Episode 23

Cliff was a coastal city, but it wasn’t devoid of forests. Perhaps the accessibility played a role, but…

“There’s a small forest near the Duchess’s villa as well. The Bellona family’s estate is the largest in the region—it’s located towards the edge of the city.”

“That’s what’s strange. And then there’s Juliet…”

Elouise frowned and held up the piece of aloe jelly that was sliding off her face. The two had just returned to their shared bedroom after an unusually long dinner.

Logan was silently waiting alongside pieces of jelly made from thick-leaf succulents. He handed them out, explaining that they were great for the skin and should be rubbed in thoroughly. A maid would have tended to them. Logan, naturally, would not carry out the task out of respect of his Lord's wife.

“I can’t exactly go rubbing my master’s wife’s face, can I?”

It was the obvious thing to say, but Elouise still felt a little disappointed.

People truly are fickle. Not long ago, if she’d had the luxury to use something like this jelly on her face, she would’ve chosen to sleep a little more instead. After teaching all day and coming home to clean up Juliet’s messes, sleep had always come first.

It felt like just yesterday she’d been running on an empty stomach. And now here she was—feeling slightly let down that no one was massaging her face.

Suddenly, Elouise felt a chill. What if she grew used to this lifestyle and couldn’t readjust to her old one?

But then she thought of the diamond in her desk drawer, and her mood lightened.

On impulse, she rose from her spot and opened the nightstand drawer. The velvet box containing the diamond was still there, just as she had left it. Marcus chuckled.

“Why the diamond all of a sudden?”

“No reason. It just… calms me when I look at it.”

Elouise squinted slightly and opened the box. The diamond sparkled brilliantly, even against the flickering candlelight. It was a gleam no one could mistake. Satisfied, she closed the box again and, struck by a sudden thought, turned to Marcus.

“Does the Duchess have some sort of illness?”

“Not as far as I know. Why?”

“She said at our wedding that she went for a walk in the woods because her chest felt tight. And she told your aunt it was due to some chronic condition. Could that be it?”

“Well…”

Marcus rubbed his chin, then smiled.

“Maybe it was a pang of guilt from falling for a married man so suddenly? Her heart couldn’t handle it.”

“…"

“Don’t give me that look. Think about it—it explains why she chose this forest instead of any other.”

She was the idiot for even engaging in serious conversation with a lunatic.

Elouise glared at him with undisguised irritation. Marcus took a sip of brandy and chuckled to himself.

“But what kind of person is Lady Rependers? Why did she come along?”

“Hmm, she’s one of the Duchess’s closest friends. You probably saw her that day at the Duchess’s gazebo. She loves to drink.”

As he spoke, Marcus swirled his glass of brandy. Elouise’s eyes widened.

“Wait… is she a bit plump?”

“Yes, that’s her. Seems like you remember.”

“I do—because…”

Elouise recounted the incident where she had spilled tea on the woman’s dress. Marcus smiled knowingly.

“So the one next to the Duchess when you two had that spat… that was Lady Rependers.”

“She called her Abigail.”

“Exactly. Abigail Rependers, wife of Lord Rependers.”

“Oh no… If I’d known they were close, I would’ve been more careful. Not only am I the woman who embarrassed the Duchess, now I’m the one who ruined her friend’s dress too.”

“Will you not be using this?” Elouise picked up the jelly Marcus had set aside. Her own had turned mushy, but his remained intact. He nodded for her to go ahead, and she began diligently applying it to her face.

“I wouldn’t worry. I’m sure her dress has seen worse. She’s spilled alcohol on herself more times than anyone can count. Tea is nothing.”

“But still…”

“The maids at the Rependers estate are brilliant at cleaning anything she stains. Tea will be the least of their concerns.”

“I hope so…”

Elouise frowned as she continued rubbing the jelly into her face. Her skin shone under the candlelight. Marcus found the sight rather endearing, though he didn’t say so out loud.

---

The next day, they learned the reason.

Out on the beach, the Rependers couple was waiting for them. Abigail was sober and in full control of her faculties. Unlike her flushed, drunken appearance from the other day, she looked quite pleasant now.

Rosy cheeks, dark brown eyebrows, and soft, smiling eyes. When she embraced Elouise warmly, the latter felt relieved—there seemed to be no lingering resentment over the tea incident.

But when Abigail said, “I’d like to become Juliet’s tutor—what do you think?” Elouise could hardly remain composed.

She resisted the urge to ask, What? and instead exchanged uncertain glances between the two. She needed an explanation.

