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chapter 14
“…Rington.”
That can’t be.
“…S. Arlington.”
Keith, a traitor…?
“Are you alright? Please pull yourself together.”
Duke Byron took Briony by the arm. It must have been awkward for him as well, but Briony was so lost in thought that even if he had embraced her, she wouldn’t have noticed.
“Your complexion is terrible. Perhaps some fresh air—”
“You’re lying, aren’t you?”
She looked into the duke’s blue eyes. There was nothing in them except concern for her.
But she didn’t believe him. She couldn’t. For any reason, Keith would never betray the royal family. If he were the type to satisfy his greed with such acts, he would have already exploited the Dalmore estates when their fortune began to decline.
Yet, though the Dalmore family were poor counts, the living standards of the Ebony residents were not below those of neighboring estates. Keith had never mistreated a single person under his care.
And now, this man would betray his country and Her Majesty…?
“I apologize for the shock. But Mistress Arlington, why would I lie?”
“Did you think that slandering my ex-husband would make it easier to marry me?”
The duke looked genuinely impressed.
“Ah, there’s that method. I hadn’t even considered it until you mentioned it, Mistress Arlington.”
“It’s useless. I will not marry Lord Wierdale.”
“With such strong will, why would I bother lying? Besides, only a very few nobles even know of this. What society believes about Lord Ebony’s arrest is not the truth.”
“Then why is Lord Wierdale telling me this?”
Before he could answer, Briony raised her hand.
“Don’t say it’s because I asked. If only a select few should know, Lord Wierdale could have kept it secret.”
“Impossible. Lord Ebony, divorced from you, is a fool.”
Briony said nothing. Perhaps he had given up trying to get a reaction from her, as he continued.
“Even most of those select few would not think Lord Ebony actually plotted anything. The question is, why was he arrested, and who planted the suspicion in Her Majesty’s mind that he might rebel?”
“…Who would hate Lord Ebony?”
“You cannot hate someone you barely know. He became famous among nobles only when you married him, Mistress Arlington. But there are plenty who would try to use someone they barely know. One of them either framed Lord Ebony or would benefit from his disappearance.”
“Ebony is an ordinary estate. Its profits are improving gradually, but still below average. I don’t see how anyone would gain if Lord Ebony were gone.”
“You are clever, yet how could you not see?”
Duke Byron sighed.
“Who would benefit from Lord Ebony’s disappearance? Every young noble in the kingdom who wishes to marry you, Mistress Arlington.”
At last, she understood what the duke meant.
No matter how virtuous or thoughtful Keith was, it was true that he had chosen Briony as his wife to restore the declining Dalmore estate. The dowry Gideon had offered his only daughter had been a topic of discussion for years.
But if the Dalmore count were gone… or if the Dalmore couple divorced…? For nobles who had their eyes on Briony’s dowry, there could be no better opportunity.
“But… I’ve already divorced him. Even if someone tries to slander Lord Ebony now…”
“That is uncertain. Perhaps a scheme laid in the past for slander took effect later, or perhaps someone wanted to see him ruined.”
Briony tightly held her cold teacup and thought.
If it’s slander, maybe there’s a way to save Keith.
But she could not let the man before her know that. The duke did not know the reason for her divorce from Keith. Perhaps he had even told her about society’s speculation in the hope that she would reveal the true reason.
“…Then I cannot trust anyone.”
“Why would you think that?”
“According to Lord Wierdale, I am a goose that lays golden eggs, and among those who covet the goose, there may be someone who slandered my ex-husband. Wouldn’t they also slander their own wife?”
“A wise judgment. But Mistress Arlington, do not forget that I came all the way to Shobury to propose to you.”
The duke leaned slightly closer. Briony set down her teacup and stood. He smiled awkwardly but with a hint of charm, walking alongside her to the window.
“It seems flattery won’t work on you, so I will be honest. Sir Gideon Arlington is proposing because he needs a dowry for his daughter. Among those who share my purpose, you will not find anyone better than me—for looks, age, or title.”
Prioritizing looks first showed tremendous confidence. Standing side by side, his height was similar to Keith’s, and his build equally slender.
“Surely there must be better matches for Lord Wierdale than you.”
“There are ladies of higher rank and favor. But they are all much the same.”
“Then marry the one most similar to Lord Wierdale among them.”
Briony offered the advice impulsively, but it seemed to impress the duke. He looked down at her.
“…What really happened between you and Lord Ebony?”
“We weren’t compatible. That’s all.”
“So, if he stands trial and is executed, you’re okay with that?”
“If it concerns the charge of treason, he is innocent. Once proven, he will be freed.”
“But you are troubled by the accusation…”
Briony understood why he said that. Even if she was indifferent to society or politics, she was not ignorant enough to fail to understand that “treason” was a royal taboo.
Five years ago, a royal family member was brutally executed for conspiring against the crown. If someone were now arrested on similar charges, the authorities would need strong proof to avoid backlash.
“…Lord Wierdale has met Her Majesty, correct?”
“Are you curious about what Her Majesty thinks of Lord Ebony?”
The duke smiled slyly. He was a man one could not underestimate. Briony nodded honestly.
“And if I answer, Mistress Arlington, what will you do for me?”
“I already rejected your proposal.”
“How about giving me another chance to explain why you should marry me?”
That wasn’t unpleasant. Duke Byron was eloquent, and conversations with him were enjoyable.
“Fine.”
“The truth is, Her Majesty has said nothing at all.”
“Is that a bad sign?”
“No one in the kingdom could read what the queen is thinking.”
The duke’s expression was serious. He must not only have met the queen but probably visited the court regularly. Briony knew that Keith had never personally seen the queen; otherwise, he would have surely told her.
Duke Byron seemed to want immediate reward for answering her question.
“Mistress Arlington, I need a dowry, but a clever wife like you would be invaluable. The news of the divorce between Lord and Lady Ebony has already spread through society. Hyenas seeking only the dowry are probably flocking to Shobury to propose. If you no longer want to be the subject of gossip, it’s better to marry someone like me, high in title and influence… I could even help save Lord Ebony.”
“Thank you for explaining so kindly.”
“Will you not even consider it?”
Briony considered. A young, strikingly handsome man, almost Keith’s age, passionately explaining rational reasons for marriage—there was no reason not to consider it.
Yet her answer was already clear. She could not deceive herself. If she were the type to simply accept a better offer, she would be living a more comfortable life now.
“I don’t think I can. Take care on your way, Lord Wierdale.”
