He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 62

62. An Unexpected Visit

King George smiled at Tae-oh’s bewildered expression.

“Sanderson, there has been a recent discussion between myself and my officials regarding the bestowal of a baronetcy upon you.”

Tae-oh was puzzled by the mention of a baronetcy.

“Pardon? No, Your Majesty. A baronetcy, you say?”

A knighthood (through the lowest rank of Knight Bachelor) or a baronetcy was a title bestowed specially by the King to those who had greatly contributed to the nation in politics, economy, or science, regardless of their social background.

Isaac Newton, a brilliant scientist born the son of a poor farmer, was also knighted by Queen Anne with the lowest rank of Knight Bachelor for his great achievements.

“Sanderson, many opinions favored granting you a knighthood. However, the fact that you have significantly improved my chronic illness, and more importantly, that you have relieved the unjust suffering of innocent murder victims and prevented further damage, including that to Duke Manners, has been greatly considered in the decision to grant you a baronetcy. You will be awarded the title in a few days, so be prepared.”

Even with a baronetcy, one is still legally a commoner.

However, unlike a knight, it is recorded in the nobility register and is even hereditary, so it is socially treated as a noble status.

For that reason, it was extremely rare for ordinary commoners to receive a baronetcy, and in most cases, it was given to selected scions [descendants] of noble families.

“Now that the investiture ceremony is over, the next time I see you, I will be calling you Sir Sanderson, I suppose. But my expectations for you will be that much greater, so you better be prepared, heh heh.”

In England, a noble title had a special meaning.

Unlike the nobles of other European countries, where all descendants became nobles by bloodline, in England, even if one was born into a noble family, they were not recognized as a noble recorded in the register unless they had a title.

“Your Majesty…”

Two years had passed since he had fallen into the 18th-century past without knowing why.

It was a time spent frantically with the single thought that he would not live miserably if he could not return to the modern era.

But he had never imagined that he would receive a noble title from the King.

◈ A few days later, St. James’s Palace in London.

A large and luxurious hall in London’s St. James’s Palace, filled with luxurious tapestries and magnificent chandeliers decorating the walls.

This grand hall was filled with George III, high-ranking nobles and officials, and distinguished guests from all over.

King George III, standing on the podium, was dressed in splendid monarchical robes and exuded a formal dignity. Next to him, a high-ranking official with a solemn face called out the names of those receiving titles in order and summoned them forward.

“Next is… Theo Sanderson!”

As Tae-oh’s name was called, the gazes of the numerous nobles gathered in the hall turned in his direction.

Even if they didn’t know his face, the name ‘Theo Sanderson’ was already famous in London’s aristocratic society.

Tae-oh slowly climbed the stairs, knelt down in front of George III, and bowed his head.

“Oh, it’s Sanderson. Yes, yes.”

King George, with a broad smile, placed a shining ceremonial sword on Tae-oh’s shoulder.

Then, an adjutant below the platform shouted in a solemn and resounding voice.

“Here, Theo Sanderson…

By the noble and solemn order of George William Frederick,

King of the great Kingdom of Great Britain and King of Ireland,

From this moment on, Theo Sanderson

Is hereby granted the title of Baronet of the Kingdom of Great Britain!”

『♬♬♬~♩♩♪♪~♫♩♫~』

As Tae-oh recited the oath of allegiance to the monarch and the nation, a magnificent and solemn melody echoed throughout the hall.

*

Immediately after the investiture ceremony, a grand celebratory reception was held.

Many dignitaries flocked around Tae-oh.

Earl of Anthony Burns and Duke Manners, Daniel Burke and his wife, Lord and Lady Monson, Erasmus Darwin, and others came. James Watt and Matthew Bolton, who could not attend due to their busy schedules, sent great congratulatory gifts through Lord Darwin.

In addition, people who had formed relationships through the Intelligence Club or Almack’s Club came to Tae-oh one by one to offer their congratulations.

Tae-oh had thought that nothing would change much just because he received a title.

But once he received the noble title, he felt that the invisible weight of class was greater than he had thought, and the emotion was profound.

And he felt an unspeakable sense of pride, as if he had given a small gift to Theo Sanderson, who would have lived as a porter and died lonely.

◈ Fifteen days later. London, Hampstead, in front of Tae-oh’s house.

“Yes, then please don’t worry and return safely. It’s not urgent, so I’ll try to find the most suitable person slowly.”

“Yes, Sir Sanderson. Thank you so much for your kind consultation.”

Tae-oh saw off the mother and daughter he had consulted with and turned around.

“Master, I’ve brought tea to the study.”

“Okay. Thank you, Lucy.”

Tae-oh, who had gone up to the study, took the warm tea on the desk and approached the window.

Slurp-

As evening approached, the weather became cooler.

It was mid-August, but it was so cool that it could not be compared to when he was in Korea.

When he traveled to England in modern times, he felt it was cool even in the middle of summer, but it seemed to be much lower in temperature than that time.

‘···?’

When he had drunk about half of his tea, Tae-oh noticed a carriage he had never seen before entering the grounds of the house.

‘Huh? It looks like it’s coming here?’

Judging from the shape of the carriage, it was not a hired carriage.

Soon, a middle-aged couple got out of the carriage that had entered the entrance and knocked on the door knocker of the front door.

It was a face I had never seen before.

‘Who is it?’

There were no more consultation appointments, so there was no one expected to visit, which was strange.

Lucy, who had gone to the front door, had a brief conversation with the middle-aged couple who got out of the carriage.

After exchanging a few words, Lucy told them where to park the carriage and ran up to the study where Tae-oh was.

Knock knock.

“Come in, Lucy.”

“Master, you have a guest.”

