Chapter 19
***
Barbara had no intention of excluding Aubrey from the dinner. Now she couldn't come and say she couldn't make it.
She knew that Barbara had been busy walking around the mansion all day, and the people who would be attending tomorrow had been helping her.
"Yes, Auntie."
Barbara stroked her hair lovingly, then pulled the bell to summon Trin.
"Bring me a cup of chamomile tea."
With that, she left the room, bidding Aubrey good night and saying she'd see her tomorrow.
"Ha......."
Alone in the room, Aubrey sighed heavily. She looked ahead to the dinner party, which was now tomorrow, a day she couldn't even begin to fathom. The man was coming.
Khaled Karnus was coming to this manor, and the mere reminder made her palms sweat. Her heart, which had broken so many times since she'd arrived at the duke's estate, now seemed to have shriveled up and stopped beating.
After a moment, sipping the tea Trin had brought her, Aubrey collected her thoughts.
He won’t tell.
Khaled Karnus was not a man to be trusted, but for now, she had no choice but to believe him.
"Lady, are you all right?"
Trin's face was full of worry. Aubrey stared at her, then smiled wryly. Vowing never to break this peaceful routine.
* * *
As the new day began, Aubrey made two big resolutions. One was that if Khaled ever tried to talk to her, she would be the first to mention Emily, and the other was that she would never be alone.
As long as she kept to those two resolutions, the moment would pass without incident. It wasn't as if Khaled Karnus was some kind of mentally ill man who would mess with her when she was doing nothing, and besides, he'd already talked to her.
He might have had a problem with his birth, but as a gentleman, he wouldn't be unscrupulous enough to go back on his word. Despite her best efforts, as the sun faded into a reddish sunset, Aubrey felt a burning thirst.
She drank enough water to make Trin worry, and then paced the parlor. At the slightest sound of someone coming, she glanced out the window.
The hem of the mauve dress Barbara had picked out for her was busy, and her red hair, brushed back and braided into a few strands, was quickly becoming unruly.
"Miss, is something bothering you?"
Trin asked as she approached and deftly smoothed her hair.
"It's time, and they're not here."
Trin chuckled at Aubrey's comment, though she hoped they never came.
"Invited guests tend to show up a little later than they're supposed to, especially when they're some of the finest nobles in the capital."
"......I see."
"Is there a certain someone you’re waiting for? Lord of Atherton?"
Trin asked, a twinkle in her eyes. Aubrey had forgotten the name for a moment, but somehow it put her at ease. Aubrey recalled Nicholas's smiling face, which she had forgotten.
"Oh my God, it's the Atherton’s carriage!"
Trin looked out the window, even more excited than Aubrey. Aubrey hurriedly settled herself on the couch, just in time for Emily to take a seat across from her.
Emily didn't say anything, but she gave Aubrey a disapproving glance. Aubrey smiled awkwardly and averted her gaze.
When the next arrivals were ushered into the parlor by Mr. Garder, Barbara greeted them with such emotion that she thought she might burst into tears. So was the Countess of Atherton.
Standing behind his parents, Nicholas gave Aubrey a polite, crisp smile as their eyes met. His sister, standing off to the side, eyed Aubrey very carefully.
"Well, well. She's beautiful."
After being introduced to Aubrey, Countess of Atherton was unabashed in her praise.
"What a combination of red hair and eyes. I never thought red hair was beautiful in my life. Miss Sandalwood has completely changed my opinion."
A compliment. Aubrey smiled for once.
"I heard you're nineteen already, but do you know who you're going to marry?"
The Countess asked, and Barbara put a hand to her chest.
"Not yet, unfortunately. But I'm sure Aubrey will meet a fine gentleman."
"I've heard she's also very intelligent, and with her beauty and intelligence, there's no gentleman who wouldn't want her. Of course, she's not without her flaws, but everyone has them."
It was clear now that the Countess of Atherton had a way with words. Luckily, it wasn't long before the Paddingham’s and Karnus’ carriage drove up to the mansion.
Ever since Khaled had appeared in the mansion, Aubrey had kept a straight face. Because Khaled Karnus was sitting just a few feet away from her.
A fairly large group had gathered by now, including the Misters and Misuses and their children, but it wasn't loud. Even when they moved to the dining room to dine, the conversation was soft and friendly.
