Maria Sinclair.

At that name, Eloise, uncharacteristically, could only stare at her blankly for a moment without saying a word.

Throughout the journey to this mansion, Beatrice had said that while Lady Sinclair welcomed everyone who came, she rarely initiated conversation with anyone outside of discussion time.

Because of this, young ladies of the capital were eagerly watching for opportunities to speak with her, hoping to build a connection.

“So, if you happen to meet Lady Sinclair, you must signal me. Then I’ll come right over. You know how to make proper introductions in such cases, right?”

Beatrice had repeatedly instructed her thus, worried that Eloise might encounter Lady Sinclair first while she was busy greeting others in the mansion.

Yet she hadn’t said a word about what she would do if she herself met Lady Sinclair.

In truth, Eloise had responded halfheartedly without giving it much thought.

She hadn’t expected to meet someone supposedly so difficult to approach, and besides, her mind had been completely occupied with Ryan’s situation.

But now, to meet her so suddenly…

“I’m… Eloise Surberton.”

“Surberton? I’m sorry, but from which region…?”

As Lady Sinclair apologetically let her words trail off, Eloise smiled and answered.

“You probably wouldn’t know. I’ve only recently come up from a small village called Feltham in the south.”

“Feltham? I know it. It’s the village near Camborne, isn’t it?”

Eloise’s eyes widened at Sinclair’s response.

“You’re the first person who knows Feltham.”

Even Baroness Fairfax, who had written to her mother, still didn’t know where Feltham was located. Beatrice naturally had no interest, and apart from those two, everyone else in the capital had been completely unaware of not just Feltham’s location, but even its name—yet Sinclair knew its exact location.

As Eloise’s rigid expression softened with delight, Sinclair responded with a bright laugh.

“I had reason to study the southern region’s map carefully not long ago.”

What could that reason have been?

When Eloise looked at her expectantly, Sinclair hesitated briefly before answering.

“There was a major flood last summer, wasn’t there? Many places suffered damages, large and small, so we organized a fundraising campaign in the capital for the southern regions.”

“Ah.”

Eloise let out a short sigh at Sinclair’s answer.

While Camborne and Feltham had been quickly restored with help from the engineering corps, other southern regions hadn’t received timely assistance.

Not only had people lost their homes, but as typical with summer floods, animal waste had stuck to various surfaces after the waters receded, causing epidemics.

Water contamination had been particularly severe, with many people succumbing to strange diseases.

Besides the royal special disaster fund, the donations collected by people in the capital had been a great help to those affected.

At the time, Eloise had been too preoccupied to pay much attention beyond hearing that prominent social figures from the capital had led the effort, but now it seemed Lady Sinclair had been one of them.

Eloise stood up and gave her a slight bow.

“Thank you so much for your help, Lady Sinclair. The south received a great deal of assistance thanks to you.”

Sinclair rose quickly in response to Eloise’s gesture, waving it away.

“Not at all. I only did what needed to be done.”

After this exchange, the two sat back down on the bench and continued their conversation.

Perhaps it was because she knew about Feltham and had helped the southern regions—whatever the reason, the awkwardness quickly disappeared, and their conversation took on a warm atmosphere.

Naturally, Eloise found herself explaining why she had come to the capital.

However, she hesitated to fully disclose her relationship with Ryan to someone she had just met.

Even while believing Ryan wasn’t the type to deceive her, anxiety lingered in Eloise’s heart.

If, by some chance, Ryan had actually lied to her…

‘Then…’

What should she do?

While she hesitated, the conversation had already moved on to Abigail’s situation.

Eloise briefly wondered if she should share Abigail’s story with someone she had just met.

But then she remembered how Abigail had desperately held her hands before she left Feltham.

“Eloise, I’m so sorry to ask this of you. It’s not something to be proud of, and I hate to think of you having to explain it every time…”

Having a fiancé suddenly break contact was more than enough to cause a scandal.

Of course, Philip had sent a jewel asking her to trust him and wait, but what Abigail needed wasn’t such a gift.

If only she could hear directly from him why the wedding had been postponed, she wouldn’t be so anxious…

That’s why Abigail had told Eloise she could share her situation with anyone if it would help locate Philip.

Eloise carefully explained the simple circumstances, trying not to damage Abigail’s reputation, and asked if Sinclair knew a soldier named Philip Osborne.

“Philip Osborne… I’ve seen him before.”

“Are you acquainted with Sir Osborne?”

When Sinclair indicated she knew Philip, Eloise’s voice involuntarily grew louder.

The records only showed he had been discharged, with no address listed. But if she could find his whereabouts through Sinclair’s connections…!

‘I could ask about Ryan too.’

Eloise made her request with desperation.

“If so, could you possibly tell me Sir Osborne’s whereabouts?”

Sinclair’s expression clouded.

“To be honest, we’re not close enough to call it an acquaintance. I only saw him a few times on military business. And since I was discharged, I haven’t heard any news about him, but…”

Sinclair took Eloise’s hands.

“I can’t ignore your difficult situation after hearing it. Besides, the fact that he sent a sincere gift along with a message… perhaps Sir Osborne might be in a difficult situation beyond his control. He might be detained somewhere…”

“Detained?”

When Eloise exclaimed loudly, Sinclair looked around and put a finger to her lips, signaling her to be quiet.

“I’m saying it’s a possibility, not that it’s definitely the case. Anyway, I’ll contact some people I know. So…”

Sinclair held Eloise’s hands firmly as she spoke.

“If you hear any news about Sir Osborne, would you let me know too?”

Her voice was filled with concern. Though she claimed they were merely brief acquaintances, she couldn’t help but worry about someone who had disappeared.

“Lady Sinclair! Are you outside? Baron Eccleston has arrived!”

Just then, a maid came out from the mansion urgently looking for Sinclair. At her voice, Sinclair released Eloise’s hands and stood up.

“Oh my. I did receive notice he was coming, but he’s earlier than expected. He’s someone who helped me greatly during my time in the military…”

As Sinclair’s words trailed off in apparent concern, Eloise spoke up.

“You should go, Lady Sinclair. You can’t keep the Baron waiting.”

No matter how much class discrimination had decreased compared to the past, Albion was still a country with a clear social hierarchy.

Moreover, Baron Eccleston was a war hero renowned enough that even Eloise knew his name.

“Thank you, Eloise. Please enjoy the gathering comfortably. After I greet him, if time permits, let’s talk again. Well then…”

Sinclair gave a quick bow and hurried back to the mansion.

Eloise watched her retreating figure and sat back down on the bench with a long sigh.

Just when she had been feeling lost about what to do next, she had unexpectedly found help.

She should feel relieved, but…

“…”

Eloise stared at her own hands where Sinclair had held them.

Strangely, something bothered her.