If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 55

While Lockwood was meeting Henry, Georgiana went to find Sarah.

She couldn’t shake off her worry about the man who seemed to recognize her.

With her growing closeness to Sarah, Georgiana wanted to share at least part of her story before leaving the ship. Not everything, but enough.

They were real friends now, and it felt right to tell Sarah who she truly was.

The deck would have been a good place for a casual conversation, but with people passing by, she opted for Sarah’s cabin instead. Fortunately, her roommate Susan was visiting another cabin.

Sarah’s room was full of charming decorations, a testament to the fact that it was shared by women. Particularly captivating was a little rabbit house, with a rabbit family of five, no bigger than her finger.

A father rabbit, a mother rabbit, and three baby rabbits—just looking at them warmed her heart.

Georgiana bent down to take a closer look at the figurines, and Sarah offered some background.

“Susan’s family used to run a toy shop. It’s gone now, but she kept a few pieces when they closed the store.”

“They’re adorable. I never had toys like this.”

“Really? You, Georgiana? That’s hard to believe. I imagined you growing up like a princess, surrounded by beautiful dolls.”

Georgiana offered a bitter smile.

She hadn’t even been given proper clothes, much less toys. She’d worn hand-me-downs from Emily next door. She was shorter than Emily, which made it possible; otherwise, she would’ve been stuck wearing torn clothes.

The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Willow always got new clothes every season, but not once did they buy anything new for her. That was probably why the tutors treated her harshly.

Not a single happy memory had been made in that house—a fact she realized even more after being with Lockwood.

What would her life be like if she hadn’t met him? The thought sometimes made her dizzy.

The only thing she was grateful to Willow for was sending her to model at his house. If it hadn’t been for that, they never would have met.

One of the three baby rabbits had fallen over, and Georgiana reached out to set it upright. Suddenly, she felt a strange sense of familiarity.

She saw the image of a young girl playing with a much more intricate rabbit figurine—a girl with beautiful golden hair and green eyes, with chubby cheeks.

It was the image of her younger self, just like in the dream she’d had during the storm.

Ever since the storm, she’d sometimes see places she’d never visited or food she’d never eaten appear vividly in her mind.

Could that dream have been real? Had she really lost her parents in the storm and ended up with her current family?

She had no one to ask, so the truth remained elusive, but Georgiana wanted to believe in that dream. She wanted to confirm that the parents and the nanny who loved her were real.

Closing her eyes tightly, Georgiana cleared the vision before her, not wanting to worry Sarah, who was with her.

“Would you like to try some tea? I made this blend myself.”

By then, Sarah had brewed a pot of tea and handed her a cup filled with a bright orange liquid.

The cup was adorned with a cute animal design that reminded Georgiana of Sarah.

“It’s already cooled a bit, so you can drink it right away.”

“Thank you.”

Georgiana took a sip, her eyes widening. Without realizing it, she picked up the cup and took another sip.

“This is really good!”

She wasn’t exaggerating. It was the first time she’d tasted tea so perfectly blended with floral and fruity notes that it instantly captured her taste buds.

“Is it good?”

“More than good—it’s amazing.”

Sarah blushed at the compliment. “I don’t think it’s that great.”

“No, really. Did you use to run a tea shop or something?”

“No, my parents had a general store, and we sold tea there. It wasn’t very successful, so sometimes I’d mix the nearly expired leaves together to pass the time. That’s how I started making new blends. Now, though, even that small shop is on the verge of being taken over by a bigger store.”

“Even if it started casually, you have real talent.”

Georgiana couldn’t help but think about how she’d never enjoyed tea. It had always been bitter, astringent, or just bland.

But Sarah’s tea was nothing like that—it was delicious beyond compare.

“Did you give Mr. Tobias some too?”

“Just… a little.”

“What did he say?”

“Anthony said it was delicious. He probably would have said that even if it wasn’t.”

“I don’t think he was just being polite. It really is delicious.”

Sarah shyly tucked her hair behind her ear, clearly pleased by the compliment.

Seeing Sarah’s distinct talent made Georgiana wish she had a hidden talent too. If she did, maybe she could find something to do in the New World.

It hadn’t been a long time, but she remembered enjoying teaching others. Could that be considered a talent?

Ah, there was always her skill at card games…

It seemed that gambling was her best option, and the thought left her with a bitter feeling.

“Anyway, you said you had something to tell me?” Sarah asked as she poured more tea.

“Well…”

Georgiana revealed that she was from Humblelum and that she had gotten involved with Lockwood due to matters involving her brother.

She didn’t mention that their marriage was a contract—that was her promise to Locke.

“I did wonder what was going on when you changed your name to Juliana. So that’s why.”

“Yes. I figured it would cause trouble if people found out I was from Humblelum.”

“I’m sure it would. If the people who kidnapped you found out, their reaction would be predictable. It’s good that you kept it to yourself.”

“Even so, I felt guilty about lying.”

Georgiana sighed softly. Though she hadn’t mentioned it to Locke, she was always tense in crowded places, worried that someone would recognize her. If not for the mask, she never would have attended the ball.

“I can see that, knowing your personality. But most people would’ve made the same choice. There’s nothing to feel guilty about. Besides, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re my friend. It doesn’t matter where you came from or what your background is. I like you for who you are.”

Seeing the strain in Georgiana’s expression, Sarah patted her gently on the back.

“Sarah, thank you.”

Georgiana began to cry, touched by Sarah’s comforting words. Sarah pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped Georgiana’s tears.

As she had left the empire, it felt as though all her misfortunes had vanished, and only good people remained by her side. She found herself silently thanking the heavens for this.

Sarah patiently waited for Georgiana to calm down before asking, with a somewhat doubtful expression.

“Is that what’s been bothering you now?”

Georgiana nodded. “I ran into a man yesterday on my way down from the deck. He knew me and my brother. I’d never seen him before, but he knew my name. I denied it and walked away, but it keeps nagging at me.”

“Have you told Mr. Limberton?”

“No, since we’re close to disembarking and he’s busy with business, I didn’t want to burden him.”

“You’re worried he might become more anxious if you told him, right?”

“Exactly.”

Sarah took Georgiana’s hand in hers, her face serious as she offered her opinion. “I understand how you feel, but if I were you, I think I’d tell Mr. Limberton as soon as possible.”

“Really?”

“He’d be much better equipped to handle this than we would. Even if the man decides he was mistaken and leaves you alone, there’s always a chance he’ll come back to confirm. Mr. Limberton should know.”

“You’re right.”

Sarah made a valid point. Though she had managed to get away, what would she do if the man came back?

Georgiana made up her mind. “I’ll go back and tell him right now.”

“Good idea.”

Encouraged by Sarah, Georgiana stood to leave, then paused to hand her a small package she had brought.

“What’s this?”

“I bought it on the island, but with everything that’s happened, I never got the chance to give it to you.”

Sarah’s eyes sparkled as she unwrapped the package, finding the hairpin she had admired on the island. She looked up at Georgiana with a touched expression.

“Oh my! I wanted this! How did you know?”

“I saw you looking at it.”

“This would suit you so much better. I can’t accept such an expensive gift when I have nothing to offer in return.”

“You give me comfort, Sarah. Please wear it at the ball tomorrow.”

Georgiana declined Sarah’s attempt to refuse and waved as she left the cabin.

She climbed the stairs to the sixth floor, turned the corner toward her cabin, and came face-to-face with Isabella, who called out to her with a mocking smile.

“Juliana—no, Georgiana, wasn’t it?”