If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

Therefore, Eleanor was both grateful and deeply indebted to the former Duke. Her refusal to be adopted and her decision to give up on entering society were all due to her reluctance to owe more to the former Duke. Knowing such circumstances, Peggy couldn’t oppose till the end.

 

Eleanor told the butler, Herald, that she would be back in a year, so she asked him to take care of the mansion during that time. She said she wanted to keep the servants as they were, and that a year’s salary in advance would be paid.

 

Peggy had been working at the Townsend mansion since Eleanor was five years old. For her, Eleanor was not only her Miss but also a dear younger sister with a big age difference. Eleanor was a kind and gentle child from an early age. Even though she couldn’t go out or make friends like others, she never complained about her situation. She never even showed a hint of irritation to the servants, including Peggy.

 

After Sylvia passed away, Peggy even felt a sense of duty to take good care of the young Miss. Thus, in this situation, she was the one who was most anxious than anyone else.

 

“But you know, Peggy.”

 

Eleanor hesitated and spoke.

 

“I checked with His Lordship’s representative, and he said it’s okay to bring along one or two of the original servants. So if it’s okay with you, Peggy…”

 

“What are you talking about! Of course I’m going with you!”

 

Peggy spoke loudly before Eleanor could finish her sentence. Eleanor’s expression brightened.

 

“Really? Would that be okay?”

 

“Oh, of course! I’ve been waiting for you to say that. Even if you said no, I was going to follow you anyway.”

 

At Peggy’s words, Eleanor smiled as if relieved.

 

“Thank you. I’ve been wanting to talk about it, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it. Now I feel relieved.”

 

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Soon the door opened and the butler, Herald, appeared.

 

“Miss, a guest has arrived.”

 

“Suddenly? Who is it?”

 

“Well…”

 

Seeing Herald’s complexion fade, Peggy had a bad feeling.

 

****

 

Cecilia was standing in the middle of the reception room, leaning on her cane.

 

At first, the butler suggested she sit down, but she didn’t even respond. The maids who had gathered to serve her had also scattered and disappeared like birds avoiding dark clouds.

 

‘It’s an unpleasant house.’

 

Although they glossed over it because the house was well-maintained, if one looked closely, one could see that it was old and worn out in places. It seemed to metaphorically represent the humble origins of the homeowner, which made her dislike it even more. It wasn’t a house fit for a woman who would become the wife in a duke’s house.

 

“Countess Crawford.”

 

Soon, the woman in question, Eleanor, appeared. Seeing her shabby dress and lack of jewelry as much as where she lived, Cecilia’s eyes narrowed involuntarily.

 

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I’m Eleanor Townsend.”

 

Eleanor bowed her head slightly and curtsied. Surprisingly, her greeting was decent. But that didn’t ease Cecilia’s displeasure.

 

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Please have a seat.”

 

“Come closer.”

 

Cecilia ignored Eleanor’s invitation and spoke bluntly. A look of surprise flashed across Eleanor’s face, but she stepped closer as instructed. Then Cecilia reached out and grasped Eleanor’s chin.

 

“….!”

 

Peggy, who had come down with her, gasped and took a step forward. But Eleanor quickly gestured to stop her. Cecilia observed Eleanor’s face carefully, turning it from side to side.

 

‘No.’

 

Eleanor didn’t resemble Frederick at all. Her hair color, eye color, and facial features were not similar in any way. Even though she was a beauty, the overall contour of her face, including her features, was vague and lacked definition, and she didn’t feel the robust vigor that should have been present in Lloyd’s lineage.

 

‘Well, that makes sense. Where would Frederick recklessly spill his seed on a lowly woman?’

 

Cecilia let go of her hand. Then the atmosphere, which seemed to relax for a moment, tensed up again with the next words.

 

“Take it off.”

 

Peggy and the butler looked furious.

 

“Are you asking me to undress?”

 

Eleanor asked calmly.

 

“Yes. All of it.”

 

“…Miss.”

 

Eleanor subtly motioned again to stop Peggy from stepping forward.

 

“May I ask why?”

