Chapter 26
The wedding date was set for June 27th.
Invitations were dispatched, and the news hit the papers. Imperial newspapers gave front-page coverage to the Duke of Windberg’s wedding announcement, speculating that it must be a love match given that the fiancée hailed from a relatively unremarkable family.
A love marriage, a rarity in aristocratic society—and involving a Duke, no less. Maxville did not bother to issue a clarification for the absurdly erroneous report. If anything, the press attaché secretly welcomed the misinformation.
Aside from being a young and handsome Duke, Lord Jared commanded exceptional public interest due to the dramatic circumstances surrounding his succession to the title.
In an era where fame had become a precious resource, there was nothing to lose by draping the Duke in the romantic narrative of a love marriage. It could even be leveraged to benefit the businesses connected to Maxville.
With strategic foresight, the attaché went so far as to propose a radical plan: actively utilizing the wedding by providing several photographs of the ceremony to the press. After passing through internal meetings, the proposal reached the Duke and, as usual, received approval without much difficulty. Lord Jared was a good employer who listened to the opinions of his subordinates.
While Maxville was busy with wedding preparations in many ways, Fairfield House spent its days in relative tranquility.
The wedding date, set at the time of the engagement, was exactly six weeks away. However, since the bride had been requested to arrive at Maxville a week before the ceremony, only five weeks remained.
During that time, a designer sent by the Dowager Duchess visited Fairfield House twice, leading a group of assistants to create the trousseau. They tailored not only the wedding dress but also six evening gowns and two new outfits for Andreana. Rosalyn did not dare refuse the gifts from her future mother-in-law.
There was little else for the bride’s family to prepare. Rosalyn’s primary tasks were calling for the family tailor to fit her father and two brothers for new formal wear and instilling a final sense of responsibility in Andreana as the last remaining lady of the Fairfield family.
She considered speaking to the butler and the head maid in advance regarding Mrs. Selma, but decided against it. She felt it would be wrong to undermine the new Viscountess’s authority so soon.
Then, today, one week before the wedding, the car arrived to collect the bride.
“Victor. You must look after your siblings now.”
“Don’t worry. They’ll both be of age soon enough.”
“I’d like you to remember that they aren’t yet. Andy, don’t forget to send a letter once a week. You know you have to write at least two pages, right?”
“Save some of that nagging for Luke, Sister. I’ll pass it on to him when he returns this weekend.”
“Honestly, Sister, you’re too much. You act like we’re still ten years old. And we’re seeing you next week anyway, so why the letters already?”
The two younger siblings made shooing motions at Rosalyn’s nagging. Both Victor and Andreana were smiling relaxed. Even at this moment, as their sister left her home forever, their faces remained casual—so much so that Rosalyn felt a secret pang of disappointment.
Even though she was the one who had taught them never to show emotion, calling it a bad habit that compromised one’s dignity.
If anything, the servants who had come out to see off the Viscount’s daughter looked more sorrowful. Mrs. Tender, the cook, dabbed at her eyes several times with her apron, and Mary the maid stood by with a reddened nose. Unlike the nobles, they did not hesitate to show their feelings.
“Get in now, Rose. People are waiting.”
At her father’s words, Rosalyn turned her head. Two cars and three attendants were lined up toward her. Her luggage had already been loaded.
Four boxes and two bags containing clothes, shoes, and hats. She had been born in this house and lived here for twenty-four years, yet all she had to take with her were a few changes of clothes.
“I’ll be going now, Father.”
“Go safely.”
“I’ll see you next week.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Rosalyn kissed her father and two younger siblings on the cheek in turn and shook hands with each of the servants. Then, she looked up at the facade of the manor one last time before turning to step into the car.
The Duke’s attendants treated the future mistress with the utmost courtesy. The sight brought another look of satisfaction to the faces of those from the Viscount’s house. Thus, the ‘Viscountess’ of Andover departed Fairfield House.
The pitiful girl who had lost her mother at a young age had become a Duchess, bringing glory to her family. It was truly a conclusion as beautiful as a fairy tale.
