“……Mother, I know what you’re trying to say.I might be speaking a bit snobbishly.But Mother, reality is reality.The Dalton family’s children will be pointed at.Look at reality.Look at the situation of Judge Anderson’s daughters.”

The Judge Anderson that Olivia spoke ofwas the eldest son of a gentleman’s family nearly 150 years old,a member of a respected lineage for generations.However, his reckless dispositionhad thrown the inherited reputation to the ground.He had taken a mistress nearbyand had been living a double life for 20 years.

He had three daughters with his mistress,and that household of mother and daughterswas notorious in the neighborhood.And such dishonorable famenever translated into popularity.

No family invited their household.No household interacted with themor sent a single letter.Even workers were reluctant to work at their house.Not only that,but their family was banned from entering the church.The Anderson daughters,though of age to enter society,were living as if confined within their home.

“Yes, Judge Anderson broke the oathhe made before Godand betrayed his loyalty to his wife.And the Anderson daughtersare paying the price for their parents’ immorality.”

“Exactly.No one wants to marry those daughters.They know the immoral dishonor of that familywill surely affect their own reputation.And it’s obvious the pointing fingerswill continue to their children.Even the son of a small local millavoids a woman of dubious birth as a wife.So, why on earthwould someone like our uncle marry an illegitimate child?What does our uncle lack?”

Mrs. Fairfax quietly looked at her daughter.

“You’re talking about reality, Olivia,and yes, your words are somewhat true.If Ian and Miss Pendleton were to marry,Yorkshire would probably be abuzz for a while.There would be endless gossip about her lineage,and if they had children,those children would hear it too.But I’ve never thoughtthat ostracizing people like that is right.Be it the Anderson daughters or Miss Pendleton,it’s unfair for the sins of the parentsto be passed down to their children.And that beliefis one of the few thingsIan and I have in common.”

“Then, Mother,are you fine with our uncle being pointed atfor marrying a teacher?”

Mrs. Fairfax shrugged.

“You have to pay a priceto get what you truly want.”

Olivia was speechless.She knew her mother was sometimesdifferent from other ladies.Unlike them, she didn’t stake her lifeon social events or her children’s education.The only times she seemed franticwere about her uncle’s marriageor strange hobbies like card reading.

But the strangest thing about her motherwas this detached way of thinking.Olivia was sensitive to the wordsexchanged in the community around her,quickly gathering and accepting them.So, conversations with her motheroften left her bewildered.

At that moment, footsteps were heard from the parlor.The sound of refined shoes.Just by the steps, one could tell who it was.Mrs. Fairfax hurriedly gatheredthe velvet cloth spread on the table for her readingand flung it behind the sofa.

“Miss Fairfax, you’re here?Did you enjoy your time with your friends?”

Laura entered the parlorand kindly asked Olivia.Olivia noddedwith an expression as if suppressing a hiccup.

“Before dinner,step out for a bit and tell me about it.I’m curious about Miss Fairfax’s friends.”

It was about making up for the French lessonmissed due to today’s party.Olivia quietly followed Laura to the garden.And, as usual, sat on the benchand softly recounted the day’s events in French.Of course, leaving out anything about Laura.

Laura listened attentively to Olivia’s storyand clapped, saying her grammar was flawless.Olivia felt shy but was quite pleasedand proud.Since Laura came to Dunville Park,Olivia’s French skills had improved remarkably.Both Laura and Olivia felt it.

“Today, all the kids were surprised.They asked when I got so good at French,if I’d been to France in secret.”

“That must have felt good.”

“Yes.”

“It’s all thanks to Miss Fairfax’s determination.Feel as proud as you want, Miss Fairfax.”

Olivia was silent for a moment.

“Teacher.”

“Yes, Miss Fairfax?”

Laura looked at Oliviawith gentle, refined eyes like a lamb’s.

“Were you popular in London?”

“Well.”

“Were there no men proposing to you?”

“Are you curious about that?”

“Yes.”

