Chapter 3 – The Man Named Bryant Clifton (Part 4)

They stood side by side, looking at the night view in silence for a while. Just as the quiet was becoming slightly awkward, Bryant spoke.

“A cheek kiss is usually given when meeting, but for particularly close acquaintances, it’s also done when parting. It’s a sign of special interest.”

Evelyn nodded silently, recalling that this man had given the same greeting when parting with the dressmaker. They must be quite close. She was curious about his relationship with the women’s clothing designer, but of course, she didn’t ask. Her question needed to be more appropriate.

“You seem to be particularly close with the Prince.”

“Grand Duke Logan has a gentle nature. He treats me according to my status, but it’s hard to say we have a special friendship. I think I’m closer to you than to him.”

Evelyn laughed lightly at his words. 

Closer to me than to the Prince? What nonsense.

“Mr. Clifton, we’ve known each other for less than two weeks.”

“The depth of friendship is determined more by content than by duration, isn’t it?”

“It sounds like you’re saying you’ve done something special with me.”

“Of course. I’ve never visited a dress shop with the Grand Duke. I’ve never picked out clothes for him.”

“……”

“I’ve never had dinner alone with him, nor seen a performance.”

“……”

“I’ve never danced a Moderato with him.”

How could two men dance that? 

Evelyn swallowed her retort and made an incredulous face.

“You have a very creative standard for measuring the depth of friendship.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“But I can’t agree. No matter what you’ve done with me, you’re definitely closer to the Prince. I only just found out who you are.”

“And who am I?”

Evelyn did not answer his question. She just looked at the night view beyond the glass door. Even so, she knew Bryant was watching her. She could feel his gaze without looking back. The eyes staring at her profile. Being aware of that, she tensed up.

“As you know, I run a publishing company.”

Bryant continued, waiting for her response. His voice was relaxed.

“I read all kinds of literature, but I particularly like poetry and novels. I occasionally play tennis and enjoy both watching and playing polo. I like performances by dancers, but honestly, I’m not very interested in these concerts. I also like wine, so I drink nearly every day.”

“……”

“I’m roughly that kind of person.”

It was a peculiar tone. As if he had just realized what kind of person he was. But to Evelyn, it sounded like mere wordplay.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think you can explain a person by just a few preferences.”

“Then I’ll tell you the things I dislike.”

“It’s the same. Preferences are just preferences.”

“Then what else would you like to know?”

“Well.”

Evelyn, speaking curtly, turned her head. She met the eyes of the man who had been watching her. Her stomach tightened slightly with tension.

“I think I already know what I need to know about you, Mr. Clifton. I also think you’ve learned enough about me to travel together comfortably.”

“Well.”

He tilted his head slightly.

“I’m not quite there yet.”

His face was ambiguously smiling.

“Miss Evelyn.”

He slowly alternated looking into her eyes. From left to right, then back to left. It was a penetrating gaze, as if looking deep into her mind. His eyes, darkened by the blue darkness, looked almost black. Evelyn couldn’t quickly decide whether to keep meeting those eyes or to look away.

“I think we could use more familiar terms of address.”

He changed the subject casually.

“As you heard earlier, people who are close to me call me Henry. My name is the same as my late father’s. So I’ve been called Henry at home since I was young.”

I see. 

Evelyn recalled his full name. Bryant Maude Henry Clifton Jr. It seemed he had taken his father’s name exactly.

“Some people call me Maude. It seems they feel special when they call someone by a different name. If you prefer, you can call me Maude.”

He seemed indifferent to which name was used. Whether it was Henry or Maude, he didn’t seem to care. But Evelyn had no intention of calling him by any name.

“Thank you for your kind words, but I don’t think I can.”

“Why not?”

“I’m more comfortable with this, Mr. Clifton.”

“I’m not very comfortable, Miss Dale.”

Evelyn closed her mouth. Bryant tilted his head and smiled.

“Do we need to be so formal?”

“Behaving according to one’s status is basic etiquette.”

“By status, are you reminding me of our social relationship, dear author?”

“Of course not, dear Sir.”

“Oh dear. You have a rather conservative side.”

“One can’t change their lineage.”

“Lineage is just a product of luck. I’d like to be recognized for my achievements rather than the status I was lucky to be born into.”

Evelyn couldn’t find words to counter. His voice was calm and completely unforced. Perhaps that made it sound even more genuine.

“So let’s be a bit more casual. We work in the same field and are about the same age.”

“That’s not true, is it? I’m much younger than you, Mr. Clifton.”

“Much?”

