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chapter 33
Keith was in a foul mood.
Of course, that was a somewhat mild way of putting it. It had been a long time since he felt this rotten. So bad, in fact, that he thought being arrested by the “Queen’s Eye” in Ebony a month ago had been a better experience. Part of what made him feel so awful was that he didn’t even know exactly why.
He had been cleared of charges of conspiring with an enemy nation. Since Her Majesty the Queen had “indefinitely postponed the verdict,” strictly speaking, it didn’t mean the charges were entirely gone—it was closer to saying that, for now, there was no evidence to support them. Nevertheless, he was free.
In fact, there were no post-trial procedures for someone in his position. He had received permission from the Chief Justice to go home directly. Thanks to the consideration of Marquis Seymour, he could leave the courthouse through the doors used by judges or dignitaries. Outside, his faithful butler would be waiting for him.
“So there shouldn’t be any reason for me to feel this low…”
As soon as he exited the courthouse, the first thing he noticed was his ex-wife. From the moment she appeared in court, the Queen had sought out Bryony. Even before she took her seat—and after—Keith couldn’t miss the way the Queen’s silver eyes gleamed persistently. After delivering a verdict that left the courtroom somewhat stunned, the Queen openly referenced “those who attended as witnesses.” Keith couldn’t ignore the meaning behind it.
“My investigators were lacking, causing you hardship.”
A faint smile played on the lips of the silver-haired woman, praised as beautiful by the world, as she said it.
“If you insist.”
Depending on how Keith handled things, that meant he could be dragged back to court at any time.
So it was somewhat fortunate that Bryony left the courtroom after testifying. Still, Keith’s eyes continued to follow her from the defendant’s seat, witnessing scenes he would rather not have seen.
When Her Majesty appeared, Bryony’s gaze lingered on someone else—not the Queen. At the end of that gaze stood Lord of Wierdale, Theodore Byron. From that moment, Keith felt his heart pound, his stomach churn, and cold sweat break out.
…A little later, Bryony quietly left her seat. When the verdict was announced and the Queen began to exit the courtroom, Keith saw Theodore Byron quickly follow her.
Exhaustion hit him as the court session ended. But paying little heed to Marquis Seymour’s concerned words, he hurried to follow Duke Byron. He had a strong intuition that the Duke intended to meet Bryony separately outside.
Finding the Duke and Bryony was one thing, but now two shady men were harassing her. The moment Keith realized they were hired by Sir Gideon Arlington, his patience reached its limit.
He was furious—at the men who had treated Bryony rudely, at Duke Byron who, under the guise of chivalry, was only making things harder for her, at the Queen trying to manipulate him through this farcical trial, and, most of all, at himself. He was angry at his own helplessness—unable to properly protect even a modest estate or a half-hearted, otherwise peaceful marriage.
On top of that, he didn’t even have a carriage sufficient to take his ex-wife to safety. And whether Undain Isle could truly be considered a “safe place” was uncertain. For now, though, it was the only location relatively out of sight and free from the influence of the “Queen’s Eye.” He certainly couldn’t bring her back to Ebony, where she had been unilaterally divorced by him.
By the unspoken rules of noble society, riding alone with her in a carriage was also inappropriate. Lowering the curtains felt shameful, but leaving them open risked Bryony becoming a subject of gossip. In the end, he had no choice but to sit as close to the seatback as possible, hoping Dmitri would drive the carriage faster.
During this, Bryony showed no signs of complaint, merely watching him with concern.
“Please, you get off first in Ebony.”
…For the third time, she said the same thing.
Their destination was also one of the problems he faced. Logically, Duke Byron and Bryony were correct. Ebony lay along the route to Vernon from Fanshow, and as its lord, he had a duty to return promptly to assure his people of his safety. Without Bryony, he would have rushed there immediately, even riding himself if necessary.
However, with her along, he needed to ensure her safety, which meant stopping in Vernon first.
And he didn’t want to go to Undain Isle. He didn’t want to leave only her, her maid, and his butler there.
Explaining his feelings to Bryony was impossible. From the moment he decided on divorce, she was meant to be a person separate from him. Allowing her to testify was something he reluctantly agreed to, knowing his charges couldn’t cast a shadow over her future. Yet here they were, in the same carriage, facing each other, and he felt restless.
He resented her for having fallen for Theodore Byron’s ruse, attending court unaware of its nature to help prove her ex-husband’s innocence, but even after weeks apart, her face, still beautiful though worried, made his heart race. And knowing that the conflict between her and Sir Gideon Arlington stemmed largely from the divorce he demanded, guilt weighed heavily on him.
Underlying all this turmoil was fear and anxiety about where they were headed.
“Bryony, if we stop in Ebony before going to Undain Isle, it’ll be too late. The forest roads to Vernon are dangerous to traverse by carriage at midnight.”
She pressed her small lips together, then spoke again.
“…But isn’t it the same if we stop at Undain Isle first before going to Ebony?”
“Riding the horses makes it faster.”
Though she didn’t seem fully convinced, his earnest tone seemed to dissuade her from arguing further.
The carriage fell silent. Normally, Keith would have tried to erase the awkwardness with small talk, but he was too tired.
He leaned back and closed his eyes.
The carriage reached Undain Isle near evening.
