Chapter 2
It was a shame I couldn't hear what they were saying.
If I had, I would have ripped their eyes out and stuck them onto that stable hand just to show them what I saw.
Seriously, what kind of laborer carried himself like that?
His shoulders were broad and square, his posture as straight as a mountain pine. He moved with a steady, effortless grace, every step measured and precise.
I trailed a few paces behind, quietly observing him without giving myself away.
The man had the unmistakable presence of someone born to a powerful family.
Yet his clothes were little more than rags.
But his father wasn't any classier.
Talk about the big beggar raising a little beggar.
I figured the estate in the neighboring province still had some leftover fabric in storage. It should be enough to have a few presentable outfits made for him.
"I still don't know your name," I said.
After all, I couldn't exactly go around calling him "Handsome."
"Knox," he replied.
His voice was deep and smooth, carried by the breeze.
"A fine name," I said, genuinely impressed.
Then I caught myself mumbling, "Though it does sound familiar... Knox..."
The man stopped and let out a soft chuckle.
"It is the name I chose for myself," he explained.
"Oh?" I was a little surprised.
My ears burned with embarrassment.
He acted as if he hadn't noticed my flustered state and continued walking. "Thomas Lane. But honestly, I'd prefer it if you called me Knox."
I nodded.
I certainly preferred the name Knox to Thomas.
Since we were bound to marry sooner or later, using a nickname felt more natural anyway.
"Ms. Foster, this is your courtyard," Knox said.
He stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter.
I gave the place a quick once-over.
Even though I had braced myself for a lack of luxury, the sheer shabbiness of the Lane estate was a shock.
Honestly, the servants back at my family home lived in better conditions than this.
Staying here for a few days was fine.
But living here long-term? That'd be downright miserable.
I sighed, deciding then and there to put my business scouting on hold. My first priority would be buying a decent place to live.
It wasn't as if I lacked the funds, after all.
"Just call me Emily," I said.
I paused for a beat before adding, "Or Emmy. That was my childhood name."
Knox didn't hesitate. "Emmy."
The way he said it, those two syllables rolled off his tongue with a charm I couldn't quite put into words.
It sent a sudden shiver down my spine, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
I quickly cut him off. "I think I prefer you call me Emily."
Knox raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Emily," he corrected.
That was better—nice and proper.
I wasn't sure what had just happened.
But for a second, the air had felt a little too charged for comfort.
I cleared my throat, trying to mask my embarrassment as I pivoted to a safer topic.
"Are you free tomorrow?" I asked.
He paused to think for a moment, then nodded. "I am."
"Then I will see you tomorrow morning?" I suggested.
He didn't ask what I had planned for the morning. He simply agreed, his voice gentle.
He said softly, "Alright, see you tomorrow morning."
*****
We had been at it since dawn, touring five houses in a row without a single break.
Even the realtor, who seemed like the type to have endless stamina, looked like he might keel over from exhaustion.
"This is the last property that fits your requirements," the realtor said.
Reaching out, I struck my knuckles against the ornate wooden desk. The resulting thud was satisfyingly dense.
I turned to Knox. "Well? What do you think? Do you like it?"
He paused, giving me a look of genuine confusion.
I tried to be tactful. "I came here in a rush, so I only brought my maid with me. The rest of my staff and my belongings are still on the road.
"The Lane residence is... well, it is a bit cramped. There is no way it will fit everyone. Since we will be living here together, your preference matters as much as mine."
Knox was silent for a few seconds, his eyes softening as a faint smile touched his lips.
"No matter what else you forget, you always remember this," he said.
"Huh?" I shot him a puzzled look.
He said sincerely, "If it suits you, it suits me."
I blinked, a bit stunned.
The guy was smoother than I'd expected.
I cheerfully waved the realtor over to finalize the deposit, my mind already racing to pull the wedding date forward.
Staying at the Lane estate was suffocating. I needed out.
Besides, I'd spent my childhood on the road with my father, meeting every brand of character imaginable. It didn't take a genius to spot the greed and scheming in Richard's eyes.
He might have helped my father once, but I wasn't nearly as sentimental as the old man. If I didn't want to do something, nothing could make me budge.
If he became a problem, I'd simply buy him off and move on.
But Knox was different. After testing the waters with him, I found him surprisingly genuine and easy to be around. We just clicked.
Finding a connection like that was rare.
And pragmatically speaking, I needed a solid foundation to make it in Goldhaven.
When I weighed the options, getting married was the most efficient move I could make.
If my father knew what I was thinking, he would be livid. I could almost see his eyes bulging, hear him shouting that I should never, ever bet my own life.
A sudden, sharp ache tightened in my chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Knox noticed immediately. He tilted his head, his voice dropping to a soft murmur. "Are you alright?"
His concern took the sting out of the sadness, if only for a moment.
I shook my head and reached out to tug on his sleeve. "I'm fine. Come on, there is somewhere else we need to go."
I had already arranged for the leftover silk to be delivered once I made my decision yesterday.
Now, all that remained was to get his measurements.
While we were there, we could grab something decent to wear immediately.