Miss Lance couldn’t calm her pounding heart after having that thought.

Could the two have been in love? Did their relationship sour?

Miss Lance felt her head going strange with anxiety. The speculation that the person she was pouring her affection for might have shared some kind of affection with another woman shook her mind immensely.

She turned her gaze away from him, trying to regain her composure.

It was certain that the two were not in love with each other now. She had never heard a rumor that Mr. Dalton had returned to London and visited the Pendleton house. The only social event he had attended was her tea party.

Firmly recognizing this fact, the possibility of Mr. Dalton’s heart being directed towards Miss Pendleton disappeared from her mind. Miss Lance’s anxious heart settled. But doubts still remained. Miss Pendleton, who was so flustered when talking about the incident at the picnic just now.

She reflected on what happened at the last picnic. Mr. Dalton, who disappeared into the forest saying he had business while talking to her. About an hour later, Miss Pendleton, who rushed out looking pale and hurriedly returned home by carriage. And Mr. Dalton who came running after her.

Why did Miss Pendleton rush home so hastily? Why did Mr. Dalton run out looking for Miss Pendleton?

She soon recalled that she had talked to Mr. Dalton about Miss Pendleton’s lineage at the lakeside. As Miss Lance pieced together her thoughts, a flash of insight suddenly struck her mind.

‘Mr. Dalton found out about Miss Pendleton’s lineage and abandoned her!’

Miss Lance felt like she had solved all the puzzles within herself after thinking that. Because it fit logically in her own thinking.

The two must have had feelings for each other. Miss Pendleton would have liked Mr. Dalton. Because Mr. Dalton is a wonderful, handsome, kind, gentlemanly, and great man. And Mr. Dalton must have had feelings for Miss Pendleton too. Although she’s older, Miss Pendleton is kind and pretty.

So Mr. Dalton gave the Whitefield painting as a gift. As an expression of his affection. But in the end, Mr. Dalton learned of Miss Pendleton’s bloodline and confirmed the truth with her in the forest.

Miss Pendleton would have honestly confessed the truth… And because of that, Mr. Dalton declared to cut ties with her!

Thinking this way, the mysterious behavior of Miss Pendleton and Mr. Dalton who left early from the picnic was completely explained. Miss Pendleton left heartbroken by Mr. Dalton’s declaration, and Mr. Dalton followed, feeling guilty about letting Miss Pendleton go like that. Because he is a gentlemanly and kind person.

If this were true, Mr. Dalton was a terrible man. To abandon love because of bloodline issues. It was ungentlemanly. Isn’t that what villains do in typical melodramas?

If he was the villain, then Miss Pendleton was the tragic heroine. She could have formed a connection with such a wonderful man, but ended up being abandoned. Because of her parents’ sins, not her own.

As an avid consumer of melodramas, she was momentarily indignant at Mr. Dalton’s actions and felt sorry for Miss Pendleton. But even while thinking this, Miss Lance’s true heart couldn’t completely hate Mr. Dalton, nor could it completely side with Miss Pendleton.

Because Miss Pendleton’s rejection was inevitable.

A man like Mr. Dalton would never decide to marry her knowing her bloodline. The head of a family responsible for the family’s prestige would never take a woman with problematic lineage as his wife and lower the family’s authority. It was an old-fashioned and unreasonable act, but that’s how the world works.

Miss Lance felt sorry for her rejection. She thought she was a wise and prudent lady, but did she become a fool in front of love? Even she, only twenty years old, knew this fact, how could Miss Pendleton, who was old enough, not know?

Well, Miss Pendleton is the daughter of parents who made a reckless marriage, so it wouldn’t be strange if she inherited such a personality.

“Miss Lance, are you listening to me?”

Miss Lance, who had been lost in thought with her eyes downcast, came to her senses at Mr. Fairfax’s words.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Fairfax. What did you say?”

Mr. Fairfax smiled gently at Miss Lance, who had clearly been thinking of something else.

“Who will today’s protagonist dance the first waltz with?”

At that question, Miss Lance smiled and looked to where Mr. Dalton had been standing. But Mr. Dalton’s spot was empty. Miss Lance looked around in confusion.

“Where did Mr. Dalton go?”

“That fellow left just now.”

Miss Lance stared blankly at his empty spot. She had thought for sure that he would ask for the first waltz.

Mr. Fairfax read the disappointment on Miss Lance’s face.

“Oh dear, it seems Ian forgot about a promise he had made. What a naughty fellow.”

Miss Lance could only smile dejectedly. He had never made any promises to her. It was just her own wish. That she would dance the first waltz with him at the first ball hosted by her family.

