmed her racing heart.
Carrying the three people, the automobile passed through the long, winding driveway of Maxville. Then, cutting through the dark spring night, it headed toward Andover.
