In the southwest of England lay the hometown of Liam Moore. Not quite in the south, but not completely in the west either, it was in a vague location. Since I didn’t know much about the geography of England or how to divide it into regions, I decided to refer to it roughly as the southwest.
Heathford, our destination, was a little west of Birmingham and located by the coast. We set out in the morning and arrived at Langcard Station in Heathford late in the afternoon.
When I first saw the scenery there, I felt a sense of longing. An unknown sadness welled up within me as I looked at the unfamiliar landscape.
It had been a long time since I had breathed fresh air, free from the stench of the Thames River.
“The air is so clean.”
“It’s like heaven compared to London, isn’t it?”
I agreed wholeheartedly.
Heathford was surrounded by mountains in the distance, with forests and fields. As if living up to its name, there were heather bushes scattered everywhere. It was barren, quiet, and a place where the gray and blue sea coexisted. I could understand why Liam Moore described it as beautiful.
Liam Moore’s expression was tense as he disembarked at Langcard Station. He quietly surveyed his surroundings and fixed his gaze on a distant white mansion. It was clear at a glance: that was Nifoisse Hall.
The coachman, who was checking his pocket watch, waved when he saw Liam. He was a young man around Liam’s age.
“Master!”
I couldn’t help but smile a little. It was amusing to hear Liam, who was already twenty-nine, being addressed as “Master.” Liam, embarrassed, waved his hand dismissively.
“No need to call me that…”
“I heard you’d be bringing a guest. It’s been a while since we’ve had visitors at Nifoisse Hall!”
It was similar to how Mary called me “Miss.” Born a master, indeed.
Liam quickly loaded our luggage into the carriage, as if to avoid any further remarks. Then, like a true gentleman, he offered me his knee to help me climb in.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
The coachman was still watching me with curious eyes, probably wondering who I was and what my relationship with his master was.
“Let’s go,” Liam said, blocking the coachman’s view with his body. We heard a “Yes, sir,” and the carriage door closed, and we started moving.
The road was a bit rough. It was unreasonable to expect roads as well-paved as those in London here. I was accustomed to bumpy streets, so the rough ride didn’t affect my first impression of Heathford.
Something caught my eye. I gestured towards it.
“Liam.”
“Hmm?”
Liam leaned towards me in response to my brief call. I straightened his crooked tie. Liam Moore was perfect in many ways, but he could be quite careless at times.
“You wouldn’t want to meet your father looking untidy, would you?”
“I don’t think my father would scold me for that.”
“…Manners maketh man.”
I quoted a famous movie line as I smoothed down his hair. Liam seemed not to understand, but at least he should try to look his best.
We had a long way to go. I wished Herschel was here, but he was confined in Greenwich. Recuperating, perhaps? Or on unpaid leave…
“…I’m here to recuperate, remember?”
I repeated to Liam, even though I had told him several times during the train ride. I was worried he might explain it in his own way.
“Yes, yes. I’ll introduce you as my unfortunate assistant who got caught up in my case and had to come here to recover.”
“If you give any other reason, I’ll really…”
“Really?”
What would I do? I thought for a moment before raising my finger.
“I’ll spank you.”
“Oh.”
I immediately regretted saying that. Liam’s expression changed to one of peculiar delight, as if he liked the idea.
The carriage was warm, and Liam kept smiling at me.
“…You think my butt is tempting, don’t you?”
“No, no!”
“Isn’t it? Then… is it too flat by your standards?”
Please, enough with the butt talk. Why is a 19th-century man so open about these things? My face turned bright red, and I buried my head against the carriage window.
“Liam Moore is crazy…”
I muttered. Liam chuckled.
“Why, I’m very curious about Miss Jane Osmond’s criteria for a nice butt. Do you prefer it soft? Or firm? Muscular—”
“No, yours is quite decent, crazy—ah! Ah! I want to go back. Let me out.”
Liam widened his eyes, then seemed satisfied when I said “decent.”
I knew he was crazy, but I didn’t expect him to have so much pride in his butt…
I didn’t want to resort to harsh words, but this man brought it out in me. I weakly knocked on the carriage wall.
“Please let me out. I can’t stay in the same carriage as Liam Moore…”
By the time Liam wiped away his tears from laughing, the carriage had slowed down.
We passed a meticulously maintained garden, then a lake on the estate, and finally saw Nifoisse Hall. The snow that had fallen a few days ago was still there. The white shrubs matched the white mansion beautifully.
“Wow…”
I forgot about being teased and exclaimed in admiration. It was even more beautiful than in Herschel’s memories.
As the carriage came to a stop in front of the entrance, we saw several people waiting to greet us. An elderly man with an umbrella, a middle-aged couple, and a young man around Liam’s age were there. They were undoubtedly Liam’s family.
Liam got out first. I quietly observed the situation from within the curtained carriage.
“William!”
The kindly-looking woman called out with a smile.
“I’m so glad you’re healthy!”
It’s good to see that feeding and resting him well paid off. They must have been worried sick when they heard he was missing. Seeing their relieved expressions put my mind at ease.
“Mother.”
Liam gave a sheepish smile as he kissed the woman’s cheek.
“Brother.”
The young man beside them added.
“I’m glad you returned safely.”
Liam Moore looked just like his father, but the young man seemed to take after their mother. His blonde hair and light green eyes were striking. Unlike Liam, he seemed quite sociable.
“Theo.”
So his name is Theo. This family has a knack for beautiful names.
“…Father.”
Liam briefly glanced at Arthur Moore. Arthur looked at his son with a slightly furrowed brow, then sighed and gave him a short hug.
“Son.”
“Yes.”
“My dream is to die of natural causes.”
“…Yes.”
“Please, please don’t give me a heart attack with your news.”
Liam nodded repeatedly.
While the family had their touching reunion, I remained hidden in the carriage. I felt it would be awkward to come out now. But Liam Moore had a different idea. Arthur Moore’s keen light green eyes turned towards the carriage where I was hiding.
“When will you introduce your companion?”
“Oh, right.”
Liam quickly approached and opened the door. Suddenly under the family’s scrutiny, I rolled my eyes. Were my ears turning red from embarrassment?
The fact that their eldest son had returned home with a ‘woman’ seemed to shock them. Liam’s brother looked at me with wide eyes, while the Moores smiled warmly at Liam and me.
“Jane.”
Liam chuckled at my flustered state and extended his hand.
Should I take it?
“If I don’t get out now, I’ll look like a strange woman, won’t I?”
“They’ll just think you’re shy.”
“…”
Holding back tears, I got out. I bowed slightly as Liam introduced me.
“This is my assistant. She got caught up in the recent case and was badly injured.”
Me? I’m perfectly fine. I should have wrapped my head in bandages. His excuse lacked credibility. I was a little heartbroken, but that didn’t show on the outside.
“So she’s here to recuperate. And we have plenty of rooms.”
“I see, the young lady you mentioned in your letter.”
Arthur Moore murmured. Damn. I dread to think what Liam had written in that letter. I cautiously opened my mouth.
“…I’m Jane Osmond.”