MWLCP 21

Chapter 21

After dancing once together as partners, Eleanor and Logan stepped away from the center of the ballroom. Eleanor’s stamina wasn’t good enough to dance multiple rounds. Although she had told Logan that he could dance with other young ladies, he didn’t even pretend to listen. He merely engaged in business conversations with those who occasionally approached him.

Since they weren’t real partners, she couldn’t stay too close to him, and it felt awkward to interrupt his business discussions. So Eleanor stood along the edge, watching as dance partners changed by the second. Meanwhile, several unmarried young ladies subtly drifted toward her while pretending to chat among themselves.

“Hello, Miss Hudson.”

The moment Logan finally turned his back and began talking to someone else, they seized the opportunity and approached Eleanor.

“Yes, hello.”

“It’s been a while.”

The lady at the front flashed a charming smile as she stepped forward. Her smooth and slightly suggestive smile made it clear she already knew Eleanor. But Eleanor, unsure if they had actually met before, could only return a small smile.

“Surely, you haven’t forgotten me?”

There was no advantage in admitting that she wasn’t well connected in high society. It would only reflect poorly on her—and by extension, on Logan.

“I’m sorry. I don’t have a very good memory.”

When she gently confessed that she couldn’t recall, a soft sigh escaped from the other woman.

“Well, Miss Hudson is…”

The lady, dressed in a smooth green gown, covered her mouth with a lace-gloved hand and smiled slightly.

“I’m Charlotte of the Mortier family.”

“Ah, Miss Mortier. My apologies.”

“No need. It was my mistake.”

Charlotte shook her head slightly, frowning as if she was the one who had erred.

“You were alone throughout the entire debutante ball, so of course you wouldn’t remember.”

Eleanor flinched. Charlotte was referring to her shameful debut in high society.

“…You saw me then.”

She had barely managed to attend the debutante ball thanks to some help through old connections, but she’d left with pitiful results. Not one dance invitation. A wallflower, poorly dressed, the pitiful daughter of a ruined barony.

“Yes. You left quite an impression.”

Eleanor had not expected anyone to remember. Her lips trembled faintly.

“You didn’t seem interested in society even back then, so I never thought I’d see you again.”

In other words, even after all that embarrassment, you had the nerve to show your face again. Eleanor forced a smile. It was obvious what Charlotte was doing—digging up old humiliations to shame her. She clearly thought it inappropriate that a woman from such a low-status family was mingling among nobles.

“I heard you’ve been staying in your estate all this time, and yet somehow ended up with the Duke of Claven.”

Apparently, being escorted by Logan into the ballroom had wounded their pride more than she thought.

“He said he needed me.”

But was that her fault? Not at all. Eleanor gave a short reply to Charlotte, who seemed intent on provoking her. Charlotte looked slightly stunned before letting out an awkward laugh.

“Excuse me.”

A familiar voice came from behind.

“Eleanor. Can I speak with you for a moment?”

It was Usher. With his gentle amethyst eyes glittering under the chandelier, he looked breathtaking. Eleanor, surrounded by women who were circling her like predators, was visibly relieved.

“Yes, of course.”

“Then come this way.”

Usher naturally offered his arm, and Eleanor placed her hand on it, walking with him in sync. Though it seemed they were heading for the window, Usher led them to a corridor surrounding the ballroom. The tepid summer night breeze stirred Eleanor’s hair.

“I think the fountain area might be cooler. Shall we go there?”

“What is it you wanted to say?”

“Honestly, I didn’t have anything in particular…”

Usher smiled awkwardly.

“You just looked uncomfortable, so I thought I’d step in.”

Ah. Eleanor let out a small sigh. So he had been watching her. She hadn’t expected it, especially since Logan, her actual escort, hadn’t paid her the slightest attention.

“Thank you.”

She didn’t deny that she’d been in an uncomfortable situation.

“I haven’t been to many of these events either, so I kind of understand how you feel.”

Their circumstances were quite different, of course. But Usher was tactfully implying that her discomfort had nothing to do with her humble origins.

