Lady Felice’s Secret Class - Chapter 45

“Hm… too many to remember. Hoho.”

Rose let out a small smile, unconsciously amused as she dodged the Baron’s question. Love and feeling, after all, could be seen no matter how well one tried to hide them.

Felice, oblivious to the subtleties, didn’t know how to react, but Rose considered whether to tease the man’s pride gently or stoke the small spark of jealousy into a blazing flame.

She had wondered if there might be an issue, given the rumors about him never having met a woman by thirty—but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

So why had such absurd rumors followed him for so long?

Likely because he deliberately avoided the usual decadent lifestyle of aristocratic men. And since romantic scandals mainly hurt women, he probably acted to protect the women involved out of consideration.

Rose’s eyes sparkled.

He’s fine. A suitable match for Felice.

“But before we make the clothes, we’ll need her measurements. I’ll send a date soon, so please have Lady Felice visit my atelier at a convenient time.”

Rose returned to the point.

She felt that deliberately pricking a man’s pride to make a woman confess, or provoking his jealousy to stir possessiveness, wouldn’t work on him. A man who had ignored persistent rumors about him being impotent clearly had strong principles.

With that face, he probably didn’t mind the gossip at all. Women would try to talk to him at the mere glance of an eye, yet such rumors couldn’t diminish his dignity.

“Rose.”

Felice called out. The meaning was clear.

Felice’s involvement with this man was likely entirely due to her role as a romance tutor.

Had the Baron wished for success with another young lady, not Felice? Or had he approached her on behalf of a girl who liked Baron Racliffe?

The truth was known only to Felice, and as Rose understood it, Felice rarely spoke in detail about her work. Even if asked, she wouldn’t reveal it.

But regardless, to Rose, this man in front of her seemed far better than any other who had flirted with Felice so far.

“Very well, then.”

“Baron, the clothes are far too generous. If I accept them, I’ll feel indebted.”

Felice quickly said to Claude, but he politely refused her refusal, narrowing his eyes.

“Haven’t I already stained Lady Felice’s clothes? Allow me to repay the debt of my heart as well.”

Felice found herself unable to respond further.

“Ah…”

“Then, Baron, I shall take my leave. As you know, I have another appointment. I’ll leave the catalog here, so please take your time deciding. Once the measurements are taken, we can choose together.”

Rose got up and nodded to Claude as she left.

Felice shifted her gaze to him.

“Claude… about the clothes…”

“I’ve recently taken an interest in someone.”

Felice blinked at his sudden confession. His attention… so quickly!

Her hands clapped together in delight.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. Our first meeting wasn’t exactly ideal, but we’ve kept running into each other since.”

A smile tugged at Felice’s lips. This could only be about Elise. She had orchestrated the first encounter to be less favorable, and Elise was the only person he could have been meeting recently!

“The more I saw her, the more she stayed on my mind. Even in a crowded room, she stands out. But I don’t know if it’s love—just interest. What do you think?”

Felice swallowed nervously. There are many ways to realize one’s feelings, and for Claude, embarking on his first love, it seemed that a fateful encounter had indeed stirred his heart.

Now was not the time to push him too far. It was better to let his feelings develop steadily.

“Do you pay more attention when you’re with her than usual?”

Claude nodded at her question.

Since Madame Rose had left, his gaze had remained fixed on Felice.