Sir Dalton nodded with an expressionless face.

“However, there’s a condition before that.”

“Tell me.”

“I want Sir Dalton’s sister to know about my family background. I’m currently hiding my origins in the job market. But I don’t want to deceive Sir Dalton’s sister.”

“I was planning to go straight to my sister after hearing your confirmation. I wanted to explain about Miss Pendleton to her personally. I’ll convey everything about how you became a governess.”

Miss Pendleton nodded.

“Even if your sister is reluctant after knowing my background, please don’t try to persuade her. The bond between siblings is more important than my job.”

“My sister won’t change her decision because of that fact. She has a daughter who will soon debut in society. She’ll highly value Miss Pendleton’s experience in society. I also think you’re necessary for Olivia. Please, I ask you to be a good friend to my niece Olivia.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then, I’ll head down to Yorkshire today. I’ll write to you within a week.”

The two walked silently. Miss Pendleton felt at ease after making her decision. The die was now cast. Unless something unexpected happened, she would become the governess for two boys at Dunville Park. She would teach them the Latin and Greek she had honed so far.

Dunville Park. The place where she might be a governess for 10 years. What kind of place would it be? Anxiety and excitement alternately shook her.

“You described Dunville Park before. You said it’s spacious with an open view and well-landscaped gardens. I tried to imagine it, but I couldn’t quite picture it.”

“It’s a typical English mansion. Don’t try too hard to imagine it. Whatever you imagine, you’ll be disappointed.”

Laura chuckled.

“You’re still sharp. But I’ll imagine it all week. It’s impossible not to. It’s where I’ll spend several seasons working.”

Ian looked at Laura standing beside him.

“Are you nervous?”

“A little. I want to do well. It’s your sister’s house, after all. And it’s also a matter of educating your precious nephews.”

“They’re not that precious. Those troublemakers.”

“You say that, but Sir Dalton, you deeply love your nephews.”

Ian didn’t answer. He seemed flustered at having his feelings exposed. Laura inwardly smiled at his reaction.

It wasn’t an emotion a lady should feel towards a gentleman, but at times like this, Sir Dalton was cute.

He changed the subject.

“It feels real that we can’t know the future. It seems like yesterday when I invited you as a guest to Whitefield. Soon, I’ll be able to invite you to my estate. I’m glad.”

“You’ll invite me?”

“Of course. My nephews often visit my estate. Come along then. It’s a mansion where an unmarried gentleman lives alone, but it’s fine if you’re with my nephews.”

“So I’ll see Whitefield in person. I wonder if it’s as beautiful as your painting.”

Laura said this, but in truth, she planned to avoid visiting his mansion. It was important to maintain distance between friends of the opposite sex, and now their class difference was clear. Keeping her distance from him would be the sensible thing to do from now on.

“Look forward to it. You might not know about Dunville Park, but Whitefield is worth anticipating. And…”

Ian quietly added.

“While you’re at Dunville Park, think of yourself as a guest. No matter the situation, you’re still a friend I care about specially. As my friend, you’ll always be an honored guest at Dunville Park and Whitefield, Miss Pendleton.”

His warm words seeped into Laura’s heart.

His kindness sometimes shook the lid of emotions she tried hard to keep closed. She sometimes found Sir Dalton’s kindness cruel. He probably didn’t know how much his kindness shook and tested the precious friend before him.

The four lightly circled the park once and returned to the carriage. Mr. Fairfax was greatly pleased to hear that Laura had accepted the governess position.

“That’s good. You’ve made a great decision. Please stay comfortably at my brother’s house. I’ll always inquire about your well-being by letter. Be sure to visit before you leave. Janet will miss you a lot too.”

They arrived in front of the ladies’ house. Mr. Fairfax and Sir Dalton got out first, and Mr. Fairfax then helped Miss Hyde and Miss Pendleton out in turn. The two ladies curtsied slightly to the two gentlemen and entered the house.

Mr. Fairfax smiled as he watched them go.

As the carriage started, Mr. Fairfax looked at Ian sitting opposite him. Ian was resting his chin on his hand, staring at the boarding house as it receded into the distance.

Once the carriage had completely left that street, he finally turned away from the window.

“Ian, you can stop managing your expression now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Feel free to smile. Miss Pendleton will now be living within reach of your estate.”

At those words, Ian snorted, but his expression was much more relaxed than before. In fact, while riding in the carriage with her, he had struggled to keep his gaze fixed out the window, constantly fighting the urge to turn towards her.

“I didn’t know you’d use your head like this. Hiring Miss Pendleton as a governess. But did your sister-in-law actually want to hire a governess in the first place?”

Ian shook his head. Mr. Fairfax looked at him as if in disbelief.

