IGRA Chapter 116

Eleanor smiled awkwardly at Layla.

 

“It’s been a while, Miss Layla.”

 

“I thought I heard wrong. They said Eleanor had come… I was sure you had moved far away. And even if not…”

 

Layla stopped mid-sentence and suddenly shook her head.

 

“No, no. It’s good to see you, Eleanor. Welcome.”

 

“…”

 

Taken aback by the unexpected hospitality, Eleanor was at a loss for words. Although there had been many painful moments during her time at the Duke’s estate, not everyone had treated Eleanor poorly. Herbert had always been kind to her, and she had eventually become good friends with Layla. Yet, despite this, she had almost forgotten such facts until just now. She had wanted to keep the memories of the Duke’s estate sealed away, as if they were too painful to recall. It was like a burnt album, where even the good memories had been charred black.

 

“Miss, perhaps you should come inside.”

 

“Ah, yes. Please come in, Eleanor.”

 

At Herbert’s suggestion, Layla nodded.

 

Eleanor silently followed them. Inside Chatsworth House, everything seemed the same as she faintly remembered, yet there was a sense that the atmosphere had changed. It was a strange feeling, both familiar and unfamiliar.

 

“Eleanor, won’t you come to my room? The reception room is too large and empty. Let’s have tea in my sitting room, just the two of us, like old times.”

 

Before Eleanor could respond, Layla turned to her personal maid, Sarah, who was following them.

 

“Prepare some tea. Use the Darjeeling that came in last week.”

 

“Yes, Miss.”

 

“Wait, Miss Layla.”

 

Eleanor hurriedly called out to Layla.

 

“Yes, Eleanor. What is it?”

 

“Thank you for the invitation, but I came here today for a different reason. I don’t think I’ll have time for tea.”

 

“Oh…”

 

A shadow briefly crossed Layla’s face, but she tried her best to act as if nothing was wrong.

 

“I’m sorry. I should have asked about your business first…”

 

“No, it’s fine. I’m the one who should apologize for coming without contacting you. Is the Duke in the estate right now?”

 

“The Duke? My older brother?”

 

Layla seemed surprised by Eleanor’s question. Eleanor couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

 

Why would Layla react that way when she came to the Duke’s estate looking for the Duke?

 

“Ah… Eleanor, you didn’t know? My brother is currently on vacation.”

 

“Vacation…?”

 

“Yes. He’s been away from the capital on a long vacation for about two months now.”

 

“…”

 

Eleanor’s eyes clouded over.

 

Two months coincided exactly with the time Eleanor had moved to Wembury. The suspicion that Daryl might be behind Wilson became even stronger. Until now, she hadn’t considered the possibility that Daryl might have come down to Wembury himself. The fact that the frequency of their correspondence had increased recently, and that Wilson had gone on a trip, might not be because Wilson was writing letters from the capital, but because Daryl was. Daryl was always busy with work. Even when they lived together at the Duke’s estate, he would work tirelessly, sleeping only a few hours a day.

 

‘Could it be… did he take a vacation because of me? And followed me all the way to distant Wembury?’

 

She couldn’t believe it. Why on earth would Daryl do such a preposterous thing?

 

“Do you know where his vacation spot is?”

 

“I’m not sure. Herbert said that my brother plans to keep traveling and won’t stay in one place, so he can’t give out any contact…”

 

“…What about the business? Taking such a long vacation must cause issues.”

 

“I believe he left it in the hands of his secretary, Philip.”

 

“…”

 

Eleanor was silent, lost in thought. Layla was fidgeting, trying to gauge Eleanor’s reaction. After a while, Eleanor spoke again.

 

“May I see Mr. Howarth?”

 

****

 

Philip had been incredibly busy since Daryl went on vacation. Despite settling several minor business matters, the workload was still overwhelming. Daryl was the type to handle everything from start to finish himself.

 

Now that Philip was entrusted with Daryl’s duties, he had to work tirelessly to keep things running.