Standing beside Abigail, Lord Rependers appeared at least ten years older. Perhaps his age brought wisdom, because he immediately noticed Elouise’s discomfort and smiled gently.

“I told my wife yesterday that I had accepted the offer to tutor Juliet. Turns out she also happened to meet the girl at the Noskina estate. You’re aware, yes?”

Met her? Elouise’s eyes flickered.

She had gone to check on Juliet yesterday, but the girl had been fast asleep, snoring with her belly exposed. Elouise didn't have the heart to wake her, so she left quietly—only to now realize that Juliet had met these two women afterward.

Madam Noskina said she declined the lunch invitation…

As if reading her mind, Abigail continued:

“We met Juliet while walking in the woods. She’s such a lovely, spirited child.”

“I see…”

Lord Rependers shrugged.

“If you don’t mind my saying, I’ve heard she’s quite bright. Abigail told me as much.”

“I asked Albert to let me take over. Juliet has incredible comprehension. And since she’s a girl, I thought it might be better for her to be taught by another woman. I hope I haven’t upset you?”

Abigail’s question was tentative.

Upset? More like cornered.

Elouise hesitated.

It was true—female students often fared better with female tutors. Leaving a young, immature girl alone with an older man in a room was best to be avoided. Still, Elouise had wanted Juliet to study under the most reputable mathematician she could find.

And she had seen Abigail drunk and sprawled across a tea table just days ago. Even noblewomen who enjoyed alcohol typically maintained some decorum in public. What if Abigail became a bad influence on Juliet?

Elouise opened her mouth, uncertain.

“I—well… I’m sorry, but I wanted Lord Rependers as Juliet’s tutor for a specific reason. He’s a renowned mathematician.”

“Oh, if that’s the issue, don’t worry!”

To Elouise’s surprise, Abigail pulled out two small books. The titles read: Introduction to Algebra and Surveying Through Mathematics. She pointed to the author’s name printed at the bottom.

By Albert Rependers, with assistance from Abigail Rependers.

“It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’ve helped him with several of his books.”

Lord Rependers added cheerfully:

“My wife gives me quite helpful insights, especially in mathematics and analysis. She’s more than capable of teaching a fourteen-year-old.”

“Is that so…”

Abigail smiled warmly.

“I can’t promise perfection, but I spoke with Juliet yesterday, and I believe we’ll get along quite well.”

A flicker of doubt rose in Elouise’s mind. How much could they have possibly spoken for her to say that?

And another suspicion crept in. What if the Duchess and Abigail were scheming something with Juliet at the center?

It doesn’t take much of a grudge to motivate someone…

Elouise couldn’t shake the feeling. She didn’t like how persistent the Duchess’s interest in Juliet had become.

Back in Maine, she had witnessed things like this before. Juliet was objectively a very pretty girl—and rather slow to respond. There were always certain types of people who took a sinister interest in girls like her.

That was why Elouise had developed a habit of being wary of anyone who fixated too much on Juliet.

Could the Duchess be feeling spiteful after Elouise humiliated her—and now scheming to hurt her in the most painful way possible?

But her rational mind told her to calm down.

What kind of conspiracy would two noblewomen concoct over a fourteen-year-old girl?

It was a ridiculous thought. Elouise was barely a newcomer to Cliff’s social circle. Though technically of viscount rank, as “Lady Hanger,” she was considered of lower status than both of them.

Sure, they tolerated her because of the Hanger family name, but if they truly wanted to disgrace her, they had far simpler ways—like ignoring her completely. If the Duchess merely kept her mouth shut whenever Elouise was around, she'd be excluded instantly.

Still… the sudden volunteering felt suspicious.

Especially since she’s the Duchess’s closest friend.

The offer felt off.

Elouise had just made up her mind to politely decline when Marcus suddenly cut in beside her.

“It’s truly a blessing that Lady Rependers is offering. I would be honored if you would take care of my beloved daughter.”

“Oh my… I didn’t expect you to approve so quickly, Lord Hanger.”

“Dear lady, I found your paper on analytic geometry quite fascinating.”

“Excuse me? Goodness! Someone actually read that trash?”

Abigail laughed, delighted. Marcus chuckled.

“Trash? It caused quite a stir in the capital’s salons, I’ll have you know.”

And just like that, Elouise found herself sidelined, watching the two of them chatter as if she weren’t there. Her eyes rolled in bewilderment.

And just like that, Juliet had a new tutor.

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