Maylily - Chapter 83

“The Count of Everscourt… asked you, sir?”

At Maylily, who looked at him with suspicious eyes, Patrick Cheshire shrugged. “Why, does it sound like a lie? We’re old friends. If we exchange invitations to each other’s birthday parties, can’t you tell?”

She remembered hearing from Alice that House Everscourt and House Cheshire had maintained friendly relations since the previous generation. Vivian had also introduced herself as the count’s longtime friend.

Even the fact that the Count and Patrick Cheshire clashed at the club might have been possible because they were that close.

Is it really true?

As Maylily hesitated, Patrick Cheshire pressed her again. “It’s your patron’s birthday, so cooperate a little. If you think of it as repaying the kindness you’ve received, it’s not an unreasonable request.”

In the end, Maylily followed Patrick Cheshire. She judged that inside the banquet hall, there wouldn’t be any particular danger.

Patrick Cheshire kept his word. He faithfully carried out the role of introducing Maylily to the guests, and there were no unnecessary or unpleasant remarks.

The people who gathered around Maylily asked about her singing activities and, in between, subtly asked about her relationship with the Count. Since they were people who valued decorum and dignity, they didn’t throw overly difficult or rude questions directly in her face.

With her tension eased, Maylily was talking with a young gentleman about an opera work. At some point, Patrick Cheshire slipped out of the group, stepped up onto the stage, and rang a champagne glass to draw the crowd’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I stand here to offer congratulations and blessings to the main character of this brilliant summer night.”

The toast, which began with an introduction about his long relationship with the Count of Everscourt, continued into praise for the Count’s achievements. Small laughs flowed at the humor mixed in from time to time. Patrick Cheshire continued his speech with a face full of ease.

“That today holds special meaning for me as well is because House Everscourt and House Cheshire have strengthened their alliance even more and taken their first step toward a new future.”

Those who caught the implication of the meaningful words murmured and turned their heads. Following them, Maylily’s gaze reached the Count of Everscourt standing on the staircase leading up to the second floor. Beside him, Vivian stood in bright light, wearing a splendid dress and showing off a confident and elegant figure.

“With a joyful heart, I announce the engagement of my longtime friend, Count Everscourt, and my beloved sister, Vivian Cheshire. Raise your glasses high and bless the future of the two of them.”

Even though it was something somewhat expected within social circles, many people let out exclamations of admiration. Soon, golden champagne glasses lifted into the air glittered like blessings falling upon the two main characters.

In the midst of it, Maylily, feeling as if she’d been slapped across the face alone, stared blankly at the beautiful man and woman smiling at each other. The applause and cheers that filled the room in an instant sounded like something that had been piling up inside her without her knowing, finally collapsing.

***

The Count of Everscourt and Vivian Cheshire are engaged.

The news announced at Hugh’s birthday party covered up the dirty rumors that had been surrounding him lately in a single night.

No one thought House Everscourt would do something so frivolous as to put a mistress on stage as a performer at the very place where they announced the engagement.

And the talent and artistry Maylily showed proved the justification for the patronage she received from Hugh. It was only natural that a great artist had a great patron.

At least for the time being, the suspicions toward the two of them would quiet down. Any noise that rose again after that was a problem to worry about when it came.

Even though she had to announce the engagement at an unwanted time, this was still a satisfying result for Vivian. It felt even more so when she recalled Maylily’s shadowed face she had seen on the staircase under the bright lights.

“Yesterday, what you two did was far too rash. Announcing the engagement without consulting the Everscourts.”

Seated on the guest sitting room sofa, the Marchioness of Cheshire scolded her two children sitting opposite her in a composed voice.

“Announcing the engagement is originally the bride’s side’s privilege.”

At Patrick’s easy answer, Vivian added, “Lord Everscourt said he respects my opinion entirely on that matter, so he won’t take issue with it.”

“Even if that’s true, what were you thinking putting that woman on stage, Vivian? Do you know what kind of expression Deborah had after watching that performance yesterday?”

“No matter how surprised Lady Deborah was, it couldn’t compare to the shock I felt when I saw that woman. Either way, we showed the guests a good performance and erased the scandals, so it turned out well.”

