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Chapter 24
In truth, the “rumor that the Plenigan family wanted to bring in an aristocratic son-in-law” was not something I was hearing for the first time. I had even exchanged a few jokes about it with Ian before. So there was no real reason for me to be so surprised.
But this time, the important point was that the news had come from Eugenia’s own mouth. Eugenia was a close relative of the Plenigan family. Words spoken by Eugenia carried far more weight than gossip circulating among the maids.
That afternoon, I was able to confirm the news once again. According to the excited report from Amy, Edward had met with Count Penwood and subtly asked what he thought about Jane.
This was no longer a simple rumor spreading for fun among the servants. The matter had truly been discussed within the Plenigan family.
“So what did the Count say?”
“I don’t know about that, but apparently Lady Jane completely lost her temper.”
“Hmm?”
“She said that since she was a member of the Plenigan family, she had always thought she would accept a marriage arranged by her family…”
I had thought as much. Unlike her deceased elder sister Anne, Jane was relatively obedient to her elders.
“But she said this was different—that the status gap was too great, that she and Count Penwood were not suitable, and firmly refused.”
“That whole ‘status difference’ thing is just an excuse,” Carol interjected from the side.
“Things are different from the past. Times have changed. It’s been a long time since marriages between nobles and commoners were banned. That’s why novels about noblemen marrying village girls are so popular.”
“Well, the Plenigan family is wealthy enough that they don’t really need to use status as an excuse. Maybe Count Penwood simply isn’t Jane’s type.”
“I don’t know, I think he’s quite handsome. He’s kind enough to greet even us maids politely.”
I listened to Carol and Amy’s chatter until that point, then quietly slipped away to find Ian.
“Ian, you’ve been rejected?”
As soon as I saw his face, I said this, and Ian looked utterly dumbfounded.
“My lady, you really should correct that habit of speaking without context. You force people to waste time and energy asking what you mean.”
“Jane rejected your proposal, didn’t she? The maids are all talking about it.”
“I don’t know where this misunderstanding started, but first, I have never proposed to anyone. Second, Lady Jane did not say she dislikes me; she simply expressed her opinion about Edward’s rather forceful suggestion that we should be in a relationship.”
“So that’s basically a rejection, isn’t it?”
“Given my outstanding looks and overflowing charm, it would be hard for such a thing to happen so easily.”
Ian brushed back his black hair that had fallen over his forehead with one hand. I almost wanted to stop talking altogether—but honestly, I did think he was good-looking enough.
“So, in any case, it’s true that the Plenigan family suggested Ian as a son-in-law.”
“They did not say it so directly. At first, they were cautiously asking whether I was engaged to anyone, or whether the Penwood family had already arranged a match for me.
When I said I had never really thought about marriage, they casually asked, ‘Then what about Jane?’ as if it were a joke.”
“So you replied, ‘Given the Plenigan family’s wealth, that’s not a bad proposal’?”
“My lady, after knowing me this long, do you really think I would say something like that?”
Ian smiled faintly.
“No matter how good the conditions are, you must wait until the right atmosphere is formed. If you rush in, the other side will think less of you.”
“So in the end, you thought it was a good proposal after all? If Jane had agreed, would you have accepted the marriage?”
“Since Lady Jane refused, I didn’t think any further. I decide my actions according to the situation at hand.”
As always, Ian answered half-jokingly. I let out a sigh without realizing it.
“Ian, you need to stop there. If you go any further, you’ll end up committing identity fraud and even fraudulent marriage. You’re not really Count Penwood.”
“And the Plenigan family isn’t interested in Ian the person—they’re interested in the Count’s status.”
“That will remain to be seen,” Ian said.
“Anyway, I did politely refuse. I said it was a bit too soon to talk about marriage, especially with something unfortunate having happened in the household not long ago. Edward then smiled awkwardly and said it had all been a joke, trying to smooth things over.”
“That makes sense. Jane is the biological sister of Aileen and Anne. Two sisters have died suddenly—how long has it even been since the funeral, and now they’re already talking about marriage?”
As I muttered this, Ian thought for a moment and said:
“That may be why Lord Edward was anxious. He might have thought it better to arrange a marriage quickly, in case Lady Jane or Lady Delia fell into emotional distress. When the environment changes suddenly, people don’t have time to dwell on dark thoughts.”
