“Thank you, Doctor McKenzie.”

“Why are you thanking me for your good health?”

“Because the ability to diagnose lies with you. Thank you. Truly… it was worth coming all this way.”

Tears welled up in the corners of Laura’s eyes. She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at them.

“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule. I’ll work on gaining weight and come back. Well then…”

Laura rose from her chair to return home.

“Madam.”

“Yes?”

“…Please sit for a moment.”

Laura, who had been standing awkwardly, sat back down. He folded his arms and stared at her intently. His gaze unnerved her. It was as if the late Victor Hugo were glaring at her—how could it not be intimidating?

“I’ve known of Mrs. Dalton for some time. Even living buried in a mountain valley, as long as one holds onto the threads of the world to make a living, it’s impossible to remain ignorant of its affairs.”

“Oh, yes…”

“Everyone said that Mr. Dalton married a penniless woman from a ruined family. Her name was Laura Pendleton, a lowly illegitimate child who took her mother’s surname.”

“…”

“People whispered wherever they went. A troubled marriage leads to a troubled life, they said. Not some orchard peasant, but the heir of Yorkshire making such a choice was madness. And they’re right. Conservative views often carry insights into reality. I thought to myself, Mr. Dalton made a terribly foolish decision.”

As Laura listened, her heart slowly sank.

She knew it too. She was well aware of the reputation the Dalton family held in society and the kind of talk her union with Ian would provoke. She had known it so well that she tried to flee from the man she loved so desperately, attempting to defy fate.

But hearing it so bluntly to her face didn’t feel good. She was no longer the Laura Pendleton accustomed to scorn and ostracism. She was Laura Dalton, used to being respected and loved.

“…So, what are you trying to say?”

Laura responded somewhat stiffly. Doctor McKenzie continued calmly.

“But then I heard another story. They said this Laura Pendleton was an exceptionally beautiful woman. That despite losing her parents young and being mistreated by a cruel uncle, her heart was as soft as silk, and her demeanor was like that of royalty. That her learning rivaled that of any scholar. That she loved Mr. Dalton so much she turned down proposals that could have changed her life multiple times.”

Doctor McKenzie gave a slight smile for the first time that day.

“I thought it was an exaggeration, but meeting you today, I see it’s all true. Mr. Dalton has gained a truly beautiful and graceful wife. And it’s also true that you love your husband dearly.”

An unexpected compliment. Laura’s face flushed with shyness.

“The fortunate one is me. I’m an inadequate wife for him.”

“Is that thought rooted in your inability to bear a child?”

“The child issue is only part of it. I have many shortcomings compared to him.”

“Admirable humility, but someone consumed by their own inadequacies cannot find happiness.”

He pulled his chair slightly closer. The distance between them lessened.

“I’ve been treating infertile couples for over forty years. Some succeeded in conceiving, others did not. But among the successful ones, there were surprising cases. Couples who gave up on pregnancy and adopted, only to suddenly find a child in the womb. It happened so often that, as a doctor, I couldn’t help but wonder. I spent years researching the matter, but I found no definitive scientific answer. Only a vague hypothesis: God doesn’t want humans to fret over what He will handle in His own time.”

“…”

“My view is that a child is a being that takes root when the parents are happy. That way, they can provide a stable home for the child after birth, and even if no child comes, they can still lead a fulfilling married life. Mrs. Dalton, do you attend church weekly?”

“Yes.”

“Do you believe that God watches over us and fulfills His will through us?”

“Of course.”

“Then it shouldn’t be hard to believe that He will grant you a child when the time is right. Why not leave it all in His hands?”

Doctor McKenzie’s advice struck a chord in Laura. It was as if she’d been doused with cold water and woken from a dream, suddenly enlightened.

Yes, whether or not I have a child isn’t within my control. Yet I never thought to entrust it to God, despite praying daily and attending church weekly.

She nodded toward Doctor McKenzie. He smiled, his face radiating a seasoned warmth that made one want to lean on him.

“Then, until the Lord grants you a child, cherish the happiness you have now. You’re a couple who came together through great trials, aren’t you? Don’t let a single moment of that happiness slip away. Give your husband all the love you can, and accept the love he gives you without a shred of guilt. What you need, Mrs. Dalton, is happiness, not duty.”

