Chapter 111
<111> Aftermath of Sincerity (1)
"If you had been born a girl, I would have taken Sheldon Teacher as my bride."
"It's fortunate you were born a boy. We almost had a gunfight between uncle and nephew over Sheldon Teacher."
Mrs. Fairfax decided to visit Laura in person. She was worried about Laura's condition and couldn't bear not knowing what had happened at the gathering.
Knock, knock.
She knocked on Laura's door, but there was no answer.
A typical, well-mannered lady would have turned away gracefully when there was no response to her knock. However, Mrs. Fairfax had a self-centered streak that couldn't stand curiosity, and when that happened, she lost her usual easygoing nature and became headstrong.
She grabbed the doorknob and twisted it. The door opened easily.
The room was cluttered with the luggage and chests she had taken when she left for Whitefield.
The lady shifted her gaze to the bed. There were no signs of anyone having lain there. If she were a patient, she should have been wallowing in bed, all crumpled up. Mrs. Fairfax scanned the room. Soon, she noticed that the veranda door was wide open, and she saw Sheldon Teacher's back as she stood in front of the stone railing outside the window.
She strode over. Despite not muffling her footsteps, Laura didn't turn around.
"Teacher."
Laura's slender shoulders twitched.
"You say you're ill, yet you're out here in the cold wind."
Laura turned around, touching her face. The lady realized that Laura was wiping her face.
Mrs. Fairfax quickly approached Laura, grabbed her shoulders, and turned her around.
Laura's face was tear-streaked.
"Teacher...!"
Laura rubbed her wet eyes and sniffled.
"I'm sorry. To show you such a sight..."
"Sorry? Nonsense. What on earth is going on? What happened at the gathering?"
Laura lowered her head.
"No. Nothing... nothing..."
"Then why, why are you crying? Homesickness? Do you miss London?"
"I don't miss that place at all. But... but..."
Laura struggled to control her constantly cracking voice.
"I... I can't stay here any longer."
"Here...?"
"Dunville Park. No, Yorkshire."
"Why?"
"My being here is a nuisance. My existence will be a nuisance to everyone."
"What are you talking about? You made my ignorant, dog-like sons memorize Latin verbs. You showed my frog-in-a-well daughter what a fine lady should be. You're a good chess friend to my husband, and a daughter of grace to me. But what..."
"It's all useless! Useless! Mr. Dalton... he loves me!"
Mrs. Fairfax quickly covered her mouth. She almost let her inner thoughts slip out.
'You fool, how could you get caught so soon!'
Laura covered her face with both hands and sobbed.
"I'm so sorry to the Fairfax family, who have welcomed me so warmly. I, someone like me, dared to catch Mr. Dalton's eye and even received a proposal. I should have been more careful... I should have been more reserved and cautious..."
"No one lives more reservedly and cautiously than you, Teacher. Don't blame yourself."
Mrs. Fairfax turned her head and looked out over the veranda. The forest of Dunville Park, as if mocking the distraught lady, was dressed in colorful, beautiful clothes and dancing gently in the autumn breeze.
"Let's go inside and talk more."
The two went inside the room. They went to the small tea table and sat facing each other.
"Why haven't you unpacked?"
Laura wiped her face with a handkerchief and replied.
"Because I'll have to leave soon."
"Where to?"
"Anywhere. Now that I know Mr. Dalton's feelings, I can't stay here."
The words 'Why not? Just get married and live at Whitefield!' rose in her throat, but she restrained herself. If she knew Ian's feelings, she would have realized that he had brought her here to seduce her, and if she knew that she had conspired in that sinister plan, she would lose affection for the Fairfax family itself.
"To be honest, I'm a little surprised. I never imagined that Ian would harbor such feelings for you. But I consider you part of our family. I would like you to stay if possible."
Laura looked at the lady with a puzzled expression.
"I thought you would be displeased. Your brother is so wonderful, but he has taken a liking to someone like me..."
"I would welcome anyone as long as Ian gets married. He's not going to listen to me anyway. Rather, it must be difficult for you. It's painful to be courted by a man with a bad temper like Ian. I understand."
"Mr. Dalton is a wonderful person."
"Thank you for saying that. I can't agree, though."
Mrs. Fairfax took Laura's small hand.
"I'll ask you just one thing. Can you leave us without any regrets?"
Laura shook her head.
"Then how about stopping Ian's visits and staying here?"
"Mr. Dalton won't listen."
"I know. You're worried that Ian will ignore your wishes and keep coming, right? But you know, Teacher, I know many of Ian's hidden weaknesses. He should have done some cute things when he was young. A few words from me and he won't even come near here."
