If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 7

“Ugh… I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing.”

As Georgiana was about to stand up, she stopped at the sound of a deep sigh. She turned her head slightly and saw a young woman with black hair braided into pigtails, letting out a sigh that seemed too heavy for her cute face. The woman held a contract and boarding pass in one hand, and a crumpled bonnet in the other.

“Maybe I should find another job? But no, I can’t keep taking care of my family forever. What if they really do marry me off to some old man? And if I lose this ticket, it’s all over.”

Hearing the woman’s muttering, Georgiana felt relieved to know someone else shared her concerns.

At least it’s not just me. I should go home and pack.

Feeling slightly lighter, she tried to stand up again but lost her balance when her skirt caught under the other woman’s foot. As Georgiana fell back onto the sofa, the woman beside her jumped up in surprise.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize I was stepping on your skirt. I should have been more careful, but I always get scolded for being so clumsy.”

“It’s alright. It happens,” Georgiana replied with a reassuring smile.

The woman’s eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly extended her hand. “I’m Sarah Cowen. And you are?”

“I’m… Georgiana Courtney.”

“Nice to meet you, Georgiana.”

“Nice to meet you too,” Georgiana said, feeling as if she had been enchanted by a ghost.

“Are you going on the ship too, Georgiana?”

“Yes.”

“I was debating whether to go, but since you’re going, I’ll go too.”

“What? What do you mean by that?” Georgiana asked, eyes wide.

Sarah grinned mischievously, her freckles making her look even more playful. “Unlike clumsy me, you look very cautious and beautiful. You seem trustworthy, so I think it’s a good idea to follow your lead. This is me being cautious for once.”

“No, Miss Cowen, I think you should be even more cautious. I just learned about the ship from a poster a little while ago,” Georgiana said, waving her hands in a gesture of caution.

“Call me Sarah. I don’t know anyone in the New World, so it’s comforting to start getting to know someone now.”

Didn’t she hear that I had just learned about the ship? She already talked like they were on the same journey, almost as if she had already decided.

“It’s not a decision to be taken lightly…”

“Does it matter? I can tell you’re from a noble family that fell on hard times, right?”

“……”

“That’s my story too. I’m leaving because I don’t want to end up married to some strange old man or spend my life taking care of my family. It was daunting to leave, but having a friend makes it easier.”

Seeing someone in a similar situation but with such an energetic demeanor lifted Georgiana’s spirits as well. They chatted for a while, and before she knew it, time had flown by.

“Let’s meet in the afternoon two days from now.”

“Alright.”

“I heard the cabins are for two people. I hope we share a room.”

“…I hope so too.”

“If I don’t show up, just assume I lost my ticket. Everything I own seems to grow legs and walk off,” Sarah said with a hint of sadness.

Though she knew it was impolite, Georgiana couldn’t help but laugh heartily. Growing up in a noble family in name only, she had never had anyone she could call a friend. True nobles looked down on her, and those worse off than her family were living like commoners, so she had no one to associate with.

It was bewildering but heartwarming to have someone approach her so openly. The journey to the New World felt a little less daunting now.

Uncharacteristically, she waved enthusiastically at Sarah before heading to her next destination. It wasn’t far.

As she walked, her previously light steps grew heavier, and her bright expression faded. Despite the well-maintained path, finding the house was not difficult. If only the route had been more confusing, she could have found an excuse to delay…

“Is this the place?”

The address on the piece of paper matched that of a modest two-story brick house. Peering over the green iron gate, she felt uncertain.

Considering that Willow had borrowed money from the occupant, the place didn’t seem wealthy. Despite it being spring, the garden was overgrown with weeds, and the window sills, typically adorned with potted plants, were barren. Even the iron railings looked desolate.

Maybe they just don’t care about the garden, she thought. Not that it mattered—she had bigger worries.

Gathering her resolve, Georgiana thought of Willow’s menacing face and knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

The door swung open almost immediately, as if the person on the other side had been waiting. Expecting a maid or a butler, she was surprised to see a young man with short brown hair.

It felt unusual to see a servant with short hair since it was fashionable for them to tie their hair back.

“Welcome… uh,” the young man greeted awkwardly, stopping mid-sentence as he noticed her entering. He stood there, momentarily speechless, looking at her with a bewildered expression.

“…I’m Georgiana Courtney, Willow Courtney’s sister. I apologize for being late,” Georgiana said, her voice soft and hesitant. Meeting someone under such circumstances made it impossible for her to say she was pleased to meet them.

The young man, who had blushed at her arrival, coughed awkwardly before leading her inside. “No need to apologize! Please, come this way. The master is waiting in the studio.”

“Thank you,” she replied, following him.

Despite the large windows, the interior felt cold and empty. It wasn’t dirty, but it lacked the warmth of a lived-in home. There were no other servants in sight, which was surprising but somewhat relieving as it spared her from further awkward encounters.

Paintings and art supplies scattered around confirmed the owner’s occupation as an artist. Her initial worry that this might be a ruse began to fade. She quietly exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and followed the servant into the studio.

“I’ve brought Miss Courtney,” the servant announced.

Unlike the well-lit living room, the small studio was dim, with thick curtains drawn and only a lamp with a candle for light. The dim lighting made her wonder how anyone could paint in such conditions.

As she looked around, her eyes finally settled on a figure reclining on a couch. Remembering her etiquette lessons, she curtsied gracefully.

“Hello, I am Georgiana Courtney.”

The man slowly rose from the couch, his movements deliberate and measured. As he approached, the familiar scent of his cologne filled the room, making her heart race.

Wait, this scent…

Her heart tightened as the man, now standing right before her, leaned in slightly.

“We meet again in such an unexpected place,” he said.

Georgiana looked up, her eyes widening as she recognized him. The shock made her sway like the flickering candlelight.

Why is he here?

Silence enveloped them as she stared at him, stunned. Struggling to regain her composure, she forced an awkward smile and spoke in a barely audible voice.

“H-Hello.”

Her lips trembled as she tried to maintain her composure, fighting the urge to flee.

Why him, of all people?

Embarrassment and shame burned her cheeks. The man before her was impeccably clad in a luxurious shirt and trousers, a stark contrast to her worn attire, the same outfit she had worn at the theater.

Maybe if I’d worn my new shoes, this wouldn’t feel so bad.

She instinctively tried to hide the scuffed tips of her old shoes by pulling her feet back, but it did nothing to change her appearance, making her feel even more miserable.