She approached the window more closely in surprise.Nothing could be seen at the end.Between the trees, nothing but dense birches was visible.It was white, so white, so very white.

Olivia was speaking in a proud voice beside her, but Laura couldn’t hear anything.She was that entranced.She had never seen such a scene in her life.

The forest of Dunville Park was grand and primal.Towering trees, lush undergrowth, wildflowers, and berries were not uncommon sights.It was a majestic greenery that overwhelmed the moment one entered.Laura often experienced vibrant vitality in the forest of Dunville Park.

But the Whitefield spread before her eyes was different from Dunville Park.It was dreamy and mystical.As if stepping into a dream world, or falling into a trance.The stark contrast of the white tree bark and the dark knots.Golden fragments of shattered sunlight shimmering above.Green leaves serving as the forest’s canopy.The pale sky of Yorkshire visible between them.

If the forest of Dunville Park was a playground designed by God,Whitefield was a work of art crafted with divine care.

For the ten minutes riding the carriage through the birch-lined path,she gazed blankly out the window.She couldn’t bear to blink even for a moment.She wanted to hold this beauty in her eyes for as long as possible.If possible, forever.

But everything has an end.The carriage soon left the long birch forestand began crossing a bridge over a stream.

Only then did Laura realize she had been entranced by Whitefield.And that her heart was pounding.

She calmed her trembling heart.Fortunately, the neat garden trees stretching beyond the window restored her composure.She returned to her usual self, offering Olivia, seated across from her,a mild compliment about the birch forest they had just passed, with a gentle smile.

The carriage passed through the well-kept garden and stopped in front of the manor.When the coachman opened the door, the two ladies slowly stepped down.

Laura slowly raised her head to look at the manorand was soon overcome with a different kind of awe than the dreamy intoxication of the birch forest.

Whitefield Hall was a grand five-story mansion sprawling on both sides.Its overall form was angular, yet curves were visible in places.Five Greek-style columns connected the first-floor staircase to the second-floor balcony,and statues of goddesses stood on the terrace, reaching toward the sky.

It was a rare Greek-style structure in England.Laura gazed at the manor for a moment, marveling at its elegant beauty.

‘Mr. Dalton’s pride is understandable. His affection, too.Anyone who calls this place home would always love itand never forget it, even when away.’

“Mr. Ramswick!”

While Laura was looking up at the manor, Olivia, standing beside her,shouted toward the manor’s front door.

Startled, Laura turned her gaze to the door.The door with a black handle opened, and a man in a black suit stepped out,approaching them with quick steps. He was a short, white-haired elderly man.

He stood before Olivia with a clearly flustered expression.

“Good day, miss. What brings you here!”

“Just visiting! It’s been almost a year since last winter. How’s your knee?”

“Thanks to you, it’s doing quite well, miss.”

Olivia gestured toward Laura, standing beside her, with her palm facing upward.

“Sir, this is the new governess at our house. Her name is Laura Pendleton.”

Ramswick immediately bowed his head.

“Good day. I am Ramswick, the butler of Whitefield Hall.”

Laura bent her knees and slightly bowed her head.

“Hello, Mr. Butler.”

“I heard a new governess had arrived at Dunville Park.They say you’ve been a great help while the master stays in London.”

“I’ve received as much as I’ve given.”

At that moment, Olivia glanced behind Ramswick and asked,

“But where’s Uncle?”

“He’s currently meeting with a lawyer.”

“Oh, really?”

Olivia tilted her head as if finding it odd.

Ramswick turned his gaze back to Laura.

“We’ve been eagerly awaiting your visit, miss. Please, come inside.I’ll show you around Whitefield Hall on behalf of the master.”

“What a rare opportunity. Isn’t this place famous for not receiving visitors?”

“Indeed. This way, please.”

At that moment, Olivia gently grabbed Laura’s arm.

“Miss, while you tour the manor, I’ll go look at the flowers in the garden.Let’s meet later in the library.”

Olivia ran off toward the back of the building with familiar ease.

The two entered the manor.Passing through the first-floor corridor, they came to a door.Ramswick opened it wide, revealing a large, wide, and elongated room.It was the Long Gallery.

Laura stepped inside.Hundreds of paintings hung along the entire length of the walls.

