Chapter 2.4

As soon as Natalie crossed the threshold back into the banquet hall, Sally came rushing out.  

“Sister! Is it true that you danced with Mr. Wharton?”  

Had she asked that question just a little later, there would have been no need to. The jacket draped over Natalie’s shoulders and Mr. Wharton following closely behind her were the answer.  

“So it’s true.”  

Sally couldn’t take her eyes off Mr. Wharton, who stood behind her sister. When Mr. Wharton offered a faint smile, the rumor that he could fill a hall with women swooning over him gained credibility.  

Sally grabbed her sister and pulled her to a corner by the stairs.  

“What happened? Then is that rumor true too? That you kissed in the middle of the hall?”  

Sally stared intently at her sister’s face, trying to discern the truth from the expression of someone who lacked the talent for lying. However, her usually composed sister maintained her calm demeanor, leaving Sally impatient.  

“Is it true? Really? Natalie!”  

“Well…”  

Natalie lost her words. She hadn’t intended to frustrate her younger sister. She was simply dazed by the barrage of questions. After briefly reflecting on Sally’s storm-like questioning, she answered.  

“It’s true.”  

“Oh my goodness!”  

Sally exclaimed loudly. Letting go of Natalie, she covered her mouth with both hands. Her face was brimming with laughter, and her eyes sparkled with curiosity. She glanced back as if to confirm what she had heard.  

When her gaze met Mr. Wharton’s, he kindly raised a hand in greeting. Standing by the door as if waiting for someone, Mr. Wharton’s presence confirmed the truth.  

When Sally became sure that the “someone” he was waiting for was her sister, her breath quickened, and her heart pounded. She deeply regretted missing such a dramatic scene in this grand romance.  

“When we get home, you have to tell me everything that happened. Natalie, promise me. If you don’t, I won’t be able to sleep tonight. I’ll pester you until you do. You’ll tell me everything, right, sister?”  

“I’ll tell you everything.”  

Natalie’s voice was subdued, more like that of a prisoner confessing than someone thrilled by first love. However, Sally, still excited, didn’t notice her tone.  

Soon, Sally realized she might be interrupting her sister’s newfound romance. She quickly stepped aside, giving way to Mr. Wharton, and smiled.  

Sally leaned in and whispered into her sister’s ear.  

“I’ll wait in the carriage.”  

“Alright. I’ll be there soon.”  

“No!”  

Sally unintentionally shouted before quickly smiling politely at Mr. Wharton again. Then, leaning toward Natalie, she spoke like a ventriloquist.  

“Take your time. Do everything you can tonight.”  

Natalie didn’t know what her younger sister meant by “everything you can tonight.” Meeting Sally’s expectant gaze, she simply responded.  

“Alright.”  

Hearing her sister’s reply, Sally knew she had to leave, but like an actor reluctant to exit the stage, she retreated slowly.  

Sally couldn’t take her eyes off the man and woman standing opposite each other. She smiled, feeling as though their excitement was contagious.  

Their conversation was almost exactly what Sally had imagined.  

“Are you free tomorrow?”  

“I have plenty of time.”  

“Then I’ll come pick you up. After seating Leonard in the tea room, I’ll find you.”  

Edgar, planning a successful meeting to find Natalie a husband, squinted at her pink ribbon.  

“You might want to leave that ribbon behind.”  

Natalie touched the ribbon she had momentarily forgotten. Edgar noticed her expression turn sullen and added.  

“It’s cute, but it’s not Leonard’s taste.”  

At that, Natalie nodded in understanding. The sadness disappeared from her face.  

Edgar chuckled softly at the young lady, whose emotions were so easily read despite her minimal expressions.  

“Leonard prefers neat and proper styles. You can tell by what he wears. He’s a friend who suits a modest marriage more than a passionate romance.”  

Natalie listened as Mr. Wharton spoke to her like a manager advising her on a marriage project. After finishing his words, Mr. Wharton extended his hand, and Natalie took it.  

Following Mr. Wharton, who escorted her like a gentleman seeking a partner at a ball, Natalie climbed into the carriage. It was only then that she noticed his white shirt. She realized she was still wearing Mr. Wharton’s jacket.  

Natalie tried to take off the jacket to return it, but its owner stopped her by holding her hand.  

“Return it tomorrow. We’ll see each other again anyway. The night air is chilly.”  

Mr. Wharton re-secured the jacket around her. Natalie sat in the carriage, wrapped snugly in the oversized jacket. Through the still-open carriage door, her eyes met Mr. Wharton’s.  

“What should I call you?”  

Mr. Wharton asked, but when Natalie only stared at him blankly, he gave a mischievous smile.

“If you tell me your name, I won’t have to call you ‘Hey, you.’”  

“Natalie Maron.”  

This time, she spoke clearly, emphasizing each syllable without faltering. Even as Mr. Wharton stepped back, seemingly satisfied with what he needed, she continued to look at him.  

As Mr. Wharton, about to leave the carriage, bowed his head to meet her gaze, he said:  

“See you tomorrow, Miss Maron.”  

