To The Traitor in My Bed - Chapter 46

Fortunately, Count Glenwell was home.

The Count looked much as Frederick remembered, with a round face and a kind expression. Apart from the thinning yellow hair, he didn’t appear much older.

It was only after the butler had gone to fetch the tea that Frederick introduced himself.

“I’m Frederick Fairchild Count Rochepolie. It’s been a while.”

Count Glenwell seemed taken aback. It was understandable, as a person with whom he had no close relationship had shown up alone, dressed poorly.

“Oh… um, is it really you, Count Fairchild? What on earth brings you all the way out here… and in such attire?”

“Please forgive my inappropriate clothing, Lord Holborn.”

“Your face and voice certainly match Fairchild’s.”

While Count Rochepolie might not recognize Count Holborn, Count Holborn could recognize Count Rochepolie. Even though they both held earldoms, Rochepolie was much larger and wealthier than Holborn. Every noble household had at least one expensive carriage, sled, or piece of furniture crafted by Fairchild.

“I’ll get straight to the point since time is limited. Have you received any recent words from Lady Heather?”

“Ah… our Heather?”

The Count asked back.

“I haven’t heard anything from anyone in the house… The last time we saw her was last month when we were in Swinton. Did Heather send you here, Lord Rochepolie?”

Becoming a lady-in-waiting to the Queen was a prestigious position for any young lady. When Heather was assigned to the Queen’s service, the Count must have been relieved, knowing that his daughter’s future was secured.

Frederick’s gaze shifted to the portraits of the Glenwell family hanging in the hall. A warm, happy family. Heather was smiling shyly among her siblings.

Frederick opened his mouth with great difficulty.

“…I deeply regret informing you… Lady Heather passed away recently. And, Lord Holborn, you and your family must leave this place immediately.”

Count Glenwell seemed unable to comprehend what he had just heard.

“What do you mean? Our Heather has passed away…?”

The Count’s voice began to tremble with anger.

“I’ve heard rumors about Lord Rochepolie being a bit simple-minded, but I never imagined it would go this far. If you’ve come here to play some cruel joke, then leave now before I have my servants throw you out.”

Despite hearing the harsh words, Frederick didn’t get angry. It simply meant that he had done well in deceiving people in the past. However, in a situation as urgent as this, his reputation as a fool was clearly hindering him.

He took out the ruby ring Heather had worn and a lock of her hair, which he had requested the undertaker to cut.

“These are your daughter’s belongings. I don’t have time to explain everything right now. If I’m lying, feel free to report me to the military police or the royal court. But for now, please, believe me and follow my lead… Lady Holborn and your daughters are in danger.”

Hearing the almost pleading tone, Count Glenwell finally managed to calm down his anger. Though he still seemed unable to believe his daughter’s death. His plump fingers reluctantly took the keepsakes of his daughter.

“…The Glenwell family has always been loyal to the royal family, living with integrity and without any connection to crime. Why would our lives be in danger?”

“The military police who left from Upper Island are heading here. Please call for Lady Holborn and your daughters. Do you have any carriages?”

Hearing the words ‘military police,’ Count Glenwell suddenly looked cold.

When Christian had ascended to the throne, he dissolved the parliament, made arbitrary laws without consulting his advisors, and sent the military police to investigate the homes of staunch parliamentarian nobles without warrants.

Many nobles, who had been accused of crimes they hadn’t committed, lost their estates and titles. They had underestimated the young king and weren’t prepared to fight back.

The nobles who remembered that time could never consider the military police their allies.

“My wife… my wife went out with my niece. My daughters are…”

The panicked Count Glenwell rang the bell on the table. He shouted at the butler who reappeared.

“Where are Emily and Betty? Get the carriage ready!”

“They are both upstairs. And Master’s carriage is being repaired, so it can’t be used right now. When Madam returns…”

Frederick interrupted the butler.

“How many horses do you have?”

“There are two ready to go. Lord Holborn. What is this about?”

“Bring Emily and Betty down. Get them into their coats.”

Count Glenwell said and the butler nodded then disappeared. Frederick asked.

“Is there a way to leave the residence without being seen by others? On horseback?”

“We have a servant’s path, but my daughters don’t know how to ride.”

“One daughter can ride with me. The other will ride with Lord Holborn…”

The Count shook his head.

“My wife will return soon. I won’t go anywhere without her.”

Of course. Frederick couldn’t imagine leaving Deirdre behind in this situation either.

He decided not to argue with the Count.

“Are Emily and Betty your only daughters?”

“Eleanor… my eldest daughter is married and living in Swinton. She’s Viscountess Danley.”

Frederick quickly committed that name to memory. If Viscount Danley loved his wife, he too might be in danger.

He heard the sound of light footsteps coming down the stairs. The two girls appeared, hand in hand. They both looked to be under twenty. One had light brown hair, just like Heather, while the other had dark brown hair, like Deirdre’s.

The girl with dark brown hair asked,

“Father, what’s going on? You called us?”