The Black-haired Noblewoman, Who Disguised Herself, Seems To Have Been Doted On While Serving As The Caretaker For The Duke Who Dislikes Women - Episode 54

My heart keeps pounding like a fast drum.

Why are Padma and Countess Everly here…? After all, the purpose of this tea party is to find a match for my husband, right? Padma is already engaged. That Steve…

The moment I remembered that name, the man’s eerie smile flashed through my mind. That creepy face of his, breathing heavily and closing in on me in the room in the basement of the Count Avery’s mansion…

Again, unpleasant sweat beads up, and my fingertips tremble. Why? Why have they appeared at the Harrington Duke’s residence when I thought I would never see them again?

I wonder if she was a close acquaintance of the late Duchess of Harrington.

While I was half-dazed, thinking about such things, it seemed that all the guests had gathered at the long table in the salon. Not a single person was late. Everyone took their seats, chatting cheerfully, but I could sense a restless and uneasy atmosphere. Some of the young ladies occasionally glanced towards the entrance door.

We servants, who had prepared everything to serve tea immediately, quietly waited for the right moment in front of the hot water station. Even though I didn’t want to see them, I couldn’t help but keep an eye on those two. Padma and Countess Everly, sitting at the end of the table, occasionally cast strong glances at me while straightening their postures.

No way……could those two be after something……

A bad feeling swelled up, growing colder from my toes. At that moment, my husband appeared at the door. He put on a blank expression, but his face looked somehow displeased as he made his way to the former Duchess of Harrington, who was sitting at the very back.

The moment the master appeared, the atmosphere in the salon changed completely. The guests collectively gasped and turned their gazes towards him. The excitement of the young ladies was palpable, and the air in the room felt sweet and languid.

The young ladies, with rapturous gazes, followed the movements of their lord. Their eyes were moist and dreamy, and some of their cheeks were already flushed. The ladies, with somewhat calmer expressions than the young ladies, exuded a tense atmosphere, as if a battle was about to begin.

With a calm and unbothered stride, as if he were completely unaware of the atmosphere the women exuded, my husband moved through the room. Then, suddenly, he glanced over at me, who was standing in the corner.

That moment.

He looked at me and gave a very gentle smile. It was just for a moment, but that beautiful smile made my heart tremble and sweetly tighten.

Why do you show me that face only at a time like this…?

Inexpressible sadness made me feel like crying for some reason.

The gentleman advanced to the back and faced the women lined up at the long table. Then, he seemed to notice the strikingly conspicuous young lady in a red dress sitting closest to his mother, the former Duchess of Harrington. Without uttering a word, he cast his gaze down at the former Duchess sitting beside him.

The former Duchess of Harrington lowered her eyebrows and wore an ambiguous smile.

“Finally made it, huh? …Lloyd, there’s a reason I invited Miss Deena. But for now, let’s greet everyone.”

At those words from the lady, the gentleman did not change his expression in particular, but looked around at the women and spoke in a deep, resonant voice.

“Dear ladies and young ladies, thank you for coming to our Harrington Duke’s residence today. My mother has been looking forward to welcoming you and spending a delightful time together. Please, enjoy a meaningful time today, engaging in heartfelt conversations.”

“Come on, you too. Please have a seat here.”

If things went poorly, the husband, who was giving off an atmosphere that suggested he might just leave the salon with a “Well then, I’ll take my leave,” was promptly addressed by the former duchess, who pointed to the seat across from her and the seat opposite the Bracey Marquis’s daughter. Among the large table, that was the only seat left empty for the husband.

Through the back of my husband, who was quietly sitting there, I locked eyes with the Bracey Marquis’s daughter across from us. Her bright red eyes seemed to capture my figure as if she were targeting me.