Deceived 74

Chapter 74

***

Even after covering the morning paper, her fingertips trembled for a long time. Her racing heart was also difficult to calm easily.

If Isabelle failed to achieve her goal, and Isaac Doman also paid the price for his deeds, it would be a good thing for Blair. Yet a sense of relief at being protected tangled with an oddly chilling feeling. She couldn't readily discern what lay beneath that tremor.

Why was that? Was it because she had come to realize, painfully, that Edmund had used Nicoletta's downfall as a tool?

Blair became acutely aware of her own position. Being by Edmund's side was undoubtedly safe, but it also meant she could be considered just one of the cards in his hand.

Hadn't there been a scandalous story about her own self once? The knighthood that had forced her father, the Earl of Twyford, to choose Edmund without even weighing his options.

Wasn't putting her on display to draw the eyes of society also intended for his plan, just like now?

"...Haa."

What on earth was she thinking? She let out a long sigh and buried her face in her hands. Blair stared at her cold coffee and slowly caught her breath.

Yet she couldn't deny the desire to be a part of that man. She wanted to be by his side, even if only as one card in his hand. At least with him, she wouldn't lose her way. On his meticulously laid-out board, Edmund always carved out a path, and Blair found herself helplessly drawn to such a man.

And her heart had long since lost its way back.

***

The capital's night streets streaking past the car window were dazzling.

The light from streetlamps and shops open late tangled together, casting golden patches on the stone pavement, over which crowds dressed in their finest bustled to and fro. Everywhere her gaze fell, the city in the evening was steeped in an aura of revelry, and Blair fixed her eyes beyond the window.

Truthfully, she also lacked the courage to face the man seated beside her. Even though they shared a bed every night, meeting Edmund's gaze somehow felt impossibly difficult. It had probably started after she became aware of her feelings for him.

She knew this man could read her heart anyway, so meeting his eyes would only reveal her wavering emotions. That was why she looked away. It was a matter of stubborn pride.

"The Countess of Gillingham will be delighted to see you."

Blair blinked at the voice beside her, returning to reality. Edmund added calmly, his gaze fixed ahead.

"You seemed to have built quite a rapport."

"She's a thoughtful lady. I'm unnecessarily nervous about being invited to dinner."

Blair, who had prepared separate gifts not only for the Count of Gillingham, the host of tonight's dinner, but also for his wife, added lightly.

"I hope the Countess likes my gift."

"Worrying so much will make her husband misunderstand."

"...Huh?"

"That you've taken a fancy to her."

Blare, utterly flabbergasted, whipped her head around to look at Edmund. For someone who’d just made such an absurd remark, his expression was surprisingly serious.

“You seemed rather affectionate with the Countess.”

“Affectionate? That’s impossible.”

“Then I must have misread your intention to save your husband’s dignity. What a relief.”

Even the small gesture Blair had intended for the Countess was instantly reframed as something meant for Edmund. As she gasped in disbelief, they reached their destination. A long line of cars stretched out in front of the townhouse's main gate. Their black sedan slowed behind them and came to a stop.

"Shall we get out now, Blair?"

Edmund stepped out first and extended his hand. Blair silently placed hers on top of his. The man gripped her hand firmly and strode forward.

From a distance, they were a picture-perfect couple, but up close, something felt unnatural. The way he clasped her hand with such a tight grip hardly seemed like a gentleman escorting his lady. Nor did the way they walked, hand in hand, their sides practically pressed together, quite match the typical demeanor of an aristocratic couple.

When they knocked on the door knocker, the host of the dinner party, the Count of Gillingham, personally opened the door to greet them.

"Oh, welcome! Lord Liberte and Lady Liberte."

"Thank you for inviting us."

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Count of Gillingham."

"I prepared a gift. I hope it suits your taste."

When Edmund handed him the bottle of wine bearing an elegant label, the Count of Gillingham was overjoyed.

"Such a fine wine—how could it not be to my taste? I accept it gratefully. Please come in. Josephine has been eagerly awaiting Lady Liberte."

"I too was eager to see the Countess again."

"Then, if you'll excuse us."

After exchanging greetings, they entered the Count’s townhouse. The interior, decorated to perfectly match the tastes of the Countess, who hailed from the Kingdom of Brucken, was both exotic and sophisticated. The paintings covering the walls instantly captured the viewer's gaze, and the vibrantly colored decorative pieces placed throughout infused the entire space with energy.

"Lady Liberte! Welcome! I've been waiting for you."

Despite the many other guests, Countess Josephine Gillingham couldn't hide her delight upon seeing Blair. After greeting her, Blair didn't forget to hand over the gift box wrapped in a fine handkerchief.

The dinner party was an intimate gathering of about ten close acquaintances of the Count and Countess. Most were familiar faces from the previous party, but one person was unfamiliar.

He was a handsome man with shoulder-length hair tied back, giving him an artistic air. Amidst the clinking glasses and laughter at the table, he glanced at Blair several times. As the appetizers were being served, the Countess introduced him.

"Everyone, say hello. This is my younger brother Marcel, who's come from Bruges."

"Hello, I'm Marcel."

"...Oh dear. My brother isn't very familiar with the common language, so please bear with him."

A burst of laughter erupted as the large man offered his greeting in a thick accent. Blair couldn't help but let a smile touch her lips. She hadn't noticed Edmund sitting beside her, staring down at her with a piercing gaze.

"Truly an excellent wine, Lord Liberte."

The Count of Gillingham, who had become quite tipsy at some point, held up Edmund's gift and offered his thanks once more.

"It's been ages since I've had wine this delicious."

"I'm glad it suits your taste. The idea to present wine was my wife's."

Blair, who had been spearing shellfish with her fork, paused slightly. Since it hadn't actually been her idea, this was effectively giving her the credit.

"She prepared it knowing the Count enjoys wine."

"How thoughtful! You must be very happy to have such a good wife."

"I wish my wife shared that opinion."

Edmund looked at Blair with smiling eyes. Feeling his silent pressure, she lifted the corners of her mouth and met his gaze.

"I feel the same way. I can't tell you how lucky I am to have met you."

"Oh dear. If we were alone, I'd be hoping for a kiss. What a pity."

His unabashed remark nearly made Blair drop her fork. Her face flushed fiercely, but she forced a smile to stay on her lips.

Fortunately, it seemed to look like shyness, as the guests chuckled and chimed in that the newlyweds were different. Blair met Edmund's amused gaze for a moment before turning her eyes back to the dish on her plate. Just then, Marcel tilted his head and asked his sister.

"...Is that woman married?"

"Marcel!"

The Countess of Gillingham hurriedly silenced Marcel. A silence fell over the table, soon broken by nervous laughter trying to dispel the awkwardness.

"My brother is a typical Brucken man. He tends to blurt out whatever comes to mind without a filter. I hope you'll forgive his rudeness."

"It's fine, don't worry about it, Josephine."

Blair waved her hand dismissively and glanced up at Edmund. A cold shadow had settled over the man's face, which had been smiling easily just moments before.