Chapter 65

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: An Offer She Can't Refuse (2)
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Night fell, and Miss Pendleton closed her eyes, lying side by side with Miss Hyde in the same bed. It was a far more comfortable bed than the one in the inn room where she had stayed for the past few days. The mattress was soft, and she wasn't awakened by the occasional footsteps in the hallway.

But Miss Pendleton could not fall asleep, even as the night deepened. She got out of bed. And quietly sat on the sofa.

Her head ached. The job offer she had received from Mr. Dalton earlier that day was swirling in her mind. Dunville Park. A governess to the two mischievous Fairfaxes. The new life that this job would bring.

She recalled him mentioning Dunville Park in passing once. The beautiful bridle paths, the grand tree-lined avenues, the gardens that were lovely in every season. The way he described his sister's home, the Fairfax family—they all had their human flaws, but they were good, conscientious people.

An excellent salary and a stable position. It was a great temptation. Frankly, considering her circumstances, it was absurd that she was even hesitating. She should have seized this opportunity without a second thought.

But an emotional problem still held her back, a nagging feeling in a corner of her heart. The emotional pain she would feel from seeing him up close was a certainty. He would be married soon, and she would have to frequently see Mrs. Dalton standing by Mr. Dalton's side. The Fairfax and Dalton families had a long history of association. She would undoubtedly see Ian Dalton often.

‘Mr. Dalton and Mrs. Dalton. Could I maintain my composure while seeing them together?’

She hesitated at the prospect of this predictable pain. The feelings deeply rooted in her heart kept resurfacing, no matter how hard she tried to bury them. Her circumstances now made it truly impossible for her to be with Mr. Dalton. But what if, living so close to him, her feelings didn't get buried but grew stronger instead? That would surely make her feel endlessly pathetic.

She imagined him getting married. Him introducing the new Mrs. Dalton to her. Him having a child with his wife and building a beautiful family at Whitefield.

A constricting pain seized her chest.

But her well-honed reason soon presented another vision. Thirty years from now, herself, having lived an unwelcome long life. A sickly old age. An old body, forced to take refuge in a poorhouse for lack of money to treat her illnesses.

Having volunteered a few times with ladies interested in charity, she knew what a poorhouse was like. The conditions were deplorable. A foul stench always permeated the air indoors, and rats scurried in every corner of the building. Everyone wore clothes like rags, and fights often broke out over the scarce food.

Among them, the old, weak, and sick were all but abandoned. Patients, neglected due to staff shortages, seemed to decay while still alive. Slowly, in an environment where no one listened, even as they groaned in pain and mumbled for medicine.

That was the future that awaited her if she failed to save money.

Laura's blood ran cold. If the thought of Mrs. Dalton pained her heart, the vision of a destitute old age was like a bucket of cold water, shocking her to her senses.

She made up her mind. Even if she had to watch from afar as he married and lived with his wife, that was a matter for the future. She could not give up a clear benefit right before her eyes for the sake of formless emotions.

She toyed with the pearl pendant around her neck. It was the only piece of jewelry she hadn't sold to the jeweler. She caressed the pearls of the pendant one by one, like rosary beads.

This necklace always reminded her of her place. It had always been a useful tool for suppressing her feelings. Just as this necklace had helped her in high society, it would help her at Dunville Park. To confine, close off, and bury her emotions.

She made her decision.

* * *

It was the third day of her stay with Miss Hyde.

It was a Sunday. The two women rose early, ironing their clothes and arranging their hair in preparation for church. Laura decided to accompany Miss Hyde to her church in the Holborn district, rather than the one for the upper class in Mayfair that she usually attended.

As Laura braided her hair and gathered it into a hairnet, she asked Miss Hyde,

“How long of a walk is it to the church?”

“About twenty minutes.”

“Then I should wear comfortable shoes.”

“Oh, don't worry. We'll be taking a carriage.”

“A hired carriage?”

“No. A gentleman is coming to escort us.”

Laura looked at Miss Hyde with a questioning gaze. Miss Hyde silently picked up her Bible.

The two women went outside, and soon a fine carriage pulled up in front of the boarding house. The moment Laura saw the carriage, she knew who the escorting gentleman was.

“Good morning, Miss Hyde. And Miss Pendleton!”

A familiar gentleman stepped down from the carriage and greeted them. Laura smiled and curtsied slightly.

“Good day, Mr. Fairfax.”

Mr. Fairfax gave Laura a gentle smile.

“How is your new life? I trust you are adjusting well?”

“Of course.”

“That's a relief. I'm glad to see you looking even better. I'm sure Miss Hyde is treating you well?”

Miss Hyde interjected.

“Mr. Fairfax, no one could treat Miss Pendleton better than I do, you know.”

