Chapter 9
<9> The Strange Man, Ian Dalton (2)
"Hello, Mr. Dalton. I've heard a lot about you from Mr. Fairfax's siblings."
Mr. Dalton raised the corner of his lips and asked, "Is that so? What did Janet and William tell you about me?"
"That you're a good uncle to your nephews and nieces. And a good brother to your sister, I hear?"
"Well, I don't know. Shouldn't you ask them whether I'm a good uncle or not? Adults may think they're doing a good job, but it's different from the children's perspective. It's the same with my sister. Actually, I can say for sure that I'm not being a good brother in this regard."
"Oh, why?"
"You must have heard how much effort my sister had to put in to push me into this position. Shouldn't a good brother listen without complaint to what his sister, who is old enough to be his mother and is suffering from postpartum illness less than a year after giving birth to a late child, says?"
Miss Pendleton glanced at Mr. Fairfax at Mr. Dalton's rather sarcastic reply. Mr. Fairfax gave a troubled smile and looked apologetic.
However, Miss Pendleton did not feel any particular antipathy towards this gentleman. Her friendship with Mr. Fairfax made her refrain from criticizing Mr. Dalton, and Mr. Dalton's attitude had interesting aspects that were different from ordinary gentlemen.
Usually, rich and rude gentlemen were steeped in arrogance or vulgarity. Such people were different from their actions, eyes, and tone. A lazy and vulgar stench was rampant because of that. Miss Pendleton was a ghost at smelling such smells.
But she didn't feel any stench from Mr. Dalton in front of her. He was dignified and neat. However, it was clear that his temper was unusual. Just like Edward Morton, who recently became Elizabeth's partner.
Could this man be a gentleman of the same kind as Mr. Morton? Miss Pendleton wanted to get to know this young gentleman with a little more patience.
'But before that, I have to do something about this sarcastic attitude.'
"But Mr. Dalton, you ended up coming here after all. You should be able to ignore everything and enjoy your freedom to the fullest in London, where your sister has almost no influence."
"Don't underestimate my sister. She's the one who created her own agent in London with a single letter. William is her loyal servant."
"Hey, Ian. Is it fun to make me look like a fool in front of a lady?"
"Mr. Fairfax, I don't think you're a fool. I just think Mr. Dalton is a person who is ashamed of being praised."
Mr. Dalton frowned slightly.
"I'm ashamed of being praised? Is that how you see it?"
"Yes. You seem to have chosen to look bad rather than be praised. And I think that's a very good attitude."
"In what ways do I look great? I've never received anything similar to that evaluation from anyone in society. On the contrary, I don't know."
Miss Pendleton laughed cheerfully.
"You're showing a great example of how the answer is hidden in the question. You emphasize that you're bad by mentioning your bad reputation that you didn't even bother to ask. That's an attitude that comes from humility or shyness. And I think either way, it's a great virtue for a gentleman to have."
"I think it's a bad attitude to disguise and deceive yourself with humility or shyness. I'm not deceiving Miss Pendleton with any disguise, so stop seeing me as a liar."
"Then, would you please stop calling yourself bad and deliberately ruining your reputation?"
"I just said it as it is. That I'm not a good uncle to my nephews and nieces, and that I'm a brother who causes my sister heartache."
"In another sense, that means that instead of arbitrarily guessing how young nephews and nieces will see themselves, they carefully consider the children's thoughts. And it also means that you don't want to cause your sister heartache, so you're wearing a nice tailcoat and coming to the Ball."
"That's…"
Mr. Dalton tried to refute something, but couldn't find anything to say. Miss Pendleton delivered the final blow with her usual gentle attitude.
"The world generally evaluates a man who remembers that his sister is suffering from postpartum illness as a good younger brother. Mr. Dalton."
Mr. Dalton soon closed his mouth. Mr. Fairfax, who had been watching the two people's argument silently, cheered as he saw Dalton lose his words.
I won. Miss Pendleton won! That guy, he makes it a hobby to embarrass other people all the time, but how dazed must he feel when he's the one being embarrassed? I'm glad I introduced him to Miss Pendleton.
His thoughts were correct. Mr. Dalton, who was planning to act crookedly as usual to make the other person uncomfortable and then get out of the annoying event without interference, was dazed by the unexpected counterattack.
He stared blankly at the lady in front of him, who was dressed politely and smiling gently.
Dark gray eyes in gentle eyes and clean and beautiful features. Delicate neck and shoulder line. She was a pure and frail-looking lady. That's why he was caught off guard and suffered helplessly like before.
He had a bit of stubbornness and curiosity about the lady in front of him. He didn't realize it, but the thought of going home quickly disappeared from his head.
"Okay. Whether it's humility or shyness, I'll stop putting myself down. I heard that Miss Pendleton will be my friend during my stay in London. Is that right?"
"Yes. I'd be happy to if Mr. Dalton wants."
"Then, what joy will I get if I become friends with my dear Miss Pendleton? I'm curious about how you show your friendship to Miss Pendleton."
