Chapter 5

<5> Miss Laura Pendleton (4)

Miss Pendleton's eyes wavered.

"I know there were limits to what I gave you. I know that the sins of your parents weigh you down. But, even so, you could have met plenty of good men who would have loved you. Yet, for over a decade, you've diligently avoided such connections. Why? Has love dried up in your heart?"

Miss Pendleton took her grandmother's hand and carefully removed it from her face. Then, she turned her head to look at the fire in the fireplace, to hide her expression from her grandmother. It was always like this. Whenever a similar topic came up, Miss Pendleton hid everything about herself—her expressions, her thoughts, her feelings.

Miss Pendleton remained silent for a moment, then spoke in a clear voice devoid of emotion.

"I have never thought that what you gave me was insufficient. Rather, I received more than enough. Everything was originally not mine. I have always been grateful. Always."

"You've never resented me, not even once?"

Miss Pendleton turned her head toward Lady Abigail.

"What could I possibly resent you for?"

"For giving you the Pendleton name."

"Shouldn't you be the one regretting it? Giving me the Pendleton name."

Lady Abigail stared at Miss Pendleton for a moment, then closed her eyes and shook her head.

"Not even once."

"Neither have I. I have never resented you, not even once. I have been satisfied with everything you have given me, and I have been very happy. I am still happy. So, Grandmother, let's stop talking about this topic now. You need to rest."

Before the lady could say anything, Miss Pendleton rose from the stool and called the servants downstairs to prepare the bed.

Soon, the servants arrived, and together with Miss Pendleton, they helped Lady Abigail to her bed, tidied up the fireplace, and withdrew. Miss Pendleton stayed by her grandmother's side, providing her with her medicine.

Lady Abigail quietly took the medicine, watching Miss Pendleton's face. A sunken face revealing deep concern.

Lady Abigail could be sure what memories were swirling in her mind. She had no choice but to utter the question she had swallowed until now.

"Is it because of that man who abandoned you?"

Miss Pendleton stopped moving and looked at her grandmother. Lady Abigail was looking at Miss Pendleton with a calm expression.

"I won't ask after today. So, answer my question. Is it true what people whispered? Did you give up on love because of that man who deceived you and abandoned you?"

Miss Pendleton quietly gathered the paper that had wrapped the medicine and the water glass. Miss Pendleton's expression was more detached than before. An expression that made it impossible to know what she was thinking. Instead of answering, she bowed her head, kissed Lady Abigail's forehead, and whispered,

"Good night, Grandmother."

Soon, Miss Pendleton rustled out of the room in her dress.

That night, Miss Pendleton changed into her nightgown, styled her hair, and knelt down by her bed as usual. And she prayed with all her heart.

That the Morton couple, who had tied the knot today, would live harmoniously and happily for the rest of their lives, that the best future would be opened for both Miss Hyde and Mr. Fairfax, who must be sleepless tonight, that her grandmother would be given health and relieved of her worries,

And finally, that peace would be bestowed upon the person who had abandoned her 12 years ago.

It was a week after the Morton couple's wedding that she learned that Miss Hyde had refused to marry. It was because Mrs. Alexander Macklin, formerly Rosemary Hyde, Miss Hyde's sister and Miss Pendleton's boarding school classmate, had sent a letter conveying the turmoil that had arisen in her family.

Upon the visit of the young gentleman who might become her future son-in-law, Mrs. Hyde immediately dolled up Miss Hyde and dragged her to the drawing room.

Soon, the two were left alone in the drawing room, and just five minutes later, Mr. Fairfax left the Hyde residence. They had so quickly accomplished the process of proposing, refusing, persuading, and even refusing that persuasion again.

But the aftermath was quite long and terrifying. Mrs. Hyde, upon learning that her daughter had refused Mr. Fairfax's proposal, fell backward. John called a doctor, and Mrs. Hyde, when not unconscious, was said to be screaming at Miss Hyde at the top of her lungs.

The letter ended with a brief note that Jane, the younger sister who had created this incident, was locked in her room and would not come out. And Rosemary herself was unable to pay attention to Jane because she was taking care of her mother, so she asked her to visit the Hyde residence and comfort Jane when she had time.

Miss Pendleton immediately baked a basket of raspberry cookies, which Miss Hyde usually liked, and visited the Hyde residence. As soon as she entered the gate, a gloomy atmosphere rushed in. It was the unique unsettling atmosphere that permeated the house when the mistress was in a bad mood.

Miss Pendleton handed the cookie basket to the servant and followed the guidance to the drawing room. Soon, Mrs. Macklin entered the drawing room with a tired face. When she saw Miss Pendleton, she erased her gloom and smiled brightly, approaching and hugging her friend tightly.

"It's been so long, Laura! How have you been?"

"Yes. I haven't seen you since Mary Jane's christening. Is your husband well?"

"That man is always healthy. Too healthy, it's a problem."

