Chapter 4 – Leaving Ebony

“Madam, your luggage has been loaded into three carriages, and it will arrive in Shovary in a week. I’ve written a letter to the Arlington Family’s butler, so you don’t need to worry about the delivery of your belongings.”

“There’s nothing I need urgently in there, so you don’t have to rush.”

“Ash will escort you to Shovary by carriage. Of course, I’ll be accompanying you as well.”

“You could have just rented a private carriage, so why bother…”

Briony tried to object, but seeing the butler’s sad expression, she closed her mouth. Dmitri, as with everything else, had certainly made thorough preparations for her move. To avoid making his efforts go to waste, it was better to let him handle things as he wished.

“The house is quiet.”

She changed the subject.

Keith, as promised, had given the staff a day off. Briony had requested this not only to thank those who worked hard carrying her things, but also because she wanted to leave Ebony Heights when there were as few people in the house as possible. She still vividly remembered the day Keith carried her over the threshold, and the moment he set her down in the foyer, the loud greetings from the staff lined up in two rows had left her flustered.

“Do you really have to leave today?”

“My father must be waiting for me.”

Briony lied. Dmitri surely knew it was a lie. If Lord Gideon Arlington were so desperately waiting for his daughter, he should have at least sent a private carriage for her long journey.

Of course, the responsibility for the divorce lay with Keith, so he had to return every single coin of the dowry Briony brought, sending all the money back to the Arlington Family, and also cover all the moving expenses. But that was merely the legal requirement. Briony wanted the support of her father, not the pity of her former husband. If not, she would rather sell some of her jewels to pay for the move herself.

When she discussed this with Dmitri, he looked both shocked and sympathetic.

‘To use Madam’s money for the move is unthinkable. If Lord Ebony finds out, he’ll fire me. For my sake, please allow my master to do what he must.’

“There’s still some time before departure. The master said he’ll be back before then.”

“Where did he go?”

“A child was born at the land manager’s house last night, so he went to offer congratulations.”

The birth of a child was a happy event in any household. Keith, being a diligent lord, couldn’t neglect his duties, even on a day like this.

“It’s a shame I couldn’t go. Could you please pass on my congratulations for me?”

“Of course. …While you wait, shall I prepare some refreshments?”

“Then just a cup of hot tea, please.”

While Dmitri withdrew, Briony adjusted her attire in front of the hall mirror.

She was glad the house was empty. The keen staff must have realized that she was planning to leave Ebony Heights while they were on holiday. Perhaps Dmitri had warned them in advance, for no one came to confirm the rumors, but the atmosphere in the house had been gloomy for days. She didn’t want to leave a place she’d grown attached to in such a mood.

“Lady Briony… Madam.”

Myrtle came down from upstairs. Her eyes were red, as if she’d cried again last night.

“Why are you up so early? You’ve already dressed.”

“Dmitri went to brew tea. If you want some, go and ask for a cup.”

“I won’t even drink a glass of water in this house.”

Myrtle muttered through clenched teeth.

But around Myrtle’s neck hung the pendant Keith had given her yesterday. It was a token of thanks for looking after his wife. Now that Ebony was once again a poor estate, and with winter still to survive, the lord could not afford to buy gifts for his former wife’s maid, so it wasn’t something bought new. Briony recognized it as one of the late Countess’s jewels. Of course, she said nothing to Myrtle.

“Tea is ready.”

“Oh, you startled me.”

Myrtle stepped back. Dmitri, carrying a tea tray, passed by Myrtle and entered the parlor next to the hall. After setting the refreshments, he bowed politely and withdrew. Myrtle, giving in, offered Briony tea and a roll.

“Madam, please have a little. The coachman says it’ll take a week by carriage.”

“I won’t be in the carriage the whole time. We’ll stay at hotels at night.”

“There’s nothing to see in this season, so it’ll be a boring trip.”

Myrtle’s complaint had some merit. Spending a week in a carriage at this time of year meant being confined to a small, shaking room, looking out at bleak scenery all day.

Briony had barely slept the night before, so she planned to sleep in the carriage. But hearing her maid’s words, she changed her mind.

“I need to visit the study for a moment.”

No sooner had she spoken than Myrtle hurried to the fireplace and pulled the cord with all her might, as if she’d never get another chance to do so.

Dmitri appeared at the door.

“Did you call, Madam?”

“I need a book to read on the journey. May I borrow one or two from the study?”

“Of course, Madam.”

The study at Ebony Heights doubled as Keith’s office. Leading Dmitri upstairs, Briony asked the butler a question.

“Dmitri, you go into the study often when Keith isn’t around, don’t you?”

“To dust the book spines.”

“Have you read any of the books there?”

“Only those the master permitted.”

“What kind of books do you like?”

“What kind of books do you like, Madam?”

Only now, as she was about to leave Ebony, did Briony realize she knew little about this butler. All she knew was that Dmitri was three or four years older than Keith, that he’d been the capable Dalmore Family butler even before she arrived at Ebony Heights, and that in other houses he’d barely qualify as an assistant butler at his age, yet here he was trusted more than anyone by Keith.

‘Did Keith hire him because he was young and cheap?’

She erased this rude thought and asked again.

“When did you come to this house, Dmitri?”

“Seven years ago.”

He opened the study door and let her in.

The candle on Keith’s reading stand was worn down to the length of her finger. As she stared at it, Dmitri explained apologetically.

“The master was here late last night.”

“It’s better not to use candles down to stubs like this.”

“…It’s not because we can’t afford new candles.”

“It’s easy for other things to catch fire.”

No matter how embarrassed Dmitri looked, Briony stepped toward her favorite section.

One of the pleasures she enjoyed at Ebony Heights was reading classic novels. Briony’s tastes ranged from historical fiction to horror. The Arlington Family’s library was arranged to suit Gideon’s tastes, so while living there she never had the chance to truly lose herself in a book.

At first, Keith had offered to create a private library for her when he learned she loved reading. She’d declined, preferring the study with its constant subtle scent of tea and traces of him.

Come to think of it, Keith didn’t enjoy novels, so it was odd that the study contained hundreds of classic novels, all showing signs of having been read.

As Briony hesitated to choose a book, Dmitri spoke.

“You may take several. They’re not to the master’s taste anyway.”

“Then who read these?”

“The late Lady Caitlyn Dalmore.”

“Ah…”

Briony had heard that Caitlyn Dalmore died five years ago, two years before she herself came to Ebony Heights. Keith had almost never spoken of his younger sister. The previous Earl had also died, struck by illness after losing his daughter, so the Dalmore Family had been shrouded in tragedy.

‘If Lady Caitlyn were alive, would we have become close?’

Early deaths weren’t rare in the kingdom. Seven years ago, a plague swept through, killing many regardless of status or age. That was why noble families were so focused on producing heirs. When someone died young, it was customary in every region for the survivors to keep the deceased’s hair in a locket or to distribute portraits among the family.

Strangely, there wasn’t a single portrait of Lady Caitlyn Dalmore at Ebony Heights, in contrast to the previous Earl’s portraits displayed on the stairs and throughout the house.

If the novel collection was Caitlyn Dalmore’s only keepsake, and her personal collection, then the late girl’s tastes were surprisingly similar to Briony’s. If possible, she would have liked to ask for the books and take them to the Arlington Family. But to Keith, these were his sister’s keepsakes. She was glad she hadn’t mentioned the books when discussing alimony.

“It’ll take me a while to choose. Could you tell Myrtle to wait comfortably?”

“Of course.”

Just as Dmitri was about to leave the study—

“Who are you? Who do you think you are, barging into someone else’s house?”

Myrtle’s voice shouted from downstairs.