Chapter 6 – Part 8

“Exactly. More precisely, I saw Miss Brennan wearing a maid’s dress that day.”

“So, is there anything else you’d like to say? I have to go now.”

She didn’t want to have a conversation with secret hostility. It would have been better to attack her openly and without hesitation.

Hayley, who must have seen the look of boredom on Lieze’s face, erased her relaxed smile and frowned.

“What are you asking about the obvious? Why is a maid who used to work at the mansion pretending to be his lover?”

“Who said anything about pretending?”

“That’s just my guess. Marcus wouldn’t have any interest in a lowly maid, so it’s an obvious fact.”

A blatant mockery appeared on Hayley’s face. Liese looked down at her, sitting on the sofa, with a cold gaze.

A lowly maid. The choice of words was deliberate. What was different about this woman compared to Trevor Miller, whom she despised so much?

Neither Liese nor the Brennan family had ever looked down on their servants, even in the old days when they had a dozen or more. They didn’t have the right to treat them disrespectfully just because they paid them.

Haley Dawson simply wanted to insult Liese, driven by the absurd obsession that she had stolen the man who should have been by her side.

“Please don’t misunderstand, Lady Dawson.”

“What should I not misunderstand?”

“The person who asked me to be their partner was the Duke himself. He wanted me to take off my apron and return as the daughter of the Viscount family to match his steps.”

“Are you asking me to believe that? You’re not insulting anyone by saying that Marcus only wanted to have a maid or something like that as his partner. Do you understand the significance of these events?”

“I have nothing more to say.”

Before Liese could turn away, she spoke.

“If you have any questions, please ask the Duke. And refrain from picking fights with those who appear weaker, like Lord Miller.”

Haley’s face lit up. Her earlier words, in which she had rambled about Trevor being trash and horrible, had all come back to haunt her. Feeling as if spit had landed on her face and fallen to the ground, Haley widened her eyes and bristled.

Ignoring her, Liese left the lounge. She couldn’t afford to be absent for too long, as she didn’t know what Marcus might try to catch her off guard with. She was too preoccupied with preparing for whatever demands he might make under the pretext of their play.

Her mind was full of Marcus, there was no room for someone with petty malice to enter. It was a small blessing in her string of misfortunes.

***

The first day of the social gathering didn’t end until well past midnight.

Guests danced and drank until their shoes were worn out, only turning back after seeing the fireworks light up the night sky.

Those who owned villas in Bachmann left, while those who didn’t went up to the guest bedrooms in the villa annex. The only person returning to the main mansion with Marcus was Liese.

Feeling tired enough to nod off while walking, Liese struggled to focus her blurry gaze as she entered the main hall lit by dim lights. Marcus, who had been walking ahead, stopped and looked at her as she entered.

“You’ve worked hard again today.”

Liese greeted him first with a tired smile. Marcus continued to stare at her as if she had just finished a long day of work.

“I’ll go back now. Can I get paid for today before I leave?”

Before he could throw a tantrum, he hit his limits. But there was no response. Marcus, turning his thoughts to other matters, approached the servant who always chauffeured Liese.

“Whalen.”

Calling his name, Marcus extended his hand to take the car keys from him. Then he glanced at Liese, who was standing awkwardly and gestured with his chin towards the servant opening the door.

“Come.”

Liese showed a hesitant expression.

“Are you personally taking me home, Your Grace?”

“If you don’t want the money, you can refuse.”

Unable to move readily, Liese had no choice but to follow him. Marcus settled her into the passenger seat himself. Having gotten used to riding a carriage, Liese felt uncomfortable riding in Marcus’s car.

Throughout the descent down the winding road, they remained silent. As they approached the lane leading to the orchard, Marcus, who got out first, turned back to open the door and extended his hand.

Liese, who was staring at the mysterious man, grabbed his arm and got out of the car. Now that the play was over, she wanted to go home.

“Where on earth is your house located?”

Marcus, standing in the middle of the slope, furrowed his brows. Liese pointed to a side road thick with trees.

“It’s over there. Thank you for today. Now, about the payment…”

He didn’t listen and walked away. With her hand firmly grasped by his strong forearm, Liese followed him.

Why is he acting like this today? Surely he wouldn’t refuse to pay. She looked up at the man, who was more than a head taller than her, and worried silently.

It was a relief that they didn’t have to continue with the play. Now she could voice the questions that had come to her mind.

“Why are you doing this, Your Grace?”

“The road is dark.”

“It’s not dangerous. I walk this path alone every day.”

“I guess Whalen has never escorted you all the way home. That bastard.”

He muttered as if to himself.

“He offered, but I declined it.”

“Is he trying to walk down this dark path alone with you? That fool.”

Liese didn’t know which beat to sing, so she kept her mouth shut. Marcus’s face was barely visible in the darkness. What was he thinking?

As they approached the orchard, the rich scent of apple blossoms greeted them. His steps slowed down a bit, as if he were savoring the scent. Liese also kept pace with him and slowly stretched out her feet.

An orchard bathed in moonlight spread out before the two people. Marcus leisurely observed the surroundings as he walked along a path with apple trees on both sides. The wind rustled the leaves and the night bug chirped quietly. Liese walked side by side with him in the orchard in the middle of the night. It was a really strange feeling.

Is there anything interesting in the eyes of a man who has only seen all kinds of glamorous things? Liese, who was glancing at him, added a pointless explanation.

“Orchards are prettier during the day. The sunlight shines beautifully, and it’s nice to hear the birds chirping.”

“Are you inviting me?”

“…”

“Why suddenly so quiet? You said you would treat me to a meal and even introduce me to your family.”

“I couldn’t help it earlier because there were so many eyes watching.”

“You lied?”

“I only did what you asked me to. Now, please go back now.”

As they approached the bungalow with the green roof, Liese withdrew her hand from his arm. The presence of a Duke standing tall in the middle of a simple orchard was very foreign.

She hadn’t expected him to come this far. There was a clear line between her most peaceful space and the everyday life she spent with Marcus. At least until a moment ago, before he crossed it without hesitation.

“Is this how you entertain a guest? You’re so cold.”

Marcus muttered calmly without moving a single step. It seemed like he was interested in this situation.

“I’m sorry, but I never invited you. I’d appreciate it if you’d leave now.”

“Are you worried about getting caught by your grandfather?”

He glanced over the bungalow, asking. Viscount Brennan was in the hospital anyway, but she didn’t want to talk about it. Liese shook her head.

“I don’t want anyone, including my family, to find out. Besides, I have to change clothes before going in.”

“You’re changing clothes outdoors?”

It wasn’t something a man would say, who stripped down in broad daylight.

“Yes. It’s fine since no one will see. Of course, as long as the Duke returns.”

“Are you going to such lengths to keep this deal a secret?”

Marcus asked with a puzzled expression. Liese looked at him wordlessly under the dim moonlight, unable to see his face clearly in the shadow.

If her family knew about her work to pay off her hospital bills and debts to the bank, they would find it difficult to accept. Liese and Marcus shared an odd moment of eye contact. Then Marcus, after rummaging through his pockets, handed Liese a thick envelope of money. Liese accepted the payment with both hands.

“Thank you.”

Marcus, who was looking down at her with an indifferent expression as she lowered her head, turned his back without hesitation, sparing her the formality of a farewell.