Chapter 40
“Someone Else’s Belongings Look Better”
“Kumret Bank”
Seated like the master of the place on a large leather sofa, Belmore looked at his counterpart with a calm expression.
“You intend to deposit this much money?”
“It’s only about one-third of what I have entrusted to Morris Bank, so it can’t really be called excessive.”
Joy Rutland couldn’t hide his expression. Belmore was, without a doubt, a major client. His hotel had been raking in profits thanks to the exhibition boom. For a man like that to come to Kumret Bank instead of Morris Bank—Joy Rutland swallowed hard. This young, arrogant nobleman was remarkably capable.
Before discussing the loan, Belmore had explained in detail the purpose of how he intended to use the funds, the methods of investment, and how he planned to generate returns. Every venture he had touched had been successful, making him a safe client. His wealth also exceeded Joy Rutland’s expectations. The fact that he wasn’t deterred by high interest rates alone made that clear.
After finishing the general explanation, Lord Belmore shifted into casual conversation, signaling that he would allow time to consider the terms.
“I heard Mr. Rutland has a son around my age.”
“He hasn’t graduated yet, but he’s currently working at a newspaper. He says he wants to see the world broadly before becoming a university professor.”
A hint of pride appeared on Joy Rutland’s face. The scene was easy to imagine: a wealthy bank director who had raised his only son diligently, and a daughter from a respectable household to match—not some orphan.
“Does he have a lady he intends to marry?”
“I haven’t really thought about it… that’s something to discuss with his mother. Women can be rather particular, after all.”
Listening to him boast about his son was rather tedious. To think he spoke of carefully selecting a bride without even knowing whom his prized son was infatuated with. They knew nothing about their own son.
“He may not have a title, but he’s quite a desirable young man—seems to be attracting attention in many places.”
At Christopher’s words, Joy Rutland laughed in agreement.
That girl was bound to be hurt anyway. Even with the most optimistic outlook, Joy Rutland had no intention of accepting an orphan girl. The Rutland family, while not exceptional, had no glaring flaws—and such qualities were, in the marriage market, rare and valuable.
“Convenient timing. The elder lady of the Herend family, being somewhat out of touch with recent circumstances, recently made me an inconvenient proposal.”
Christopher began the topic.
“I wasn’t aware the elder lady of the Herend family was still alive.”
“My grandmother is still alive as well, so it’s not that surprising.”
Watching the ingratiating attempts to curry favor, he continued speaking calmly.
“I already have a fiancée, so I politely declined, but it was a rather regrettable proposal.”
“Oh my.”
Joy Rutland looked at him with an expression full of regret. Christopher took out a cigar from a tin case, offering one while responding in a low voice.
“From what you said earlier, it seems it might be appropriate to introduce your son.”
At that moment, the bank director’s composed eyes seemed about to pop out. Belmore knew how to bait people appropriately depending on the person. Through conversation, he had determined that family background was the right lure for this man.
“The reputation of the Herend family is quite good. Though they no longer have the wealth they once did, for the Rutland family it would still be a very suitable match—assuming sufficient financial standing.”
Lord Belmore struck a blow to Rutland’s vanity. Joy Rutland pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his glistening sweat. He was clearly shaken.
“Ah, yes, of course. Kumret Bank also has branches across the continent…”
“It would be best to proceed in a way that maintains both your deposits and a favorable connection.”
At Belmore’s words, Rutland responded as if it were only natural.
“I’ll have my son come home this very weekend.”
Watching him scramble like that made it almost amusing. A bourgeois young master would hardly defy his parents.
It was around that time that Timothy was summoned to the Rutland estate. Timothy had to return without receiving a proper answer from Lily.
Lily, as usual, took advantage of a break and quickly slipped into the greenhouse. Standing beneath a large tree, she was perfectly concealed in its shadow.
From afar, it looked like a bare branch, but fresh light-green shoots had begun to sprout from its limbs. By now, Timothy no longer visited this place.
“March is Lent, April is the month the social season opens, May is Cecil’s wedding.”
Repeating that to herself, Lily decided it was for the best. Since she couldn’t even imagine how to refuse Timothy, it was better that they simply couldn’t meet.
She sighed, adjusted the ribbon bookmark, and opened the page she had been reading. Listening to talk about unfamiliar marriage matters was far less calming than this.
