Chapter 43
<Chapter 43> The American Lady (2)
"Though I haven't known you long, I feel there's no one quite like you to help me achieve my desires."
Miss Jenson adjusted her posture.
"Miss Pendleton, allow me to continue my request from earlier, relying on your kindness. My godfather must have told you the purpose of my visit to England. For an American Lady, becoming a member of a British aristocratic family is an opportunity that money can't buy. Fortunately, thanks to the British recession, I've seized the chance. I intend to conquer London society within three years. I want everyone to desire to attend my gatherings, to rush at my invitation. As Joan Jenson from America, it's impossible, but as Joan Pendleton, a member of the Pendleton family, it's achievable. Becoming a celebrity in British society will naturally lead to invitations to European society. I will conquer Europe. Napoleon Bonaparte couldn't, but I can."
Miss Pendleton was taken aback by her frankness. To declare so boldly that she was marrying for the sake of European aristocratic society.
Come to think of it, she had heard that there were women like Joan Jenson these days. Wealthy American Ladies who sailed to Europe in search of aristocratic husbands.
European Ladies scorned them as 'pirates,' but everyone knew that the word contained fear of a rival.
Joan Jenson was a typical 'pirate.'
However, Miss Pendleton didn't dislike Joan Jenson because of it. She had given up on marriage and didn't consider Joan Jenson a rival, and even if her motives for marriage were impure, marriages for love were even rarer in London aristocratic society. London society was a human market where money, connections, status, and appearance were bought and sold.
At least Miss Joan Jenson was honest about her purpose, so she couldn't be accused of hypocrisy. Miss Pendleton even felt that she was admirable. Miss Jenson was someone who fearlessly revealed the human qualities that she had suppressed and endured.
Miss Pendleton gave her the warmest smile she could offer to someone she liked.
"Please, continue."
"But I know that the Pendleton name alone won't solve everything. I hope you can help with that part, Miss Pendleton."
"What kind of help can I offer?"
Miss Jenson grinned slyly.
"Be honest. My etiquette is quite lacking, isn't it?"
Miss Pendleton answered honestly.
"Yes."
"Tell me how to become an elegant Lady like you. Tell me every single thing that British etiquette demands of a Lady. I will do everything you tell me to do. Then, introduce me to your friends. If you just introduce me, I'll take care of the rest."
"Very well. Next week, there's the rowing competition between Cambridge and Oxford. Almost all of society will be there. I'll introduce you to my friends there. As you said, I don't think there will be anything left for me to do after that. You'll become the most sought-after woman in London, Miss Jenson."
From then on, Miss Pendleton became Miss Jenson's London society tutor. She called her in from time to time to guide her meticulously on how society worked and what etiquette was required, and together they went to Harrods to shop for excellent picnic dresses, hats, shoes, and boots.
Fortunately, Miss Pendleton had plenty of time. Ever since her uncle arrived, he had been by her grandmother's side. He lay beside her, holding her hand, whispering endlessly as if reminiscing about old times. When Miss Pendleton occasionally went to check on them, her uncle told her to focus on helping Miss Jenson and made her leave.
Miss Pendleton was worried, but her grandmother also wanted to be with her uncle, so Miss Pendleton had no choice but to turn away from her grandmother's bedside each time.
A week later, the day of the rowing competition dawned. The two women rode in a carriage to the Thames, where the competition was being held.
Near the finish line of the Thames, the upper class, dressed in fluttering dresses and picnic suits, were already swarming. They shielded themselves from the sun with hats and parasols, walking on the grass and socializing with people, or sitting on long benches facing the Thames with small telescopes, waiting for the rowers to cross the finish line.
Miss Pendleton linked arms with Miss Jenson and went to where people were gathered.
Everywhere the two Ladies passed, people's eyes were drawn to them. The identity of the beautiful Lady beside Miss Pendleton as Miss Joan Jenson, Mr. Price's goddaughter, was already widely rumored in society.
Everyone, especially the Ladies, was more than curious about her. A beautiful heiress from America—it was impossible for people not to be interested.
Since Miss Pendleton had already been spotted shopping with her at Harrods by several Ladies, the story of Miss Jenson was rampant at every Tea party in every mansion.
However, just because they were curious didn't mean they were friendly. No matter how much money she had and even if an engagement with the Pendleton family was set, she was an American. Even if she had become rich in America, it was completely different from Mr. Price, who was British.
For Miss Jenson to be accepted as part of them, she needed a bridge to maintain friendships with everyone. Miss Pendleton was that bridge for her.
Miss Pendleton took Miss Jenson and introduced her to the most influential people she knew.
Miss Jenson forgot all the freedom she had when she first set foot on English soil and showed a proper and polite demeanor. However, the influential figures were still haughty and did not give her, an American who was not anyone's wife, much time.
Still, it wasn't bad. Now that she had made an impression, she was qualified to distribute invitations to them at any time after her marriage. Whether they came depended on how attractively she promoted her gatherings.
