Chapter 85

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Whitefield (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------

She moved closer to the window in surprise. There was no end in sight. Between the trees, nothing could be seen but more dense birches. It was white, white, white.

Olivia was saying something beside her in a proud voice, but Laura couldn't hear a thing. She was that captivated. She had never seen such a landscape in her life.

The forest at Dunville Park was grand and primordial. With its frequently seen giant trees, dense undergrowth, wildflowers, and berries. It was a majestic verdure that overwhelmed you the moment you entered. In the forest of Dunville Park, Laura would experience a vibrant energy.

But Whitefield, now spread before her eyes, was different from Dunville Park. It was dreamlike and mystical. As if she had stepped into a world of dreams, or fallen under a spell. The stark contrast between the white bark and the black knots. The shimmering golden fragments of broken sunlight dancing upon them. The green leaves forming the forest canopy. And through them, glimpses of the pale blue Yorkshire sky.

If the forest at Dunville Park was a playground designed by God, Whitefield was a work of art God had painstakingly crafted.

For the ten-odd minutes the carriage traveled along the birch-lined road, she stared blankly out the window. She found it unbearable to even blink, lest she miss a moment. She wanted to hold this beauty in her eyes for a long time. Forever, if possible.

But all things must come to an end. The carriage soon left the long birch forest and began to cross a bridge over a stream.

Only then did Laura realize how captivated she had been by Whitefield. And that her heart was pounding.

She composed her trembling heart. Fortunately, the neat garden trees extending beyond the window restored her composure. Returning to her usual self, she offered Olivia, who sat across from her, some conventional praise for the birch forest they had just passed, a gentle smile on her lips.

The carriage passed through the immaculately landscaped garden and stopped in front of the mansion. When the coachman opened the door, the two ladies slowly stepped down from the carriage.

Laura slowly raised her head to look at the mansion and was soon overcome with a different kind of awe, distinct from the dreamlike intoxication she had felt in the birch forest.

Whitefield Hall was a grand, five-story mansion, wide on both sides. While its overall form was angular, curves could be seen in places. Five Grecian columns connected the first-floor steps to the second-floor balcony, and statues of goddesses stood on the terrace, reaching for the sky.

It was a Grecian-style building, rare to see in England. Laura looked up at the mansion for a moment, admiring its elegant beauty.

‘I can understand Mr. Dalton's pride. And his affection for it. Anyone who calls this place home would surely love it always, and never forget it for a moment, even when they are away.’

“Mr. Ramswick!”

While Laura was looking up at the mansion, Olivia, standing beside her, called out toward the main entrance.

Startled, Laura turned her gaze to the entrance. The large door with its black handle opened, and a man in a black suit popped out and approached them with quick, short steps. He was a short, elderly man with a full head of white hair.

He stood before Olivia, a look of clear surprise on his face.

“Good day, Miss. What brings you here!”

“We came for a visit! It’s been almost a year since I saw you last winter. How is your knee?”

“Much better, thank you, Miss.”

Olivia gestured with an open palm toward Laura, who was standing beside her.

“Sir, this is the new governess at our house. Her name is Miss Laura Pendleton.”

Ramswick immediately bowed his head.

“A pleasure to meet you. I am Ramswick, the butler of Whitefield Hall.”

Laura curtsied and lowered her head slightly.

“Hello, Mr. Butler.”

“I heard from the master that a new governess had arrived at Dunville Park. He mentioned that you were of great help to him during his stay in London.”

“I received as much as I gave.”

Just then, Olivia peeked behind Ramswick and asked.

“But where's my uncle?”

“He is currently meeting with his solicitor.”

“Oh, is he?”

Olivia tilted her head as if she found it strange.

Ramswick turned his gaze back to Laura.

“We have been eagerly awaiting your visit, Miss. Please, come in. In the master's absence, I will give you a tour of Whitefield Hall.”

“What a rare opportunity. Isn't this place famous for not receiving visitors at all?”

“That is correct. This way, please.”

At that moment, Olivia gently took Laura’s arm.

“Miss, while you're touring the mansion, I'm going to look at the flowers in the garden. Let's meet in the library later.”

Olivia ran off toward the back of the building with practiced ease.

The two entered the mansion. After passing through the first-floor corridor, they came to a door. Ramswick swung it wide open. Before them, a large, long, and wide room unfolded. It was the Long Gallery.

Laura took a step inside. Hundreds of paintings hung along the entire length of the wall.

