Chapter 103

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: The Hunting Party (6)
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“Being adjacent to Whitefield, it must be easier to interact with Mr. Dalton than usual.”

“Yes. Mr. Dalton often comes to see his nephews. He’s a good uncle.”

“And you visit as well, Miss Sheldon?”

“Yes. With my nephews.”

“I heard you were a great help with this gathering. Though I’ve only been here a day, I can sense how much effort you’ve put in. You’ve worked very hard, Miss Sheldon.”

Miss Pendleton expressed her gratitude.

“Mr. Fairfax mentioned that there’s quite a distance between Dunville Park and Whitefield?”

“Yes. It’s a two or three-hour journey.”

“You must have had a difficult time traveling back and forth for the preparations. For how many days did you prepare?”

“About two weeks.”

‘She must have been living in this house for two weeks. Sharing a bedroom with Mr. Dalton.’

Miss Lance’s throat went dry.

“Miss Sheldon. I’ll be frank with you. I was very concerned watching you today. You seemed as though… ah, no. I won’t be so direct. For the sake of your honor.”

“…”

“You once advised me, Miss Sheldon, on how easily a woman’s reputation can be ruined. I was moved by your concern, and I resolved to be the same kind of friend to you. And today, I believe I have the chance to be your true friend.”

Miss Lance struggled to fill her voice with pure concern.

“I may be younger than you, Miss Sheldon, but I know how the world works. Britain is in a recession, and the heads of traditional families use marriage as a means to protect their houses. A woman lacking both fortune and pedigree is not a marriage prospect to them.”

Laura’s expression was puzzled, but she listened quietly.

“To young heads of families, a beautiful but poor woman is merely an easy dalliance. And while an affair may not harm a man, it ruins a woman’s reputation. It’s unfair, but that is the way of the world.”

“…I’m sorry to interrupt, Miss Lance, but why are you telling me this…?”

Miss Lance took a deep breath.

“Miss Pendleton, you can certainly still marry in the future. You haven’t even reached middle age yet. But for a woman of any class, her reputation greatly affects her marriage prospects. No matter how far your station has fallen, you must not carelessly cast aside your precious virtue. A man will not take responsibility for anything. Not even if that man is a gentleman from a prestigious family who owns such a magnificent estate.”

Miss Pendleton’s eyes widened. She had realized Miss Lance’s intention. Her face immediately turned scarlet.

Miss Lance thought she was overcome with shame at having been hit where it hurt. She continued her lecture disguised as advice.

“It is a sin for which you should be ashamed not only before your late parents but also before God. Just because your parents sinned, there is no need for you, Miss Pendleton, to repeat that fate…”

“Miss Lance.”

“Yes.”

“Please, say no more. Anything further would be an insult not only to me but to Mr. Dalton as well.”

Miss Pendleton’s blush had spread from her face down to her neck and chest.

‘Yes, she must have gotten the message by now.’

Miss Lance obediently fell silent. Miss Pendleton looked around, as if unsure where to fix her gaze, then suggested they return to their rooms.

The two walked awkwardly along the corridor and up the staircase. Miss Pendleton seemed lost in thought the entire way.

Miss Lance stopped on the second-floor landing. Miss Pendleton’s room was on the third floor. Miss Lance bid her goodnight and was about to walk down the hall.

“Miss Lance.”

Miss Lance stopped. Their eyes met in the darkness.

“I say this out of an abundance of caution, but do not offer Mr. Dalton the same advice you gave me today. He would feel insulted, and any favor he holds for you would vanish.”

Miss Lance nodded, bewildered. She had never imagined Miss Pendleton would worry about her relationship with Mr. Dalton.

Miss Pendleton gave a faint smile.

“Well then, sleep well. We have the boat ride tomorrow.”

She ascended the stairs without a sound.

Miss Lance slowly returned to her room. As she walked down the corridor, she felt as if she had done something shameful. But she couldn’t pinpoint what it was, which only frustrated her.

***

The next day, the gentlemen and ladies paired off and took to rowboats on the lake near Whitefield. There was an extravagant beauty to the sight of the gentlemen rowing slowly and the ladies twirling their open parasols as they admired the surrounding scenery.

The local villagers who lived nearby watched them from a distance with curiosity. The aristocrats paid them no mind, each engrossed in their own pleasures—singing songs, casting flirtatious glances at their desired companions, and dipping their hands into the water to soak their gloves.

Laura sat in a rowboat, listening to the chatter of the other ladies who accompanied her. These were the same women who had openly scorned her during her London days, but they had become quite friendly since Mr. Dalton had introduced her yesterday as a member of the Dalton and Fairfax families.

They relayed to her bits of London news she already knew. Trivial things, like how the head of the Pendleton family had found an investor for his shipping business and begun large-scale construction; how Mrs. Elizabeth Morton was all but confined to her bed with morning sickness; and how Miss Joan Jensen was enjoying immense popularity in British society, with countless suitors lining up despite her being engaged.

