My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 40

“You want to borrow a servant?” Audrey asked, her eyes reflecting curiosity.

“Yes, just for a day. Someone discreet and trustworthy.”

Audrey’s expression revealed her confusion. ‘Why would you need a servant from here when there are plenty at the Dumont estate?’ she seemed to think.

“It’s something I don’t want my husband to know about. Please, I need your help.”

“…Is it related to the issue you mentioned before?” Audrey lowered her voice slightly as she asked.

I had previously confided in her about my supposed memory lapses after a severe illness, which Ethan was unaware of, to gain her assistance in navigating the social circles.

“Yes, it is. I’m sorry to ask for your help again, but I promise to make it worth your while.”

“There’s no need for rewards. You’ve already given me so many gifts.”

I had already showered her with gifts from the jeweler and dressmaker earlier.

Audrey protested mildly, not wanting to accept such expensive items, but I insisted, saying it was the least I could do to show my gratitude.

“Alright then, I’ll lend you a servant for tomorrow. Will they be accompanying you?”

“No, I need them to run an errand for me. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.”

“That’s fine. Use them as long as you need.”

“Thank you. And please, keep this a secret just like last time.”

“Of course, don’t worry.”

Audrey placed her hand over her heart with a serious expression, assuring me of her discretion.

I had also handed her a purse of money, suggesting that my husband might try to investigate, so it was crucial to ensure the servants kept quiet.

At the time, she seemed doubtful about such a scenario, but my prediction proved accurate.

A maid had informed Audrey that a stranger had given her coins, asking what the Viscountess and I had discussed. Realizing I was being monitored, Audrey now regarded me with even more sympathy.

“Thank you. I need someone with black hair, in their early to mid-twenties, average height and build, and a nondescript face. Does anyone come to mind?”

Though slightly surprised by my specific request, Audrey quickly masked her reaction and thought for a moment.

“Ah, Jean would be perfect. He fits your description exactly. He’s been with our family since he was a child, loyal and diligent.”

“Thank you. Could I meet him in person?”

“Of course.”

Audrey rang a handbell to summon a maid, instructing her to bring Jean. After a short wait, there was a knock on the door, and a young male servant entered the room.

“You called for me, madam?”

As Audrey mentioned, Jean fit the criteria perfectly. His appearance was so ordinary that even if he passed by someone on the street, they wouldn’t remember him. Marcel Bache had an average height, average build, and a common face. Because of this, eyewitness accounts were never much help. This was how Marcel was described in the original story.

I gave Audrey a slight nod.

“This is the Duchess of Dumont. She needs you to run an errand tomorrow,” Audrey said.

“At your service,” Jean replied, bowing politely. He seemed trustworthy, just as Audrey had promised.

“This is a discreet task, so it must remain confidential. I trust you understand?” I said.

“Yes, madam.”

“Could you lean in for a moment?”

Jean did as instructed, his cheeks slightly flushed with tension. Lowering my voice, I asked, “Do you have a beret? A black or brown one would be ideal.”

Jean’s eyes widened at the unexpected question. “A beret? Yes, I have a black one.”

“Good. Wear that, along with the shirt and pants you’re wearing now. Meet me at the Rustique Square fountain at one o’clock tomorrow afternoon.”

It was a typical outfit worn by countless common men in the streets.

“Wait there for about thirty minutes, looking towards the clock tower. You’ll see a brown-haired woman in her early twenties walking a black-and-white border collie. Follow her. Keep a safe distance so the dog doesn’t notice you. Understand?”

“Yes? Oh, yes.”

I looked directly into Jean’s eyes. “This is important, so remember it clearly. What time and where did I say? Who are you waiting for?”

“At one o’clock, at the Rustique Square fountain. A brown-haired woman with a border collie.”

Ines had a habit of walking her dog after lunch every day, always passing through the square fountain. This detail was noted in Marcel Bache’s diary found after his arrest in the original story.

Jean looked slightly uneasy, probably wondering why I was asking him to do this.

“Don’t worry. I’m not asking you to do anything wrong. Just follow the woman for a while and then come back. There will be many pedestrians around, so if you keep your distance, you won’t be noticed.”

“Yes, madam.”

“After following her for about fifteen minutes, you should see her enter a house in the outskirts of the Rogiere district. Then, return to the Rustique Square at your normal walking pace. Once you’re back at the square, head to the address written here. I’ve marked the route on the map. Just follow it.”

I handed Jean a note I had prepared. It contained the address of the rowhouse where Marcel Bache lived when he killed Ines in the original story.

Jean stared at the note for a long time before looking up. “And once I get there… what should I do next?”

“Nothing. Just go in through the front door and exit through the back. Turn left in the alley, and you’ll come out onto the main street. Then head back to the Grandbert Mansion. Simple, right?”

“……”

Jean blinked in bewilderment, clearly confused by the purpose of my instructions.

“Now, repeat everything I told you from the beginning.”

Jean stammered a bit but managed to recall my instructions almost perfectly. It seemed his usual tasks had trained him well. I had only told him once, yet he remembered everything accurately.

I pulled out a gold coin and handed it to Jean. It was equivalent to twice the monthly salary of a servant.

Jean’s eyes widened. “This is too much, madam.”

“It’s because this task is very important. It may be a simple errand, but it cannot fail. Understand?”

“Yes, madam. I understand.”

“And you must not speak of this to anyone. It’s a secret known only to the three of us here. Now, swear it before me.”

“I swear that I will not tell anyone what the Duchess has instructed me today.”

“Good.” I took out another gold coin, placing both in Jean’s palm.

“Thank you, Duchess.”

“Take care, Jean.”

Jean swallowed hard and nodded. I glanced at Audrey, signaling that we were done.

“You may leave now.”

“Yes, madam.” Jean bowed and left the room.

“He’s a smart lad. You were right to recommend him,” I said.

Audrey smiled reflexively but couldn’t hide the lingering uncertainty in her eyes. “May I ask what this is all about? Why did you ask Jean to run this errand? From what I heard, I can’t make sense of it…”

Even the considerate Audrey couldn’t contain her curiosity this time.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you details yet. Rest assured, it’s not dangerous.”

According to my plan, Jacques or his subordinates might follow Jean, but there was no chance he’d be caught. I intended to follow Jean from a distance, close enough to keep an eye on him but far enough to remain unnoticed. The area was bustling, and I had chosen the most crowded routes deliberately. They wouldn’t be able to tell exactly who I was following for a while.

When Jean entered Marcel Bache’s rowhouse, I planned to linger, pretending to memorize the address before turning away.

‘They’ll be wary of my presence and hesitate to follow Jean immediately. By the time they go to the rowhouse, Jean will be long gone. The surrounding streets are filled with men of similar build and appearance, making it nearly impossible to find him again.’