Chapter 149
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 149
Harriet had joined the Dawson family’s hunting competition and outing at Daphne’s invitation, finding herself in the company of both Daphne and Edgar.
Edgar was as boisterous as ever.
“This is pure chaos. I truly don’t understand why people enjoy fox hunts so much.” He let out an exaggerated sigh, grumbling under his breath.
“A friend of mine says there’s no event more romantic than a hunting competition,” Harriet offered.
“I beg your pardon? Does your friend have a strange fantasy involving blood and slaughter?”
“No, it’s not that. A successful hunter presents his prize to the lady he admires. They say the number of fine furs a woman receives is the true measure of her popularity.”
At Harriet’s explanation, Edgar leapt to his feet. He took Daphne’s hand and pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles.
“In that case, I cannot stand idly by. You deserve more game than anyone else here.”
“I don’t need such things,” Daphne replied softly. “Just don’t get hurt.”
“Ah, my gentle princess.”
As he kissed her hand again, gazing at her with adoration, Daphne burst into a peal of laughter.
Watching her, Harriet couldn’t help but admit that Edgar was a wonderful match. Daphne was far livelier than she had been in the past. Even before her spiraling depression over James, Daphne had never been one to laugh so freely; her smiles had always been the subtle, measured expressions befitting a well-bred lady.
But now, Daphne’s laughter mirrored Edgar’s—bright, clear, and full of genuine joy.
Harriet watched them with a satisfied smile. When Daphne briefly stepped away to greet an acquaintance, Harriet took the opportunity to speak to Edgar.
“You’re serious about her, aren’t you?”
“Excuse me? About what?”
“You won’t make Lady Daphne cry like a certain someone did, will you?”
Edgar stared at Harriet for a moment before offering an awkward smile.
“Of course not! That is… if I ever earn the right to say such a thing.”
“What? Don’t tell me you still haven’t confessed?”
“I have.”
“Were you rejected?”
“If I had been, it might actually be easier to handle,” Edgar sighed, a rare look of gloom crossing his face. “She took it as a joke.”
“Oh dear…”
“Yes, I know. It’s the worst possible outcome.” He took a morose sip of his drink. “But I won’t give up. If I tell the same joke a hundred times, it eventually becomes the truth. I believe Lady Daphne will recognize my sincerity in time.”
Harriet nodded in agreement. “Lady Daphne was badly burned by a man she trusted. It’s only natural that she’s being cautious.”
“I suppose so. To be honest, I’m more tempted to put a bullet in that man than a fox today.”
“Personally, I don’t think that’s a bad idea,” Harriet replied nonchalantly, “but it would be problematic if Daphne’s new lover ended up in prison.”
Edgar burst into laughter at her dry response.
“I really do like you, Lady Harriet. We could be great friends.”
“My heart is quite swayed by Young Master Dawson as well.”
With mischievous glints in their eyes, the two immediately shook hands—a silent pact to protect Daphne.
But just then, a shadow fell over them. Someone was looking down at them—specifically, at their clasped hands.
“Oh! Cedric!”
Edgar was the first to offer a warm greeting, rising to embrace him, but Cedric casually sat down, ignoring the enthusiastic welcome.
“Lady Laurel might get the wrong idea if she saw that. Or perhaps you’re trying to charm Lady Harriet as well?”
“What are you talking about! Lady Daphne is the only one for me!”
Harriet quickly backed him up. “That’s right. If he ever betrays Lady Daphne, I’ll be the first to claw his eyes out.”
“…I’d actually like to see that.”
A subtle playfulness emanated from Cedric, as if he were picturing his friend’s face covered in scratches. It was a side of him he likely never showed to others.
Edgar, still huffing at Cedric’s teasing, grabbed Daphne’s shoulder the moment she returned and turned her around.
“I don’t know what kind of slander I might suffer if we stay near that fellow, Lady Daphne. Let’s go look at the horses instead.”
“But we should at least greet him—!”
“No, it’s fine. Don’t waste your time on that kind of person. Lady Harriet can handle that silver-tongued devil.”