“I saw them from above. But who is it when there are no scheduled guests?”

“They are not guests who made a reservation… Do you happen to know a Sir Colin Peterson?”

Colin Peterson was the son of Baron Peterson, who was engaged to Catherine Osborne of Manchester.

He wondered why his name suddenly came up.

“Sir Peterson? I know him well. But why?”

“The people who came now are Baron and Baroness Peterson, and they say they are Sir Colin Peterson’s parents. They said they would like to meet you if you have time now, saying it’s urgent.”

“···?”

“What should I do?”

“What did their expressions look like?”

“Um… They looked very tired, but more than that, they had worried faces.”

“Worried?”

“Yes. They seemed very worried.”

He wondered what had happened to Colin Peterson, who he thought would only have happy things left, in about a month.

“Master, what should I tell them?”

“Show them to the reception room quickly.”

“Yes!”

“Prepare some tea too.”

“Yes, I understand.”

*

The door opened, and Sir Colin Peterson’s parents entered the reception room.

After exchanging greetings, they sat down.

“Sir Sanderson, I would like to first deeply apologize for the rudeness of visiting you without prior notice.”

Judging from the fact that Baron Peterson politely addressed Tae-oh as ‘Sir,’ it seemed that Lucy had already told them about him receiving the title.

Without being told to do so, Lucy diligently informed every visitor that Tae-oh was a baronet.

“No. It’s about Sir Peterson’s business, so how could it be rude? It’s absurd. But what brings you here…?”

Baron and Baroness Peterson were as dignified as they were kind.

It was easy to guess that Colin Peterson’s good character came from his parents.

However, subtle expressions of sadness were clearly visible on both of their faces. In the case of the Baroness, the corners of her lips kept drooping, and her upper and lower eyelids were very relaxed and powerless.

He could see that the feeling of sadness was profound.

Usually, when these subtle expressions of sadness appear, it is also a signal that they desperately want some help.

‘Deep sadness and an urgent desire for help… What on earth happened to Sir Peterson?’

Baroness Peterson opened her mouth and began to tell the story.

“…Colin was only talking about Catherine all day long. He was originally a cheerful child, but since meeting Catherine, he seemed happier and in a better mood than before.

He was planning to go to Italy together to see paintings when he married Catherine, and he was so happy that it became a daily routine. We also felt happy.

After a few weeks, we were also able to hear about Sir Sanderson. My son was very grateful that you had given him decisive help in meeting Catherine, and we also felt a grateful heart to Sir Sanderson for that.”

“Ah, no. I didn’t do anything special.”

“But about half a month ago, the child came back with a pale face. No matter how much I asked what was wrong, he didn’t even answer. He had been sick for days without eating almost any food.

And he changed day by day. He was so emaciated that I thought he would die. Sniff-.”

Baroness Peterson, who was sobbing, wiped her eyes with a handkerchief for a moment.

Baron and Baroness Peterson said that their son, who had been happy until a few days ago, suddenly changed like that because of Catherine, so they asked their son, but they could not get any answers.

After a few more days of agony, they urged their son, who seemed to have become a different person, and eventually heard that his marriage to Catherine seemed impossible.

But he was struggling, saying that he didn’t know the reason.

“I have never seen our son in so much pain in my life. But as a parent, I couldn’t just stand still as I watched my son, who was changing like a waste person day by day.

So we went to see Mr. Osborne, but he just repeated that he was not a good match for his daughter and was just sorry. He didn’t tell me a clear reason.

Then, Sir Sanderson, who first connected our son with Catherine, suddenly came to mind. When I found out through several acquaintances that you were a really famous person in London, I came here recklessly because I thought you were the only person we could rely on.”

Baron and Baroness Peterson said that they felt that Mr. Osborne trusted Tae-oh quite a bit through their son’s words.

So, if possible, they came all the way here to ask if he could persuade him to change his mind.

Baron Peterson said in an earnest tone.

“Mr. Osborne didn’t say it directly, but I thought it might be because our son has no title and little inheritance.

Although he cannot receive a title, I have a fairly large farm that I run separately from the family property that is inherited by the eldest son. I can provide that much, so I was wondering if Sir Sanderson could convey our feelings and persuade him.

If Sir Sanderson is busy, could you at least write a letter expressing our feelings and persuade Mr. Osborne? I was hoping that there might be some change if I did that…”

The Baron was almost pleading.

Seeing the Baron and Baroness, who had traveled a long way without hesitation because of their son’s sadness, even though they could have sent a letter, Tae-oh felt that Colin Peterson’s condition was unusual.

When he worked as a clinical psychologist, Tae-oh often witnessed patients who tried to commit suicide due to the pain of separation or who had serious problems with their hearing or vision due to conversion disorder caused by lovesickness.

‘Catherine was too perfect an ideal for Peterson. The pain must have been that much greater.’

In that case, it would be better to meet Mr. Osborne in person and listen to him than to write a letter, and if possible, try to persuade him in any way.

“Yes, I understand. Sir Colin Peterson and Miss Catherine Osborne were a very good couple in my opinion, and Mr. Osborne also seemed to like Sir Peterson… I think it’s a very strange situation. Anyway, as soon as I finish my work here, I will visit Mr. Osborne directly within a few days.”

The Baron and Baroness were surprised that Tae-oh would go in person.

“Yes? Are you going to go all that way in person?”

Tae-oh had become very fond of the affable Sir Peterson, even though it was a short period of time.

Peterson’s bright smile, holding his hand and telling him to be sure to visit him when he stopped by Manchester, was still vivid in his eyes.

“Yes, I will go in person.”

“Ah, thank you so much.”

Perhaps it was an unexpected response, Baron and Baroness Peterson were so grateful that they didn’t know what to do.