Laura couldn’t speak. Tears streamed from her eyes.

She loved her husband so deeply. That’s why she believed that, because he chose her, she shouldn’t let him miss out on the happiness other men enjoyed.

Barely a year into their marriage, her fear of not being able to have a child drove her to seek out a doctor, all because of an overwhelming sense of duty to make her husband happy.

Indeed, Doctor McKenzie was the finest doctor and person. He had seen through her heart entirely.

She took out her handkerchief, buried her face in it, and wept for a long time. He offered no words of comfort, but Laura could feel it. He understood her heart and wished for her happiness.

In the carriage leaving the cottage, Laura asked herself:

Why did I marry Ian?

Because I loved him so much. Because I wanted to spend my life with him. Because I wanted to live happily with him forever.

Yes, it was because they wanted to live happily together.

Over the past year, Laura had worked tirelessly for his happiness. Since he made her happy, she felt she had to take responsibility for his happiness too. But looking back, she realized she’d been subtly haunted by another thought: that since he married someone as unworthy as her, she had to repay him.

I’ve been dismissing myself. How could I be happy with him with such a mindset?

Laura shook off the fear and duty that had clouded her judgment.

Yes, Doctor McKenzie is right. Whether a child comes or not isn’t within my control. I’ll leave it to God. And I’ll focus on this moment—on the happiness Ian and I create together. That’s what’s truly best for us.

Laura looked out the window. Thin clouds, like chiffon scarves, covered the dim fields, where sheep and cows grazed. She hadn’t noticed before, but Doctor McKenzie lived amidst a splendid landscape.

Laura gave a small smile. Her heart, now far lighter than when she’d headed to the cottage, brimmed with a fluttering longing for her husband.

I’ll give him all my love without holding back. And I’ll accept all his love, without hesitation or guilt.

Noel placed a ledger on Ian’s desk.

“Sir, this month’s rent settlements are complete.”

Ian, who had been reading an article about the departure of a merchant ship from a port company he was considering investing in, folded the newspaper and skimmed the ledger.

The ledger, with its neatly aligned letters and numbers as if typed, clearly listed the monthly income from the Dalton family’s forests, farmlands, and buildings. To Ian’s keen eye, which could spot lazy mistakes and corrupt omissions like a hawk, the ledger Noel prepared was flawless by any standard of efficiency or integrity.

Ian returned the ledger and resumed reading the newspaper. Noel tucked the ledger under their arm and returned to their desk.

It was a diligent afternoon as usual. Since lunch, Ian had met with a legal representative, discussed with a farmer looking to lease additional land, and was now reading the newspaper. Meanwhile, Noel had replied to minor business letters, written an article for a building lease advertisement to send to the newspaper, and organized the ledger.

In the days before Noel, Ian reading the newspaper in the afternoon was unimaginable. He had been relentlessly busy. It was only natural, as he had to handle even the tasks Noel now managed.

At one point, Ian had other land agents and secretaries besides Noel. But they were either prone to mistakes, lazy, or tried to pocket side income by deceiving their employer.

Ian, not the most lenient employer, fired them as easily as eating a meal, eventually realizing that handling everything himself was the most reliable approach.

Two years ago, if he hadn’t had to rush to London to deal with old man Price, he would never have hired Noel. At first glance, Noel seemed to embody all three flaws.

But surprisingly, Noel proved to be a capable talent who met Ian’s standards. Diligent, meticulous, and thoroughly honest. Since hiring them, Ian’s life had become considerably more relaxed.

Knock, knock.

A knock sounded. The door opened, and Ramswick entered. He bowed deeply to his master.

“Where would you like to take tea?”

Ian glanced at the desk clock. It was precisely tea time.

“Here. Bring some for Noel too.”

As Ramswick was about to close the door, Noel called out.

“Butler, could you send up some of the rice pudding made this morning?”

Ramswick shot Noel a glare.

“Very well.”

His tone suggested, “Eat some taffy instead of pudding.” He closed the door and left.