“I know it must have been a surprise to visit you so suddenly. Actually, I am acquainted with your father-in-law, Mr. Lewis Wilson. I recently moved to South Wembury, where I met Mr. Wilson.”
At Eleanor’s words, Grace seemed to finally understand and her expression cleared.
“Ah…I see. So, did you come to meet my father today?”
Her question implied that Mr. Wilson was still staying at Baron Taylor’s residence.
“Yes. Mr. Wilson sent me a letter saying he would be here. I thought it would be nice to see him while I’m in the capital. And I wanted to congratulate the Baroness as well.”
Eleanor presented a gift she had brought.
“It’s a baby hat. I didn’t knit it myself, but…”
“Oh, how adorable. Thank you so much.”
Grace held the hat in her hands, examining it with a beaming smile.
“My father is out at the moment. He said he wouldn’t be long, so he should be back soon.”
Eleanor chatted with Grace over tea.
Despite the sudden visit from a stranger, Grace showed no signs of wariness or discomfort towards Eleanor. It seemed she had inherited her father’s gentle demeanor.
“How did you come to know my father?”
“Mr. Wilson donated books, which allowed for a library to be built in Wembury village. It’s quite a small village, so there wasn’t anywhere to read books before. I went to thank him and that’s how we became acquainted.”
“Really?”
Grace blinked in mild surprise but added no further comment.
“Is the baby healthy? What’s her name?”
“Her name is Emma. She’s not sick at all. The doctor says she’s quite a robust child.”
“That’s wonderful to hear. Health is the most important thing, after all.”
“Yes, it is. Would you like to see her?”
At Grace’s invitation, Eleanor smiled awkwardly.
“Would that be alright?”
“Of course. Please, come this way.”
Eleanor followed Grace to the baby’s room.
Wrapped in a swaddle, the baby was asleep. Eleanor thought that her small face could be completely covered by her hand, and her eyelids were adorably puffy like little hills.
“Her name is Emma.”
“Hello, Emma.”
Eleanor whispered softly, careful not to wake the baby. She wondered why seeing newborns always filled her heart with such an overwhelming feeling, just like when she first saw puppies.
Eleanor had resolved never to marry again in her life. If there was one thing she regretted, it was that she would never be able to hold her own baby.
Eleanor grew up without knowing her father, and her mother passed away early. She also had no siblings, which was common for most people. That’s why she felt a poignant longing for blood relatives.
‘It’s okay. I have Peggy and Emily…and people who are always there for me.’
Eleanor pushed back the loneliness that tried to creep out from the depths of her heart.
“When she wakes up, I’ll put on the hat you brought. Thank you again.”
“Sure. I hope it suits her well.”
Eleanor smiled back at Grace.
After returning to the living room, it wasn’t long before they heard someone entering through the front door.
“Ah, it seems my father has returned.”
Grace stood up and went to the entrance. Eleanor followed her.
“Did you return, Father? Miss Townsend has been waiting for you.”
At Grace’s words, Lewis Wilson stopped taking off his hat and looked surprised.
“Who did you say?”
“Hello, Mr. Wilson.”
Eleanor bowed her head slightly in greeting.
“…Miss Townsend. How did you…”
Wilson seemed quite taken aback to see Eleanor.
“Actually, I just arrived in the capital yesterday because of a sudden matter. I wanted to congratulate you on the birth of your granddaughter, so I took the liberty of visiting.”
“…”
Wilson hesitated, unable to continue his words.
“You wrote about it in your letter. About Emma, and that you would be staying here for a while.”
“…Ah, yes. That’s right.”
Wilson belatedly laughed and nodded his head.
Eleanor was also smiling, but her heart was sinking.
‘…As I thought…’
Eleanor clenched her fist tightly.
“Let’s not stay here; let’s go to the living room, Father. Lunch is being prepared right now. You’ll join us, won’t you, Miss Townsend?”
