Chapter 51

“How it happened isn’t the issue, Lillie. What’s important is that he kissed her without asking.”

Brooke seemed somewhat disappointed.

“Kissed? It was a gentle landing. Like a feather! And it was a natural approach, I’m telling you. Na.tu.ral.ly.”

Brooke waved her hand dismissively and leaned back against the head of the bed.

Ignoring Brooke, Lillie moved closer to Riena.

“So? Angels were flying around blowing trumpets, and then what?”

“It felt like walking on soft cotton candy. Fireworks were going off in front of my eyes. It felt like midday even though it was night, you know? I closed my eyes, but it felt like everything was white.”

“I know, I know. I sometimes feel that way when I get dizzy from anemia.”

Brooke interrupted again. Riena turned her back on Brooke entirely.

Brooke shrugged as if she didn’t care. She was now completely out of the women’s conversation.

‘What’s so great about a kiss? And kissing without asking? Just based on the mood? A kiss swept up in the atmosphere is so irrational.’

Brooke didn’t want to belittle Riena’s love. However, Brooke found Riena’s love inexplicable.

Was she wrong to believe in the absence of fateful love?

Brooke’s expression darkened as she watched Riena smile brightly.

‘Mom told me never to come down alone.’

At this rate, she wouldn’t be able to return home.

Brooke let out a low sigh.

Catherine’s steady gaze followed Brooke.

***

While Hugo was troubled by the contract issue, Catherine and the residents of Catherine House attended yet another party today.

“I’m starting to get tired of this.”

At first, she was so excited to go to parties. But after just a few times, she was already getting bored.

Was it Brooke’s tendency to get bored easily, or the people who tirelessly held unproductive gatherings?

‘To think I was looking for a husband in such a dull place, I was foolish.’

Contrary to her parents’ words that every day would be new and enjoyable, Brooke’s days were as gloomy as the rainy season.

“Brooke, how about red?”

Riena asked, holding a ribbon at the end of her braided hair. Brooke silently handed over the yellow ribbon next to her.

“Thanks, Brooke.”

Seeing her friend’s bright face, Brooke couldn’t say that city life was all bad.

The city had more diverse people than where Brooke used to live, and that aspect intrigued her.

But Brooke came to the city to find a husband. Without that goal, she had no reason to stay here.

Should I return home now? 

Her parents scraped together every penny to send her here, and she felt guilty returning without a husband.

The more Brooke thought about her situation, the more her face darkened.

“Brooke, who are you going to dance with today? Sir Winter? Sir Bayors?”

There was no one who sparked thoughts of marriage in Brooke, but she was quite popular.

The men were captivated by Brooke’s lively charm and the unique vitality of Southern women.

More than half of the suitors lined up at Catherine House were Brooke’s suitors.

Among them, Winter and Bayors were undeniably good prospects.

As heirs to a Baron’s and an Earl’s family, respectively, they were likely to become a Baron and an Earl in the future.

They were wealthy enough to openly state they didn’t need a dowry, and both graduated from university with decent grades.

Winter and Bayors’ drawbacks were the common ones among most men.

They liked alcohol and friends.

But as mentioned earlier, most men enjoying the social season liked alcohol, friends, horse racing, gambling, and in extreme cases, women, so their drawbacks weren’t considered significant.

For this reason, Riena hoped Brooke would choose either Winter or Bayors.

“I won’t be dancing with either of them.”

Brooke had no such intention.

“Why? Sir Winter is not bad!”

“I danced with him once before. If I dance with him again, rumors will spread. Rumors that I’m going to marry them.”

“That’s exactly why you should dance with them!”

Riena, who was fixing her hair with a ribbon, shouted.

“I have no intention of marrying them.”

“Why, Brooke? Sir Bayors isn’t bad either. Right, Catherine?”

Lillie chimed in, pulling Catherine into the conversation.

Until she saw Brooke wandering the garden alone in melancholy yesterday, Catherine’s thoughts were not much different from Riena and Lillie’s.

Winter and Bayors were excellent matches. Not only were their conditions good, but they were also tall and handsome.

However, seeing Brooke’s indifferent attitude and occasionally shadowed face, Catherine changed her mind.

