Chapter 13
<13> Deepening Friendship (2)
“If Mr. Dalton was born when he was eight, he would be twenty-two now, wouldn't he?”
“That's right. He's currently studying mathematics at King's College, Cambridge, where I graduated. I meet him once or twice a year to go riding and fishing, but he's not even half as cute as he was when he was a child.”
“What about your other nephews?”
“The second one is a girl. Olivia Fairfax. She's thirteen years old.”
“Oh my, a niece. She must be adorable.”
“More so than Henry. But it would be awkward to use such an expression for a proper young lady.”
“She's still a girl at thirteen.”
“She's taller than her peers, so she looks fifteen. And she's very precocious. She doesn't forgive anyone who doesn't treat her like a lady, even if it's her uncle.”
“That young lady must be eager to enter society.”
“You guessed it, Miss Pendleton. She's just waiting for the day she turns sixteen. But Olivia is a sensible child, so there won't be any problems. The real problem is the two below, ten-year-old Daniel and eight-year-old George. They're hot-tempered brothers who punch each other hard enough to crack their jaws over a single pony. Even after fighting like that, they're soon giggling and plotting some mischief together. They're a real handful.”
Miss Pendleton couldn't help but laugh.
“Boys that age are usually like that.”
“That's an insult to me, who was once a boy, Miss Pendleton.”
“Yes, Mr. Dalton must have had a very proper childhood. But I don't think that's because your two nephews are particularly out of line, but because you were a sensible boy.”
“Well, if Miss Pendleton saw the two of them in person, she certainly wouldn't make such a dispassionate assessment like me. Miss Pendleton has a very understanding and empathetic nature. But I will maintain a dispassionate attitude towards them. I am, unfortunately, the opposite of Miss Pendleton in temperament, and if even I become a doting fool, there will be no one to teach them manners.”
Miss Pendleton could sense from his words that the Fairfax couple, the owners of Dunville Park, were lenient in their upbringing.
“Mr. Dalton, what I'm really curious about is the youngest. The one who was born a year ago. He must be very cute, right?”
“Ah, that one. Well, he's cute. If he's not cute at that age, when will he be?”
His curt reply made Miss Pendleton laugh again.
“Mr. Dalton, you sound like you don't like your youngest nephew.”
“He's a cute and precious child. The Fairfax family's little treasure. But considering the damage it caused to his mother, I can't feel entirely good about it.”
“Your sister must have become very ill from the childbirth?”
“She's getting better. She's such a carefree person without many worries. But she still says she feels cold when she's away from the fireplace. No matter how warm the weather is, her whole body feels cold. I hope the youngest is my last nephew. If she has another child, she certainly won't be able to endure it.”
Miss Pendleton could feel a mixture of worry and displeasure in Mr. Dalton's tone and expression as he spoke. It was a sincere concern as a brother for his sister.
Miss Pendleton was impressed by his attitude. It was a natural affection she felt for a gentleman who was devoted to his family. Miss Pendleton looked tenderly at the shadow that had fallen on his handsome face.
“When I leave London, I would like to give a gift for your youngest nephew. To make your ailing sister happy.”
“I don't want to trouble Miss Pendleton. There are already abundant supplies at Dunville Park.”
“I want to give a heart, not supplies. It won't be much trouble. I'm thinking of a small picture book. With just a small signature on the front page. You'll accept that much, won't you?”
Miss Pendleton repeatedly asked. Mr. Dalton quietly looked into Miss Pendleton's gray eyes, then faintly smiled and nodded.
“Alright. Ah, now that I think about it, I don't know the name of that little youngest nephew. I need to know his name to write the recipient's name. What is your nephew's name?”
Mr. Dalton paused for a moment before answering.
“Ian, Fairfax.”
Miss Pendleton's eyes widened.
“Ian, you said?”
“Yes.”
Mr. Dalton replied briefly to hide his embarrassment. Miss Pendleton suppressed a laugh and said.
“I'll have to find a good gift that little Ian will like.”
* * *
The weather was often bad, and there were many days when the two sat facing each other by the fireplace and talked. They talked, talked, and talked some more. And as she gradually grasped his character, Miss Pendleton's assessment of him only increased, rather than being disappointed.
Mr. Dalton was an interesting conversationalist who spoke in a grumbling manner about both the things he disliked and the things he liked. He was not the type of person to be blinded by love to flaws, so even the things he loved were never free from the blade of criticism.
