Chapter 2.5

In the bright midday sun, Sally gazed out the window. It was a perfect day for love to bloom. Mr. Wharton stood at the door, waiting for Natalie. His face, bathed in sunlight, looked even more stunning than it had at night.  

“He comes looking like a prince on a white horse, and yet, you’re saying there’s nothing between you two?”  

“Mr. Wharton and I…”  

Natalie slid her hands into her silk gloves. Only after both gloves were on did she look at Sally.  

“…are friends.”  

Hearing Natalie’s firm declaration, Sally shrugged.  

“Fine, if you say so.”  

Sally inspected her sister’s outfit, noting the bare neck. She led Natalie to the mirror and fastened a necklace around her neck.

Sally spoke with a lighthearted tone, addressing Natalie as she repeated the words she had said in the carriage the previous night.  

“It’s good that you’ve made a friend, sister. Of course, it’s not common for friends to kiss each other, but I haven’t met every friend in the world, so I suppose such friends could exist.”  

“That was an accident. Like bumping into a door…”  

“Sure, sure. I get it. You don’t have to convince me.”  

Sally waved her hand dismissively at Natalie, who was trying to explain. As she fastened a necklace around Natalie’s neck, her long, slender neck stood out.  

The pearls of the necklace shone brilliantly, enhancing her delicate face, which had been somewhat overshadowed by the modest dress that covered her neck.  

Satisfied, Sally smiled at Natalie through the mirror.  

“You’d better be careful, so your friend doesn’t fall for you. You’re too pretty.”  

“That won’t happen, Sally.”  

Natalie reassured her sister, who seemed to be eagerly anticipating a romance that would never unfold.  

“You never know with people.”  

But Sally refused to give up on the idea of romance. Natalie suspected her sister had already written an entire romance novel in her head. Instead of adding more to the conversation, Natalie simply stood up.  

The enthusiastic reader of an unrealistic romance followed her all the way to the door.  

“Have fun with your friend!”  

Sally called out to Natalie as she stepped outside. Seeing the sparkle of expectation in her sister’s eyes, Natalie gave a resigned smile.  

As she motioned for her excited sister to head back inside, Natalie suddenly felt an unfamiliar hand resting on her shoulder.  

Mr. Wharton had approached her silently and was now standing right beside her. Natalie instinctively tensed, conscious of his hand on her shoulder.  

“There’s no need to fuel any misunderstandings.”  

Mr. Wharton tilted his head slightly toward Natalie.  

“But it’s important to get along with friends.”  

At the narrowed distance, Mr. Wharton offered a warm smile.  

The close contact, the shortened distance, and the gentle smile were enough to spark romantic imaginations. Watching from behind the door, Sally clasped her cheeks and stomped her feet in excitement.  

Natalie could hear the soft laughter of Mr. Wharton.  

“She’s a spirited and cheerful young lady.”  

Natalie glanced at Sally, who was still peeking through the slightly open door.  

“That’s true.”  

She could vividly imagine Sally’s voice later demanding, “What did you and Mr. Wharton talk about, Natalie? Tell me!” It was clear that Sally wouldn’t expect them to talk about her. The thought brought a smile to Natalie’s face.  

Mr. Wharton observed Natalie’s smiling expression.  

“And this young lady has a bright smile.”  

Natalie frowned slightly.  

“There’s no need to say such things to me.”  

What she meant was that there was no reason for him to charm her with his gentlemanly kindness.  

“And everyone looks bright when they smile.”  

Natalie handed Mr. Wharton his jacket as she spoke. He took the jacket and slung it over one arm.  

“But not everyone is as beautiful. And you, Miss Maron, is beautiful.”  

He threw the words out casually, as if they carried no deeper meaning, like saying “Good morning,” and then turned away.  

Natalie spoke to his broad back, which now filled her view.  

“Do you say such things to everyone?”  

Mr. Wharton turned around. The proximity of their gazes meeting made Natalie take a step back.  

From a distance, Mr. Wharton didn’t look like a perfectly neat gentleman. Perhaps it was because he had one hand in his trouser pocket and was leaning slightly.  

Or perhaps it was his strikingly handsome face, the jacket that fit snugly over his broad shoulders, the vest that wasn’t particularly loose, or the open collar of his shirt.  

The untidy Mr. Wharton smiled at Natalie.  

“I don’t lie.”  

Even the habit of smiling whenever he made eye contact was a problem. His subtle eye smile seemed as though it was designed to steal hearts.  

In the end, everything about this man was a problem. Every aspect of Mr. Wharton seemed far removed from innocence or purity. It didn’t seem possible for him to claim innocence regarding the hearts he had stolen.  