“Your sister-in-law will be surprised. Someone new entering the house without her knowledge. And it’s a noble lady you adore, you should have at least notified her in advance.”

“She’s not the type to be surprised by this little thing.”

Mr. Fairfax clicked his tongue.

“So once Miss Pendleton goes down, you’ll immediately cut ties with London. Again?”

“Of course. Why would I keep wasting time in this place without any substance?”

Mr. Fairfax smiled at his friend who so casually disparaged London, the city he loved.

“Well, I hope you get a good outcome. A marriage announcement would be best, but I don’t care even if you die of a broken heart from one-sided love. Anyway, Miss Pendleton will become Dunville Park’s governess and live on the good salary you’ll provide.”

“Keep cursing, why don’t you.”

“Anyway, I’m glad she’s settled safely. It’s quite worrying to see a lady who’s only lived in high society venture out into the world for the first time. If it weren’t for you, I would have stepped in to arrange a position, but she’s gotten a much better position than I could have found, so I’m relieved.”

Ian stared straight at Mr. Fairfax across from him.

“Why are you looking at me so fiercely?”

“Be honest. You really never had any other feelings for her?”

Mr. Fairfax ran his hand through his hair as if tired.

“I didn’t. I didn’t, I tell you. How many times are you going to ask that question?”

But Ian didn’t erase the suspicious look in his eyes towards Mr. Fairfax. Mr. Fairfax waved his hand dismissively.

“Don’t talk nonsense, and make sure to say goodbye to Miss Lance before you leave London. Don’t just leave rudely like last time.”

Ian turned his gaze back out the window, looking annoyed.

“You do it instead. I’m sick of Lance’s reception room now.”

“Even so, would it have been possible to restore your relationship with Miss Pendleton like this without Miss Lance? It’s because she associated with you and shared her friendship.”

“I’ve run out of patience for pleasing ladies. A boring gentleman like me is no match for you. You’re an expert in etiquette and sweet talk, so you can probably come up with an even more touching farewell than I could for Miss Lance.”

Ian spoke cynically. Mr. Fairfax smiled gently at him.

“Janet says Miss Lance thinks quite highly of you, it must have been torture trying to displease her throughout your London stay?”

“It was the most boring time I’ve ever spent in my life. The young ladies gathered there just chattered on about useless things. Maybe because they’re young.”

“Still, Miss Lance is on the wiser side compared to her peers. She’s not bad-natured either. She may be a bit gullible, but well, that’s natural at that age. It’ll gradually improve with experience. Not everyone is born with a perfect character like Miss Pendleton.”

“You stay in London and watch Miss Lance’s growth. I’ll pray for her to become an excellent lady from Whitefield.”

“At times like this, Lord Robert’s words are perfect. You prissy fellow.”

Ian snorted once more and turned his gaze out the window.

If Mr. Fairfax had been an ordinary man, he might have lost affection for a friend who dumped annoying tasks on him with such an unpleasant tone, but instead he felt relieved as he looked at Ian across from him.

Kind-hearted and broad-minded by nature, he was rather relieved to see his friend shed his worries and return to his usual prickly, prissy self. Miss Pendleton would never know and should never know, but Ian had been living in hell since she disappeared until today.

A week ago, Lady Abigail’s funeral was held at the church. While all the famous figures of high society had turned out, the granddaughter whom the deceased had loved most was nowhere to be seen. There was only the white-haired head of the Pendleton family and Charles Pendleton, who kept yawning rudely, ignorant of proper etiquette.

Charles Pendleton in particular drew disapproving looks from people. His reputation had hit rock bottom after being spotted at London’s racetracks and gambling dens every Sunday, despite preparing for ordination as a priest.

Everyone gathered was conscious of Miss Pendleton’s absence. There was no one there who didn’t know that Lady Abigail and her son had been fighting in court over Miss Pendleton’s issues for a long time.

They whispered that Gerald Pendleton might have locked his niece in a room somewhere to prevent her from attending the funeral.

Ian stood expressionless throughout the funeral amidst those whispers. But Mr. Fairfax noticed the faint tension in the veins at his temples. He couldn’t relax throughout the funeral, worried that Ian might lunge at Gerald Pendleton at any moment.

But Ian didn’t say a word until Lady Abigail was buried and people dispersed. He immediately took a carriage to the Pendleton house, and there he called over a maid from the Pendleton household, though it wasn’t clear when he had made the connection, and spoke with her.

William, who had ridden in the carriage with him, watched from inside as Ian talked with the maid. The maid alternated between crying and getting angry, and at times even stamped her feet as she spoke earnestly about something.

When Ian returned to the carriage, his face was as pale as if all the blood had drained from it. He bit his lip as he stared out the window.

“What on earth happened? Is Miss Pendleton inside?”