“Of course. I know that, Miss Hyde.”

Mr. Fairfax looked at Miss Hyde with a warm gaze. The gentleman and lady shared a friendly smile.

Laura was surprised that their friendship had continued even after Miss Hyde left high society. Then again, they had always gotten along splendidly, even during their time in society. Their conversations, their hobbies.

It had once seemed that if the two were to marry, they could be happy even without love.

As Laura watched them, someone else emerged from the carriage Mr. Fairfax had just exited. Laura's heart sank when she recognized the gentleman.

“Ah, Mr. Dalton is here today as well?”

Miss Hyde exclaimed cheerfully upon seeing him step down from the carriage.

“Good morning, Miss Hyde.”

He removed his hat and greeted Miss Hyde before turning his gaze to Laura. His eyes rested on Laura’s face for a moment before he bowed politely, just as he had to Miss Hyde.

“And Miss Pendleton.”

Laura responded with a slight curtsy.

The four of them boarded the carriage. Miss Hyde sat so she could face Mr. Fairfax. Naturally, Laura ended up sitting across from Mr. Dalton. Mr. Dalton stared intently at Laura's face.

Laura felt as if he were demanding something of her. An answer, most likely, to the offer for which he had given her three days to decide.

Laura turned her head toward Mr. Fairfax.

“Mr. Fairfax, do you often accompany Miss Hyde to church?”

“I do. I attend service with Miss Hyde every Sunday. After the service, we often have tea and chat.”

“What do you talk about?”

“Miss Hyde usually tells me about the authors who visit her publishing house or about new books. It's quite interesting. And I update her on the latest news from society.”

“I even hear news of my own parents from Mr. Fairfax. They've been treating me as if I don't exist since I took this job. They don't reply to my letters, so I have no choice but to hear from him.”

Miss Hyde said matter-of-factly.

“It would be wonderful if Miss Pendleton found a position in London. Wouldn't it be fun to ride to church together and chat like this every Sunday? Don't you think so, Mr. Fairfax?”

“Absolutely. I, too, would like our friendship with Miss Pendleton to continue indefinitely. But I know that's a selfish wish. After all, an excellent position that requires her is waiting.”

Mr. Fairfax turned his gaze to Laura.

“Miss Pendleton, I heard my friend Ian offered you the governess position at my brother's estate.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what I said to Ian when I heard? I told him it was the first time in his life he'd done something helpful for his sister's household. That fellow only ever smacks his nephews on the head; he never does anything remotely educational.”

“William, I'm in the carriage.”

Mr. Dalton said indifferently, resting his chin on his hand. Mr. Fairfax paid him no mind and continued.

“Miss Pendleton, I would be delighted if we could entrust my nephews to you. You are the most intelligent woman I have ever met. And you have an excellent character. If my nephews could learn from your example, they would grow into fine adults.”

Miss Pendleton's cheeks flushed slightly at Mr. Fairfax's sincere praise.

“Thank you, Mr. Fairfax.”

Laura glanced at Ian. He was staring out the window, his chin still propped on his hand. With his gaze directed elsewhere, she felt a sense of relief. For the rest of the ride to the church, she was able to converse comfortably with her friends without feeling tense under his scrutiny.

The carriage arrived at the church, and the four of them went inside. The church was packed with people of the merchant and working classes. Everyone was dressed in simple but clean clothes. The men were clean-shaven, and the women sat in the pews, adorned with small trinkets.

After the service, the congregation filed out of the church. Mr. Fairfax suggested they take a walk in a nearby park, since it had been a while since they were all together, and the other three readily agreed. They headed to a nearby park.

The park was filled with people enjoying a leisurely holiday. It was so crowded that it was difficult for the four of them to walk side by side.

Naturally, Miss Hyde and Mr. Fairfax linked arms and walked ahead, chatting amongst themselves, while Laura and Mr. Dalton fell behind.

While the pair in front whispered about the day's sermon and their recent work lives, arms linked, Laura and Mr. Dalton walked about a handspan apart.
A silence lingered between them. Miss Pendleton brought up a light topic to break the silence.

“Are the people in society doing well these days?”

Mr. Dalton shrugged.

“I suppose.”

“I wonder how Miss Lance is doing. And the other ladies. Could you please give Miss Lance my regards? I sent her a letter, but I didn't write where I was, so I fear she might be worried.”

“I haven't had any contact with her recently, so I wouldn't know.”

Laura tilted her head in confusion.

*Why? I heard they were so close he would visit her whenever there was a tea time.*

“Miss Pendleton, I came today to hear your answer to my proposal.”

He looked down at her calmly. Miss Pendleton knew it was time to reveal her decision.

“I will gratefully accept your offer.”