If you only looked at the result, it wasn’t wrong. And since the Marchioness didn’t entirely fail to understand the betrayal Vivian felt toward Hugh, she didn’t want to condemn her daughter’s choice.

Still, how did Hugh take it….

At yesterday’s party, Hugh kept the same gentle expression throughout, but no one could know what he was thinking behind that mask-like face. The Marchioness pressed her forehead as she fell into thought. Then, a maid they had brought from House Cheshire came and delivered a message.

“The Count of Everscourt requests a walk with Miss Vivian.”

The sky was slowly gathering rain clouds, but the sunlight pouring over the garden was still hot. Holding a parasol, Vivian entered the garden path lined densely on both sides with bluish-purple delphiniums with Hugh.

“I heard you prepared yesterday’s performance.”

Even though it was the topic she expected, Hugh’s direct manner made her chest tighten. Still, Vivian easily put on a calm front with the smile she had trained for over a decade.

“It seemed like a good chance to show off your refined eye for discovering a jewel-like singer. Did you like it?”

“Quite.”

Hugh looked into Vivian’s eyes and smirked slightly.

“Thank you for taking interest in Prowden’s internal affairs even before the ceremony.”

“Thinking it’ll soon be the place that will be mine, affection is already welling up.”

“If you always carry out your duties faithfully with that kind of heart, I’ll always respect you as a partner leading the house together. Of course, the authority over the dowry that will belong to House Everscourt and the servants you’ll bring from House Cheshire, and even other private matters as well. I also promise that I’ll fulfill my responsibility as your spouse and as the father of the children we’ll have in the future.”

He was a man who delivered a cold warning with such dignity: I’ll respect your domain, so don’t invade mine.

To have to hear words like this just because she touched that insignificant woman a little. It wounded her pride beyond words, but Vivian didn’t lose the smile on her lips.

“Respect and responsibility are important, but don’t you think affection and intimacy are also necessary for a married couple’s bond?”

“Affection and intimacy….”

Hugh paused for a moment, slowly stroking his jaw as he fell into thought.

“Sometimes, that might be the case. However, we should always restrain petty emotions that hinder the dignity and peace of married life.”

In that sense, Vivian made a bad move yesterday.

To think she would put her fiancé’s mistress on stage. There was no conclusion other than that the resentment she felt toward Hugh for hiding Maylily clouded her judgment.

Because Hugh calmly kept pace with her on the spot, she avoided making a fool of herself, but it would be troublesome for something like that to happen again. If she was to be the lady of House Everscourt, she had to think and act coolly at all times.

And Hugh wanted a partner who, with the same expectations as him, would be faithful to the purpose and responsibility of a political marriage. If their goals differed, it was a relationship that would inevitably twist someday.

“If you’re expecting anything beyond that from this marriage, reconsider this engagement. Up to now, there wouldn’t have been room for your opinion and will to be reflected, so I’ll give you the chance.”

Such a cruel consideration. Even at Vivian’s eyes, visibly shaken, Hugh continued in a gentle tone.

“If you want to break off the engagement, I’ll take on persuading Lord Cheshire. The contract issues tied to this engagement are a bit complicated, but on the bond the two families have built up so far, an amicable resolution will be possible. I promise I’ll protect your honor as well to the best of my ability.”

Accept Hugh’s way, or give him up.

The man who drove Vivian to this crossroads of choosing one of two options spoke kindly, as if he would respect any choice. But in the world beginning to be dyed by the warm glow of the sunset, the blue eyes that looked at Vivian shone with an endlessly cold light.

***

The scene of the Count of Everscourt and Vivian Cheshire standing side by side did not leave Maylily’s mind all day.

She thought she was always preparing for the end with the Count…. But if she had been so shocked in that moment, did that mean, unconsciously, she was giving him her heart again?

Still, it was fortunate. That she realized it even now. That she could end it before it was too late.

After sorting out her thoughts all day and making up her mind, Maylily sat in the bedroom lit softly by lamplight and waited for the Count. He appeared around the time raindrops began to fall one by one from the sky, which had rapidly clouded over since early evening.