 

[It’s alright. I trust you to handle it.]

 

Daryl had said, entrusting his business to Philip. It was impossible for Philip to slack off, and the responsibility was killing him. The only thing keeping him going was the significantly increased salary.

 

Today, as usual, he had no idea when he could leave work. Then he received a message from the duke’s estate. It was from Layla, urgently requesting his presence at the estate.

 

The reason for the summons was not specified. Honestly, it was a difficult time for him to leave his post. However, having worked as Daryl’s secretary for years, Philip was accustomed to ‘somehow managing’ and doing as told. After wrapping up his work in about an hour, Philip headed to the duke’s estate. There, he encountered someone he never expected to see.

 

“It’s been a while, Mr. Howarth.”

 

“…Miss Townsend.”

 

He couldn’t help but be taken aback. The woman who should be in distant Wembury was here in the capital, at the duke’s estate.

 

…No, he had a hunch why. He just didn’t want to admit it.

 

“Did you call for me because…”

 

“Yes, I asked Miss Layla to summon you.”

 

Layla sat nearby with a troubled expression.

 

Philip swallowed hard.

 

“…May I ask why?”

 

“You know, don’t you?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

He intended to feign ignorance, but his voice cracked slightly.

 

“Where the Duke is right now.”

 

“No, I don’t know. The Duke left without leaving any contact information…”

 

“If you don’t have a contact, you couldn’t have exchanged letters. I know you’ve been corresponding with the Duke about business matters.”

 

Philip nearly blurted out ‘How could you know that?’ but managed to hold back.

 

“I heard from Mr. Stevens. Letters from the Duke addressed to you have been delivered to the Duke’s estate regularly.”

 

Philip glared resentfully at Herbert, who stood by the table.

 

‘He spilled everything!’ 

 

Of course, Herbert didn’t know the full story. But that didn’t stop Philip from feeling betrayed. Both were employed by the duke, so why weren’t they on the same side?

 

“…The Duke is continually traveling, so his location changes. I only send a reply to the address provided in the Duke’s letters to me.”

 

“Mr. Stevens said the envelopes didn’t have a return address.”

 

“…It was written inside.”

 

“Inside?”

 

Eleanor’s expression was calm, but her eyes quietly questioned, ‘Do you think that makes sense?’

 

“Yes, that’s right. The Duke wanted to be alone during his travels… He was reluctant to let others know his whereabouts. So, inevitably, to prevent exposure to anyone other than myself, he didn’t write the address on the envelope.”

 

Philip quickly made up an excuse. It was a spur-of-the-moment fabrication, but he thought it was quite plausible. However, he was rendered speechless by the next question.

 

“When was the last time you received a letter, and where was it sent from?”

 

“…”

 

“Mr. Howarth.”

 

“…I’m sorry. As I mentioned, the Duke did not wish to disclose his whereabouts to anyone…”

 

Eleanor quietly observed Philip. Philip had to make a great effort not to let his expression falter while maintaining eye contact.

 

“Do you know a person named Lewis Wilson?”

 

Suddenly, Eleanor asked.

 

“…”

 

Philip clenched his trembling hands under the table. It was clear that Eleanor had come to this meeting with a fair amount of certainty. Even during the divorce proceedings with Daryl, she had shown a meticulous side. What would be the right way to handle this?

 

Philip’s mind raced.

 

‘…She must still be in doubt, lacking concrete evidence. If that were the case, she would have confronted the Duke directly…The fact that she came all the way to the capital suggests she didn’t even know the Duke was in Wembury. So…’ 

 

“Mr. Howarth?”

 

Eleanor called his name again, pressing for an answer. Philip knew that the longer he delayed, the less credible his words would become. He made a decision.

 

“…No. I do not recall such a name.”

 

“Are you certain?”

 

“Yes, I am.”

 

Wilson had been dealt with directly by Daryl, who visited his home to discuss this matter. Not even the butler Herbert, let alone anyone else at the duke’s estate, would have known of Wilson’s existence.