Translator: Nox

35 - Chapter 35

Even after Mr. Wilson left the room, Eloise continued her conversation with Ryan.

“Are you sure I can have this?”

Eloise looked at the glass jar that Mr. Wilson had brought, as if she couldn't believe it.

Inside the clear glass jar was a tea made by rolling flowers into a circle.

Sergeant Thornton and Mr. Wilson had kept their mouths shut, so the exact price of this tea was unknown.

However, considering that Mr. Wilson's lips were practically glued to his ears, it was likely the most expensive tea this store had ever handled.

'The tea delivered to Blissbury is quite expensive too.'

This must be several times more expensive. It was common knowledge that tea was more expensive the farther it came from, and the more unique and strong the scent, wasn't it?

Even the taste of this Flower Tea was good.

That's why, while tasting it, she was thinking that her mother would also enjoy drinking it at the upcoming Banquet.

While she was thinking that, she was gazing at the empty teacup, and after a while, Mr. Wilson brought the glass jar filled with tea and placed it in front of her.

“Why are you giving this to me…?”

“Why else? Sergeant Thornton asked me to.”

“Yes?”

Eloise looked at him in surprise. She thought they were whispering about the price earlier, but it seemed he had asked for this too.

“I thought Mrs. Suberton would like a gift of the tea since she liked it.”

Eloise's face turned red at those words.

She was embarrassed that he had caught her staring so intently. But there was another feeling as well.

'It wasn't exactly for me.'

Why did she think he was giving it to her when he smiled at her?

She was ashamed of herself for assuming that his kindness was naturally directed at her.

As Mr. Wilson left, Eloise said to him in a small voice.

“I should consider moving most of our grocery shopping to Mr. Wilson's store. The quality has improved, the number of items has increased, and above all…”

“It's clean.”

“Yes, that's it!”

Eloise almost clapped at Ryan's words, which accurately expressed what she was thinking.

From the moment you entered Mr. Keynes's store, there was a bad smell and dust piled up everywhere.

How could a place that handles food, especially perishable meat, not manage the store properly?

Fortunately, the meat he brought out wasn't a big problem, but seeing that the quality was lower compared to last year, it seemed like it would be even worse next year.

Then Ryan took a sip of tea and said.

“It would be good for Eloise to tell Mr. Suberton directly when he returns.”

He said it as if the matter was no longer his concern.

“Ah, that's right. You won't be here next year.”

Eloise belatedly realized her mistake. Why did she assume that he would still be here next year?

“…What will you do when you go back?”

“I'll return to the unit for now. After that… I don't know yet.”

Ryan's expression disappeared for a moment as he answered. His face, devoid of any emotion, felt chillingly cold.

Eloise couldn't easily open her mouth at his appearance.

'Does he not want to go back?'

If he was a soldier who received special consideration for recuperation from the Baron, he must be quite capable. But to have such a reaction to the mention of returning to the military.

'What happened?'

More than that, she was wondering what to do about this suddenly chilly atmosphere when someone knocked on the door.

“Yes, come in.”

She naturally thought Mr. Wilson would come in, but,

“It's been a while, Eloise Suberton.”

The person who came in was Mrs. Greenwood, who was called the godmother of the Cambon social circle.

“Mrs. Greenwood? Ah, it's been a while.”

Surprised by the unexpected person, Eloise hurriedly got up and greeted her.

'Why is she here?'

Mrs. Greenwood had always looked at Eloise with less than favorable eyes.

She was the kind of person who seemed like a etiquette book come to life.

So whenever she saw Eloise, who was still unmarried and living freely in Feltham, she worried that the Cambon ladies would be influenced.

Naturally, her attitude offended Mrs. Serverton, which became the reason why Mrs. Serverton gradually stopped visiting Cambon.

After that, there wasn't much interaction. So even if she knew she was in the store like this, they weren't close enough to come and say hello…

Then Eloise's gaze turned beyond the open door.

Ah.

The moment she saw the dozen or so ladies with shining eyes beyond the door, Eloise realized.

Mrs. Greenwood had come to introduce Sergeant Thornton to the Cambon ladies.

“How have you been? We are always waiting for you to come to Cambon. Cambon's social circle feels more radiant when you, who are so active, attend.”

Really… How can she say things she doesn't mean so well?

Eloise also hid her true feelings as much as possible and answered with a smile.

“I am always deeply grateful for your consideration. I am still not able to do so because of the Blissbury matter, but I will try to make time as soon as possible to attend your gathering.”

“Come to think of it, this gentleman is…”

Mrs. Greenwood turned her head with a rare kind smile.

The time has come.

She thought it was rather good. She was going to go around greeting people anyway, so it's easier for her if they all come at once like this.

“Yes, this is Sergeant Ryan Thornton, the new manager who came to Blissbury this time. Sergeant Thornton, this is Mrs. Amber Greenwood of the Cambon social circle.”

Ryan, who had risen with Eloise, approached Mrs. Greenwood and bowed his head.

Mrs. Greenwood gracefully extended the back of her hand to him, and Ryan lightly kissed the back of her hand, giving the most polite greeting he could to a lady much older than himself.

The corners of Mrs. Greenwood's mouth gently rose at his actions.

'I was worried about what to do if he was a rough character, but it doesn't seem like that.'

Most gentlemen feel uncomfortable when they are with Eloise.

That must be because of her strong character, which she couldn't hide with etiquette.

So when she entered the Reception room earlier, Mrs. Greenwood immediately assessed Ryan's atmosphere.

As expected, he seemed to be in a bad mood. She couldn't ask, but it must be because of Eloise.

Besides, seeing Eloise welcoming her, who wouldn't be very welcome, like this, the atmosphere between the two must have been very awkward.

Mrs. Greenwood smiled.

Anyway, she had been anxious because the manager of Blissbury, a young unmarried man, had come here and hadn't shown his face in Cambon even once.

Becoming impatient, she temporarily sent her maid, who was from Feltham, back home to find out about the new manager.

A week later, the maid returned and told her all the stories about the ladies of Feltham going to Blissbury.

'So he's not interested in the country bumpkin ladies of Feltham anyway.'

Then she wanted to make sure that this promising young man, who could continue to manage Blissbury in the future, was connected with a Cambon lady.

That's why, as soon as she heard that Eloise and he had come to Cambon together, she came right away.

“It's really nice to meet you like this, Sergeant Thornton. If you don't mind, I would like to introduce you to the ladies of Cambon.”

“…It's an honor.”

He answered a beat late, but Mrs. Greenwood decided not to mind. Even she thought it would take a little courage to face the ladies standing with shining eyes beyond the open door.

“Then, with Sergeant Thornton's permission, everyone, come inside.”

As soon as Mrs. Greenwood finished speaking, the ladies outside quickly came inside.

As the guest Reception room filled with people, Eloise kept getting pushed back. Eventually, she left the room.

Eloise, wondering what to do, mouthed to Ryan, who was visible among the ladies.

Take care of the greetings. I'll be back after I finish my business.

Then Eloise immediately turned around. She didn't know if Ryan understood, but she didn't want to be inside there for now, and she really had a lot of other things to finish.

Eloise told Mr. Wilson that she would stop by other stores and left the door.

She saw unfamiliar gentlemen standing next to the carriage, looking at the Reception room crowded with ladies.

But Eloise soon turned her head and went her way.

In that way, Philip and Richard missed the person they had come to see without even knowing she had passed by.