He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 172

172. Piccadilly Theo Ballroom

◈ One month later, mid-December 1788.

Theo Marriage Agency, 3rd floor, Matching Manager’s Office.

“The young lady can’t attend today? How can you tell me so late?”

Manager Melanie Welch looked almost ready to cry.

Today was the first day of the ball at the newly opened Theo Marriage Agency ballroom in Piccadilly.

Theo had planned and tentatively created two small ballrooms to be held every weekend throughout the year.

One was on Theo Street in Kensington, and the other was near Piccadilly in London.

The plan was to operate them temporarily in two locations for a year, and if the response was good, to supplement any shortcomings and increase the number of locations.

The ball was prepared with 20 men and 20 women matched for each event.

As it was a small ball, various programs tailored to the attendees had been meticulously prepared, so it would be a major setback if the numbers didn’t match.

The plan was to avoid any disruptions to the ball by drawing from a reserve list if there were any cancellations.

However, in an era without rapid communication, there was no solution if a cancellation was reported a few hours before the event.

As Manager Melanie fidgeted, a woman who appeared to be a maid repeatedly bowed and apologized.

“Our young lady was perfectly fine until yesterday, but she woke up this morning with a severe stomachache. Whatever the reason, she asked me to convey her deepest apologies. I am truly sorry.”

As the maid, having delivered the urgent message, left the manager’s office, Lucy, who was beside her, said with a worried expression.

“This is a big problem. How can we find a suitable lady to go to the ball in just a few hours?”

Melanie, who had been pacing anxiously around the manager’s office, suddenly raised her head and exclaimed.

“That’s right! I saw Miss Maria in the cafe on the first floor again today, didn’t I?”

Lucy nodded.

“Yes, I saw her too. But why Miss Maria?”

“Although she’s a foreigner, her English is excellent, and she’s incredibly beautiful and seems to have a great personality, doesn’t she? Wouldn’t she be perfect? And she doesn’t have a gentleman she’s connected with yet, does she?”

At Melanie’s words, Lucy shook her head.

“No, that won’t do! How can you do that? Miss Maria is a special member that the Director is personally managing! If the match is successful, it’s a marriage worth a whopping 500,000 pounds. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s from a very prominent family in the Kingdom of Naples, would I?”

Melanie lowered her voice and said.

“That’s why we have to ask her carefully. From what I see, Miss Maria seems quite bored these days. Wouldn’t it be nice for her to go to the ball, dance, and chat as a change of pace? Just ask her! You’re quite close to Miss Maria, aren’t you, Lucy! Please, I’m begging you.”

Lucy looked at Melanie, who was practically begging with her hands clasped together, with pity.

Melanie was entirely responsible for the practical affairs of this Piccadilly ballroom.

But if the numbers didn’t match from the first day, she would have to bear the full responsibility.

“No, what if the Director finds out? He’ll be furious! The Director is going to the Piccadilly ballroom himself later, isn’t he?”

Melanie waved her hand dismissively.

“No, no! I heard it yesterday! The Director said he was going to Lord Burns’ dinner party this afternoon. He’ll probably be at Lord Burns’ house until dawn and then go home in the morning.”

“…Really?”

Lucy’s heart wavered.

Lucy, who had left Theo’s house after her marriage to Captain Rogers, had less information than Melanie.

That’s why she knew better than anyone how much pressure Melanie was under right now.

Moreover, the Director was known for his harsh reprimands for any mishandling of tasks.

He always emphasized preparing alternative plans in case of emergencies.

“Are you sure? That the Director is going to Lord Burns’ dinner party?”

Melanie nodded vigorously.

“Of course! I definitely heard it yesterday!”

* * *

“A small ballroom?”

Princess Maria asked Lucy, smiling brightly.

“Yes, Miss. It’s a place our company is operating on a trial basis. It’s opening in two hours, but a young lady has a severe stomachache and can’t come. It’s difficult to find someone on such short notice… I was wondering if you might be available….”

Before Lucy could finish speaking, Princess Maria jumped up and busily gathered her belongings.

“A small ballroom! I was bored, but this sounds like so much fun. I can just go to the ballroom in Piccadilly at the time you mentioned, right?”

Melanie, who had been standing anxiously behind Lucy, suddenly stepped forward and thanked her sincerely.

“Ah… yes. Thank you so much! Thank you, Miss!”

“I’m more grateful. Christmas is coming up, and I was feeling so lonely.”

