Chapter 66
She could see why the pawnshop owner had described her that way. Panae’s gaze traveled slowly down Luirene’s figure as she turned away to pour the tea. By the time the girl drew near to serve it, Panae was certain.
The woman who had caught her eye in the square that day was absolutely this one.
Why someone with a face like that would work as a maid, she couldn’t fathom. With that face, she could walk out of here this instant and easily secure a position as some renowned nobleman’s mistress, living a life of idle luxury. Even in society, where everyone was decked out in dazzling splendor from head to toe, a beauty that stood out like this would be hard to find.
And so this lovely caretaker had left a pocket watch—registered as property of the Glair Marquisate—at a pawnshop.
Panae was certain now, one realization linking to the next. So this was it. This was the thing Sir Glair had left behind at the mansion, the thing he’d ached for so badly while away studying abroad. For a man his age, it was more than enough of a face to plunge body and soul into fever.
“Please, before it cools.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
“It’s a shame that I must be the one to host you, when a young lady of such noble house has come all this way in person. Of all things, Hitaon had an engagement today and left early this morning.”
“It’s quite all right. I came without any notice. Besides, I’m glad to have this time with you, Marchioness.”
“Goodness. What a lovely disposition you have.”
She’d used escorting him home after Pesche’s engagement celebration as an excuse to visit the mansion and pay her respects, yet Hitaon was nowhere to be found. It was the Marchioness Glair who had come out to greet her instead.
“Since we’ve met like this, let’s consider it fate—please speak comfortably, Madam.”
“May I?”
“Of course. It’s unpleasant to see you continue using formal speech with someone young enough to be your daughter, and it sits uneasily with me to hear it as well.”
“Then I’ll speak freely.”
“Yes, that’s much better.”
“So, you first met our Hitaon at the riding competition?”
The Marchioness Glair was thoroughly taken with Panae, whom she’d only just met today. The conversation, which stretched over an hour, flowed effortlessly without a single hitch, and the eloquence and grace Panae displayed while they talked revealed not the slightest flaw. Her speech and conduct showed the mark of an exceptional upbringing.
The meeting was so deeply satisfying that as the hour grew late and she bid Panae farewell with hopes for the next, she could scarcely manage her expression for the regret.
That evening, at the dinner table with Hitaon after he’d returned from his outing, that lingering wistfulness finally slipped out.
“Lady Tourso came by today for a brief chat. She was a truly fine young woman.”
“I’m relieved you were able to look after our guest while I was away.”
“Had you been acquainted with her before?”
“We crossed paths once or twice at social gatherings.”
“Is that so? The way she spoke, it sounded as though she owed you a great debt.”
“On the way back from one gathering, her family’s carriage broke down. I had no choice but to bring her along in mine and escort her to her estate. That’s all.”
“Then it was a simple happenstance—she could have just let it pass. It seems she has a character that knows the proper way to do things.”
“If you say so.”
“Would you consider cultivating the acquaintance from now on, with the future in mind?”
The intent behind urging him to grow closer to an unwed young lady nearing marriageable age was obvious. She was testing his intentions toward an engagement. Hitaon didn’t even turn his head as he answered.
“Isn’t House Tourso at the center of the Council of Nobles?”
“Do you see that as a problem?”
“It seems you’ve forgotten that I’ve been frequently summoned to the imperial palace lately at the Crown Prince’s call.”
“That’s…”
“Our family’s stance has always been aligned with the moderates, has it not? There must be a reason our predecessors clung to that position so resolutely. If we rashly tie ourselves to House Tourso through marriage, we could end up belonging to neither side. Mother. I believe the matter of marriage requires a bit more caution.”
“Yes, I see. That was foolish of me.”
The Marquis, seated at the head of the table with a wine glass, let out a hearty laugh. “No one can best my son with words, it seems.” Hitaon cut his meat into small pieces and calmly changed the subject.
“It’s already summer. Have you both finished your preparations for leaving to the territory?”
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