I shook my head after recalling Edward’s image.
“In my opinion, Edward doesn’t seem like someone who would care that deeply about his nieces.”
“Still, he values family reputation very highly, so he would prefer to prevent any further trouble. And Lady Jane’s recent behavior may have played a role as well.”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“After Lady Anne’s death, Lady Jane showed considerable instability. It was worrying even from an observer’s point of view.”
Ian’s words reminded me of conversations I had overheard from other maids. Carol had once said she was worried about Jane lately. Carol worked in the west wing, where the family members resided, so she often learned things faster than Amy or I did.
“Lady Jane seems like she’s given up on everything.”
“Given up?”
I had repeated her words, but Amy, who heard Carol’s comment, nodded immediately as if she understood.
“She keeps blaming herself for not being able to prevent Lady Anne’s death. Their rooms are right next to each other.”
“Maybe that’s why.”
Carol clapped her hands loudly.
“Lady Jane is usually obedient and doesn’t go against her elders. But recently she’s been talking back more and refusing to do what she’s told. Isn’t this a kind of rebellion against the Plenigan family’s rigid ways?”
“Are you saying she’s trying to take revenge against the family rules because Lady Anne suffered under them?”
“Not revenge exactly—but maybe she’s trying to act like Anne did, to honor her memory?”
We couldn’t be sure if Carol was right, but it was true that Jane had become more daring since Anne’s death. It must have been what Ian meant by her “unstable condition.”
“Ever since Lady Eugenia arrived at the estate, Lady Jane seems happier than before—but still somehow different.”
Ian seemed to share Carol’s opinion. After hearing him, I thought about Jane’s recent behavior and replied:
“She’s been going out with Eugenia to parties even while her uncles are furious. It almost feels like she’s doing it on purpose, to show them.”
“Recently, when we had tea, Lady Jane said something in jest,” Ian said, recalling something.
“She mentioned a great-aunt named Adelaide, who died young.”
“Oh, I know that story. It’s a legend in this estate.”
I answered immediately.
“Adelaide was said to love parties and stayed out late, until Lady Alice’s spirit appeared and cursed her to death.”
“Lady Jane said she resembles Great-Aunt Adelaide. And she said if Lady Alice’s ghost were to appear again, she would be next—so she might as well enjoy herself before that happens.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I replied lightly.
But a faint uneasiness lingered in my mind. The legend of Adelaide—the woman who loved parties and died young—felt too similar to Jane’s situation.
“As Ian said, Jane wants to rebel against the Plenigan family, but having lived bound by strict rules since childhood, she is still unsure whether she is allowed to resist.”
“If Eugenia weren’t by her side, she wouldn’t have had the courage to act this freely,” Ian added.
The next day, Jane returned late in the evening after going shopping in the city with Eugenia.
Edward and Thomas were furious about the girls’ misconduct, but Eugenia didn’t even flinch.
“Eugenia, Jane! You were supposed to be back by six—!”
“Look, these are the high heels that are trending in the city.”
Eugenia cut him off, cheerfully pulling out her purchases. Edward frowned as if he had seen something distasteful.
“What is that ridiculous thing? Where do you think you’re going wearing something like that?”
“Uncle Edward, what do you mean? There’s nothing in the Plenigan family rules that forbids high heels.”
Eugenia replied without backing down.
“When those outdated rules were made, such shoes didn’t even exist, so of course they never thought to ban them. Anyway, I’m wearing these to the dance party at the Hayes estate next week.”
“A dance party? Where are you planning to go now?”
“There’s a summer festival next week. Every year, there’s an all-night dance party at the Hayes estate. All the local ladies are invited—but no one from the Plenigan estate has ever attended.”
“Well, that’s because it’s known to be a vulgar gathering…”
“Doesn’t matter. I already said we’re going. Not just me—Jane and Delia are coming too.”
“Eugenia Jenkins! What have you been up to again!”
Edward shouted angrily, but Eugenia ignored him and took out a pink party dress from a box.
“This is Jane’s dress! We had it tailored last time, and I picked it up today. With this and the new shoes, she’ll be the star of the party.”
She spun around holding the dress as if it were a dance partner.
It was a blatant provocation.
I glanced at Jane standing silently beside her. Although she didn’t speak, her expression showed clear agreement with Eugenia. It was obvious that a new wind was blowing through the Plenigan estate.
