Chapter 18
***
A small voice escaped from her closed lips like a scolded child.
"But this is Lady Miriam's business..................."
Caius sighed inwardly.
The pearl he'd been searching for was in his hands. He didn't want to waste time talking about his lesser foster sister, but he had no choice if he wanted to get this over with.
He hoped the woman would come to him of her own accord. She's not the only one who needed to think hard.
He asked nonchalantly.
"Why, has she already finished reading the book I prepared for her last time?"
The woman's puzzled expression was funny.
He knew the level of sophistication of the people he lived under the same roof as. It would take Miriam von Burg a month to look at three thin books.
Louise opened her mouth to speak, as if she were to blame for Miriam's slow progress.
"Not really, but I thought I'd try to get her interested in the book...."
She rolled her eyes a little, catching his eye.
"When she’s done, do you mind if I take her out on the town? The lady has been reading a fairy tale about a cat fairy, and she wants to see a cat."
Caius' brow furrowed slightly in disbelief.
"There aren't any cats in town. I asked you to teach her, not take her every whim."
Emerald eyes, which had been wandering in confusion, suddenly looked up at him with clarity.
"The lady isn’t like that, I told her that I saw the cat in the market barrel first, and I apologize for not realizing that you would find it difficult to go out, but that is my fault, so please don't blame her."
Caius's head tilted ever so slightly to the side. It was amazing how Louise was willing to defend a new student she'd only taken on ten days ago by putting her above her.
"Do you think ............ cats make her interested in books?"
In truth, he didn't care whether Miriam was interested in books or not. Neither did his father, Ferdinand.
They hadn't expected her to take up writing in the first place.
But somehow Miriam had learned to read, despite the tricks of her last tutor.
Ferdinand was pleased with himself and rewarded the tutor handsomely, but Caius remained indifferent.
He had never considered Ferdinand a true family member, and neither was Miriam.
He thought he had said enough to get his point across, but Louise was surprisingly unyielding.
"The lady is very interested in art, and I'm sure if she starts with her favorite subjects, she’ll eventually find her way to books. As you know, there's no better friend than a book."
This level of attention to Miriam's work was unnecessary and consuming.
Caius was used to Louise's hardline demeanor, but this was not the time to frighten her over something so small.
Instead of showing his displeasure, he let out a loud sigh.
"I've only seen her calm these last few days, but I'm sure she's not all that calm and easy to control out there."
Her green eyes took on an unfamiliar life, sparkling like jewels.
"If you'll give her a coachman, I'll hold her hand and walk with her."
Caius replied gruffly.
"I can't do that; I'll send a guard, but she'll be alarmed at the sight of a guard, and it's hard to keep her close."
"I'll take care of her, thank you very much, Your Excellency."
Before she could finish, the woman bowed low and curtsied. He didn't like the pleased flush on her cheeks.
"Well, then, one last favor?"
Louise quickly returned to her serious face and spoke.
"Oh, I was wondering if we could add some walks to the Lady’s schedule. I'm afraid her health is suffering from all the time spent indoors."
Caius paused.
"Does she say she wants to?"
She didn't have an immediate answer. For some reason, she seemed to be stepping in and taking what Miriam hadn't asked for.
Caius shook his head weakly.
"If that's what she wants, so be it. But you'd better not go outside the western pond."
Louise blinked, unable to ask why. Caius explained quietly.
"The hunting grounds begin in the woods west of the mansion. There are animal pens on the way up to the hunting grounds, and she doesn't like them."
The blush on her pale cheeks faded at the mention of the beasts. Feeling somehow relieved, Caius added.
"Now that I have done you some favors, I hope you'll take my request seriously."
Of course, there was no reason to consider her feelings.
If he found a card that worked with her, he would play it, whatever it was.
He opened his hand seductively, as if he had already decided from their conversation earlier.
"If you feel so strongly about Miriam, it wouldn't hurt to make you part of the family."
It's amusing to see her face turn even more puzzled than when she heard the proposal.
Than to be the hostess of the family. She's more inclined to take up the mantle of a lowly, shy girl.
Louise didn't say she would, but Caius liked the reddened tips of her ears.
***
After she left the room, Caius pulled out a letter he'd kept in a drawer.
Hesitant fingers broke the seal.
Louise's name was on the outside, but it came to his address without permission, so he didn’t know he obligated to deliver it.
Pale golden eyes read the words on the paper, line by line.
[Dear Miss Louise.
Please forgive me the impoliteness of sending you a letter to Burg without asking your permission, as I am anxious to bring you news.]
Caius’s expression, which had been impassive, cooled endlessly as he read the letter.
[Indeed, there has been a slight accident in Melk, Vanessa, who lives nearby, was caught in the crossfire and injured a little, but I have taken her to a doctor to be treated, so don't be too distressed.
However, I would like to speak to you face-to-face, and I implore you to find the time. Let me know the date you are available, and I will send a carriage to Burg, and I will wait for you.
-With friendship and longing, Pietro.]
What lord of a manor could be so eager for a commoner tutor.
The letter, dripping with regret in every line, was nothing more than a greeting card.
The intention to wrap it up with friendship at the end was ridiculous.
In retrospect, Louise never denied Caius’s own question about whether she had another man in mind.
The man must be special to dare to send a letter like this to Caius’s mansion.
Perhaps the young Ermoli has a special knack for getting her employer to propose to her.
Perhaps her pretty face, which even abject poverty could not hide, was paying off.
Caius sat down, expressionless, and tossed the letter into the fireplace.
It didn't take long for the red flames to reduce the yellowish, thin paper to black ash.
He watched the ashes flutter helplessly.
He had joked that if there was another man, she'd keep seeing him, but the truth was, it was impossible. Caius would not reappear in Imperial social circles with black soot tainted his appearance.
And neither would Ermoli, who would stand by his side.
He had waited twenty years for this. He had chosen to keep her close to him, and he would not tolerate any distractions.
-ding
He rang a small bell to summon a servant.
"Bring me Michael."
"Yes, master."
The servant bowed deeply and withdrew.
Caius was left alone, staring into the fireplace once more. The ashes where the letter had been burned were gone, and the flames continued its blaze.
***
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