Ch#56
“There’s a reason people call it a honeymoon, isn’t there? Honey-sweet days don’t last forever. You only realize how good they were once they’ve passed. I’m a witness to that, so you can take my word for it.”
“I think we all belong in that witness box, Naomi. Wouldn’t you all agree, dear ladies?”
At Karina Glan’s supportive remark, the noblewomen burst into laughter. Seeing her mother-in-law step in, Naomi tactfully retreated. Since the Dowager Duchess was absent from this circle, Karina was the eldest present—especially since her husband was highest in the line of succession.
“Now, Rosalyn, do boast a little. Tell us what a devoted husband Gerard is.”
At Karina’s gentle urging, Naomi pricked up her ears. Confirming the state of the Duke’s marital life was a shared interest between mother and daughter-in-law. They watched the Duchess’s face together, hoping she might drop even the smallest clue.
Rosalyn lowered her gaze with a slightly troubled smile, then replied in a humble, soft tone.
“I wish I could meet your expectations, Aunt, but I’m not sure if I’m happy enough to boast about it to everyone.”
The Duchess did not seem flustered or hesitant. She offered a natural response, looking appropriately shy for a new bride. It was as if she had anticipated such a question and prepared for it.
“Won’t I only know how sweet the honeymoon was after it’s over? Just as Lady Naomi said.”
Rosalyn shifted the conversation and turned her gaze toward her. Naomi met her eyes with a pleasant expression.
“When that time comes, please be sure to accept my request for a visit, Lady Naomi. I might have a very long list of grievances to share from my seat in the witness box.”
The women standing around broke into laughter at Rosalyn’s words. As they laughed with exaggerated cheer while exchanging glances, they were likely all thinking the same thing. They were disappointed not to have heard anything juicy, yet impressed by the Duchess’s clever evasion—and perhaps a bit suspicious that she was hiding something.
A woman truly drowning in her husband’s love—especially a twenty-four-year-old—would normally be unable to contain her overflowing happiness.
“Of course, Duchess. Anytime.”
Naomi nodded with a delighted smile.
There was no reason to be impatient. It had only been a month since the wedding; if this image of a perfect couple was a mask, it would eventually slip. All she needed was time. And perhaps a little prodding.
“It is good to see. The two of you should visit each other often from now on. You are the closest of sisters-in-law, after all.”
“Of course, Mother.”
Karina Glan was being particularly supportive of her daughter-in-law today. Naomi had never liked her mother-in-law for raising her son to be such a brazen man, but for now, they were on the same side.
Hunting was always more fun in a pack than alone, especially when one could employ beaters to flush out the prey. She already had someone in mind who would make an excellent beater.
“Send me an invitation whenever you like, Rosalyn. I’ll come running in a heartbeat.”
“That is very kind of you. I shall do so.”
Naomi watched the Duchess, who was smiling serenely. The life of a bored noblewoman always required entertainment. In anticipation of the fun that was surely about to begin, Naomi Glan gave a broad smile.
“It truly is a wonderful sight. How nice it is to finally have a lady of the house.”
“And it’s not just the Duchess’s doing, is it? Such touching devotion. I heard he was head over heels for his wife.”
“To think he delayed marriage for so long and kept us all anxious. He should have listened to his elders sooner.”
To think he would invite a legendary artist just to save his wife’s face. Every time his uncles, aunts, and great-uncles teased him, Gerard brushed it off with an appropriate smile. It would be ridiculous to explain every detail and deny the rumors.
Gerard had attended this family concert every year since he was fifteen, and in the four years he had hosted it, he had never once attached any great significance to it.
Placing Aschenbach in charge of the conducting had been the Empress’s suggestion. Gerard knew exactly what it meant for her to send her favorite musician for a traditional family event at Maxville.
Empress Rayners was nudging him. Now that he had found a good woman and married her, it was time to start his work. It would be troublesome if he neglected his debts while enjoying his honeymoon.
