Maylily - Chapter 44

With each breath, the vivid sensation of the hard body pressing against her made Maylily’s vision blur. Releasing a hot, shallow sigh, she whispered faintly.

“If someone sees us, what then?”

At that, the Count of Everscourt loosened his arms and looked down at Maylily in his embrace.

“If no one sees, then it’s fine?”

“….”

She couldn’t bring herself to say yes, but she didn’t want to deny it either. Choosing silence with no way out, Maylily felt her bangs brushed aside as the Count smiled dazzlingly, as if he already knew her unspoken answer.

At that moment, Maylily finally sank completely beneath the flood that had been rising inside her for so long. The man standing in the bright sunlight, and the scenery around him, appeared dreamlike and beautiful.

Soon the flowers would wither, the season would pass, and this landscape too would vanish.

But Maylily was certain this fleeting moment would remain forever as a shining memory in her heart. And such memories, gathered together, would make life beautiful.

The clear, bluish-gray eyes shining straight down on her gave her that certainty.

So it was fine.

Even if his world was different from hers.

Even if one day she had to face the end with him.

She wanted to love this brilliant season, and the man who shone brightest within it.

Breaking free at last from the fear that had bound her heart for so long, Maylily accepted her true feelings completely and looked at the Count with determination.

“May I ask one more question?”

At her cautious voice, spoken after a long silence, the Count gave a small nod.

“I’m curious… do you have any plans to marry?”

“While you’re in my arms, you’re thinking of sending me to another woman?”

“No, that’s not it….”

Maylily quickly shook her head, flustered by the faint crease between his brows, then hesitated. Encouraged by the quiet gaze fixed on her, she summoned the rest of her courage.

“If you were to marry, I think I’d feel a little….”

“….”

“Sad.”

“….”

“So if that ever becomes the case, I’d like you to tell me in advance.”

“….”

“If I prepare my heart ahead of time, it might hurt less.”

Somehow, she already felt as if she had just heard news of his marriage, and tears threatened to come, but Maylily gave her brightest smile. For now, it was the best she could do.

She only hoped that even the feelings she had to hide between the lines for lack of courage were conveyed.

The Count’s face, gazing quietly at her, was stripped of expression, yet his bluish-gray eyes glowed more deeply than ever. From that, Maylily knew her wish had reached him.

She softly rested her face against Hugh’s large hand, cupping her blushing cheek. It was a gentle but daring gesture.

The next moment, reading the blue flame of desire flaring in Hugh’s eyes, she closed hers. Her lashes, like flower stamens dyed a soft pink, quivered faintly as they veiled her eyes, and Hugh looked down proudly at her.

At last, patience burst into full bloom. Now, all that remained was to taste the beauty of that flower and then break it.

Slowly, his twisted red lips lowered toward Maylily. Across her pale face like a white blossom, a dark shadow fell.

***

Victor, who had gone to Daymont, returned to Purdshire the next day. Because there had been no train returning the same day, he had been forced to waste a day in the dull country village, but since he had dealt with the tailing detective like pulling out a rotten tooth, not a second of that time felt wasted.

Late in the morning, not far from noon, Victor stepped off the train that arrived in Purdshire and immediately took a hired carriage bound for Coatesville, where Maylily’s aunt lived.

It’s done now, it’s all done!

Since the failure of his investment, which had swallowed not only his entire fortune but also the money staked on the rest of his life, his chest had always felt chased by something. Now it’s filled with liberation.

There were about two months left until the repayment date of his loan.

Though the bumbling detective from Buhin had delayed his schedule, there was still more than enough time to find Maylily and marry her to Viscount Dawson.

How much could he wring out as a dowry?

If Maylily was as beautiful as people said, he might even be able to bargain for more than what the Viscount had promised.

While calculating his profit this way and that, the carriage arrived in Coatesville. The grocery store he reached after asking directions from the townsfolk was small and shabby.

That fact pleased Victor. In such a crumbling household, the words of a “successful businessman” would work even better.

