The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 28
< Chapter 28 >
I miss you, Mabel!
That’s right, I saw the magazine, and I’m sure all of Lord Alfred’s maids have seen it too because Lady Margaret’s been running around.
Even though it’s just gossip articles in a low-quality magazine that maids don’t even read well, why is Lady Margaret so worked up…?
Anyway, don’t worry about the follow-up coverage in the magazine. Lady Margaret, who took that gossip seriously, said that no one in the mansion should associate with such lowly things and even subjected all the servants of the mansion to inspection.
Even if the journalists of the magazine see Lady Margaret’s temperamental side, not to mention even Queen Victoria coming back to life, Lord Alfred and the mansion’s employees will not say a word about the woman in the photo.
The messy early spring weather has finally ended, and the garden is full of bluebells and pansies blooming. Despite this beautiful sight, Baron Herbert plans to set up a tennis court in the backyard of the mansion.
George Herbert, of course, was thrilled by this news. He can have a more splendid garden party and attract the attention of the upper-class ladies in the city. Of course, Mr. James, who has a different temperament from his father and brother, isn’t particularly pleased, but…
Mabel, there’s a secret I haven’t told even Mabel, who is like a real sister to me. Do you remember Herbert’s party last winter? I was invited as a reward for nursing the sick Mr. James. Wearing the beautiful hat Mabel gave me, I met someone I love there.
That person is none other than… don’t be surprised! It’s Mr. James Herbert.
Actually, even before nursing Mr. James, I secretly admired him. Unlike George, he is very polite to the employees and does not ridicule the maids. But he is not only the eldest son of the Baron but also studying to become a priest in the Anglican Church, so I never dared to imagine that my crush would be reciprocated. However, Mr. James said he also had feelings for me.
According to Mr. James, my sincere nursing care seemed like an angel to him. He said inviting me, a maid, to the winter party was just a chance to see me again.
With such a huge difference in status, it won’t be easy for us, but I don’t care. Meeting him secretly every evening in the backyard of the mansion, talking and holding hands, makes me so happy.
It feels like the world has found its colors for me. Lady Margaret’s nagging sounds like the song of a cuckoo to me.
Mabel, please be happy for me. Of course, you might worry about me starting a difficult love, but I am the happiest person in the world right now and don’t need any sympathy or comfort.
I finally feel like I understand how the characters in Mabel’s stories feel!
Daisy, who found true spring.
* * *
The warm May beaches of the Isle of Wight were filled with people who came to enjoy the sea breeze. Along the paths surrounding the island’s famous white cliffs, there were several donkey carriages carrying tourists.
Since Queen Victoria built her summer residence on this island, anyone with some money from London often came to the Isle of Wight for a vacation.
Elizabeth, the daughter of an Earl, lost most of her inheritance when she married Frederick Alfred, but fortunately, she was able to keep the small cottage on the Isle of Wight where she spent her holidays with her family in her childhood.
“You often came to this island with us when you were young. Do you remember?”
Lord Alfred smiled as he reminisced about William’s childhood. Standing in front of him was William, who had grown into a sturdy gentleman.
William looked down at the white beach below the cottage balcony and replied.
“Of course. Aunt Elizabeth used to take care of me every vacation season instead of my busy parents. It’s a very beautiful place.”
“I heard you haven’t taken a summer vacation in the past few years, just working. It’s like seeing your parents again.”
Lord Alfred said with a sigh.
“When I die, you’re the only one I’ll leave this cottage to. If you just bury yourself in work and abandon this beautiful place, I’ll haunt you even as a ghost.”
William looked at Lord Alfred, who seemed to have regained some of his sense of humor from before Elizabeth left, and affectionately replied.
“If Uncle Frederick keeps the cottage for a long time, it’ll be fine. You seem much more comfortable now with the sea breeze.”
“Someday, if you find a true lady and start a family, you might enjoy life more. By the way, are you going to the royal charity event in the summer? It’s attended by all the noble families and business families in London, so you might meet someone there.”
“It’s just a charity event. I was invited by the event organizers to attract more people.”
“That’s it. Which household wouldn’t attend when you’re going? Whether it’s a daughter or a son, they’ll try to make connections with you. You don’t seem interested in matchmaking at all, do you? Are you really into free love?”
William’s eyebrow raised slightly at the unexpected remark. Lord Alfred seemed to have read the magazine article mentioned in Mabel’s letter as well.
William didn’t care about such articles, but he was touched by Mabel’s apologetic letter. In that sense, the gossip magazine had succeeded in striking a nerve with William Edmundstone.
“Do you even read those magazines?”
“It’s not because of you. It’s because Margaret mentioned that Mabel’s photo was in it. I’m a big fan who buys 20 copies of <Modern Woman> where Mabel’s article is published.”
Lord Alfred replied, shaking his head, not realizing he was facing a passionate fan who would buy 100 copies if Mabel’s article was featured.
“So, is it true?”
“…No.”
Lord Alfred observed William’s curt response with interest.
“Hmm, still, it’s fortunate that you’re accommodating my request to check on Mabel. I heard you even took care of sick Mabel during Christmas.”
“I wanted to mention that. When you said Miss Willis could spend Christmas at the mansion, all the hired hands were ordered to leave the mansion empty. If I hadn’t been there, Miss Willis would have suffered from the flu alone. Next time, please leave at least minimal staff or a doctor.”
Lord Alfred’s expression became peculiar at William’s response. Then, looking out at the distant sea, he muttered as if he knew nothing.
“Well, I hadn’t thought of that, since it’s customary to let all the hired hands go at Christmas, yes, I suppose. Mabel has nowhere to go, so I guess she’ll always be left alone in the mansion.”
“…”
A look of pity flashed across William’s face. But Lord Alfred seemed to think there was more than just pity in it and continued speaking.
“Seeing how well you take care of her, there shouldn’t be any problem with Mabel becoming your cousin.”
“What do you mean?”
“As you know, Elizabeth and I always wanted a child but couldn’t. But the writing style of that child resembles ours, and it bothers me that if Elizabeth hadn’t left early, our child would have been Mabel’s age. So, I’m considering formally adopting Mabel as our daughter once she graduates from college.”
William’s expression stiffened at Lord Alfred’s surprise announcement. However, unfazed, Lord Alfred continued with an amused expression.
“Mabel writes to me every week. While you and Vincent take care of the mansion and handle various matters, it’s thanks to Mabel that I feel like I have a family again. You wouldn’t mind Mabel becoming your cousin, right? It’s like having a good child as a cousin. Isn’t it?”
“…”
“She should become family. She’s too precious to just leave alone, isn’t she?”
Lord Alfred urged a response as he seemed to sense William wouldn’t continue. The peculiar smile at the corner of Lord Alfred’s mouth deepened.
“Of course, being the adopted daughter of a family related to Edmundstones, she’ll have plenty of suitors with good conditions lining up. It’ll be a good thing for Mabel too.”
Lord Alfred watched William, who was becoming more rigid in expression, with increasing interest.
Even though he was a seasoned politician, to Lord Alfred, William was still the boy who used to ride his pony on the beaches of the Isle of Wight.
‘Now, let’s stop teasing and see if we can help our nephew a bit, shall we?’
William’s inability to hide his expression was amusing to Lord Alfred, but soon Lord Alfred turned his gaze to the beautiful beach where the sunset was disappearing, lost in thought.
After a moment, Lord Alfred broke the brief silence and said teasingly.
“William, your face speaks volumes up close. I plan to spend the summer in Oxford, so it would be best for you to come here and take a vacation at this cottage. It’s a must.”