Translator: Nox

Chapter 85

<85> Whitefield (2)

She was surprised and moved closer to the window. There was no end in sight. Even between the trees, nothing was visible except for dense birch trees. White, white, and white.

Olivia was saying something beside her in a proud voice, but Laura couldn't hear anything. She was too lost in thought. She had never seen such a landscape before.

The forest of Dunville Park was magnificent and primeval. Towering trees, dense thickets, wildflowers, and fruits were frequently seen. It was a grand greenness that overwhelmed you the moment you stepped in. Laura often experienced vivid vitality in the forest of Dunville Park.

But Whitefield, now unfolding before her eyes, was different from Dunville Park. It was dreamlike and mysterious, as if she had entered a world in a dream, or as if she were hypnotized. The stark contrast between the white tree surfaces and the black knots. Glimmering fragments of golden sunlight above them. Green leaves acting as the roof of the forest. And the light blue Yorkshire sky visible between them.

If the forest of Dunville Park was a playground designed by God, Whitefield was an artwork carefully crafted by God.

For over ten minutes, as the carriage traveled along the birch tree road, she stared blankly out the window. She couldn't bear even to blink for a moment. She wanted to capture this beauty in her eyes for a long time, if possible, forever.

But everything has an end. The carriage soon emerged from the long birch forest and began to run over a bridge connecting streams.

Only then did Laura realize that she had been captivated by Whitefield, and that her heart was throbbing.

She calmed her trembling heart. Fortunately, the neat garden trees stretching beyond the window restored her composure. She returned to her usual self and, with a faint smile, offered a bland compliment to Olivia, sitting across from her, about the birch forest they had just passed.

The carriage passed through the neatly landscaped garden and stopped in front of the mansion. When the coachman opened the door, the two ladies slowly stepped onto the footstool and got out of the carriage.

Laura slowly raised her head to look at the mansion and was soon immersed in a different kind of awe than the dreamy intoxication she had felt passing through the birch forest.

Whitefield Hall was a large five-story mansion, wide on both sides. It had an overall angular shape, but curved shapes were visible in places. Five Greek-style columns connecting the first-floor staircase and the second-floor balcony, statues of goddesses standing on the terrace, reaching their hands towards the sky.

It was a rare Greek-style building in England. Laura looked up at the mansion for a moment, admiring its flowing beauty.

'I understand Mr. Dalton's pride. And his affection. Anyone who makes this place their home will always love it and never forget it, even when they are away.'

"Ramswick!"

While Laura was looking up at the mansion, Olivia, who was standing next to Laura, shouted, looking at the mansion gate.

Laura was surprised and turned her gaze to the mansion gate. The gate with the black handle opened, and a man in a black suit popped out and trotted towards them. He was an old man with gray hair and a small stature.

He stood in front of Olivia with a very embarrassed expression.

"Good day, Miss. What brings you here!"

"I came to visit! It's been almost a year since I saw you last winter. How is your knee?"

"It's very good, thanks to you, Miss."

Olivia gestured with her palm up towards Laura, who was standing beside her.

"Uncle, this is the new governess who came to our house. Her name is Miss Laura Pendleton."

Ramswick immediately bowed his head.

"Good day. I am Ramswick, the butler of Whitefield Hall."

Laura curtsied and bowed her head slightly.

"Hello, Butler."

"I heard from the master that a new governess had come to Dunville Park. I heard that she was of great help while the master was staying in London."

"I received as much as I gave."

Then Olivia looked around behind Ramswick and asked.

"But where is my uncle?"

"He is currently meeting with a lawyer."

"Hee, is that so?"

Olivia tilted her head as if she found it strange.

Ramswick turned his gaze back to Laura.

"I have been eagerly awaiting the day you would visit, Miss. Please come in. I will guide you through Whitefield Hall in place of the master."

"What a precious opportunity. Isn't this place famous for not receiving any visitors?"

"That's right. Now, this way."

At that moment, Olivia gently grabbed Laura's arm.

"Miss, while you are touring the mansion, I will look at the flowers blooming in the garden. Let's meet in the library later."

Olivia ran off towards the back of the building as if she were familiar with it.

The two entered the mansion. After passing through the corridor on the first floor, a door appeared. Ramswick opened the door wide. Then, a large, long room with a wide width unfolded before her eyes. It was the Long Gallery.

Laura stepped into it. Hundreds of paintings were hung on the entire length of the wall.

Laura slowly walked along with Ramswick, looking at the paintings. As she looked at the large and small paintings, Laura soon discovered a difference from the paintings in ordinary aristocratic mansions.

