Chapter 8
<8> The Strange Man, Ian Dalton (1)
"Could you tell Miss Hyde? If she's avoiding events because she feels uncomfortable or sorry for me, please tell her not to. It would distress me even more if Miss Hyde suffered any disadvantage because she rejected me."
"Miss Hyde isn't avoiding you. She's just very busy these days."
"Is she? What's she doing?"
Miss Pendleton informed him that she had been visiting her house every day lately, energetically engrossed in typing practice.
Miss Hyde was typing out her favorite novels and history books every day. Her speed was still only slightly better than a snail's pace, but her enthusiasm was encouraging.
Regardless of her typing speed, Miss Pendleton remained convinced that she would become the best typist in London within three months.
"That's just like Miss Hyde. If she's looking for a job, I'd like to send letters of recommendation to a few offices I know."
Miss Pendleton was surprised by Mr. Fairfax's reaction. He was willing to find a job for the lady who had chosen to become a typist instead of marrying him.
"Aren't you upset? I thought you'd be very hurt by Miss Hyde's rejection."
"It would be a lie to say I wasn't hurt, but it's over now. Since Miss Hyde rejected me, shouldn't I give up as well? However, I don't want to completely sever ties with her."
"Really?"
"Yes. There's a lot to learn from Miss Hyde. She's superior to me in terms of culture and knowledge, even though I went to university. I'm always amazed at how much she's taught herself. It was wrong of me to try and confine such a special person to the role of my wife in the first place."
"Mr. Fairfax, Miss Hyde thinks highly of you. If she's avoiding you, it's not because she dislikes you in the slightest, not even a little bit. It's impossible for any woman with a proper sense of awareness to hate a gentleman like Mr. Fairfax."
Mr. Fairfax gave a bitter smile.
"But that assessment didn't affect her love for me at all. Actually, I knew it. I knew that Miss Hyde had no feelings for me other than friendship. But on the other hand, I had impure expectations. I hoped that Miss Hyde would choose me, even if she was forced to by the circumstances."
"You don't need to blame yourself for that, Mr. Fairfax. Many marriages in London are made that way."
Mr. Fairfax was silent. Miss Pendleton carefully observed Mr. Fairfax's face. She could clearly see the torment of his conscience in his expression.
He was troubled by the guilt of knowing that the woman he loved was in a disadvantageous position and trying to use it to fulfill his own desires.
Miss Pendleton felt even more sorry for him when she realized that his heart was more tender and conscientious than she had thought.
But the somber atmosphere didn't last long. Miss Pendleton wasn't the type to just stand by and watch someone wallow in gloom.
Miss Pendleton kindly asked Mr. Fairfax various questions about his country Estate and hunting, which he had briefly visited, and praised Miss Janet Fairfax, who was becoming more beautiful every day.
Mr. Fairfax, who was naturally cheerful, regained his bright expression.
After the dance, the two bowed to each other as a conclusion and went to the drinks table for light refreshment.
Miss Pendleton, watching Mr. Fairfax relieved at the sight of his sister turning down Orson, who was trying to ask her to dance again, asked him, "Mr. Fairfax, so where is Mr. Dalton now?"
"Ah, Ian? He'll be arriving a bit late. He said he had somewhere to stop by."
"He must be busy."
"Well, he's been writing letters and going out occasionally. He says he's meeting up with his university friends."
"Ah, so that's why he came to London?"
"That's right."
"I see, so love wasn't the purpose."
Mr. Fairfax glanced at Miss Pendleton and nodded.
"To be honest, yes."
"I wish I had a lady among my friends who could capture the heart of a gentleman who isn't interested in love."
"Oh, Miss Pendleton. No, you're mistaken if you think Ian isn't interested in love."
Miss Pendleton looked at Mr. Fairfax in surprise.
"It's true that he's not interested in society. He's awkward, no, he's not good at approaching ladies and asking them to dance, or attending Formal dinners and being their companion."
"..."
"But he definitely has sincere feelings about love. If he was the kind of person who would be better off remaining single, I would have left him to his own devices, no matter what your sister-in-law asked."
"Sincere about love. I'm getting more and more curious. Why doesn't someone so sincere go out and look for love?"
"Well, maybe he believes in fate."
Miss Pendleton looked at him in surprise, but he wasn't looking at her. As soon as Mr. Fairfax saw a gentleman entering the hall, he excused himself to Miss Pendleton and ran off.
Miss Pendleton tilted her head, watching his retreating figure. A gentleman who believes in fate?
Mr. Fairfax pushed through the crowd and finally reached the entrance. A gentleman with black hair was standing at the entrance. A young gentleman with a remarkably tall height and upright posture. As always, an annoyingly handsome face.
