Grace in Wonderland - Chapter 111

111. Deal

Richard asked Sebastian, who checked the schedule in his mind before replying.

“He should arrive the evening after tomorrow.”

“I see. As soon as he arrives at the mansion, bring him directly to my study.”

“I can’t do that.”

“…What?”

Richard raised an eyebrow in disbelief at Sebastian’s response, but Sebastian continued speaking undeterred.

“With Lady Mary Montague’s mourning period and your trip to Grentabridge, you’ve all but skipped this year’s social events. Ignoring all the invitations you’ve received is a breach of etiquette.”

“……”

“I managed to smooth things over with Lady Winchester regarding the musical event she hosted, but there’s no excuse to decline the masquerade ball hosted by the Duke of Devonshire.”

“……”

“It’s the final event of the social season. Don’t you think you should attend at least this one?”

“……”

“The entirety of Lydon’s social elite will be there. Missing the whole season means you need to take this opportunity to meet and greet other families.”

“……”

“Besides, there are things you can only discuss in informal settings. There’s a reason people say you can learn about the upcoming year’s political and economic trends at the masquerade.”

“……”

“And I’ve heard there’s a chance the queen herself might attend.”

“……”

Richard remained silent throughout Sebastian’s persistent reasoning, and Sebastian was on the verge of exploding.

After saying this much, you’re still ignoring me?

Left with no other choice, Sebastian played his final card—one he had avoided using out of respect for Richard’s dignity.

“Miss Gurton—I mean, Lady Montague—would absolutely adore the fireworks display at the Duke’s estate. No woman dislikes fireworks. Who knows? Watching the dazzling display in the sky might create a romantic atmosphere and…”

“Fine.”

Richard cut him off, his eyes practically sparking with fiery resolve.

I knew it. Sebastian concluded that involving Grace Montague would be the most effective way to get Richard Spencer to act in the future.

“Send a reply to the Duke of Devonshire. Inform them that both Grace and I will attend.”

At that moment, Freya Spencer barged into the drawing room, her high-pitched voice interrupting Richard’s words.

“I’m coming too.”

“What?”

Richard frowned at Freya, who sat across from him.

“I want to attend the masquerade at the Duke of Devonshire’s estate.”

“You haven’t even had your debutante ball yet. You know you’re not qualified to participate in social events.”

“That’s why I’ll come unofficially. Don’t include my name in the response.”

“Freya Spencer.”

Richard’s voice lowered menacingly as he addressed her, but she was unfazed.

“It’s a masquerade, anyway. No one will recognize me there.”

“Unless you dye your hair with lye, everyone there will recognize you immediately.”

Richard scoffed. The vivid red hair of the Spencer family was unmistakable, with its striking hue and clarity.

Still terrible at hide-and-seek, I see.

He eyed the elegant crimson braid draped over his sister’s shoulder. Freya cleared her throat a few times before whispering softly, “Richard, I won’t enter the hall.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I won’t appear in the main hall. I’ll stay where there are no people.”

“Then why attend the masquerade at all?”

“There’s something I want to see.”

“What do you want to see?”

“…The fireworks.”

It seemed her hair wasn’t the only thing betraying her. Richard sighed heavily and spoke.

“The Duke of Devonshire’s bastard.”

Freya flinched, her shoulders trembling. Her amethyst-like eyes, untainted and pure, wavered uneasily.

“Is it because of him?”

“…Yes.”

“Did he ask to meet you somewhere private?”

When Richard snapped a quill in half, Freya recoiled in fear. While he was gentle with her, he was generally cold and could be ruthless when provoked.

“It’s not like that!”

“Then what is it?”

“He has no interest in me.”

“Then there’s no reason for you to attend the masquerade.”

Freya’s determination faltered. Richard was both relieved and annoyed at the bastard who didn’t seem to care about his sister. What was wrong with Freya that he would ignore her?

“Richard. If you don’t let me go, I’ll leave for Wormleighton immediately.”

