Ch#52
“You look like a proper lady of the house now. It’s as if you’ve lived here all your life. What did I tell you? Didn’t I say you’d make a flawless Duchess?”
“It’s all thanks to you, Auntie.”
“Of course it is. You mustn’t forget my contribution later, all right?”
Rosalyn smiled as Natalie teased her with exaggerated bravado. She didn’t forget to offer more tea and cake. Rosalyn had always been a kind and polite child who treated her aunt with sincerity, but now that she was the Duchess, that unchanging devotion felt even more special.
Natalie had been waiting for this day ever since she received the long-awaited invitation from the Duchess. She had so many questions: how Rosalyn lived at Maxville, what kind of food and wine were served at dinner, and even stories about the Duke and his family.
Drawing on her twenty-seven years of marriage, she had intended to subtly offer some marital advice. She fully intended to bask in the pride of what was arguably the greatest achievement of Natalie Hope’s life.
“Eat up, Andy. You love cake.”
If not for the presence of her other niece, Natalie would have shared much more intimate conversations with the Duchess.
“The child is completely spiritless. It’s no wonder your father is worried.”
“Andy, do you just not have an appetite? You’re not sick anywhere, are you?”
Natalie Hope let out a sigh as she watched Rosalyn peer anxiously into her younger sister’s face.
Bringing Andreana to Maxville had certainly not been part of her plan. It was just her luck that the letter from Viscount Andover had arrived yesterday, and she wasn’t cold-hearted enough to ignore the pitiful plight of the girl after reading it.
Strictly speaking, Natalie didn't share a single drop of blood with the four Fairfield siblings, but being a naturally affectionate woman, she felt it was her duty to look after the poor children who had grown up without a mother.
“Thank you so much for bringing Andy, Auntie. I wish Father had written to me directly.”
“He probably didn't want to bother you, knowing you’d be busy adjusting to your new marriage. How could you have the peace of mind to worry about your old home?”
“I had no idea. She always wrote in her letters that she was doing well.”
In his letter, Viscount Andover had explained that Andreana had been moping since her sister’s wedding, and for the past week, she had barely eaten and spent all her time sleeping in her room. For a Viscount who had always left everything regarding his youngest daughter to his eldest, he must have been at a loss. He must have been desperate to write to his late wife’s sister-in-law.
That poor widower. He should have remarried long ago.
“I told you, I’m really fine. I just don’t have much of an appetite, but Dad’s making a fuss over nothing.”
“You silly girl. Is it normal not to eat for over a week?”
“It’s not like I didn't eat anything at all.”
“You’ve lost a lot of weight.”
“Well, it’s good to be thin.”
Andreana grumbled in a voice like a mosquito’s hum as she forced herself to pick up her pastry fork. Natalie, watching her with a groan, took a sip of tea to clear her palate before praising the Duchess.
“This cake is truly wonderful. It’s not too sweet, and the flavor is exquisite.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Is there anyone who could dislike Maxville’s honey cake?”
“I haven’t heard of anyone yet.”
Even while attending to her aunt with a kind demeanor, Rosalyn’s attention was entirely focused on her sister. She constantly checked if Andreana was drinking her tea or eating anything, offering her this and that.
‘It’s like a remarried woman fussing over the child she left behind,’ Natalie thought suddenly, finding the sisters cute yet pitiable at the same time.
“I’ll have Andy stay with me for a few days. I’ll have to send someone to the house to fetch her things anyway, so I can just inform Father in a letter.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. That’s why I brought her here. I thought she might be feeling down because her sister isn't around. You’re practically a mother to Andy, aren’t you?”
Andreana poked at her cake with her fork, pretending not to hear. Seeing as she didn't object, it seemed she wanted to stay. Natalie had known this would happen from the moment the girl jumped at the chance to follow her when she mentioned going to see her sister.
‘What a thoughtless thing,’ Natalie mused. It had only been a month since her sister got married; there was no good reason for a family member to overstay their welcome.
That was why Natalie had hesitated until the very end after receiving the letter, but there had been no other way. As Rosalyn said, Andreana had lost a lot of weight and her expression was gloomy. While it made the once-tomboyish girl look more like a lady, Natalie was worried her health might actually suffer if left alone.
It seemed the Fairfield household still couldn't function without the eldest daughter.
