As night fell, Miss Pendleton closed her eyes lying side by side with Miss Hyde in one bed. It was a much more comfortable bed than the inn room they had stayed in for the past few days. The mattress was soft, and she didn’t wake up from the occasional footsteps in the corridor.

However, Miss Pendleton couldn’t fall asleep until late into the night. She got up from the bed. And quietly sat on the sofa.

Her head ached. The job offer she had received from Mr. Dalton earlier in the day was troubling her mind. Dunville Park. Governess to the two troublemaker Fairfaxes. The new life that would unfold because of that job.

She recalled what he had once mentioned in passing about Dunville Park. Beautiful riding paths and large tree-lined avenues, gardens beautiful in all four seasons. The house of his elder sister that he described, the Fairfax people were all good and conscientious people, even if they had human flaws.

An excellent salary and a stable job. It was a great temptation. Honestly, considering her circumstances, it was ridiculous that she was even contemplating this. She should have taken this job without a second thought.

However, an emotional issue on one side of her heart was still holding back her decision. The emotional pain she would feel seeing him up close was clear. He would be getting married soon, and she would often have to see Mrs. Dalton standing beside Mr. Dalton. There was a long history of interaction between the Fairfax family and the Dalton family. She would surely see Ian Dalton often.

‘Mr. Dalton and Mrs. Dalton. Will I be able to maintain my composure while seeing the two of them?’

She hesitated at the anticipated pain. The feelings deeply rooted in her heart kept popping up no matter how hard she tried to bury them. Now she really couldn’t be with Mr. Dalton. But if she lived close to him and her feelings grew rather than being buried, it would obviously make her feel infinitely shabby.

She imagined him getting married. The scene of him introducing the new Mrs. Dalton to her. The scene of him having a beautiful family with her and children in Whitefield.

Her heart ached as if it was being crushed.

But her well-honed rational judgment soon showed another image. Thirty years later, herself, living quite long due to unwelcome longevity. Sickly old age. An old body entrusted to the poorhouse for lack of money to pay for medical treatment.

Having done volunteer work a few times with ladies interested in charity, she knew what poorhouses were like. It was a terrible environment. The interior always reeked of foul odors, and rats scurried around every corner of the building. People all wore clothes that were like rags, and food shortages often led to fierce fights.

Among them, the old and weak patients were almost neglected. Patients who couldn’t receive proper care due to lack of manpower were rotting alive. Slowly, in an environment where no one listened even if they groaned and mumbled for medicine.

It would be her future if she couldn’t save money.

Laura’s blood ran cold. If the imagination of Mrs. Dalton had pained her heart, the image of a poor old age snapped her to her senses as if cold water had been poured over her entire body.

She changed her mind. Even if she had to watch from afar as he got married and lived with his wife, that was for then. She couldn’t give up the clear benefit before her eyes because of a formless emotion.

She fiddled with the pearl pendant hanging around her neck. It was the only piece of jewelry she hadn’t sold to the jeweler. She caressed the pearl beads of the pendant one by one like a rosary.

This necklace always reminded her of her place. It had always been useful in stopping her emotions. Just as this necklace had helped her in social circles, it would help her at Dunville Park. In locking up, closing, and burying her emotions.

She made her decision.

It was the third day of staying with Miss Hyde.

It was Sunday. The two dressed neatly and fixed their hair early in the morning, preparing to go to church. Laura decided to follow Miss Hyde to the church in Holborn district, not the church for the upper class in Mayfair district that she usually attended.

Laura, braiding her hair and gathering it into a hairnet, asked Miss Hyde.

“How long does it take to walk to that church?”

“About 20 minutes.”

“Then I should wear comfortable shoes.”

“Oh, don’t worry. We’ll be going by carriage.”

“A chartered carriage?”

“No. There’s a gentleman who will escort us.”

Laura looked at Miss Hyde with questioning eyes. Miss Hyde silently picked up her share of the Bible.

The two came out of the house, and soon a luxurious carriage stopped in front of the boarding house. Laura immediately realized who the escorting gentleman was as soon as she saw the carriage.

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

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

“Hello, Mr. Fairfax.”

Mr. Fairfax smiled gently towards Laura.

“How’s your new life? I’m sure you’re adapting well?”

“Of course.”

“I’m glad. Your face seems to have improved even more. I’m sure Miss Hyde is treating you well?”

Miss Hyde interjected.

“Mr. Fairfax, no one can treat Miss Pendleton better than me, you know?”

“Of course. I know, Miss Hyde.”

Mr. Fairfax looked at Miss Hyde with warm eyes. The two ladies and gentleman shared a friendly smile.

