If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 26

“Georgiana!”

Georgiana’s eyes widened as she saw a head of black hair bounding toward her.

“It is you, Georgiana, isn’t it?” Sarah exclaimed, rubbing her face against Georgiana’s neck as if they were long-lost family. The affectionate gesture reminded Georgiana of a playful puppy, and she couldn’t help but smile.

“Why did you take so long to get here? Oh wait, I forgot, we’re on a ship, so you must have been here the whole time! Where have you been? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?” Sarah’s glossy, obsidian eyes glared at her.

“Really?”

“Of course! I insisted on having a room to myself, just in case you showed up later, but I almost got kicked off the ship for it. Well, not really, but I did end up sharing a room with a woman named Susan, and we don’t get along at all. Can’t we switch rooms? Susan might be upset, but she’ll understand if I tell her we’re close friends.”

Sarah’s words tumbled out in a rush, so much so that Georgiana felt her head spinning, making Anthony’s chatter seem tame by comparison.

All the plans she had made to explain that she was now Juliana crumbled in an instant.

To Sarah, she was simply Georgiana, the fellow traveler she had met on this ship.

Although she was glad to see Sarah’s friendly face, she couldn’t help but worry about the complications this might bring.

Ah, she had almost forgotten about him.

Georgiana glanced at Lockwood, who stood a step back, watching the interaction with a thoughtful expression. He looked as if he was pondering how to handle the situation with the woman clinging to her. She realized that she hadn’t mentioned knowing anyone on the ship, and he might not be pleased about it, especially since their contract marriage was supposed to be a secret.

To avoid causing trouble, she needed to keep Sarah from saying anything that might raise suspicions.

“Why do you look so thin? You were already slim when we met, but now you seem even thinner. What happened to you?” Sarah suddenly asked, stepping back to examine Georgiana with a sharp, scrutinizing gaze.

Then she noticed Lockwood standing nearby, and her eyes narrowed suspiciously, as if she were looking at a street thug.

“Why are you just standing there? Are you eavesdropping on our conversation?”

“Sarah!” Georgiana exclaimed, startled by Sarah’s sudden outburst. Both she and Lockwood were caught off guard, and Lockwood even let his mouth fall open in shock.

Sarah didn’t take her eyes off him as she leaned closer to Georgiana, whispering as if sharing a secret.

“About twenty women boarded the ship as contracted workers, and with only one leader among us, some strange men have been lurking around our cabins. Everyone’s on edge.”

“That makes sense,” Georgiana replied.

“So we need to be extra careful. The more handsome they are, the more likely they’re con artists.”

“Pfft.”

Lockwood raised an eyebrow at Sarah’s whispered warning, and Georgiana couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“Sarah, this is—”

“I’m Georgiana’s husband, Lockwood,” Lockwood interrupted, stepping forward to introduce himself.

“H-h-h-husband?” Sarah’s eyes widened in shock, and she stammered as she glanced back and forth between Georgiana and Lockwood.

After a few moments, Sarah pulled Georgiana aside, whispering urgently, “Georgiana, is this true? I thought you were heading to the New World to find a husband!”

“I was, but something came up…”

“What could have happened for you to get married so suddenly? Did he, I mean, your husband, force you into it?”

“No, it wasn’t like that at all,” Georgiana assured her, shaking her head.

Sarah still looked skeptical, her eyes full of doubt.

“There’s a reason, Sarah. I can’t explain right now, but I promise I will when I have the chance. Can you trust me? It’s not as bad as you’re imagining.”

Georgiana met Sarah’s gaze, speaking calmly, “And my husband has been nothing but kind to me. He’s definitely not a bad person.”

“If you say so, then I believe you. I won’t ask any more questions. Just let me know when you’re ready, or if you ever feel uncomfortable.”

Sarah quickly picked up on the awkwardness of the situation and dropped her curiosity.

“Thank you for understanding.”

“So, were you staying somewhere else with your husband?”

“Yes, we’re on the sixth floor. And I wasn’t avoiding you—I’ve been unwell since the first day, but I’m feeling better now, so we were just exploring the ship.”

