The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 17
< Chapter 17 >
To Daisy, whom I miss dearly.
Were you surprised to see the address on the letter? Right, before the official Christmas break began, I decided to stop by the house of my friend Mary de Percy. So, here I am in London!
Mary’s British house is a beautiful two-story Tudor mansion located on the border of London and Dartford. The building, adorned with white trim on red bricks, is surrounded by surreal topiaries, reflecting Mary’s American mother’s unique taste.
As soon as we arrived at the mansion in a carriage with Mary, Mrs. de Percy welcomed us with tea and a cake topped with marshmallow cream.
Mrs. de Percy, a beautiful blonde lady, shared anecdotes about her college days, and I realized that Mary’s mischievousness closely resembles her mother’s.
In the evening, Mary’s father, Mr. de Percy, and her brother, Leon, arrived after finishing their work.
Remember the last letter? I complained about having to endure Leon’s tick-tock personality, but his writing advice is impeccable. After getting to know him a bit more, I find Leon to be thoughtful and warm-hearted, albeit occasionally whimsical.
During dinner, the de Percy family, known for their literary inclination, discussed their favorite authors and reminisced about Mary’s childhood, making it a truly delightful evening.
The clinking of cutlery, the rich and delicious food, and the laughter-filled conversations…
Though I was just a guest, thanks to the warm hospitality of the de Percy family, I momentarily felt as if I were part of a picturesque family, without any stiff formalities.
Originally, I planned to return to Summerhill the next day after attending the Advent brunch. However, Mary and Mrs. de Percy suggested that I stay for three more days to decorate the Christmas tree together.
Upon seeing my hesitation, Leon de Percy, the man of the hour, said, ‘If you’re staying longer, let me take you sightseeing around London in my car. Since London is the backdrop of your writing, it might inspire you, don’t you think?’
Speaking of London, Daisy, I heard that you’ve been formally invited to Herbert’s winter party to repay you for taking care of James when he came down with a bad case of chicken pox on his return from study abroad.
It’s great to receive good things after doing good deeds, but please, I beg you, be cautious of the mischievous second son, George Herbert. He still haunts my dreams, dragging you stumbling drunk.
James is studying theology, so I’m not worried about him.
But Daisy, please promise me you’ll be careful around George Herbert. Don’t drink too much, and arrange for another maid to accompany you. In return, I’ll buy you a pretty hat to wear to the winter party in London.
Oops, Mrs. de Percy’s maid just informed me that brunch is ready. Hmm, the sweet aroma wafting up from downstairs must surely be the American-style pancakes Mary talked about incessantly.
Well then, I’ll wrap it up here, Daisy. See you at Christmas!
With love,
Mabel
* * *
During her stay at the de Percy family mansion, Mabel learned a few new things. One of them is that Leon not only works as an editor but also writes poetry.
“I don’t know what kind of poetry he writes. He doesn’t show it to anyone, not even his beloved grandfather.”
Mary said as she spooned out a generous portion of strawberry trifle cake.
Once the family and Mabel finished decorating the Christmas tree together, Leon and Mr. de Percy went out for one last horse ride before the snow fell. Meanwhile, Mary, Mrs. de Percy, and Mabel enjoyed a leisurely tea time by the fireplace.
“Judging by the correspondence between him and the publishing house, it’s evident that something has been published.”
Mrs. de Percy added, fluttering her long eyelashes. Equally fond of cakes like Mary, Mrs. de Percy served Mabel a couple of cakes every day during her stay.
Another surprising fact is that since the autumn festival, Vincent and Mary have been in contact.
This was confirmed the next morning after Mabel’s stay in London.
“Oh, Mr. Crosby, what brings you here?”
“Indeed, Ms. Willis…”
Vincent blushed as he held a bouquet of crimson wax flowers and evergreen branches.
Mary, who had escorted Vincent on the first day of the autumn festival, had not spoken about him since. Moreover, seeing Mary’s frequent interactions with male students from the London School of Economics, including Theodore Amide, Mabel assumed there was no further progress between her and Vincent.
“You’ve come to see Mary, haven’t you? I’ll leave you two alone.”
Mabel noticed their dynamic and quickly vacated her seat. Watching Mary guiding a bashful Vincent along the promenade path from afar, she felt a twinge of embarrassment.
