Chapter 107

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: The Worst Night (2)
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“Miss Lance.”

“Yes?”

“I'll be returning to Dunville Park as soon as the ball is over. I've already packed my things and made arrangements with the coachman.”

“Why so soon...”

“I'm going to look for another position. I'll be leaving Yorkshire within the week. Somewhere very far away. A place where it will be difficult to see old friends again.”

“Oh.”

Miss Lance didn't know what to say.

“I do hope you'll be happy, Miss Lance.”

“You too, Miss Sheldon... Be happy.”

She gave a faint smile.

Descending the stairs, Miss Lance felt a whirlwind of emotions. She was relieved that Miss Pendleton would be disappearing from Mr. Dalton's life. But at the same time, she felt a little sorry. Miss Pendleton was stepping aside for her and Mr. Dalton.

Leaving the two families that protected her, where would she go now? How would she survive?

After navigating the dim staircase, the two women walked down the long corridor leading to the ballroom. Miss Lance felt the urge to ask Miss Pendleton about her future plans, but she suppressed it. She couldn't help, nor should she. What good would it do to concern herself with the former mistress of the man who would be her husband?

*Besides, it's none of my business anyway.*

“Ian!”

The two ladies stopped in their tracks at the familiar voice.

The source of the sound was a small side room, quite a distance from the ballroom. The door was open about a hand's breadth.

Miss Lance recognized the voice as Mr. Fairfax's.

*Mr. Fairfax must be with Mr. Dalton!*

Without thinking, Miss Lance started toward the room. Miss Pendleton quickly grabbed her arm.

“They must have something to discuss in private. That's why they sought out such a secluded spot. Let's go back to the ballroom for now.”

“But it's so large and crowded. I've been alone for hours, unable to find Mr. Dalton. We can meet him here and enter together...!”

“You mad fool! Is this really the time to be prattling on about Miss Pendleton?”

Miss Lance stopped mid-sentence.

From beyond the door, Mr. Fairfax's agitated voice continued.

“Rumors are flying that you and Miss Lance are lovers! All of London is convinced you two are going to be married!”

The two ladies froze.

A moment later, Mr. Dalton's scoffing laugh drifted out.

“What utter nonsense. What have I supposedly done with Miss Lance? Honestly, the gossips of London have a real talent for spinning the most vulgar tales.”

“This is entirely your fault. I hear Miss Lance is also convinced you're going to propose. You must have acted improperly. What are you going to do? Miss Lance's reputation is about to be shattered!”

“All rumors are eventually forgotten. She has a good family and is quite popular. She'll find a suitable husband soon enough.”

“You clearly know nothing of society. Miss Lance's chances of finding a good match are ruined now. And you're the one who did it, you!”

Mr. Fairfax seethed.

“There's only one solution. Give up your feelings for Miss Pendleton. Turn your affections toward Miss Lance. This situation cannot be resolved unless you take responsibility and marry her.”

“Don't be ridiculous. Why should I marry a woman I have no interest in when there's a woman I truly love?”

Mr. Dalton's voice, thick with displeasure, cut clearly through the crack in the door and struck the ears of the two ladies.

“If it's not Miss Pendleton, marriage is meaningless to me!”

Miss Lance shook off Miss Pendleton's hand, rushed toward the room, and threw the door open.

*Bang!*

The sound of the door slamming against the wall echoed through the hall.

Inside the small room, the two gentlemen who had been fuming at each other turned to look at the entrance. Their expressions quickly turned to dismay.

“Miss Lance!”

“Miss Pendleton!”

The two gentlemen called out the names of the ladies on their respective minds.

“Ah, ah...”

Miss Lance looked at Mr. Dalton. His gaze was fixed on Miss Pendleton, who stood behind her. She wasn't the only one who had heard his words, yet it was as if he didn't even see her.

*It can't be...!*

Miss Lance burst into tears and ran off somewhere. Mr. Fairfax disappeared after her, calling her name.

Only the two of them remained, one inside the room and one out. Mr. Dalton looked at Laura, his face contorted.

“...Miss Pendleton.”

He took a step toward her.

“I...”

“Stop.”

Laura held out a hand as if to block him. He froze in place.

“I believe our friendship is over.”

The color drained from his face.

“I will no longer permit you by my side. Goodbye, Mr. Dalton.”

Laura gave a calm curtsy and vanished like the wind.

***

Miss Lance, struggling to drag a trunk full of luggage, came face-to-face with a gentleman. It was Mr. Fairfax. He was pacing in front of the room Miss Lance shared with her friends, his arms crossed.

“Miss Lance.”

For a moment, Miss Lance became conscious of her appearance. Her face, a mess from crying; her hair, disheveled from running; the hem of her skirt, wrinkled from carelessly handling her luggage.

But the most shameful thing was that he was one of the people present for what amounted to her being rejected by Mr. Dalton.

“What are you doing here?”

she asked irritably.

“I was concerned for your well-being...”