With a charming smile, he bid farewell, causing Sally, who had been watching, to cover her mouth. It was an effort to suppress a scream and not disturb the two.  

As soon as the carriage door closed, Sally sprang toward Natalie like a jack-in-the-box.  

“Mr. Wharton is definitely in love with you.”  

Natalie couldn’t avoid her sister’s intense gaze, which was now right in front of her. When the carriage jolted into motion, Sally seemed about to topple forward, so Natalie gently pushed her back into her seat.  

“That’s not true.”  

Though she was certain it wasn’t, she chose to soften her words. Sally, however, firmly refuted her.  

“No, it has to be true! Look at Mr. Wharton’s eyes. He couldn’t take them off you. Men don’t look at women they’re not interested in. At the very least, they don’t look into their eyes. And they definitely don’t give them their jackets!”  

“That’s because Mr. Wharton is a gentleman who cares about people who are cold.”  

“I’m telling you, if he weren’t interested, he wouldn’t even notice whether someone was cold or hot.”  

“Maybe it’s because Mr. Wharton has a thoughtful heart that notices those around him.”  

“No! Ugh, you’re so frustrating, sister.”  

Sally slumped against the backrest like a sulking child.  

Natalie felt equally frustrated. She wondered where to begin explaining that Mr. Wharton had no personal feelings toward her. While she pondered, Sally suddenly asked:  

“So, do you have no feelings for Mr. Wharton?”  

Once again, Sally tilted her head, trying to read the truth from her sister’s expression. Natalie avoided her intense gaze by turning to look out the window.  

But Sally’s interrogation continued.  

“Is it that, no matter how handsome and charming a man is, if he’s too scandalous to be considered a proper husband, you can’t be interested in him?”  

At her sister’s words, Natalie recalled her promise to Mr. Wharton.  

To stand as a witness in society’s court.  

Straightening her back as if she were a witness defending the person behind her, Natalie faced Sally.  

“No.”  

“Then is it because Mr. Wharton seems like an easy man who smiles at everyone, and that bothers you?”  

As Sally continued to criticize the defendant, Natalie firmly replied:  

“That’s not it. Sally, all the rumors about Mr. Wharton are misunderstandings.”  

“Misunderstandings?”  

“Yes. In truth, he’s innocent.”  

“Innocent?”  

Repeating Mr. Wharton’s words, Natalie hesitated, unsure how to explain further when Sally seemed to grasp the meaning on her own and asked:  

“Do you mean he’s pure?”  

Was Mr. Wharton pure?  

She didn’t know.  

But like a lawyer who trusted her client without evidence, Natalie answered:  

“Yes, that’s right.”  

Despite Natalie’s resolute demeanor, Sally squinted skeptically.  

“How do you know that?”  

“Well…”  

Natalie’s mind raced. She had no idea how one could verify a man’s purity. Under Sally’s scrutinizing gaze, she gave the first answer that came to mind.  

“We talked.”  

“About Mr. Wharton’s purity?”  

“About marriage. He takes marriage very seriously.”  

Natalie watched Sally’s reaction. Her sister still seemed unconvinced.  

“He has someone he loves and was planning to get engaged. But due to misunderstandings, the engagement was broken off. He’s upset because no one believes in his innocence.”  

Seeing Sally still squinting, Natalie quickly added something to emphasize the gravity of the situation.  

“He might even be expelled from his family.”  

“Oh my, that’s serious.”  

Relieved that her defense had worked, Natalie felt a surge of hope.  

“Yes, it’s really serious. That’s why he asked for my help—to let people know that he is unfairly misunderstood.”  

“Why you, of all people?”  

“Well… I’m not sure, but maybe it’s because the situation is that dire. Dire enough to ask a stranger he just met today for help. But Sally, as you know, I don’t have any friends.”  

“That’s true.”  

“So, he needs someone to help him. Someone who can spread the word in society…”  

Natalie looked into Sally’s eyes, searching for the most appealing words.  

“…the leader of society.”  

But as soon as she said it, it didn’t feel as convincing as she had hoped. Sally’s reaction was muted. A tense silence filled the carriage.  

After studying Natalie for a moment, Sally asked:  

“Are you saying I’m the leader?”  

Natalie quickly elaborated.  

“Yes, the leader everyone loves.”  

At that, Sally’s face lit up with a radiant smile.  

“Fine. I’ll help.”  

Natalie sighed in relief, smiling back. Sally, buoyed by her sister’s gratitude, became even more confident.  

“I’ll let every lady in this city know about Mr. Wharton’s purity. I’ll make sure it reaches his fiancée, too. Soon, Mr. Wharton will be the most innocent man in this city.”  

“Thank you so much, Sally.”  

Sally felt she could do anything for her delicate sister. With the resolve of a leader, she grasped her sister’s slender hands. The two sisters exchanged looks of trust and affection.  

Then, Sally brought up a lingering question.  

“But then, why did you kiss him?”  

“Well…”  

Natalie’s mind raced again, burdened by the remnants of the defendant’s actions.  

Meanwhile, the carriage sped through the night streets, as if determined to carry the sisters toward the morning when Mr. Wharton would visit.