Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 185
As Cecilia stepped out of the Odridge residence’s parlor, she dropped the smile she had been wearing throughout.
While she had anticipated as much from the fact that Viscountess Lope had recklessly borrowed a large sum, Viscountess Odridge turned out to be far simpler than Cecilia had expected.
This made it easier to set the stage, though she wondered if the woman would even grasp the significance of the card she had just played.
“Unless you win it back the same way, it’s money you’ll never recover.”
In any case, Viscountess Odridge had reacted, albeit belatedly, to her veiled suggestion—quite visibly, too.
Whether she had thought of Viscountess Lope or Christian Pierce, something had undoubtedly stirred within her thanks to Cecilia’s prompt.
If the person she had in mind was Christian Pierce, that would be ideal. But it didn’t really matter if it wasn’t him.
This move was nothing more than a tactic to speed up the process. Even if the viscountess failed to execute it properly, there were plenty of other ways forward.
After all, today she had gained yet another powerful card to play, in addition to Diana and Mary.
Nigel Rosencrantz.
Just thinking of the name made her head throb. Now, it wasn’t enough to merely think of him—she would soon have to play at romance, an absurd little game.
‘It’s all just a performance anyway.’
Logan had managed to endure a marriage to a woman he detested. Playing the part of a lover should be nothing in comparison.
Nigel had given her the authority to decide when to announce their ‘relationship’, which was an unusual show of consideration on his part. She would need to make good use of it.
When would be the most beneficial time to mention him…?
Cecilia pondered.
Logan still didn’t seem inclined to broach the topic of breaking off the engagement.
‘Why? Is it because I’ve been too indifferent?’
If her indifference had sparked his competitive streak, perhaps adjusting her approach would be a viable strategy.
That might work if all she desired was a peaceful life. But Cecilia had something she wanted to achieve, even if it meant burning everything down and cutting away her own honor with a blade.
Revenge.
Yes, revenge was the issue.
If she had to drag herself through the mud, then House Lasphilla and House Pierce must suffocate in the swamp. If her honor was cast to the ground, they should be regarded as little better than criminals.
In that case, rather than humoring Logan, it would be better to become the kind of woman he found utterly repellent.
‘The formalization of the verbal engagement will likely happen after the debutante ball. Once I return to the central region, my father will present the engagement papers.’
Before that happens would be the perfect time. The social season in Mannheim would only last for about a week more.
If a scandal broke while she was still in Mannheim, it would increase the chances of Viscountess Lope calling for her, and provide more opportunities to approach the Pierce family. Two birds with one stone.
Cecilia finally decided on the timing.
‘I’ll write a letter to Nigel Rosencrantz as soon as I return today. If we attend a party together and deliberately get caught in a compromising situation, it could make for an interesting event.’
The guest list for that party would be important—witnesses who could spread the word. It would be ideal to have several gossiping ladies present, and if a close associate of the Rosencrantz family were to attend, that would be even better.
‘Wait… when did Marquis Rosencrantz last arrive in the capital?’
Suddenly, Cecilia wondered if Nigel hadn’t joined this messy love game purely out of his own whims.
Though he liked to act as if he were above her, he was only nineteen this year—an age when youthful defiance and rebelliousness were at their peak.
Perhaps Nigel was looking for a chance to openly defy his father by flaunting a relationship with a woman his father would despise.
Though she hated to admit it, there was a similarity between them in that regard. Both had to be mindful of their fathers, yet both longed to tarnish their fathers’ reputations.
Marquis Rosencrantz, who was in poor health, usually only showed his face at court toward the end of the session as a formality. This time, too, he wouldn’t arrive in the capital until late spring, after all the flowers had bloomed and fallen.
‘The marquis is too unwell to attend any parties… so perhaps he’ll hear about the scandal secondhand, from his townhouse.’
The thought made her head spin. She alone would be responsible for cleaning up the mess afterward. There was no hope that Nigel would shield her from the consequences. She had never entertained that illusion, not even for a moment.
‘Perhaps I should work on strengthening my endurance.’