When Princess Maria suddenly tried to pack her things, the accompanying maid next to her didn’t know what was going on.

The maid didn’t understand English.

“Princess, where are you going?”

“Oh, I heard there’s a ball.”

“A ball? Surely you’re not planning to go there, Princess?”

“Yes. So you should get ready quickly too. It’s in 2 hours.”

“What if the Count finds out…? What will he say?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve become friends with a Mr. Littleton, a member of parliament, and he invited me.”

“…Still.”

“Stop nagging and hurry up and follow me.”

* * *

Theo Marriage Agency, 3rd floor, Matching Manager’s Office.

Peace had returned to the manager’s office.

Princess Maria had agreed more easily than expected, so it seemed that the Piccadilly ball in the evening would start without any problems.

“Lucy! I’ll never forget this favor. Hehe.”

“What, I didn’t do anything. But you have to be careful that it never reaches the Director’s ears. You know?”

“Of course, I won’t! I already told Miss Maria to keep it a secret, and she winked at me, saying not to worry at all. I knew she had a good personality, but she’s even cuter than I thought. Hehe.”

Ding-dong~♬

Just then, the door to the 3rd-floor manager’s office opened.

And soon, Lucy and Melanie’s faces turned white.

“D… Director?”

With a face as if they were looking at a ghost, Tae-oh asked with a puzzled look.

“Why do you two look like that?”

Melanie asked in a trembling voice.

“D… Director, aren’t you supposed to be going to Lord Burns’ dinner party this afternoon…?”

Tae-oh replied nonchalantly.

“Oh, that? Lord Burns contacted me this morning and said he had an urgent matter, so he postponed it to next week.”

“Pardon?”

Lucy and Melanie exchanged glances.

Tae-oh turned to go up to the Director’s office and said.

“I’m going to the Piccadilly ballroom later, so Melanie, get ready. Let’s go together.”

“Pardon? You, Director?”

Tae-oh turned back around.

“What are you talking about? Of course, I have to go, don’t I?”

“No… you went last time, so there’s no need to go again….”

“That was the ballroom we held in Kensington, and today is in downtown London, isn’t it? Besides, Sophia, a member from last time, said she’s attending today’s ball. I have to find her a partner before the year is over. Otherwise, Sophia’s mother will come running to the Director’s office.”

“Pardon? Ah, yes… yes… that’s right.”

Tae-oh, sensing an unusual instability, pressed Melanie.

“Melanie? What’s wrong? Is there a reason why I shouldn’t go, like someone’s trying to hide something?”

“…W, well…”

As Melanie hesitated, Lucy stepped forward and told the truth.

“…So, I asked Miss Maria, and she readily agreed….”

“So, you sent her there?”

“Miss Maria was very bored too. She was so happy.”

“Still….”

Now that Princess Maria had already left, there was no point in arguing further.

“Well, the truth is, today’s situation isn’t something you can prepare for, so it’s not Melanie’s fault.”

Melanie hung her head.

“Still, I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to prepare a plan to resolve such issues in the future, even if they arise.”

“Okay, I understand. Let’s get ready to go to the ballroom for now.”

“Yes, Director.”

◈ Near Piccadilly, London, Theo Ballroom.

It was a little past 7 PM.

The weather in mid-December was quite chilly.

Tae-oh, who got out of the carriage with Manager Melanie Welch, headed towards the newly decorated entrance of the ballroom.

A red carpet was laid on the stairs, and the Theo Marriage Agency’s representative emblem was elegantly engraved on the wall.

“The entrance is a bit dark. Tell Jake to install a few more large lanterns in this direction.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Stepping up the stairs and reaching the entrance, a staff member in uniform ran out, bowed politely, and opened the door.

Clunk-

The inside of the ballroom felt warmer and cozier, perhaps because of the cold weather outside.

♪♪♫♫~♬~♩~♪~

The rich aroma of coffee and the mellow music of the newly formed brass band melted away the body and mind that had been frozen by the cold weather.

♪♫~♬♪~

Large mirrors were mounted on the walls of the ballroom.

This was to compensate for the lack of lighting in the 18th century.

Thanks to this, the numerous candles shining on the gilded candlesticks were reflected in the mirrors, creating a fantastic and special atmosphere in the ballroom.

Although there were only 40 official attendees, the ballroom seemed bustling and lively due to the bright smiles of the staff, maids, and servants in charge of the service.

The thorough training had paid off.

“Ah- Director, the atmosphere is so great! Don’t you think it’s better than Kensington a while ago?”

