5. The Night of the Ball (Part 3)

Alexander leaned against the wall, sipping his drink.

It wasn’t polite to be at Stefan’s mansion and not attend his ball. But the ball itself was not enjoyable. The only pleasant moment had been the brief dance with Eirin.

He understood the purpose of the ball.

Before the ball, Stefan had declared he would absolutely marry off Eirin this social season. True to his word, seemingly every eligible bachelor in the area had been invited.

Eirin, getting married…

He remembered her inquisitive eyes, always blushing and stuttering in front of him, but never hesitating to ask him erotic and deep questions. He also remembered how she loved to write novels and how she was so absorbed in the paper in front of her that she didn’t care about her surroundings as long as she held the pen.

That Eirin, getting married? To whom?

Who could possibly handle such a quirky woman?

Looking back at the men Eirin had danced with today, none seemed suitable.

Viscount Willington was already married, and while Viscount Somerset was clearly interested in Eirin, he was a widower with three children, ten years her senior. Stefan would never allow her to marry such a man.

The only remaining candidate would be Viscount Fitzwilliam.

Alexander had seen Stefan introduce Eirin to the Viscount. Eirin, who usually disliked conversing with strangers, was now animatedly discussing something with him, her ear flushed red, which irked him.

After that exchange, Alexander lost sight of Eirin’s fiery red hair, as well as Viscount Fitzwilliam. 

Where had they gone?

Scanning the ballroom, he couldn’t find the familiar red locks.

Could it be…

A woman’s voice reached Alexander’s ear.

“What are you pondering so deeply?”

Beside him stood Countess Noel, who despite her relatively young age and having a son over ten years old, still maintained her beauty. Known to be fond of men, especially the handsome ones, she often approached them. The drunken, ruddy-faced Count Noel, either unaware or unbothered by his wife’s flirtatiousness, was once again loitering in the distance.

Alexander disliked Countess Noel. Her promiscuity was none of his business, but her constant chatter grated on his ears. Moistening his lips with his drink, Alexander responded curtly.

“It’s nothing.”

He was well aware that he was the center of attention for many women. If he said he was looking for Eirin, they would no doubt gossip endlessly.

They’d make a fuss, claiming he had an interest in her.

He did have an interest in her, but not the kind they assumed.

…Probably.

Furrowing his brow, Alexander was about to leave when Countess Noel spoke first.

“This ball has so much to see, doesn’t it?”

As much as he disliked her, he couldn’t simply walk away mid-conversation. Barely holding back a sigh, Alexander responded politely.

“Is that so?”

“Not only is it rare for a ball to be held at Knightley Estate these days, but it seems Lady Hamilton has found a potential marriage match.”

At her words, the calm facade on Alexander’s face cracked, a furrow appearing between his brows.

“What did you just say?”

Undaunted by Alexander’s sharp tone, Countess Noel, delighted to have captured his attention, smiled slyly.

“Lady Eirin Hamilton. She seems to have grown quite close to the newly arrived Viscount Fitzwilliam.”

Close? Impossible.

They had only met a few hours ago. Eirin was not the type to hastily decide on marriage. Alexander knew her better than anyone – she was slow to open her heart to others.

“If they were to marry, there would be no unmarried men or women left in the entire country.”

Alexander chuckled calmly, and Countess Noel, hiding her lips behind her fan, whispered conspiratorially.

“That’s not all. I just saw the two of them slipping out of the ballroom.”

And with a malicious grin, she continued.

“Since the Duke has been putting in so much effort, it seems he’s finally arranging his sister’s match today.”

“They left the ballroom together, you say?”

Surely not… it couldn’t be.

But unaware of Alexander’s thoughts, Countess Noel tittered spitefully.

“Lady Hamilton looked so bright, walking with Viscount Fitzwilliam. It seemed they were heading towards the study. Ho ho, best not go near the library – we mustn’t disturb the young couple.”

“…”

Alexander gritted his teeth and stared down at her wordlessly. Countess Noel went on.

“Oh, and they were discussing novels, asking questions and such.”

The mention of novels and the study made his brow furrow. He wasn’t sure why novels and studies were brought up, but Eirin would do anything for her writing. She had fearlessly opened her heart to him, even when he had approached her somewhat roughly.

If it was for her writing, she might want to ask multiple men for their opinions, rather than just one.

If that was the reason…

It made sense why she left suddenly with a man she wasn’t close to.

Barely listening to Countess Noel’s further chatter, Alexander quickly strode out of the ballroom towards the study.

He had to stop whatever might happen between the two.

Alexander’s steps hurried down the corridor.

* * *

Eirin led Edward to the study. With Stefan conveniently absent for obvious reasons, it was just the two of them. Concerned about potential misunderstandings, Eirin left the door wide open as they entered, but the sight before Edward made him gasp in awe.

“I’ve heard the collection is outstanding, but I had no idea it would be to this extent.”

“Really?”

“Yes, it’s beyond compare to my own library.”

Though Stefan would often tease Eirin for merely reading, he tried to provide his only sister with whatever he could.

As a result, the already impressive library of Knightley estate had an even more remarkable collection of books after Stefan inherited the title. Edward approached the bookshelves, reverently running his fingers along the spines.

“Incredible…”

Eirin couldn’t help but smile at Edward’s continuous exclamations of wonder. While these were not the books she had collected herself, it felt as if she was the one being praised.

The shelves he was admiring held many of the books Eirin frequently read.

“Please feel free to come and read whenever you’d like. You’re always welcome if you inform me. And you’re welcome to borrow any books you wish. My brother will be pleased as well.”

“Really? Thank you so much.”

Visibly delighted, Edward’s eyes shone. Like a child in a toy store, he became immersed in the books.

He seems like a good person.

Sitting on the sofa, Eirin smiled at the vitality she now sensed in the man who had previously appeared somewhat listless. The conversation they had on the way to the library had also been quite enjoyable. He was a rare find – someone who shared her interests.

What if I married someone like him?

It would be peaceful.

Unlike the disdain for educated women in high society, Edward did not mock Eirin’s literary hobbies but rather showed genuine interest.

He seems like someone who can understand me.

But…

Could I ever come to love him?

When I look at him, my heart doesn’t race. I don’t feel that warm, flustered sensation, that desire to be close to him.

Ugh, what am I thinking? The viscount doesn’t even seem interested in me, and yet I’m getting ahead of myself.

The viscount was still engrossed in the books, oblivious to everything else.

By the way, what could Alexander be doing right now?

When he left the ballroom earlier, he was engaged in conversation with others.

Is he dancing now? Perhaps…

Just as Edward was lost in the books, Eirin too was consumed by other thoughts.

Once she had realized her affection for Alexander, his image kept resurfacing in her mind. She wished to marry someone she admired and loved.

That person is——

But he…..not only doesn’t love me, he has no intention of marrying.

Let’s stop thinking about it. 

Eirin told herself, running a hand through her hair. That’s when the sound of footsteps reached her ears, approaching from the distance.

Turning towards the entrance, she saw Alexander standing there.

“May I come in?”

His deep voice echoed in the study.

“If I’m not disturbing anything.”

The Lady’s Peculiar Hobby Volume 1

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