Chapter 70
Just as Felice was passing the fountain in the middle of the drive leading to the main gate, she lifted her head for a moment to take in the bright, cloudless sky. Wisps of white cloud stretched across the blue, like drops of white paint dissolving in water.
“How pretty.”
She paused for a second.
It struck her that she hadn’t been preoccupied with thoughts of money or debt lately. Maybe that was why she felt more at ease, taking time to gaze up at the sky. Of course, the worries hadn’t disappeared completely—but they no longer ruined her days or brought her to tears as they once did.
After all, these days…
“Miss Felice.”
She turned at the sound of her name and swallowed nervously. That voice that had become so familiar, settled softly in her ear.
Claude had been swinging his practice sword at the tree outside her window again that morning. But today, Felice had resisted the urge to open the window.
The truth was, it wasn’t so much restraint as embarrassment; she worried that seeing him sweaty and flushed would make her thoughts go red all over again.
“Good morning, Mr. Claude.”
“Good morning, Miss Felice.”
Claude, dressed in a deep navy frock coat, stepped beside her.
“Where are you off to?”
“Ah… The post office.”
Felice replied, hurriedly fixing her eyes on the path ahead.
“I thought you mentioned you’d be visiting the boutique today. Or did I get that wrong?”
“Oh—no, you’re right. I was planning to go to the post office first, then to the boutique. Thank you for the clothes, really.”
She offered an awkward smile and quickened her pace, partly to avoid the inevitable topic—the dress he’d torn the day before.
“I should be the one apologizing for ruining your dress yesterday.”
As expected Claude brought up the subject. Felice’s feet move fast but he easily matches her speed.
“That’s all right. I was planning to throw that dress out anyway.”
Felice tried to wave off the subject before he could say more, staring hard at the carriage waiting ahead. He would be taking the carriage; she’d walk. If she could just reach it, she’d be free of this awkward conversation.
“Regardless, I’d like to compensate you.”
“No, that’s really not necessary. Receiving Rose’s dress was more than enough. Please, don’t trouble yourself.”
Finally, they reached the carriage! Felice broke into a relieved smile as if she’d just won a race.
“Well, I’ll be on my way now.”
She bowed her head before he could answer.
“Miss Felice.”
But Felice had to stop at his call.
“I’m actually on my way to the post office too. Shall we go together?”
“…The post office? No, thank you. There are too many eyes around. If people see me getting out of Baron Racliffe’s carriage, they’ll talk.”
“It’s fine.”
“…Sorry?”
“Ah.”
Claude’s expression tightened a little.
“It might be fine for me, but I suppose it wouldn’t be for Miss. In that case, I’ll have a regular carriage prepared, just as before, not Baron Racliffe’s carriage.”
“There’s really no need to go to such trouble…”
“I’ll get it ready.”
But Claude simply gestured to a servant, who bowed and went off at once.
“While we wait for the carriage, would you care for a walk?”
Claude offered his arm, every inch the gentleman.
Felice looked up at him, flustered. Was it not enough that he’d arranged a separate carriage? Now he was offering to wait with her too?
“Ah, well… You really don’t have to… Aren’t you busy?”
Claude shook his head with a gentle smile.
“I’d been meaning to take a walk before heading out anyway. This is perfect timing—I’ll enjoy it more thanks to you.”
In the end, Felice placed her hand on his arm.
“Let me take your bag.”
Her bag was promptly handed off to a servant. Felice watched it go, feeling a little lost.
She had a strong feeling the conversation would circle back to yesterday.
Claude seemed quite comfortable bringing it up, so she racked her brain for any recent news in Trouville to steer the conversation elsewhere.
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