Chapter 3

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Miss Laura Pendleton (2)
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Miss Hyde smiled sadly.

“Isn't it foolish?”

Miss Pendleton shook her head.

“No, it is foolish. My parents would faint if they knew what I was thinking right now. Did I tell you? My mother saw the letter. As usual, she’s the sort who can't bear not knowing every single thing I write or read.”

Miss Hyde grimaced as if she had just bitten into a sour lemon. It was the expression she always made whenever her mother was the topic of conversation.

“My mother is already putting her heads together with my sister Rosemary, trying to decide on a wedding date. If I were to refuse Mr. Fairfax’s proposal, she would faint on the spot. And after she came to her senses, she would grab me and say it again. ‘Twenty-five is the last age you can be married off without being labeled a spinster. If you become an old maid and a burden to your brother and sister's family, I won't be able to rest easy in my grave. There is nothing in this house that will be your share. All the remaining savings must go to sending Alex to university and for Emily’s wedding dowry. So, you had best come to your senses.’”

“Miss Hyde. Could it be that you're considering refusing him out of resentment for your mother…?”

Miss Hyde shook her head.

“No. A part of me just wants to shut my eyes and get this blasted marriage over with. But there’s another part of me, deep down, screaming that I can’t, that I mustn’t make such a decision.”

Miss Hyde stared intently at Miss Pendleton.

“What do you think, Miss Pendleton? Do you think I'm making a decision I'll regret?”

Miss Pendleton thought she understood why Miss Hyde was confiding in her. She likely wanted to consult with another spinster about a future in which she, too, might become one.

“Miss Hyde.”

Miss Pendleton swirled the teacup in her hands for a moment, lost in thought, before she spoke.

“First, I have known you for a long time, and as a friend to your sister, I have a responsibility to give you honest advice. So, I will speak plainly, trusting you won't think ill of me even if I must humble myself… It is best to avoid living as a spinster in England.”

Miss Pendleton saw Miss Hyde’s lips part a few times before closing again. She wanted to ask, ‘Was it difficult for you, Miss Pendleton, living as a spinster?’

But Miss Hyde never asked, and for that, Miss Pendleton was inwardly grateful. Had she asked, Miss Pendleton would have had no choice but to answer in as much detail as possible, and the process would have left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“It is difficult, both socially and financially, to live as an unmarried woman. This is an important matter concerning your future, Miss Hyde, so let us be prudent. Now, the first thing I want to say is that while Mr. Fairfax is a good man, that has no bearing on whether or not you should accept his proposal.”

Laura’s tone was gentle but firm.

“Accepting a proposal simply to avoid hurting his feelings is a deception. So let us set aside Mr. Fairfax's feelings for a moment. And your parents' thoughts as well. Look only into your own heart, Miss Hyde. How would you feel if you were to marry Mr. Fairfax? If you were to spend all day, every day, in the same house with him?”

Miss Hyde gazed for a moment at the black pool in her coffee cup.

“I would be completely free. Mr. Fairfax mentioned three times in his letter that he would never force anything upon me after marriage. Well, of course, we could occasionally ride horses together and converse. Mr. Fairfax would always listen well to what I have to say. It would be like gaining a good friend.”

“Very well, Miss Hyde. I agree with you up to this point. Mr. Fairfax is not a man who would ever break a promise. He would respect you your entire life and be a good friend. It would not be a bad marriage. Now, for the last question. Miss Hyde, you are aware of what happens between a husband and wife, are you not?”

Miss Hyde stared intently at Miss Pendleton. Miss Pendleton glanced around before leaning a hand's breadth closer to Miss Hyde and whispering.

“I don't mean what happens during the day, but what happens at night.”

In an instant, the color drained from Miss Hyde's face, her expression hardening. Miss Pendleton quietly observed her. At last, she recognized from the look on Miss Hyde's face that the answer in her heart had been decided for good.

Yes. The revulsion in the depths of her soul was for the intimate act between a husband and wife. The very thing women who accept proposals from men they could never love desperately try to forget until their honeymoon. Whether fortunate or not, Miss Hyde had been forced to confront this reality before accepting.

“Good afternoon, Miss Hyde?”

For a moment, Miss Pendleton and Miss Hyde were so startled they nearly fainted. While the two had been huddled together whispering, Mr. Fairfax had approached and was now standing before their table.

The two women shot up as if on springs. Fortunately, Mr. Fairfax seemed not to have heard a word of what the ladies had been discussing about him, and he wore his usual good-natured and warm smile.

Miss Pendleton quickly erased the surprise from her face, adopting the amiable smile she had perfected over twelve years in society, and gave a slight curtsy.

However, Miss Hyde, who still lacked such social poise, had only managed to wipe away the uncomfortable emotion that had been on her face moments before. She even swayed and broke into a cold sweat—things never seen from her before—and had to steady herself by holding onto Miss Pendleton.

