Episode 44

Elouise opened her eyes. Then, startled, she sat up with a jolt.

"Oh my goodness!"

The sun was already high in the sky. To be precise, it was far past the time she usually woke up—just before lunch. Elouise, realizing that her hair was tangled and cascading down her shoulders, frantically proceeded to fix her mess.

“What on earth…”

Normally, the maids would come in and tidy up around the time she was expected to be awake. Even if she hadn’t yet woken up, their presence would be enough to jolt her from her slumber. But it was clearly late, and the room remained in shambles. Her eyes landed on the wine glass rolled across the carpet. It was just as she recalled. Clearly, the maids hadn’t entered the room.

“Why…”

Then the reason dawned on her. The blanket covering her slipped off with a soft rustle.

A chill suddenly ran down her spine.

That’s right. She was naked.

The moment she realized this, Elouise hurriedly grabbed the blanket to cover herself. That was when it happened.

“Mmm…”

A low moan came from beside her. Startled, Elouise looked down.

It was Marcus.

Unlike her, he was fully dressed—shirt, cravat, and all.

What in the world happened?

As if he could read her mind, Marcus stirred and slowly opened his eyes. When their eyes met, he beamed.

“Did you sleep well, El?”

“…Marcus…”

“I actually woke up quite early, but you were sleeping so soundly that I couldn’t bring myself to bother you. So I sent the maids away…”

“…That was you?”

“Yes. Well, technically…”

Still lying down, Marcus moved closer and rested his forehead on her side as she sat on the bed.

Marcus had woken up much earlier than Elouise. Feeling a twinge of guilt after seeing the woman he had relentlessly tormented all night curled up in her sleep, he had washed up. He intended to tell the maids to come in late, but they beat him to it. While he was getting dressed, they had opened the door, assuming the master's nephew and his wife would already be awake.

Of course, everything was revealed—the woman sleeping under the blanket with bare shoulders exposed, and the strangely pleased look plastered across his face. Quick-witted as they were, they asked, “Shall we skip the morning cleaning?” to which Marcus readily agreed. Then, sitting by the bed, he’d observed Elouise sleep… and ended up dozing off once again.

Elouise was mortified.

“What on earth must they all think of us as?”

“Oh, I don’t know. A happily married couple, perhaps?”

“Marcus!”

She shrieked and reached for a pillow to throw, but realized the blanket was slipping and quickly hunched over again. Marcus, watching her, chuckled and sat up beside her, then kissed her cheek.

“So adorable, even first thing in the morning.”

“Marcus.”

“Yes, my love?”

He gripped her bare shoulder, kissed both her cheeks twice, and as she opened her mouth to scold him, stole her lips. Their tongues intertwined for a long time until Elouise was utterly breathless. Only then did Marcus pull back.

“Seeing your face first thing this morning made my heart race.”

“You should have woken me up…”

“I thought I might knock you out again if I did.”

Her fake husband truly was the smoothest man in the world!

Elouise blushed furiously. Marcus had indeed not stopped after one round. He had kept her up all night, relentless until dawn’s light. She couldn’t even count the number of times. Marcus shrugged.

“I felt bad for wearing you out, so I let you sleep in this morning. Although now… I’m dying to torment you again.”

“You’re not doing anything.”

“My love is so cold-hearted!”

As she glared and firmly refused, Marcus grinned playfully. He then brought over a silk robe and handed it to her, now wrapped tightly in the blanket.

“If you’re not too hungry, how about waiting a bit and having lunch together?”

“Alright…”

“Oh, Elouise. You’re so beautiful today. It’s driving me mad.”

Seeing her respond weakly and lower her gaze, Marcus stepped closer again. When Elouise, clutching the blanket, eyed him warily, he smiled gently and kissed beside her ear.

“If I had my way, I wouldn’t let you eat lunch or dinner. But I might kill you if I do.”

“Marcus.”

“So give me a kiss. I’ll try to hold out until evening with just that.”

Elouise recalled what someone had claimed before—how quickly the barriers of intimacy drop after lovers sleep together.

The man before her was living proof.

Even now, he was kissing her cheeks madly and caressing her bare back. Every time his slightly calloused hands brushed against her body, she shivered. Eventually, Elouise pushed him away as he leaned in again to kiss her lips.

“Stop it. It’s too embarrassing…”

“Oh dear. My love is such a shy duckling. But I’ll consider this suffering part of the reward I’ll receive tonight. Last night was so blissful—I’ll never forget it.”

With a laugh, Marcus stood up from the bed. Elouise glared at him, holding the blanket over her chest until he left the room.

Marcus had no particular fetish for teasing her, and so he left quickly. He hadn’t expected Elouise to bare herself so comfortably just because they had shared one night. He understood that.

Once he was gone, Elouise cautiously got out of bed.

She froze after just a few steps on the carpet. Traces of last night were still running down her legs. Seeing the pale fluid made her realize just how reckless she had been.

“Oh my God!”

Marcus Hanger had done it multiple times last night… Elouise couldn’t think any further and covered her face.

This couldn’t be real.

Perhaps he had acted that way because he thought he would marry her. But Elouise knew too well the terrible consequences that could befall a virgin who gave everything to a man without marriage. And she regretted it.

How could I have been so careless, so foolish last night!

