Chapter Text
In the drawing room, Jeonghan started to follow the older omegas toward the fireplace, but Seungkwan caught his arm and pulled him aside. "Games and drink for the alphas and stuffy gossip for the omegas. Wouldn't you rather do what the alphas do?"
"What do you mean?" Jeonghan asked.
Seungkwan smiled. "I've got a flask of the finest Scotch with me. We could sneak out to the hedge maze and have some fun."
Jeonghan's eyes widened. "I'm amazed the dowager lets you get away with this behavior."
"Yes, well you get away with a lot when your husband is dead." Seungkwan stated. "And when you're disgustingly rich."
Jeonghan wasn’t' sure how much of his words were true or just a jest. "That makes sense. Although I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry."
Seungkwan sighed. "There's a cost to it all. They won't ever let me forget I'm a widow the way they push eligible alphas at me left and right. I need a grand escape. At least for tonight."
"What about the dowager viscountess?" Jeonghan inquired. "I don't want to lose her forever."
"Oh, she's already made up her mind about you." Seungkwan assured him. "Besides, we'll be back before you know it."
Jeonghan bit his lip warily but ultimately nodded. "I'll accompany you, Seungkwan."
Seungkwan clasped his hands together jovially. "Wonderful! Just follow me."
Jeonghan followed Seungkwan as he all but sprinted through the gardens and into the entrance to the hedge maze. "Stay close! I'd hate for you to get lost and eaten by a Minotaur!"
"Is that what you raise here in England?" Jeonghan joked. "Curious choices." Seungkwan darted around a corner and Jeonghan found himself at an intersection, unsure of how to follow. "Seungkwan?" He thought he heard a giggle deeper into the maze. "This is hardly fair! I've been betrayed and left for the Minotaur already?!" He heard the rustle of leaves to his left and a soft pattering sound on the ground to his right. He followed the pattering sound and saw a quick flash of Seungkwan's hair turn the next corner. "Got you!" He broke into a sprint as he followed the other omega.
Eventually he reached a well and saw Seungkwan leaning against it, pulling a flask out from his bodice and unscrewing it. "There you are. You didn't get lost, did you?"
"When I had the aid of your marvelous directions?" Jeonghan giggled. "Certainly not."
"I am an expert navigator." Seungkwan boasted. "Now for hydration." Jeonghan joined him by the well as he took a sip of his drink. "Much better. I prefer the night sky to yet another dreary drawing room." He offered Jeonghan the flask. "Would you like a sip? It's top notch. Double malt from my late husband's estate."
"Just what I've been craving." Jeonghan smiled and took the flask. "All that sherry and watered down wine…might as well be turpentine."
Seungkwan laughed heartily as Jeonghan took a swig, relishing in the blissful burn down his throat as he passed the flask back. "That's the spirit! I knew we'd get along." He took another sip. "I'm glad we got to get away. I love my family, but they suffocate me sometimes. Making sure I'm playing the part of the perfect widow." We're already wearing corsets, we don't need to be squeezed further."
"So you aren't very close with them?" Jeonghan asked.
Seungkwan shrugged and took another sip. "I'll always love them, but the intimacy varies. Much like with any family."
"What was your relationship like with my sister?" Jeonghan inquired.
"I only met her briefly since I was often traveling." Seungkwan said solemnly. "Trying to expand my horizons with my ill gained inheritance, you know? But she seemed lovely. She was more modern than the omegas here, although that isn't hard to accomplish." He turned to Jeonghan with a frown. "I'm very sorry for your loss."
Jeonghan nodded his thanks. "And what of your husband? Should I be offering my condolences or congratulations on his death?"
Seungkwan choked on a startled laugh then took another drink, gaze turning wistful. "My marriage with Duke Ruben wasn't a love match. I tried to make it work but…" He shook his head slightly. "It has been almost five years since his illness and death. I've had time to make my peace. Besides, it remains that being married to him afforded me rare opportunities. I can't help but enjoy my prospects as a young dowager duchess."
"At least you have your freedom now." Jeonghan said softly.
"Precisely!" Seungkwan smiled. "And the financial security to do as I damned well please." He leaned toward Jeonghan. "And since I outrank the dowager viscountess, even she can't criticize me too loudly, try as she might!" He took another drink and handed the flask to Jeonghan so he could have one.
They sat in companionable silence, passing the flask back and forth as they admired the starlight and cool night air. "I know I come off as rather flippant." Seungkwan spoke after a while. "But I can afford to be. I understand you aren't yet in such a position. Such circumstances are unfortunately the plight of our subgender." He glanced at Jeonghan. "If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to know your allies. Trust is hard won in le bon ton."
"Thank you." Jeonghan said sincerely. "I wish that weren't the case, but I'll take your advice to heart."
"Now, now, no frowning." Seungkwan softly scolded him. "You are set for life. Few people in the world can make such a claim. And I hope you know that you can come to me for help, should you require it." Jeonghan smiled and thanked him before gazing up at the stars again.
***
Jeonghan was heading back to his room after a long night when Joshua appeared and motioned him aside. Jeonghan joined him and Joshua leaned close to speak in hushed tones. "I was able to do as you asked, Jeonghan, and I did find something. Under a pillow, Mr. Vernon has a notebook of love letters, poems, sketches, all of them clearly regarding Miss Subin." He smiled. "Honestly, it was quite romantic! I didn't know he had it in him, the dear."
"That is most surprising." Jeonghan said with wide eyes. "Not what I was expecting but I appreciate you letting me know."
"Of course, Jeonghan." Joshua bowed his head politely. "I'm happy to help." He hurried off as Jeonghan frowned to himself, more confused to than ever.
If Vernon truly loved Subin, then it wasn't just a financial arrangement between their families…then again, people did crazy things for love. And there was no guarantee Subin loved Vernon back. With those thoughts, Jeonghan continued on to his room, ready to finally get some rest.
