Chapter 111

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: The Aftermath of Sincerity (1)
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"If that were so, I would have made Miss Sheldon my bride."

"It's a good thing you were born a girl. Otherwise, a shootout might have broken out between uncle and nephew over Miss Sheldon."

Mrs. Fairfax decided to see Laura herself.
She was worried about Laura's condition, and she couldn't bear the curiosity about what in the world had happened at the gathering.

Knock, knock.

She knocked on Laura's door, but there was no answer.

An ordinarily polite lady would have readily turned away when a knock went unanswered.
But Mrs. Fairfax had a self-centered streak that couldn't stand not knowing, and at such times, she would lose her usual leisurely demeanor and become quite rash.

She grabbed the doorknob and twisted.
The door opened easily.

The room was cluttered with the suitcases and trunks she had taken with her to Whitefield.

The lady shifted her gaze to the bed.
There was no sign of it having been slept in.
A sick person should surely be languishing in their bedding.
Mrs. Fairfax scanned the room.
She soon discovered the veranda doors were wide open, and saw the back of Miss Sheldon standing before the stone balustrade outside.

She strode forward.
Despite not silencing her footsteps, Laura did not turn around.

"Miss Sheldon."

Laura's slender shoulders flinched.

"You said you were ill, yet you're standing out here in the cold wind."

Laura touched her face while still turned away.
The lady realized Laura was wiping her face.

Mrs. Fairfax quickly went to Laura's side, grabbed her shoulders, and turned her around.

Laura's face was stained with tears.

"Miss Sheldon...!"

Laura sniffled, rubbing her wet eyes.

"I am so sorry. For you to see me like this..."

"Sorry? Nonsense. What on earth happened? What happened at the gathering?"

Laura lowered her head.

"No. Nothing... nothing at all..."

"Then why, why are you crying? Are you homesick? Do you miss London?"

"I don't miss that place in the slightest. It's just... it's just..."

Laura tried to steady her voice, which kept breaking.

"I can no longer stay here."

"Here, you mean...?"

"Dunville Park. No, Yorkshire."

"Why?"

"My being here is a nuisance. My very presence will be a burden to everyone."

"What are you talking about? You made my ignorant pack of sons memorize Latin verbs. You've been a fine example of a lady to my sheltered daughter. You're a good chess partner to my husband, and to me, you are my benefactor's daughter. So what..."

"It's all useless! Useless! Mr. Dalton... he's in love with me!"

Mrs. Fairfax quickly covered her mouth.
Her inner thoughts had almost escaped her lips.

'You foolish boy, how could you let it slip so soon!'

Laura covered her face with both hands and sobbed.

"I am terribly sorry to the Fairfax family, who has welcomed me so warmly."
"That I, someone like me, would dare to catch Mr. Dalton's eye and even receive a proposal."
"I should have been more careful... I should have been more reserved and prudent on my part..."

"There is no one who lives as reservedly and prudently as you. Don't blame yourself."

Mrs. Fairfax turned her head and looked at the scenery beyond the veranda.
The forests of Dunville Park, as if mocking the lady's troubled heart, were dressed in colorful fine clothes, dancing gently in the autumn breeze.

"Let's go inside and continue our talk."

The two went into the room.
And they sat facing each other at a small tea table.

"Why haven't you unpacked your luggage?"

Laura answered, wiping her face with a handkerchief.

"Because I'll have to leave soon."

"To where?"

"Anywhere. Now that I know Mr. Dalton's feelings, I cannot stay here."

The words, 'Why not? Just marry him and live at Whitefield!' rose in her throat, but she restrained herself.
If she knew of Ian's feelings, she must have also realized she was lured here to be seduced. If she found out that I, too, had conspired in that insidious plan, she would lose all affection for the Fairfax family itself.

"To be honest, it's a little surprising. I never imagined Ian would harbor such feelings for you. But I consider you part of our family. I would prefer it if you didn't leave, if possible."

Laura looked at the lady with a puzzled expression.

"I thought you would be displeased. For such a wonderful brother to have set his heart on someone like me..."

"As long as Ian gets married, I'll welcome anyone. It's not like he'd listen to me anyway. Rather, it must be difficult for you. Being courted by a man as ill-tempered as Ian is a trying experience. I understand."

"Mr. Dalton is a wonderful man."

"Thank you for saying so. Though I cannot agree."

Mrs. Fairfax took Laura's small hand.

"Let me ask you just one thing. Can you leave us without a single trace of regret?"

Laura shook her head.

"In that case, how about you stop Ian's visits and continue to stay here?"

"Mr. Dalton won't listen."

"I know. You're worried Ian will ignore your wishes and keep visiting, aren't you? But you see, Miss Sheldon, I know many weaknesses Ian would want to keep hidden. He got into plenty of adorable mischief as a child. A few words from me, and that boy won't come anywhere near this place."