 

“I need to see your naked body. I need to check if there are any flaws as you will be the future Duke’s spouse.”

 

At Cecilia’s words, Eleanor neither blushed nor avoided her gaze. She looked at Cecilia with a very calm expression.

 

“I’m sorry, but that will be difficult.”

 

“I told you to undress. I didn’t ask for your opinion.”

 

“Again, I must say, it will be difficult.”

 

“Don’t you know who I am?”

 

“You are Countess Cecilia Crawford. You are the sister of the former Duke Griffith and the aunt of Lord Grayson.”

 

“Knowing that, you still defy my will.”

 

Both of them spoke in a flat tone and their demeanor was calm. The conversation that continued in a low voice was like the calm before a storm.

 

“Even if you were the Duchess of the former Duke, not Countess Crawford, I would have said the same.”

 

“How dare you?”

 

“It’s against decency.”

 

Eleanor spoke quietly.

 

“I was taught that it’s only acceptable for a woman to show her naked body to her husband and those who serve her. Countess Crawford, you cannot be considered a suitable party for this. You are neither my husband nor someone who serves me.”

 

At those words, one of Cecilia’s eyebrows twitched.

 

“…What?”

 

At the angry words, Eleanor bowed her head slightly.

 

“I apologize. It’s not that I’m defying you out of disrespect, Countess. I hope you understand.”

 

Cecilia glared at Eleanor. Both Cecilia and Eleanor, who was bowing her head, remained motionless. Then, at some point, Cecilia raised her cane and slapped Eleanor’s cheek.

 

“Miss!”

 

Peggy screamed and ran over. Eleanor, who had staggered for a moment, steadied herself and stopped Peggy from supporting her.

 

“It’s okay, Peggy.”

 

“But!”

 

“It’s the price for being insolent.”

 

Cecilia spoke in a low growl, like an old tiger.

 

“You’d better not expect it to end like this the next time. The Duke’s house has its own rules. I’ll teach you properly in the future.”

 

After finishing her words, Cecilia turned around and started limping towards the entrance.

 

“…Herald. Please escort the Countess.”

 

At Eleanor’s instruction, the butler looked flustered and was at a loss, but eventually moved as instructed.

 

“What are you staring at! Hurry up and get the medicine! Call the doctor too!”

 

As Peggy shouted, the maids who had been standing far away hurriedly scattered.

 

“Miss, are you okay? What on earth is happening? What should we do, if there’s a scar left on this precious face…!”

 

Eleanor’s cheek was bruised red. Seeing Peggy, whose eyes were already filled with tears, Eleanor smiled faintly.

 

“I’m okay.”

 

At her words, Peggy finally burst into tears.

 

“I’m also against it. Even before getting married, already like this, what will happen when you enter that house…! What did you do wrong, what sin does our Miss have…!”

 

Eleanor gently stroked the back of Peggy, who was sobbing and holding her hand. And once again, she murmured in a small voice.

 

“It’s okay, Peggy. I’m okay.”

 

****

“The wedding date has been set. It’s November 14th.”

 

Philip looked at Eleanor and spoke in his usual business-like tone.

 

“There’s still about six weeks left, but according to Viscountess Jennings, you should move into Chatsworth House at least a month before.”

 

“Viscountess Jennings? Who is she?”

 

“She is the person who will teach you what you need to know before the wedding and help you prepare for the wedding. You can think of her as a chaperone.”

 

“I see. Understood.”

 

Eleanor nodded slightly. Today, she was unusually wearing a thick veil so her face was hardly visible. The reason was that she had a stye in her eye.

 

“When do you think you can move?”

 

“If the sooner the better, it’s possible even three days later. I’ve already finished preparing.”

 

“Then let’s do that. I’ll arrange for a carriage to be sent early in the morning three days later.”

 

“Yes, thank you.”

 

Philip announced a few more details and then got up from his seat.

 

“Then, I’ll see you that day.”

 

“Excuse me, Mr. Haworth.”

 

“You can call me Philip. What can I do for you?”

 

“Could I meet Lord Grayson once before that?”