"Is it the rain? Don't worry. Feltham never floods," Julia said, appearing behind him and pressing her hand to her chest in alarm.
"But judging by the map, it's situated in a rather low-lying area," Philip objected with concern in his voice, supporting Richard's assessment.
But Julia refused to yield.
"Judging by the map, it might appear so, but in reality, it's quite different. Throughout Feltham's entire history, there has never been a flood."
"Julia is right," Eloise said, descending the stairs. "Feltham hasn't flooded since the Great Flood, many years ago. It's somewhat difficult to explain..." With that, Eloise unfolded a map of the Blissbury area and beckoned Ryan over.
The map was always kept on the sitting room table for explaining the surroundings to guests.
"See this relief? During that flood, a great deal of earth and sediment from upstream was deposited here. It formed something like a natural dam. Even ten years ago, when there was a terrible downpour, the neighboring villages suffered badly—but Feltham remained unscathed."
"In that case, everything should be fine, but..." Ryan's expression remained grim.
"Won't it be even more dangerous if the rain is so heavy that it overtops this dam?"
"Perhaps you're right..."
If the water overflowed the natural barrier, it would indeed pose a serious threat. But there hadn't been such heavy rainfall in many years, so no one was particularly alarmed.
At this point, Julia interjected again.
"In any case, there's no need to worry so much. Rain is common in the summer..." She glanced at Eloise. "And don't panic, Eloise. You'll only frighten the guests unnecessarily."
Hearing the word _panic_, Eloise fell silent.
Besides, Julia was right: such rains in summer, though rare, did occur.
_Tu-doo-doo-duk._
Meanwhile, the downpour intensified.
Despite this, Eloise murmured hopefully:
"Yes. It will end soon."
---
The next day, Eloise woke to a roar and vibration.
It was dark behind the curtains.
In the dimness, where the outlines of objects were barely discernible, Eloise sat up slowly and blinked. Once her eyes had adjusted somewhat, she glanced at her watch.
Half past six.
The hour when everyone except the kitchen maids was still fast asleep.
At home she rose early, but at Blissbury she tried to adapt to the household's routine.
The rest would not begin waking and having breakfast until past noon.
_Perhaps I should go back to bed?_
While she was considering this, another clap of thunder rumbled in the distance. Eloise stood, threw on her robe, and went to the window.
Pulling back the curtain, she saw rivulets of rain streaming down the glass.
_I thought it would die down overnight._
But the opposite had occurred—the droplets seemed even larger now.
Moreover, the window rattled. Peering into the dim distance, she saw tree branches swaying violently.
It appeared the summer storm was dragging on.
Eloise gazed outside for a long while and felt the chill in the air.
_I should have some tea._
Sleep was impossible now. Better to fetch hot tea from the kitchen and read a book.
Eloise headed toward the kitchen.
The mansion, filled only with the sound of rain, seemed somehow lonely.
_Perhaps because the celebration just ended recently?_
The memories of the ball were still vivid. Children running about. Music playing in the hall. People laughing and the cheerful click of heels. And Ryan...
Eloise pressed the back of her hand to her reddened neck.
When was the last time she had danced so joyfully?
Except for the first dance, she hadn't even considered venturing onto the floor. So during the celebration, she had been either busy assisting or—if time allowed—keeping Abigail company.
But this year, both she and Abigail had enjoyed the festivities. They had danced, laughed, and chatted like all the other guests.
She remembered clinking glasses with Abigail, wishing that next year would be just as wonderful.
_Will that be possible?_
Eloise paused, lost in thought.
A few days ago, she had overheard Ryan and his friends conversing in the sitting room.
They had discussed army matters and what was to happen come winter.
_"...There will be a reorganization of positions before year's end. By then, I must return to headquarters."_
_"I'm aware."_
_"You're aware? From a man who's recklessly holed himself up in the countryside? Frankly, now is the time to head to the capital and prepare... Ah, Miss Eloise."_
Richard had fallen silent upon seeing Eloise enter.
After that, he had turned the conversation to a large stag he'd seen in the vicinity of Blissbury, and to children fishing by the river. He hadn't returned to army topics again.
_Ryan said nothing._
He had simply listened to Richard in silence.
_He's probably still planning to return._
This thought made her heart feel heavy.
Of course he would return. Hadn't he said so from the very beginning? Besides, though they presented themselves as sergeants of uncertain rank, Eloise was certain they were far from ordinary soldiers.
The present situation confirmed it. Visitors to Blissbury, when exploring the surroundings, were usually interested only in where the finest landscapes lay or which villages could be visited. They paid no attention to terrain.
But these three, upon hearing Richard's words, had immediately located the area he mentioned on the map. They knew the geography perfectly.
Moreover, when conversation turned to past battles, all three grew serious and began discussing intricate details.
Every time this occurred, Eloise recalled other soldiers returning from the war—those she had seen in Cambon before these three arrived.
None of them reacted or acted as quickly and decisively as these three did.
_"I'm so relieved this dreadful military service is over. Ladies, you cannot imagine the torment. How difficult it was in battle..."_
Those who'd left the army did nothing but boast about exaggerated exploits until one's ears ached.
But Ryan, Richard, and Philip scarcely spoke of the battles they had fought.
If asked, they answered—but they stated only facts, without mentioning the hardships or emotions they had endured.
Their restraint showed they had experienced the horrors of war far more deeply than those who complained ceaselessly about their suffering.
And also that they carried great responsibility.
_He'll probably return soon._
Eloise remembered Ryan dancing with her on the night of the celebration.
She recalled clearly how many times their hands had touched. How close their faces had passed.
As the music slowed and their bodies drew nearer, he had released a heated breath.
And then, when the rules of the dance required them to release each other momentarily, Ryan hadn't let go.
She had assumed he'd made a mistake and had looked at him with a smile. But Ryan hadn't been smiling.
He had looked at her with utmost seriousness.
Meeting his gaze, Eloise had understood.
It had not been a mistake.
So they had stood for a long while—not dancing—in the midst of the music, looking at each other.
They had come to their senses only when the music ended and people began applauding.
Only then had Ryan slowly looked away and released her hand. Very slowly. As if regretting the music had stopped.
---
Eloise, awakening from her memories, pulled her robe tighter. The sound of rain outside grew even louder.
She was certain that Ryan had feelings for her. And that he knew of her regard for him.
But after that evening, Ryan had never come close to her again—as if that night had been a dream.
_Perhaps I imagined it all?_
It was as though someone had doused her with cold water. She remembered Julia, who was constantly falling in love and declaring she felt it reciprocated.
Eloise had once asked her with a sigh:
"Did he say he felt the same as you?"
Julia had confidently replied it was obvious without words. But in the end, it had turned out the young man's feelings were entirely different from hers.
At the time, Eloise had quietly despised her a little, thinking: _How can one be certain of someone's love without receiving confirmation?_
And now she was making the same mistake herself.
_What should I do?_
Wait for Ryan to speak first?
But a week had already passed since the celebration, and he remained silent. It was unlikely he would reveal his feelings so easily.
_Then... perhaps I should ask?_
As soon as the thought formed—
"Eloise?"
Ryan stood on the stairs leading to the kitchen, looking at her.