On the last day in Dartford, as promised, Leon took Mary and Mabel to explore downtown London. While teasing each other, Mary and Leon chose Christmas presents for each other. Seeing them, Mabel smiled.
“Are you buying for yourself?”
As Leon approached Mabel while she was choosing a hat for Daisy, he asked. Perhaps due to the familiarity gained over the past few days, Mabel no longer found Leon intimidating.
“No, it’s for a friend back home.”
Mabel replied with a smile. Although there’s no perfect family like Mary’s in the picture, she is grateful to have someone she cares about and wants to give gifts to.
“I see, but I thought it looked a little young for Miss Willis’ taste. Since you’re Mary’s friend, you must be a mature lady by now, right?”
Leon playfully spun a hat adorned with cute plate flower decorations and remarked. Mabel, having spent time with the de Percy family, had developed enough skill to simply roll her eyes in response to Leon’s teasing remarks.
“Mary seems to attract fiery redheads from time to time, doesn’t she? How about Ms. Willis? Any smitten suitors like her around?”
“Well, even if there were, I wouldn’t let Mr. Leon de Percy turn my suitor into just another smitten man.”
Mabel retorted, snatching the hat from Leon’s hand, which she had marked as Daisy’s.
“Ah, so there aren’t any then.”
Leon shrugged. He then looked at Mabel, who was notably more modest and simple compared to the other women in the hat shop.
From observing Mabel closely as she carefully examined hats that suited her, Leon quickly realized that she was only going to purchase a hat suitable for a teenage girl.
‘She can’t buy for herself, but she chooses gifts for others.’
Placing the hat he had chosen on Mabel’s head at the checkout counter, Leon said.
“Ms. Willis doesn’t look too bad in this.”
Mabel rolled her eyes once again and turned towards Leon. The hat he had put on her head was a deep green with elegant topaz embellishments, and it suited her quite well.
“I mean it. She doesn’t look bad in my eyes.”
Before she could respond, Leon flashed his characteristic smile.
Mabel stopped blushing at his sudden comment, as she was used to receiving a mixture of curiosity and envy from the female patrons around her whenever she interacted with the strikingly handsome man.
“So, is Mr. Leon de Percy just another smitten man?”
She quickly whispered and hurried with the payment. Mabel didn’t realize the potential misunderstanding in her words, leaving Leon puzzled by her sudden redness.
* * *
After finishing their shopping and sightseeing in London, they returned to the de Percy mansion in Dartford for one final dinner with the de Percy couple.
While both husband and wife subtly hoped that Mabel would stay longer, Mabel secretly longed for Summerhill.
“You must be tired after spending the whole day in London. Are you really leaving today?”
Mrs. de Percy said, sounding disappointed. Mary, already feeling isolated due to her erratic travels between the US and the UK and her inability to connect with her peers, had found solace in befriending intelligent and humble Mabel during college. Mrs. de Percy was delighted to have such a friend for her.
‘As for Leon… we’ll have to wait and see.’
Mrs. de Percy’s gaze, which occasionally caught Leon glancing at Mabel, became shrewder. The de Percy couple concluded that Leon, who had only engaged in light and superficial interactions due to his popularity based on his flashy appearance, seemed different around Mabel.
“I’ve had such a wonderful time here as well. Thank you once again for the invitation, Mr. and Mrs. de Percy.”
Mabel replied cheerfully, now comfortable enough to address the de Percy couple in a friendly manner.
“At least ask Leon to escort you.”
Mr. de Percy said, stroking his short beard. Being interested in literature himself, Mr. de Percy greatly enjoyed the lively discussions about British and American writers that he had with Leon and Mabel every evening.
“Oh, no need for that. I called for the carriage earlier.”
Mabel said, just as there was a knock on the door downstairs, followed by the sound of the footmen opening the front door.
“Oh, it seems the carriage has arrived just in time. Thank you so much. I’m grateful for the invitation, Mary.”
Mabel said, embracing Mrs. de Percy and Mary one last time as they bid farewell. Feeling momentarily like a member of a perfect family, she genuinely appreciated the de Percy family.
However, instead of the porters, a maid from the mansion was seen ascending to the second floor. With a slightly puzzled expression, she approached Mr. de Percy and spoke.
“Sir, a guest has arrived.”
Mabel was taken aback by the maid’s next words.
“Mr. Edmundstone from London is here to fetch Ms. Willis.”