Grace in Wonderland - Chapter 60

60. The Lady of Westminster

“Heading out again today?”

Lady Mary Montague, just returning from an errand outside, asked Grace as she saw her preparing to leave the house. With a graceful movement devoid of any waste, Lady Montague removed her hat and handed it, along with her handbag, to a maid.

Being of the same Spencer lineage, Lady Montague and Richard Spencer shared many similarities. Not only did they both have red hair and sparkling green eyes reminiscent of glass, but their perfectly polished aristocratic demeanor also constantly reminded Grace of their shared heritage.

Sometimes, Grace vaguely understood the sentiment of the ancient philosopher who urged people to abandon the shadows of the cave and seek the truth outside. Though she had crawled into the cave for comfort and safety, there were moments when she longed for the radiant idea rather than the dark shadows.

Even after hearing harsh words, she found herself unchanged, still the same as ever.

Grace took a small breath and stepped beside Lady Montague.

“I-I’ll be back shortly.”

“You’re heading to the Royal Library again today, aren’t you?”

Lady Montague asked as she gently brushed Grace’s cheek. The playful expression on Mary’s face resembled Richard’s so much that Grace suddenly recalled the grinning Cheshire Cat from a story.

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

Since returning to Lydon, Grace had been making daily trips to the Royal Library in Westminster. Having eagerly taken the bait of Lady Montague’s offer to adopt her, Grace now spent most of her days immersed in the library.

Within the Romian Papal Palace in Italine, there is a fresco called “The School of Athens.” Painted by the Renaissance artist Raphael, the work depicts a gathering of ancient philosophers in animated debate.

To Grace Gurton, the Royal Library in Lydon was akin to that fresco. The theories left behind by great scholars, transcending time and place, competed with one another on the shelves, and all she needed to do was read their writings.

At the center of “The School of Athens” stands a philosopher pointing to the heavens. He is none other than the originator of the infamous theory of ideas.

Now, Grace was trying her best to erase the idea he pointed to from her mind while absentmindedly flipping through a book by another philosopher who had preached, “Know thyself.”

Know your own abilities and select challenges accordingly. Professor Charles Dodgson’s advice was no different from the bald philosopher’s dictum.

Unbeknownst to Grace, she had recently become one of the most talked-about figures in Westminster. This was because it was unprecedented for a woman to visit the Royal Library so frequently.

Moreover, her petite, round, and charming appearance, coupled with the fact that she frequented not the literature section but the mathematics and philosophy corners, naturally attracted the attention of men.

Westminster, home to institutions like the royal court, the law courts, and Parliament, was a quintessentially male-dominated, or rather male-overpopulated, area.

“She’s rather pretty.”

“Isn’t she just ordinary? I don’t see the appeal at all.”

“Look at her dress. It’s clearly from one of the most expensive boutiques on Bond Street.”

“A woman loitering around the mathematics section? Can she even read the symbols?”

“If it’s a ploy to attract attention, she’s quite clever.”

The world is full of prejudices. Looking back at human history, prejudices arise without basis or are created with specific intentions, only to solidify into accepted truths. Once entrenched, they are difficult to erase.

One such prejudice is the notion that women love gossip and derive pleasure from tearing others down. However, if you were to dissect Westminster, you’d find that the subject of that prejudice could easily be swapped with “men.”

The mysterious woman frequenting the Royal Library became a hot topic throughout Westminster, regardless of rank. Her height, appearance, facial expressions, the origin and price of her dress, where she lingered, and what she read—every detail spread through countless careless mouths.

Eventually, someone claimed to have seen her in Bath with Theresius Wilford. Once it was revealed that she was soon to become the Montagues’ adopted daughter, the rumors turned malicious. Grace quickly became infamous as a femme fatale who had ensnared the Montagues and Theresius Wilford but was now prowling the Royal Library in search of even better prospects.

“It’s just as expected from the daughter of Annabel Gurton.”

“Theresius Wilford is too good for a woman like her.”

