To The Traitor in My Bed - Chapter 30

It was to avoid giving his lover false hope. By doing so, he could calm her heart.

“Thank you for letting me see you before I leave.”

It seemed that Rosina had finally realized that Darnell would not reveal his destination. She looked back at Deirdre.

“You two are helping Viscount Darnell, right? If so, then please help me too. Where are you planning to send the Viscount?”

“Rosina. Lord Rochepolie only provided this place for us. They don’t even know where I am going.”

Darnell reminded her. His gaze drifted to the sparkling gemstone ring on Rosina’s left hand.

He kindly added,

“…Congratulations on your engagement, Lady Rosina.”

That was when Rosina finally broke into tears. Her pearl-like tears rolled down her pale cheeks. Through her sobs, she spoke.

“I… I don’t want to marry Lord Jonas Cottenham. I won’t marry anyone if it’s not you. So take me with you.”

“Don’t say that.”

Ian wiped Rosina’s face with a handkerchief—though it seemed unlikely a fugitive would have something so luxurious, it must have been borrowed from Frederick.

“Marry a man who will make you happy, Rosina. Someone who can do for you what I cannot.”

Deirdre’s heart ached.

The Campbell family had been struggling ever since the Marquis suffered a huge loss from a mining investment three years ago. It’s said that wealthy families last three generations, but if the head of the family loses his sense of judgment and repeatedly makes foolish choices, their downfall is only a matter of time.

To prevent her husband from dipping into their daughters’ dowries, the Marchioness hurriedly arranged a marriage. That was why the second son of a Count’s family was chosen, not the eldest, as the husband for the Lady.

In any case, Jonas Cottenham has a solid background, as he was trusted by the King.

If the Marquis had some financial stability, Rosina wouldn’t have needed to marry so quickly. Raised with the love and expectations of her parents, Rosina was too kind to go against them. But would she really be happy if she married someone she didn’t want to?

Deirdre knew that if there were no rumors about Jonas Cottenham, it meant he was ultimately not an important man.

As tears welled up in her eyes, she blinked and Fredrick gently touched her arm. He pointed toward the door leading to their bedroom. It seemed to be a silent gesture to step aside for a while.

Deirdre felt ashamed for not immediately thinking of a way to avoid disturbing the lovers, and followed her husband into the hallway.

When she entered the master bedroom, she was startled to find Lady Perpetua.

Perpetua didn’t seem to care much about hiding the fact that she had been eavesdropping on the events in the adjacent room.

“Why are you so surprised? I’m the one who brought Darnell here, so of course, I have the right to witness this reunion.”

“…Then why aren’t you with the Viscount…?”

Deirdre said, her heart still racing with surprise. Perpetua smiled wickedly.

“Of course, a woman who isn’t married shouldn’t be alone with such a charming man, should she?”

“Five minutes left.”

Frederick murmured, looking at his watch.

…Five minutes later, the three of them returned to Frederick’s room.

Rosina seemed to have calmed down by then. Her red eyes, flushed cheeks, and messy lipstick told the story. Viscount Darnell’s face was flushed too.

“It’s time to go, Darnell.”

Frederick spoke gruffly, still bluntly.

Darnell kissed the back of Rosina’s hand. Rosina gave him a look filled with both love for her lover and gratitude for her benefactor.

Darnell pulled a winter hat from his coat and put it on, covering his hair and ears. It was a typical hat worn by men from Rochepolie.

Exactly at seven o’clock.

Deirdre checked the time and quickly gave instructions.

“Frederick, take the Viscount through the servant’s passage and put him in the sleigh. After that, return to the hall right away. My servant will take him to Edelweiss Heights. …This should be enough, right?”

Darnell answered, overwhelmed with emotion.

“This is more than enough, Lady Rochepolie. And Lady Perpetua Fairchild. I sincerely thank both of you for your help and understanding. I will never forget this kindness. Once I step off the sleigh, I will completely disappear and will never appear before you again.”

Deirdre and Perpetua wished Viscount Darnell good luck on his journey.

* * *

As expected, the military police didn’t appear until nearly half-past eight. The snow that started falling again must have delayed them on their way.

By eight, all the nearby nobles, including Lady Campbell, had already taken their seats, so the military police’s late arrival naturally disrupted the mood of the banquet hall. Half of the invited soldiers were in their uniforms, not evening wear, and they entered the banquet hall with snow still clinging to their shoes.

Even so, the banquet at Count Fairchild’s residence was as magnificent as ever.

Not only the fireplace in the annex but also the braziers placed around the room had been lit, and the chandelier’s crystal sparkled dazzlingly in the light. The newly redecorated annex reflected the Countess’s taste, with warm amber, lapis lazuli, and gold decorations. The sounds of music and lively laughter filled both the main hall and the annex that had been opened for the evening.