Chapter 34

For the next three days, until they disembarked from the cruise, they barely exchanged words. Due to the attention of others, they attended the minimum number of social gatherings but exchanged only obligatory words. Fortunately, the other passengers didn’t notice the rift between them.

“Coco.”

Despite barely speaking to her when they were alone, Lennox unhesitatingly called her by her nickname and offered his hand in front of others.

“Be careful.”

Supporting her gently as she stumbled down the stairs, Lennox helped her off the cruise. A carriage awaited them, and an elderly gentleman greeted them.

Smiling, Lennox addressed him.

“Roche.”

“I’ve been waiting. Was your journey tiring?”

The man responded with a kind smile, placing his hat over his left chest as he politely greeted Harriet.

“Nice to meet you, Young Madam. I’m Roche, the caretaker of the villa. I’ve known His Highness for a long time.”

“My nanny was his wife.”

Lennox added to Roche’s words and immediately asked.

“How is Philomena?”

“She’s doing well, more than well. She’s so excited about your visit today that she’s made lots of pies. She’s acting like a child.”

Though he seemed to scold his wife, pride and affection were evident in his voice. Lennox, laughing brightly, sided with his old nanny.

“Being charming even in old age is Philomena’s charm.”

“That’s precisely why she’s still my wife.”

“There’s already talk of how you treat her like a precious child, and now you’re trying to shift the blame to me?”

“Ha ha.”

Watching the playful banter between the two men, Harriet glanced around the island. It was too small to be considered a resort, yet too large to be privately owned.

Owned by the Duke of Diorne for four generations, it was the first and only island to recognize the special autonomy of its residents, unlike other territories governed by a steward.

“Let’s end the chatter and head inside.”

Having concluded the conversation adequately, Lennox skillfully escorted Harriet into the carriage. Once he sat across from her, Roche promptly closed the carriage door. Harriet, with wide eyes, opened the window.

“Aren’t you coming in?”

“I have no hobby of intruding between newlyweds, Young Madam.”

Roche chuckled and sat beside the coachman, who immediately snapped the reins. The previously cheerful atmosphere vanished, leaving a cold silence inside the carriage.

Harriet, admiring the beautiful turquoise sea that looked like melted emeralds, couldn’t suppress her curiosity and spoke first.

“Is this a resort island that only accepts a select few?”

Unlike other islands lined with nobles’ villas along the coast, this island had villas sparsely scattered as if hidden. Lennox, who had been reading a book, lifted his gaze to look at her.

“It’s a decision made by the island’s residents. They can live well enough with fishing, agriculture, and support from the Ducal family, but they said it would be a waste not to share the natural scenery. Even so, they couldn’t harm the natural environment, so they decided to build only eight villas that guarantee privacy and accept only a few guests each year. When it comes to limited editions, people always pay attention. It also serves as a promotional effect for the island.”

It was quite a savvy approach for ordinary island residents.

“Since the peak tourist season here coincides with the off-season for seafood, they can aim for extra income during the quiet period. It’s a good strategy.”

Harriet, quickly intrigued, forgot about the awkward atmosphere and surveyed the island from a business perspective.

The path was well-prepared, with a coastal cliff walk to enjoy the sea, suggesting long-term planning. Harriet, enchanted by the neatly maintained path, suddenly asked.

“Have you been to this island often?”

“When I was a child.”

Lennox nodded, resting his chin on his hand with his elbow on the window. His profile, deep in thought, was as striking as a painting by an artist. Harriet turned her head before he noticed her gaze.

As they admired the island’s scenery, the carriage continued up the path until it finally slowed at the top.

The villa of the Duke of Diorne, the owner of this island, was located at the very top, in the best spot of all the villas.

As soon as the carriage door opened, a plump, middle-aged woman with a warm demeanor approached them as if running.

“Our young master!”

“Philomena.”

Lennox lightly embraced his nanny’s plump body. After releasing the hug, he greeted her playfully.

“Nanny, you seem to have lost some weight. You didn’t overdo it because I was coming, did you?”

“Overdo it? I’ve been the happiest in recent days. And you’re the only one who tells me I’ve lost weight, ho ho.”

Philomena, covering her mouth and laughing shyly like a girl, noticed Harriet and picked up her dress to formally greet her.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Young Madam. I’m Philomena, the wife of caretaker Roche and the former nanny of the young master.”

“I’ve heard about you. Please take care of me, Philomena.”

Her warm demeanor wasn’t bad. It was only natural to respond to kindness with kindness, so Harriet smiled as she accepted her greeting.

Philomena, whom Harriet thought would immediately introduce the mansion, suddenly stared intently at her.

“Philomena?”