However, Freya was still Freya. Her momentarily softened expression quickly turned back to one of confidence and composure.

“Wormleighton?”

“I’ll ask Father to reject your marriage approval.”

“Ha!”

“A proxy is just a proxy. The head of the family is Father.”

Richard let out a scoffing laugh, finding her words absurd.

Theoretically, Freya’s words weren’t wrong. Richard Spencer was acting as a proxy for Earl James Spencer, who had delegated his authority. But that authority could be rescinded at any time until the title was officially transferred.

Marriage was a family matter, and the final decision regarding Richard’s marriage lay with the head of the family. However, Richard had entirely disregarded the Earl’s opinions so far. His father wouldn’t have cared if Richard decided to marry Queen Anne, who was over sixty years old.

Even if Grace’s circumstances didn’t please the Earl, he couldn’t openly oppose Richard’s marriage. Lancelot was still excommunicated, meaning there was no viable alternative to succeed the Earl’s position.

For the Earl to continue his indulgent life with his mistress in Wormleighton, he would have to tread carefully around Richard Spencer, whether he liked it or not. This was why Richard could push forward with his marriage plans without much concern.

However, if Freya Spencer interfered, things would inevitably become more complicated. The Spencer men were notoriously weak when it came to their daughters.

Even Richard’s strict grandfather had been completely powerless when it came to his daughter, Mary Montague. Earl James Spencer, who lavished ninety percent of his affection on his mistress and only ten percent on his family, devoted that small portion entirely to Freya Spencer.

So if Freya marched to Wormleighton and whispered into the Earl’s ear, he would likely oppose Richard’s marriage just to appease her. It would also be an opportunity for the Earl to assert his relevance.

Ultimately, Richard’s marriage would go forward as planned. He was certain of that. However, Freya and the Earl’s interference might delay the timeline, which was unacceptable to Richard. His jaw tightened.

Freya, basking in the satisfaction of having the upper hand, wore a triumphant expression. She cast a sidelong glance at the teacup Grace had been drinking from, her face showing clear displeasure.

“I still can’t accept that you’re marrying Grace Gurton.”

“Freya.”

“Why can’t you just get engaged to Harmonia Cavendish instead?”

“That’s nonsense.”

“Have you forgotten what happened at the last family meeting? Who knows what other issues they’ll raise to summon you again? Grace Gurton will be a weakness in your life.”

“Your threat to go to Wormleighton doesn’t seem much different from what they’ve done.”

Richard stood, signaling the end of the conversation, but Freya looked up at him and continued speaking.

“You told me to hide my feelings.”

“……”

“You said not to reveal my desires.”

“……”

“I’m just following your advice. Like you did.”

At his sister’s pointed remark, Richard stopped mid-step and returned to his seat. As he fumbled for words to offer a rebuttal, Freya quickly shifted the mood. She flashed a beguiling smile and made her proposal.

“So let’s make a deal, Richard.”

“A deal? With you?”

“If you let me attend the masquerade, I’ll fully cooperate with your marriage.”

“I doubt there’s anything you can do to cancel my marriage. If any issues arise, I’ll handle them.”

“What about being kind to Grace Gurton—no, Montague?”

“……”

“I’ll help her adapt to being part of the Spencer family. As a fellow woman, there’s much I can advise her on. She’ll need my guidance to settle into her role as the lady of the house. Surely, you’re not expecting Mother in Bath to take on that responsibility.”

Richard fell into a long silence, carefully weighing the pros and cons before finally speaking.

“…Fine. Take good care of Grace. That’s the condition.”

Freya’s face brightened like a freshly bloomed poppy flower.

“Thank you, Richard.”

Seeing her radiant smile, Richard nodded with satisfaction. It was an illusion.

Believing that his beloved sister would grow close to his cherished wife like siblings was a common, foolish mistake made by naive men. And Richard Spencer was one of those foolish men.