Ch#49
“You’re here. I only just came to see you and was waiting.”
It was for that reason Rosalyn found herself offering an excuse before she even realized it.
“I thought you might return soon. And you really did.”
She forced a casual smile, but Jared did not smile back.
“Leave us.”
He gave a curt instruction to the attendant standing behind him.
Rosalyn watched the man bow to her and exit. Dan Willis. He was the youngest of the Duke’s attendants and the one who had served him the longest. Rosalyn knew that Jared trusted him so deeply that rumors sometimes circulated, but seeing him treated with such lack of formality occasionally made her feel a twinge of envy toward Willis.
Only after the attendant left and they were alone did Jared approach. The two stood side by side in the narrow space between the desk and the bookshelf. Rosalyn noticed his gaze drop to the novel in her hand. He seemed to be confirming the title once more.
He must be embarrassed. Having a book like this on the Duke’s shelf wasn’t exactly something to be proud of. Rosalyn fully understood his predicament and felt she ought to step forward first.
“I used to own this book, too. I found it quite enjoyable.”
When she spoke first, Jared raised his eyes to look at her again. Facing a countenance that revealed nothing of his inner thoughts, Rosalyn smiled.
“You know the author is a woman, don’t you?”
She felt as though a pleasant conversation was about to begin. The hope that she might grow closer to him swelled within her. Her heart began to race.
“It was in the newspapers last spring—did you happen to see it? The author came to Isen during the Sun Festival. She actually lives in Kingston.”
She omitted the part about the scandal between the author and the publisher. She didn’t think Jared would appreciate his Duchess speaking of such matters. He remained silent, merely listening, and Rosalyn decided she should soothe his embarrassment a little more.
“Have you read the author’s new work, 《The Spruce Forest》? That one is truly wonderful as well. The protagonist is a man named Polster, and—”
“The Empress sent it.”
He cut her off abruptly. Rosalyn, who had been uncharacteristically talkative, fell silent in bewilderment. Her thoughts stalled for a moment at the incomprehensible statement. The Empress sent it? That made even less sense than the book simply being in the Duke’s office.
“Her Majesty the Empress… sent this? Why would she…?”
Confused, Rosalyn waited for Jared’s answer. He gave it without the slightest hesitation.
“She had a proposal for me regarding an arts patronage project. It fell through in the end, however.”
“Ah… I see.”
Rosalyn hurriedly tried to reorganize her thoughts. She knew Jared supported talented writers. As charity was one of the duties of the nobility, the Glan family sponsored various projects.
So, he hadn’t sought out and read this book himself. Since the Empress had sent it, he might have glanced at a few pages, or perhaps never opened it at all. As a refined and intellectual noble, he would likely look down on novels. He might even frown at it, considering it suggestive and vulgar writing.
Which meant she had just confessed to finding such a novel ‘truly enjoyable.’ And he hadn’t even asked.
As the confusion cleared, a wave of mortification washed over her. Rosalyn didn’t know what to say or how to act. Was he disappointed? He must be. Oh, why hadn’t she considered that someone might have given him the book?
“I have a request, Rosalyn.”
Flustered, Rosalyn looked up. She gazed into the face of a man who was not smiling. Though the warm, golden light of the late afternoon sun filled the room, Jared’s green eyes remained cold.
“In the future, I would prefer it if you did not enter my office without permission. I would also appreciate it if you refrained from touching my things.”
Rosalyn felt ashamed of her hands gripping the novel. She felt even more ashamed of the words she had prattled on with such excitement. Because of that, she couldn’t point out or protest that what he had just said was too harsh—that it was an excessively cold demand for a husband to make of his wife.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think you would find it unpleasant.”
“Now that you know, it’s fine. What brings you here?”
Jared changed the subject lightly and turned away. He sat in his desk chair as if she weren’t even there. Rosalyn was left looking down at the crown of his head and his shoulders from behind.