“Oh my, you’re truly beautiful!”

Just as Lennox was about to speak in the puzzling situation, Philomena blushed and exclaimed.

“With hair like ebony and eyes like amber! It’s truly moving to see such a lovely wife, this nanny is so touched!”

Philomena, her eyes sparkling, grabbed Lennox’s hand.

“I’m already looking forward to your baby! If the baby inherits the young master’s dazzling blond hair and the young madam’s gem-like eyes, how lovely and beautiful they will be!”

Though married and having shared a bed, nothing had happened that would result in a child. Embarrassed, Harriet cleared her throat as Roche, who had instructed the porters to carry their luggage, suddenly intervened.

“That’s something for the young couple to decide. You’re getting ahead of yourself again.”

“But dear!”

Philomena pouted playfully and looked at Roche, seeking agreement. Hesitant under her gaze, Roche cleared his throat and changed the subject.

“Anyway, you both must be tired from the journey, so we should show you to your room. What are you waiting for?”

“Oh, right!”

Prompted by Roche, Philomena clapped her hands and said,

“We’ve prepared a bath for you both. After bathing, you can change into comfortable indoor clothes and then have dinner.”

“Sounds good.”

Though a bit scatterbrained, Philomena was a veteran who got things done. Satisfied, Lennox smiled and sought Harriet’s agreement.

“Right, Coco?”

“Sounds good. Where’s the bathroom?”

Nodding, Harriet asked, and Philomena, with a triumphant smile, delivered a thunderous statement.

“We’ve prepared a large bath on the second floor for you both to use together!”

She hadn’t even drunk water yet but felt like she might choke. As Harriet hesitated, unsure of what to say, Philomena affectionately linked arms with her and led her away.

“Then, Young Madam, come with me. I’ll help you undress.”

* * *

Since reheating and refilling the water was quite a hassle, the bath was concluded with them sharing the large bathroom. Instead, they placed a large partition in the middle, and each soaked in their own tub. This was the result of Harriet insisting that this was non-negotiable.

Just in case, Harriet wrapped a long, thin body towel around herself before stepping into the steaming tub. As she immersed herself in the warm water, her entire body relaxed, and her fatigue melted away.

From the other side, she heard the sound of water and saw a blurry shadow entering the tub. Harriet, her face flushed, quickly averted her gaze.

As she picked up a sponge to wash her arms, a low voice broke the silence.

“Philomena is great, but sometimes she charges ahead without seeing the whole picture. Please understand.”

“She seems nice; I’m fine.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Philomena had insisted on coming in to assist Young Madam with the bath, but Harriet had managed to block her. However, since it was all out of goodwill, she thought it was okay.

As the silence resumed, Harriet became more aware of the situation than before. Worried that even the sound of her swallowing might be heard on the other side, she spoke first.

“By the way, how long have you known her?”

“From when I first started walking until I was about ten.”

“That’s longer than I expected.”

In most noble families, a child would have an attendant instead of a nanny by the age of five or six.

“I heard they offered her a generous severance and a letter of recommendation, but Philomena refused, saying she wanted to stay a little longer. She probably felt sorry for me, being alone without a mother.”

“I see.”

It was almost the first time she heard about his childhood. Harriet inadvertently imagined a young Lennox. His features were already well-formed back then. Imagining him looking a bit more youthful, she couldn’t help but smile.

“Coco?”

“It’s nothing. I’ll wash up first, so close your eyes.”

Removing the towel from her body, Harriet submerged herself deeply in the tub. The previously chilly atmosphere seemed to have thawed a bit. Along with relief came a wave of drowsiness.

* * *

However, the momentarily relaxed atmosphere turned cold again when they entered the same bedroom after dinner.

The bed in the middle of the bedroom was large and soft enough for three people. Assuming the couple would naturally share the bed, Philomena hadn’t shown them another bedroom.

Sighing, Harriet pulled back the covers and lay down.

They had already shared a bed on the ship. Nothing had happened then, and this bed was much larger than the one on the ship, so there shouldn’t be any accidental contact unless intentional.

“Just lie next to me.”

Harriet, feeling generous, patted the spot beside her for Lennox, who was looking at her with an unreadable expression. Despite the courage it took to say that, she was flatly rejected.

“I’ll pass.”

“What?”

“There’s a small bedroom next to the library on the second floor. I’ll sleep there.”

Lennox, turning his back, grabbed the doorknob. Startled, Harriet instinctively grabbed him.

“Wait, if Philomena sees tomorrow…”

“She’ll probably worry, but it’s fine. It’s no big deal.”

Without even glancing at her, Lennox opened the bedroom door and left. Anger welled up inside Harriet, and she threw a pillow at the closed door.