The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 20

< Chapter 20 >

For the sake of Lord Alfred’s and William’s honor, she thought it was right for her, as someone of lower status, to take the initiative first. 

But unexpectedly, William brought up the topic of her future.

“It’s… What are you talking about?”

“Unless Miss Mabel returns to working as a maid here after graduation, our relationship will eventually change. It has already started to change. So, wouldn’t it be right to get used to it?”

“Just because I graduate from college doesn’t mean my status suddenly changes. But what exactly do you mean by ‘change’?”

Mabel raised her voice.

Even if she were fortunate enough to go to college and even fulfill her dream of becoming a writer, she would remain a lowly orphan by birth. Would others perceive her as dreaming such a dream? That was something she detested the most. That was what Mabel feared the most.

“I haven’t mentioned anything about status.”

Unlike the excited and flushed Mabel, William’s expression remained unchanged.

“Mrs. Louise and the other maids have only changed their attitude towards Miss Mabel because they’re occupied with their duties in the mansion. If Miss Mabel becomes a writer someday, she will naturally have different tasks than what she used to do as a maid.”

His calm, low voice echoed against the glass wall, sounding unusually chilly.

“When different responsibilities and roles are given, the appropriate attitude is also necessary. Right now, Miss Mabel is a college student at Summerhill, so she should study accordingly and enjoy her college life like any other student.”

He spoke logically.

“Although it might have been awkward for you to socialize as a guest to Lord Alfred’s employees, as a student at Summerhill, it is not awkward for you to interact with other gentlemen and receive favors from them.”

“Then why did you seem displeased when I visited the de Percys? Isn’t it natural for friends to visit each other’s families as Summerhill students?”

Mabel asked sharply. She couldn’t believe the reasons William had laid out for her visit to the de Percy.

As Mabel continued to speak, William’s expression, which had always been calm and rational, seemed to falter.

“So, Miss Mabel, do you think it is right for an unmarried lady to be in the presence of a young man without her family’s permission?”

Mabel felt embarrassed as she read emotions from his expression. It was true that she had made many mistakes on the night of the autumn festival. She had buried her face in his bare chest and fallen asleep in front of his half-naked body.

‘Does he think I’m a frivolous and vulgar woman because of that incident? Is that why he’s concerned about me staying at the de Percy’s?’

As that thought crossed her mind, Mabel’s heart stung sharply. At the same time, feeling unjust and embarrassed, Mabel blurted out in agitation.

“Are you blaming my rash behavior as a lady? It’s probably because I, being a lowly orphan, am not accustomed to such customs. Besides, do I even have a family to permit me? Look. Isn’t Mr. Edmundstone talking about my status at all?”

“Miss Mabel, your status has nothing to do with it!”

Suddenly, William raised his voice, as if frustrated. His beautiful face twisted slightly.

“Well, that’s something only noble people like Mr. Edmundstone can say. My actions, words, and thoughts are inseparable from my status or background. So…”

Unknowingly, Mabel choked up with her final words, tears welling up in her eyes.

“I’m telling you not to do any actions that could be misunderstood, or rather, that I could misunderstand!”

William closed his mouth, looking at her. It was because of the tears welling up in Mabel’s eyes.

When William didn’t respond further, Mabel immediately shrugged her shoulders and left the room.

The sound of snow hitting the glass walls echoed weakly in William’s sigh.

* * *

To my friend Mabel,

How have you been? When you were here, it felt like the lost fifth member of our family had returned. It’s been too quiet during the evenings since you left. Our family misses you dearly.

(Of course, Leon, as always, pretends not to, and acts busy, but according to Mother, he’s been editing your manuscript for days after you left. So officially, the entire de Percy family is suffering from Mabel withdrawal syndrome!)

By the way, how on earth did you become acquainted with Mr. Edmundstone? From his visits to the dormitory before, perhaps? Just a thought!

Mother says Mr. Edmundstone is the most eligible bachelor in London. Forget about his family and reputation; his looks, abilities, and personality alone are enough. Mother praises Mr. Edmundstone so much that even our father, his ardent supporter, is a bit jealous now.

So if ‘perhaps’ is ‘true’, let me know. Soon, every eligible young lady in London will be your rival in love, so having a dependable friend like me wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Oh, and I’m not trying to hide anything about Vincent and me. We didn’t contact each other after the autumn festival, and we just happened to run into each other in London last time. And once or twice, we had tea at our house when I came home on weekends. He seems nice, but I’m still not sure.

Anyway, now onto the main point of the letter. Remember the boys from the London School of Economics? Theo, one of my close friends, invited me to join him in a Christmas volunteer activity. There’s an event planned for Christmas Eve at the Winterbrook orphanage near Oxford, where we’ll be reading books to the children.

Since it’s not too far away, would you like to come with me to volunteer to read books? They’re always short of volunteers due to the increasing number of children in the orphanage.

Looking forward to your reply.

Love,

Mary

P.S.: The postal situation in London during Christmas is dreadful. So, I’ve enclosed a Christmas present in this letter in advance!

* * *

Mary’s colorful package contained a letter written in Mary’s fluttering handwriting and an invitation to Theo’s volunteer activity.

Also included was a small square chocolate sponge cake made by Mrs. de Percy and the recipe for the cake written in Mary’s handwriting. It seemed like she remembered it was Mabel’s favorite cake during her stay at de Percy.

Feeling much warmer inside, Mabel could momentarily forget the argument she had with William just moments ago.

She simply wanted to ask William not to treat her, especially at Lord Alfred’s mansion. Perhaps she just wanted to confide in him, as he always listened to her so well. It’s uncomfortable for her to be treated like a guest by the other maids.

‘The most embarrassing thing is that I secretly felt happy when he said my low status doesn’t matter.’

Maybe she’s really hoping for a rise in status?

She had already tasted the sweet freedom. She enjoyed college life immensely, studying under the sun, chatting with friends, and debating knowledge, rather than spending her days mopping floors in the dim underground.

But it was also true that she was engulfed in irrational fear of possibly having to return to the life of a maid under the stairs, without Lord Alfred’s patronage after graduation.

Because of her orphan status, she had never been formally employed as a maid in most mansions, so she had been working here and there since her teenage years.

‘Even with a college degree, will there really be a place for me, a lifelong orphan? Ah, I fear getting used to dreams I can’t achieve.’

As she reflected on her conversation with William, her complex emotions began to clear up bit by bit.

‘I do have ambitions and dreams, but I was just afraid of being viewed by others as an ambitious or dreamy woman. Mr. Edmundstone simply recognized my sense of entitlement.’

Feeling embarrassed, Mabel buried her face into the pillow. The pillow in the guest room had a pleasant fragrance.

‘I just angrily lashed out at Mr. Edmundstone, demanding to be treated according to my low status. What an ugly sight, where my words and actions don’t match.’

Amidst her tousled black hair, she recalled his affectionate blue eyes and his bewildered expression at her sobbing. 

Unable to prevent another surge of complex emotions, she pulled the blanket over her head, covering herself entirely.