How long had she been reading? Lily suddenly felt a strange gaze and quickly looked up from her book. The tree nearby rustled. Someone was inside.
“Timothy?”
Lily cautiously called out, and someone emerged from the shadows between the trees.
“Hello.”
Embarrassed at having called the wrong name, Lily greeted awkwardly.
“G-good afternoon.”
“Is your leg alright?”
Since when had he been there? She had the feeling that this man knew all her movements.
“It’s fine.”
With that, Lily turned her head back to her book. However, the book she had been lightly holding was easily taken from her hands.
“What are you doing?”
“When someone greets you, turning back to your book is rude.”
“Give it back.”
At her words, he removed the ribbon bookmark and closed the book with a snap. It was clearly a mischievous act.
Lily couldn’t understand why he was behaving this way.
Suddenly, the book in his hand looked very small.
“If you move aside, I’ll give it back.”
“No. I got here first.”
Lily glared at him, and he replied again with a serious expression.
“Really. This is my tree. It even says so—look.”
At that, Lily startled and jumped up, checking the tree trunk she had been leaning against. Of course, there was no marking.
“You liar.”
“You’re easy to fool.”
He sat down in the spot she had vacated and held out the book.
“Do you still have business here?”
At his words, Lily replied coolly.
“Do you feel good stealing someone’s place with a lie? This is Lord Belmore’s greenhouse, and neither you nor I can claim ownership.”
She was clearly irritated at having her personal refuge taken away.
“This seems like a rather nice place. People even get engaged here.”
At that, Lily’s face stiffened.
“And also confess sins.”
Like a flickering blue candle—eyes that seemed as if they would go out with a single breath. When she looked at him like that, Christopher felt a surge of excitement and decided to provoke her further to capture her attention.
Lily looked at him in disbelief.
“Is eavesdropping your hobby?”
Seeing her genuinely angered, Christopher stopped his teasing tone.
“Let’s be clear. This isn’t a romantic place to confess. If you have a complaint, take it up with your friend, not me. It’s no different from swearing an oath with Belmore as a witness.”
“What does that have to do with you, that you keep bringing it up?”
At her words, he was momentarily at a loss.
“Do you really like me?”
“Do you like that man?”
The two stood facing each other without moving.
“Are you going to marry Timothy Rutland? And kiss me instead?”
At that, Lily was speechless. She had never heard anything so blunt.
“Timothy…”
Lily swallowed hard. She didn’t know how much she should reveal to this man, but she felt a sting of pride.
Orphans had no choices. It was natural that they couldn’t inherit wealth, nor could they prepare a dowry. Only households looking for laborers who would devote themselves tirelessly to the family would accept an orphan.
Building an ordinary family was like saying an animal would go to heaven. But she didn’t want to say such things in front of this man.
“Is Timothy Rutland different?”
His expression did not change. Lily said nothing, ashamed that her proposal had been overheard.
A man who had kissed her—she didn’t want this man to know.
“Timothy was always serious. Why is that something to be ashamed of?”
Her inner thoughts painfully pricked her reason. Why did she want to hide it from this man? As Timothy had said, this man might just be someone who would say anything to seduce her for a single night.
The cracks in Timothy’s warning, which she had initially accepted, began to widen. It felt like water seeping through a dam she had desperately tried to hold back. If it continued like this, she would drown.
“Only to you. Is that the answer you wanted?”
His low, resonant voice like a cavern, the veins standing out in his arms as he lifted her effortlessly, the broad chest she could easily fit into, his refined attire that revealed and concealed just the right amount—everything about him kept drawing her attention.
Does this man… like me?
Timothy’s proposal had clearly shown Lily her own inadequate position—and the fact that this man had witnessed it made her uncomfortable.
“I refused him.”
Lily found herself saying that in front of him, almost as an excuse—just like the day she had said, “We’re just friends.”
“Don’t worry about it too much. He’ll soon marry another lady.”
“You don’t know anything about Timmy. Don’t speak carelessly.”
Still, she didn’t like the way he spoke as if it were certain. Timothy was not such a frivolous man. He shrugged.
“I understand men’s shallow affections well.”
“….”
“With words, anyone can say anything.”
He spoke dismissively, almost mockingly.
“It’s their actions that define them. I hope you continue living as innocently as you do now.”
