Chapter 21 Found a Match for Cressida?
Another winter snow had fallen.
Emma lifted the curtain and entered the room, pulling out hot roasted taro from her coat.
"Ms. Hamilton, eat first. The kitchen mother Della gave these."
Cressida was soaking her hands in hot water - she still needed to apply rejuvenating cream later.
The calluses she'd cut off last time had mostly healed by now.
Plus, with the money Anthony had given her, Cressida had handed it all to Emma to distribute among the other servants. Now their days were much easier.
Cressida peeled back the taro skin with her fingertips and asked casually, "Has Chris been by?"
"I was just about to tell you," Emma leaned in, lowering her voice. "Della said that a while ago Mr. Diaz came to the door. Mr. Patrick Hamilton wasn't home, so Mrs. Clio Hamilton received him, and yes, he did give her something."
Three or four days had passed, and Clio hadn't told Cressida that Chris had returned some of Cameron's belongings.
Emma said, "Ms. Cressida Hamilton, they must have kept things for themselves, right?"
Cressida didn't think Clio was that stupid.
Just then, Tatum's voice came from outside the door: "Ms. Cressida Hamilton, Mrs. Clio Hamilton has sent me to bring you clothes and jewelry."
Cressida set down the taro, wiped her hands, and a flash of mockery crossed her cool eyes.
"Come in."
Tatum entered with four servants.
Cressida had been home nearly a month, and this was the first time Clio had sent her clothes and jewelry.
Tatum pointed to the bright, beautiful fabrics: "Ms. Cressida Hamilton, look - these are all fashionable materials, just delivered. Mrs. Clio Hamilton immediately told me to bring them to you."
Cressida raised her hand and looked them over briefly.
"The fabric is indeed new and expensive, but the colors are too bright - not really suitable for me."
"You shouldn't say that. If Ms. Cressida Hamilton is worried about wearing them out and attracting criticism, Mrs. Clio Hamilton says it would be fine to wear them at home."
Tatum's attitude seemed overly enthusiastic.
Cressida didn't say anything and accepted them.
Then Tatum said, "A while ago, Mr. Cameron Hamilton's subordinate General Diaz came by and brought some belongings. Among them was a zither. Mrs. Clio Hamilton said Ms. Cressida Hamilton specifically asked for it, so she told me to bring it over."
She clapped her hands, and a servant came in carrying a zither wrapped in cloth.
Emma glanced at it and quietly lowered her head.
Unwrapping the silk, a zither made of red sandalwood came into view. At the head of the instrument were the Old English letters Cressida had carved herself years ago, exactly as they should be.
She tried plucking the strings - the smooth melody flowed like pleasant water, pleasant to the ear.
Cressida's pale pink lips curved into a smile: "Please thank my mother for me."
"Ms. Cressida Hamilton, you're too polite. You and Mrs. Clio Hamilton are mother and daughter. Even if there are some misunderstandings, what mother and daughter hold grudges overnight? Mrs. Clio Hamilton cares for you and keeps your words in her heart."
After speaking, Tatum studied Cressida's expression. Seeing she seemed pleased, she boldly continued: "The day after tomorrow is the Queen's palace banquet."
"Mrs. Clio Hamilton's idea is to bring Ms. Rose Hamilton along to see the world. You know, Ms. Rose Hamilton cured Mr. Patrick Hamilton's legs, and Mrs. Clio Hamilton has been thinking about how to thank her."
Thank her? Raising her for nearly ten years, treating her almost like the Hamilton family's real daughter - wasn't that thanks enough?
Cressida listened without showing her thoughts.
Tatum continued: "Ms. Rose Hamilton wanted to come ask you herself, but Mrs. Clio Hamilton was afraid she'd disturb Ms. Cressida Hamilton's rest, so she didn't let her come. Ms. Cressida Hamilton, what do you think?"
Everyone in the household knew that Odette had invited the Hamilton family because of Cameron.
Since it was for Cameron's sake, it couldn't bypass Cressida.
Cressida's expression didn't change as she looked at the zither and nodded: "Mother has thought this through carefully. I have no objection."