Brooke wasn’t dreaming of magical love or wanting a husband with good conditions.

‘Brooke is seriously looking for a man who will have a sincere conversation with her.’

When Catherine mentioned knowing about Hugo’s territory affairs, Brooke’s eyes lit up as she spoke.

• You’re discussing territory issues? That’s really impressive!

Brooke showed more interest when Catherine worried about Catherine House’s finances than when discussing dresses or jewelry.

When women talked about pretty dessert cafes, she clicked her tongue, saying horse racing or gambling would be more fun.

It wasn’t a matter of what was better or worse.

It was just that Brooke’s disposition didn’t match with the gentlemen of society who believed they needed to quickly find someone and could only have light conversations with women.

If someone wanted to court Brooke, they should bring a financial report instead of a poem from Laga.

‘Or bring up a hotly debated bill issue.’

Brooke, who read the morning paper with a serious expression, would likely enjoy debates fit for an academy.

Where could she find someone suitable for her?

No one came to mind immediately.

‘I need to actively look.’

Catherine finished buttoning the back of Brooke’s dress, determined to find a suitable match for Brooke today.

***

Eliona’s party was lively as always.

She owned the most famous orchestra in the city and knew the importance of music for a pleasant party.

So attending her parties was a treat for the ears.

Some people attended Eliona’s parties just to listen to the music.

“This seems like the most crowded party I’ve been to!”

Riena’s observation was correct.

“Yes. Even those not thinking about marriage come to listen to the music.”

“Do they really come just to listen to music?”

Brooke shook her head.

Catherine raised her finger with a smile at Brooke’s tone, which suggested she found it hard to believe.

“Artists gather, Brooke. People who love art gather. Most artists are broad-minded and have few prejudices. So conversations with them should be fun.”

Therefore, there was a high chance Brooke would find a conversation partner she wanted today.

“The music is so good that my feet are moving on their own.”

Riena tapped her feet on the floor while standing in place.

“Baron Dictron should have come, but is the Baroness still unwell?”

Excited, Riena slumped her shoulders at Lillie’s question.

Baron Dictron, who had confirmed his feelings with Riena, wanted to attend the party with her.

However, his mother’s condition, which had been improving, suddenly worsened today, preventing him from coming.

She couldn’t show disappointment, and not attending the party would make Baron Dictron feel guilty, so Riena attended the party.

Even though she already had someone in mind, making the party attendance less meaningful.

“Given her age, recovery won’t be easy. Riena, how about visiting her with me tomorrow or the day after? How about enjoying today with Lillie?”

Anyway, Lillie was obviously waiting for Brian.

Catherine gently comforted Riena. Riena soon smiled brightly and nodded.

“Thank you, Lady Catherine. I was just wondering if it would be inappropriate to visit the sick alone.”

“You shouldn’t go alone yet. Baron Dictron would welcome you with open arms, though. By the way, it’s a late question, but you two are officially dating, right?”

Catherine hoped Riena would bask a little more in the sweet emotions of love.

Riena, who brightened up visibly whenever Baron Dictron was mentioned, was beautiful and lovely.

Sure enough, Riena smiled like a spring flower just blooming.

“Yes. I’ve decided to date Baron Dictron.”

Brooke, Lillie, and Catherine congratulated her.

Naturally, Lillie, Riena, and Brooke moved away from Catherine.

This was because Hugo approached.

Catherine felt as if she hadn’t seen Hugo for a long time.

Since Hugo moved in, they had met so frequently that it felt unusual not to see him for so long.

Including their encounters, seeing each other four or five times a day was nothing.

But she hadn’t seen him all day yesterday, and until she came to the party today.

When they couldn’t meet, they exchanged items or letters, or at least ran into his household members, but yesterday there was absolutely nothing.

So it was only natural to feel like it had been a long time.

“Your gaze is lingering, Catherine. If you’re suddenly smitten by my face, thank you.”

Ignoring Hugo’s shameless words, Catherine turned her head sharply.

She wanted to ask what had happened to Hugo, but somehow felt she shouldn’t.

Catherine began scanning the party hall, searching for a match for Brooke.