“If it’s not too much trouble.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all. You’re a guest of my father. Please go ahead, both of you. I’ll just check on the kitchen and come back.”
Eleanor returned to the living room with Wilson, who continued to seem somewhat uneasy.
“You must be tired from your long journey. Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, I’m fine. I’ve been resting well at my daughter’s house.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Eleanor struggled to keep her voice steady as she continued.
“…Thank you for the birthday gift. It was so beautiful that I shamelessly accepted it. How does it look?”
Eleanor touched the aquamarine necklace she was wearing around her neck. It was a simple piece she already owned, different from the necklace given by Wilson.
Although she had returned Wilson’s gift, he should not have known that fact yet since he was in the capital.
Wilson squinted at the necklace and then smiled.
“Yes, it suits you very well. My prediction was correct.”
“…..”
Eleanor’s smile faded. She quietly looked down.
“Miss Townsend. What’s wrong?”
Wilson asked with a surprised voice.
“…The necklace you gave me is not this one. The chain is not silver but gold, and it has three strands. There are many more jewels.”
“…..”
Wilson’s expression hardened.
“I couldn’t accept such an expensive-looking gift, so I sent it back to your house. The letter said you had chosen it yourself, so if that’s true, you would have recognized immediately that this is a different necklace.”
“…Miss Townsend. No, I just made a mistake…”
“It’s a completely different design, impossible to mistake. The only similarity is that it’s an aquamarine necklace. Did you know that the necklace was sent to me in your name? Or did you just agree without knowing, even that?”
“…Miss Townsend.”
Now Wilson’s voice was trembling too.
“Mr. Wilson, I came knowing everything. The letters I’ve received in your name, they weren’t written by you, were they? The donation of books to the village, that was someone else, right? You just lent your name as a representative, didn’t you?”
Eleanor appeared calm, but upon closer inspection, her cheeks were faintly red, a sign that she was desperately controlling her emotions.
“…..”
Wilson ultimately did not answer and bowed his head.
“It’s Duke Griffith, isn’t it? The Duke asked you to take care of all this, didn’t he?”
“…..”
Wilson remained silent, but Eleanor did not miss the fleeting look of agitation that crossed his eyes.
At that moment, Grace returned to the room.
“It looks like it will be ready soon. Miss Townsend, do you like duck meat? It’s being roasted quite deliciously.”
Grace asked with a bright smile, but Eleanor was silently staring at Wilson.
“What’s wrong, is there a problem?”
Grace finally noticed the strange atmosphere and looked around, asking.
“…I’ll take that as an answer.”
After saying that, Eleanor stood up.
“Miss Townsend?”
“I’m sorry, Baroness Taylor. It seems I won’t be able to join you for lunch.”
“What? Oh…”
Eleanor bowed deeply to Grace, who was still confused and unable to grasp the situation.
“Thank you for your hospitality despite my sudden visit. I wish only blessings for you and Emma’s future.”
“Ah… Thank you. And you too, Miss Townsend.”
Eleanor looked back at Wilson.
“If you return to Wembury, I’ll see you then, Mr. Wilson.”
“…..”
Leaving Wilson with his head bowed, Eleanor left Baron Taylor’s residence.
****
Daryl’s arrival in the capital coincided with Eleanor’s visit to Baron Taylor’s residence.
‘…First, I need to find out where Eleanor is.’
Sam Henson was probably still by Eleanor’s side, but Daryl had no way to contact him. Sam still thought Daryl was in Wembury.
Daryl needed to use another surveillance agent to locate Eleanor. He hurriedly headed to the Duke’s residence.
“…Master.”
Despite the sudden return, Herbert did not seem particularly surprised.
He had a somewhat troubled look on his face.
Oh Daryl, you messed up big time.
It’s sad how much they are still messing up her life after everything. She deserves a better family than this one.
i would have understood that she missed him but no, she was so happy and healthy after leaving that household. she doesnt need a man and certainly not that tra$h duke. wish the author understood too
… 👀🍿