Generally, galleries contained portraits of ancestors or paintings of royalty related to the family. However, the Long Gallery of Whitefield Hall contained various landscape paintings, still life paintings, and prints mixed in with them.

"The Dalton family has had a deep affection for art since their ancestors and regarded collecting art as a very important leisure activity. The previous master was especially fond of it and often enjoyed traveling to Europe to purchase sculptures and paintings."

Laura carefully looked at the paintings. Laura, who had grown up under her grandmother, an art lover, and had an above-average eye for paintings, realized that they were all high-quality paintings.

In particular, some of the paintings were works by painters who were currently highly recognized in France and Italy, so Laura could not help but admire the discernment of the previous Dalton family heads.

Ramswick then showed her the living room and dining room on the second floor. Laura walked slowly with Ramswick and felt as if she were in an art museum. Paintings were hung everywhere on the walls, and beautiful sculptures stood there. In addition, the furniture and window frames that filled the mansion also exuded dignity. It was not only beautiful but also cherished and cared for over a long period of time.

After being guided through the mansion for about 30 minutes, Laura felt refreshed. Beautiful things were harmoniously arranged wherever her eyes reached. The entire Whitefield Hall was like an art museum.

'It's no wonder Mr. Dalton loves art.'

After touring Whitefield Hall roughly, Ramswick finally took Laura to the library on the second floor, which was the meeting place.

When she opened the two large doors and entered, Laura was momentarily speechless. A different emotion from the refreshing feeling she had felt while touring Whitefield Hall shook her heart. It was shocking.

The library at Whitefield was reminiscent of a university library. The bookshelves were so high that you couldn't reach the top even if you stretched out your hand to the end of the wall, and a mobile ladder was prepared next to the bookshelf. It was a duplex structure that utilized the space up to the third floor, and if you used the stairs between the bookshelves to go up, you could find other bookshelves.

Laura scanned the library. Books were densely packed everywhere her eyes reached. The only time she had seen so many books was at a large book rental store in London. That place was a space for all the citizens of London, whereas this place was private property. She had never seen or heard of a family owning so many books.

Laura's heart beat violently.

"Miss!"

Olivia's voice reached Laura's ears as she was looking around the library in a confused mood. When she turned her head towards the sound, she saw Olivia waving her hand. Olivia was sitting at a desk in one corner of the library.

Several books were piled on the desk, and tea and cookies were placed next to them in pretty rose-patterned porcelain.

Laura approached Olivia.

"Have you looked around the mansion?"

"Yes. It's a beautiful place."

"Isn't it? You should also take a look at the garden later. There are many precious plants and flowers in the flower garden. They are all so pretty."

"Of course, it must be beautiful, Miss Fairfax. But I find this library the most amazing of all. How can there be so many books..."

Ramswick, who was next to her, explained.

"There are tens of thousands of books that our ancestors have collected over the past hundreds of years, but the current master has collected 1/5 of these books. The master said that there are too many paintings and sculptures in this mansion, so we must collect books to balance it out. He said that sensibility must be assisted by intellect."

Ramswick added.

"All the books here are shared with Dunville Park. You are welcome to take them with you if you need them."

Laura's eyes sparkled and a smile spread across her lips. It was a light of joy that could not be hidden.

"Thank you, Butler."

Laura gently grabbed Olivia's shoulder.

"Miss Fairfax, can I be alone for a moment?"

"Yes."

Laura soon went deep into the bookshelves and began to examine the books.

Olivia confirmed that Laura was far away and gestured to Ramswick, who was next to her. Ramswick lowered his head to match her height. Olivia put her mouth close to Ramswick's ear and whispered softly.

"Did you hear the story from my uncle?"

"What story are you talking about, Miss?"

Olivia frowned slightly.

"Ugh, uncle. He should have given me a hint about this much... Ramswick, the young lady my uncle likes is that Miss."

Ramswick turned his head and looked at the back of the lady who was looking at the books on one side of the bookshelf. He could see her neatly tied-up beautiful reddish-blonde hair and slender neckline. At that moment, the image of the woman in the sketchbook that Ian had once looked at and sighed at came to his mind.

"Ah, I thought I had seen her somewhere before!"

Olivia put her finger to her lips and shouted, "Shhh!" Ramswick quickly closed his mouth and anxiously watched Laura's back, worried that she might have heard. Fortunately, Laura was engrossed in reading a book bound in leather, with her long neck stretched down.