Maxville was about twenty minutes by car from the train station. Considering that noble residences were typically located in the quiet countryside, the ducal mansion was positioned remarkably close to the city center. In terms of convenience, it was undoubtedly a prime location.
Rosalyn gazed out the car window at the lush coniferous forest passing by. The late afternoon light shimmered through the dense, continuous trees. This road through the forest was said to be the only path connecting the mansion to Windberg city. It was a detail the Duke had shared with her and the other ladies during the last dinner.
Thinking of the Duke, Rosalyn found herself touching her ring again. Fiddling with the engagement ring on her left ring finger with her right hand had become a habit before she knew it. Even though five weeks had passed, the sensation of it never felt natural. The engagement ring still felt as awkward as if it belonged to someone else, and it even felt embarrassing.
In truth, it still didn’t feel real that she was engaged to that man—even though she was currently riding in his car, on her way to his home.
Just as a sudden sense of uncertainty washed over her and she took a deep breath, the stone buildings of the ducal estate began to appear in the distance.
The car cleared the forest and soon approached the entrance to the manor. The high, black iron gates looked like the entrance to a giant birdcage. A forged iron fence, decorated with gold-painted spikes, surrounded the entire estate.
As the car drew near the entrance, the gates swung open, and a pair of sentries in uniform, carrying rifles, snapped into a hand salute. This was a level of courtesy she hadn’t received when she visited as a guest.
Even after entering the grounds, the car drove for quite a while. As they passed the well-maintained green lawns, Rosalyn kept her eyes fixed on the entrance of the main building.
Would he be there to meet her? Surely he hadn’t left it to someone else again today. This was their first meeting since the engagement. She did not want to endure another sense of insult.
Fortunately, it seemed her fiancé did not regard this marriage as quite that trivial.
A group of people had gathered in front of the main entrance to welcome her. There was the Dowager Duchess, the head butler, a middle-aged woman who appeared to be the head maid, and about a dozen representatives of the staff. Standing at the very front, leading them all, was the man. When she saw him standing there in his impeccable attire and straight posture, Rosalyn couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of relief.
When the car came to a stop, a servant approached and opened the door. Rosalyn stepped out and put on the smile she had prepared. She calmly met the Duke’s eyes and did not look away.
Shyly, but with dignity. Like his fiancée.
The Duke remained where he stood, merely watching her. The distance was too great for conversation, and he showed no intention of approaching first. Thus, it was only natural for Rosalyn to take the first steps.
Walking toward the welcoming party, Rosalyn kept her smile in place. Even so, she was acutely conscious of the engagement ring on her left hand. The ring she had put on herself. That ring, which proved their formal engagement, felt almost like a shameful mistake.
However, the man responsible for that self-reproach greeted his fiancée with a perfectly composed face as she came to a stop before him.
“Welcome, Rosalyn.”
Rosalyn.
She faltered slightly at the familiar address but didn’t let it show. Should she call him by his name as well? She considered it for a moment but decided against it. She didn’t quite have the nerve for that yet.
“You look well, Your Grace. I am glad to see you.”
“As am I.”
“Thank you for sending the car.”
“It was only expected.”
The welcoming greetings proceeded according to protocol. Rosalyn naturally turned to the next person in rank.
“Dowager Duchess.”
“Call me Mother, dear.”
Rosalyn curtsied politely and looked up at Diane Glenn.
“Let’s dispense with the formalities. We are family now. I am truly delighted you’ve come, Rosalyn.”
“Thank you for the welcome.”
“Think nothing of it.”
The Dowager Duchess smiled, fine creases forming around her eyes.
“Let’s go inside. Why don’t you take a look around the manor while your things are being unpacked? There are many things to do, including introducing you to the staff. Oh dear, please understand if I’m being too fussy. I simply cannot hide my joy today.”
“Of course, Mother. I am looking forward to it as well.”
Rosalyn responded with a smile, then turned back to the man standing beside her and continued.
“If it’s alright, might I ask the Duke to show me around the manor?”
