The summer event ended safely.

The villagers, who had not only danced all night but also laughed, chatted, and drank until dawn, found their children, embraced them, and boarded their carriages.

Everyone’s faces were full of fatigue, but their expressions were bright.

It was as if they had shaken off all the burdens that had accumulated over time and now wore lighter faces.

From now on, the summer event would once again become a cheerful topic of conversation that would help the people of Feltham and Camborne endure another year of monotonous daily life.

Those with long journeys left first, and the remaining guests leisurely prepared to depart after finishing the breakfast and lunch served in the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Ryan was running around the mansion’s back garden, playing ball and tag with the children who had woken early, full of energy.

“Sergeant Thornton seems to really like children. But still, shouldn’t a soldier maintain his dignity…”

An older gentleman among the guests frowned disapprovingly as he watched Ryan laughing and running with the children.

However, unlike the older men, the expressions of the ladies and young women grew even brighter.

At the dinner, his close friends were present, so no woman sat opposite him. At yesterday’s banquet, he partnered with Eloise for the first time, but it was clear that they stood together only as steward and steward’s deputy.

After that, no one saw the two of them dancing together. In fact, Sergeant Thornton only chatted with people in the banquet hall and never danced in the center.

Seeing this, the young ladies recalled once more the reason they had come here this year.

To get even a little closer to Sergeant Thornton.

“Seeing how much he likes children, he must be interested in marriage.”

At a lady’s comment, the young women’s smiles grew even brighter.

At the same time, everyone was convinced: Eloise was definitely not the object of his interest.

After lunch, most of the guests left.

But this year, unlike last year, there was a guest who stayed at the mansion: Abigail.

Perhaps because she had overexerted herself enjoying her first dance at the banquet, she was so exhausted the next day that she could barely sit up.

Fortunately, the doctor from Camborne who attended the banquet examined Abigail and said she was just surprised by the sudden activity, and recommended that she rest at Blissbury for a few days if she had no urgent matters.

It was a relief, since the carriage seats were cramped and had been a concern.

Moreover, it was obvious to everyone that Abigail and Philip were developing a good relationship.

Mrs. Ogilvy tried to hide her joy, but no one failed to notice the smile on her lips all day.

The problem was that an unwelcome person also stayed behind.

Julia.

“If my sister stays alone, there’ll be no one to look after her, right? Eloise will be busy tidying up after the banquet, and most of the maids are temporary hires, so they’ll be leaving. So, I’ll stay and take care of her.”

Julia asked Mrs. Ogilvy, determined not to miss this opportunity.

Mrs. Ogilvy also wanted Julia to stay at Blissbury.

It was only natural.

‘If I leave only Abigail behind, there might be rumors!’

Ever since Julia’s broken engagement, Mrs. Ogilvy had become cautious about everything.

One embarrassing situation was enough.

‘It would be nice if things worked out with Lieutenant Osborne, but there’s a chance they won’t…!’

She couldn’t be certain whether Philip’s affection for Abigail was sympathy for someone unwell, or a peculiar interest in someone unusual.

Either way, if Philip’s feelings faded quickly, she needed to be prepared to pass off their relationship as a fleeting summer social interaction.

For that, it was best for Julia, her sister, to stay with her.

If the sisters were together, even if Abigail and Philip spent time together and grew closer, it would remain a refined and elegant interaction.

Of course, it wasn’t just Abigail’s worries that made Mrs. Ogilvy want Julia to stay.

At this dinner and banquet, Ryan hadn’t shown particular interest in anyone.

It could be disappointing, but it also meant that everyone still had a chance.

‘It doesn’t look like Sergeant Thornton will be returning to the capital anytime soon!’

If he were, he would have mentioned it at the dinner. But there was not a word. Moreover, it seemed he was already preparing for winter living here.

‘In any case, he must like Blissbury.’

People who don’t fit country life can’t last a week before leaving. But he had already been here for months, looking much healthier than when he first arrived and building friendships with the villagers.

‘He’ll definitely continue as the steward.’

So if Julia had another chance…

With these hopes, Mrs. Ogilvy returned home with the rest of her family, sweating as she tried to calm Andrew, who cried about wanting to stay at Blissbury from the moment the carriage departed.

…

After the banquet, the mansion was far from quiet.

“Have you checked the number of silverware?”

“I checked, but one spoon is missing.”

“Then check the regular utensil box first. Search the kitchen floor again. Last year, we found it in the straw.”

Searching for missing silverware.

“Miss Eloise, there’s a stain on this curtain.”

“Oh my, someone spilled wine. I was planning to wash them all anyway, so take down all the curtains on this wall today and replace them with thick red curtains.”

Cleaning the mansion of traces left from the banquet.

“Are there any cracked or broken statues?”

“There are children’s handprints on this marble piece.”

“These kids…”

Putting ornaments that had been gathered in one place back to their original spots.

Next to Eloise, Ryan helped by asking where each item belonged and putting things back in order.

Since Eloise and Ryan had many tasks that required moving around, Abigail and Philip helped with the simpler, seated tasks.

“Here, you can write it like this.”

Abigail showed Philip the thank-you letters that Eloise had prepared in advance for the participants.

After the banquet, the steward of Blissbury sends thank-you cards to the attendees.

Abigail and Philip tried to write their letters as closely to Eloise’s handwriting as possible, expressing their gratitude to the guests.

Unlike the four who were busy, there were others who enjoyed leisure.

Richard and Julia.

“So, Sir Cameron, will you continue to stay in the capital?”

“Yes, since my home is there.”

Richard replied casually.

“But I’m considering moving to another place because it’s too noisy near Serpentine Street.”

Serpentine Street!

At the mention of that name from Richard, Julia’s eyes sparkled.

Even those who have never set foot in the capital know the name of that street. It’s the most glamorous and bustling street in the city.

Once crowded with noble townhouses, as industrial development accelerated, luxury shops sprang up around those with purchasing power.

Before long, Serpentine Street became the city’s representative wealthy district.

Impressive mansions, elegant carriages passing by, and high-status people alighting from them.

The places people most want to visit in the capital are the palace and Serpentine Street.

And he has a house there.

Julia glanced at Richard.

He had a different kind of handsomeness from Ryan. Unlike Ryan’s slightly rugged charm, Richard had a polished elegance that seemed shaped by years in the capital’s social circles.

Still, without wealth, it didn’t mean much, so Julia had kept her distance, but hearing he had a house on Serpentine Street?

Julia took a step closer to Richard.

Richard, seeing Julia’s reaction, sighed inwardly.

‘I wish they knew how much I’m trying to protect their good time right now.’

He turned to look at Blissbury Mansion.

Since morning, Ryan had been with Eloise, and Philip with Abigail.

Leaving Julia alone would surely result in her trying to get involved with one of them.

‘I’ll help until I leave!’

He was bored anyway, so he thought it was just as well.

But a few days later, everyone at Blissbury looked up at the sky with worried faces and said,

“The weather doesn’t look good.”