Following Ramswick, Laura walked slowly, observing the paintings. As she looked at the works, large and small, she soon noticed something different from the paintings in a typical noble's mansion.

Usually, a gallery would be filled with portraits of ancestors or royalty connected to the family. But the Long Gallery at Whitefield Hall was mixed with various landscapes, still lifes, and prints.

“The Dalton family has, for generations, held a deep affection for art and considered its collection a very important leisure activity. The previous master was especially fond of it and enjoyed traveling to Europe to purchase sculptures and paintings.”

Laura examined the paintings carefully. Having grown up with a grandmother who was an art aficionado, Laura's eye for painting was above average, and she recognized that all the works were of high quality.

In particular, a few paintings were by artists who were currently quite acclaimed in France and Italy, and Laura could not help but marvel at the discerning eye of the past Dalton masters.

Ramswick then showed her the second-floor drawing room and dining room. As Laura followed him, walking slowly, she felt as if she were in an art museum. Paintings hung on every wall, and beautiful sculptures stood about. Not only that, but even the furniture and window frames that filled the mansion exuded dignity. They were not only beautiful but had been treasured and maintained for a long time.

After about thirty minutes of being guided through the mansion, Laura’s spirits lifted. Everywhere she looked, beautiful things were arranged in harmony. The entire mansion was like an art museum.

‘It's no wonder Mr. Dalton came to love art.’

Having completed a rough tour of Whitefield Hall, Ramswick finally led Laura to their meeting place, the second-floor library.

As he opened two large doors, Laura was momentarily speechless. An emotion different from the pleasant feeling she'd had while touring the hall shook her heart. It was shock.

The library at Whitefield was reminiscent of a university library. The shelves were packed so high that one could not reach the top even with an outstretched arm, and rolling ladders stood beside them. It was a multi-level structure, utilizing the space up to the third floor, with stairs between the shelves leading up to even more bookcases.

Laura scanned the library. Everywhere her eyes landed, books were packed tightly. The only other place she had seen so many books was at a large lending library in London. But that was a space for all the citizens of London, whereas this was a private estate. She had never seen or heard of a single family possessing so many books.
Laura's heart pounded fiercely.

“Miss!”

As Laura looked around the library in a daze, Olivia's voice reached her ears. Turning her head toward the sound, she saw Olivia waving. Olivia was sitting at a desk placed in a corner of the library.

A few books were stacked on the desk, and next to them, tea and cookies were set out on a pretty rose-patterned porcelain set.

Laura approached Olivia.

“Have you finished touring the mansion?”

“Yes. It’s a beautiful place.”

“Isn’t it? You should see the gardens later, too. There are so many rare plants and flowers in the conservatory. They’re all so pretty.”

“I’m sure they are lovely, Miss Fairfax. But I find this library more astonishing than any other place. How can there be so many books…”

Ramswick, standing nearby, explained.

“There are tens of thousands of books collected by the previous masters over the past few hundred years, but a fifth of them were collected by the current master. The master said that since this mansion has an excess of paintings and sculptures, he must collect books to create a balance. He believes that sensibility must be supported by intellect.”

Ramswick added.

“All the books here are shared with Dunville Park. You are welcome to take any you need, Miss.”

A bright sparkle appeared in Laura's eyes, and a smile spread across her lips. It was a light of unconcealable joy.

“Thank you, Mr. Butler.”

Laura gently placed a hand on Olivia’s shoulder.

“Miss Fairfax, you'll be alright on your own for a moment, won't you?”

“Yes.”

Laura quickly scurried deep into the stacks and began to examine the books.

After confirming that Laura was a good distance away, Olivia beckoned to Ramswick, who was standing beside her. He bent down to her height. Olivia brought her lips close to his ear and whispered softly.

“Did you hear from my uncle?”

“Hear what, Miss?”

Olivia frowned slightly.

“Oh, that uncle of mine. He should have at least given you a hint… Mr. Ramswick, that governess is the lady my uncle is fond of.”

Ramswick turned his head to look at the back of the lady browsing the books in one of the aisles. He could see her beautiful reddish-gold hair, neatly tied up, and the slender line of her neck. In that moment, the image of the woman from the sketchbook, the one Ian had gazed at with a sigh, flashed through his mind.

“Ah, I thought she looked familiar!”

Olivia put a finger to her lips and exclaimed, “Shh!” Ramswick quickly fell silent and watched Laura's back, his heart pounding for fear she might have heard. Fortunately, Laura was engrossed in a leather-bound book she had opened, her long neck bent downward as she read intently.