If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 43

Haha. With every laugh, the entire bed shook. It must have been quite amusing to him, as tears formed at the corners of his narrowed eyes. And whose fault was it in the first place?

Georgiana glared at him, pulling the blanket up to her nose.

“Oh dear, it seems my little cat is rather angry.”

“I’m not a cat, but yes, I am angry.”

As she glared at him resentfully, her fighting spirit deflated when Lockwood propped his head up with one arm and looked down at her tenderly.

Though his hair was slightly tousled, Lockwood looked impeccably tidy, making it hard to believe he had just woken up. There was no sign of the long night left on his sharp eyes or slim cheeks.

Life wasn’t fair. No one understood this better than her. But when she looked at him, she was overcome with a sense of injustice, as if she alone bore the unfairness of the world.

The fact that she was lying beside this man felt surreal.

Was this all just a dream?

What if she was still in a storm-tossed cabin all by herself?

What if she woke up and found out that it was all just a dream, and there was no Lockwood with that expression?

Georgiana’s gaze trembled like the storm that day as she looked up at him.

She still didn’t know him. She knew painting was just a hobby, and she was aware that he ran a business, but she was certain that wasn’t all. Of course, she had no intention of asking, as she was convinced she wouldn’t hear the truth even if she did. So she didn’t try.

After all, this relationship would end once the ship docked.

Since he hadn’t mentioned anything about what would happen afterward, she didn’t know what to do either.

In the past, her source of anxiety had been poverty. But now, it was the fear that all of this was an illusion. Lockwood had become the reason for her unease.

***

“In a few days, we’ll arrive at Pelia Port. What will you do, Miss?”

“……”

“Miss? Miss Georgiana?”

“Huh? Me, you mean?”

Georgiana, who had been nodding off while having afternoon tea, responded belatedly. Sleep still clung heavily to her eyes.

“If you’re tired, would you like to sleep more?”

“No, it’s fine.”

She stirred her tea with a spoon and drank it all in one gulp to shake off the drowsiness.

The sun had already passed its zenith, and it was too late to sleep any longer. Yesterday, she had woken up at sunset, and the day before, it was only after the sun had set that she finally got up.

Though she was getting better, the once early-rising Georgiana had been replaced by the late sleeper Juliana, who seemed to be the only one left in the cabin.

Of course, this was entirely due to Lockwood tormenting her until morning and then disappearing somewhere.

She rolled her eyes, searching for any trace of him in the room. True to his tidy nature, none of his belongings were visible.

“The master is in the captain’s cabin with Mr. Tobias.”

Henry, who had noticed her wandering gaze, quickly informed her of his master’s whereabouts.

He and Anthony still seemed to be inseparable. Thinking of Anthony naturally brought thoughts of Sarah.

Though Henry had been bringing her updates during her daytime naps over the past few days, Georgiana hadn’t seen Sarah in a while, and she was sure Sarah was feeling neglected.

She would have to have dinner with her tonight.

“What did you say just now? I didn’t hear it.”

“Oh, I was asking what you’ll do during our one-day stay at Pelia Port.”

“Ah… well…”

As she trailed off, Henry gave her a stern look that resembled Lockwood’s. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to spend the whole day in the cabin—or, wait, not even the cabin. The room?”

Georgiana felt guilty under his narrowed gaze but waved her hands dismissively. “No, I was going to ask Sarah.”

Truthfully, she preferred staying in the cabin, but she knew she’d be scolded if she said that, so she deflected the question.

Though she was often cowed by her harsh family, she was naturally introverted.

Reading a book or contemplating quietly was her favorite activity in the world. She saw no reason to go outside and suffer unnecessarily. Besides, this was her first trip, and since it had been difficult from the start, all she wanted was to rest peacefully until they docked.

“What about Locke?”

“Well, the master might not be able to accompany you that day because he has some business to attend to. I think he mentioned meeting someone he knows in Pelia.”

“Is that so?”

Georgiana nodded nonchalantly. He could have business to attend to.

Henry wiped the sweat from his brow as he watched her, evidently feeling sorry that Lockwood wouldn’t be able to spend time with her.

“S-shall I ask if he can make time?”

