Chapter 14 - The Duke's Mansion
On the carriage ride to the Count's fief, she briefly reviewed the plan with Trevor. Omar would be put to work under surveillance at the Count's estate.
"Of course, escaping won't be easy, but I'm sure it's not impossible. We don't intend to just tie you up with a rope and have you sit there all day. But, you see, if I receive reports that you are working diligently at the Count's estate, I intend to ask my husband to reduce your sentence. So you won't be hanged, nor will you spend your life in prison."
When Opal told him this, Omar looked back at her doubtfully. Far from being intimidated by his gaze, Opal offered a sweet smile.
"To begin with, you're penniless now. I had LeBeau inform all the reputable moneylenders that you have no means to repay any loans. So if you want to gamble as you've done before, you'll have to ask a disreputable lender."
Omar seemed to understand what kind of end that would bring. If he were to borrow money and gamble anyway, it was no longer any of Opal’s concern. Normally, he would be sent straight to prison, but that would expose Hubert’s lack of oversight. If that happened, the truth about Hubert's debts and the circumstances of his marriage to Opal would become public knowledge. Taking this into consideration, Opal was taking a lenient measure.
According to Trevor, this year was supposed to bring a bountiful harvest. So Opal planned to invest her own fortune in the duchy to replace the farm equipment the tenants used. Then, after making the farm work easier, once the harvest was successfully completed and income secured, she would begin improving the tenants’ houses and the roads. The road maintenance was such a large-scale project that the plan would likely take years, but Trevor had assured her the duchy’s land was fertile, so as long as there were no successive large-scale disasters, it would be fine. Even if she divorced him next year, there would be no problem if Hubert took over. And if this plan failed, the only thing lost would be Opal's private fortune.
Upon returning to the estate in the Count's fief, Opal explained Omar's situation to the butler, Orton, and left him in his charge. Two days later, she set off for the Royal Capital again, accompanied by Trevor. She thought that if she told Hubert about this plan, he might change that irritable attitude he wore, likely from the weight of his debts. With this thought in mind, Opal arrived at the Duke's mansion in the Royal Capital, but only the butler, Romit, was there to greet her. Unbothered, Opal stepped inside and asked Romit a question.
"Where might my husband be?"
"...He is in the south drawing room, madam."
"I see... Well then, do you happen to know my husband’s schedule for tomorrow afternoon?"
"I have not been informed of any particular plans..."
"Then, I need you to give my husband a message. Tell him I would like to meet him in the study after lunch tomorrow to discuss an important matter. I will have a guest with me whom I have invited, so please inform him of that as well."
"...Very good, madam."
Leaving the disgruntled Romit behind, Opal headed for the guest room assigned to her for the time being. There, she asked a disgruntled Beth to prepare her bath, then entered the attic room again. It seemed it hadn't been cleaned at all during her absence. On her way back to the guest room, she passed a maid and ordered her to clean the attic room at once. Then, Opal soaked leisurely in the prepared bath.
Afterward, Opal had Beth help her change and ate dinner in the attic room before lying down on the hard bed. Though he must have known she had returned, Hubert neither came to see her nor summoned her. She was disappointed in herself for feeling disappointed.
(I thought that with some time and distance, my husband might calm down a little, but it seems that was pointless...)
Opal sighed with a weary yare yare and fell asleep almost immediately. She must have been tired from her journey. The next time she awoke, the sun was already high in the sky. She went into the guest room and rang the bell. Beth appeared, looking reluctant, and helped her change. Opal then had breakfast and lunch together in the guest room and waited for Trevor to arrive. After Opal had alighted from the carriage at the Duke's mansion yesterday, Trevor had gone directly to the Count's mansion.
She had told him that if their father reprimanded him, he should just explain the reason. But her father had probably known everything and married her to Hubert for the amusement of seeing how she would handle it. Finally realizing this, Opal felt a surge of anger at what he had done with his daughter's life, but she was also resigned.
While hoping this would cure Hubert of his 'softness', Opal once again reviewed Omar's IOUs, the past lending ledgers, and the secret ledger for the duchy's administration that she had brought back with her. Just then, she heard the sound of a carriage. Peeking out the window with a view of the entrance, she saw Count Holloway's simple carriage.
"It's time."
Opal muttered to herself, put the ledgers into a large bag, and carried it downstairs herself. She ran into Romit, who had come out to the entrance to greet the visitor. Opal placed the bag on the floor and waited for Trevor to enter.
"Hello, Trevor. Thank you for coming all this way today."
"Not at all, please don't trouble yourself. It is for your sake, my lady."
Hearing the exchange between Opal and Trevor, Romit's face was a mask of disgust. As a butler, he should not let his feelings show on his face, no matter what he thought. While feeling exasperated that this mansion was failing to function as a ducal household in every respect, Opal smiled and asked Romit a question.
"Is my husband in the study?"
"Yes, madam."
"Then I will show him the way. Could I trouble you to prepare some tea?"
"--Very good, madam."
As Romit turned on his heel, Trevor subtly picked up Opal's bag and chuckled quietly.
"This is more than I imagined."
"Isn't it? So, be prepared for what's to come."
"You mean this won't be straightforward."
As Opal gave her warning on the way to the study, Trevor replied in a somewhat amused tone. If Trevor hadn't been with her, Opal might not have been able to be so assertive. Even if Hubert wouldn't listen to her, he would surely listen to Trevor, the administrator of the Count's fief. Moreover, she had clear evidence. With that in mind, Opal summoned her courage and knocked on the study door. A response came immediately from inside in Hubert's voice. But as she stepped into the study with Trevor, the sight of Hubert's face, which she hadn't seen in nearly a month, made her realize that this discussion would not be simple. Hubert looked like a block of displeasure.
"My, my."
Opal was about to flinch, but she steeled herself upon hearing Trevor's soft murmur behind her. She did not want to show him any weakness.
"My husband, it has been some time. I have returned safely."
She had returned yesterday, but Hubert said nothing in response to her greeting. He simply threw a rude question at Trevor.
"Who are you?"
"He is Trevor Litton. He serves as the administrator for my father's land, the Holloway fief."
"The administrator of the Holloway fief...? Why is someone like that here?"
It was true that Hubert was a duke, a position that allowed for such an attitude, but Opal felt embarrassed by his lack of even the slightest courtesy toward an older man. What was more, once he knew Trevor's status, his tone became even more condescending. Of course, Hubert's attitude toward the servants of the ducal mansion was generous, so this was likely because Trevor was on Opal's side. Still, it was far too childish. Opal suppressed the urge to retort and managed a smile.
"My husband, would you mind if we sat down first? We can speak after that."
"...Fine."
Hubert agreed with a look of reluctance and sat down on the reception sofa. Opal sat opposite him, but Trevor remained standing beside her without taking a seat.