Chapter 4 – Merry Stern (Part 5)

When she woke up from a long, dreamless sleep, there was no one beside her. She blinked slowly and listened, but no sound of anyone was to be heard. Lying alone on the vast bed, Evelyn felt confused. 

How long have I been alone? What time was it now? How long have I slept?

What on earth had I done?

Her mind remained unsettled. She was startled when she glanced at the clock on the nightstand and sprang up like a spring. 8 a.m. She inhaled in disbelief at the time. The dark bedroom, like dawn, was thanks to the curtains covering the windows. On closer inspection, slivers of sunlight shone brightly through the curtain gaps.

“Ha.”

Evelyn sighed unconsciously. She hadn’t touched the curtains, so it was clearly the man’s handiwork.

That wasn’t the only trace he left behind. Draping the chemise and corset over the back of a chair was not how she usually handled her clothes. And not hanging the delicate satin dress on a hanger was even more unthinkable. Evelyn looked at the dress lying lightly on the armchair. She wondered if she should call it considerate that he at least tidied it up a bit. She recalled the dress that had been sprawled on the reception room floor last night with self-mockery.

“Ha…”

Another deep sigh escaped her.

8 a.m. It was too late to remain in bed. Anxiously, Evelyn threw off the blanket and hesitated as she climbed out of bed n*ked. She felt somewhat relieved after quickly grabbing a robe and slipping her arms into it. Even though no one was watching, she fastened the robe’s front and tied the waist belt before heading to the bathroom.

Even as she hurriedly bathed, her mind didn’t settle. Thanks to a sound sleep, her body felt refreshed, her mind clear, and she had no hangover. Her memories of last night were complete, with nothing missing. There was no excuse to blame it on a lapse of judgment. That’s why her heart was uneasy and pounding. The realization that she had to fully face everything. The bewilderment, the shame, a slight sense of despair. Evelyn tried to handle those intense emotions calmly.

This was probably guilt for breaking a taboo. Having a physical relationship with an unmarried man was clearly against morality. So this unease was a regret for having done something wrong, for having committed a shocking transgression. My goodness, to have done such a thing. With a man she’d only known for a month. With a man who hadn’t even promised marriage, let alone confessed love. With a man she had long ago deemed impossible for such prospects, to have done such a thing.

Evelyn dressed her dried body in a clean chemise. She put on a flannel robe over it and tied the waist belt. She let down the hair she had tied up to keep dry. Even while doing so, her mind was filled with images of the man. The expressions he made. His gaze. The shape of his hands and body. Even though she had washed every inch of her body with hot water and soap, the thoughts clinging to her mind weren’t washed away.

It was then that someone knocked on the door from outside.

Her heart seemed to drop. She knew instantly who it was. Evelyn seriously debated whether to answer. The thought of facing him made her dizzy. She hadn’t even decided what attitude to take yet. And then there was her appearance. To calmly and rationally say that last night was a mistake and should be forgotten, she needed to be properly dressed. She couldn’t say such things in her disheveled indoor attire.

So what should I do? Should I not answer? Would he leave if I pretended not to be there? 

Just as she was intensely contemplating, there was another knock. It was as if he was saying he knew she was inside and to open the door.

In the end, Evelyn bit her lip and headed toward the door. In truth, pretending not to be there was never a viable plan.

As she reached out and grabbed the doorknob, she made a decision. She would face him with a calm and rational attitude. Last night’s incident was a mistake and should be forgotten. She quickly decided, as if being chased, and consciously straightened her shoulders. As she opened the door and lifted her head, she met the man’s eyes.

Again, she felt as if her heart had dropped.

The first thing that overwhelmed her was the strong scent of cologne. Freshly applied, the sharp scent of narcissus. The man stood there, impeccably dressed as always. A black morning coat. Waistcoat and silk tie. Even his hair was neatly arranged.

With such a perfect gentlemanly appearance, he spoke.

“Good morning, Miss Evelyn.”