Looking back, perhaps it was the alcohol. Or maybe it was just emotions. Either way, she hadn’t taken even the most basic precautions to avoid pregnancy. Contraception was the most forbidden act in the church, and she had never once considered it. But that wasn’t because of church teachings—she simply had never had the opportunity.

Still dazed, Elouise stumbled to the bathroom.

Hot water flowed as she turned the golden faucet. She wiped between her legs, nearly in tears. She had been nothing but reckless.

Blaming Marcus for turning her reckless every time they were together no longer felt fair. Maybe Elouise Starwood was naturally frivolous and shallow, just hiding it well all this time.

Yet, at the same time—

She reminisced about the joy of last night.

The feeling of being loved, which so many women had described, finally made some sense to her. She stood blankly in front of the sink, replaying the experience in her mind.

It had been ecstatic, overwhelming, sweet, and agonizing.

Her heart ached. Remembering her impulsive actions, she wanted to run into Marcus’s arms even now. Just thinking about his passionate kisses made her knees weak. Splashing water on her face, she scolded herself.

Stop it. This isn’t right…

The feeling of being loved was truly addictive.

But she also thought of Marcus that morning. The man who used to kiss her cheek so gently was now freely kissing her lips and forehead. Joking about her being naked!

Elouise knew she had broken through his wall. And that naturally led her to think of what might come next—if that wall crumbled and his love faded, what would he become?

It was terrifying.

He had never slept with another woman before. But now he knew what sex was like. Even from his words alone, it was clear. He teased her about being naked, called the night a reward. Sure, Elouise understood that such jokes could exist between lovers.

But knowing and experiencing were different. She had dreamed for a moment last night that maybe he would truly be hers forever. But his words just now shattered that hope.

He was boastful, frivolous. And now he knew how pleasurable sex could be. Would such a man truly only look at her for life?

Elouise had always feared the worst. A single night wasn’t enough to believe in something so lasting. Besides, she wasn’t someone who could simply enjoy good fortune. Luck had never been on her side—and even brief blessings had always ended in disaster. Marcus himself was proof of that.

Just imagining the man she loved gazing at her with cold eyes broke her heart. What if he even cheated on her one day?

It felt like not just her heart, but the whole world would collapse.

Whether as his lover or as his wife, watching Marcus fall for someone else would be unbearable. She rebuked her recklessness of last night in another sense and made a decision.

Whether I leave with Duchess Bellona or not, I cannot stay here.

She was still undecided about whether to accept Evenia's offer. But at the very least, she had concluded it would be difficult to remain by Marcus’s side like this.

She quickly re-braided her hair and changed her clothes. Checking her reflection in the mirror, she saw that her face was slightly puffy, but not bad. Just as she was about to step out—

“Madam.”

One of the maids opened the door and spoke. Abigail, who had come to see Juliet, had asked to see her briefly before today’s lesson. She was waiting in the parlor across the hall.

“Alright. Tell her I’ll be there shortly.”

With that, Elouise removed her dressing gown and changed into another dress. She had still been in her loungewear. No matter how comfortable Abigail might be, it was unseemly to greet her in such casual attire.

Why is she here?

As she dressed, Elouise pondered the reason. What reason could Abigail have for wanting to see her?

Suddenly, she recalled what Marcus had mentioned the previous day—about rumors of discord between Lord Rependers and Abigail. Was this about marital issues caused by Juliet? Did she plan to reduce the number of lessons?

If that were the case, Elouise thought it might be for the best. After all, she was about to leave Cliff unexpectedly, and she didn’t want Abigail to experience confusion or disappointment at the Noskina estate.

So Elouise made her way quickly to the parlor. The moment the door opened, Abigail stood up.

“Good morning, Elouise!”

Abigail asked if she had lunch plans.

Elouise hesitated—should she mention she had plans with Marcus? It was true he had invited her to lunch, but turning down her daughter’s tutor by citing a lunch date with her husband felt a bit awkward.

Would it be better if the three of them ate together?

Just then, there was a knock at the parlor door. It was Madam Noskina and her maid. Both Elouise and Abigail rose in surprise. The older woman paused upon seeing Abigail in the room. Howevere, Abigail was quicker.

“Peace be with you, Madam Noskina!”

“…It’s been a while, Lady Rependers. Today you’re…”

“Oh, I was thinking of having lunch with Lady Hanger!”

Abigail beamed brightly. Madam Noskina raised one eyebrow and turned to Elouise.

“Is that so?”

“Aunt, is something the matter…?”

It appeared she had asked the maid where Elouise was and had come looking for her. Madam Noskina seemed to have something to say, but clearly it was not a topic she wished to discuss with Abigail present. The older woman finally spoke.

“If it’s alright, I was hoping to have lunch with you.”

“Ah, then…”

Abigail began to step back, but Madam Noskina waved her hand.

“No need for unnecessary concessions, Lady Rependers. It wouldn’t do for an old woman who came late to get in the way of two young ladies' social time. I’ll call for you separately later.”

“Yes, of course…”

Elouise bowed quickly. Madam Noskina gave her a brief glance, then turned and left. A strange sense of unease washed over her.

What could she want to say to me?

The fact that she said she’d call for her separately suggested Elouise was right—there was indeed something to be said. Then, suddenly, she remembered the message Madam Noskina had received the day before. Yes, that must have been what had her so anxious…

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