Deceived, Yet Drawn to You - Chapter 8

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Dorman.”

Blair placed her gloved hand over Isaac’s. As he bent his head, his damp breath brushed lightly across the thin lace fabric. For a brief moment, his figure overlapped with that of his father, the Marquis of Dorman.

“Did you wait long? I was delayed meeting some important investors since noon, and my schedule ended up pushed back.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“That’s a relief. These days I’ve been so busy that every time I look at the clock, I’m startled all over again.”

Seated across from her, Isaac looked entirely at ease, as though he’d visited this lounge many times before. The smile never left his smooth face, and his brightly colored, well-tailored suit was the epitome of a capital gentleman.

Even so, he gave her an uneasy feeling, mostly because of the subtle, lingering gaze that swept over her, examining her from head to toe. It was no different from the unpleasant looks of the men she had met at the charity event a few days ago.

“As I’ve heard, you’re quite the beauty.”

“…Thank you.”

“With someone this beautiful, I’m surprised the rumors haven’t spread throughout the capital. It seems the Count of Twyford must’ve kept his daughter locked away like a treasure in a chest.”

“You flatter me.”

Unsure how to respond, Blair simply offered mechanical, polite replies, but Isaac seemed unbothered. Whether that was fortunate or not, she couldn’t tell. As she sat there feeling awkward alone, a waiter approached their table.

“Would you like to order?”

“A glass of Vendorport whiskey for me, two cubes of ice. And for the lady here, a lavender gin fizz.”

“Ah, excuse me.”

Having only responded to his questions so far, Blair reached out to stop him. The waiter, who had just started to walk away, turned back, and Isaac tilted his head slightly.

“Is something the matter?”

“I’d like a non-alcoholic apple cider, please.”

“Do you have a reaction to alcohol?”

“No, it’s not that… I’m simply not used to it, and I don’t particularly enjoy drinking, so I’d rather refrain if possible.”

Isaac, who had been smiling faintly, turned his head toward the waiter.

“She’s not used to alcohol, you know? Then make her gin fizz light enough that it’s barely more than a gesture toward the mood.”

“Understood.”

The waiter nodded and quietly stepped away. Isaac picked up a piece of fried cauliflower from the appetizer plate and laughed softly.

“So the Count was right when he said you’re an exceptionally well-mannered young lady.”

“….”

“But I still recommend trying the lavender gin fizz. There’s not a single lady in the world who dislikes it.”

Blair stayed silent and simply stared at him.

“To add, people who drink don’t usually like doing it alone. Even a small amount will do, but next time, I’d appreciate it if you’d raise your glass with me.”

Isaac grinned, speaking as though giving an instruction. With no room to object, Blair could only sit still as their drinks were soon placed before them.

She only pretended to sip at the pale violet cocktail. Even though the drink in front of her hardly diminished, she was sure the man wouldn’t notice.

“By the way, there’s something I need your cooperation with, Miss Blair.”

“What is it?”

“I commissioned a ring at a jeweler’s in Fitzrovia. I’d like you to visit there soon.”

“Will you be accompanying me, Sir Dorman?”

“Haha, no. I’ll be leaving on a very important business trip.”

Isaac swirled the whiskey in his glass, then took a sip as if to moisten his throat. With an expression that said the liquor tasted excellent, he pressed his lips to the rim again and took another drink. Blair could only wait in silence until he emptied his glass and continued speaking.

“The payment has already been made, so you may choose any design that suits your taste within the budget. If you cooperate, the wedding should proceed without delay as soon as I return.”

Though it sounded like he was doing her a favor, in truth, he was simply offloading a bothersome task onto her. No matter how transactional a marriage might be, what kind of noble lady was expected to pick out her own engagement ring alone? Blair briefly met Isaac’s glossy, self-satisfied gaze and nodded.

“Yes. I’ll do that.”

“Excellent.”

Isaac, apparently satisfied that she never refused anything, set his empty glass down with a sharp clink.

“To be engaged to such a well-bred lady, I couldn’t be more delighted. To think I’d even have such a thought… it must mean it’s time for me to settle down.”

The expression he wore as he murmured to himself after draining the strong liquor was nearly self-absorbed.

“I’ve always considered myself a lucky man. They say one should enjoy romance with a glamorous woman, but marry a refined one who can uphold a man’s reputation, don’t they?”

A woman who exists only to protect a man’s reputation. Someone who sits quietly beside him like an ornament, smiling softly. Ironically, that was the very virtue Blair had been taught all her life. So she should have taken it as a compliment, yet strangely, her stomach twisted in resentment.

Isaac, oblivious to the faint displeasure stiffening her expression, ended the conversation with the same easy grin.

“Miss Blair, we’ll make a perfect pair.”

2. Awareness

Closing the car door, Blair stepped onto the sidewalk and adjusted her hat. Fitzrovia, her destination, was one of the capital city Borsa’s upscale commercial districts, lined with boutiques and jewelry shops boasting lavish window displays.

Just as she was about to walk forward, the deep chime of a bell rang out. She lifted her head toward the distant clock tower marking the hour.

A flock of pigeons perched beside the church took flight all at once, soaring into the piercingly blue sky. Squinting against the sunlight, Blair gazed briefly at the cloudless expanse before forcing her reluctant steps onward.

“Welcome, miss. Is there something you’re looking for?”

As she entered the jewelry shop, a saleswoman standing near the entrance greeted her.

“Hello. I’m here regarding the ring commissioned by Sir Dorman.”

“This way, please.”

Handing over her lace parasol, Blair glanced around the spacious interior. At the center of the store, fragrant with a faint artificial scent, a staircase of elegant curves led upward. It seemed to connect to private rooms for special guests.

“Would you like me to bring you some tea first?”

“No, thank you. I don’t plan to stay long.”

Blair wasn’t in the mood to sip tea and enjoy leisure. Smiling faintly as she declined, she watched the clerk nod and return with a set of copper ring sizers.

Removing Blair’s glove, the clerk carefully slipped one onto her slender finger and asked politely, “Do you have a preferred gemstone design?”

“Well… anything you choose will be fine.”

“Oh my, don’t say that. Even just letting me know whether you prefer platinum or rose gold would help me recommend something suitable.”

Not wanting to waste energy on a ring she had no interest in, Blair shook her head. “As long as it’s within the budget, I don’t really mind what design it is. Is the sizing finished?”

“In that case, please take a look at a few of our prepared designs. I’ll only show you the pieces with the most exquisite brilliance.”

With a genuinely regretful expression, the clerk led her toward a glass display. Blair couldn’t very well refuse again, so she half-listened to the clerk’s explanations while absentmindedly glancing at the glittering jewelry.

The commotion near the entrance began just then. Turning her head, she saw the manager and several clerks hurrying forward, welcoming someone who had just stepped into the shop. Blair’s eyes widened in surprise.

The tall man, his sleek black hair swept back to reveal his forehead, was strikingly handsome. His suit, perfectly fitted to his broad shoulders, looked as though painted onto him. Everyone in the jewelry store found their eyes drawn to him and couldn’t look away.

Blair was no exception. After all….

“Welcome, young master. We’ve been expecting you.”

It was the very man she could never forget, the very man she had met that night on the balcony.