“Still, please refrain from doing so in the future. It’s important for my testimony to be credible.”  

Natalie spoke firmly, like a strict teacher. But Mr. Wharton, like a student who never listened to his teacher, merely smiled mischievously.  

“I’ll try.”  

“You’ll have to try very hard.”  

Natalie emphasized her words. Mr. Wharton chuckled softly. His attitude was far from serious.  

Determined, Natalie stepped past him and blocked his path. She grabbed the open collar of his shirt and began buttoning it up one by one.  

“And don’t smile at just anyone.”  

“Understood.”  

Mr. Wharton quietly watched Natalie struggle to button his shirt with her gloved hands. Seeing her focused expression, her lips pressed tightly together, and the determined look in her eyes, a faint smile spread across his face.  

When Natalie’s gloves slipped and she missed a button, a low chuckle escaped him.  

Natalie looked up. Their eyes met as he smiled softly, breaking his earlier promise not to laugh.  

“It’s okay to smile at a friend, isn’t it?”  

Friend. The single word drew a clear boundary.  

Natalie felt a sense of relief within that boundary. A man who seemed to collect women’s hearts like trophies had no deeper meaning behind his charming smile. So, Natalie decided not to assign any meaning to it either.  

“It’s fine for friends.”  

Natalie replied as she diligently fastened the last button. Mr. Wharton adjusted the now-tight collar of his shirt but didn’t undo the buttons.  

***

The afternoon tea room was filled with people. The clinking of teacups and occasional bursts of laughter blended harmoniously with the sunlit atmosphere, creating a peaceful scene.  

However, Natalie, who had stopped at the doorway, did not feel at peace. The moment she spotted Mr. Salinger sitting by the window, her body stiffened with tension.  

It seemed she still needed more time to prepare herself.  

As she hesitated and took a step back, she was blocked by Mr. Wharton, who was standing right behind her.  

With his hands gently resting on her shoulders, Mr. Wharton gestured toward the window.  

“There he is.”  

Mr. Wharton, perhaps thinking Natalie hadn’t been able to spot Mr. Salinger, kindly pointed out his location.  

Left with no choice, Natalie turned back toward Mr. Salinger. Taking a deep breath, she began walking toward the window. Mr. Salinger lifted his head. Their eyes were about to meet.  

This really isn’t going to work.  

Her breath grew short, rendering her deep breath meaningless. Natalie quickly turned around. Lowering her head, she hurriedly walked back to Mr. Wharton’s side.  

Clenching her hands tightly in an effort to calm herself, she spoke.  

“I’m not ready yet.”  

Her voice trembled faintly. Edgar tilted his head slightly, observing Natalie’s condition. Her pale face looked as though she had seen a ghost rather than a romantic interest.  

She resembled a novice actor stepping onto the stage for the first time. A performer who, having received their first lines, stood not on a stage but on the edge of a cliff, paralyzed by fear and preemptively imagining all the mistakes they might make.  

Edgar led Natalie to the doorway. Standing her in a corner where no one’s gaze could reach, he positioned himself in front of her, blocking her view.  

With her sight obscured, Natalie cautiously exhaled the breath she had been holding. Edgar, watching her closely, lowered his voice to ask.  

“What kind of preparation do you mean?”  

“Like what to say, what expression to make… things like that. And my feelings, too. I’m not emotionally ready. I don’t even know what Mr. Salinger is interested in or what he likes.”  

As Natalie poured out the worries that had been filling her mind, Edgar quietly listened.  

It seemed that this anxious young lady would need at least several days just to prepare for a simple greeting.  

“Natalie.”  

Even when he called her name, Natalie didn’t lift her deeply bowed head. She seemed so nervous that she couldn’t even hear him addressing her.  

Edgar placed his hand gently under her chin. Following his touch, Natalie’s face was lifted, and her trembling green eyes met his.  

“Natalie, can you hear my voice?”  

“Yes, I can.”  

“Listen carefully.”  

Edgar began speaking in a soft, reassuring tone, like a kind teacher.  

“There’s no need for preparation. This isn’t a wedding. What I mean is, it’s not something to take so seriously. There’s only one thing you need to do.”  

The attentive student focused her gaze on him, quietly watching. Edgar smiled, pulling the corners of his lips upward.  

“‘Good afternoon.’”  

Natalie continued to stare at him with a stiff expression. Edgar demonstrated the exact smile, his eyes softening as he did so.  

“While smiling. Go on, try it.”  

“……”  

Natalie, silently observing Edgar’s face, failed to smile and instead lowered her head again.