Chapter 29
Julia was firm.
“A man of marriageable age who is soon to be wed, going out alone with a widow. That’s far too careless.”
Her argument was extremely clear, logical, and it drew a line between herself and the Duke that could not be crossed. Duke Drexton could say nothing and put a hand on his waist.
“Then you just shouldn’t wear mourning clothes. You’re not wearing them even now.”
“This is…”
Julia touched her clothes.
“Missus Hoover dressed me.”
“Don’t blame the head maid, Missus. You don’t wear mourning clothes during lessons either.”
Even though he knew why she did not wear mourning clothes during lessons, the Duke deliberately brought it up.
Julia paused for a breath. As she calmly thought through what to say, impatience rose in the Duke. He considered pressing her harder, but held back, knowing she would be startled and put more distance between them.
“I would appreciate it if you thought of it as a uniform for lessons.”
“Hah…”
Julia likely had no such intention, but those words lit a small fire in the Duke’s lower body. He forcibly suppressed the urge to take her right there.
Unaware of the obscene thoughts Edgar Drexton was having, Julia simply continued to state her case stubbornly.
“In any case, I think going out together is inappropriate.”
“There are many things that are inappropriate for you it seems, Missus Devel?”
Without meaning to, the Duke mocked her. He realized his mistake after speaking, but unexpectedly, Julia did not shrink back.
“I’m saying this because I’m your tutor.”
“And because I’m your employer, have you not considered that you should follow what I say?”
In the end, the Duke brought up the difference in their positions.
Just as he intended, Julia was left speechless. But the Duke was the one who ended up steeped in a sense of defeat. Julia’s expression looked as if she were shocked and disappointed by what he had said.
“I came here to teach. Do I have to follow Your Grace’s words even outside of lessons?”
He could easily corner her and trap her if he wanted to.
But the look of disbelief and disappointment on her face stopped the Duke short.
“Fine.”
In the end, the Duke could not win against Julia.
His head throbbed. There were many sights to see in the downtown area, and he had planned to show them to Julia. To spend a pleasant time together, to get some fresh air, and to take her to the wide meadow she would surely like, letting her breathe deeply of the fresh air.
He thought she would be shy but pleased. He had never imagined a reaction like this. Just when he thought he had narrowed the distance a little, Julia bolted away with frightening speed. How was he supposed to break down that stubbornness?
“Then let’s at least have a proper lesson tonight. Hah…”
A blatant sigh, released as his anticipated plans fell apart.
Julia cautiously lifted her eyes to look at the Duke, her face tense.
Despite looking like a frightened rabbit, she would not bend her opinion at all. He wanted to do something about that stubborn sense of duty.
Every time she opened her mouth, it was lessons, lessons.
Did she have no will to do anything other than those damned lessons?
“Come wearing your ‘uniform’ properly. Tonight.”
The Duke turned and left. Julia fidgeted but did not stop him. Even that irritated the Duke somewhat.
* * *
Once again, lesson time arrived as usual, and Julia’s steps were hurried.
She looked close to tears. She was late for the lesson again today.
It was not because she had been lazy. She had tidied her appearance carefully starting thirty minutes earlier, and had left her room five minutes before, heading to the study.
To the study.
Yes, that was the problem.
She knocked, but Duke Drexton did not respond.
The Duke was not the sort to be so petty, but Julia began to worry that perhaps he was upset because she had firmly rejected his invitation to go out. So she stood there foolishly, knocking again and again.
“It’s me, Your Grace. It’s time for the lesson. May I come in?”
As expected, there was still no answer.
It was only after a moment that dull Julia sensed something was wrong. She realized that no lamplight was leaking through the slightly warped gap in the doorframe.
She flung the door open, and the study was empty. Julia’s mind went blank.
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