Mrs. Fairfax threw out a tempting bait, hoping it would help.
"If you're curious, I can tell you a few things."
But Laura was not interested in peeking into other people's flaws. She shook her head.
"No matter how much you are Mr. Dalton's sister, you won't be able to stop Mr. Dalton."
"Don't underestimate me, Sheldon Teacher."
"No. You're underestimating Mr. Dalton's feelings. Mr. Dalton... Mr. Dalton yesterday..."
Laura took a deep breath as if she was breathless just thinking about it.
"He said he would take his own life if I didn't accept his proposal... with a pistol to his head..."
Laura couldn't continue speaking and trembled.
Mrs. Fairfax stared blankly into the air. She wanted to grab her brother Ian's neck with her arm, stick him to her side, and give him a million head-butts.
'You're showing that you've never been in a relationship in your life, Ian Dalton! That's why men should hang out with women and date a little before getting married. You've been drawing in your room your whole life, so you're making a mistake at this crucial moment.'
Mrs. Fairfax realized that she had to give up on keeping Laura here. Laura must have been mentally shocked by her brother's ridiculous actions.
However, she couldn't let her leave like this. She had begun to like Laura before, but above all, after learning that Laura was Sheldon Teacher's daughter, she had decided that she was her brother's only match.
It was 20 years ago, but the memory of Sheldon Teacher remained in Mrs. Fairfax's mind. He was always wearing old clothes, but he was so handsome and neat that it was hard to be aware of that fact. He was affectionate, meticulous, wise, and kind. He was an angel who saved the sensitive and lonely young Ian.
She was saddened by Laura's harsh life, that the daughter of such a person was hurt by a selfish uncle and unfairly deprived of her inheritance.
And the life of a governess that Laura was trying to take on would only make her more pitiful than she had been so far. She would have to live a lonely and poor life while working hard all day long.
Therefore, Mrs. Fairfax thought that Laura should marry Ian. If she married Ian, she would be able to manage her brother well and lead Whitefield Hall in a good direction. As a fair reward for her conduct and diligence, she would be able to live as a happy wife, receiving her husband's love and the respect of the residents.
Mrs. Fairfax really wanted to see that.
"If you really have to leave, Teacher, I can't help it, but what about our children? They all love you so much."
"I'm really sorry to the children."
"Daniel and George will only cry if you leave. Olivia will be very heartbroken too. We won't be able to find anyone to replace you anywhere else. And me too..."
"..."
"Actually, I've been feeling quite lonely lately. Since you came, I've had someone to talk to and I'm less lonely. And I feel like my health is getting a little better. You're not only a good friend to Ian, but also to me. But if you leave like this..."
Mrs. Fairfax unnecessarily tightened the shawl she was wearing and coughed. Laura's face clouded over. Mrs. Fairfax felt a slight twinge of conscience, but she continued without showing it.
"Teacher, how about this? Stay away from Dunville Park for a while until Ian's feelings cool down."
"Until Mr. Dalton's feelings cool down?"
"Yes. There's a saying that out of sight, out of mind."
Laura looked unconvinced.
"Are the feelings that Mr. Dalton has for me really that light?"
"It wouldn't be light. But passion is a fickle thing that cools down as quickly as it heats up. I think Ian's feelings are temporary. It hasn't even been a year since he met you. We don't know what will happen if you stay away for a season."
Mrs. Fairfax held Laura's hand tightly.
"You said a friend of yours is staying in Bath, right? Go there and rest, and come back around spring. If Ian's feelings haven't been sorted out by then, I'll find you a new job myself. As a tutor. You'll be able to receive the same treatment and salary as you did here. So, please consider leaving us a little later."
Laura had a complicated expression. She pondered and eventually nodded.
"I will, madam."
Mrs. Fairfax breathed a sigh of relief.
"Then, when would you like to leave?"
"I'm afraid to face Mr. Dalton again. I'll just say goodbye to the children and leave right away..."
"Okay. Then let's leave tomorrow. I'll calculate your salary for the work you've done so far. I'll also write down the address of a good lodging where you stayed with him in Bath."
The lady got up from her seat.
"You need to have a full stomach for a long trip. I'll tell the maid to send you a meal. Make sure you eat it all."
Laura nodded with rabbit-red eyes. Mrs. Fairfax smiled bitterly.
'I barely managed to catch her... Ian, what are you going to do now?'
She opened the door with a troubled heart. But as soon as she opened the door, a crackling sound rang in her ears. She quickly closed the door and looked to the left hallway. Olivia was running to her room, her golden hair flying.
'What? Did she hear everything?'
Mrs. Fairfax sighed, then shrugged her shoulders.
'Well, it doesn't matter.'
