Garden of May

Of course, knowing wouldn’t have changed anything. The majority of boys at Saint Louis already had arranged marriage partners. They might have been sincere for a moment, but as graduation neared, they were bound to prioritize their families and fiancées. Just like the wise Blair.

“…Vanessa, look over there.”

Just as Logan was about to speak, Rosaline grabbed Vanessa’s arm and pulled hard. Uncharacteristically for someone so composed, she seemed unable to control a momentary surge of emotion.

Vanessa turned her head in the direction of Rosaline’s gaze. At first, the dense crowd blocked her view, but then, amidst the scattering people and ringing laughter, she saw a man and woman arm in arm.

“It’s Eden Harley and Miss Stanley.”

Vanessa observed them carefully with cautious eyes. Unlike Eden Harley, who looked somewhat haggard from consecutive military deployments, Miss Stanley was fresh and beautiful. When the woman covered her mouth with a fan and whispered something, the man leaned down to listen, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Rosaline, pale as a sheet, bit her lip. She looked utterly devastated, yet simultaneously furious.

“Eden sent me a letter saying he was coming on leave. He asked if we could meet at the shipboard party, and of course, I said yes. I should have realized he would bring Miss Stanley along…”

“Are you going to tell Eden Harley about what we saw at the café?”

Rosaline nodded, her eyes still fixed on them.

“I thought it would be better to tell him face-to-face, so I’ve been holding it in. Waiting until Eden came out on leave. But to think, even after doing that, she could be so brazen…”

Rosaline raised a hand to her mouth, her expression anxious. Just as she was about to bite her nails—an old habit from when she was nervous—Vanessa grabbed her hand mid-air and firmly lowered it. Her friend’s confused eyes turned to her.

“Don’t do this. Go to Eden, Rosaline.”

“…What?”

“You’re doing this because you’re worried. Whatever it is, you should go and talk to him. Just don’t mention seeing Miss Stanley right away… There might be circumstances we don’t know about. It might turn out to be nothing at all.”

Rosaline hesitated, but as Eden Harley moved toward the deck, she lifted her chin as if making a resolution. She then pushed Vanessa toward Logan, who looked bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

“Can I ask you to look after Vanessa for a moment? It’s her first time at an event like this.”

“Ah, me?”

“I won’t be gone long. Just escort her inside the hall and find her a table. I’m asking you a favor, Logan Dawson.”

Dawson. At that moment, a light flickered on in Vanessa’s mind. She looked up at Logan Dawson with sudden brightness. Under her intense gaze, a faint blush colored the man’s cheeks.

“Dawson? Are you that Dawson?”

“…I don’t know what you mean by that Dawson, but if you’re looking for the Viscount Dawson family, then yes, that’s me.”

Logan Dawson shrugged and answered playfully. It seemed the familiarity she sensed wasn’t from him, but his family line. She had, after all, spent the last few days rummaging through old newspapers, focused entirely on finding that lawyer’s face.

“I wish to meet Mr. Benjamin Dawson. Did he happen to come with you?”

“My great-uncle? You?”

He tilted his head back, asking in return. The question in his mind was written plainly on his face.

“I heard he worked with my late father. I have a few questions regarding the time his will was drafted.”

“Ah.”

Nodding in understanding, he scanned the surroundings. Then, as if locating the direction, he extended his hand.

“He’s likely… inside, playing Whist with the other gentlemen. Shall I guide you?”

“Really? You know where to go?”

“Well, I’ve been around enough. Passenger ships all have similar layouts.”

“Thank goodness. I’m completely disoriented…”

Vanessa followed him with quick steps, fingering the necklace hidden beneath the lace of her dress like a talisman. River Ross had told her it was an imitation and she shouldn’t worry if she lost it, but… well. To her eyes, it looked excessively expensive. And expensive items beyond one’s station always invited unnecessary curiosity.

That was why she had hesitated until the very end. But the only reason she ultimately wore this necklace, as River Ross had wished, was simple. She was grateful for his desire that she, who felt so shabby and isolated here alone, might shine the brightest.

“Say, Somerset.”