But his affection was strong and gentle. And the objects of that affection were limited to the land and its farmers, and his relatives. Considering that his view of the world was by no means narrow, the scope of his affection was truly limited.
Miss Pendleton thought that his personality was well-suited for marriage. A nature that doesn't spill affection outside and pours it deeply into the person by his side. Isn't that the virtue a good husband should have?
But she had no intention of revealing her thoughts. It was a pity that he was focused only on friendship with an old maid like herself, neglecting a married life that would surely bring him happiness, but that was not something she could say anything about.
She decided to only hope in her heart that Mr. Dalton would be able to find a suitable match when he himself wanted to find love.
Then one day, Miss Pendleton, who had been sitting in the drawing room arranging flowers for some time, stopped trimming the daffodil branches at the sound of the door opening.
The butler informed her that a guest had arrived. It was Mr. Dalton.
She put down the daffodils and scissors she was holding and stood up. And she curtsied to him as he entered the drawing room. He took off his hat and bowed politely.
He smiled as he looked at the flowers on the table.
“You were with the flowers.”
“Yes. Today's friends are roses and twelve daffodils. Shall I introduce you?”
“Anyone who is a friend of Miss Pendleton is welcome, but it seems the ladies are not yet ready to appear before a guest. Let's postpone socializing until next time and go for a walk with me today? The weather is very nice for once.”
“Alright, Mr. Dalton. Please wait a moment.”
Miss Pendleton instructed the servant to put the flowers in water and went upstairs to her room with the maid, Ann. And she checked her hairstyle and chose gloves and a coat.
Ann buttoned up Miss Pendleton's green spring coat.
“That gentleman comes here really often.”
“This is the best place to socialize quietly with people.”
Ann, who replied nonchalantly, looked at Miss Pendleton for a moment and then brought a fancy hat with a veil from the drawer.
“Try this on today.”
“Huh? It's too fancy. It's not like we're going on a picnic.”
“Still, this one makes your neckline look the best.”
“If you put that on with everyday clothes, people's eyes will focus on the hat instead of my neck. Can you bring me the one with the purple ribbon?”
Ann quietly put the hat in her hand back into the closet. And she took out the most plain and practical hat that the young lady had instructed her to bring.
Miss Pendleton took it and put it on her head. Ann tied the ribbon under her chin and said.
“Miss, even so, it's not like that gentleman can only meet people at the Pendleton estate, right? There must be another reason.”
Putting on her calfskin gloves, Miss Pendleton replied indifferently.
“Really?”
“In my opinion, the reason can be narrowed down to two.”
“What is it?”
“One, the cook in this house is so excellent that he's trying to scout him to his mansion.”
“Hmm, plausible. Mr. Germain is good with poultry. And his desserts are almost divine.”
“Second, he loves someone who can only be met in this house!”
Miss Pendleton tilted her head.
“Well, it's not a bad inference, but……”
“No, I'm sure of it. I even know who the other person is.”
“Really, who does Ann think it is?”
“Who else could it be, it's you, Miss!”
Miss Pendleton looked up from her gloves and looked at Ann. Her sparkling eyes contained her strong desire.
Miss Pendleton chuckled. No wonder she was trying to put on a fancy hat.
“It's a wonderful imagination, but I'll bet on Mr. Germain. That's more reliable than anything else.”
“Oh, why?”
“Because Mr. Dalton has never shown me more love than he has for Mr. Germain's cold cuts and pound cake. Ann, is there a gentleman who can keep a loving woman in front of him for more than half a month without sending her a single longing glance?”
“Ah, that's……!”
“Silly Ann. Phony Ann. You pretend to be a dating expert, but you don't know anything.”
Miss Pendleton playfully teased Ann as she checked her appearance.
“Miss, but…….”
“Anyway, listening to you makes me think I should definitely raise Mr. Germain's salary. If we lose Mr. Germain, Grandma will surely lose her joy in life. And I've become addicted to Mr. Germain's pudding too. Anyway, thank you for telling me. I'll have to discuss it with Mr. Germain later. Then.”
Miss Pendleton left the room as it was.
Ann, tidying up the lace shawl that Miss Pendleton had left behind, muttered words she hadn't been able to say.
“It's because you didn't see the look in Mr. Dalton's eyes when you turned away. Phony Miss. You only know how to help others, but you're hopeless when it comes to your own romance.”
