Miss Pendleton (Update to C.222 END) - Chapter 19

Miss Lance stopped her with a raised voice. Only then did Miss Wilkes realize the situation, blushing and closing her mouth. Miss Daisy Orson, who was nearby, quickly changed the subject.

“Wow, look at that river!”

Soon, four carriages arrived at the wide lawn by the river. The gentlemen who had been acting as coachmen all dismounted and helped the ladies down from the carriages by taking their hands. Miss Lance was so embarrassed by her friends that she could hardly look Mr. Dalton in the eye, but he politely supported her as she descended.

The day’s schedule was to first enjoy a boat ride and meal, then freely enjoy walks and tennis. Of course, the gentlemen played the role of boatmen, and the boat riding groups were formed with the same people who had ridden in the carriages together.

The gentlemen took turns helping the ladies onto the boats. As they stepped onto the boats, the ladies each let out ladylike screams, pretending to be quite scared due to the rocking.

The gentlemen boarded last. Then they slowly rowed along the river’s current.

The ladies enjoyed the boat ride, admiring the grass hanging over the riverbank and the scenery, or bending down to dip their hands in the water. One lady made a dangerous attempt to pluck a lotus flower floating on the river, almost falling in and causing all the ladies to let out real screams.

Meanwhile, Miss Lance quietly watched the back of Mr. Dalton as he rowed at the bow of the boat. His rolled-up sleeves and black hair fluttering in the wind. The occasional glimpse of his profile was truly picturesque. A warm feeling bloomed in her chest.

The boat, having circled the river once, returned to the dock. There, the Lance family’s servants, who had followed behind earlier, had already laid out picnic mats and an abundance of food under the trees in a serene spot.

As there were so many people, the mats were divided into four areas, and the groups that had originally ridden in the carriages together continued to the picnic spots. Miss Lance’s wishes and her friends’ intentions aligned, allowing Mr. Dalton to remain with Miss Lance’s group.

Mr. Dalton sat quietly among the group of ladies. He seemed lost in thought since earlier. Miss Lance observed him closely to read his expression and soon noticed that his gaze was fixed on Miss Pendleton.

Miss Lance recalled the conversation her friends had earlier. It must certainly be because of that.

Miss Lance felt dismayed as she studied his expression. He looked serious. She tried to piece together why he was looking at Miss Pendleton that way.

Even if he and Miss Pendleton were close friends, it seemed strange for him to have such an expression because of her birth issue. It wasn’t just mild concern or curiosity; his expression was truly deeply sunken. Miss Lance thought a bit more deeply and soon found the answer.

He knows about the flaw in Miss Pendleton’s birth and is now feeling uneasy about their association up to now.

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