“Now, Andy. Do as your sister says and stay here for a few days to recover your strength. Talk about whatever is on your mind, too.”
So, Natalie tried to think optimistically. If the girl stayed here, she could be examined by the Duke’s physician. They would feed her all sorts of good things here. Surely people would treat her well, considering her sister was the Duchess.
“Thank you, Auntie.”
“It was nothing. You’re the one taking on the trouble.”
“Would you like to go out to the back garden after tea? The summer flowers are in full bloom right now.”
“I look forward to it. Will I be able to see the Glenn Collection as well?”
“Of course.”
Rosalyn nodded with a bright smile.
The Glenn Collection consisted of artifacts and artworks that the Ducal family had possessed for generations, and the diamond sparkling on Rosalyn’s hand was part of it. To think she could see things just as famous and precious as that jewel with her own eyes. Natalie’s anticipation grew as she cut another piece of honey cake and put it in her mouth.
The way it melted on her tongue was superb. The furnishings and decor of this drawing room were also admirable. A few days in a place like this would surely cure any bout of depression instantly.
Natalie Hope’s heart grew increasingly optimistic until she was beaming with satisfaction. Thinking about it again, there was no reason to pity these sisters at all.
What could possibly go wrong? Her sister was the Duchess, after all.
*
Windberg in summer was hot and vibrant. When a breeze blew, the distant forest swayed like green waves. The dense coniferous forest wasn't composed of only evergreens; the trees changed colors from the pale green of new leaves in spring and summer to the reds and yellows of autumn foliage.
Standing by the window and looking out at the scenery, Jared reminded himself that tomorrow was the last day of July.
“I heard your sister-in-law is staying here?”
He turned his head at the sound behind him. Through the thick veil of cigar smoke, he saw grinning faces. This wasn't a smoking room, but the men were smoking as they pleased.
Even if the butler or the head maid didn't dare complain about it, the lady of the house could often voice her displeasure. However, the Duchess, who had barely been here for a month, was not yet in a position to do so.
“I hear she’s quite a beauty.”
“Miss Fairfield, you say? I haven't heard rumors of such a beauty in society.”
“Is she even more beautiful than the Duchess?”
The conversation grew heated as everyone added their two cents, but Jared kept his mouth shut. This conversation, with his sister-in-law as the topic, was hardly pleasant to him.
The daughter of Viscount Andover had been staying here for four days. Rosalyn had apologized to him for her sister’s unannounced visit and for letting her stay at Maxville without prior consultation, but in truth, it wasn't a problem at all. This house had over two hundred guest rooms and was always prepared to welcome guests.
Above all, Rosalyn was the mistress of Maxville. Her family members were guests who naturally deserved a warm welcome.
“Isn’t the youngest daughter usually prettier than the eldest? Statistically speaking, I mean.”
When Alexander Glenn spoke, the group fell silent. He was sitting in an armchair in the center of the drawing room, looking at Jared, who was standing by the window.
Statistics, indeed. Jared didn't agree with his cousin’s view, but he brushed it off with a vague smile.
“The good news for our brothers here is that the Duke's sister-in-law is unmarried, and the bad news is that she is still a minor.”
At Alexander’s words, the men burst into laughter. Everyone gathered here bore the name of Glenn—they were Jared’s cousins of various degrees.
Jared invited them to Maxville once a month to spend time together. Most of them held positions in his companies. Talking with relatives of his age who were spread across different departments of the steel company, department stores, and hotels allowed him to learn about the realities of the field that he might otherwise miss. It was a gathering that was bothersome and tiring in many ways, but the gains were significant.
“Duke Jared. What do you think of Brother Alex’s theory of probability? Aren't you the one who would know the difference between the sisters most accurately?”
The trouble of dealing with a second cousin who had been pairing cigars with whiskey since midday and had become half-drunk due to a lack of self-control was also worth enduring. The Glenn family had to maintain an image of brotherly affection, after all.
“I think it’s best to conclude the discussion regarding the Duchess’s beauty here. And as Brother Alexander kindly reminded us, I’d appreciate it if you remembered that my sister-in-law is a minor.”
When Jared replied with a smile, the second cousin straightened his posture. Sensing the Duke’s displeasure, the men naturally changed the subject. The atmosphere, which had momentarily faltered, was quickly restored to a facade of harmony. It was a display befitting a prestigious family famous for its close bonds.