Mrs. Fairfax threw out a tempting bait, hoping it would help.

"If you're curious, I can tell you a few things."

But Laura was not one to take an interest in prying into others' shames.
She shook her head.

"Even if you are Mr. Dalton's sister, you won't be able to stop him."

"Don't underestimate me, Miss Sheldon."

"No. It is you, madam, who underestimates Mr. Dalton's feelings. Mr. Dalton... yesterday, Mr. Dalton..."

Laura took a deep breath, as if the mere thought made her short of breath.

"He said that if I didn't accept his proposal... he would take his own life... with a pistol to his own head..."

Laura could not continue, her body trembling.

Mrs. Fairfax stared blankly into space.
She wanted to wrap her arm around her brother Ian's neck, tuck him under her arm, and give him a million noogies.

'So this is how you advertise that you've never been in a relationship your entire life, Ian Dalton! This is why men need to socialize with women and have a few relationships before marriage. You spend your whole life cooped up in a room painting, so of course you'd stumble so badly at a critical moment.'

Mrs. Fairfax felt she had to give up on keeping Laura here for now.
Laura must have been psychologically shocked by the absurd thing her brother had done.

But she couldn't just let her leave like this.
She had started to grow fond of Laura for some time, but more importantly, ever since she learned that Laura was Mr. Sheldon's daughter, she had set her heart on Laura being her brother's one and only match.

It had been twenty years ago, but the memory of Mr. Sheldon remained in Mrs. Fairfax's mind.
He always wore old clothes, but he was a man so beautiful and neat that it was hard to notice.
He was affectionate, meticulous, wise, and gentle.
He was the angel who saved the sensitive and lonely young Ian.

To think that such a man's daughter had been hurt by her selfish uncle and unjustly robbed of her inheritance, the lady lamented Laura's harsh life.

And the life of a governess that Laura was about to embark on would only make her pitiful life even more so.
It was a life of toiling all day, only to live in loneliness and poverty.

That was why the lady believed Laura had to marry Ian.
If she married Ian, she would handle her younger brother well and lead Whitefield Hall in a good direction.
As a just reward for her conduct and diligence, she would live as a happy wife, receiving her husband's love and the respect of the residents.

Mrs. Fairfax dearly wanted to see that happen.

"If you truly must leave, I suppose it can't be helped, but what about our children? They all love you so very much."

"I feel terribly sorry for the children."

"Daniel and George will do nothing but cry if you leave. Olivia will be heartbroken, too. We will never find anyone else to replace you. And I, too..."

"..."

"Truthfully, I've been living quite lonely until recently. After you came, I found a companion to talk to, and my loneliness lessened. And my health seems to be gradually recovering as well. You are a wonderful friend not only to Ian, but to me as well. But if you leave like this..."

Mrs. Fairfax deliberately tightened the shawl around her shoulders and coughed a few times.
Laura's expression clouded over.
Mrs. Fairfax's conscience pricked her just a little, but she continued without showing it.

"Miss Sheldon, how about this instead? You could leave Dunville Park for a while, until Ian's feelings cool down."

"Until Mr. Dalton's feelings cool down?"

"Yes. You know the saying, 'out of sight, out of mind'."

Laura's expression was far from convinced.

"Are Mr. Dalton's feelings really so trivial?"

"They are not trivial, of course. But passion is a fickle thing that cools as quickly as it heats. I believe Ian's feelings are temporary. It hasn't even been a full year since you met him. Who knows what will happen after being apart for a season."

Mrs. Fairfax held Laura's hand tightly.

"You said you have a friend staying in Bath, correct? Go there and rest, and come back around springtime. If Ian's feelings haven't settled by then, I will personally find you a new position. A position as a Tutor. You will receive the same treatment and salary you received here. So, please, take your time considering leaving us."

Laura had a complicated expression.
She pondered for a moment and finally nodded.

"I will do that, Madam."

Mrs. Fairfax breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then, when will you be departing?"

"I am hesitant to face Mr. Dalton again. I will just say my farewells to the children and leave immediately..."

"Very well. Then you should depart tomorrow. I will have your wages calculated for the time you've worked. My husband and I stayed at a fine inn in Bath, so I will write down the address for you."

The lady rose from her seat.

"You need a full stomach for a long journey. I will have a maid send up a meal. Be sure to eat it all."

Laura nodded, her eyes as red as a rabbit's.
Mrs. Fairfax smiled wryly.

'I managed to hold on to her for now... but Ian, what are you going to do now?'

With a troubled heart, she opened the door.
But as soon as she opened it, a pattering sound met her ears.
She quickly closed the door and looked down the left hallway.
Olivia was scurrying to her room, her golden hair flying behind her.

'What. Did she hear everything?'

Mrs. Fairfax sighed, hmm, then shrugged her shoulders.

'Well, it doesn't matter.'