Considering the terrain, it wasn’t late. In fact, thanks to Dmitri’s haste, it had taken less time than expected. So, pushing it, reaching Ebony as initially planned wasn’t impossible.
If only he hadn’t overlooked one thing.
There were two ways to reach his villa: by boat to the back of the building or on horseback to the front. He had mostly used horseback before and hadn’t paid much attention.
When the butler docked the carriage along the riverbank, Keith realized he was seasick. Returning on horseback would take time and be dangerous at night.
The terrain of a lowland estate could change subtly in just a year or two. He hadn’t set foot here in five years, and crossing a swamp on horseback while exhausted was impossible. Moreover, someone had to leave the carriage on the other side. Just a short distance from the riverbank, there was a boathouse belonging to Undain Isle.
Thus, while Keith left the carriage, Dmitri took Bryony across first. This was more for Keith’s own sake than hers.
Half an hour later, when Dmitri returned, Keith feigned irritation.
“…Couldn’t you row more gently?”
“The reeds shake more than this boat.”
If this were not Vernon, Keith would have asked, “Then can’t we just swim?” But in Vernon and Undain Isle, that was forbidden. Caitlin had thrown herself from the villa window. Below was a swamp of unknown depth. Even with a week’s search using all equipment, only one silk shoe tangled in water plants was found, breaking the hearts of her family.
His queasiness wasn’t just from seasickness.
Keith barely kept his composure and arrived at the villa. Bryony was in the hall. Alone in the vast house, with a frightened Myrtle accompanying her.
Myrtle’s eyes widened at the sight of him.
“…Good evening, Lord Ebony.”
“You’ve worked hard looking after Mistress Arlington.”
It was the kindest thing he could say at the moment. Then he turned to his butler.
“Dmitri, where are their rooms?”
“The bedroom nearest the central stairs on the second floor.”
The room was for visiting relatives of the Dalmore family. Keith nodded and gave instructions on the spot: find a cook and house staff by tomorrow; if not possible, draft them from Ebony. Hire workers to prepare the two boats in the storage for use.
The last time he had been here, his father oversaw the villa, so he couldn’t immediately recall what was needed to make it comfortable for Bryony.
“Perhaps more will be needed, so stay here for two days and monitor the situation.”
Keith prepared to leave again. Not because he had nothing to say to Bryony, nor because he couldn’t delay due to concern for Ebony, but because the humid air and damp ground immediately suffocated him.
Five years ago, he left this house half-mad with grief. Caitlin had left Ebony Heights alone without telling anyone, and he had been uneasy, heading straight to Vernon. Just a week later, he caught up to her, only to witness from horseback her sister jumping from the annex window.
“Bryony, rest for today. In a few days, you’ll have everything you need comfortably.”
He hurriedly added before she could speak.
“I hear there are legal issues with Sir Gideon Arlington. I can handle them immediately. I’ll send the necessary documents here by tomorrow—”
But it wasn’t Bryony who interrupted.
“Master.”
“Later.”
“I need to speak now.”
Dmitri’s tone sharpened. Reluctantly, Keith excused himself to follow Dmitri with the two women.
The butler led him to the parlor across the hall. The room was tidy, the fireplace full of fresh logs. Seeing the rocking chair Caitlin once enjoyed, Keith’s gaze fell. He didn’t want to linger here. He needed to find another residence for Bryony.
“You must sleep here tonight.”
Keith couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I am Lord Ebony. How worried would everyone be if I didn’t return tonight?”
“It’s already dark outside. No matter how skilled you are with horses, traversing this swamp and forest at full speed is impossible.”
“I’ll guide the horses until we leave the estate. I promise I won’t ride at full speed.”
“You’re exhausted. You must rest here.”
Dmitri was adamant. Keith knew from experience that when the butler addressed him as “Master” instead of “Count,” he would not yield easily.
“I won’t stay here.”
“Please, Lord Ebony.”
Dmitri bowed. If Keith refused, he might have knelt. Normally, Keith would comply without hesitation, but…
“Today was a difficult day for Miss… Bryony too. Leaving immediately would hurt her.”
Hurt…?
Keith thought Dmitri was exaggerating to hold him back. While his actions might inconvenience Bryony, they could not harm her heart. He was no longer her husband, and even when he was, he had failed at it.
“I feel sorry for Bryony, but…”
“And I am very tired too.”
Only then did Keith have a moment to examine the young butler’s face. The fatigue was genuine—dark circles under his eyes, slightly disheveled appearance. Naturally, Dmitri had been busy tracking Keith after his arrest, managing Ebony, and tending to Bryony at Undain Isle—enough to exhaust ten men.
Keith realized he had no choice but to yield to his butler.
“You’ve had a hard time serving a poor master.”
“I doubt I could serve a second time.”
The butler admitted candidly, adding,
“I know it’s difficult for you to stay here. Rest well tonight, and I’ll prepare so you can leave for Ebony early tomorrow.”
Keith’s gaze fell again on the rocking chair. From when he and Caitlin were toddlers until five springs ago, the Dalmore family visited Undain Isle every year. In spring, transitioning to summer, the estate was covered with water, flowers, and fresh grass, more beautiful than anywhere in Vernon. He regretted never having shown this to Bryony during their marriage.
“…I’m tired, but I don’t think I can sleep.”
“I’ll bring you some brandy.”
Dmitri spoke quickly, anticipating any change in his master’s mind.