Tatum hadn't expected it to be so easy and immediately beamed: "Ms. Cressida Hamilton is truly wise and understanding. Then I'll go tell Mrs. Clio Hamilton this news right away."
Emma watched them leave from the doorway, then turned back angrily: "No wonder Mrs. Clio Hamilton was so generous - it was all to trade for a chance for Ms. Rose Hamilton to attend the palace banquet. What a scheme!"
Cressida said nothing.
She stroked the zither with her fingertips, then lightly hooked one spot.
With a snap, a string broke.
Emma's face changed: "Miss Hamilton, your zither is broken!"
"This isn't my zither at all." Cressida's expression was completely calm, but her eyes flashed with cold mockery.
No wonder Clio had waited three or four days before returning this zither - she'd used the time to have someone make an identical fake.
Her real zither must have been kept back.
It seemed her suggestion in the letter to Chris had tempted Clio after all.
If nothing went wrong, Rose would appear at Odette's banquet with the real zither, and if Cressida brought this fake, once it was discovered, who knew what mockery and blame she'd face.
Or worse, the broken string could cut her palm, embarrassing her on the spot and making her a sacrifice to set off Rose.
"This is the mother I know." Clio was greedy, ruthless, and still wanted to keep her good reputation.
Emma asked: "Ms. Hamilton, what should we do? Are you really going to bring this zither to the palace?"
Cressida pulled the silk cloth over to cover the fake zither.
"Of course," her handsome, cool features looked beautiful with her cold smile. "The enemy has walked into the trap. It's my turn to break through."
She needed to show everyone through her actions that the Hamilton family wasn't close to her, to distance herself and prepare for her future escape.
Night fell.
Patrick went to the main courtyard, brushing thin snow off his shoulders at the door.
Clio took his cloak.
"You went to the Guard Office to visit Michael today. How is he?" She cared most about Michael.
Patrick drank tea to moisten his throat, his tone still somewhat stern: "Much more honest and proper, but I heard rumors today that people are comparing him to our Cameron, saying Michael's foundation is too weak and he won't work hard."
Clio's face immediately changed.
"These people only gossip behind backs. How old is Michael? Isn't that making things difficult for him? Give him time - sooner or later he'll be our family's most outstanding child."
Patrick agreed. After all, Michael was his only son now, so he could only cultivate him well.
Seeing Patrick in a decent mood, Clio pulled out a thin booklet. Opening it revealed the names and family backgrounds of three or four men.
"What's this for?" Patrick asked.
"I'm looking at potential husbands for Cressida. Take a look - do you like any of them?"
"Does she know about this?"
"If we let her know, she definitely won't agree. But how can this be up to her?" Clio said seriously. "She came back from the border - she's twenty-four this year. In other families, she'd be an old maid! Besides..."
She gave a look, and Tatum went out and closed the door.
"Besides, Rose said today that on the day we opened the ancestral hall, Miguel looked at Cressida very strangely. I'm thinking, Miguel did see her dressed as a man at the border after all. Over time, this will cause trouble. Better to marry her off early."
Thinking this might be exposed, Patrick immediately frowned and looked seriously at the booklet.
He pointed to the last person: "Him then."
Clio glanced - Patrick had chosen Wilder Louis from the Louis family, thirty years old this year. Though only a concubine's son, he'd already passed the civil service exam.
The Louis family's foundation wasn't stable, but there was less drama, and they were farther away.
Of course, Clio had one secret she didn't mention - she'd learned that the Louis family's mistress had a difficult, picky personality. Once Cressida went there, all her energy would be drained, leaving no time for anything else.
Marrying Cressida to the Louis family, it would be best if she never returned to Emerald City.
Patrick was thinking the same thing as Clio.
"Good then. I'll remember this. After the New Year, when spring comes, I'll make preparations."
Patrick wanted to sleep, but turning his head, he saw Clio deep in thought, her eyes narrowed in concentration, fine lines at the corners barely visible.
"You should rest early. I'm going to the west courtyard." That's where one of his concubines lived.
Clio didn't care. After all, the concubines in the household had all been given medicine and couldn't have children, so they couldn't cause trouble. She let Patrick go.