“Yes. I happen to be free that day.”
He said it so naturally that she almost nodded. Ariella quickly regained her composure and asked.
“Why is Your Grace free…?”
Her furrowed brow showed her confusion.
Karsian, with that handsome face of his, tilted his head with remarkable audacity.
“I understand that the membership requires the presence of the member. So, I think my schedule is relevant.”
He’s a fox. Definitely a fox.
“…You don’t have other intentions, do you?”
When Ariella asked, tongue-tied, Karsian replied kindly.
“As I said, I know my place.”
He draped the shawl, which she didn’t know when it had slipped, back over his shoulders; he was quite the gentleman.
However, despite his careful movements, his gaze fixed on her was as persistent as a predator eyeing its prey.
‘What if he didn’t know his place?’
Whatever ‘place’ the Duke of Loyster referred to, if he had no lines to keep, what would he have done?
What was the meaning of that devouring gaze?
Her curiosity grew, but Ariella didn’t ask.
“So, you can use my feelings to your advantage without hesitation.”
Karsian already seemed to be holding back a lot.
***
Leaving the town house, Ariella went to the Hotel Mercedes as planned.
If she could get what she wanted without using the membership, she wouldn’t need to be indebted to Karsian, so she intended to check.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, the hotel’s internal structure, investigated by Adam, was far more complex and heavily guarded than she had thought.
As a top-class hotel mainly used by wealthy nobles, entry was restricted unless one’s identity was clearly verified, and guards were stationed here and there to prevent any potential dangers.
Especially the areas designated for members only were strictly separated, making it difficult for ordinary guests to even see them. Without a membership, it was impossible to even see a single hair of Countess Anabel.
Therefore, Ariella concluded that she couldn’t refuse Karsian’s help this time either.
I’ll only accept his help this once, and keep my distance from now on. She made the same meaningless promise again, unable to shake the feeling that she was just repeating similar vows.
“Then, we shall depart for that location.”
Adam raised his voice from beyond the carriage window, and Ariella replied loudly, “Yes.”
As soon as she gave her approval, Henrik, the coachman, drove the horses.
The carriage, unusually small and drab for something belonging to Bedford, slipped out of the center of Edinburgh and smoothly headed towards the outskirts. Naturally, it wasn’t in the direction of the Duke of Bedford’s residence.
Telling Karsian that she would return to the ducal mansion after visiting the hotel was a lie.
While it was true that she had been swayed by him lately, it was impossible for Ariella to suddenly change and place unlimited trust in Karsian.
Clunk, clunk! As time passed, the road became rougher, and the carriage shook violently. They must have been traveling quickly, as the destination was soon approaching.
Just as she felt seasick, the carriage finally stopped.
Ariella, with Adam’s help, got out of the carriage and looked around.
The small village on the outskirts of Edinburgh was desolate, without a single tall building. The houses were so dilapidated that they looked like they could collapse at any moment, and trash littered the streets, emitting an unpleasant odor.
Compared to the center of the city, full of tall, elegant buildings like the Hotel Mercedes, this place felt like she had gone back in time.
However, since it was better than the Merilbone Poorhouse, Ariella moved on without much concern.
Knock, knock. She knocked on the door, the blue paint peeling off, and stepped back to wait. The door creaked open, and the homeowner peered out with a wary expression.
“Who is it?”
Ariella calmly met the scrutinizing gaze that scanned her from head to toe, offering a sweet smile.
“Mr. Smith Chestnut, is it?”
When the noble lady, who seemed to have no relation to this street, called out her name, the landlord, Smith, widened his eyes in surprise.
“What? Who’s here?”
A nervous voice came from inside the house, and a plump middle-aged woman peeked out from behind Smith.
“Mr. Chestnut, Mrs. Chestnut. I came to ask you both something. May I come in?”
Jane Chestnut, startled by the noble lady’s honorifics, hurriedly opened the door.
“Yes, yes. Of course! Come in. What are you doing not opening the door quickly?”
“No, woman, I don’t even know who it is, and you’re just opening the door…!”
She clearly looks like a noble! As Jane jabbed her husband in the side, Smith cleared his throat and led Ariella and Adam inside.
The Smith couple’s home had a subtle sense of dissonance.
There seemed to be many places that needed repairs, and the wind whistled through the cracks in the walls, yet the indoor decorations and the cup of water Jane nervously brought out looked quite expensive.
