TAJ 30

30.

Claire knew that life didn’t always go as planned, but she certainly hadn’t expected this turn of events.

She sat dumbfounded in the drawing room, watching Marie and the other maids set the table.

She had only planned to have tea—but now she was staying for dinner.

Facing Eleanor and Rosalind over tea had been tense, but Rosalind skillfully kept the conversation relaxed.

All Claire had to do was sit quietly, listen, and respond when spoken to.

Eventually, Rosalind left to dine with her husband, and Eleanor, eager to let Claire try the chef’s cuisine, insisted she stay.

Claire had no strength to resist Eleanor.

In the blink of an eye, forks, knives, and spoons were set, and grilled scallops and vegetables were served. The maids, having finished their tasks, quietly left the room.

“Try it. It’s really good.”

Claire picked up her fork and knife, cut into a scallop, and took a bite.

As expected. Eleanor had every right to be proud of the taste.

Eleanor beamed, pleased with Claire’s reaction.

“Told you it was delicious.”

The maids quickly cleared their plates and brought out new dishes without hesitation.

Claire, used to having all the food served at once, felt awkward and unfamiliar with this setting. But the cream soup and grilled sea bass were delicious.

Finally, a cheesecake topped with nuts was served. Claire was already full, but it was too good to stop eating.

Now that she was full, she was reminded that this place belonged to the count. How had she forgotten?

Watching Eleanor crunch on the nuts, Claire asked carefully,
“Is the Count out at the moment?”

“No, he’s here.”

Claire immediately lost her appetite. Well, she was full, but still.

“And the Countess too?”

“Yup.”

“Should I… greet them or something?”

“Do you want to?”

“…No.”

It seemed rude to say, but the honest answer slipped out.

“Yeah, I don’t think it’s necessary either. You’re my guest, Claire.”

“Right?”

“That’s why I had the meal served here. Why not relax and enjoy it?”

Following Eleanor’s gentle coaxing, Claire picked up her fork again and finished her final dish cleanly.

By the time dinner ended, it was pitch dark outside. The maids cleared the table thoroughly, and Claire began to worry about her way back.

Were there gas lamps on the birch forest path? She’d only walked it during the day and couldn’t recall.

“My brother should be getting back soon.”

Noticing Claire’s anxious look toward the window, Eleanor brought up Clive.

It was a topic she’d been holding back on, worried Claire might get defensive—yet eager to ask.

Just as Claire was realizing she might need to greet the Count and Countess, the creamy cheesecake had turned to sand in her mouth.

And when she heard Clive would be returning soon, she thought maybe—if they ran into each other—a brief greeting wouldn’t hurt.

She didn’t notice the contradiction in her own thoughts.

“How did you and my brother get close?”

Were they close? Not distant enough to say “we’re not,” but not close enough to say “we are.”

And explaining how they met would require bringing up the necklace, which she didn’t want to do.

“Not very close.”

So that’s what she said. It was the safest answer.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Eleanor glanced at Claire’s eyes, which were staring at a painting of the sea near Furness, and smiled subtly.

“It’s late. I’ll have a carriage prepared. Take it home.”

She was the kind of person who made bold suggestions that were hard to turn down.

“Uh… that’s okay.”

“You’re going to walk? Even with the gas lamps, the forest path is dangerous.”

So there are gas lamps, then. Still, walking alone on a quiet road was scary.

Claire hesitated, then said,

“Could I ask to be taken just to the end of the forest path?”

“Why? If you’re riding, you might as well go all the way home.”

“It would draw too much attention.”

“So what? Let people see how their lord cares for them.”

Did she study rhetoric from a master or something?

Listening to Eleanor, Claire thought, Well, it isn’t wrong for a lord to provide a carriage to her people.

“It’s late. It’s dangerous. Just listen to me.”

Eleanor added firmly as Claire’s will wavered.

“Thank you for being considerate.”

“It’s nothing.”

Claire had already stayed far too long. Thinking the conversation was over, she stood up, but Eleanor looked surprised.

“Already?”

“It’s not polite to overstay my welcome.”

“It’s really fine.”

Still, Eleanor slowly stood to follow Claire.

Didn’t she suggest the carriage so Claire would leave?

Claire found it strange, but Isabel was surely worrying by now, and her mind was set on returning quickly.

“My sister’s waiting.”

“You have a sister?”

“Yes. If I’m too late, she might scold me.”

Claire recalled the time she came home late after playing with Finlay, and Isabel—worried sick—scolded her, then hugged her tightly without a word.

