Chapter 24
Three days was not a short time. For Gerard Glenn, it was even longer.
During the three days since his visit to Andover, he had met with people every single day. The guests who had stayed at Maxville for the ball had long since departed, but new ones had already taken their place. Most of those seeking the ducal residence were those who had received invitations from the Dowager Duchess.
Diane Glenn enjoyed hosting gatherings of various sizes, inviting artists, scholars, and writers. She believed that broadening one’s horizons and cultivating refinement through such exchanges was essential. It was a routine she had maintained since her days as the Duchess.
Naturally, these events were held in the drawing rooms, galleries, and music rooms of Maxville, and as the master of the house, Gerard could not ignore the festivities taking place under his own roof. Consequently, every time he made a brief appearance, he found himself detained far longer than expected.
Even while dealing with these social “time thieves,” he had to oversee the tasks he needed to accomplish.
‘Pass the Family Law Amendment. Use all the influence at your disposal.’
Gerard was gradually preparing to take action. Passing an agenda in the Senate was not a simple act of voting. Drafting an item and putting it to a vote required long periods of behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
Even after years of effort, if one failed to secure the necessary number of votes for passage, all that work would be in vain. Therefore, the more significant the bill, the more meticulous the preparation and the pre-securing of votes had to be.
The Family Law Amendment was an agenda pushed by the Progressive Party in the Imperial Parliament, containing content that could rightfully be called a “reform.” Its core was the abolition of primogeniture as defined by current law, ensuring inheritance rights not only for younger sons but for daughters as well.
According to Gerard’s findings, this bill had begun its push about three years ago. And behind it stood Empress Rayners, the wife of the current Emperor.
‘Duke of Windberg. That is the price of our deal.’
It was also a debt Gerard had to repay the Empress.
However, no matter how optimistically one looked at it, the Family Law Amendment had almost no chance of passing. A majority opposed it in both the Upper House, the aristocratic chamber, and the Lower House, the commoner chamber.
This was hardly surprising, as both houses were currently composed entirely of men. They did not sympathize with the idea of sharing a family’s legacy with daughters whose surnames would change upon marriage.
After much deliberation, Gerard concluded that the amendment needed a drastic overhaul. To even begin discussions with the stubborn conservatives, several radical clauses would have to be removed. To do that, he first had to meet and persuade the Progressive Party.
The first person he chose for this task was Günther Schwarz. Leader of the Progressive Party in the Senate and a confidant of the Empress. It was about ten days ago that he had sent a letter to the southern noble, inviting him to Maxville.
“Your Grace. I have word that Baron Schwarz has just passed through the main gate.”
When the Head Butler, Sterling, came to find him, Gerard was in the middle of hearing a report from his chief aide in his office.
“I understood he was arriving the day after tomorrow.”
“We were prepared for that as well, but it seems he moved up his schedule.”
Seeing the butler, who showed not even a hint of flusteredness, Gerard nodded. It was unexpected, but such things happened often. Nobles had plenty of time and were prone to whims.
“I shall go out to greet him myself. He is an important guest, so please take extra care, Sterling.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
“Morrison. Cancel all of today’s appointments.”
As Gerard rose from his chair, the butler approached and took down the frock coat hanging on the rack. After naturally accepting the assistance to dress, he immediately set off.
Greeting the Baron personally at the entrance would be taken as a sign of special favor. To lead the negotiations in the desired direction, he needed to act with a degree of kindness.
“But Your Excellency, among today’s schedule…”
Even as the aide began to speak, Gerard had completely forgotten.
“There is the visit to Viscount Andover’s residence.”
Was that today?
He stopped briefly, staring blankly into the air. When had three days passed? He must have been truly preoccupied with various matters.
To be honest, it wasn’t that he hadn’t thought of that woman once over the past three days. Every time an aide or the butler brought a telegram, she would cross his mind. He had even felt a bit on edge before opening the messages, wondering if she had finally sent a telegram of refusal.
Perhaps that was why he had intentionally tried not to think of her. Because he didn’t want to care.