“It’s been a while, so everything feels a bit awkward. So many unfamiliar faces…”

Eleanor didn’t reject his kindness. She didn’t want to. There was no need to assert pride in front of someone who already knew everything about her.

“Let’s sit here.”

Usher took off his jacket and laid it on the edge of the fountain. Eleanor gave him a small bow in thanks and sat down.

“But actually, that’s not the only reason I pulled you away.”

“Pulled me away?” Eleanor chuckled lightly. Usher hadn’t “pulled her away”—he’d rescued her.

“I just didn’t want to leave you in a place where everyone saw you as Logan’s partner.”

“…”

“It stung a little that I wasn’t your partner tonight. Or your first dance.”

Eleanor had never made any promises to Usher. When he said he wanted to watch over her from nearby, she hadn’t said anything in return. Yet he naturally resented Logan, and she couldn’t fault him for that. She still remembered the disappointed look on his face when she declined his offer to be her partner.

“I’m not blaming you, Eleanor. Really.”

“…I know.”

Eleanor replied in a slightly hoarse voice. If he were angry, he wouldn’t be treating her so gently.

“I thought I could just watch from nearby and wait for you to come to me. But it’s harder than I thought, Eleanor.”

Usher gave a bitter smile, as if mocking his own clumsiness. Eleanor gazed at the man who sighed and rubbed his forehead in embarrassment.

“Eleanor.”

After taking a few deep breaths, Usher finally spoke. The warm orange light softly lit the edges of his face.

“Whenever I walk down a path, eat something delicious, or experience something good… you’re the first person who comes to mind.”

Because of that, she couldn’t tell if the red hue on his face was from shyness or the lighting.

“And I’ve learned… that feeling is called love.”

His awkward gestures, his jealousy, his attempts to win her over—none of it felt unpleasant. No sharp words of rejection came to mind.

“Can you still not allow yourself to be with me?”

The truth was, she wanted to.

“Forget your circumstances. Just look at me.”

But when she thought about her reality, she couldn’t say anything. As Eleanor opened her mouth hesitantly, Usher quickly raised his hand and gently covered her lips.

“If you’ll just accept me… I’ll handle everything else. I can do it.”

He was talking about marriage. Eleanor looked at him in disbelief.

“I mean it. I promise.”

With a nervous face, Usher knelt on one knee on the grass. He fumbled in his pocket and, with trembling hands, opened a small case. Inside was the necklace he’d ordered on the day they visited the department store. Eleanor instinctively raised her hand to her mouth, afraid she might gasp.

“You’re giving this… to me?”

Usher nodded with a smile. The necklace was made of natural pearls. It surely cost a great deal, but unlike the one Logan had bought, it didn’t feel like a burden.

“I thought this might be something you could wear without feeling weighed down.”

That’s why he’d chosen it. And hearing that, tears welled in her eyes. His thoughtfulness—so aware of her self-doubt and low self-esteem—moved her deeply.

“Why… Why are you doing all this for me?”

Eleanor asked, her voice trembling. Still kneeling, Usher gently reached out and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“Because I love you.”

“…”

“I love you, Eleanor.”

She broke down in tears, her face crumpling. Like a sudden wave, he shattered the fragile sandcastle she had built for so long. And now, he sought to take the real Eleanor hidden inside it for himself.

“I… I…”

“It’s okay. I’m okay with everything.”

As Eleanor stumbled over her words, tears blurring her vision, Usher smiled as if nothing else mattered. He stood, leaned forward, and rested his forehead against hers. Her low self-worth, her feelings for him she hadn’t wanted to admit, her fears about the future—he understood them all. And he promised he could fix everything. That everything would be okay. So trust him. Lean on him.

In the end, Eleanor burst into sobs and threw her arms around his neck. Usher gently pulled her into his arms and softly patted her back.

The insects chirped, the fountain trickled, and the grass rustled beneath their feet. Love had arrived, as quietly as peace. At this point, whatever happened next—none of it mattered. It was a gentle kind of surrender. A tender conquest she could no longer resist.