"I'll give you everything I have. Even if you come suddenly, I'll make a place for you by the warm fire. I'll be a conversation partner with good black tea. If you want to expand your friendships, I'll introduce you to my sincere friends, and if you want to stroll around London, I'll guide you to good trails and shops. Even if you go far away, I'll always make you feel like there's someone somewhere in the world who remembers me through letters."
Miss Pendleton continued with a friendly smile.
"These are the things I give generously to my friends, and these are all the things I have. It's not much, but I'm willing to provide it. If you promise to always be honest with me."
Mr. Dalton spoke in a more gentle voice instead of a sarcastic reply to Miss Pendleton's words.
"Miss Pendleton is also speaking in a way that I don't know whether it's humility or shyness. The things you just listed are the most wonderful things you can get from a friendship."
"What I have is simple and ordinary. I'm not in a position to give my friends a lot. So I give as much as I have."
"It's true that what Miss Pendleton gives doesn't have a price tag. But that's because it's impossible to put a price tag on it."
Miss Pendleton blushed slightly, but quickly erased the sign. But Mr. Dalton had a keen eye and captured the moment. And he felt cuteness in the shyness of this clever lady in front of him.
He quickly pressed down on the corners of his mouth that were about to rise and said seriously.
"Miss Pendleton, I think I shouldn't miss the privilege of sharing friendship with you. It would be more of a loss than missing something precious. I'll always be honest as you wish. On the honor of a gentleman. Then."
Mr. Dalton held out his hand to Miss Pendleton. Miss Pendleton lightly placed her hand on his. He bowed his head and politely kissed the back of her hand. And he looked up slightly and looked into her eyes.
"I look forward to working with you, Miss Pendleton."
Miss Pendleton smiled, meeting his eyes with an inexplicable glow.
"I look forward to working with you, Mr. Dalton. Then, as the first step of friendship today, I'll introduce you to my friends, the ladies. Oh, this song is about to end."
Mr. Dalton shook his head.
"Thank you, but I'll decline, Miss Pendleton. I can't dance."
Miss Pendleton accepted it as humility.
"Don't worry, Mr. Dalton. My friends are generous enough not to make fun of you even if you miss the beat."
"That's not it. I really can't dance. I've never learned it formally."
Miss Pendleton was embarrassed and lost her words. If he couldn't dance, she had to postpone introducing him to another place. In a Ball where the number of ladies is overwhelmingly large, it would be a great rudeness if a gentleman only greeted a lady and did not apply for a dance.
Mr. Fairfax, who was listening from the side, was also dumbfounded and intervened.
"There was definitely a dance class at Eton School, what did you do then?"
"Do you think I'd attend such a class? I'd rather do Latin writing."
"Good heavens. What should I do with this troublemaker?"
Miss Pendleton didn't say anything, but she agreed with Mr. Fairfax's words to some extent.
What should I do with this gentleman who has perfect conditions and an interesting personality, but is a complete idiot in social life?
While Miss Pendleton was in trouble, Mr. Fairfax snapped his fingers and said.
"Then how about learning it in a hurry in this place? Waltz isn't that difficult. You just have to spin around to the beat."
"Talk sense, William. Do you want to see me make a mess of the ladies' feet?"
"I know that there are quite a few ladies who are willing to prepare for that if they can dance with you."
"Whoever it is, you'd better put that determination away. If I, a grown man, step on you, your feet will be swollen and you'll have to sleep without your shoes tonight."
Miss Pendleton, who was listening to the two people's bickering, asked Mr. Fairfax.
"Mr. Fairfax, is Mr. Dalton good at sports?"
"Of course. He can follow most sports with just one demonstration."
"That's it, then. I'll teach you in a hurry. Let's go to the stage with me. Mr. Dalton."
Mr. Dalton was serious.
"Miss Pendleton, I said it as a joke just now, but I really can't dance. I'm sure I'll step on you more than three times."
"It's okay. Let's sleep in shoes tonight. Hurry up, the dance is about to start."
Miss Pendleton grabbed his hand and led him. Mr. Dalton was embarrassed but slightly interested and followed Miss Pendleton to the stage.
Miss Pendleton grabbed his hand and raised it to shoulder height, and wrapped her other hand around her waist. And she put her remaining hand on Mr. Dalton's shoulder.
She looked straight up at him and whispered softly.
"I'll lead this dance. Watch my feet and follow slowly."
Ian nodded slightly. Soon, a romantic waltz began to flow through the hall.
Miss Pendleton counted the beats one by one in a voice that only the two of them could hear, and Mr. Dalton looked down and moved his feet to follow her.
At first, Miss Pendleton was really worried about whether he would be able to dance before this song was over, but her worries were unfounded. At first, he hesitated a little, but in less than a minute, Mr. Dalton began to follow the steps quite well.
Miss Pendleton, who was inwardly surprised, felt that his shoulders were still stiff with tension and said in a laughing voice.
"It's okay to step on it, so relax. If you're nervous, you can't hear the music."
"Don't say such terrible things. Your feet, which are slightly visible at the end of the dress, are so small that they look like they'll break if I step on them even once."
"It won't break, never. Now, look up and look at me. Make eye contact with me and dance. You can do it."