Laura was surprised that their friendship had continued until recently even after Miss Hyde had left the social circle. Well, they had always gotten along well since their days in society. In conversation and hobbies.

There was a time when she thought that if the two got married, they could be happy even without love.

As Laura was watching the two, someone else got out of the carriage Mr. Fairfax had alighted from. Laura’s heart sank when she recognized who the gentleman was.

“Oh, Mr. Dalton has come today too?”

Miss Hyde exclaimed happily as she saw him who had just gotten out of the carriage.

“Good morning, Miss Hyde.”

He took off his hat and greeted Miss Hyde, then turned his gaze to Laura. His gaze lingered on Laura’s face for a moment, but soon he bowed politely as he had done to Miss Hyde.

“And Miss Pendleton.”

Laura responded with a slight curtsy.

The four of them got into the carriage. Miss Hyde sat facing Mr. Fairfax. Naturally, Laura ended up sitting facing Mr. Dalton. Mr. Dalton stared at Laura’s face sitting across from him.

Laura felt as if he was demanding something from her. Perhaps it was an answer to the decision he had given her three days of time for.

Laura turned her head towards Mr. Fairfax.

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

“Of course. I attend service with Miss Hyde every Sunday. We often have tea together and talk after the service.”

“What do you talk about?”

“Miss Hyde usually tells me about the writers who frequent the publishing house or about new books. It’s very interesting. And I inform her about the recent news of people in society.”

“I hear about my parents’ recent news through Mr. Fairfax too. They’re just treating me as if I don’t exist since I got a job. They don’t even reply when I send letters, so I have to hear from Mr. Fairfax.”

Miss Hyde said matter-of-factly.

“I hope Miss Pendleton finds a job in London. Wouldn’t it be fun to ride in a carriage together to church every Sunday and chat like this? Don’t you agree, Mr. Fairfax?”

“Of course. I’d like to continue my friendship with Miss Pendleton forever too. But I know that’s greedy. Because there’s an excellent position waiting that needs Miss Pendleton.”

Mr. Fairfax turned his gaze to Laura.

“Miss Pendleton, I heard you received an offer to be a governess at my elder brother’s house from my friend Ian.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what I said to Ian when I heard that? I said it was the first time in your life you did something helpful for your elder sister’s house. Ian only beats the nephews, he never does anything educationally helpful.”

“William, I’m in the carriage.”

Mr. Dalton said indifferently with his chin resting on his hand. Mr. Fairfax ignored him and continued speaking.

“Miss Pendleton, I’d be glad if we could entrust my nephews to you. You’re the most intelligent woman I’ve ever met, Miss Pendleton. And you have an excellent character too. If my nephews learn from you, they’ll grow up to be fine adults.”

Miss Pendleton blushed slightly at Mr. Fairfax’s sincere praise.

“Thank you, Mr. Fairfax.”

Laura looked at Ian. He was looking out the window with his chin resting on his hand. She felt relieved that his gaze was directed elsewhere. She could comfortably chat with her friends without feeling tense about being conscious of him during the ride to church.

The carriage arrived in front of the church, and the four of them entered. The church was packed with people from the merchant and working classes. Everyone was dressed in simple but clean clothes. The men had shaved faces, and the women had adorned themselves with small accessories as they sat in the pews.

After the service ended, people left the church. Mr. Fairfax suggested that since it had been a while since they were all together like this, they should take a walk in the nearby park, and the other three gladly agreed. They headed to the nearby park.

The park was full of people leisurely enjoying their day off. There were so many people that it was difficult for the four of them to walk side by side.

Naturally, Miss Hyde and Mr. Fairfax walked ahead, arm in arm, chatting about today’s sermon and recent work life, while Laura and Mr. Dalton walked behind them, lagging behind.

While the two ahead were whispering about today’s sermon and recent work life with their arms linked, Laura and Mr. Dalton walked about a span apart from each other.

Silence lingered between the two. To break the silence, Miss Pendleton brought up a light topic.

“How are the people in society doing these days?”

Mr. Dalton shrugged.

“Well…”

“I’m curious about how Miss Lance is doing. And the other ladies too. Could you pass on my regards to Miss Lance? I sent her a letter but didn’t write where I was, so I wonder if she might be worried.”

“I haven’t been in touch with her lately, so I’m not sure.”

Laura was inwardly puzzled.

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

“Miss Pendleton, I came today to hear your answer to the offer I made.”

He calmly looked down at her. Miss Pendleton realized it was time to reveal the conclusion she had reached.

“I’ll gratefully accept that offer.”