An Early Engagement - Chapter 39
How could he leave me alone like this?
Yet, she understood why he had left first. If her mother or brother Terban found out, there would be trouble. The study in the villa had a loaded gun in one of its drawers, and hunting rifles were prepared. Terban, with his conservative views, would not take kindly to any man sharing a bed with his sister, even if it was Damian, whom they had known since childhood.
Shirley’s mind raced with worst-case scenarios, imagining a dawn duel between the two men. She quickly shook her head to dispel the thought. It was too horrible to contemplate.
Realizing why Damian had hurriedly left her room, Shirley felt a bit relieved. After all, they were engaged to be married. There would be plenty of mornings to wake up together in the future.
Remembering Damian’s last words, “Sleep tight, Shirley,” made her ears tingle. She touched her reddened ears and collapsed back onto the bed.
Her body still bore the marks of their night together, and the sensation of being in his arms lingered.
Dawn was still far away. Shirley closed her eyes, succumbing to sleep once more, wondering what she would say to Damian when she saw him again.
***
“Miss, you need to wake up.”
Sophie jumped back in surprise as she entered the room. Shirley was sitting upright in bed, looking right at her.
“Miss Shirley?”
Sophie rubbed her eyes several times, wondering if she was seeing things. But no matter how many times she blinked, Shirley was still there, calmly sitting on the bed.
“Why are you so surprised?” Shirley asked.
Sophie stammered, unable to find the right words. “It’s just… Miss, how… how are you awake already?” She looked at Shirley as if she were seeing a ghost.
Shirley sighed in disbelief. “Is it that surprising? I just woke up early.”
“But you’re already dressed, and your hair is done.”
“I had some time to spare,” Shirley said, avoiding Sophie’s gaze and blushing slightly.
“I can dress myself, you know.” She hoped Sophie couldn’t hear her heart pounding in her chest.
With her body covered in marks left by Damian, Shirley had felt too embarrassed to let Sophie help her dress. Instead, she chose a simple sundress similar to what she wore to festivals, which she could put on easily by herself.
“Oh, I should have helped you,” Sophie said.
“It’s fine. I can manage while we’re here.”
Shirley’s heart continued to race. She worried it might leap out of her chest.
“Just help me with my hair,” Shirley said, sitting in front of the mirror. Sophie nodded, still looking bewildered, and approached her.
“Of course.”
As Sophie brushed her hair, Shirley carefully examined her reflection in the mirror. She checked for dark circles under her eyes from a sleepless night and ensured she wasn’t making any awkward expressions due to nervousness. She needed to act as naturally as possible.
“Oh, Miss.”
“Hmm?”
Shirley flinched at the sudden call.
“It looks like you’ve been bitten by a bug here.”
“A… a bug?”
Shirley stammered in surprise.
“What kind of bug?”
“I’m not sure. It looks too big to be a mosquito bite. It’s on the back of your neck. See here.”
Sophie held up a hand mirror, revealing a red, swollen mark on Shirley’s fair skin.
“Eek!”
Shirley gasped, startling Sophie, who nearly dropped the mirror.
“Wh-what’s wrong?”
“Oh, the mark is just so big.”
Shirley forced a smile.
“Right? Whatever it was, it must have been quite large.”
“Yes, very large.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind, just keep brushing my hair. It’s covered anyway, so no one will see it.”
Shirley knew exactly who the “bug” was. She thought she had managed to hide the marks from Sophie, but she hadn’t noticed the one on the back of her neck.
“We’ll be late for breakfast.”
“Yes, I’ll hurry.”
At Shirley’s urging, Sophie moved her hands more quickly.
Entering the dining room, Shirley saw Lady Elpart, the Duchess, her mother, and Terban seated together, having breakfast. Damian was nowhere to be seen.
“Shirley, you’re here,” Lady Elpart greeted warmly. Shirley politely responded and took her seat.
As she sipped her soup, she looked around, but there was still no sign of Damian. Moreover, there was no place setting for him, indicating that no one else was expected.
“Has Damian already finished his breakfast?” Shirley asked.
Lady Elpart paused, setting down her fork. “Oh, didn’t Damian tell you?”
“Damian?” Shirley echoed, confused.
“Damian had to return to the capital for some urgent business,” Lady Elpart explained.
“Damian… left?”
“Yes, something urgent came up.”
“…But what could it be?”
Noticing Shirley’s evident disappointment, Lady Ann smiled gently. “Why? You seemed so annoyed with him before we came here. Do you miss him already?”
“…No.”
Shirley quickly scooped up a spoonful of soup and brought it to her lips.
“Ouch! That’s hot!”
The scalding soup made her spit it out, drawing a concerned look from Lady Elpart.
“Shirley, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, I was just careless.”
“You were lost in thought during a meal,” Terban remarked gruffly.
“You’re her brother, you should—” Lady Ann chided, examining Shirley’s face.
“Oh dear, your lip is red. We should put some ointment on it.”
“It’s okay, it’s not that bad,” Shirley said, pulling her face away from her mother’s grasp and rubbing her lip. The burn from the hot soup stung, but her mind was elsewhere, barely registering the pain.
Damian isn’t at the villa?
He hadn’t mentioned anything about leaving yesterday. The realization that everyone but her knew about Damian’s departure made her feel a strange sense of betrayal.
Her appetite vanished, and she aimlessly stirred her soup with a spoon, tearing a piece of bread into small bits without eating much.
“Oh, by the way, Melissa is coming this afternoon. Isn’t that good news?” Lady Ann said, watching Shirley.
“Melissa is coming?”
“Yes, she’s taking the afternoon train. I sent a carriage to pick her up. She should arrive around noon. Isn’t it wonderful that your best friend is coming?”
“Yes, it is.”
Shirley’s voice lacked any enthusiasm. Despite usually being thrilled about her friend’s visit, she showed little reaction. Lady Ann tilted her head, puzzled, but soon Shirley became engrossed in conversation with Lady Elpart.
The breakfast continued as usual, with Shirley being the only one out of sorts.