“No, there’s no need.”

“But you two have been getting along so well lately. I hate to think of you being alone…”

“It really doesn’t bother me. Even if Locke and Sarah aren’t available, I’ll just stay in the cabin. I haven’t even finished my book yet.”

Her bright response left Henry looking at her with a strange expression. After propping his chin on his hand and thinking for a moment, he mumbled to himself.

“The master’s comment about a cat must have been true.”

Knock, knock.

As Henry went to clear the tea set, a knock echoed through the room.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Isabella.”

“Huh? Oh, just a moment.”

Georgiana quickly straightened her attire and hurriedly grabbed her wig.

Her face was still bare without makeup, but there was no helping that. In terms of courtesy, it was the sudden visitor’s fault for showing up unannounced. That’s how she decided to see it.

When she opened the door, there stood Isabella, radiant with a bright smile, dressed in an extravagant gown adorned with rich lace—completely opposite to Georgiana’s casual indoor dress. Isabella looked as if she could step right into the middle of a ball without seeming out of place.

“I’m sorry for showing up without notice. You’ve been so quiet that I came to check on you. I hope it’s not an inconvenience to step inside?”

Despite her words, there wasn’t a hint of apology on her face.

“No, it’s fine. Come in.”

“Go on ahead. I can find my way back alone.”

With a cold voice, Isabella dismissed the maid who had accompanied her and gracefully stepped across the threshold, lifting her skirt ever so slightly.

As she passed by Georgiana and entered the room, her eyes scanned the living room as if searching for someone.

Soon after, with a hint of disappointment in her voice, Isabella asked, “Mr. Limberton must be away. Oh, and Anthony isn’t here either. Are they together?”

“I suppose so.”

Georgiana felt a twinge of bitterness as she watched Isabella openly search for him. She wasn’t in a position to say much.

“Would you like some tea?”

“That would be nice.”

Though Henry had stepped out, there were extra teacups and tea leaves in the cupboard. There was also hot water in the kettle atop the stove, which was kept warm with coal.

“You’re not going to brew the tea yourself, are you?” Isabella scoffed as Georgiana retrieved a cup from the cupboard.

“Yes, is there a problem with that?”

“And where is your maid? Speaking of which, I haven’t seen her around.”

“Oh… she wasn’t feeling well, so she couldn’t come along on this trip.”

Georgiana repeated the excuse Lockwood had given her.

“So you only had one maid? I suppose, living in the countryside, there wouldn’t have been much work for a maid anyway. It must be tiring doing everything by yourself. But no need to worry about tea; I’m rather picky about how it’s prepared.”

“I see…”

“It’s fate that we’ve met like this, so let’s make sure to meet often even after we arrive. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes, if circumstances allow.”

“For someone like you, who isn’t used to socializing, you’ll have much to learn if you stick with me. I can teach you a lot. That way, Mr. Limberton won’t feel embarrassed anymore.”

“Yes…”

Even out of politeness, she couldn’t bring herself to say thank you. After all, what Isabella was implying was that Lockwood would be embarrassed by her current self.

There was no need to ask why Isabella was trying so hard to be friendly.

Georgiana’s mood sank with every passing moment.

A red-haired beauty and Lockwood. Together, they would look like a painting. Moreover, Isabella was Edmund’s daughter, whose family held considerable prestige even within the empire.

If Lockwood revealed that their marriage was only a facade, there wouldn’t be any issues.

Recently, he had been visiting her frequently, speaking and acting like a lover, but that didn’t guarantee their future together.

Sensing her mood, Isabella clicked her fan shut with a loud snap. “Oh, my goodness. I nearly forgot. What will you do in Pelia? I suppose you don’t have any particular plans, so how about joining us for a tour of the city?”

At the mention of “us,” Georgiana remembered the brown-haired woman she had seen before. She, like Isabella, was not someone Georgiana wanted to associate with.

“Oh, no. I already have plans.”

For the first time, Georgiana replied quickly. She instantly scrapped her original plan of staying in the cabin. She would find any excuse to go out.

“Really?”

Isabella, wearing a disappointed expression, soon excused herself, claiming she had another engagement, and left the cabin.