Chapter 25
The lawyer was alone. He entered the family drawing room carrying a neat briefcase, and Rosalyn realized immediately what his presence meant.
“Mr. Miller. We were informed that the Duke of Windberg would be coming in person.”
Alfred Fairfield greeted the guest with his usual composure. Rosalyn felt simultaneously grateful and guilty for her father’s gentlemanly conduct.
“That is correct, Viscount. His Grace certainly intended to visit today to discuss the engagement, but unfortunately, an urgent matter of public business arose, making it impossible for him to attend. He sent word asking for your kind understanding that I would be representing him in his stead.”
An urgent matter of public business. Just how urgent could it be for him to send a proxy to a proposal? Rosalyn was at a loss for how to react to this extraordinary situation. A proxy proposal—it was a custom that had all but vanished after the Middle Ages.
“I see. If that were the case, a telegram postponing the visit would have sufficed.”
“Maxville desires to hasten the marriage. The timeline is already tight, so it is difficult to delay even by a single day. His Grace did consider rescheduling the visit, but he felt it more efficient to finalize the engagement now and begin preparations for the subsequent procedures immediately.”
“There is logic in that, but…”
The Viscount did not indignantly refuse this insensitive proposal. Nor did he accept it with fawning gratitude. He simply looked at his daughter, and in that look, Rosalyn knew her father was leaving the decision to her. Once again, the choice was hers to make.
She couldn’t know exactly what circumstances had kept the Duke away. She didn’t know what could be more important and urgent than an engagement. There was only one thing Rosalyn could be sure of: she was not his priority.
‘Miss Fairfield has a habit of jumping to conclusions.’
The Duke was showing her now. I have no intention of being considerate of you. I don’t desire you desperately, nor does it have to be you. He was telling her not to assume anything or harbor expectations.
At that cold implication, Rosalyn’s heart momentarily froze. This gave her a reason to refuse him. Could she handle it? Was it worth the cost? Could she be happy with a man who didn’t put her first?
But.
‘Didn’t you want to marry me, Miss Fairfield?’
Surprisingly, Rosalyn could not bring herself to give up so easily. The image of herself standing by his side had already become too vivid to abandon. She couldn’t let go of a future that felt close enough to touch. Her resolve was firm, enough to surprise even herself.
It’s not hopeless. Perhaps we just need time. Once we get to know each other after marriage, affection might grow. My parents didn’t marry for passionate love, but they were happy in the end.
Rosalyn persuaded herself toward hope. Perhaps she truly wanted to be the Duchess. Far more desperately than she had realized.
“Of course, Mr. Miller. I understand completely.”
Thus, the decision was made. Rosalyn offered a generous smile—dignified and elegant, as befitted a future Duchess.
“I imagine the Duke has many public duties that take precedence over personal matters. Please convey that I hope whatever business he is attending to is resolved smoothly.”
“Of course, Miss Fairfield. Thank you for your understanding.”
The lawyer bowed deeply. His polite and respectful manner offered a small measure of comfort to the father and daughter. Hearing his daughter’s decision, the Viscount stepped in to lighten the atmosphere.
“Goodness, how rude of me to keep a guest standing. Let’s sit, Mr. Miller. Would you care for some tea?”
“I am deeply grateful for the offer, Viscount, but I fear such hospitality is more than I deserve.”
The lawyer politely declined with a humble smile. Though he was a senior professional gentleman with an impressive career, he was still the Duke’s servant. It was not his place to sit and share tea with his master’s fiancée.
“First, I shall present the items intended for the young lady.”
Remaining standing, the lawyer opened his briefcase and took something out. There was no hesitation or regret on the old gentleman’s face as he held out a small cubic box wrapped in black velvet.
Even so, Rosalyn felt a sting of shame. She was embarrassed by a man who would leave even an engagement ring to someone else’s hands, and by herself for not refusing such a man’s proposal. Though she tried to remain composed, her emotions were not easily mastered. She couldn’t entirely suppress the sense of disappointment and self-deprecation.