Mr. Fairfax looked at Miss Hyde with concern.

“Are you feeling unwell, Miss Hyde?”

“Oh, no.”

“Are you certain? You look quite pale.”

“I just… I think something disagreed with me. The food…”

“Oh, dear. Shall I have my carriage take you home?”

“No! I'm fine!”

Miss Hyde had cried out without thinking, and she quickly added in a mumble, as if to excuse her overreaction.

“I think I'll feel better if I just sit here with Miss Pendleton for a moment. She is so good at massaging one's hands…”

“I see. If you should need my help, please don't hesitate to say so. If you need a doctor, for instance.”

“I'm quite all right, really…”

Still, Mr. Fairfax could not take his worried eyes off Miss Hyde. But realizing it was improper to stare at an unmarried lady for too long, he soon turned his gaze to Miss Pendleton.

“You look as beautiful as ever, Miss Pendleton.”

“You're too kind.”

“I heard you lent Janet the original Dumas novel last time we met? My sister has become quite the scholar lately, dedicating at least two hours a day to her French studies. I would be most grateful if you could visit sometime and help Janet improve her conversation skills.”

“Of course, I shall call on her soon. It is always a great pleasure for me to have tea with the lovely Miss Janet.”

Mr. Fairfax beamed, clearly pleased by the praise for his younger sister.

“Ah, and there is one more thing I'd like to ask of you.”

“By all means. What is it?”

Mr. Fairfax's expression turned quite serious as he began to speak.

“You remember I have a young in-law about my age, don't you?”

“Ah, yes. His name was Ian…”

“Ian Dalton. Ian Dalton of Whitefield.”

“Yes, I remember. The young gentleman with many nieces and nephews?”

Miss Pendleton was well acquainted with the name Ian Dalton. It was a name she had heard mentioned from time to time when speaking with Mr. Fairfax or his sister.

The young master of a great estate called Whitefield in Yorkshire. A resourceful capitalist who had more than quadrupled the fortune he inherited from his father in just a few years.

And according to Miss Janet Fairfax, he was also a man of striking appearance. She claimed that even her own brother, who was quite handsome, was nothing in comparison. He was even, she said, above Mr. Edward Morton.

Having never in her life seen a man more handsome than Mr. Morton, Miss Pendleton could not even begin to imagine what this Mr. Ian Dalton looked like.

“That's right. We grew up together and attended Eton School together. For university, we were unfortunately split, he to Cambridge and I to Oxford. He wrote to say he plans to visit London in about a month's time. A letter arrived asking if he might stay in my guest room instead of a hotel. I was just writing back to tell him he is more than welcome.”

He continued calmly.

“However, immediately after Ian's letter, another arrived from his older sister—that is, my sister-in-law, Mrs. Robert Fairfax. She said she hopes her brother Ian will make many friends during his stay in London. That is… many lady friends.”

Miss Pendleton realized what he was about to ask.

“However, I spend most of my time smoking at my gentlemen's club, so I am not acquainted with many ladies. That is why I wish to ask a favor of you, Miss Pendleton. I was wondering if you might introduce my cousin Ian to some of your friends.”

“That wouldn't be difficult, but… is Mr. Dalton amenable to this?”

Mr. Fairfax shrugged.

“To be honest, it is entirely my sister-in-law's doing. Is not thirty the prime age for a man to marry? But that fellow stays cooped up on his estate with no intention of seeking a match.”

Miss Pendleton nodded. Indeed, for a gentleman, the age of thirty was no cause for alarm.

Moreover, Ian Dalton was a gentleman of the landed gentry, possessed of an immense fortune. For a man of means, even the age of fifty was nothing to rush about.

Miss Pendleton held no ill will toward Mr. Fairfax or Mr. Dalton, but she was reluctant to have a gentleman with no intention of marrying casually appraise her friends with an indifferent eye.

“I'm sure there are plenty of fine ladies near his estate; I wonder if he truly needs to come all the way to London to meet them. Besides, even without my intervention, London society will welcome him with open arms. If he so desires, that is.”

Miss Pendleton conveyed her refusal as politely as she could. But Mr. Fairfax did not back down.

“I understand. You would rather not introduce your friends to a fellow who has no mind to marry. You value your friendships. However, could you not consider accepting Ian Dalton, my friend, as a new friend of your own?”

Mr. Fairfax continued in an earnest tone.

“He is a truly fine fellow. It is not simply a matter of his fortune; he is a thoughtful friend who cherishes his family. He has his eccentricities, I admit… but still, I assure you they are insignificant flaws compared to his virtues.”

Miss Pendleton smiled without malice.

He really is a kind man. To plead so earnestly for a friend who is merely a relation by marriage.

Miss Pendleton thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Yes. As a friend, I would be delighted. Please introduce me to Mr. Ian Dalton whenever he arrives.”