Laura walked slowly with Ramswick, observing the paintings.As she looked at the large and small artworks,she soon noticed something different from the paintings in typical noble manors.

Generally, galleries displayed portraits of ancestors or royalty related to the family.But Whitefield Hall’s Long Gallery was filled with a mix of landscapes, still lifes, and prints.

“The Dalton family has had a deep love for art for generations,considering art collection a vital pastime.The previous master, in particular, was so passionate that he often traveled to Europeto acquire sculptures and paintings.”

Laura carefully examined the paintings.Having grown up under an art-loving grandmother,Laura, with her above-average eye for art, recognized the high quality of the works.

Some of the paintings were by artists currently well-regarded in France and Italy,leaving Laura in awe of the discerning taste of the former Dalton patriarchs.

Ramswick then showed her the second-floor drawing room and dining room.Laura followed him slowly, feeling as if she were in an art gallery.Paintings hung on every wall, and beautiful sculptures stood throughout.Moreover, the furniture and window frames exuded refinement.They were not only beautiful but had been cherished and maintained for ages.

After about thirty minutes of touring the manor, Laura felt refreshed.Everywhere her eyes landed, beautiful things were harmoniously arranged.Whitefield Hall was practically an art gallery in itself.

‘It’s only natural that Mr. Dalton came to love art.’

After a full tour of Whitefield Hall,Ramswick led Laura to the promised destination, the second-floor library.

As the two large doors opened, Laura was momentarily speechless.A different emotion from the refreshing feeling of touring Whitefield Hall stirred her heart.It was shock.

The library of Whitefield recalled a university library.The bookshelves were so tall that even stretching a hand couldn’t reach the top,and a rolling ladder was prepared beside them.With a multi-level structure utilizing space up to the third floor,one could climb the stairs between the shelves to find more bookshelves above.

Laura scanned the library.Books were densely packed wherever her eyes landed.The only time she had seen so many books was at a large book rental shop in London.That place was for the entire city of London,while this was private property.She had never seen or heard of a single family owning so many books.

Laura’s heart raced fiercely.

“Miss!”

While Laura was looking around the library in a daze,Olivia’s voice reached her ears.Turning toward the sound, she saw Olivia waving her hand.Olivia was sitting at a desk in one corner of the library.

On the desk were a few stacked books,and beside them, a teapot and cookies in a pretty rose-patterned porcelain set.

Laura approached Olivia.

“Have you seen the whole manor?”

“Yes. It’s a beautiful place.”

“Isn’t it? You should check out the garden later.There are rare plants and flowers in the garden. They’re so pretty.”

“Of course they would be, Miss Fairfax.But I find this library the most astonishing of all.How can there be so many books…”

Ramswick, standing nearby, explained,

“Tens of thousands of books have been collected by previous generations,but a fifth of these were gathered by the current master.He said that since the manor has an abundance of paintings and sculptures,he needed to collect books to balance it out.He said sensibility must be supported by intellect.”

Ramswick added,

“All the books here are shared with Dunville Park.Feel free to take any you need, miss.”

Laura’s eyes sparkled, and a smile spread across her lips.It was an uncontainable joy.

“Thank you, Mr. Butler.”

Laura gently placed a hand on Olivia’s shoulder.

“Miss Fairfax, can you manage on your own for a bit?”

“Yes.”

Laura soon hurried deep into the shelves, beginning to examine the books.

Olivia confirmed Laura was far enough away and gestured to Ramswick.Ramswick bent down to her level.Olivia whispered softly into his ear.

“Have you heard from Uncle?”

“What do you mean, miss?”

Olivia frowned slightly.

“Ugh, Uncle. He should’ve mentioned something…Mr. Ramswick, the lady my uncle likes is this teacher.”

Ramswick turned to look at the back of the lady browsing the shelves.Her neatly pinned-up auburn hair and slender neck were visible.At that moment, he recalled the image of a woman from a sketchbookIan had once gazed at with a sigh.

“Oh, I thought she seemed familiar!”

Olivia put a finger to her lips and shushed him.Ramswick quickly closed his mouth, anxiously watching Laura’s back,worried she might have heard.Fortunately, Laura was engrossed in a leather-bound book,her long neck bent downward, oblivious to their conversation.