He chuckled, raising the end of his words. The angle of his eyes softened, changing the intensity of his gaze. Completely softened eyes. Those distinctly smiling eyes shook Evelyn intensely for a moment.

“I don’t think so.”

What doesn’t he think? 

She hurriedly searched her memory but couldn’t recall anything. All that filled her mind was the face before her, only the face. The face of the man smiling captivatingly. She had completely lost the thread of the conversation.

The moment she realized this, her heart began to pound fiercely.

Just then, new music started beyond the wall. Slowly flowing music. The high tone of string instruments. It was a familiar melody.

Evelyn turned her head as if following the source of the sound. Thanks to this, she escaped his gaze, but her heart was still pounding. She only thought she had to somehow shake off this embarrassing state. Her voice was brighter than necessary for that reason.

“It’s one of my favorite pieces.”

After saying it, Evelyn felt satisfied. It was a pretty decent topic change, even in her opinion. As expected, Bryant listened, trying to identify the melody.

“Do you know this piece, Mr. Clifton?”

“It’s a serenade.”

After a moment of recollection, he accurately named the piece,

“A Rose for You.”

“You know it.”

“It’s a famous piece, isn’t it?”

“Yes. I like how it’s arranged in adagio like this. The original is so good.”

“You like love songs.”

“Isn’t love a theme worth singing about?”

“Indeed, it is.”

The man nodded. Evelyn felt even more satisfied. Finally, they returned to a slightly more formal conversation. 

Phew. That was a relief.

“Shall we head back down?”

Bryant straightened his posture and extended his right arm.

“You seem to have rested enough. Your complexion has returned.”

The man attempted a joke with a smile again. However, Evelyn didn’t get caught up in it and responded with a polite smile.

*

The Royal Orchestra’s season premiere ended without incident. The distance from Queens Hall to Evelyn’s boarding house was not far. As it was close to 11 PM, the car drove smoothly on the empty roads.

When they arrived in front of the boarding house, the driver, Ellen, opened the door for her. As Bryant followed her out, Evelyn wanted to tell him to just stay seated. But he, as if it were only natural, accompanied the lady to the door. It was just a short walk from the car, across the pavement, and up seven steps. There was no need for such gallantry. Evelyn muttered inwardly as she held her coat tightly with both hands. Despite wearing a coat, the chilly air seeped in through the collar. It was a cold night.

“Thank you for today.”

She turned towards the man in front of the door. As she bid farewell with her back to the door, her breath came out white. Her hands clenched tightly in front of her throat.

“You should go in. It’s cold.”

“Just a moment.”

Bryant said, taking a step closer. Evelyn looked up at him with questioning eyes. The distance between them, already close, became excessively so. The light from the porch lamp hanging on the keystone spilled over his face.

“I’ve set the audience date for the 17th of next month.”

Bryant spoke in a low voice. Evelyn held her breath in response.

“I’m planning to arrive in Issen by the 15th. Is that okay with you?”

What day is it today?

She quickly calculated the dates in her head. It came out to be just over three weeks away.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Then let’s leave on the 13th.”

“Yes.”

“And could you spare some time before we leave?”

“Time for what?”

“I’d like to invite you to my home.”

Me? Why? 

She almost asked out loud. As if hearing her inner voice, Bryant continued.

“Mr. Higgins has put in a lot of effort for this matter, so I’m planning to invite him over for dinner before we leave. If you join us, it would be a wonderful time. Mr. Higgins is your editor, after all.”

To Evelyn, his words sounded like, “Because of you, he’s put in a lot of effort.” Her editor, who had handled two of her books. The editor who had visited twice but had to return empty-handed. With the situation as it was, Evelyn felt sorry for him.

“You’ll like Mrs. Higgins when you meet her. She’s one of the most delightful ladies I know.”

“Thank you for the kind words, but I’m not sure if it’s a place I should be.”

“Of course it is. It will be a pleasure for everyone.”

“When is the date?”

“I’m thinking about ten days from now, but I’ll let you know as soon as it’s set.”

“Yes. Please let me know.”

“I’m glad you accepted.”

He smiled with satisfaction. His eyes, wet with the lamplight, were a transparent gray. The softly curved eyes and the shadow of thick eyelashes. As Evelyn slightly smiled while facing him, the man, who was quietly looking down, leaned in. Slowly, without rushing. Slowly enough that she could have stopped or avoided him if she wanted.

Evelyn did not avoid him.

To be precise, she couldn’t. Considering her situation and his customs, avoiding or rejecting would have seemed rude. 

It’s just a greeting. You did it with Prince Logan too. Just do it the same way. 

In the brief moment he approached, Evelyn steadied her mind with countless thoughts like these.