Chapter 67: Thoughts about marriage
After leaving Dickens Manor following a brief but meaningful conversation with the duke, I headed home.
My mind was still spinning with thoughts about our conversation and my plans for the day, but suddenly, when we reached the city center, an idea came to me — to stop by a small but very cozy shop nearby.
It was a pastry shop known for its exquisite sweets and especially famous cakes, which Ruby loved very much. I immediately decided that it would be wonderful to give her a little surprise and delight her with her favorite treats.
Realizing that such a gesture would lift Ruby’s spirits and show her how much I cared about her, I told the coachman to turn off the main street and head straight for the pastry shop.
The shop was small but cozy. It was a small, elegant building with a display window decorated with carved ornaments and a neat sign with gold letters. Through the glass, I could see boxes and baskets lined up on the shelves, and the enticing aroma of fresh pastries wafted from the entrance.
I told the coachman to wait for me outside and went inside. The bell above the door announced my arrival, and the warm air, filled with the aromas of vanilla, chocolate, and caramel, immediately enveloped me.
Today I was in luck: on this very day, they were selling the very cakes with delicate cream filling that Ruby loved most. I recognized them immediately by their light golden crust and the powdered sugar sprinkled neatly on top. My heart leapt with joy.
I chose a few and asked to have them packed in an elegant box with a satin ribbon. The saleswoman, a smiling middle-aged woman, deftly and quickly arranged the cakes and handed me a neat bag.
"Excellent choice, ma’am," she said cheerfully. "These cakes turned out especially well today."
I thanked her for her help, paid, and, receiving the box, felt a slight satisfaction. Nothing made me happier than the opportunity to bring joy to Ruby, even in such small ways.
"Have a nice day!" the saleswoman said as I left.
"You too," I replied with a smile and stepped back out onto the street.
I paused at the door for a moment, breathing in the fresh air. The street greeted me with a cool breeze and the noise of the bustling city. People hurried about their business, the hum of voices mingling with the neighing of horses and the creaking of carriage wheels.
I clutched the box of cakes to my chest and headed for the carriage, where the coachman was already waiting for me.
However, just as I was about to turn back, something unusual caught my attention.
A few steps away from me, a shadow flashed by — a barely noticeable movement, as if someone had quickly disappeared around the corner. I instantly turned my head in that direction but saw no one.
The shadow disappeared so quickly that it seemed to me that it was just my imagination. But the feeling of unease remained.
To be honest, the situation seemed a little strange and even disturbing to me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was following me. Thoughts about who it could be immediately raced through my mind. But then again... who would want to do that? I was just returning home after a routine visit.
Trying to calm myself down, I decided that it was most likely just my imagination. Perhaps I was just tired after a stressful day, and my eyes were playing tricks on me, showing me things that weren’t really there.
Yes, it must have been my imagination.
With these thoughts, I took a deep breath, trying to let go of these disturbing feelings, and headed for the carriage.
***
A few days later, when I had some free time, I decided it would be nice to observe Christian and Rubiella’s lesson.
The idea came to me spontaneously — I simply wanted to see with my own eyes how my niece was learning and understand how fruitful their work together was and what results it was bringing.
When I expressed my desire to Christian Lockwood, he was completely understanding and even happy about it. He said that he had no objection to my presence in the lessons and that he was pleased that I was showing such interest in Ruby’s learning process.
His words sounded sincere, and I felt that my participation would indeed be appropriate and would not interfere with their work.
On the day I came to their class, the atmosphere in the room was truly cozy and conducive to learning. Light streamed softly through the windows, filling the space with a warm glow, and the air was filled with the light scent of fresh books and wooden parquet flooring.
Christian patiently explained complex topics to Rubielle. I liked how he structured his narrative: he divided the material into small, understandable parts, gave examples from real life, sometimes even in a humorous way, which made it easier for the girl to absorb the information.
I noticed that Ruby listened to him attentively, sometimes frowning when something required effort, and immediately asking clarifying questions.
I watched this interaction with bated breath — seeing my little niece grow and develop, discover new horizons of knowledge, and her eyes sparkle with a desire to learn was a real joy for me.
Some time passed.
Finally, Christian suggested taking a short break between lessons. He smiled gently at Rubielle and said she should rest a little before the next class. The girl obediently put her books away and left the room, leaving us alone.
Then Christian, as if in passing, suggested that I take a break and have some tea. I agreed.
We sat down at a small round table by the window. Through the transparent glass, we could see the garden, where at this time of year the greenery was still fresh and lush, and a light breeze swayed the branches of the trees.
The soft scent of flowers wafted into the room, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed tea. It exuded light jasmine notes that were calming and created a feeling of comfort.
At that moment, the man suddenly spoke first, breaking the silence:
"Lady Weinstein, allow me to apologize for the words I said to you last time," he said with a slight embarrassment in his voice. "Perhaps it was not entirely appropriate, and I sincerely regret what I said."
I smiled.
"It’s okay," I replied. "Besides, they were just your thoughts, and there’s nothing wrong with that."
My words seemed to have a calming effect on him. Christian visibly relaxed, and a look of relief flashed in his eyes.
"Yes, you’re right," he nodded.
After that, there was a short pause between us. But a moment later, he spoke again, as if he didn’t want to miss the chance to continue the conversation.
"And yet... Does your family really not support you at all?" he asked with genuine interest.
I hesitated for a second, then admitted:
"Unfortunately, no."
He sighed, and a look of sadness flashed in his eyes.
"Then I can’t even imagine how hard it must be for you," the man said with sincere sympathy.
"Sometimes it really is hard," I agreed, "but in the end, I have no choice but to deal with it."
Christian thought for a moment, as if choosing his words, and then said unexpectedly:
"To be honest, I was surprised when I first met you."
"Hmm? What exactly do you mean?" I asked curiously.
"Well..." Ruby’s mentor cleared his throat awkwardly. "Before we met, I had heard many different rumors about you. And I didn’t expect the real person to be so different."
I couldn’t help but smile.
"So, I didn’t live up to your expectations?"
"That’s true," he replied seriously. "You turned out to be a much more responsible and decent person than I had imagined."
"Well, ahem... I can take that as a compliment," I smiled in response.
After that, there was another pause between us. Christian looked pensive, as if he were struggling with himself, wondering whether to say what was on his mind. And yet he made up his mind.
"What about your marriage? Are you planning to get married someday?"
I looked at him with a slight smile, but inside I felt a little confused. The question was unexpected.
"To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it until now," I replied after a short pause.
"I understand," he replied calmly. "But still... If you decide to take that step, it could make your situation much easier."
Apparently, Christian, noticing my silence, decided to continue:
"Even if you don’t plan to get married yourself, what about Lady Rubiella?"
I frowned slightly, not immediately understanding what he was getting at.
"Hmm?"
"It’s also an important part of upbringing," Christian explained. "If a child grows up in a complete family, it creates a more favorable and stable environment for their development."
At that moment, I froze involuntarily.
To be honest, it was the first time I had thought about marriage not just as a formality or social status, but as an important factor that affects a child’s life and well-being. This realization was a real revelation for me.
For the first time, I seriously considered that for Rubiella’s sake, I might need to reconsider my views on this topic...