“It’s nothing else, but… I thought we should add a guest to tonight’s dinner. The list and the seating have changed slightly, so I came to let you know in advance.”
“Is this something I need to know?”
“Count Basset’s seat has been moved further from the head of the table. Since Sir Nomad is leaving the mansion tomorrow, I placed him closer.”
“You did well. Preparing for dinner is the Duchess’s duty, so you may handle it as you see fit. I will follow your lead.”
The words sounded considerate, but he spoke while keeping his back to his wife. Seeing that he wouldn’t even look at her, she was certain he was disappointed in her.
“There is no need for you to come personally for such trivial matters. From now on, please send word through Cheshire or Sterling.”
Did he not know? It wasn’t as if Rosalyn didn’t know how to command an attendant or the Head Butler; she had come herself simply because she wanted to see him. Surely he knew that. Yet, his intention in insisting she send word through others was clear. He did not want Rosalyn coming to find him ‘simply because she wanted to.’
“Yes. I will do that.”
“Good. On your way out, tell Dan to come in.”
“…Yes.”
Having conveyed everything he needed to, Jared fell silent, and Rosalyn had to accept the unspoken dismissal.
After carefully placing the novel on the edge of the desk, she walked toward the door, acting as though she weren’t hurt at all. She felt a chill on the back of her neck, wondering if he was watching her, but she thought it might actually be better if he were.
It would be too miserable if he weren’t even sparing her a glance.
Rosalyn struggled to maintain an elegant gait as she left the office. After relaying the Duke’s command to Dan Willis, who was standing at the entrance, he went inside immediately. She headed toward her bedroom, brooding over the fact that Jared had called the attendant by his first name and feeling pathetic for caring about such a small thing.
There were about three hours left until dinner. With eight guests attending, the gathering would likely last late into the night. It would be best to rest beforehand to avoid appearing tired.
“I’m truly sorry to see you go so soon, Sir Nomad. When will you visit us again? I must get a firm answer before I let you leave.”
“Whenever you call for me, My Lady. The best thing about being an emeritus professor is that there is almost no work to do at the university. The second best thing is being invited to such a magnificent estate and receiving such generous hospitality.”
The seventy-year-old scholar gave a hearty laugh.
Jared watched the teacup tilt between the old man’s thick, snow-white beard. Nomad Blatz was a theologian knighted by the imperial family and a man his mother deeply respected, but Jared had no interest in theology, then or now.
“I hope to spend more time with the Duke next time. Knowing the wisdom of the universe is just as important as worldly affairs.”
“It’s because he’s still young. Where do young people have any interest in the laws of the universe? It’s only when one gets a bit older that they seek deep wisdom.”
“You are correct, My Lady. It is a pity.”
Letting the old scholar’s subtle grumbling go in one ear and out the other, Jared maintained a habitual smile. He couldn’t exactly argue, given that during Sir Nomad’s ten-day stay, he hadn’t sat down with the man even once.
Thus, Rosalyn’s decision to seat him near the head of the table today was a shrewd one. Though it meant he had to endure an endless sermon throughout dinner.
“Still, I enjoyed spending a great deal of time with the Duchess. It was truly a rewarding time.”
“It was my pleasure, for I received many wonderful teachings, Sir.”
“I hope you will pass on many helpful words to your husband as well.”
“If His Grace is prepared to listen. I don’t think I can do what you could not, Sir.”
People laughed at the Duchess’s words. Rosalyn looked his way with a smile as if it were purely a joke, and Jared matched her rhythm with a similar smile.
If His Grace is prepared to listen. There were thorns in those words.
The Duke, his wife, and the eight guests moved to the drawing room. After finishing dinner, he had gone to the smoking room with the gentlemen before returning here to the ladies for post-dinner tea.
It was now 10:30. He had hoped it would be over by 11:00, but seeing the old man about to start another sermon, it seemed unlikely.
Jared sat cross-legged in a leather armchair, watching the woman while holding the teacup he had picked up out of politeness.
