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CHAPTER 06
“She’s the most beautiful young lady you’ll ever have the chance to guide. The moment you see her, you’ll understand exactly what I mean.”
Brenda Hardy cast another anxious glance at the mantel clock, unable to keep her hands still. Of all days, Erna had chosen today to disappear on one of her solitary walks. The girl had always possessed a stubborn streak that Brenda found difficult to tolerate.
“I certainly hope so, Viscountess.”
Countess Meyer turned away from the garden outside the window and fixed Brenda with a cool, measured gaze.
“Otherwise, you’ve wasted my time—and I have very little patience for wasted time.”
Her voice was gentle enough, but her eyes were icy.
Fighting the knot tightening in her stomach, Brenda forced herself to smile.
She simply had to endure this.
Victoria Meyer was nothing short of a legend in Lechen’s marriage circles.
Born the daughter of an insignificant half-baron, she had climbed to become a countess through a brilliant marriage. Her greatest achievement, however, was marrying off her own daughters even higher than herself.
Her eldest daughter had become a countess.
Her second had married into one of the wealthiest merchant families in the kingdom.
Even the young ladies she accepted as protégées invariably secured remarkable marriages.
Before long, noble families from every corner of the country were competing for the chance to place their daughters under her guidance.
That such a woman was now sitting in the Hardy drawing room felt almost miraculous.
She had already announced that she would not take on any protégées this season, intending instead to spend the summer abroad with her second daughter.
Only when those travel plans unexpectedly fell through had Brenda seized the opportunity.
She had exhausted every favor and every connection before another family could claim the chance first.
He intends to sell his daughter.
The first time Brenda heard her husband’s plan, she thought he had finally lost his mind.
But Walter had been completely serious.
Worse yet…
His reasoning was disturbingly convincing.
For a family standing on the edge of financial ruin, offering a daughter on the marriage market was hardly unusual.
After all, nearly every aristocratic marriage was, in one form or another, a business transaction.
Most families simply hid the bargain behind elegant manners.
The Hardys, however, no longer had the luxury of appearances.
And Erna…
Erna would command an extraordinary price.
In the end, Brenda accepted her husband’s outrageous proposal.
This sort of opportunity favored those who acted quickly.
By the end of the summer, they intended to secure Erna’s future—and the family’s salvation.
“Madam, Miss Erna has arrived.”
The maid’s announcement came just as the faint crease between Countess Meyer’s brows deepened with impatience.
Brenda sprang to her feet.
“Erna! Come in, dear. We’ve been waiting for you.”
As Erna entered the drawing room, Brenda greeted her with forced warmth.
Countess Meyer lowered her fan and looked her over carefully.
Despite the wardrobe of expensive gowns that had recently been purchased for her, Erna had chosen to wear one of her plain country dresses.
Brenda’s heart sank.
“Come here and greet Countess Meyer properly.”
Her voice trembled with barely concealed anxiety.
Whenever Erna found herself before strangers, she became as stiff and timid as a frightened fawn.
Brenda feared the Countess might stand up and leave at any moment.
Fortunately, Erna stepped forward and performed a flawless curtsy.
“Good afternoon, Countess. My name is Erna Hardy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Victoria Meyer examined her in complete silence.
Her sharp eyes moved slowly from the top of Erna’s head to the tips of her shoes before rising again.
Unable to bear the silence any longer, Brenda spoke first.
“Well, Madam? What do you think of our Erna?”
A curious smile touched the Countess’s lips.
“It seems you were telling the truth.”
She rose gracefully and approached the girl.
Stopping before Erna, she extended a gloved hand.
“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Hardy.”
Her smile softened ever so slightly.
“I look forward to working with you.”
Erna accepted the handshake.
“My name is Victoria Meyer, and from today onward, I shall be your chaperone.”
* * *
The rhythmic snip of scissors finally came to an end, and silence settled over the bedroom once more.
Leaning over her desk, Erna admired the completed peony in her hands with quiet satisfaction.
A gentle smile spread across her face.
Whenever her thoughts became tangled, she worked with her hands.
It had always been her way.
Back in Baden, she had spent countless hours helping Mrs. Greve craft artificial flowers to sell.
Whenever her heart grew restless, she instinctively reached for cloth and scissors.
The familiar work always calmed her mind.
Perhaps it was a little strange that she had brought her supplies all the way to Schwerin.
But to Erna, they felt as natural as breathing.
After carefully tidying away the scraps of fabric and her sewing tools, she washed the green stains from her fingers.
Within moments, her hands were smooth and pale once more.
Gazing at herself in the polished brass mirror, she sighed quietly.
This year may not be as easy as I’d hoped…
Ten days had already passed since she arrived at the Hardy mansion.
Each day felt impossibly long.
Yet somehow, the days together had slipped by in a blur.
Since arriving in Schwerin, she had spent nearly every waking hour following her father from one fashionable shop to another.
There had been endless fittings.
Countless dresses.
Shoes.
Jewelry.
Hats.
One boutique after another.
She had hardly been allowed to make a single decision herself.
At times, she felt less like a daughter than a doll being dressed for display.