“I'm perfectly fine.”

Miss Lance pushed past him, dragging her trunk down the corridor. He followed her.

“Are you returning to London?”

“Yes.”

“I urge you to reconsider. All the events will be over by tomorrow morning. It would be better to return with your friends, Miss Lance.”

“No.”

“The night train is dangerous for a lady traveling alone. Besides, in this attire, you're sure to catch a cold in the carriage...”

“I said no!”

Miss Lance whipped her head around and glared at him.

“My friends are all convinced I'm going to receive a proposal from Mr. Dalton! What will they say when they see me in this state? And what could I possibly tell them?”

“...”

“Even if I manage to lie to my friends, it's still a problem. If I show up at breakfast tomorrow with a swollen face, everyone will whisper. *Miss Lance must have been jilted. He must be in love with... another woman...*”

Miss Lance bit her lip hard. Tears welled up in her pale blue eyes.

“I... I need time to process this. Time to cope... Time to think about what just happened to me...”

Mr. Fairfax nodded.

“I understand. Then, at the very least, please allow me to escort you.”

“...”

“I won't be a bother. I will attend you like a shadow. Please, just let me see you safely to the Lance estate. I beg you.”

He bowed his head. He looked almost servile, like a debtor groveling for a delay in interest payments.

Miss Lance's resolve wavered slightly. In truth, she was a little frightened of taking the night train alone.

Miss Lance gave a small nod. He expressed his gratitude politely and immediately took off his tuxedo jacket, draping it over her shoulders. It was a thoughtful gesture for her, dressed as she was in an off-the-shoulder gown.

Next, he took Miss Lance's trunk from her. The luggage she had struggled to drag seemed as light as a small gift box in his hands.

He was truly like a shadow. He always walked three paces behind her and never spoke a word. He silently called for a carriage and loaded the luggage. He lowered the step for her to climb into the passenger seat, then sat himself in the cold driver's box.

When they arrived at the train station, he purchased the tickets, moved her luggage, and guided her to her seat. Then he took a seat across the aisle, leaving her in peace.

Though she was in a state of turmoil, Miss Lance was aware of Mr. Fairfax's consideration. To him, she was merely a casual acquaintance, yet he was taking such care of her. Men were always calling themselves gentlemen, but a true gentleman like William Fairfax—you probably couldn't find five of them in all of England.

Miss Lance felt grateful to him and knew she ought to express it. But right now, she was too exhausted, too depressed, and too overwhelmed by sorrow to do anything. And above all, she was too ashamed.

Until she boarded the train, Miss Lance had been in denial. She told herself she had misheard. That it was all a misunderstanding, or that he was simply hiding his true feelings.

But the reality she had confirmed with her own two ears prevented any rationalization.

*“Don't be ridiculous. Why should I marry a woman I have no interest in when there's a woman I truly love? If it's not Miss Pendleton, marriage is meaningless to me!”*

That cold, cruel voice.

*Oh, he never loved me!*

In the carriage earlier, Miss Lance had cried and cried. By the time they reached the station, she had wept so much that she couldn't even step down from the carriage without support.

The train hissed steam as it pulled out of the station. With bloodshot eyes and a swollen face, Miss Lance gazed out the window. The same landscapes she had looked upon with such anticipation a few days ago now seemed to bid her farewell, bathed in moonlight.

Once some of her grief had been shed with her tears, Miss Lance, who was reasonably intelligent and self-aware for her age, began to think clearly.

*Why did I make such a mistake?*

Thinking back, he had never really courted her in any particular way. It was nothing more and nothing less than the standard kindness a gentleman shows a lady in society. And yet, she had been utterly convinced that he had fallen in love with her, Dora Lance. Why?

She retraced her memories. She carefully reviewed the details of every situation and circumstance as objectively as she could.

And just as the train was crossing the border out of Yorkshire, she faced the truth.

*Because everyone around me gossiped that Ian Dalton had fallen for me. And... because I wanted to believe it.*

Her face turned red as a tomato. She felt so pathetic she wanted to kick herself.

*I'm a fool. An idiot. How could I let myself be swayed by others' words and fall for such a baseless delusion? Mr. Dalton was never interested in me from the start. He never asked me to waltz, never gave me a gift, never made an improper advance. Oh, what am I going to do now? Everyone in London is convinced that Mr. Dalton and I are lovers!*

She wanted to throw open the train window and hurl herself out. But Mr. Fairfax wouldn't let her. That must have been why he had insisted on accompanying her—in case she tried something foolish.

*Ah, if only I had been a little more self-aware, things wouldn't have come to this. I could have stopped my friends from spreading rumors about Mr. Dalton and me, and I would have kept my distance from him to avoid giving others the wrong impression. If only my mother hadn't filled my head with false hopes, or if... if just one person had given me some sound advice...*

In that moment, someone came to Miss Lance's mind. The one person who had indirectly warned her to be careful about the rumors with Mr. Dalton.