Chapter 51

“My husband, Lord Edmund Roger Libert, is….”

Blair repeated the words to herself, desperately recalling the praise she had overheard at the previous banquet.

“He’s very accomplished. His status and wealth, his hunting skills, his manners. Everything about him is perfect.”

No. She shouldn’t be reciting it like a primary school textbook. Already tense, and now under the gaze of more than a dozen people, her vocabulary was sinking into a mire.

“I’m sorry. I think I’m a bit nervous. As you know, we’re newlyweds, so I don’t know him very well. No, rather, it hasn’t been long since the wedding… I’ll continue. My husband is very tall and solidly built. He’s handsome and always well groomed, and above all, his strength is really, incredibly… remarkable….”

She stumbled over her words at the very end, and the noblewomen’s eyes flew open. It conveyed vividly what the new bride must have witnessed on her first night, and how shaken she still was by the impact. Seeing some of them whisper behind their fans, Blair hurried to explain.

“I mean that my husband is perfect in every way, not just physically.”

“Oh, don’t worry. We understand your explanation perfectly. Lord Libert truly is perfect in every place….”

“You’re so lucky. I’m terribly envious.”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant….”

Faced with a deeply flushed Blair, the women waved their hands as if to say it was fine. Exchanging glances and giggling, they looked satisfied that they had successfully teased the new bride. But what was truly unbearable came next.

“Bravo! What a touching compliment!”

A loud round of applause cut through the murmurs from somewhere.

“Well then, Edmund. The future duchess’s love for you is quite something, isn’t it?”

At some point, they must have returned from the hunting grounds. Marquis Lancaster and Edmund were standing in front of the wide-open drawing room doors. Blair was seized by the urge to run straight out of the room.

“It seems you’ve been showered with quite a ‘remarkable’ amount of love.”

Edmund, who had been watching her as she reddened like an apple, glanced at his friend.

“Of course.”

“Now, now. Lovely ladies. If you’re done boasting about your husbands, shall we go take a look at what the men have brought back from the hunt?”

As the host joked to lighten the mood, the women rose from their seats one by one. Edmund did not move at all, so Blair had no choice but to face him. Meeting his unblinking gaze left her at a loss. If the ground were to split open, she would gladly throw herself in and vanish.

She glanced up at Edmund, who was leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, and tried to step past him, but he naturally blocked her path. Blair flinched.

“…Why are you blocking the way?”

“Because I wanted to see Miss Blair when she’s all red.”

“I’m going to look at the game.”

“Is there any need to look? Mine will be the biggest.”

His low voice sounded unmistakably suggestive. Blair’s cheeks were now redder than ripe fruit.

“…P-please move aside.”

“You put on such a sweet wife’s face in front of the noblewomen, yet you bare your claws in front of your husband.”

“Strictly speaking, you’re my contractual partner. I don’t think I need to be sweet in front of you.”

Edmund’s relaxed smile slowly faded. After studying Blair for a long moment, the man seemed to accept her opinion and took a step back. Then he held out his arm.

“Shall we go, Lady Libert?”

Blair had no choice but to take hold of that solid arm and move along, unable to shake the heat lingering in her cheeks.

The men who had gone out for the hunting wager returned and laid out pheasants of various sizes along one side of the banquet hall. Just as Edmund had boasted, the game he brought back was by far the largest. The difference in size was so stark that it looked almost three times bigger than the one Isaac had placed beside it.

“My goodness…. Lord Libert truly has a remarkable… hunting skill as well.”

“So the lady’s praise wasn’t exaggerated at all!”

As Blair lingered in front of the lined-up game, someone poked her lightly and tossed out a pointed joke. Blair gave a strained smile and tried to leave the area quickly. Even while receiving attention from all sides as the winner of the hunt, Edmund noticed her slipping away and casually caught her wrist.

“Where are you going? The waltz will begin soon.”

“I was thinking of talking with the Countess of Gillingham.”

“She looks busy enjoying her time with her husband. Are you planning to interrupt them?”

When Blair turned her head, just as Edmund said, the count and countess stood close together, absorbed in flirting with each other. They seemed quite devoted.

The man who still held her wrist gave a subtle tug. Before she knew it, Blair was drawn into his broad embrace. Leaning her back against his firm chest, she let out a small breath, and a low voice fell from above.

“Why don’t you try whispering sweetly with your husband too, Miss Blair?”

“My relationship with my husband isn’t exactly harmonious.”

“You praised me as so perfect earlier, but am I really treating you that poorly?”

“You’re not exactly affectionate.”

“Even so, try to make it look intimate. That’s your duty.”

As he emphasized the words, his voice came closer, and his breath brushed her ear. The sensation tickling her sensitive skin made the fine hairs along her neck stand on end. Without realizing it, Blair hunched her shoulders and clutched his arm.

She knew that a certain level of affection was unavoidable between husband and wife, but this kind of contact only left her flustered. Would a day ever come when she grew used to it? By then, wouldn’t the contract period be over, and wouldn’t she part ways with him?

Lost in thought while being quietly held by Edmund, Blair suddenly tilted her head and met the sharp gaze of Isaac staring at her from afar.

Since Nicoletta did not seem to have attended the hunting gathering, it appeared that Isaac had no intention of taking their relationship beyond that of a mistress. After all, there were quite a few women present who attended even as fiancées.

“The music’s starting. Come here, Blair.”

Turning away, Edmund blocked her view entirely with his imposing frame and pulled her by the hand. An enchanting dance tune filled the spacious banquet hall. The round dance, performed by several men and women moving widely across the floor, required partners to switch after a certain amount of time.

Blair’s first partner was, naturally, her husband, Edmund.

“Come to think of it, this is our first time dancing together.”

“It’s actually my first time with social dancing at all. I’ve learned it, but balls aren’t held often in Glassford.”

“I see. It’s an honor to share your first dance, Blair.”

Holding her hand in his right, Edmund lowered his left and pulled Blair’s hollowed waist close. He stepped in, pushed aside the hem of her skirt, and slid smoothly between her legs with practiced ease. Blair lifted her gaze calmly to the man standing before her.

“You seem very accustomed to this.”

“I hope you haven’t forgotten my age. I’ve attended countless balls since I was fourteen, so it would be rather laughable if I were clumsy.”

“Oh.”

“Does that bother you?”

“…Of course it doesn’t.”

“I’d understand if it displeases you that these hands have touched many women. But right now, my partner is you, Miss Blair.”

“Of course. I’ll be in your care in many ways. After all, you’re handling my first time.”

Lifting their joined hands, she turned once around him as the axis. Then, when they drew close again, Blair stared straight at Edmund and added, her tone clearly edged with provocation.

“I don’t want to make a mistake with the next partner.”