『Sir Rudolf will further brighten the gathering of your harmonious family. It is a token of my interest and favor toward you, so I hope you will accept it gladly.』
He had scoffed upon reading the Empress’s letter, but he had no choice but to write back a reply stating he would accept it gratefully. In truth, it wasn’t a loss for him either. Thanks to her, he was enjoying the luxury of dancing to music conducted by that great maestro.
“How can her dancing be so magnificent as well? She has such grace and poise. You’ve truly welcomed a refined Duchess.”
“Well done, Gerard. Truly excellent.”
Gerard responded to his great-uncle’s high praise with a humble smile.
Eighty-five-year-old Arthur Glan, the younger brother of the 10th Duke, was currently the oldest member of the family. Following the elderly man’s pleased gaze, the group’s eyes turned toward the same spot. Gerard also looked over while holding a glass of champagne.
Several couples were dancing on the floor in the center of the ballroom. The gentleman currently claiming the Duchess was the Duke’s first cousin once removed, Cheryl Glan. Rosalyn was smiling and saying something to him as they danced a moderato, and the older man seemed to be having a wonderful time because of it.
She really doesn’t know how to say no.
From what Gerard had observed, Rosalyn was now on her sixth dance. After the first dance with her husband as the host, she had danced with five men in a row.
Even though she knew everyone was watching for a chance to ask the Duchess for a dance, she hadn’t refused a single one. Was she planning to keep going until she sprained an ankle? Gerard clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched the woman smiling without a hint of exhaustion.
How foolish.
The conversation of the family elders standing nearby drifted past his ears. Even the melody created by the brilliant conductor felt like nothing special. Gerard tilted his champagne glass while watching the woman on the floor, the woman smiling under everyone’s gaze. The wine that wet his tongue was sweet.
As another piece of music ended, applause rang out. Cheryl stepped back, releasing his hold on Rosalyn. Gerard watched the two of them exchange courtesies, then looked away before she could turn toward him.
Where his gaze landed, on the right side of the floor, were tables and chairs. It was a place where one could appreciate the music and watch the dancers. Since the minors who had yet to make their social debut could not dance or drink, they were gathered there, chatting and socializing amongst themselves.
Andreana had been there too. Along with the Duke’s nieces and nephews in similar positions.
At least, she had been there when he last checked.
Gerard scanned the room again, moving only his eyes. He searched quickly through the familiar faces, but Andreana was nowhere to be seen. He had been checking on her intermittently since the ball began, but she had vanished in the brief moment his attention was elsewhere.
Damn it.
Muttering a curse under his breath, he looked for his attendant.
Dan Willis was also nowhere to be found. Feeling a sense of frustration that what he feared had happened, combined with the relief that he had prepared a contingency, he turned his gaze back to Rosalyn.
Rosalyn also seemed to be looking for her sister. As she left the floor after parting with Cheryl, she was constantly scanning the surroundings. Gerard walked toward her slowly while keeping his eyes on her, and before long, she spotted him and approached.
“I can’t see Andy.”
Rosalyn whispered to him in a low voice. Gerard stared silently at her face, which was suppressing a sense of panic and crisis.
The Duchess was, in name and fact, the protagonist of the day. Every man wanted to dance with her, and every woman wanted to talk to her. It was likely her first time acting as a chaperone, so she must have been clumsy at keeping an eye on her sister. Moreover, she probably felt at ease since this was a family gathering. It was a perfectly understandable situation.
“I should go out and look for her. She must have stepped out for a moment…”
“You stay here. I’ll look for her.”
When Gerard spoke, Rosalyn fell silent. She then searched his face with serious, cautious eyes. Gerard spoke calmly, hiding his inner thoughts.
“We can’t both be absent at the same time.”
They were the masters of the house and the hosts of the event. Furthermore, it was impossible for Rosalyn to leave without drawing attention. Of course, even if that weren’t the case, Gerard wouldn’t have let his wife go out.
“You take care of the guests here. Leave your sister to me.”
