Chapter 36

The rain, which had seemed like it would pierce the sky, stopped after about 30 minutes. As they emerged from the cave, Philomena, worried about the master and mistress caught in the downpour, had sent a servant to find them. Thanks to this, the couple rode comfortably back in a carriage.

“Oh my, you’re both soaked!”

Philomena clicked her tongue as she met the rain-drenched couple and brought a large towel to dry Harriet’s long hair.

“I’ll do it.”

“I’ll be faster.”

Harriet, who had reached for the towel, awkwardly sat in the chair Philomena indicated. Worried that she might be put in the bathroom again, Harriet hesitated on what to say.

This was the first time such a situation had occurred in her life. When something unfair happened, no matter how oppressive or intimidating the opponent was, she had always confidently pointed it out and corrected it. Yet, in front of the simple and easygoing Philomena, she found herself subtly watching her words.

“Um, Philomena…”

“As Harriet’s hair is being dried, I should wash first.”

As soon as Harriet opened her mouth, Lennox, who had been watching the two women like a mother and daughter, spoke first. Expecting Philomena to laugh at the idea of newlyweds being shy, Harriet was surprised when Philomena readily agreed.

“Yes, I’ve prepared the bathroom on the first floor, not just the master bedroom’s. Please go ahead and wash.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Philomena, laughing, instructed a maid to prepare clothes for him to change into.

Once Lennox left to wash, only Philomena and Harriet remained in the spacious living room. As Harriet sighed in relief, Philomena, who had meticulously dried her hair, suddenly thanked her.

“By the way, thank you, young madam.”

“Pardon?”

Surprised by the unexpected words, Harriet turned her head. Philomena, handing the wet towel to another maid, sat beside her.

“It’s been a long time since the young master looked so happy. It’s all thanks to you, young madam.”

Philomena’s plump hand gently grasped Harriet’s. Feeling the warmth spreading from the touch, Harriet pursed her lips slightly.

“It’s embarrassing to say it’s thanks to me. I haven’t done much.”

“Not much? Don’t say that. The young master truly loves you, young madam. That must be because you’re someone worthy of that love.”

Love.

A word Lennox had persistently mentioned. He had claimed to have had a long-standing crush on her, circling around her. At first, she thought it was just a cunning lie, but as she spent more time with him, she began to think it might be genuine. If it was an act, he was destined to be a born actor.

“In the future, the young master will be completely under your sway, young madam. As his former nanny, it worries me a bit, but I think it’ll be okay with you.”

While Harriet was momentarily lost in thought, Philomena, smiling brightly, spoke earnestly.

Startled by the affectionate gaze and words, Harriet quietly looked at her. From Philomena’s perspective, Lennox was a cherished young master she had raised herself, while Harriet was merely the woman her master had married. Yet Philomena had showered her with affection and attention from their first meeting. It was strange.

“This may be a weird question, but did you know about me beforehand?”

“Have I been found out?” 

Philomena, blushing shyly, joked lightly.

“Is there anyone in this country who doesn’t know you, Madam? Though we’re far from the mainland, this is still an island where people come and go. Everyone here knows about the eldest daughter of the Vanetti family.”

Contrary to Harriet’s expectation that Philomena might have heard about her from Lennox, she received the opposite response. Harriet, even more flustered, blinked in surprise.

Whatever the news was, it was probably not good. It was even more baffling that Philomena, who should have held prejudices or resentment, treated her with such affection.

“When I first received the news that the young master was getting married, I was honestly quite surprised. But I thought there must be something different about the person he chose. And as soon as I saw the way the young master looked at you, I was convinced.”

“Convinced of what?”

“It might sound like a wordplay, but someone loved by someone I love can’t be a bad person, right? All those rumors are exaggerated and malicious.”

“…”

“Moreover, the young master grew up too quickly, and only when he’s with you does he seem his age. I really like that.”

Philomena finished speaking to the unresponsive Harriet.

“Now that your hair is dry, you should go in and wash up, young madam. I’ve already laid out clothes for you in front of the bathroom.”

* * *

After washing up with warm water, shaking off fatigue, and eating delicious food, Harriet felt all her tension melt away, and she began to yawn.

Though it was still early to sleep, and she thought she might get some work done, Lennox unexpectedly brought wine and light snacks to share with her.

“If it’s not urgent work, let’s have a drink.”

“Sure.”

Harriet, putting her work aside, sat across from him on the couch as he indicated.

Having spent time together, they had grown somewhat accustomed to each other, and the air that had been awkward and tense not long ago had now become comfortable and relaxed.

Lennox, first pouring champagne into her glass, gently initiated the conversation.

“Philomena speaks highly of you. She says you’re calm, thoughtful, and kind.”

“Cough.”

Harriet nearly spit out the champagne she drank, coughing a few times. Fortunately, she didn’t choke.

“I’m not that kind of person. Philomena overestimates me.”

“No, you are that kind of person.”

Lennox chuckled and speared a piece of cheese with a fork, offering it to her. Harriet, caught off guard, accepted it.

“After we volunteered at the orphanage together, you turned your birthday party into a charity event. You stayed in the background on a day you should have been the star, for the hungry children.”

Harriet felt embarrassed by both Philomena and Lennox’s unwavering praise and tried to explain.

“It wasn’t purely out of goodwill. I thought it would be good for business. With workers forming unions and protesting, I wanted to at least build a good reputation.”

“I knew you’d say that. But the result is the same.”

Lennox shrugged and took a sip from his glass. His next words finally made Harriet choke.

“You could have just said it was out of goodwill, but you chose to be honest. I think that’s what I fell for.”

“Cough…!”

Harriet, her face turning bright red, coughed repeatedly. Lennox, who had moved closer, patted her back. Though it was just a simple gesture, it oddly made Harriet feel a strange sensation, so she pulled his hand away.

“Be honest. It wasn’t just one person, was it?”

“What?”

“I mean the people you’ve dated. It wasn’t just one person, was it?”

Recalling the kiss in the cave, Harriet, with a flushed face, questioned him. He had approached her so naturally and smoothly that she felt no resistance, and even now, he was casually saying things that made her heart race.

“Oh, are you finally getting jealous? Really.”

Lennox laughed incredulously and ran his hand through his hair. Seeing him slightly disheveled, unlike his usual neat appearance, made Harriet’s heart race irregularly. If he noticed her current state, he’d probably keep teasing her. Pretending to be angry, Harriet hardened her expression and firmly denied his words.

“I’m not jealous. I’m just curious.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Their gazes met, and somehow, it felt heated. Harriet waited for Lennox’s next words. Watching her with an unreadable expression, Lennox replied plainly.

“Without a shred of shame, I’ve only been with one person. You can believe it. It’s the truth.”

“…Really?”

Harriet raised an eyebrow and looked at him skeptically. Lennox, with an innocent face, raised his hands.

“Of course. And things with Angela are completely over.”

“It didn’t seem that way to her.”

“It was like that, but I put an end to it on the ship. So you don’t have to worry.”

“I see.”

Feeling relieved, Harriet suddenly felt thirsty and gulped down her champagne.

“That’s stronger than it looks…!”

“It’s okay.”

Lennox, alarmed by her consecutive drinking, tried to stop her, but Harriet didn’t listen. She wanted to blame her flushed face and awareness on the alcohol.

“Ha…”