“Not really. Think about what he’ll gain from that marriage. If I’m not mistaken, the Montagues must have considerable wealth. And since they don’t have any other children, the inheritance will fully go to their adopted daughter.”

“In that case, maybe I should take a shot at it too.”

“The library is vast and maze-like. If you pull her aside somewhere and try your luck…”

Richard Spencer, too, had heard these rumors. Recently, he had been attending Parliament as a representative of his father, the Earl. Today as well, the idle chatter of a few individuals echoed clearly into the ears of the lion prowling the halls.

Those filthy bastards!

“Sebastian.”

“Yes?”

“Find out the names and surnames of those men gossiping over there.”

“Why?”

Because I’m going to destroy their entire families by any means necessary.

Sebastian glanced at Richard Spencer’s face, which, despite his murderous tone, bore a faint smile. Then, shaking his head, Sebastian turned his gaze behind Richard and called out softly.

“Oh? Over there, it’s Miss Grace Gurton!”

Hearing his words, Richard’s massive frame visibly flinched. These days, Richard Spencer seemed to let Sebastian’s words get to him far too easily. The dignity of the Lion King had vanished, leaving behind a docile cat with darting eyes.

“Must have been a mistake! After all, this isn’t the Royal Library, and women aren’t allowed in Parliament.”

“…….”

Wait, what was Sebastian’s surname again?

Richard, repeating “by any means necessary” in his head, left the Parliament building. He walked away with his gaze lowered, his steps steady and unhurried, as if weighed down by lethargy. Behind him, Sebastian spoke again.

“Young Master, over there, it really is Miss Grace Gurton…”

Would locking Sebastian in a room and starving him for a week shut him up?

Richard was a nobleman with impeccable manners. Thus, raising his voice in a public space where people came and went was unthinkable.

“Sebastian.”

Grinding his teeth, Richard spat out his attendant’s name and lifted his gaze upward. And then, before he could stop himself, he took a step back in a thoroughly undignified manner. Because there, in the distance…

“It really is Miss Gurton. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her.”

“Where is the carriage?”

Feigning ignorance, Richard quickly searched for the family’s carriage adorned with the red lion crest. Watching the lion tremble like a newborn gazelle before its prey, Sebastian answered with amusement.

“It’s too late, Young Master.”

Dressed impeccably, Theresius Wilford was escorting Grace Gurton as they approached. When their eyes met, Theresius gave Richard a half-smile, as though challenging him.

Once acknowledged by the other party, ignoring them would be tantamount to defeat. As a seasoned attendant, Sebastian would not allow the Spencer name to concede to someone like Wilford. Thus, he nudged Richard forward.

“Richard Spencer.”

“It’s been a while, Wilford.”

Richard Spencer, as if he had never been flustered moments ago, greeted with an air of arrogance, chin held high.

“I happened to run into Miss Gurton at the Royal Library. I was just about to escort her back to the Montague mansion.”

Coincidence? More like you came here after hearing the rumors.

Richard ignored the thought of his own “coincidental” meeting with Grace in the garden of the Bath villa and reluctantly turned to face her.

“Have you been well, Miss Gurton?”

“Y-yes. Thanks to you.”

Thanks to me? I’ve been in an awful mood because of you!

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Life is so unfair. The saying that women’s friendships are as fragile as feathers must be true. Seeing Grace Gurton, her doe-like eyes wide and innocent as if nothing had happened, left no room for doubt.

In the midst of it all, her sunset-colored eye…

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

Sebastian watched Richard Spencer, who seemed ready to flee like a lion with its tail on fire, with a mixture of disbelief and amusement. But before Richard could escape, Theresius Wilford caught him by the collar, figuratively speaking, and tackled him with a proposition.

“Starting next week, Miss Gurton and I plan to visit the poorhouse. Can we count on the Spencer family’s support?”

“…If there’s anything you need, send the documents to my estate.”

Successfully parrying the first attack, Richard turned to leave for his carriage. However, Theresius’s next words delivered a critical blow.

“After Lord Montague returns next month, before the social season begins, Miss Gurton and I plan to announce our engagement. We’ll be sure to send an invitation to the Spencer family.”