‘Why me?’
Gerard knew what words she had wanted to hear. And those were the words he wanted to say least of all. He already knew all too well the process of being charmed by someone, giving them one’s heart, and eventually falling in love. He knew exactly how draining and destructive those emotions were.
‘I love you.’
Falling in love was a terrible thing. You lost your composure and did things that weren’t like you.
Gerard never wanted to do that again. He didn’t want to fall and flounder in that swamp-like emotion ever again. He didn’t want to walk back into the morass he had barely managed to escape.
Why else was he currently entangled in such a bothersome affair?
Without realizing it, he clenched his jaw. After lightly grinding his teeth, he spoke.
“Call for Mr. Miller. Have him here in ten minutes.”
“Understood.”
With that short instruction, Gerard left the office without a second thought. Passing through the corridor with the butler in tow, he reflected. He did not want a woman who wanted his affection. If she rejected him for that reason, then unfortunately, she would be disqualified. It would mean Rosalyn Fairfield was not the woman he was looking for.
‘Is my sister really the lady Your Grace was looking for?’
Perhaps it was for the best. This would be the chance to confirm if she truly was the woman he needed.
He had no intention of mixing emotions into this marriage. If she was a woman clever enough to understand his intent, she would accept it; if not, she would give up. If the final candidate failed the last test, he could simply give the other candidates a chance.
Gerard settled his thoughts. She must accept his stance on this marriage. Perhaps that was the most important condition a Duchess of Windberg had to possess: the wisdom to expect nothing of her husband’s love.
The previous mistresses of Maxville had all been excellent in that regard, so it was only fitting that the new successor follow in her predecessors’ footsteps.
As the promised time drew near, her hands grew cold. Rosalyn massaged her hands several times, loosening her stiff fingers.
The clock hands pointed exactly to 3:00 PM. Fairfield House was steeped in its usual peaceful silence.
The kitchen had already finished preparations, as a very important guest was expected for tea. The main cake featured cream decorations that the lady of the house herself had applied. Every time the servants saw the young lady who was to become a Duchess, they couldn’t hide their proud smiles.
From the moment she finished the cake decorations—done with more care than ever—until now, Rosalyn was surprised by how slowly time could move.
Over the past three days, she had wondered: What if he changed his mind? He might have been offended belatedly by her deferring the decision. If he wanted a cooperative and submissive wife, Rosalyn’s attitude would have been grounds enough to reconsider the marriage.
Then, when a telegram arrived yesterday from the Duke’s aide, confirming that the Duke would visit today at 3:00 PM, Rosalyn was moved. Aside from the relief that she hadn’t made a fatal mistake, she was touched by the Duke’s attitude.
‘Then I shall give you time to think.’
He had been considerate of her. He had respected her and waited. Even though he was in a position where he didn’t have to at all.
“How are you feeling?”
Rosalyn looked up at her father’s voice. The two were sitting across from each other in the second-floor family room. It had been Alfred Fairfield’s idea to receive his future son-in-law here.
“I don’t know. It doesn’t feel real yet.”
“It will feel different once you receive the ring.”
“Do you think so?”
“Of course. Your mother would be so happy, Rose.”
Looking at her father’s warm smile, Rosalyn smiled back. She then turned her gaze to her mother’s portrait hanging over his shoulder. Margaret’s portrait, which had been in that spot for thirteen years, held great meaning for Rosalyn. It felt as though she were getting engaged while her mother watched over her.
Shortly after three, the sound of a car was heard outside, and her heart began to race wildly. When the butler knocked on the door, her heart seemed to stop for a moment before starting again.
“My Lord. My Lady. The guest has arrived.”
As the door opened and the butler entered, the father and daughter stood up.
It was out of courtesy to greet the Duke, but the Duke was nowhere to be seen. The guest the butler led in was a stranger. An elderly gentleman who appeared to be in his mid-sixties, with hair turned white.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Paul Miller, the advisory lawyer for Maxville.”
Rosalyn stared at him, bewildered, as he bowed his head in greeting.