The two sat down and drank tea. Mrs. Macklin, who had married Judge Macklin six years ago through Miss Pendleton's arrangement, had gained some weight and had an air of dignity, looking like a confident mistress of the house.

However, when she met Miss Pendleton, she would return to the image of a girl who used to doodle in French grammar books in her teens and was banned from dinner and secretly ate snacks in bed.

Mrs. Macklin crunched on the raspberry cookies that were served in a dish, just like in her teens, and sighed.

"I'm going to die because of Mom, really. If the child really hates it, there's nothing you can do. She's trying to devour Jane, you know?"

"Mrs. Hyde must be upset, so she's acting like that. Frankly, Mr. Fairfax is a person who is a shame to miss in many ways."

"Yes, I know. But she's not the one getting married. Mom interferes too much in Jane's life. She's only like that to Jane. She's already twenty-five, but she still reads all the diaries and letters she writes. She even interferes with her hairstyle and the decorations on her clothes."

Mrs. Macklin raised her voice and complained.

"Jane may be scatterbrained, but has she ever acted vulgar or caused an accident anywhere? She's smart and witty, so a man like Mr. Fairfax proposes to her. Only Mom sees Jane as terrible."

Miss Pendleton smiled slightly at her friend. She was still a fool for her younger sister, then and now. Of course, it was clear that Miss Hyde herself was an outstanding young lady.

"That's right, Miss Hyde is a very smart young lady."

"I used to worry about how she would get married because she was like that. But you know, these days I think Jane can live on her own. The world is changing more and more. Even though it's difficult, it's an era where women can earn money on their own. Our Jane can do it. It's just that she hasn't grown up because she hasn't received proper support."

Mrs. Macklin took a sip of tea and continued.

"If our mansion in Haworth hadn't been sold, Jane wouldn't have quit school so abruptly. She would have studied a lot, and maybe she could have become a teacher. Her grades were good, and her writing skills were especially amazing, so she could have become a literature teacher."

She sighed deeply.

"If I could get even a few pennies from my husband, I would teach her something and send her out now. How much money did John borrow from him to start a business? He still can't pay the interest, and my face turns red every time I see him."

Miss Pendleton skipped over touchy subjects like money and answered in a way that agreed with Mrs. Macklin's view of her sister.

"It doesn't seem like Miss Hyde would be happy if she got married. The stability and comfort that marriage gives would feel stifling to Miss Hyde. Even if it's the kindest and most wonderful man in the world."

"That's exactly what I'm saying. Marriage is something that people who are suited for it do. Married life is not easy. It hurts every time the children are sick, and especially when you fight with your husband... I love him very much, but sometimes I wonder why I was so desperate to get married when I was a virgin. I don't want Jane to go through this situation. She definitely won't be able to stand it."

For a while, Mrs. Macklin poured out various complaints about Jane's pitiful situation, her mother's unfair treatment, and the unfortunate background surrounding Jane.

Listening to the story, Miss Pendleton thought that it would have been better if her friend Rosemary had not gotten married so quickly. As far as she knew, Mrs. Macklin was the only family member who thought of Jane Hyde in this way.

However, Mrs. Macklin had to leave her parents' home as soon as her mother's health improved. Her home was not here, but by Judge Macklin's side.

After talking for a long time, the conversation between the two was soon interrupted by Mrs. Hyde's call for Mrs. Macklin.

The two went outside and climbed the stairs of the mansion. Mrs. Macklin was going back to her mother in the bedroom on the second floor, and Miss Pendleton planned to visit Mrs. Hyde and then go up to Miss Hyde's room on the fifth floor.

The two arrived at the lady's bedroom inside the second floor. Mrs. Macklin knocked on the bedroom door and entered the room. Miss Pendleton stood in front of the door, tidying her hair to look neat in front of the lady.

Inside, Mrs. Macklin was heard telling her that Miss Pendleton had come. But soon, Mrs. Hyde's hoarse voice was heard from inside.

"Tell her to go back. I'm sick of seeing the face of an old maid."

"What are you talking about, Mom?"

"That great friend of yours has ruined Jane's marriage. She's trying to make her an old maid like herself!"

"What did Laura do? Why is Jane not wanting to get married because of Laura?"

"I saw them whispering together at the Morton couple's wedding. I thought they were going to help Jane get married because they were always together, but instead, they ruined the marriage?"

"Laura is not at fault. It's just Jane's own choice. And why does Jane have to get married? Laura didn't get married either, but she's living a decent life."

"She can hold her head high even if she doesn't sell herself because that great Mrs. Pendleton is her grandmother. When I die, will that lady give Jane food and clothes when she has no house and no money? I shouldn't have made Jane hang out with her in the first place."

"You were so happy last time that she paired me with a good man. Mom, do you know you're a snob?"

"You're someone who could have gone well even without Miss Pendleton. Jane doesn't have anyone to pick her up even if she's dropped on the street. What are you going to do if you ruin such a child's marriage? Is Miss Pendleton going to bring another rich man? Ugh, I shouldn't have associated with such a rootless virgin in the first place!"