Chapter 38
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 38
She didn't strike him as that sort of woman.
Cedric could say with confidence that her gaze had never once held a hint of seduction toward him. If anything, wasn't it Bella Listerwell who was doing the pursuing?
If Harriet had truly made a habit of flirting with the men Bella showed interest in, she should have reacted when he offered her financial support at the convent. Instead, she had shown nothing but displeasure and rejected the offer outright. It had been the same at the Vanderbilt family's party.
What was truly strange was that Bella was no different.
At the Victory Banquet and at my uncle's party, Bella Listerwell was clearly flirting with me. Does a chaste and virtuous woman really accost a man, using her cousin's mistakes as a pretext?
Someone else might have believed Bella's actions were well-intentioned, but from Cedric's objective perspective—one that wasn't particularly favorable toward women—he couldn't see it in a positive light. Bella simply had a knack for making herself shine by sacrificing Harriet.
If his judgment was correct, Harriet was in a deeply unfair position. Yet, she hadn't actively stepped forward to explain herself.
Or perhaps, she couldn't?
A woman who was jealous of her cousin, chased after men, caused trouble, and lived as a dependent of her uncle after losing her parents—it was obvious who held the upper hand in that relationship.
But the dynamic had shifted.
Harriet had gained a new guardian and no longer had anything to lose from John Listerwell. She had returned to high society with a look in her eyes that said she was ready for a proper fight.
A subtle curve formed on Cedric's lips.
This will be interesting to watch.
He tossed the documents he had finished reading into the wastebasket.
* * *
It was a day in early July when Harriet received yet another letter that would turn her life upside down.
She had just returned from her foreign language lesson with Roxana and sat down at her desk to start her homework, only to find a silver tray holding a few letters. Harriet reached for the thin, yellowish envelope first. It was the cheap sort used only by convents.
“It’s Mother Superior Catherine!”
She had been meaning to write a letter to let them know she was doing well in Genoa anyway. However, the letter from Catherine, which she opened with a warm heart, contained unexpected news.
「...A short while ago, your uncle, Viscount John Listerwell, arrived and caused quite a stir. It was around eight in the evening, and he arrived without prior notice, insisting he had to take you with him. He claimed it was for an important family matter. I hope nothing untoward has happened to you?」
The fact that John, who always wore a mask of kindness and benevolence in public, had revealed his true colors was surprising. Moreover, if he had visited at such a late hour, it must have been an extremely urgent matter—yet John hadn't mentioned a word about it when they met recently.
He only told me not to go around talking about Bella. What on earth could it have been?
If he had intended to take her, it meant there was a place where she needed to show her face, but she couldn't begin to guess what it was. However, Catherine's purpose in writing wasn't merely to relay that event.
「...I have a difficult matter to discuss.
As you know, our convent's long-cherished project is the construction of a sanctuary to protect and educate abandoned girls. In truth, His Grace the Duke of Kailas made a generous donation that allowed us to begin construction early this year, but as the project progressed, we found ourselves short on funds.
We considered halting construction temporarily, but an orphanage in the Eper region recently inquired if we could take in their girls, as they are soon to close. If not for Saint Clarissa Convent, these children would have nowhere to go. We urgently need a facility to accommodate them as quickly as possible.
...Therefore, I must ask: would it be possible to seek the patronage of Countess Fellon?」
The reason for the orphanage's closure was also financial difficulty. It had been operating on imperial subsidies, but the funding was woefully insufficient for the growing number of orphans. The resulting deficits had left them with no choice but to shut down.
The boys were to be taken in by a monastery in Eper, and the girls were destined for Saint Clarissa, the closest women's convent to the region.
Harriet, who knew the circumstances of Saint Clarissa well, could vividly imagine Catherine frantically trying to squeeze a budget together for the children. She could also imagine how much the Mother Superior must have hesitated before writing this letter.
But in my current situation, it’s difficult to ask my great-aunt for patronage.
Hadn't Trisha said it herself just recently?
“People will want to use you to get to me.”
That didn't necessarily refer only to bad people. Even good people would want a connection to the head of the Fellon family, and for Trisha—famous for her eccentric personality—the newly acquired "Harriet" connection would undoubtedly be appealing.
She had to be careful.
No matter how noble the cause, if an acquaintance of mine receives help from my great-aunt, it will spark gossip. And I'm not even sure if my great-aunt would agree to help.
Since she had promised not to cause Trisha any trouble, she couldn't bring the matter of Saint Clarissa Convent to her, no matter how much she regretted the situation.
Is there anything I can do myself, without relying on my great-aunt's influence?
When she left the convent, she had sworn to Emma that she would eventually help her and the sisters. She hadn't expected the day to fulfill that vow to come so soon, but if she could be of help, even in a small way, she could stand proudly before God.
Of course, it wouldn't be easy. Saint Clarissa needed money, and Harriet needed money just as badly. The problem was that she had no way to get it.
But Harriet refused to give up.
If I make friends and build a network, I could ask them for patronage. It would still be relying on others, but it would be better than depending solely on my great-aunt.
Having decided to accept most of her invitations, Harriet examined the other letters on the tray. All three appeared to be invitations to casual tea parties. Among them, Harriet picked up the one from Annabelle Leighton.
This person sent an invitation right after the Vanderbilt party. She was the very first one.
She wondered if it had been sent twice by mistake, but this invitation had an added line: “Please consider attending, as I assure you nothing shall occur to displease Your Ladyship.”
If she was so eager for Harriet to attend that she sent two invitations, perhaps she would be more favorable than the others.
This would be a good place for my first appearance.
Harriet opened a drawer and took out the stationery she had recently acquired.
「To the kind and gracious Miss Annabelle Leighton,
Thank you for the invitation to your tea party. I am terribly sorry that a second invitation arrived just as I was about to reply.
I would be delighted to accept Your Ladyship's invitation. I look forward to a warm welcome on that day.
With anticipation,
Harriet Listerwell」
Harriet folded the letter and placed it in the envelope. Her initial intention of merely gauging the atmosphere of high society had been discarded. She was living through precious days, and she couldn't afford to squander a single opportunity.
Because I have to find a way to repay Saint Clarissa.
Harriet steeled her resolve.
* * *
Viscountess Leighton was renowned for her extensive network and her skill as a matchmaker. She often received substantial rewards when a marriage was successfully arranged, and the shy Viscount Leighton had frequently benefited from his wife's influence in his business ventures.
Perhaps due to her mother's influence, their daughter, Annabelle Leighton, was fond of people and delighted in being praised for her wide circle of acquaintances. Annabelle's friendships transcended political factions and disregarded wealth. She even wished to offer those embroiled in unsavory rumors a chance to defend themselves.
To put it kindly, she was a social butterfly; to put it bluntly, she was a collector of gossip. What others might consider vulgar rumors could, if skillfully used, be valuable information—or a smokescreen to blind an enemy. The Leighton women possessed exceptional talent in such matters.
Harriet lightly clutched the hem of the yellow dress she had received from Loubart’s the day before and descended into the garden where the tea party was being held.
“Lady Harriet Listerwell has arrived.”
The gazes of those seated at the garden tables had already turned toward Harriet even before the footman's announcement. Harriet curtsied slightly and greeted Annabelle.
“Thank you for the invitation, Lady Leighton. The garden is far more beautiful than I imagined.”
“Welcome, Lady Listerwell. Thank you for coming.”
Annabelle personally escorted Harriet to a seat. Curious eyes sparkled, as if everyone had heard that Harriet’s attendance was a secret. But not all of those looks held goodwill.
“You’re a bit later than expected, aren't you?”