**Maria Sinclair.**
Hearing this name, Eloise—contrary to her usual composure—froze for a moment, staring at her silently.
On the way here, Beatrice had explained that although Lady Sinclair welcomed everyone who attended, aside from discussions, she almost never spoke to anyone herself.
Therefore, the capital's young ladies—desperate to befriend her—sought any opportunity to speak with her, eyes sparkling with ambition.
*"So if you happen to see Lady Sinclair first, give me a sign. I'll come immediately. You know how to introduce yourself in such cases, right?"*
Beatrice had warned her repeatedly in case Eloise encountered Lady Sinclair while Beatrice was greeting others in the mansion.
However, she hadn't said a word about what *she* would do if *she* met Lady Sinclair.
In truth, Eloise had known. She'd answered absentmindedly and paid no further attention.
She'd thought it unlikely she would ever meet someone so difficult to approach. Besides, her mind had been occupied with Ryan.
And yet here she was, meeting her so suddenly...
"I... my name is Eloise Severton."
"Severton? Excuse me, but what region is..."
Lady Sinclair hesitated, looking apologetic. Eloise replied with a smile:
"You'd hardly know it. I recently arrived from a small village in the south called Feltham."
"Feltham? I know it. It's a village near Cambon, isn't it?"
Eloise's eyes widened at Lady Sinclair's answer.
"You're the first person who knows Feltham."
Even Baroness Fairfax—to whom her mother had written—still didn't know where Feltham was located.
Beatrice, naturally, hadn't been interested.
And aside from the two of them, all the capital's residents not only didn't know where Feltham was—they hadn't even heard the name. Yet Lady Sinclair even knew its exact location.
Eloise's tense face softened with joy. Lady Sinclair laughed cheerfully and replied:
"I recently had occasion to study a map of the south carefully."
*Why did she need to do that?*
When Eloise looked at her with clear curiosity in her eyes, Lady Sinclair—after a slight pause—answered:
"There was a major flood this summer. Many areas were damaged, and the capital held a fundraiser for the south."
"Ah."
Lady Sinclair's answer made Eloise release a short breath.
Cambon and Feltham had recovered quickly thanks to the Corps of Engineers, but this assistance hadn't reached other southern regions in time.
People lost not only their homes—when the waters receded, animal waste was left everywhere, even causing an epidemic to break out.
Drinking water was particularly contaminated. Many died from unknown diseases.
In addition to the royal family's special relief fund, donations collected by capital residents had been of tremendous help.
At the time, due to all the upheaval, she'd only heard that prominent social figures in the capital were involved—and hadn't inquired further. But judging by this conversation, one of them had been Lady Sinclair.
Eloise stood and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for your tremendous assistance, Lady Sinclair. Thanks to you, the south received great support."
At Eloise's bow, Lady Sinclair—as if to say it was nothing—rose and stopped her.
"Please. I only did what needed to be done."
Having exchanged these words, they sat on the bench again and began conversing.
Perhaps it was because she knew Feltham, or because she'd been so helpful to the south—the awkwardness quickly disappeared, and their conversation flowed in a warm atmosphere.
Naturally, the subject turned to why Eloise had come to the capital.
But it was too early to tell Lady Sinclair—whom she'd just met—everything about her relationship with Ryan.
Even though she believed Ryan wasn't that kind of person, the unease in Eloise's heart refused to subside.
*If, somehow, Ryan truly did lie to her...*
*Then...*
What should she do?
While she hesitated, the conversation quietly shifted to Abigail's situation.
Honestly, she wondered for a moment whether she should tell someone she was meeting for the first time about Abigail.
But she remembered how—before leaving Feltham—Abigail had taken her hand and asked pleadingly.
*"Eloise, I'm so sorry to ask this of you. It's not something to be proud of, and every time I think I'll have to explain it to you..."*
The fact that a man who'd promised marriage had ceased communication was more than sufficient grounds for scandal.
Of course, Philip had sent jewelry—begging her to trust him and wait—but Abigail didn't need gifts.
If she'd at least heard from him *why* he was postponing the wedding, she wouldn't have been so distraught...
So Abigail had asked Eloise to tell anyone about her situation—anything to discover where Philip was.
Eloise, trying to do as little harm to Abigail's honor as possible, briefly explained the circumstances and asked if she knew a military man named Philip Osborne.
"Philip Osborne... I think I've met him."
"You know Mr. Osborne?"
When Lady Sinclair said she knew Philip, Eloise couldn't help but raise her voice.
The documents had only stated he'd resigned—even his address was unknown. But if, through Lady Sinclair's connections, she could discover where he was!
*We can ask about Ryan too.*
Eloise asked desperately:
"Then, please—could you tell me where Mr. Osborne is?"
At these words, Lady Sinclair's face darkened.
"To be honest, we're not close enough to be considered acquaintances. I've seen him a few times on army business—that's all. Besides, I haven't heard anything from him since he left the service. But..."
Lady Sinclair took Eloise's hand.
"Having heard such a distressing story, I can't remain silent. Besides, the fact that he sent such a sincere letter with a gift... perhaps Mr. Osborne found himself in this difficult situation against his will. Perhaps he's being held somewhere..."
"Held?"
When Eloise let out a loud exclamation, Lady Sinclair glanced around and placed a finger to her lips, calling for quiet.
"I'm only suggesting it's *possible*—not confirming it. In any case, I'll contact my associates. So..."
Lady Sinclair squeezed Eloise's hand tightly.
**"Eloise, if you learn anything about Mr. Osborne, will you tell me?"**
Her voice was full of concern. Though she'd called it a brief acquaintance, hearing that someone was missing seemed to truly unsettle her.
"Lady Sinclair! Are you here? Baron Eccleston has arrived!"
At that moment, a maid emerged from the mansion and hurriedly called out. Hearing her voice, Lady Sinclair released Eloise's hand and stood.
"Oh, I see. I received word he was coming, but he arrived earlier than expected. I owe him a great deal from my time in the army..."
When Lady Sinclair hesitated, Eloise spoke first.
"Go quickly, Lady Sinclair. We mustn't keep the Baron waiting."
No matter how much the difference in status had diminished compared to the past, Albion was still a country where hierarchy existed.
Besides, Baron Eccleston was a war hero whose name even Eloise knew.
"Thank you, Eloise. Then I hope you enjoy your evening. If there's time after the greetings, let's speak more. For now..."
Lady Sinclair bowed briefly and hurried back into the mansion.
Eloise, watching her depart, sat on the bench again with a deep sigh.
She hadn't known what to do—and then suddenly received such help.
*I should feel relieved, but...*
"..."
Eloise looked down at her hand—the one Lady Sinclair had held.
Strangely enough, something was bothering her.