Timothy, who had noticed the meaning in Richard’s glance, also put down his cup and approached Olivia’s side. When Timothy showed signs of escorting Olivia away from the gathering, Claire’s complexion, which had seemed a bit sulky, brightened noticeably.

Iris, who had been carefully observing the series of actions that started with Olivia and continued to Claire, pressed her forehead. Of course. It was exactly as expected.

“Yes. It would be good for my brother to go with you. Then Richard can be at ease too.”

Claire’s bright smile was dazzling. Richard briefly pondered what kind of face he should turn toward Claire, who was smiling at him. There were eyes looking his way as if expecting something, but he couldn’t tell what it was. To be more honest, he didn’t want to know either.

Richard’s attention was focused solely on Olivia Jennings, who was leaving the drawing room with Timothy. The fact that the two standing side by side looked excessively intimate and affectionate, and that they looked annoyingly well-matched together, irritated him.

So much so that he forgot he had recommended all of this himself.

“Don’t worry about Miss Jennings. My brother will take good care of her.”

Richard nodded and brought his cup to his lips as a substitute for an answer. As if he had drunk poorly brewed tea, the only taste remaining in his mouth was bitterness.

“Instead, I’ll stay here.”

Iris finally stood up from her seat. She could bet Erskine’s letter that this was what Claire had been hoping for.

“I should go too. I have some things to write.”

“Now?”

Richard looked at Iris. With eyes quite different from usual. Iris knew this was a rescue signal her brother was sending. Fighting the impulse to say she had to leave now, Iris finally surrendered and sat back down in her chair.

Since she was the only person here who could rescue Richard, it wasn’t easy to coldly refuse him. Even if it was a result Richard had brought upon himself.

***

“Did something happen?”

That was Timothy’s first question after leaving the drawing room. There had been far too many things, but there wasn’t much worth telling him about. Olivia smiled faintly.

“I happened to get caught in a lot of rain. I suffered a bit from a cold.”

“I thought you looked a little gaunt, so that’s what happened.”

Timothy’s worried gaze was no different from the affection he had shown before leaving. A man like this wouldn’t act as if nothing had happened even after sharing such a kiss.

Olivia realized she had returned to last night again and lowered her head. This was being rude to Timothy. To Darryl, who wasn’t here, as well.

Olivia couldn’t stand how unfamiliar she had become recently—attending parties with this man, watching performances with that man, and kissing yet another man. If there was a character that least suited her, it would be exactly this kind of seductress.

“But to dismiss it as just being sick, you look like someone with many worries.”

“Do I?”

“You look like someone with something bothering you. Is it because of the uninvited guests who barged in without notice?”

“How could that be. If there’s anyone most unwelcome here, it would probably be me.”

Olivia shook her head. Timothy guided Olivia under the gazebo. Olivia, who had climbed a couple of low steps holding his hand, leaned against the white railing under the hexagonal roof and looked at the garden scenery.

The small rear garden she had seen at Dalton House in London could be said to be palm-sized compared to this place.

Olivia, who had turned her body to avoid looking toward the bench with many stories, looked at Timothy and smiled.

“So I was probably thinking…… that I might have to return.”

If it was difficult to treat Richard as before, and if this was his space, then it was decided who should leave. With the Murray siblings having come as well, there was no better time than this for her to depart.

Olivia liked this place, but not enough to endure all the other emotional turmoil. If she needed to distance herself from someone who not only popped into her thoughts constantly but whom she might encounter frequently, escaping from that person’s space was the urgent priority.

“Please don’t do that. Then it would really seem like I’m chasing you away.”

“It’s not like that.”

“If not me, then is it Claire?”

“Really, it’s not.”

Olivia shook her head, but Timothy didn’t seem to believe her. The situation was strangely overlapping, but it really wasn’t because of Claire. Even if the two hadn’t come here, Richard Dalton’s attitude wouldn’t have changed. If this was his answer to the kiss from last night, then Olivia had no reason to stay here longer.

“When are you thinking of leaving?”

“I’m thinking as early as tomorrow morning. I need to pack and arrange for a carriage, so it might be delayed. I also need time to say goodbye to Miss Dalton.”

