Chapter 40
<Chapter 40> Third-Rate Play (1)
But Miss Pendleton didn't lose her welcoming smile. Like a doll, like a sculpture. Like an animal embalmed in a smiling state.
Society had taught her to hide emotional turmoil behind the mask of a smile.
Charles, stepping down from the footstool, immediately turned back into the carriage and extended his hand. Soon, a hand encased in a beige glove emerged from the carriage and took Charles's hand. And a slender woman in a pearl-colored dress stepped down onto the footstool.
As she stood fully on the ground, her appearance became clear. Deep red hair, large green eyes, a slender, pointed chin, and a small face. She was a striking beauty. Moreover, she was glamorous and almost as tall as her fiancé.
Miss Pendleton recognized Charles Pendleton as quickly as she realized that she was Charles's fiancée, Joan Jenson. It wasn't just because of her confident demeanor while being escorted by Charles. Nor was it because she was wearing a dress that was completely different from the British style.
It was because it seemed that no one could have a look more befitting the title of 'American heiress with a great fortune' than she did. Her hat, dress, shoes, and jewelry all sparkled.
Her entire expression and gestures exuded vibrant confidence. She was a beauty with a presence rarely seen in England.
She took her fiancé's arm and looked up, scanning the exterior of the Pendleton family's Townhouse. Then, she smiled subtly and nodded to her fiancé.
Charles began to grin. He seemed so engrossed in his fiancée's satisfied expression as she looked at the Townhouse that he didn't even notice the hunched old gentleman getting out behind him.
The old gentleman, safely stepping onto the ground with the help of a servant, also looked up at the Townhouse like the couple beside him. Thanks to this, Miss Pendleton could see his face clearly.
A square, rugged impression. His hair and eyebrows were mixed with black and white, but his cold, hard impression remained the same as in his youth.
Miss Pendleton endured the violently throbbing heart and the tension pressing down on her stomach, trying to focus on his hunched back and the wrinkles on his face.
To remember how long it had been since she last saw him. To remind herself how old he had become, and how much she had matured into an adult.
No longer were they a homeless young niece and a young head of the family berating a dependent. Laura was a mature Lady of twenty-nine, and he was an elderly man with frost on his eyebrows. The Pendleton family's Townhouse was now her home, and they were guests. Miss Pendleton tried to remember that.
Miss Pendleton took three steps towards them.
"Welcome. Everyone."
The gazes of the three guests all fell on Miss Pendleton. Miss Pendleton smiled broadly and curtsied slightly. The servants lined up behind her followed suit.
"Please forgive Ms. Abigail Pendleton, the owner, for my greeting in her stead. I will be taking care of you during your stay."
The three of them looked surprised at her. It was no wonder, as Miss Pendleton's appearance was impeccable. Her hairstyle, attire, demeanor, and expression were those of a dignified Lady and hostess.
In a fleeting moment, Miss Pendleton grasped each of their thoughts through their expressions. Charles seemed awkward at the sight of his cousin, while Miss Jenson smiled with a dimple on one cheek, looking satisfied.
And her uncle, Gerald Pendleton, was staring at her with a stony expression. Miss Pendleton could read a familiar emotion in his eyes, even after more than a decade.
Contempt.
Soon, Miss Joan Jenson released Charles's arm and stepped forward. Then, she extended her hand to her.
"Hello. I'm Joan Jenson. It's nice to meet you."
Miss Pendleton didn't show it, but she was surprised as she took her hand. In British etiquette, it was forbidden for a Lady to introduce herself to others without being introduced. Moreover, a handshake at the first meeting was an unusual action for a Lady.
"I'm Laura Pendleton."
Miss Jenson took Miss Pendleton's small hand and shook it.
"I know. Charles's cousin and Mr. Gerald's niece. Thank you for the welcome, Miss Pendleton. I was very much looking forward to visiting the London Pendletons. Charles and Mr. Pendleton say it's the best Townhouse in London."
Her voice was cheerful and clear.
"I can't easily agree with that. As it is the base of my grandmother and my life, I must prioritize humility over boasting. If Miss Jenson ever visits, I will show you every corner of the house. Please judge for yourself whether it is truly the best Townhouse."
As Miss Pendleton spoke kindly, Miss Jenson's dimple deepened and soon turned into a loud, cackling laugh. Miss Pendleton was startled and almost flinched. It was truly a thunderous burst of laughter.
But she wasn't offended. Her laughter exuded pure joy and didn't feel malicious at all.
Soon, Miss Jenson calmed her laughter and began to shake Miss Pendleton's hand tightly.
"Thank you. I really didn't expect you to be so kind. I like you. Miss Pendleton, won't you take me inside for a cup of tea now? I'd also like to see the drawing-room."
