Episode 74

Having learned all the circumstances, Anne could not help but fall in love.

It was a splendid love story. But even more splendid was the married life of the two. Oswald McGill was a man like a toy soldier, but Anne, undeterred, drew out the warm emotions in his heart. He loved Anne for it, and to her, he became the most affectionate husband in the world.

Laura, hearing the trivial details of their domestic life through letters, grew quite fond of Lawyer McGill.

At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, spoke up.

“Mr. McGill, are you still working at Jayden & Maze Law Firm?”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“I saw your name among the business cards sent from the firm. Are you going to work tomorrow as well?”

“Yes. I plan to take the night train.”

“Take a day off. Send a telegram to the firm saying you’ve been requested for legal consultation by the Dalton family.”

Oswald looked at the great landowner before him with a puzzled expression.

“My wife is so fond of your wife that she’ll be depressed if you leave like this. Stay the night in the guest room and join us for lunch before you go.”

Laura’s face flushed.

“Really, you.”

Oswald McGill glanced at his wife. He noticed Anne’s delight at Dalton’s proposal and nodded immediately.

“I gratefully accept your kindness.”

“Then, since it’s been a tiring day for us all, let’s retire to our rooms.”

The two couples left the drawing room.

Laura instructed Remswick to prepare the most comfortable guest room on the third floor’s east wing for them. She also didn’t forget to order warm meals sent up, knowing they hadn’t eaten properly while rushing over.

Before Anne went upstairs, Laura suggested a morning walk. They agreed to meet at six o’clock in front of the hall’s grandfather clock.

The McGill couple bid polite farewells to the Dalton couple and followed Remswick.

Laura and Ian, arm in arm, slowly walked to their bedroom.

“Thank you for being so kind to the McGills, Ian.”

Ian replied matter-of-factly.

“They’re people you like.”

“Still. You don’t particularly care for Anne.”

Ian gave a small chuckle.

“That’s true.”

Ian found Anne quite irritating in many ways. Even before their marriage, she always held her chin high and spoke sarcastically in his presence, and even on his wedding day, she approached him at the reception to say, “It took you long enough to get married, but live well,” a remark that felt more ambiguous than congratulatory.

Moreover, even after their marriage, she referred to his wife as “Miss” instead of Mrs. Dalton. Laura was well aware that all this got on Ian’s nerves.

But there was something Laura didn’t know. During the time Ian was courting Laura, Anne had consistently helped them forge a marital bond. If Yorkshire had Olivia, London had Anne.

This alone meant Ian owed Anne a debt.

“Of course, that’s a secret from Laura.”

“Where will you walk tomorrow?”

Laura began planning the walk as if it were a picnic.

“Well, first, I’ll show her the apple trees in the garden. Then we’ll visit the fountain… and walking along the new road to admire the wildflowers would be nice too.”

“Take her to the violet field as well.”

“Oh, right. They must be beautiful this time of year.”

“There’s a lake nearby too, so it’ll be perfect.”

Laura let out a soft laugh.

“Anne will love it.”

The two entered their bedroom. Ian loosened his tie.

“We’ll be walking at least three miles in the morning.”

“Indeed. Should we pack a lunch?”

Laura laughed and, as was her habit, approached the chair by the fireplace. But just before she sat down, Ian walked over to his wife.

He swept Laura into his arms.

Laura caught her breath and looked up at her husband. Ian’s lips curved into a smile.

“Shall we finish what we started?”

Laura, cheeks flushed, wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck. Ian kissed her forehead and slowly approached the bed.

“I’ll need to exercise some restraint. If I unleash a year’s worth of passion, you won’t even make it down the stairs, let alone to the violet field.”

Laura fully untied the tie around her husband’s neck and held it in her hand.

“Slowly, gently, please.”

Ian gently laid Laura on the bed. His hand caressed her cheek.

“Don’t worry. I remember exactly the pace and intensity you like.”

The Dalton couple’s lips met.

“Look, ducks! They’re ducks, Miss!”

Anne pointed at the water’s surface. Over the lake, where sunlight shimmered like fragments of golden porcelain, a mother duck gracefully swam, leading six ducklings.

“Indeed.”

It was a familiar sight from their walks, so Laura responded casually while looking for a place to sit. Her eyes fell on a tree stump, large enough for two slender ladies to rest comfortably side by side.

They spread a handkerchief on the stump and sat down. It was just past seven, the air was fresh, the sunlight bright, and the breeze from the valley pleasantly cool. They sat quietly, admiring the lake before them.

An hour earlier, Anne and Laura had met in front of the grandfather clock. They strolled through the garden, admiring the apple trees, then ventured into the forest, crossing an arched bridge over a babbling stream.

Walking along the new road lined with birch trees, they gazed at clouds in the sky, sang folk songs about summer woods, and held hands, laughing as they fled from a startled bee. It was a moment more like schoolgirls than married women.

Anne marveled at the endless field of violets. She picked handfuls of them to take back as a gift for her husband.

“Does Mr. McGill like flowers?”

“Yes, very much. Though he seems to enjoy receiving flowers more than the flowers themselves. During our courtship, I once picked wildflowers from the roadside and tucked them into his coat pocket. He mentioned that when he proposed. Said that’s when he decided to marry me.”

Seeing Anne clutching an armful of violets for her husband, Laura could feel her love for him.

“Miss.”

Anne, sitting on the stump and gazing at the lake, spoke up.

“Living in a place like this must be wonderful.”

Laura’s heart swelled with affection and pride for Whitefield. She smiled warmly.

“You’re right, Anne.”

“Miss.”

“Yes?”

“Are you happy?”

Laura turned to Anne. Anne was smiling, dimples forming on her cheeks.

“You often ask about my happiness. You always did in your letters too.”

“I can’t help it. I just have to ask.”

“Why?”

“Because you weren’t so happy in London.”

“…”

“You were an ideal employer. Kind, generous, and reasonable. But ideal people are often hard on themselves. I hope you’ll forgive me for saying this, but you were harsh on yourself.”

It was the first time Anne had brought this up. Laura was surprised but, since it was something she had already acknowledged, she nodded easily.

“I know, Anne. I didn’t realize it back then, but I feel it clearly now. I was harsh on myself.”

“…”

“It’s hard to judge the past objectively, especially a past with mistakes. But I can accept it. Because I’m so happy now, the past feels like it belonged to someone else.”

Laura gave a bright smile.

“Are you reassured now, Anne?”

Anne nodded.

“Miss.”

“Yes.”

“You were overly responsible. And strict with yourself. But that’s why I respected you. You were generous to others but sparing with yourself.”

“The reason you respected me and worried for me is the same. That’s contradictory.”

“It is.”

Anne gently linked arms with Laura.

“But it’s true. You were someone worthy of true respect, not submission born of wealth. You don’t know how much the servants missed you after you left the townhouse. The day you left, I knew I’d never serve someone as remarkable as you again.”

“…”

“But if the result is your happiness, none of that matters. So hearing you speak so freely of your happiness now makes me so glad.”

Laura gazed silently at the lake.

“Anne doesn’t know. That it’s just as hard to find someone like her.”

For over eight years in the townhouse, Anne had stayed by her side. Anne was a cheerful maid, always helpful to Laura. But that was only part of her significance.

Anne was a rare maid who repaid Laura’s efforts to be kind to her servants with respect. She worked diligently to match her mistress’s generosity and cared for her with genuine affection.

Moreover, she grieved more than Laura did over her sorrows, got angry on her behalf at injustices, and rejoiced in her joys as if they were her own.