If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 103

Though they said it was a nearby plantation, the estate was large, and it still took an hour by carriage to reach it.

Seated across from her, Raymond shared little anecdotes about the surrounding plantations and the people there so Georgiana wouldn’t feel out of place.

Before she knew it, they were approaching their destination.

As they turned onto private property, Raymond glanced at her, as if there was something he wanted to say before they arrived.

After opening and closing his mouth several times, Georgiana spoke first.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“It’s just… no, it’s nothing.”

“It’s fine. Go ahead.”

“Um… when did you become so close with my brother? You two seemed quite friendly.”

She had asked thinking he might be troubled by something, but the unexpected question left her speechless.

Had he seen them together? Or was he asking because he knew about the past?

She couldn’t read Raymond’s intent, and her mind spiraled in confusion.

“C-close?”

“It just seems that way recently, watching the two of you.”

“No, not at all. That’s a misunderstanding.”

Rather than becoming close, it was more like Locke kept turning up wherever she went—whether to the garden or the fields, she always ended up running into him.

No exaggeration, she was sure she could now recognize the sound of his footsteps.

She had worried that others might get the wrong idea, but she hadn’t expected Raymond to be thinking that way.

“Then I’m glad it’s just a misunderstanding.”

“Why is that a good thing?”

At her casual question, Raymond coughed awkwardly and changed the subject.

“My brother has always been popular, even as a child.”

“I can see that.”

Regardless of anything else, his looks alone were enough to attract interest.

“But despite that, he never dated anyone. Maybe because he never stayed in one place for long.”

Talking about Locke behind his back felt uncomfortable, but Georgiana quietly listened.

“I see.”

“I’d support whoever he dates—but I hope it’s not someone I know.”

Raymond glanced at her briefly.

“Why is that?”

“Because she might get hurt. He’s not exactly the warmest person toward women.”

Georgiana swallowed the words she wanted to say—that the hurt had already been done.

She understood exactly what Raymond was worried about.

But even if she had known everything back then, she still wouldn’t have been able to stop herself from liking Locke.

And for some reason, at this moment, she wanted to take his side.

“Even brothers might not know everything when it comes to love. I’m sure he’d be kind to his partner. That’s how he seems to me.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

Raymond gave a bitter nod at her reply.

Turning her gaze to the window, Georgiana began to observe the scenery, curious if there was anything she could learn from this plantation.

They said each farm was different, and indeed, the tobacco leaves here were noticeably lighter in color.

It was the peak of the harvest season, and like Raymond’s estate, this place was bustling. Even though evening was approaching, the workers were still sweating in the vast tobacco fields.

But…

Why did their expressions look so dark?

Every single laborer had a gloomy face as they silently toiled.

The atmosphere was completely different from Raymond’s estate. His laborers surely had a hard time too, but they didn’t look this miserable.

She could only assume it was because they were slaves.

Before long, Georgiana realized the real reason.

Throughout the field, overseers stood in intervals, whipping anyone who so much as paused.

One frail woman even collapsed from a single lash.

Her eyes widening in shock, Georgiana gripped the window frame, ready to run out at any moment.

“What’s the matter?”

“Those people… Even if they’re slaves, how can they be treated like that?”

Raymond looked out the window and his face hardened. “They’re still using methods like that…”

“Shouldn’t we stop them?”

With each strike of the whip, the workers’ ragged clothes tore, and their flesh split open beneath.

“Can’t you work properly?!”

The overseer’s shout rang loud and clear into the carriage.

No one dared fight back, likely because he was armed. Others could only watch helplessly.

Seeing her tremble with rage, Raymond responded bitterly, “We could stop them for now, but once we leave, that slave will suffer even harsher retaliation.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes. I once helped a slave at another plantation, and not long after, I heard he was beaten and left to die. They told me to turn a blind eye next time. Plantation owners can’t monitor every overseer, so they usually let them act as they please. If they restrict the overseers’ authority, more slaves might try to escape.”

From a plantation owner’s perspective, it was more profitable to treat the overseers well—even if one or two slaves died unjustly—because it increased work efficiency.

Having thought more positively of the South, she now had to swallow the bitter truth of the miserable reality slaves were facing.

As Raymond said, stepping in could mean that person’s death—and that would be even more horrific.

Only now did she understand why there were so many protesters in town.

In the end, unable to help, she tightly shut her eyes and turned her gaze back inside the carriage.

The conversation between the two quickly dwindled.

Before long, the carriage stopped in front of a grand white mansion.

The middle-aged man who had been with Raymond in town was now welcoming guests in the lobby, accompanied by a woman who seemed to be his wife.

“Thank you for inviting us.”

“We’re the ones grateful that Mr. Rivern came all this way.”

Though they greeted Raymond, the couple’s gaze never left Georgiana.

And it wasn’t a pleasant look—they seemed startled and somewhat bewildered.

“That woman who came with you… isn’t she the one we saw in town the other day?”

The man had a sharp eye, recognizing her immediately.

“Yes. This is Lady Leona Owen, who I am currently indebted to. Leona, this is Mr. Max Lodge and his wife, Lady Elizabeth.”

“Indebted, you say?”

“Not only is she teaching Angela, but ever since Lady Leona took charge of the household, the estate has changed for the better.”

At Raymond’s introduction, the already surprised couple looked even more stunned.

Georgiana quickly shook her head. “Not at all—it’s the other way around. I owe everything to Mr. Raymond. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t even be in the South.”

“I heard you were Angela’s governess… Were you once a noble?”

Elizabeth, standing upright, scanned Georgiana from head to toe with a suspicious eye.

Apparently finding no fault, she looked rather disappointed.

“My father was a baron.”

“Which means you’re no longer…”

“It’s rude to ask personal matters upon a first meeting. Look, other guests are arriving—we should go. Let’s go, Leona.”

With a cold expression, Raymond pulled her arm and led her away.

“I’m fine.”

Having experienced this sort of thing countless times in the Empire, Georgiana wasn’t fazed.

She didn’t even feel their questions were particularly rude.

But Raymond seemed to disagree, shaking his head.

“I’m not fine. They’re not usually like that, but their questions today were inappropriate. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, just tell me—we’ll return home right away.”

“All right.”

At the end of the corridor stood a door leading to the ballroom.

A servant guarding the entrance recognized Raymond and promptly opened it.

As she stepped inside, Georgiana blinked against the dazzling light from hundreds of sparkling crystal chandeliers.

Mayfield Hall’s ballroom had been splendid, but this one, purposefully designed for a ball, was blindingly extravagant.

Though she didn’t know how many guests had been invited, every dish laid out appeared to be expensive.

Had she not seen the suffering of the slaves, she might have simply been impressed—but now it all felt excessive.

The contrast between the rags worn by the slaves and the luxurious curtains of this place was so stark it made her mouth taste bitter.

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell me. And if anyone bothers you, let me know.”

Looking at Raymond, who continued to show concern, Georgiana forced her lips into a smile.

She told herself not to let him worry.

But the deeper they went into the ballroom, the more that resolve began to waver.

All eyes were on Raymond and Georgiana.

A woman, clearly the host of the party, adorned in elaborate attire, appeared and greeted them with a wounded look.

Seeing her expression, Georgiana suddenly felt she had made a terrible mistake by coming here.