Chapter 17: “Belmore’s Choice”:
The “Thistle Medal Cookie Incident” had set the social scene ablaze.
It had happened at the exact moment when Cecil Hobert, Lord Belmore, and the Prime Minister’s political rivals were all present.
“Congressman Gordon claims he has no health issues and even says he feels healthier than usual.”
The Prime Minister tossed the newspaper aside during breakfast.
“He’s probably saying that to preempt any attacks suggesting he’s unwell.”
Cecil didn’t say a word. But the Prime Minister, as if reading her thoughts, issued a warning.
“Cecil, stay quiet for a while. With talk of attempted poisoning and retaliation at the party, it’s best to be cautious.”
“Don’t worry, Father.”
The incident left an odd lingering feeling for Cecil as well. Although her activities for wounded soldiers had been overshadowed by Lord Gordon’s presence, that wasn’t the real problem.
“Father, so how was the incident resolved?”
“It was concluded to be a simple mistake. Stop worrying about it.”
“Shouldn’t we investigate a bit more? Someone could have been trying to cause me trouble.”
“Lord Belmore wanted to end it quickly. He didn’t like your party becoming the subject of gossip.”
The Prime Minister waved her off like an annoying fly.
Many people talked about how quickly Lord Belmore had handled the situation and how politely he had apologized to Gordon. Since it happened at Cecil’s party in a hotel, it was natural for him to intervene.
“Lord Belmore thinks that much of me?”
Cecil hesitated. He didn’t seem like the type. In fact, when Belmore had appeared and grabbed the maid’s shoulder to pull her away, hadn’t everyone been worried about the maid’s fate?
“He’ll impose a suitable punishment.”
Her father acted as if there was no more to say, but Cecil knew better.
Lord Belmore was not the type to get angry or lose his composure for her sake.
“Lord Belmore apologized to Gordon for you.”
When Cecil hurried after him, he was already sitting alone by the pond. The atmosphere made it impossible for her to interrupt, so she turned back.
She lost her appetite, left her meal unfinished, and returned to her room. Her nanny followed, looking concerned.
“Miss, why didn’t you finish your meal… Madam is worried.”
“Nanny, what kind of person do you think Lord Belmore is?”
Startled by the sudden question, the nanny paused. Cecil stared at her, waiting for an answer.
“How could I presume to judge him, Miss?”
“No, just your thoughts. Tell me. Does he love me?”
“He will marry you, Miss.”
Cecil let out a small laugh.
“Nanny can’t even lie, can she?”
The nanny gave her a proper scolding.
“He will be your match. You’re not going to have a romance like the maids, right?”
“Yes, that’s why I want to know. He’s always flawless, and it’s hard to read him. Being flawless seems like he hides everything so there’s nothing to criticize.”
“You two aren’t the type to confide everything to each other. Give it time…”
As expected, asking the nanny didn’t help.
“I know! This will be an arranged marriage. He won’t propose out of love. But at least I don’t want to hear gossip that I married a man with a wandering heart, understand?”
Cecil jerked her hand away from the nanny’s touch.
“Wandering heart? Miss Cecil, where did you hear such things?”
The nanny’s shocked expression made Cecil clench her mouth. It was only a matter of time before her parents found out.
“Just saying. He’s too cold to me.”
“Behave like a proper lady.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“So that maid… was she dismissed?”
“Miss, we agreed not to speak of that anymore!”
Cecil flopped on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
“I hate it when things happen without me knowing.”
“What exactly?”
“My life.”
She jumped up from the bed.
“Nanny.”
“Yes, Miss Cecil?”
“Why did Rory Belmore abandon his wife?”
The nanny frowned, giving her a cautionary glance.
“Miss, such gossip is very improper. I have worked hard to raise you correctly.”
Cecil sighed and lay back down.
“Ah, forget it. I’ll find out myself.”
“Sir, if no one takes responsibility for the cookie incident, either Miss Cecil or Lord Belmore will be suspected directly.”
Rufus reminded Christopher of the thistle cookie incident from the rattling carriage.
“Besides the apology to Congressman Gordon, some sort of action is needed. Though I’m not sure that counts as an ‘apology’.”
‘Is Congressman Gordon awake? You should lie down longer.’
‘What a ridiculous case. Lord Belmore, you’re making a mistake.’
‘Did you think I’d just let a whore from Hybrom walk around my hotel unnoticed?’
‘So now you’re saying peanuts were put in deliberately?’
‘You’re not that important. But I will apologize for any “accidental” unfortunate incident.’
“So, someone needs to take the fall, is that it?”
Choosing was a power not everyone could wield.
From deciding whether to own a ship or castle, to choosing whether to engage the Prime Minister’s daughter or a wealthy provincial noble’s daughter, everyone waited for his decision.
This time was no different. Should he save veteran chef Budino or the newly hired maid?
Opposite him were always the fatalists: those who would fall into ruin or survive, depending on Belmore’s choice.
This time it was an easy choice. He only needed to be rational.
“I decided last night. I’ve signed the termination papers. Deliver them.”
He had never acted purely to satisfy his personal feelings. Publicly, it looked better to fire the responsible and cherished chef than a lowly maid, to give the impression that he fully bore responsibility.
Apart from that, he secretly enjoyed observing Elizabeth Gardner.
Indeed, she was intriguing. But “fun”? That was a new word for him. He murmured it to himself.
When asked about life’s pleasures, he would usually reply “deer hunting.” Elizabeth Gardner was a rabbit brazen enough to appear in his hunting grounds. Not even a deer.
Like a hunter standing against the wind, he always found her easily.
‘A woman who jumps into a fountain just to retrieve a cheap locket.’
The small splash on the calm water. What began as a pastime had slowly begun to consume more of his space, now even his time.
Clearing the convent in front of him took a second. Officially hiring the woman at the hotel took five minutes. And now, he spent the entire day weighing whether to dismiss her.
“You made an effort to keep her at the hotel.”
“It’s not a waste. Someone has to take responsibility anyway.”
Rufus shook his head.
“Phil Gordon isn’t the type. He wouldn’t endanger the hotel out of caution.”
Rufus clicked his tongue, disappointed.
Belmore and Rufus usually worked well together. Belmore might have the sharpness to spot flaws in Rufus’ arguments, but never made a decision Rufus couldn’t understand.
“She’s clever and quick. Everyone finds her likable.”
After a brief pause, Christopher added this. Rufus was a bit surprised—had Belmore ever praised anyone so naturally? He couldn’t recall.
Meanwhile, Christopher gazed outside with a cynical, world-weary expression. His left hand pressed against his temple—it was clear he suffered from another headache.
“Another headache?”
“A nap will fix it.”
“But you can’t even take that nap. Now, come out of Room 301. The exhibition hall is nearly finished.”
Rufus clicked his tongue, offering sleeping pills.
“If only changing the bed solves it…”
“It still doesn’t look right to stay there.”
“Joseph Paxton will also build an annex for the hotel. He can continue staying there.”
“The servants already think Paxton is Lord Belmore.”
Christopher closed his eyes, smiling slightly.
“That’s amusing.”
She probably misunderstands that too.
He recalled the scene where she openly confronted him in anger—a behavior no one else had dared. Among those who grovelled before Belmore, she was unique.
Christopher silently hoped that, at least regarding his choices, she would be pleased.