It was his brother-in-law and childhood friend, Ian Dalton.
"Why are you only arriving now? I was so worried you wouldn't come."
"I had someone to meet for a moment."
Mr. Dalton replied casually and scanned the hall. Then he frowned and muttered.
"To go to such lengths to drag me into this marketplace. You really have nothing better to do."
"Come on. You should enjoy yourself while you're in London. London society is the flower of British society."
Mr. Dalton frowned and tugged at the stiff linen tie around his neck as if it were constricting him.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, who's so enamored with London, but I'm not a fan."
"Why?"
"I have no expectation that Yorkshire society or London society will be any different. They're all either snobs or idiots."
"No. Why else would people flock to London during the social season? The people are much more sophisticated, and the ladies are all cultured and beautiful. Who knows? Maybe your destined partner is here."
"Hmm. You sound just like my sister in a tailcoat."
"Haha, I am your sister-in-law's representative."
"The representative who's going to whip me into finding a bride?"
Mr. Fairfax grinned. Mr. Dalton shook his head.
"Seriously, I'm only thirty. Why is everyone making such a fuss?"
"Because of your personality. If we leave you alone, you'll spend your whole life painting in your Estate and become an old man."
"I'll take care of my own affairs, so please stop nagging me."
"Sorry, but I can't. Let's go."
"Where to?"
"I'm going to introduce you to a lady."
Mr. Dalton waved his hand.
"Please. Don't try to be a matchmaker. I already have a headache."
"No. The person I'm going to introduce you to isn't like that. That wouldn't make sense. I'm going to introduce you to my friend."
"Friend? You have a lady friend?"
"Yes. She's the most aware and kind lady in London. And intelligent."
"Intelligent. Are you confusing culture and intelligence?"
"What's the difference?"
He lifted his handsome chin and spoke with an almost hateful arrogance.
"There are plenty of cultured ladies in the world, but not a single one of them has any intelligence."
Mr. Fairfax was surprised by his assertive tone.
"You're too harsh on ladies, aren't you?"
"I can't help it. I've seen ladies who dance well, ladies who speak French well, and ladies who play the piano well, but I've never seen a witty lady."
"You're too picky. It'll be impossible to find a lady who meets your high standards."
"I just want a woman who can give me a proper response to what I say. It's not that much to ask, but no matter how much I look around the world, I can't find one."
"That's because you always say things that are hard to answer. And I don't think you've looked around the world that much. How are you going to make a connection like that?"
"Well, she'll show up when the time comes."
Mr. Fairfax fully sympathized with his sister-in-law's frustration.
"Okay, I get it. I won't force you to dance or chat with the ladies. Just say hello to my friend today. You can evaluate her intelligence and wit for yourself."
"It was worth complaining. Then I'll just say hello today and leave. Don't say anything behind my back."
Mr. Fairfax silently grabbed his friend's arm and started pulling him away.
Meanwhile, Miss Pendleton, who had been watching the two men talking from afar, checked the locations of her friends scattered throughout the hall as soon as she saw Mr. Fairfax approaching with the gentleman beside him.
They were all already aware of Ian Dalton, who had been standing at the entrance, and were only watching Miss Pendleton, refusing all dance requests.
In society, it was implicitly forbidden to strike up a conversation with strangers without an introduction, so they had no way to be introduced to Ian Dalton except through Miss Pendleton.
Miss Pendleton felt how much effort her friends had put into dressing up for today, and she felt a sense of responsibility at the thought that they would be terribly disappointed if they couldn't meet the new young gentleman.
Soon, Mr. Fairfax and his friend Mr. Dalton arrived in front of Miss Pendleton.
"Miss Pendleton, this is my brother-in-law and friend, Ian Dalton of Whitefield. Ian, this is Miss Laura Pendleton, granddaughter of Countess Abigail Pendleton of Grosvenor Street, Mayfair."
Mr. Dalton bowed his head in greeting, and Miss Pendleton curtsied slightly. He raised his head to look at Miss Pendleton, and only then did Miss Pendleton see Ian Dalton's appearance in person, not just from rumors.
Miss Janet Fairfax was certainly not mistaken. Ian Dalton. He was the most handsome gentleman Miss Pendleton had ever seen. No, handsome wasn't enough. He had a face that was perfectly described as beautiful.
His hair and eyes were impressively black. His straight nose and jawline were masculine, but his delicate facial contours gave him a refined dignity instead of a savage look. He had a tall height and broad shoulders that suited a tailcoat, and his whole body had just the right amount of muscle, giving him a sense of strength and agility.
Miss Pendleton thought calmly.
This man could take any lady back to his Estate in his carriage. If he can find the partner he wants, that is.