Muttering his complaints, Edgar led Daphne away until they disappeared into the crowd. Harriet and Cedric were left alone at the table.
Harriet felt a wave of awkwardness wash over her, but Cedric seemed perfectly composed.
“Do you have anything to keep your neck warm this winter?”
“Yes. While I was at the convent, an anonymous benefactor sent me a lovely scarf.”
Their gazes met. The corners of their mouths, which had been held in polite lines, twitched simultaneously before they both broke into laughter.
Cedric rubbed the corner of his eye. “Since you’re no longer at the convent, you should have something a bit more luxurious. I’ll catch a good one for you today.”
Harriet blinked, scanning their surroundings before lowering her voice. “Why?”
“Why, you ask?”
“I mean… why for me?”
“Because it’s part of the plan.”
“Ah, the plan!” Harriet nodded quickly, as if her curiosity were satisfied.
Deep down, she felt a sharp pang of disappointment, and she overcompensated with her movements to hide it.
“Is something wrong?”
“Oh, no! Nothing at all. I simply keep forgetting the details of our arrangement, Duke. My apologies.”
Cedric watched her, silent as she grew increasingly flustered. He bit his lower lip. Every time she acted like this, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation. At a glance, it almost looked as if she were regretting something.
But he couldn't rush.
The bait in his trap was irresistible, but the logic holding the charade together was paper-thin. If she looked too closely and realized the truth, everything would be for naught.
‘You can’t even imagine what I’ve done to create this situation.’
Cedric recalled the night of the party, the air heavy with the scent of flowers. The moment he had emerged from the balcony with Bella and met Harriet’s eyes, he had given Bella only a fleeting glance before immediately pursuing Harriet.
It had been an impulsive act, but even then, he had possessed the presence of mind to instruct the guards to ensure no one followed them.
He had never cared for the hunt, yet his heart had thundered the moment he cornered her to prevent her escape. Harriet had been so lovely in that moment—her eyes wide with surprise, like a deer whose path had been cut off.
Asking her to dance had been the most reckless thing he’d ever done—and the best. While dancing, he had gritted his teeth to keep from pulling her into a fierce embrace, spouting nonsense just to keep himself from devouring her lips as she looked up at him.
From beginning to end, he had acted entirely out of character. But it was worth it. Because of those choices, he could now sit across from her.
“I never knew… I was such a patient man.”
“Excuse me? Is it that difficult to tolerate my company?”
“It would be a little easier for me if you could simply ask me to catch a silver fox for you.”
“What? Why would I ever do that?”
As Harriet tilted her head in confusion, Cedric gave her a peculiar, knowing smile.
“It will be difficult to see you after the hunt begins. Please understand.”
“Of course. Um… please be careful not to get hurt.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
The two shared a moment of silence. Honestly, Harriet had no interest in the hunt or the festivities. She simply wished for this moment to last forever, even though she knew it was a foolish, preposterous fantasy.
‘My symptoms are getting worse by the day. Don’t delude yourself, Harriet. This man feels nothing for you.’
She gulped down her drink to wash away the bitter taste in her mouth, but the feeling of unease remained.
*
The hunting competition began the moment the final participants arrived.
The sight was majestic—countless hunters accompanied by packs of hounds, mounting their horses with rifles in hand. It was a display of such overwhelming force that one couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity for the foxes.
Cheers and applause followed them into the woods, but as the barking of the hounds faded into the distance, the crowd’s attention shifted. For the guests, the true social outing was just beginning.
Harriet joined Daphne as they went to greet their circle of friends.
“How have you been, Lady Melody?”
“Well enough, thank you. But guess who I ran into the moment I arrived? Someone quite unpleasant.”
“Who?”
At Harriet’s question, Melody jerked her chin toward a tent across the grounds. Harriet found it odd that Melody wasn’t even trying to hide her annoyance, but then she saw the target.
Bella was draped in James’s arms, laughing gaily.
Seeing them, Harriet realized that Daphne truly had recovered from her past wounds. If she hadn't, Melody would never have brought up Bella and James so casually in front of their friends.
Of course, Daphne being "alright" didn't mean she felt any less disgust toward the pair.