“And there’s no need for that with Richard?”

“I mean, to both of them.”

Timothy was always someone who caught people off guard. Olivia was surprised by the fact that he always accomplished this with a kind face.

“Are you perhaps running away?”

She should say no, but the words didn’t come out quickly. The more she hesitated, the less credible her later words would be. And Timothy Murray was already accepting his speculation as fact.

She had been the one to say honesty was a virtue, but she was also the one furthest from sincerity every time, so she couldn’t lift her face. Olivia looked at Timothy’s hand resting on her shoulder.

“Then let’s go together.”

He didn’t ask why she was running away or say she shouldn’t. Instead, he said he would become a companion to this escape. This was probably Timothy Murray’s way of being considerate to others. The fact that the siblings had such different atmospheres struck her anew.

“No. You don’t need to do that.”

“I came because of Claire anyway. I should be able to decide my own return, shouldn’t I?”

“Miss Murray……”

“You don’t need to worry about that girl. Iris is here too.”

Richard Dalton is here too. That’s probably what would matter most to Claire Murray. Instead of saying that, Olivia smiled. Timothy seemed to have already made up his mind.

“If Jane were here, she probably would have said to pack right now instead of waiting until tomorrow.”

It was her first time hearing about his deceased fiancée since that day’s walk. Olivia looked at Timothy, who continued speaking with a mischievous face.

How much time had it taken for him to bring up the story of someone who had left to others again. How much more time had been needed until he could talk about it without crying even while immersed in memories. She was suddenly curious.

“Would it be rude of me to remember that person while looking at you?”

“It’s not something that can be helped by human effort. How can you blame memories?”

“I thought you would say that.”

His hand patting her shoulder belonged more to someone giving comfort than someone who should receive it.

“But Olivia—if that person isn’t only in memories, you don’t necessarily have to hold onto only memories.”

“What?”

“I just wanted to tell you. That I’m okay.”

Olivia reaching out and embracing Timothy came from a place of honest feeling.

Timothy Murray was a large man and wasn’t crying, but in that moment it felt like she absolutely had to do so. A person who could understand others’ hearts by measuring them against his own wounds. Such a person needed to know. That he would never be alone in any moment.

***

  ───────── ౨ৎ ─────────

Is there anything more meaningless and deflating than interfering in other people’s romantic problems? Regardless of what intentions you move with.

Erskine, this is something I’m only telling you—I will never again step forward in Richard and Miss Jennings’ affairs. I can’t say absolutely never, but…… anyway, as much as possible. The reason I can’t make a firm promise is because watching the two of them from the side is so frustrating. I can’t guarantee there won’t be times when I can’t stand it and step forward again.

Miss Jennings returned to London first. With Mr. Timothy Murray. How much the one person remaining here must have liked it…… there’s no need to say more. Claire seems like she’ll stay here for a while. That means I’ll also have to be tied down here during that time.

Really—I didn’t come here expecting this. If I had known it would be like this, I would have just stayed in London. Watching my frustrating brother makes me think of you even more.

Our engagement…… I won’t say there weren’t some hasty aspects to it. Because that would be a lie to anyone who saw it. But watching these two people makes me naturally wonder what’s so bad about being a little hasty.

Thinking that way, I can’t help but be grateful to Aunt. Of course, to you as well for proposing to me without hesitation that day. Come to think of it, were we really bewitched by something? If so, isn’t there a possibility that such a thing could happen to Richard too?

I don’t know anymore. I told myself not to think about it.

You know, Erskine—I miss you. A lot.

Did I tell you that I was a little sick during this time? It was all my fault too, and I tried to stay quiet because it seemed like I was being petulant…… but after recalling what Richard’s face was like beside the feverish Miss Jennings, I suddenly want to act spoiled once. If you had been beside me, would you have worried about me as much as Richard did? I was healthy so there was no occasion to receive such worry, but still.

When you return, please tell me. Whether you also thought of me while we were apart. If you did, then this trip won’t have been completely meaningless.

Missing you greatly, Iris

  ───────── ౨ৎ ─────────

***