As the meal drew to a close, Garder informed Barbara that the band she had invited had arrived.
"So, ladies, would you like to retire to the hall first? The gentlemen seem to want to chat some more."
Jeffrik and Barbara exchanged glances. The couple's cheerfulness was palpable, and the servants around them seemed more relaxed.
Aubrey realized it was time to leave and stood up quickly. She couldn't wait to get out of this stifling space and lock herself in her room. When she reached the hall, the band was already ready and greeted her politely.
She saw a small band of about five people, all dressed in unique costumes. She couldn’t wait to get inside.
Aubrey looked everywhere, afraid that the men from the dinner party would come this way.
Barbara was too busy chatting with the ladies, especially the Duchess of Karnus, to pay attention. Somehow, Aubrey managed to grab hold of the butler, Garder.
"Excuse me, I'm feeling very ill, do you mind if I go in first?"
He seemed to consider for a moment, then nodded. It was no secret to anyone who used the mansion that Aubrey had been half out of it for days.
"The madam will be sorry to see you go."
"Tell her I'm really sorry I couldn't tell her in person. I'll get some rest and come down as soon as I feel better."
"Yes, my lady."
Aubrey darted out of the hall as the women chattered about the latest in music and dance. Her feet had barely touched the stairs when she was in a hurry.
"Miss Aubrey!"
A bright, healthy voice called out. She spun around to see Nicholas standing there. His immaculately swept-back blond hair shone brighter than ever.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm feeling a little under the weather. Did you have a good meal, or are you done talking already?"
Aubrey asked, glancing behind him down the hallway toward the dining room.
"Uh, no. Not yet. I came out first because I thought I'd choke on the smoke, and it's not fun."
He smirked.
"I was going to ask you to show me around the garden, if you don't mind."
Aubrey thought quickly. Maybe it would be better to stay out of the mansion. It would be hard to see anyone else if she had the excuse of taking a walk with Nicholas.
"Okay."
"Are you sure?"
"I’m sure."
The garden, as seen from the mansion's entrance, was exactly symmetrical on both sides relative to the path that led to the front door. Even the position and shape of every tree was exactly the same as the one opposite.
The way the moonlight fell on the immaculate gardens was beautiful, to say the least.
"This place always puts me at ease. Look at that amazingly perfect symmetry."
Nicholas said.
"I don't think that's what you'd say if you asked me to show you around the garden. You seem to know this garden better than I do."
"Oh, well....... I just meant let's go get some fresh air."
Nicholas laughed quite nicely and scratched the back of his neck. It was cute. The two walked along the neatly manicured paths. Aubrey chattered enthusiastically about how hard the gardener had worked for this beautiful garden.
"You must be close with the gardener?"
"He's the second friend I've made since coming to the mansion."
"And who's your first friend? Emily?"
"You mean that......?"
She thought she had a pretty good answer, but apparently not. Nicholas smirked.
"Emily's not the kind of girl who gets along with anyone easily. No wonder."
It was so comforting to be around this man. Aubrey was grateful for Nicholas' ability to recognize when she didn't, and for the way he never called her out on her lies.
After walking for a while, her eyes adjusted to the darkness and a dense forest came into view. The distance between the forest where Aubrey had fallen and the mansion was enormous, as she had come to realize.
The forest that had seemed so endless to her now seemed quite small. Aubrey raised her hand, closed one eye, and sized it up. It was really only the size of her hand.
"What are you doing?"
Nicholas interrupted, raising one hand and clumsily closing one eye.
"What do you see when you do that?"
Aubrey laughed at his bewilderment.
"Why are you laughing? What is it?"
Once the laughter started, it didn't stop. As the raucous laughter drifted through the garden like music, Khaled, standing under the porch, pulled out a cigar and took a drag.
White smoke billowed out of it. As he stared in disbelief, Aubrey Sandalwood looked back at Nicholas and smiled.
In the moonlight, the woman in a mauve dress smiled, her eyes folded into half moons. Fine teeth showed through lips redder than her hair.
"You're gorgeous."
As he said that, he dropped the cigar he'd only taken a few puffs from and stomped on it with his foot.
***
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pinayAKO (Sunday, 14 April 2024 09:30)
kyAAAAA kinikili ang kiffy ko��