If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 112

Georgiana finally managed to shake Locke off and headed to the plantation, checking the workers’ quarters to ensure nothing was lacking.

Due to the uprising, several plantations had already burned down, and tobacco leaf orders flooded in to Raymond’s estate. On top of that, the yield was higher than last year, leaving them severely short-handed.

In such circumstances, if the lodging or food were inadequate, the workers wouldn’t be able to endure, so she was more attentive than ever.

The butler had said he’d even borrow a cat’s paw if he could—and it turned out they truly were that short on labor. A few of Bill’s men, who were assigned to guard the estate, were out in the fields working alongside the laborers.

Perhaps because they were used to physical work, they handled farm tasks faster than anyone else. Tobacco leaves were already piling up like a mountain beside them.

At the end of the furrow, she also spotted Henry, sweating and working hard.

It was likely he, too, had come out of the mansion for the same reason.

To escape from Locke, who clung to her embarrassingly.

The more she thought about it, the hotter Georgiana’s face grew.

She spent as much time as possible at the plantation before returning to the mansion for her scheduled outing with Angela.

A new dessert shop had opened in town, and although Angela wasn’t fond of going out, after tasting one of their treats, she had insisted on visiting in person. That was how the plan was made.

Normally, she wouldn’t have gone out with things being so uneasy, but if the shop were to close for the same reason, she wouldn’t be able to grant the child’s wish, so she set a date.

Angela, who had been excited since early morning, was already wearing her hat and waiting at the door.

Wearing a yellow chick-like dress and a bonnet embroidered with yellow daisies, Angela was so lovely she seemed to drip with sweetness.

Georgiana ran to her and hugged her tightly.

“It’s an honor to go on an outing with our little angel. As always, you’re absolutely adorable today.”

“To me, Leona looks more like an angel.”

Beaming at the compliment, Angela rubbed her face against Georgiana’s skirt.

Though she had never thought of marriage before, whenever Georgiana looked at Angela, she often found herself imagining how nice it would be to have a child like her.

Even without wealth, matching clothes and baking bread together would be enough to lead a contented life.

As she admired Angela’s glossy black hair, she naturally thought of Locke.

A child who took after Locke would probably have black hair like this too.

Of course, the eyes would be blue, but wouldn’t that be absolutely adorable?

“Leona, what are you doing?”

Snapped out of her daze by Angela’s voice, Georgiana quickly pulled herself together.

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

What had she just been thinking?

Her cheeks flushed bright red.

Since she was already dressed for the outing, she only needed to put on her hat to be ready.

Before departing, Georgiana stopped by Locke’s room with Angela.

She wanted to check on his condition one last time before going out.

Knock, knock.

At the cautious knock, permission came from inside.

As soon as the door opened, Angela ran up to him.

“Uncle Locke, are you not sick today? When I grow up, I’m definitely going to meet a prince as cool as you.”

Somehow, she had learned that Locke was hurt while saving her, and since then, Angela had become even more attached to him.

“Right. But you must get my permission first. Whether it’s some guy—or rather, some prince—you want to meet, your dad or your uncle has to know.”

What was he saying to a child?

It was absurd, but judging by his face, he wasn’t joking.

Standing beside them, Georgiana shook her head. “Once your arm heals, let’s go together. It’s really good there.”

“I think I could go now. Want to come with me?”

As he seriously began to rise, Georgiana cut him off firmly. “No. You need to rest. Long carriage rides aren’t good for you. And we need to leave right now, or we’ll be late.”

Afraid he’d insist on going to town, she quickly shut it down.

“That’s right, Uncle. It’s a shame, but today it’ll just be the two of us.”

Angela, too, turned around immediately upon hearing they might be late.

Locke’s expression instantly darkened.

As Georgiana came down to the lobby to take the carriage, she had to face yet another unexpected obstacle. Raymond, dressed perfectly for an outing, was standing in front of the carriage.

“I have some errands in town related to the contract. If you don’t mind, may I accompany you?” Raymond asked Georgiana politely.

Normally, she would’ve readily said yes, but this time, the words didn’t come easily.

Since that day, Raymond’s forwardness had started to feel a bit burdensome.

She worried that at this rate, she might soon have to step away from estate affairs. And she didn’t even have anywhere else to go yet… But she couldn’t go on navigating this subtle emotional tug-of-war between the two brothers either.

“Come with us, Dad.”

As she hesitated, Angela cheerfully grabbed Raymond’s hand.

When he looked at Georgiana for approval, she had no choice but to nod.

Thankfully, with Angela there, the atmosphere wasn’t too uncomfortable.

If he had overstepped even slightly, she might not have been able to bear it, but Raymond remained consistently kind and pleasant.

Angela, too, was excited to be out with him again after so long.

By the time they arrived in town, Georgiana’s heavy heart had lightened significantly.

After finishing his errands, Raymond parted with them, saying he would come find them at the dessert shop.

Two of Bill’s men followed behind Georgiana and Angela for security.

Right now, the estate owner was more at risk than anyone, so Bill had stayed with Raymond.

Perhaps due to the nobles keeping to themselves, the streets were quiet.

The dessert shop that would normally have long lines regardless of social class now had seats available immediately.

Georgiana sat by the window and ordered a slice of cake to share with Angela, juice, and black tea with dried fruit.

Maybe because it was freshly made, it tasted far better than it had in the past.

The plates emptied far too quickly.

They still had quite a bit of time before Raymond would arrive.

At that moment, a general store across the street caught her eye.

She remembered they were nearly out of scented oil.

If she bought that and a few other necessities now, then boarded the carriage, the timing would likely align with Raymond’s arrival.

“Angela, we have a bit of time left. Shall we stop by that shop over there?”

“Yes, I’d like that. Dad says it’s dangerous outside, so he rarely takes me.”

Holding Angela’s hand, she entered the store. The clerk blushed at the sight of her.

It seemed the previous clerk had left and someone new had taken over.

Georgiana kept an eye on Angela as she browsed the toys and picked out scented oils. Even with guards present, she felt several times more alert now that they were outside.

In her haste, she failed to notice the edge of a protruding shelf and bumped her side.

More than the pain, what shocked her was the crash as a bottle of scented oil fell from the shelf and shattered loudly on the floor.

“Angela, are you all right?”

Startled by the noise, Georgiana’s first concern was for the child.

“I’m fine,” Angela answered maturely.

Georgiana apologized to the clerk who brought a broom. “I’m so sorry. I’ll clean it up. And I’ll purchase this scented oil as well.”

“No, no. I’ll take care of the broken glass right away. Please avoid this area of the floor.”

The clerk, firmly declining her help, cleaned the floor and stepped outside to dispose of the shards.

Feeling guilty, Georgiana thought she should buy a few more things and began selecting some useful items.

So focused was she that she didn’t notice someone approaching.

“Who are you?”

The guard beside her asked, making Georgiana suddenly aware of the man in the hat who had gotten very close.

His round jawline, visible beneath the brim, looked strangely familiar.

From his attire, he appeared to be a noble, but he exuded a scent she found nauseatingly familiar.

Georgiana tilted her head, waiting for him to look up.

Oddly, she couldn’t tear her gaze away.

As if sensing her stare, the man’s lips curled in a sneer beneath his hat.

Then, with his right hand, he removed the hat and greeted her.

“Hello, Georgiana. Long time no see.”

Robert smiled at her with rotten teeth.

Georgiana froze like stone upon coming face-to-face with her father for the first time in two years.