Then he passed by the butler and head housekeeper speaking in hushed tones behind a thick column. "…going around the way she did, as though she owned the place. Saying whatever she liked with no respect for the consequences."
"Hush, Mr. Derrick. I never approved of their dalliance, but don't speak ill of the dead that way. Especially in the open like this."
"Why shouldn't I, Mrs. Lee? We run the house, so we can express how we feel in it. Besides, she got what she deserved."
Jeonghan's eyes widened at the look of smug satisfaction on Mr. Derrick's face. Were they talking about Subin?
***
Jeonghan sat in the drawing room with Joshua, discussing in quiet tones what he'd overheard Mr. Derrick say to the butler. "Mr. Derrick certainly sounded as though he disapproved of Subin. And perhaps despised her enough to have wanted her dead!"
Joshua frowned. "I can't believe that! Do you really think he'd be capable of murder?"
"I think Mr. Derrick's our biggest lead so far." Jeonghan pointed out. "We have to follow up on it. I see no other way. What we need to do is find some proof."
"Proof of what?"
Jeonghan jumped and turned to see Seungcheol and Vernon stepping into the drawing room. Joshua quickly rose to his feet and curtsied, apologizing to them for sitting. "Beg your pardon, sirs. Proof that the tailor in the village is overcharging us for alterations. I compared prices and intend to ask her about it today."
"Very good." Vernon nodded. "In fact, perhaps Mr. Yoon should also visit Windcroft Village today. Wouldn't you like to get to know your new home?"
"I'd love to see the town." Jeonghan smiled. "From what I briefly saw during the drive over, it looked charming."
Joshua cleared his throat quietly. "Sir, don't forget you have an appointment today with the Voss family."
"That's right!" Vernon sighed. "I promised my father I would join him on his rounds of visiting our tenant farmers." He bit his lip, his gaze drifting to his cousin. "Perhaps Seungcheol could show you the town in my stead?"
"Called upon to play tour guide once again." Seungcheol said as if it were the last thing he wanted to do. Then he smiled at Jeonghan. "But I'm happy to show you around, Jeonghan."
"Do try to offer him some useful information about the town." Vernon requested.
Seungcheol clicked his tongue. "No promises, dear cousin." He nodded to Jeonghan. "I'll give you some time to get ready. Meet me downstairs in half an hour and the chauffeur can drive us."
As Jeonghan headed for his room, Joshua waved him toward the telephone. "It's your stepmother." He whispered.
Jeonghan quickly took the receiver and listened to the hiss and crackle of the line. "Eunjung?"
"Jeonghan!" His stepmother's voice rang through. "So glad I caught you, dear! I'm at the clubhouse with time to spare so I thought I'd say hello. How are you settling in? I know I need not remind you how important the Chwe family is to us…"
"No." Jeonghan gritted his teeth and smiled even though he knew she couldn't see him. "You certainly don't need to remind me."
"I'm actually calling about something a little more pressing." Eunjung said. "Not that your happiness isn't important to me, dear. As you know, my lovely sister, your Aunt Seohyun, lives in London."
Jeonghan hummed. "Aunt Seohyun is such a riot! I miss her! It would be great to see her while I'm here!"
"Oh, yes, my sister is ever the charmer. Just don't let her ways influence you. I'm surprised your sister was able to get engaged at all with a chaperone who would rather run around with her own lovers. But I'm calling because I just found out that she actually saw Subin a few days before her death."
"She did?" Jeonghan asked, eyes widening.
Eunjung hummed. "Apparently Subin borrowed some money from her. My sister 'doesn't want to be a burden' but she could use the loan back. No doubt for a romantic trip or perhaps to throw another extravagant party."
Jeonghan frowned. "Why would Subin have borrowed money? Wasn’t her allowance sufficient?"
"I'm sure I don't know, dear. The point is, I'll try to get your father to cover the loan, but in the meantime…you might want to buy your aunt a gift when you get the chance. I'm certain she'll expect you to call on her soon."
"I'll see what I can find." Jeonghan assured her.
"Wonderful. She won't be back or a few days but she's looking forward to hosting you in London!" Eunjung sighed. "Anyhow, I must dash. I hope your adjustment goes smoothly, dear. For all our sakes."
Jeonghan hung up the receiver and headed toward the staircase to ready himself for the day. As he did, he caught sight of Vernon hard at work in the study, poring over various documents.
***
Jeonghan looked out over the lush fields and greenery as they drove past. "I apologize again that my brother couldn't make the time for this." Seungcheol said. "He has many duties to attend to."
Jeonghan turned to him in slight surprise. "You don't have some smart remark about his noble traditions?"
"I do respect Vernon's honor." Seungcheol said. "He may be distant, but he is an alpha of his word and will always do what's right for his family. Not that I envy him his position."
"Your family seems important to you." Jeonghan mused, thinking back to dinner the night before. Particularly his reaction when Lord Ashbourne had mentioned a Christina. "If you don't mind me asking, who is Christina? At dinner, your uncle said something, and it was as though it cast a pall on the entire room. Was she close to the family?" Seungcheol's face darkened a tad. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry, truly."
Seungcheol shook his head slightly. "No offense taken, although I see you're quick at picking up information in new surroundings." He casted his gaze out upon the passing landscape of hills. "Christina was my fiancée. She isn't any longer. That's about all I wish to say."
Jeonghan frowned, feeling his heart tug for the alpha. "I understand. Of course."
Seungcheol cleared his throat. "You may think I am overprotective of my family but…suffice it to say that I prefer to navigate the world carefully. For human life, and human nature, are fickle."
A silence spread between them after that. Although Jeonghan could feel a new tension buzzing between the two of them.