Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 234
“It’s my fault, Miss,” Mary lamented. “If I had known this would happen, I would have stopped the young miss when she talked about meeting in secret!”
“Calm down. Sir Nigel wasn’t even there at the time.”
“Shh! Don’t say his name out loud!”
Mary, horrified, jumped in place, but Cecilia remained unbothered.
‘Is he a ghost? Can’t even say his name.’
Not that it was a name she wanted to say anyway. Cecilia simply let Mary’s opinion stand without comment.
They were on their way to the Rosencrantz estate in a carriage. Mary repeatedly suggested they change course.
“If we just beg on our hands and knees, they’ll let you in.”
“I doubt it. I’m not so sure.”
“Or how about we stuff a blanket into a bag and call it luggage? As long as it looks like belongings, it should work, right?”
Creative. It was surprisingly clever for something to come from Mary’s head.
‘But that won’t work, Mary.’
Bernarda didn’t actually want Cecilia to retrieve her belongings. What she truly wanted was for Cecilia to face Marquis Rosencrantz and encounter Nigel.
Bernarda wanted to confirm exactly what kind of relationship Cecilia had with Nigel.
If Nigel dismissed her as insignificant, this ordeal would end with Cecilia’s marriage prospects being blocked. But if Nigel had feelings for her…
‘She’s probably thinking this situation could be used to tie me to the Rosencrantz heir.’
In this scenario, Cecilia was just a tool, a pawn loaded into a carriage bound for the Rosencrantz estate. The target was Nigel, and Bernarda’s stance would change depending on how he reacted when Cecilia found herself in trouble again.
‘In this way, she’s just like her husband. Not even blood-related, but they’re so alike.’
Like Adam, Bernarda’s business-minded approach always sought a way to maximize benefits. But unlike Adam, who wouldn’t attempt such an active strategy without clear profit margins, Bernarda’s first priority was her only son, Nathan Lasphilla.
That was it. Nathan would someday become the head of the Lasphilla family—or so Bernarda believed.
So, contrary to Caroline’s concerns, Bernarda had no reason to sabotage the marriages of Caroline or Cecilia. The connections of the older sisters would, in some way, benefit Nathan’s future.
‘What a cunning woman.’
Cecilia smiled grimly. Mary, misunderstanding her expression, thought she was worried about what awaited her at the Rosencrantz estate and tried to comfort her.
“It’ll be okay, Miss. Nothing bad will happen. Surely they wouldn’t mistreat someone from a relative’s family.”
They might. Because they didn’t see her as family.
To them, she was just the daughter of a gypsy. Ironically, even Nigel seemed to see her that way.
Which was why Bernarda’s expectations would not be fulfilled.
If nothing was going to happen, it was better to avoid a confrontation entirely and move quickly to escape meeting him.
If, unfortunately, they did cross paths, she could pretend to be abandoned, act pitifully, and create an excuse for herself. It didn’t have to be love—any plausible justification would do.
‘If that happens, Nigel will be thrown off balance.’
Today, without warning, he had summoned Logan Harper. So it wouldn’t be unreasonable for her to give him a taste of his own medicine.
Thinking about Nigel, Cecilia frowned, and Mary’s voice rose.
“Don’t worry too much. It’ll really be fine.”
With a face even paler than Cecilia’s, Mary made bold promises.
“I’ll protect you, Miss! If the Marquis or Marchioness tries to harm you, I’ll take the blows instead. Protecting one’s master is a maid’s duty, after all!”
***
Slap!
A hand flew through the air.
Cecilia clutched her stinging cheek and glanced at Mary. From a distance, Mary mouthed exaggerated words.
‘Miss! It’s okay! I’m here for you!”
‘Who’s protecting whom…?’
Cecilia hadn’t expected anything. In fact, Mary’s unusual loyalty had been suspicious. It was almost a relief to see her acting as the same unreliable Mary she knew.
The moment Cecilia turned her head, another slap landed on her cheek.
Being struck by a servant was humiliating, but there wasn’t much she could do since the person venting their fury couldn’t move properly.
“You wretched thing, how dare you crawl back here!”
Marquis Rosencrantz’s voice boomed, his white beard trembling in rage. He clutched his head as though his own shouting was too loud for his ears.
Guinevere, unwilling to allow any disturbances in the capital, supported him while coaxing him in a babyish tone.
“Your Excellency! Let’s stop and go inside, hmm?”
Leaning on her arm, the Marquis barked,
“Hit her again!”
The servant raised their hand once more.
As Cecilia lowered her gaze in resignation, someone suddenly stepped between her and the servant.
Smack!
The misplaced blow landed loudly, producing a sharp, grating sound.