A small smile touched Claire’s lips.

Eleanor stepped out and ordered a maid to have the carriage brought around.

The maid hurried down the stairs, and Eleanor approached Claire with her arm extended.

Was she expecting Claire to take it?

As Claire stared blankly, Eleanor gave her arm a little shake.

Aristocrats had “companions,” or whatever they called them—maybe Claire had become one?

Still, since it was the second time, Claire casually linked arms with her.

Anxious to get back to Isabel, Claire found Eleanor’s slow pace frustrating.

Was she stalling for time so the carriage could arrive?

Maybe. Thinking so, Claire matched Eleanor’s pace and walked slowly.

They exited the grand lobby, and beyond the birch forest, a sharp crescent moon was visible. The carriage hadn’t arrived yet.

Even though they had taken their time, the delay made Eleanor crane her neck to check outside.

“Thank you again for your kindness.”

Claire, sensing Eleanor’s impatience, thanked her, worried she might scold the coachman for being late.

“I’m sorry for keeping you so long.”

At that moment, they heard hoofbeats. The sound came from far off, suggesting the carriage house was outside the manor grounds.

Seeing Eleanor’s bright expression, Claire wondered—Was she actually eager to send me off?

“The moon is beautiful tonight, isn’t it?”

“It really is.”

Claire nodded, gazing at the clear sky and the bright moon.

The hoofbeats and carriage wheels drew closer. The guards at the gate opened it with a creak.

The carriage came into view, circled the fountain, and stopped in front of the manor.

Eleanor released Claire’s arm and descended the steps. Her skirt fluttered with her light steps.

Claire followed her down slowly.

The carriage door opened—and someone stepped out.

Bathed in moonlight, it was Clive.

Seeing Eleanor running up, Clive looked mildly startled, though he didn’t show it much.

Wondering what this was about, he stepped back as Eleanor approached.

“Why are you so late?”

Since when did she care?

“I got caught up with work.”

Clive replied flatly, then spotted Claire as he climbed the stairs.

Someone he never expected to see—here.

“Claire?”

Claire, also startled, stepped down a few steps shyly.

“Done with work?”

“Yeah. What are you doing here?”

“Oh, uh, just… one thing led to another…”

She’d only come to return Sally’s handkerchief, but Eleanor had insisted she stay for dinner—now it was this late.

That’s what she meant to say, but as she looked into Clive’s deep purple eyes, the words scattered from her mind.

The breeze carried a faint scent of autumn. Claire’s dark brown hair fluttered in it.

Clive instinctively reached to tuck her hair behind her ear—but then realized it might seem too intimate and pulled back.

Claire felt awkward because of it.

“My, my. Brother, what were you about to do?”

Breaking the tension, Eleanor grinned and approached. Clive casually slipped his hand into his pocket.

“When did you two get so close?”

“Since the first day we met.”

In response to Clive’s question, Eleanor boldly grabbed Claire’s arm and held her hand.

Clive’s gaze lingered on their linked arms and hands, then moved back up.

“Really?”

“Yup.”

“Claire doesn’t look that close to you.”

His casual tone made Claire swallow nervously. Why was she so tense?

“We—we are close.”

“See? Told you.”

“Yeah? Good for you.”

Was he sincere, sarcastic, or indifferent?

With no emotion in his voice, Claire didn’t know how to react. So she said nothing, and Eleanor snuggled even closer.

“Yeah, it’s great.”

“Heading home?”

“Take her, would you?”

Wait, that wasn’t necessary…

Claire didn’t want to burden someone who had just come home from work.

“It’s late.”

Eleanor pressed Clive. He looked closely at Claire’s face.

“Shouldn’t the chief of security ensure the safety of the domain’s people?”

“Fair point.”

Clive held out his hand. Eleanor handed Claire’s hand to him.

The gesture was so natural that before she knew it, Claire was being escorted into the carriage by Clive.

“See you again, Miss Claire.”

Before she could respond, the door closed.

Clive knocked on the wall after telling the coachman the destination, and the carriage started to move.

Meanwhile, Eleanor told Marie that the other carriage was no longer needed.

Entering the lobby with a mischievous smile, thinking of her little brother who couldn’t take his eyes off Claire for a moment, Eleanor bumped into the Countess of Norton.

“Was that Clive just now?”

“No, I think he’ll be even later tonight.”

Switching from Clive’s mischievous little sister to the Countess’ sweet daughter, Eleanor took her mother’s hand and headed upstairs.