Laura let their words wash over her, her gaze fixed on a rowboat far ahead.

Miss Lance sat in the boat Mr. Dalton was rowing, holding a sky-blue parasol. She chattered away to the friends seated beside her, occasionally speaking to Mr. Dalton. When she did, he would turn his head and offer a reply.

‘I hope it goes well for them.’

The two of them had to get engaged at this gathering. The ladies were all buzzing with stories of their secret romance. If Miss Lance failed to marry him, her life in society would be over.

And her heart would suffer a wound it could not endure.

Hidden within Miss Lance’s advice yesterday was a blatant wariness of her. Though she wore a mask of concern, Laura was not so oblivious as to miss the jealousy simmering beneath. Miss Lance loved Mr. Dalton that much.

And that love must have been encouraged by Mr. Dalton himself. Although she had never witnessed their affectionate displays with her own eyes, it was unlikely that a popular and confident lady like Miss Lance would have fallen so deeply for a man who had no interest in her.

She didn’t want Miss Lance to be hurt the way she herself had been twelve years ago. It was an unpleasant misunderstanding to be subjected to by a lady nine years her junior, but once the two were engaged, she could clear it all up. For now, their engagement was the priority.

Of course, on the day their marriage was decided, her own heart would shatter like a shipwrecked vessel. But that was a burden she had to bear, Laura told her aching heart.

The boat ride was followed by a picnic. Just as Laura had planned, Mr. Dalton remained with Miss Lance’s group, spending his time with them.
Miss Lance’s peals of laughter carried across the lawn.

Were things progressing well? Laura turned her gaze toward them. And then she saw it. Miss Lance, naturally leaning her head on Mr. Dalton’s shoulder.

Laura quickly looked away, as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have. She instantly lost her appetite and couldn’t eat a thing for the rest of the picnic.

After the meal, tennis and croquet continued throughout the afternoon. Laura deliberately tried not to look in Mr. Dalton’s direction, focusing instead on instructing the servants with the cleanup and watching the games.

“Miss Pendleton.”

Startled by the voice at her side, Laura turned. She had been standing near the bustling tennis court, watching the ball fly back and forth with a detached expression.
It was Mr. Dalton.

“The weather is perfect for outdoor amusements. You chose the date well, Miss Pendleton.”

Laura nodded.

“Yes.”

“Do you like tennis? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you play.”

“…I don’t particularly care for it. I tire easily.”

“Your health has improved since staying at Dunville Park. Why don’t you join a game?”

Laura shook her head.

She felt unusually stifled. She didn’t want to hear his voice, and even replying felt irritating. This had never happened before. His presence had always been a welcome one.

“Are you tired? Have you overexerted yourself these past two days?”

“No. I just… I just want to stay as I am.”

She felt his gaze on her cheek. She could vividly picture his dark eyes, staring intently at her. Laura kept her gaze fixed on the court, refusing to look at him.

“You’re not in good spirits. Is it because of me?”

“…”

“I don’t know the reason, but if you’re this upset, it must be my fault. I’m sorry.”

Laura felt like crying.

“You’ve done nothing wrong, Mr. Dalton. I’m just not feeling well.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No. If any measures are needed, I’ll take care of them myself.”

Laura turned her head completely away from him.

‘Laura, you fool. Why are you taking it out on him? He’s done nothing wrong. You’re the only one with these one-sided feelings for him.’

Soon, she heard Miss Lance’s voice calling for Mr. Dalton from behind them. He turned and walked away from Laura.

A faint mist, like fog, gathered in her eyes, and her heart grew heavy, as if a brick had been placed on her chest.

Laura quickly rubbed her eyes. Suddenly, she wanted to run away from it all. To flee far, far away from Yorkshire and hide somewhere.

***

Laura had to keep acknowledging the fact that she had underestimated her own feelings.

For the rest of the day’s schedule, Mr. Dalton remained with Miss Lance’s group. At the small concert featuring a hired orchestra, Mr. Dalton and Miss Lance sat side by side to watch. It was because Laura had arranged the seating that way.

During the whist and billiards that followed, Miss Lance and Mr. Dalton were on the same team. This, too, was part of Laura’s plan.

Laura focused on attending to the other guests, but the very awareness of Miss Lance and Mr. Dalton being together set her nerves on edge.

When the day’s events were over and she had returned to her bedroom, Laura could not help but admit that she was jealous.

She sat curled up on the bed, thinking. If it was this agonizing now, what would happen when he married? If she had to see him as another woman’s husband.
A sharp pain shot through her heart. Her body trembled.

‘I have to leave this place. Thankfully, I have my father’s inheritance. I don’t need to save a large sum of money. I’ll write a letter to the boarding school I graduated from. I’ll ask if there’s a teaching position and teach the children there. The pay will be less than a governess’s, but it will be stable and rewarding.’

Having made her decision, Laura lay down on the bed.

Knock, knock.

“Yes.”

“It’s me.”

It was Mr. Dalton’s voice. Laura shot up from her seat.