After introducing Miss Jenson to the influential figures, Miss Pendleton approached a group that could be helpful to Miss Jenson right now. It was Miss Lance and her friends. Sitting in the VIP seats with binoculars, bored and waiting for the rowing competition to begin, they stood up and bowed politely when Miss Pendleton approached.
"Good afternoon, Miss Pendleton."
Miss Pendleton, who bowed just as properly as they did, introduced Miss Jenson to them.
"Good afternoon, everyone. This is Miss Joan Jenson, who is engaged to my cousin Charles Pendleton."
Miss Jenson smiled at them. They were all very pleased to actually see Miss Jenson, who was a huge topic of gossip. Thinking it was good timing since they were bored, they even gave up their seats on one side.
The conversation flowed smoothly. They asked Miss Jenson about American society, and Miss Jenson answered their questions with fluent and witty words. Comparing American etiquette with British etiquette and talking about the various incidents that occurred because of that etiquette created great pleasure.
Watching that, Miss Pendleton felt relieved. She had combined her own personality with the impeccable manners she had taught her, instantly capturing the hearts of the Ladies.
Since she had won the hearts of Miss Lance's group, who were the most popular in London society, Miss Jenson would always be invited to all kinds of Balls, Formal dinners, parties, and outings. Since Miss Jenson was resourceful, it would be easy for her to use them to establish herself in society.
As Miss Pendleton expected, Miss Lance said to Miss Jenson right away.
"We're hosting a Ball at Lance House in a fortnight. Please come with your godfather then, okay?"
Miss Jenson gladly accepted the invitation. A Ball hosted by the Lance family. Perfect.
Mrs. Lance, who had a daughter of marriageable age, was infinitely generous in situations where her daughter could be the main character. At least 500 people would gather. It was a perfect opportunity to promote Miss Jenson's splendid beauty to the people of London.
Miss Jenson might become a star before her marriage.
Miss Pendleton looked at the lower reaches of the Thames with a satisfied expression. There was still no sign of the boats with the rowers.
But Miss Pendleton's eyes caught sight of a familiar gentleman among the crowd.
Miss Pendleton gasped. It was Ian Dalton.
At first, she thought she had mistaken him. Why on earth would he, who should be in Whitefield, be here?
But she shook her head. It was impossible to confuse him with someone else. Even though he was wearing a very ordinary picnic outfit with a clean ivory suit and a white hat, his tall stature and delicate features could not be found in any gentleman in London.
Miss Pendleton was not the only one who discovered Mr. Dalton. Miss Lance also found him. She excused herself to those around her and ran towards him.
Soon the two stood face to face, and Miss Lance reached out her hand to Mr. Dalton as if she was used to it. Mr. Dalton naturally put one arm behind his back and took her hand with the other, kissing the back of her hand. They stood there and began to talk.
Miss Pendleton, as well as Miss Lance's three friends, naturally turned their eyes to them. When the Ladies around her all looked at one place, Miss Jenson also looked at Mr. Dalton and Miss Lance.
"Is that gentleman Miss Lance's lover?"
At Miss Jenson's question, Miss Daisy Orson exclaimed in surprise.
"No. No. He's a friend to all of us. Just a friend."
"That's right. A friend. For now, anyway."
Miss Victoria Wilkes added with a subtle implication. Miss Susan Donovan, who was next to Miss Wilkes, poked Miss Wilkes in the side, but the faces of the three Ladies were flushed with a suspicious blush.
Miss Jenson was not one to miss their expressions. Miss Jenson internally classified Mr. Dalton as Miss Lance's prospective fiancé.
Miss Pendleton, who had been listening to their story quietly, asked.
"Has Mr. Dalton been in London for long?"
"Hmm, it must be over a fortnight,"
Miss Wilkes sighed.
"Oh my, has it already been that long? I see Mr. Dalton so often that I didn't even realize it had been that long."
"I know. We've been seeing him almost every day. He's been coming to Tea parties so often. Oh, Miss Pendleton. I'm sure you've heard the rumors? The painting hanging in Miss Lance's drawing room. Mr. Dalton painted Miss Fairfax and Miss Lance. I think that was the day Mr. Dalton first arrived in London, wasn't it?"
"Yes, that's right. He forgot he was tired and painted Miss Lance's picture. Oh, how romantic!"
Miss Lance's friends chattered excitedly. Miss Pendleton listened to the Ladies' stories and looked at the two of them. Miss Lance was looking at Mr. Dalton with a face as bright as a blooming flower. Mr. Dalton's expression as he looked at Miss Lance was very friendly.
Miss Pendleton remembered Mr. Dalton she had seen in Hyde Park in the past. The way Mr. Dalton had stiffly treated Miss Lance, who was unilaterally clinging to him. It was completely different now than it was then. She didn't feel the affection that Miss Lance's friends were implying, but he seemed quite friendly.