Georgiana deliberately refrained from mentioning that she was in a first-class cabin. Fortunately, Sarah didn’t seem to mind and instead focused on the mention of the sixth floor, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

“Oh! I’ve always wanted to visit the fifth floor, but the guards wouldn’t let me. Can I come visit you sometime?”

Georgiana glanced at Lockwood, seeking his approval.

Lockwood shrugged casually and replied, “You’re welcome anytime. Just remember to use the name Juliana when talking to the guards—that’s the name she’s using on the ship.”

“Juliana? Then what’s her real name?”

“Georgiana is her real name.”

“Is there a reason for the name change?” Sarah asked.

Georgiana nodded.

“There must be a reason. I’ll call you Georgiana when we’re alone and Juliana in front of others.”

Sarah’s eyes sparkled with a sense of responsibility, as if she were embarking on a secret mission. Seeing her friend’s enthusiasm, Georgiana felt her worries lighten.

“Sarah, how about lunch tomorrow?”

“That sounds great!”

“You can decide where—whether in the cabin or somewhere else. Take your time to think it over.”

“I will. I’d love to spend more time with you now, but you should probably head back. You’re still looking a bit pale, so you should rest more.”

“You should rest too, Sarah.”

With a wave to the concerned Sarah, Georgiana returned to the cabin with Lockwood by her side. He remained silent during the walk back, staying close without saying a word.

As soon as they entered the cabin, Georgiana turned to him, apologizing as he removed his jacket.

“I’m sorry. I should have told you I knew someone on the ship, but I didn’t have the chance. She’s a friend I met while signing the contract. I’ll make sure to remind her to be careful when we meet tomorrow. Thank you for letting me see her.”

“It’s fine. She doesn’t seem like the type to blab.”

“You’re right. She’s a good person. But I’ll make sure to emphasize the importance of discretion. Thank you again for allowing this.”

“There’s no need to thank me for something so trivial.”

Despite his words, her chest tightened at his indifference.

“Well then, would you like to wash up first? I think I’ll take a bit longer.”

“Sure.”

With that, he began undressing right there in the room, unbuttoning his vest and shirt. As each button came undone, his well-defined muscles were gradually revealed, like a masterpiece painted with precision.

Georgiana quickly covered her flushed face with her hands, stammering as she made a request. “L-Lockwood, wouldn’t it be better to undress in the bathroom?”

The bathroom was spacious and comfortable, with a separate area for undressing. Why was he undressing here instead of in the bathroom? She couldn’t understand his reasoning.

“It’s your preference. Why does it matter?”

“W-what do you mean by my preference?”

“I thought you liked it this way…”

His expression darkened as he seemed to recall something unpleasant.

Was he referring to their earlier conversation on the deck? Did he think she had been admiring the sailors? She hadn’t meant it that way at all…

“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”

“So it’s not impressive enough to capture on canvas?”

His cold response came just before he gathered his clothes and headed into the bathroom.

Left alone, Georgiana stared after him, feeling her heart race from the sight of his bare chest. He had been so indifferent, yet his actions left her breathless, and she couldn’t understand why.

As her thoughts swirled, she felt her eyelids grow heavy with exhaustion.

I need to wash up…

In her hazy state, she vaguely sensed someone lifting her and carrying her to the bed. The soft mattress beneath her back was the last thing she felt.

Even as sleep claimed her, she whispered the words she hadn’t had the chance to say earlier.

“Locke?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

“I think you misunderstood… On the deck, I was talking about the sails…”

“Is that so?”

His voice seemed brighter, somehow more cheerful.

“And thank you…”

“What are you thanking me for?”

“For everything. For bringing me here, for the nice cabin, and for letting me see my friend.”

“……”

She could feel his intense gaze on her.

After a long silence, he left her with a parting remark as he exited the bedroom.

“There’s no need to thank me. I’m not as good a person as you think.”

Perhaps because she was half-asleep, his footsteps sounded heavier than usual as he walked away.