But she had thought he would surely ask her to dance. Given the favor and interest he had shown her so far, it was reasonable to expect.

And maybe, just maybe, he might confess his love while dancing. It was because of such imagination that she endured the pain of having her hair pulled multiple times while styling and the corset so tight she could barely breathe without complaint.

Mr. Fairfax was flustered seeing Miss Lance’s dejected face. She wasn’t crying, but she was on the verge of tears.

He thought he should go find Ian right away, even now. But the cotillion had already ended and people were streaming out of the stage. The waltz would begin soon.

In his haste, Mr. Fairfax extended his hand to her.

“Thanks to Ian, I might become the lucky protagonist. Miss Lance, would you dance the next piece with me?”

Miss Lance looked at the hand extended before her. She did like Mr. Fairfax, but he wasn’t the one she had been expecting. She had hoped Mr. Dalton would extend his hand like this.

But the protagonist of the ball couldn’t spend time standing alone like a flower stuck to the wall without a gentleman to dance the first waltz with. Her pride wouldn’t allow that.

She responded to Mr. Fairfax’s smile with an awkward smile of her own and took his hand.

“Gladly, Mr. Fairfax.”

Miss Pendleton, who had slipped away from Miss Lance’s group, slowly made her way through the crowd towards Miss Jensen and Mr. Price.

“Hello, Mr. Price. And Miss Jensen.”

Miss Pendleton bowed politely to them. The two greeted her just as courteously as she had.

“You’re early, Miss Pendleton.”

“Yes. My preparations finished earlier than expected, so I was able to hurry here.”

Miss Jensen chattered cheerfully.

“Your maid must be quite skilled. We were delayed by at least 30 minutes because the servants forgot to polish uncle’s shoes. I left after telling auntie to scold the servants properly.”

Miss Pendleton smiled at Miss Jensen’s words and glanced slightly at Mr. Price’s expression. He was keeping silent, completely detached from the two ladies’ conversation. Usually, it would be right for Mr. Price to be the one making such chatter.

“Mr. Price?”

At Miss Pendleton’s call, Mr. Price, who had been looking only at the floor, raised his head. His characteristically large, protruding eyes fixed on her.

Miss Pendleton closed her mouth, which she had opened to ask about his well-being. His eyes were full of sadness. It was a look that seemed about to burst into tears at any moment.

Miss Pendleton looked at Miss Jensen. Miss Jensen sighed softly, looking at her godfather. Then she slightly nodded her head in another direction towards Miss Pendleton. It meant she wanted her to leave them alone. Miss Pendleton quietly nodded.

“Then I’ll go see Miss Lance. I must see how pretty today’s protagonist has dressed up.”

“Miss Jensen is prettier. At least in my eyes.”

At Miss Pendleton’s words, Miss Jensen let out a refined laugh, covering her mouth with her hand instead of her usual thunderous laughter.

“Of course, who do you think dressed me up!”

Miss Jensen left them, her golden skirt swaying. Only Miss Pendleton and Mr. Price remained. Mr. Price asked in a voice lower than usual.

“Would you come talk with me for a moment?”

Miss Pendleton nodded. Mr. Price went out to the balcony with her.

Miss Pendleton looked around. The spacious balcony was connected to other balconies without boundaries. There were curtains used to divide the areas, but they were tied with strings, leaving everything completely open. Fortunately, there was no one else around.

The two stood side by side, looking out over London. Brightly lit gas lamps, and magnificent carriages rushing towards the ballroom. The silhouettes of busy porters coming and going.

“Thank you for helping Joan settle in London, Miss Pendleton. I’m greatly indebted to you in many ways.”

“It’s nothing, Mr. Price. I simply enjoyed a pleasant friendship with Miss Jensen, I didn’t do anything special.”

“I have grasped both American and British social circles. I know how different the two spaces are. Joan was born and raised in America, an American lady to the bone. She’s boisterous and lively. Frankly, she doesn’t have many qualities that would be welcomed in British social circles. But looking at her today, she has become a perfect London lady. Like you, Miss Pendleton.”

Mr. Price looked at Miss Pendleton.

“Joan must have been influenced by your behavior and atmosphere while interacting with you, Miss Pendleton. It’s thanks to you that she was able to emulate the qualities of a perfect lady – grace, modesty, gentleness.”

Miss Pendleton silently looked out at the night streets. She could feel Mr. Price staring intently at her face.

“Miss Pendleton, after hearing my goddaughter’s story, I had to make two choices. Whether to go to Gerald immediately and confirm, or to wait one night and hear the explanation directly from you. As you can see, I chose the latter. I want the truth.”