The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 23
< Chapter 23 >
The manor was unusually quiet at Christmas, thanks to Lord Alfred, who stayed in the southern villa every Christmas. Only a few male servants from the stables, with nowhere else to go, were left to guard the mansion.
However, this year, thanks to William, Mabel could spend a warm holiday at the mansion. Although she spent most of her time in her room due to a fever, that wasn’t all.
William called a doctor and nurse from far away to take care of her diligently and hired expensive staff for the holiday period to prepare lavish meals for her every meal.
“Even Lord Alfred wouldn’t receive such attentive treatment.”
Mabel, whose fever hadn’t subsided from her face yet, murmured as she lay in bed.
“At least it’s true that he hasn’t hired a caregiver who reads so many books for him.”
William, who was reading low and soft by her bedside, said.
He had unexpectedly extended his schedule at Oxford because of Mabel. Nevertheless, he always read books or conversed with Mabel by her bedside whenever she was awake.
Although she was exhausted from a few days of fever, whenever William brought out a new book, her eyes would light up.
“If Mr. Edmundstone hadn’t become a politician, he could have been an actor. Not only does he have the looks, but his voice is really nice.”
Mabel, whether due to the weakening of her strength or not, said with her eyes closed.
William looked at her with her eyes closed, then resumed reading.
“Just by you coming to me, my heart feels like it’s going to dance with you. And that dance will be the most beautiful and happiest in this world.”
The conversation of lovers in love written by Shakespeare tickled Mabel’s heart with William’s soft voice.
“For everything you’ve shown me so far, how can I repay you? I’ll just give you all of my heart. My lovely pearl.”
“My pearl… Did people in the past call their loved ones such romantic nicknames?”
Mabel, listening to William’s dreamy voice, said.
“I guess that creativity comes out when you’re in love… It’s beautiful.”
Mabel tossed and turned. William’s lips softened as he looked at her. He gently reached for her earlobe. She could feel a delicate warmth from his fingertips.
After a moment of silence, William spoke softly and sweetly.
“Mabel, Ma Belle.” (*Ma Belle, an affectionate Italian term of endearment)
A shy smile spread across Mabel’s lips.
Soon, the sound of her breathing was steady, filling the room with a subtle resonance.
Confirming that Mabel had fallen asleep, William quietly closed the book and leaned back in his chair, gazing out the window. Snowflakes or raindrops, something in between, were falling, creating ripples in small puddles.
William thought that the small puddle was like his own heart. His once sturdy and proud heart kept fluctuating and breaking at her gaze and words. The ripples in the puddle of his heart left their mark on his actions and expressions instead of fading with time.
The room, now only filled with the sound of crackling firewood, was imbued with a different, subdued atmosphere from the outside world. William dispersed his thoughts in the warmth and closed his eyes.
* * *
Dear Lord Alfred,
How have you been at the southern villa?
Every time you come down to the villa, I imagine the southern coast of England alone. The crashing waves below the cliffs, the seagulls circling above, and the enchanting sunset over the Channel Islands… I sincerely hope you are recovering well in that beautiful place.
Thanks to Lord Alfred’s care, I rested well at the mansion during the holiday period and returned to school.
Actually, I caught a cold while volunteering with friends at the Winterbrook Orphanage on Christmas Eve. I was feverish and almost collapsed, but fortunately, Mr. Edmundstone, who had no holiday plans, stayed at the mansion and helped me a lot.
I’ve worked as a maid under Lord Alfred’s mansion for over three years, but this winter, the mansion seemed more beautiful than ever. Maybe it’s because there are no floors for me to scrub, but I think this place is the starting point of a dreamlike life, so I have even more affection for the mansion.
Lord Alfred, I feel like I’m a very lucky person. You might wonder how I, born as an orphan, can feel such joy and gratitude in life, but if you look around me, you’ll understand.
I have Aunt Louise, Sally, and Daisy, Lord Alfred’s maids who sometimes don’t hold back from scolding me, and I’ve made cheerful and knowledgeable friends since starting college.
But that’s not all. I’ve also met Leon de Percy, the capable editor of Montaire who mentioned the possibility of my writing being published in a magazine, and most importantly, Mr. Edmundstone, who opened his heart to me regardless of my status and background.
Everything I’m grateful for is thanks to Lord Alfred. If Mr. Edmundstone hadn’t found my writing that day, if Lord Alfred hadn’t read my writing, I would be living a completely different life right now.
It might sound a bit funny for someone who’s only twenty-two years old, but life is truly full of surprises. So, whatever happens in the future, I’ll listen eagerly to the stories that unfold before me rather than ignoring them.
So, I have some proud news to share that would pique your interest.
Last week, Senior Lorelei gave me a hint that I might be selected as the top student of this semester! It’s because I got the highest grades in sociology, English, and chemistry among the first-year students.
Considering that the decision was based on just one of my essays, don’t you think Lord Alfred chose well who to send to college? I dedicate this honor to Lord Alfred, who is surely basking in the salt-laden air and warm sunshine.
Oh, I should go down to meet my friends now. Even though it’s only been three weeks, we’ve been eagerly waiting to share our thoughts.
Goodbye, Lord Alfred!
On the last day of winter vacation at Summerhill, from Mabel Willis.
* * *
With a fresh heart, Mabel left Cheshire Hall after sending a letter to Lord Alfred.
After spending Christmas with William, she felt much lighter, having melted away all the anxiety and inferiority complex she had harbored throughout the semester.
Thanks to this, Mabel spent the remaining month of winter vacation at Summerhill concentrating on writing. She was able to send a new manuscript reflecting the advice given by Leon last time.
‘Now I’ve taken the first step. If it’s well-received, I might have the opportunity to submit another manuscript.’
Mabel’s story “The Lieutenant and the Maiden,” which had moved many ladies including Lord Alfred, was polished with Leon’s help and was scheduled to be featured in an upcoming issue of Montaire magazine’s “Modern Women.”
Although it was only a short story, according to Leon, depending on the response to her first piece, she might be given the chance to contribute to Montaire magazine or other publishers formally.
Now she should go back to the dorm and start writing a new manuscript. The spring semester will be busy, so it would be good to prepare the next manuscript in case her writing catches attention.
She was sure that Leon would reluctantly accept her second manuscript, even though he grumbled about it.
Moreover, even after the holiday, Mabel and William exchanged letters regularly. His letter from last week was still on Mabel’s desk.
She always read William’s letter at least three times before carefully crafting her reply. She wanted to savor his words as if chewing on each letter.
‘Now that I’ve thought about it, I should read his letter, which I’ve only read twice, once more and write a reply.’
His neat handwriting reminded her of his lips, which always wore a thoughtful smile, and the content of the letter, formal yet affectionate and witty, brought to mind his deep blue eyes.
As her thoughts reached that point, Mabel’s steps toward the dormitory quickened a bit.
“Mabel, over here! Did you have a good winter break?”
“Mabel, it’s been so long!”
In front of the dormitory, Mary and Julia, who had returned to Summerhill for the short spring semester starting tomorrow, were waving to Mabel. Even Irina, wrapped in several layers of a cozy cloak, was wearing a smile on her haughty face.
Mabel ran to them and hugged them warmly, welcoming each other. The long-awaited reunion in front of the dormitory signboard started with each of them choosing the funniest story from their winter break adventures, and soon they linked arms and headed up to their dormitory together.
The lengthening February sun cast long shadows behind the ladies as they walked.