Ch#37
“Anyway, where is our new groom? His Grace has been so elusive that I’m on the verge of forgetting my own nephew’s face. The Glenn men are all such workaholics.”
Karina Glenn picked up her teacup, smoothly shifting the subject. It was enough to have asked one tactless question under the guise of a joke; it would be improper to keep prying into the wedding night in front of the bride.
“Tell me about it. That boy is worse than his father. He never knows how to rest,” Diane agreed.
“Goodness, my son is the same way, sister. My daughter-in-law even came to me recently to vent about it. When she told me the children felt awkward around their father, I told her: my son still feels awkward around his own father even now that he has a family of his own. If she wanted comfort, she picked the wrong person to talk to.”
Rosalyn offered a polite smile, keeping pace with her aunt-in-law, who burst into hearty laughter at her own story. This talkative lady was a bit flighty, but she possessed an exceptional talent for livening up a room.
Karina’s husband, Kylyus Glenn, was Gerard’s second uncle and currently first in the line of succession to the dukedom. If Gerard failed to produce a son, the title would pass to him, and eventually to his eldest son, Alexander. Gerard’s cousin Alexander had married long ago and already had two sons.
Thus, even as she laughed at Karina’s jokes, Rosalyn couldn’t help but be reminded of her reality. Her role was to prevent this aunt-in-law from ever becoming the Duchess. That was what Gerard desired most, and it was the greatest gift she could give him.
No, ‘gift’ was too extravagant a word. It was a duty.
Rosalyn had to give birth to a son. She had to do whatever was necessary to conceive.
“You’ll be able to see His Grace at dinner, Aunt. We’ve invited all the uncles and aunts to join us tonight.”
“Is that so? How sweet of you.”
“It is only right. We must express our gratitude to the elders who blessed our marriage.”
“Well, in that case, I certainly can’t refuse. After all, no matter what anyone says, I am the primary contributor to this marriage.”
Karina tilted her chin up, playfully boasting. Though framed as a joke, it was largely the truth. It was she who had introduced Rosalyn, a mere viscount’s daughter, to the Duke.
“The more I see her, the more I realize how lovely she speaks and how well-mannered she is. You’ve truly gained a wonderful daughter-in-law, Dowager Duchess.”
“It is thanks to you. I am grateful.”
“Don’t mention it, sister. This isn’t just Gerard’s business, is it? It’s a matter for the entire family.”
Rosalyn watched the smiling faces of her mother-in-law and aunt-in-law with internal tension. Diane Glenn, who had given birth to three sons yet still had to worry about an heir, and Karina Glenn, who had been pushed one step away from the possibility of becoming the Duchess, shared a delicate relationship as sisters-in-law.
“In any case, I’m glad I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Now that such a refined Duchess has come to Maxville, I’m sure there will be good news soon.”
With a meaningful smile, Karina turned her gaze back to Rosalyn. The eyes of the older noblewomen fell upon her all at once. Finding herself the center of attention again, Rosalyn gave a bashful smile and paused for a moment.
It seemed time to change the subject—away from the sensitive issue of succession and toward something lighter and more mundane. What would be best?
Rosalyn began to search for the right words to transition the conversation naturally.
The luncheon with the Fairfield family was not long. Gerard’s invitation to them was purely a matter of etiquette. It was considered proper protocol to meet and entertain the bride’s family first on the day after the wedding.
Alfred Fairfield was a humble man, and his three children were still young enough that they did not take an active part in the formal table talk. Thanks to that, the luncheon ended earlier than expected, leaving a small window of time, but Gerard could not use it as he wished. Even during those twenty minutes, people would not leave the Duke alone.
“It has been a while, Brother-in-law.”
And so, someone had forced their way in to claim his time.
Gerard had known Veronia’s business from the moment she requested a private audience. That was why he had her brought to his office rather than a drawing room. The nature of the conversation between them was closer to business than a social call.
“Since you’ve come all this way, I hope you find your stay comfortable,” Gerard said.
“I’m staying very comfortably, thank you. And thank you for inviting me to the wedding.”
“To offer thanks for something so obvious… I assume your intention is to remind me of our uncomfortable situation.”
Gerard did not hide his sharp edge from the start. They both knew each other’s goals too well to waste energy on meaningless pleasantries.
“My lawyer told me that you would likely end up filing a lawsuit, Sister. A suit to gain full custody of Rosie on the condition of renouncing all her rights as a lady of the ducal house. My thoughts are quite different, and I hope Miller’s judgment was wrong.”
“Mr. Miller is a man of good judgment. You would do well to keep him by your side for a long time,” Veronia replied calmly.
Gerard looked at her as she sat across the low table—her blonde hair elegantly swept up, her posture demure.
The sister-in-law he knew had always been such a modest woman. Kind, considerate, a count’s daughter perfectly groomed to be a duchess. But Veronia had changed after her husband’s death. This woman claiming rights over her daughter and mentioning a lawsuit against the ducal house was not the sister-in-law Gerard remembered.
“Do you understand what it means to renounce her rights as a lady of the house?”
“Rosie hasn’t been a lady of the house since he died. She is no longer the Duke’s daughter.”
“The status of a lady is a birthright. It means she is a Lady of Windberg even after I die, and even after she herself passes.”
“I will renounce that ‘grand’ right, so please give me custody.”
She isn’t listening.
Watching his stubborn sister-in-law, Gerard suppressed a sigh. There was no need to handle this emotionally. Legally, there was nothing at a disadvantage for him.
According to current family law, upon the death of a father, the rights over minor children fall to his family. The paternal authority Herald possessed was transferred to Gerard. As his niece’s guardian and the one holding custodial rights, he could exercise the same authority as a father.
“I will pretend I didn’t hear that. Since we are meeting like this, let me state my business as well. Please send Rosie this summer. I intend to look after her here until autumn.”
“I don’t think I can do that. We’ve promised to spend the summer in Litton.”
“I cannot consent to her going abroad.”
“I am the child’s mother.”
“Must I remind you again that I am also a joint legal guardian?”
“No matter how many times I hear that, it breaks my heart. That an uncle has more rights than a mother… how can this possibly make sense?”
Veronia raised her voice slightly. Gerard continued in a level tone.
“I respect your views on the law, but as it stands, you cannot win even if you sue. My rights over Rosie are guaranteed by law.”
“I know. But I hope you understand that I cannot simply sit idle either.”
“It will only end in pain for both of us.”
“That’s better than me being the only one hurting,” Veronia said with a bitter smile.
Gerard fell silent for a moment as he looked at her. He couldn’t deny that her last words had stung him slightly. However, like a noble and a former lawyer, he skillfully gathered his emotions and continued.
“My mother wishes for Rosie to be at Maxville this summer. Please understand her desire to have her only grandchild by her side.”
“My daughter isn’t Her Grace’s only grandchild, is she?”
Gerard had to stop again. He was momentarily taken aback. This was the first time Veronia had addressed the issue head-on.
He was, of course, aware of his brother’s illegitimate son. He knew the boy’s name, address, and date of birth. In the process of transferring all assets after inheriting the title, he had confirmed that his brother had set up separate trusts for his mistress and their son.
As far as Gerard knew, that woman had been his brother’s long-time lover. He knew the son was born before his brother’s engagement and that his brother had been very fond of the boy, his first child.
However, Gerard had never met the child and had no intention of doing so. He merely tacitly acknowledged the boy’s existence by maintaining the substantial trust his brother had prepared. He had never considered the boy his nephew. The boy carried his mother’s surname. He was nothing more than a shameful illegitimate child.