At that moment, without a chance to react, Evelyn felt afraid. It was like standing n*ked in front of an armored opponent. Facing a man wearing a solid mask with her bare face. And then a sudden certainty struck her like lightning.

He would speak first. He would say last night’s incident was a mistake and should be forgotten.

“…Hello, Mr. Clifton.”

“May I come in for a moment?”

Even the request for permission sounded exceedingly polite. That overly courteous demeanor pierced deep into some part of Evelyn. So she once again steeled herself. She would face him with the calmest and most rational attitude.

“Please come in.”

She stepped back to let the man inside. Bryant walked briskly to stand in front of the reception room table. Three steps away from the woman. The perfect distance for a gentleman and a lady.

“Sorry for not being presentable. As you can see, I’m like this.”

“Are you unwell?”

“No. I just… woke up a little late.”

Her voice almost trembled. She felt like she was slowly suffocating. The man was silent for a moment, and Evelyn quietly took a deep breath with her eyes lowered. Then she raised her gaze to look at his face again.

“What brings you here?”

She tried to maintain composure as she met his eyes. 

Did I sound a bit cold? 

But it was better than stammering and fumbling.

This morning, Bryant looked exceptionally handsome. Annoyingly handsome. There was no sign of worry or regret. It seemed she was the only one preoccupied with last night’s events.

Looking at that impeccably neat face, Evelyn reminded herself that she had no makeup on. So she straightened her shoulders even more to avoid shrinking back. She waited for the man’s lips to open. She prepared herself mentally, expecting him to bring up last night’s events.

But what he said was completely unexpected.

“I came to escort you to breakfast.”

“…”

“I thought you might be hungry.”

What did this mean? 

The situation was unfolding differently than she had anticipated, leaving Evelyn flustered. She hurriedly chose the most appropriate response she could muster, but,

“I’m not really… hungry.”

“You must be.”

Her words were blocked again.

He replied nonchalantly and then walked toward the bedroom. He strode over and turned around at the entrance. Looking at the woman who stood awkwardly, unable to decide her stance, he urged with his gaze,

“Let’s get ready and go out. I’ll help you with your dress.”

“Pardon?”

Evelyn genuinely thought she had misheard.

“Isn’t it difficult to dress alone?”

“…”

“The corset. It must be hard to put on by yourself.”

He spoke casually and glanced around the cabin. With a look that said there was no one else here but him, he looked at her again. His deliberately performed demeanor had a clear hint of mischief.

“I’ve never helped put one on, but I suppose doing the reverse of taking it off should work.”

Evelyn was truly at a loss for words, her lips slightly parted. She just stared at the man who lightly added that it was a joke. The tension in her stiff body suddenly relaxed, and a wave of relief washed over her. It was pathetic to feel relieved, but there was nothing she could do. It happened before she could even react.

“It’s fine to go as you are. The breakfast room is just next door.”

Bryant said as he walked back toward her. He stood very close without any hesitation. Evelyn could smell the faint soap scent beneath his strong cologne. The same fragrance as the one provided in the cabin. The same one she had just used.

“I had the meal brought to my room. I thought you might be tired.”

He naturally raised his hand to touch her hair. His fingers lightly brushed her left cheek and touched her neck. Her senses roared to life at the warmth, scent, and touch of his hand.

“But if you really must dress up, I’ll help you. Though I like you just as you are.”

Evelyn met the man’s eyes as he looked down at her gently. She felt the utmost tenderness in the fingertips caressing her left cheek. Those fingers lightly traced the edge of her lips. Bryant was no longer looking into her eyes.

With his gaze lowered, he bent his head. There was a faint toothpaste scent in his breath. The same one Evelyn had just used. The moment she realized this, the hand holding her left cheek gently lifted her face. Dry lips met hers, then parted softly, now moist.

“They said it would take about 30 minutes to bring breakfast.”

Bryant whispered. Their lips were almost touching. He now cradled her face with both hands. Evelyn’s eyelids fluttered slightly.

“We have to wait 30 minutes.”

Another kiss. The sensation of his lips softly licking hers.

“What shall we do until then?”