CHAPTER 63…………………………………
. The Gift
Jerome’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden loud voice.
By now, even he seemed to realize that something was going terribly wrong—his soot-darkened face stiffened.
“Weren’t you close friends with Lady Grace? I heard you attended the academy together.”
“Listen carefully, Sir Frances. Women don’t go around gossiping about their friends’ romantic pasts. Even if there was nothing to gossip about—no romance to speak of—it’s the same. Because no matter how much times have changed, such things can still become a flaw after marriage.”
Mariana’s sharp gaze was utterly different from before.
Jerome, looking awkward, pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off his forehead, an uneasy smile forming on his face.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding. A flaw, you say? I wouldn’t think of holding such a thing against anyone.”
Instead of softening, Mariana’s expression grew even more incredulous. He was acting as though he were already her husband—without even realizing it.
Glancing around, Jerome suddenly leaned forward across the table.
Startled, Mariana drew back, but Jerome, ignoring her reaction, lowered his voice to a confidential whisper.
“I intend to be a very generous husband. Whatever men you might have dated before won’t matter in the least—and even after we marry, I’ll respect your privacy.”
What on earth? She had never heard that the eldest son of Count Frances was such a fool. And yet such a man couldn’t possibly have made it through her mother’s scrutiny to sit before her now, could he?
Even in her disbelief, a flicker of curiosity stirred in Mariana.
“And what exactly would you gain from that, Sir Frances?”
“Freedom. Would that make it clearer?”
He smiled brightly, showing his white teeth—the very same charming smile Mariana had found attractive not long ago.
But now, glimpsing a shadow of Count Martin in his face, she shuddered in disgust.
“He seduced women, then used their relationship as bait to extort money from their brothers.”
Even now, Mariana’s anger hadn’t cooled since hearing the full extent of Count Martin’s vile scheme.
She had gone to the city watch herself after hearing he’d been handed over—but contrary to what the duke said, no one there knew where Count Martin had gone.
If she ever met him again, she had sworn, she wouldn’t go easy this time—she’d make him regret it.
“Where has that rat-like man disappeared to?”
Jerome’s smile was enough to drag all those unpleasant memories back.
“Freedom, you say? You seem to be enjoying quite a bit of freedom already.”
Jerome shrugged. “True enough—but once we’re married, things will naturally be different.”
“Ah!”
Mariana blinked rapidly, then gave a soft exclamation. Her eyes sparkled as if she’d suddenly realized something.
“So, what you’re saying is… we should both look the other way if either of us has an affair?”
“If you insist on putting it that way, perhaps. But really, the word ‘affair’ sounds rather crude, doesn’t it? You know how it is—everyone does it. Marry someone suitable for the family’s sake, and keep one’s romance elsewhere. So I’m simply saying that even after our marriage, I won’t care whom you see.”
Mariana, who had maintained her composure until now, gave a sharp, incredulous laugh.
“How very generous of you.”
“I think so too. There are plenty of men who enjoy their own pleasures but demand strict fidelity from their wives.”
“Riiight…”
Mariana drew out the word and turned around. Over the partition, she caught Anje’s eye.
“My lady, sometimes you’ve got to fight a losing battle. If you keep backing down, people will think you’re a pushover.”
Was it fate that Anje’s words came to her at that exact moment?
Mariana gripped her bamboo-ribbed fan tightly.
“I don’t know what kind of men you’ll meet in the future, my lady,” Jerome went on, “but you won’t find anyone as kind as—ow! What are you doing?!”
Jerome Frances screamed and clutched his head where Mariana’s fan had struck.
Though he’d trained and even fought on occasion, he’d never felt pain like this. How could such strength come from those delicate arms?
“My lady! Please, whatever’s wrong, calm yourself!”
Josh rushed over and wrapped his arms around Mariana’s waist to stop her.
“Josh, I’ve been thinking about why I keep attracting men like that—and Anje was right. It’s because I look too easy. Like I’ll listen to whatever nonsense they say! Well, I’ll fix that right now—”
Even as Josh held her, Mariana swung the fan again, fierce and unrelenting.
“Anje! What on earth did you say to my lady? Ah! Come help me stop her!”
“Why? She’s doing fine.”
Anje stood with her arms crossed, calmly watching the spectacle.
She couldn’t quite hear what that Jerome fellow had said, but judging from Mariana’s shifting expressions, the man had clearly said something idiotic.
“A self-satisfied fool, no doubt. A man like that won’t even keep the fortune he inherited.”
Sure enough, the gentle young lady had finally resorted to using her fan. Watching her, Anje nodded silently.
After all, nonsense deserved a beating. There might be trouble later—a written apology, perhaps a scolding from the dowager—but so be it.
If it meant easing Mariana’s anger, Anje would gladly write ten apologies.
“Anje!” Josh cried desperately. But Anje moved slowly, unbothered by the gathering stares.
“The sweet, mild-mannered Lady of the Side family has been driven to strike someone—that alone proves how rotten the man is. Please, everyone, see it and spread the word.”
That was all she thought.
“Josh, let me go! Do you know what that man just said to me? That he’s generous enough to let me have my own affairs while he has his!”
“What?”
Josh blinked in disbelief—and loosened his grip. In that instant, Mariana’s fan came down again on Jerome.
The whoosh of bamboo cutting through air filled the café with menace.
“Argh! My lady—what are you doing? Why is no one stopping her?!”
As Jerome screamed, onlookers began to gather.
“So that’s his marriage condition, is it?”
“Matching affairs? Is that what he said?”
Looking utterly bewildered, Josh let go of Mariana entirely and stepped back—then glared at Jerome as though he were mad.
“Oh, well then… I suppose I was worried for nothing.”
Whether Mariana swung her fan again or not, Josh backed away, muttering.
Turning toward the window, he caught sight of his reflection—disheveled and a mess.
“What a sight! Honestly!”
He’d worn his only nice outfit for this outing, and now it was ruined over something completely ridiculous.
“You’ve returned, my lady.”
The butler greeted them at the entrance. Mariana, Anje, and Josh exchanged glances.
Of course the butler knew she had gone to meet a potential suitor—but instead of asking how it went or if it had been a pleasant outing, he simply bowed with a composed face.
Then Mariana noticed a physician standing behind him, and her eyes narrowed.
“Is someone ill? Don’t tell me Mother has collapsed—”
It had all happened in the middle of the city, in that popular dessert shop of all places. By now, surely the entire social circle—and her mother—had heard.
Jerome Frances had deserved every bit of what he got; Mariana felt not a trace of guilt over that.
But thinking of the shock her mother must have received did prick her conscience.
“The madam is perfectly fine,” said the butler gravely—though Mariana could have sworn his lips twitched.
“Then who…?”
“The head maid collapsed earlier. But she regained consciousness quickly, and the physician says she’ll recover with a little rest. So there’s no need for concern, my lady.”
At the mention of the head maid, Josh hunched his shoulders.
“There’s no need for you to worry either, Josh,” the butler continued. “As for you, Lady Mariana—her grace is waiting upstairs. And Miss Anje, his lordship has instructed that you go straight to his office at once.”