But when he confidently entered the shop, Maylily’s aunt, Diane, stiffened her expression like stone before he even spoke. The face resembling Maylily’s, which until now had served him as an advantage, instead provoked strong hostility in her. It was the beginning of an unforeseen obstacle.

“May has long since passed the time when she needed her father’s care. Don’t stir up the child who’s living her life diligently. Just quietly go back.”

All he had said was that he wanted to find his daughter, yet Diane flatly refused to help.

I loved Lily sincerely. I was forced to go abroad against my will because of my family’s opposition. I never dreamed a child had been born between us. I couldn’t return to Riverton all these years because I was establishing my business abroad, but before it’s too late, I want to find my daughter and finally be a father to her….

The more he explained his circumstances, the deeper the suspicion in Diane’s eyes grew. She looked at him like a swindler.

Every Purdshire bumpkin he’d met until now had easily lowered their guard at his polished appearance and smooth words, and when they heard he was a successful businessman, they would rush to help him, hoping something might fall their way.

But this woman didn’t bat an eye. Did she think keeping the girl for a few years made her the real mother? Tch.

The next day, and the day after that, he went to the shop early in the morning and spent the whole day trying to persuade her, but it was useless.

Hoping he might at least get information from the townsfolk, he wandered all around the village the following day. But whether Diane had silenced them beforehand, whenever Maylily’s name came up, their mouths clamped shut.

“Damn it.”

In the end, he returned once again to the grocery store. That day too, after failing to get a single word in with Diane and being turned away at the door, Victor was smoking across the street when a man came out carrying an empty wooden crate and setting it down in front of the shop. Spotting Victor, he approached.

“Still here, sir? My wife’s stubbornness is no ordinary thing, so it’s best to give up. Really, even if the child’s grown up, isn’t it good to have her find her father? What right does she have… honestly.”

It was Diane’s husband, Jace. Sick of dealing with useless people, Victor only gave a bitter smile as he drew on his cigarette. Jace went on, half-complaining, half-slandering, to himself.

In that short moment, Victor felt the man’s eyes roaming closely over his clothes, his face, his rings. Unlike his wife, Jace was very interested in Victor’s flashy appearance. Victor was certain. Birds of a feather recognized each other.

This one would be easier.

Thus, the target shifted.

Victor spent several days lingering near the shop, observing Jace’s habits. He discovered that Jace went out alone early in the morning to deliver groceries to nearby restaurants or estates, pulling the cart himself.

Since his wife’s watchful eyes made it hard to speak near the shop, Victor decided to strike when Jace was alone.

So dawn broke on the ninth day after Victor arrived in Coatesville. Today, he would finally put an end to matters here. Determined, Victor rose early, dressed, and went out to the village entrance.

After anxiously smoking three or four cigarettes in a row, he spotted the cart coming along the dew-soaked dirt road. Jace, holding the reins on the seat, recognized him and stopped the horse.

“What brings you here at this hour, sir?”

“I have something to say. Come down for a moment.”

Jace tilted his head but obediently climbed down from the driver’s seat. Victor flicked away his cigarette, ground it out underfoot, and handed over the envelope of money he had prepared. It was all the cash he had left, except for enough for the fare back to Roden and a little spare. An unavoidable expense to exaggerate his wealth.

“Driven by the thought of finding my daughter, I came in such haste I didn’t bring enough funds. I even left my checkbook behind. Once I return to Roden, I won’t forget the effort you and your wife put into caring for my daughter. Please help me.”

Jace’s eyes, glancing from Victor’s expensive-looking clothes and polished shoes, dropped to the envelope in his hand. Judging by its thickness, the sum seemed considerable.

“Why go to such lengths to find Maylily?”

“As her father, isn’t it natural to search for one’s child? Now that I know of her existence, I must give her the education she missed and find her a proper marriage.”

As Jace toyed with the envelope, he recalled what Daisy had secretly whispered to him when she returned from Roden not long ago.

“Dad, I saw an insanely expensive dress in Sister’s wardrobe. The kind of only noble young ladies wear. Don’t you think maybe she’s involved with that Count from back then?”