Melanie clapped her hands and rejoiced in the cheerful atmosphere.

As she said, the small differences were definitely raising the atmosphere, as the problems in Kensington had been largely supplemented, and the band’s music had been diversified.

At that moment, Princess Maria, dressed in a beautiful dress, caught Tae-oh’s eye.

‘……!’

The light pink, luxurious silk dress flowed smoothly down the princess’s slender waist and lightly touched the floor, and the decorations placed on her neatly braided hair further accentuated her elegance.

The small jewel on her forehead sparkled in the candlelight with every movement, making the princess look even more special.

“Director!”

Tae-oh, who had been넋을 잃고 [넋을 잃고:넋을 잃고] 偷看 [偷看] the princess, snapped back to his senses at Melanie’s call. (넋을 잃고 and 偷看 both mean ‘넋을 잃고’)

“…Uh, uh?”

“The person over there is the problematic Miss Sophia.”

Tae-oh looked at the women gathered in one corner of the ballroom and asked.

“Which one of those ladies is exactly Miss Sophia?”

Melanie pointed to a woman wearing a plain gray dress that didn’t cover her ankles.

“Do you see the lady in the gray dress right in front of the wall with the painting?”

Sophia, who was standing quietly without a smile, looked a bit aloof, and her eyes were filled with loneliness.

While the other ladies were wearing elaborate wigs with all sorts of accessories and were fully made up with glamorous makeup, she had a very simple hairstyle and modest adornments, making her look a bit shabby.

“……”

However, she was by no means an unattractive lady in herself. It was just that she was overshadowed by the women around her because of the clothes she was wearing and her expression.

It seemed that Miss Sophia and her mother didn’t have the talent or sense to dress up.

Even the dress itself was too ordinary, as most of the attendees were wearing voluminous long dresses that covered their ankles, but Miss Sophia’s was dark in color and lacked volume.

‘Looking at her expression and gestures, it doesn’t seem like she was forced to come… but she seems too intimidated by the glamorous ladies around her.’

At that moment, the music changed, and a minuet-style piece, popular in the Baroque era, began to play.

♩~ ♫♫~♬~♩~ ♬~♪♩♪♩~

‘……!’

Suddenly, Tae-oh’s eyebrows twitched.

This was because Miss Sophia’s body was subtly reacting to the elegant tune that was playing.

She was naturally keeping rhythm, so she knew the song, and she must have been familiar with the dance.

‘…….’

Tae-oh, who had been reborn as an 18th-century Englishman, paid the most attention to social dancing along with manners.

In fact, social dancing was Tae-oh’s favorite hobby when he was in an American university.

He loved the feeling of entrusting his body to the elegant melodies of classical music so much that he lost track of time while learning.

Tae-oh was so skilled that he surpassed the amateur level, even winning awards in social dance competitions.

In particular, he thoroughly enjoyed dancing to Baroque-era music and dances, especially minuets, which were very popular until the mid-18th century.

That’s why when he returned to the 18th century and danced the social dances he loved so much at the ball, he initially felt an unspeakable joy.

Although the forms and movements were somewhat different, it was not difficult for Tae-oh, who already had a semi-professional level of technique, to learn 18th-century dances.

However, there were few people who danced so well at the 18th-century balls.

In particular, a man’s skilled lead is really important in social dancing, but men in this era either did not receive proper dance education or were not interested in it, so they often failed to keep up with the dance moves and rhythm.

They would learn simple moves of country dances in groups and awkwardly imitate the movements of men who danced well by glancing sideways.

Women, on the other hand, were systematically trained in dance as a form of education, so they were better trained than men.

However, their movements also looked clumsy to Tae-oh’s eyes.

Dancing should be about the joy and fun that comes from communion and movement with the other person.

When he was in the modern era, he had a skilled partner who followed his lead with elegant gestures, so dancing was a lot of fun, but when he came to the 18th century, there was no such partner, so he was not feeling as much fun.

As a result, he naturally lost the joy of dancing at the ball, and since then, he has not participated in social dances at the ball very often.

But now, from Sophia’s small gestures of reacting to the minuet-style music and keeping rhythm, he felt the scent of a skilled dancer that he had only seen in modern times.

‘Hmm… Miss Sophia seems like she can dance well? I’ll have to see when we dance in a group later, but I’m still looking forward to it. If so….’

At that moment, a good idea suddenly came to Tae-oh.

Tae-oh gave Melanie other instructions and then immediately approached the brass band.