The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 11
< Chapter 11 >
“It’s unbelievable that I’m inviting my brother to the college’s festival! This time, whether suitor or a date, I’ll definitely catch someone.”
Mary said with a gaze that didn’t suit the attire of a beautiful lady in a pink shawl and a pink dress.
Irina, who was listening to her, replied while applying red lipstick to her lips.
“Anyway, your brother must be the most handsome among all the gentlemen coming here.”
Mabel had already told Mary and Irina that she sent an invitation to her grandfather from the countryside, but she had made several excuses thinking he might not come.
As William had not yet replied and the invitation was left for two days before the festival, it was understandable if he didn’t come as it might be considered rude.
Mabel came down to the dormitory with Mary to go to the club parade. Fortunately, no one looked like William Edmundstone in front of the busy dormitory.
‘After all, he might not have read the letter, and I was just worrying alone.’
Mabel’s heart was filled with both relief and regret. Then, a big man suddenly appeared in front of Mabel and feigning acquaintance.
“Are you Miss Willis?”
It was Vincent Crosby, a lawyer and a cheerful handsome man with red hair who assisted William.
Mabel asked with surprised eyes at the sudden appearance of a familiar figure.
“What brings Mr. Crosby here?”
“I came here for William, no, for business.”
Vincent, who was answering with a friendly smile, briefly replied when he saw that Mabel had companions.
“Ahem, well, uh, ahem!”
Another sound suddenly came, and Mabel turned her head to the source of the sound. Mary, whom she had momentarily forgotten, had made her presence known.
“Oh, I was being rude. This is Mary de Percy, my dorm mate and college friend.”
Mabel introduced Mary to Vincent, taking care of her reaction.
“Hello, I’m Mary de Percy from Dartford.”
Mary greeted Vincent elegantly, putting on a ladylike demeanor despite her previously spirited voice.
“Nice to meet you, Miss de Percy. I am attorney Vincent Crosby. I handle affairs for the Summerhill College donors.”
“I see. I heard that London’s wealthy are starting to invest in the college, led by Edmundstones. So, you’re involved in that area. You’re unbelievably handsome for an attorney.”
Mary naturally moved closer to Vincent and continued speaking. Even in that brief moment, Mary didn’t forget to send a meaningful glance to Mabel, questioning the relationship between Vincent and Mabel.
As Mabel subtly nodded her head, Mary casually took Vincent’s arm and continued the conversation.
“Well, it seems like everything is settled. Mr. Crosby, how is your schedule for today?”
“I was just about to return to my office in London.”
“Oh, you’re going straight back to the office on such a beautiful day? On the first day of the Summerhill College’s festival? Our Summerhill students are ladies who know better than to neglect guests like this.”
Mary winked playfully at Vincent. Vincent seemed slightly embarrassed but very pleased with Mary’s invitation.
“So, what about the originally invited guest?”
Just then, a deep and pleasant voice, sounding out of place with a mocking tone, came from right behind Mabel.
When Mabel turned around, she saw a tall blond man in an apricot suit, with a shirt unbuttoned without a tie, similar to her sweater.
The reason why the apricot suit, which wouldn’t suit anyone, perfectly matched the slightly loosened shirt was perhaps due to his handsome appearance and his fitting blond hair.
“…Leon, my… brother.”
For some reason, Mary swallowed a few rough adjectives before the word ‘brother’, reassuring Vincent.
“Leon, I invited Mr. Crosby here to show him around the festival on behalf of Mabel.”
“Why would you bring someone who is friends with Miss Willis…?”
Leon looked at Vincent with a skewed glance.
“Since Mabel’s grandfather can’t come today, you can escort Mabel, brother!”
Interrupting Leon, Mary jumped in. Placing Leon next to Mabel, Mary’s expression was unexpectedly determined.
“You’re going to be my guest anyway, you don’t have any other plans, and don’t you think you two have more to talk about than we do?”
In a flash, Mary placed Mabel and Leon together, then turned back to Vincent, appearing modest again.
Mabel found herself in a difficult situation. However, she didn’t want to be an unnecessary hindrance, seeing Vincent and Mary showing interest in each other. Moreover, Leon de Percy probably wouldn’t mind spending time with her.
“Then let’s go.”
As Mabel turned around in surprise, she saw Leon, with his hands clasped behind his back. However, he was smiling confidently as if to say, ‘Where would you find a lady who would refuse me?’
“I was nagged about having to treat you with respect. Consider this my way of rescuing myself from the next nagging. I’ll escort you, alright?”
Although he wasn’t particularly polite when they met last time, Leon addressed Mabel with a friendly tone, bordering on familiarity.
It was just half a day of escorting, and he was the editor she had to work with anyway. There was no harm in going along with him to see the parade, but as Mabel, who hadn’t yet forgiven his rudeness from last time, she had no intention of making any effort for pleasant conversation with him.
The solemn stone archway and diamond-shaped sculptures adorned the beautiful eastern entrance of Summerhill with fallen leaves and various colored pumpkins, all arranged by the students.
The rows of trees extended into white, yellow, and the deep green associated with Summerhill College’s emblem, leading the way for the theater group, wearing clown hats or holding whimsical fans, to lead the parade.
“This part of the club parade was organized by me and my dorm friends.”
Mary proudly announced, prompting Vincent to respond with praise and questions, continuing their jovial atmosphere from the front row of the crowd.
Following closely behind, the Summerhill orchestra and the London School of Economics marching band played lively tunes, synchronized with their steps.
Those responsible for the instruments, which were not suitable for the parade, instead carried baskets filled with fallen leaves and sprinkled them towards the crowd every few steps.
“Senior Lorelei, over here! You look amazing!”
In the distance, Mabel noticed Lorelei, a young chemistry professor who had recently joined, carrying the banner of Summerhill as the class representative, walking alongside Harold Westerhagen. Mabel and Mary also stepped forward and waved their hands.
“They’re making a fuss over nothing, aren’t they?”
Leon, who was slightly taller and stood in the back, sent a cheer and turned to Mabel as she returned. Mabel’s white cheek was slightly flushed, and her warm brown eyes sparkled in the autumn light.
‘Last time I saw you, you were all lit up and stern like that, and now you’re smiling like this.’
“She’s just excited about the beautiful festival the entire school has put together. It’s natural to be proud. Of course, to Mr. de Percy, who probably thinks everything women do is foolish, it might not seem like much.”
Mabel retorted. Yellow leaves, either from the orchestra or from Summerhill trees, were stuck to her somewhat chubby face.
“Haha!”
Leon couldn’t help but laugh at Mabel’s serious expression. Thinking she was mocking him, Mabel just rolled her eyes at Leon.
She was considered untouchable by him.
Leon found it amusing to see Mabel’s constantly changing reactions and plucked a leaf that was hanging from her hair.
“The leaves whispering the happiness that is unparalleled to me, falling from the autumn trees.”
As if he were not a famous editor, he suddenly recited a poem that came to his mind while holding the fallen leaf.
Mabel’s eyes widened at Leon’s unexpectedly gentle voice.
“Are you memorizing Emily Brontë’s poetry?”
Mabel’s eyes sparkled with delight.