Thus, even after she managed to reach out and take the ring case, she couldn’t bring herself to open it immediately out of sheer awkwardness.
“Please, have a look.”
Only after the lawyer’s gentle encouragement did she open the case. Inside was a brilliant white diamond ring. A center stone the size of an index fingernail was surrounded by smaller diamonds, creating an extraordinary radiance in a sophisticated, refined design that wasn’t overly gaudy.
“…It’s beautiful.”
“If I may say so, it is the oldest diamond in the ducal family’s possession. The setting was recently redesigned, but if it is not to your liking, it can be reset before the wedding.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary. I like it very much.”
“I am glad to hear it, Miss Fairfield.”
Rosalyn forced a smile back at the lawyer. Then she looked down at the ring again. Holding the open case in her hand, she hesitated, unable to close it, just staring down.
The lawyer simply waited a moment without saying a word. He likely couldn’t bring himself to tell her to try it on to see if it fit. Paul Miller, the advisory lawyer of Maxville, was a servant far too experienced for that.
“Now, I believe it is time for me to discuss the specific details with the Viscount.”
With a slightly more relaxed expression, the old gentleman turned to the bride’s father. The ‘specific details’ surely meant the dowry. Ordinarily, this would be the moment for a father-in-law to offer advice and blessings to his future son-in-law. The fact that her father was denied that joy made Rosalyn’s heart ache a little more.
“Of course, Mr. Miller. Let us go to my study to talk.”
“Thank you.”
“Then, we shall excuse ourselves for a moment.”
Alfred Fairfield gave his daughter a smile. Facing a face filled with a mixture of congratulations and consolation, Rosalyn mirrored his expression. After he led the way out of the drawing room, the Duke’s proxy bowed to her.
“Congratulations on your engagement.”
Rosalyn responded with a slight nod of acknowledgment to the old gentleman and watched the two men leave the room. Then, she was left alone.
She stood still for a long time. She remained there, unable to close the ring case or take the ring out, as if by not wearing it, she could somehow suspend the engagement.
Only after several minutes had passed did she finally touch the jewel. She took out the engagement ring herself and slipped it onto the fourth finger of her left hand. The ring the Duke had sent fit her finger perfectly, and that seamless fit offered a small bit of comfort for her misery.
The oldest diamond of the Glenn family sparkled like new. Unfamiliar with the jewel settled on her left hand, Rosalyn touched it for a long while with her other hand. It would take time to get used to the sensation.
Touching the engagement ring, she looked up at Margaret’s portrait. Her mother in the painting was still young and beautiful, just as Rosalyn remembered her.
Rose, my sweet daughter.
Would her mother be happy? Rosalyn was certain she would be. Now, the Fairfield family would be the Duke’s in-laws, and her father would be the Duke’s father-in-law. So, this was undoubtedly the right decision.
It’s the right decision.
Rosalyn whispered to herself, looking around the empty family room. Standing alone, she toyed with the ring on her left ring finger. Feeling this unsettled was surely a natural reaction. If she had rejected this ring, she would have had to endure a far greater anxiety.
So, it was the right decision.
Swept up in a strange mood, she slowly scanned the room. The lace doily her mother had made. The hat her younger brother wore as a baby. The cushion she had embroidered with roses. Things she would soon lose.
Rosalyn would leave this house before long. She would no longer be the eldest daughter of Fairfield House, but the mistress of Maxville. She would have to handle new roles as a Duchess, a wife, and a daughter-in-law. And as time passed, she would naturally become a mother.
Reaching that thought, a sense of pressure made her chest feel tight. Yet it was a path she could not avoid as a woman. Just as she had lived as the ‘Viscountess’ of Andover until now, she would have to become someone worthy of her new position.
I can do it. I’ll make it through.
Rosalyn took a deep breath and forced a smile. Once her father and the Duke’s lawyer finished their discussion, her siblings would come rushing in as if they had been waiting. Therefore, she had to be prepared.
She had to be ready to acknowledge that this engagement was a happy occasion and accept everyone’s enthusiastic congratulations.