Laura paused in thought.In truth, she had receivedno small number of suitors.But they were mostly impure.Endless flirtations from rakeswanting to make her their mistress.

Even the purer proposalswere only from older gentlementrying to seize an opportunityupon noticing her disadvantaged situation.Hardly honorable attentions.

“I wasn’t very popular in society.”

“But, Teacher, you’re so beautiful.”

“Thank you for saying that, Miss Fairfax.”

Laura responded politely.But Olivia hadn’t brought it upto hear thanks.

“If Teacher decided,couldn’t you marry anytime?Shall I introduce you to someone?There’s a doctor who visitswhen our family falls ill.He’s very kind and smart.Or, there’s a young tailorMother sometimes visits for clothes.He’s very handsome.So popular among women.He’d be perfect for you.”

Laura wondered why Oliviawas suddenly so interested in her marriage.That curiosity soon triggered her keen instincts.

“Miss Fairfax,have you heard something about me?”

Olivia closed her mouth.Her face showed clear unease.Laura quickly grasped the situation.She must have met someone from societywho knew her.Or perhaps heard from Mrs. Fairfax.

Likely, she heard about her birthand, out of pity,kept listing potential suitors.Not particularly helpful,but Laura felt grateful for Olivia’s heart.

“I know there are many stories about you, Teacher.But still,there must be someone suitable for you.”

“I think it would be wonderfulto marry,meet a man I love,and have children.But, Miss Fairfax,I want to continue this life a bit longer.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m very satisfied with my situation now.”

Olivia’s eyes widened.She couldn’t understandhow someone raised in a noble familycould feel fulfilled as a governess.

“It’s been so long since I’ve livedso comfortably and meaningfully.I want to keep this for a while.”

“…Even if someone proposed to you?For example,if a very eligible gentleman proposed?”

“That won’t happen,but if it did, I’d have to decline.I’m not suited to such a match,and my lineage would surely cause trouble.”

Olivia couldn’t easily believe that.Honestly, she thoughtif Laura received a proposalfrom a wealthy gentleman (like her uncle),she’d naturally marry.That was the only wayfor Teacher to returnto her former status and affluent life.

Olivia began subtly probingto get Laura to reveal her true feelings.

“But, Teacher,you could easily be loved by such a man.You’re so beautifuland so refined.Not all men choose wivesbased solely on practical value.I’ve read in countless books and articlesabout marriages between unequal statuses.They marry for charm alone.Couldn’t you do that too?”

Far from being swayed,Laura looked at Olivia with a lukewarm expression.But Olivia, unaware,squeezed her imaginationto paint the most romantic fantasy.

“Imagine it.A man with a vast estatefalls in love with you at first sight.He sends you all sorts of jewels and flowers,comes to fetch you in a white carriage with attendants.And takes you to a beautiful villaon the coast of southern France or Italy.He says, let’s live there forever,careless of reputation.Yes, live abroad.Abroad, no one would point fingers, right, Teacher?”

“It’s a fine fantasy, Miss Fairfax,but you should stop.”

“Why?”

“Because such fantasies are useless.Clinging to dreams like thatdoesn’t help a lady.”

Olivia was stunned into silence.It was the first timeTeacher had spoken so firmly.

“Miss Fairfax,if I marry,I won’t stray an inch beyond my station.Nobles and landowners marryflawless noble maidens suited to them,and someone like memarries a middle-class man.”

“But if you love…”

“No.That’s not how it works, Miss Fairfax.”

Laura firmly shook her head.

“Marriage is a union between people.You don’t yet understand what that means, Miss Olivia.Love, for humans,isn’t that strong an emotion.It can’t withstandimmediate economic discord,society’s pointing fingers,or even the petty conflictsunavoidable when two peopleraised in different environments live together.Human emotions are sweetbut spoil easily if not preserved,like custard cream,not a sword and shieldto fight practical problems.By the time you’re my age, Miss Fairfax,you’ll likely understand that better than I do.”

Olivia listened to Laura’s wordswith a flustered heart.It was the first timesomeone spoke so coldly about marriage.