"Of course, Miss Jenson. Let's go inside."
At that moment, Charles, who had been whispering with his father, grabbed Miss Jenson's arm and shook it slightly.
"Miss Jenson, let's head over to Mrs. Naisley's house. Mr. Price, your godfather, must be waiting."
"No, Charles. My godfather already knows I'll be late."
"Still, wouldn't it be better to go inside and rest, since you must be tired today?"
"Oh, Charles. That's your story, clinging to a bucket the whole time on the ship. I'm not tired at all."
"No. It's my job to safely escort Mr. Price to England. So let's go to Mrs. Naisley's house."
As the urging continued, Miss Jenson's smile gradually faded.
"You don't have to be so subservient to our godfather's orders, Charles. Whether I'm late or early, my godfather won't worry at all."
"But..."
"Stop it, Charles! Don't act like our godfather's attendant."
He flinched slightly. But he was Gerald Pendleton's son. To regain his pride, he spoke in a trembling voice, high-handedly.
"I-It's not just because Mr. Price ordered you to be brought quickly. I have the right to advise you on what's better for you!"
"Who gave you that right? I don't remember giving it to you? Did my father give it to you without my knowledge?"
"That's not it... I don't know about America, but in England, an engaged woman must follow the words of her future husband. That's the English tradition."
"Hmm, really? Miss Pendleton, is that really the case?"
Miss Pendleton hesitated for a moment, but simply told the truth.
"There isn't really such a tradition, Miss Jenson."
"There isn't, Charles? So why don't you let go of my arm?"
Then, Charles seemed about to say something more, but soon shut his mouth and stepped back. Miss Pendleton felt embarrassed by the blatant power dynamic between the two.
Miss Jenson's desire to enter the house upon first meeting was, strictly speaking, a violation of etiquette, and although the intention was not clear, Charles's attempt to stop her was not entirely wrong in that sense.
However, Miss Jenson openly rebuked him in front of her fiancé's cousin, whom she was meeting for the first time. Moreover, Charles was not angry at Miss Jenson's rebuke, but rather sweating and watching her every move. Even more surprising was the behavior of her uncle, who had been standing like a sack of potatoes until now.
"Miss Jenson, let's go back now. My niece Laura will surely treat Miss Jenson as diligently as she did today on your next visit. If I tire Miss Jenson from the first day in England, what will I be to Tom, who entrusted Miss Jenson to me?"
Gerald Pendleton said with an awkward smile. His expression and voice were only slightly better than his son Charles, and his intention to please her was evident.
When even Gerald Pendleton stepped in, Miss Jenson had no choice but to let go of the hand she was holding. And after saying that she would come to the Formal dinner with her godfather, Mr. Price, this evening, she got into the carriage.
She threw a hand kiss to the Pendleton father and son, who were waving goodbye to her, and left for Mrs. Naisley's house, where her godfather, Mr. Price, was staying.
As the carriage disappeared, the two men turned towards Miss Pendleton. As if nothing had happened, their expressions became stern and arrogant.
"Are the guest rooms ready?"
"Yes, Uncle. I have prepared two rooms facing each other on the third floor. The servants will guide you..."
Without even hearing the end of her sentence, Gerald Pendleton stormed into the house.
Charles, who remained, also headed towards the mansion, following his father. But he stopped behind Miss Pendleton for a moment. And after looking up and down at the youngest sixteen-year-old maid among the standing maids, he whistled.
Miss Pendleton frowned at his actions, but he chuckled and followed his father into the house. She hadn't expected anything special from him, but Charles's manners were worse than his father's.
Having anticipated their disregard, Miss Pendleton simply sighed once and entered the house. And she consulted with Mr. Germain for the special Formal dinner that would be held this evening.
With the Pendleton father and son visiting the London Townhouse for the first time in decades, and Miss Jenson, who had come from America and was visiting an aristocratic family for the first time, accompanying them, the most perfect Formal dinner that the Pendleton family could provide had to be prepared.
Miss Pendleton spent a long time discussing with Mr. Germain about the degree of barbecue grilling and the types of alcohol to be taken out of the cellar before leaving the kitchen.
And she found the servant who was assigned to attend to the Pendleton father and son and asked if they had unpacked their luggage well in the guest rooms. But the servant said that they had not stopped by the guest rooms and had gone straight up to greet the great Lady.
Miss Pendleton went straight upstairs. Her pace was twice as fast as usual.
It was the first meeting between the enemy mother and son. What if a fight broke out due to old feelings? Could she protect her grandmother from her uncle? Miss Pendleton's heart beat ominously.
