The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 42
< Chapter 42 >
Leon stood outside the party hall, holding a glass of bourbon in one hand, and he paced around.
“Damn!”
He muttered, recalling what he had just seen, and splashed his face with water. Despite being obscured by the dim lighting and the crowd surrounding them, Leon had seen William kissing Mabel’s neck.
“As if to spite me.”
Leon murmured, remembering the look in William’s eyes directed at him. He had mocked Leon, implying it was fortunate for him to hold onto Mabel during the Christmas holidays, claiming it was the duty of a gentleman, yet William’s actions towards Mabel showed no sense of gentlemanly conduct whatsoever.
Even if William had feelings for Mabel, it was absurd to display such behavior at a crowded party, just because they danced and conversed. Especially someone as dignified and well-known as William Edmundstone.
Leon could only assume that William’s actions stemmed from emotions beyond mere jealousy.
“Hah, Miss Willis and Edmundstone…”
Leon shook his head in confusion, leaning against the window with both arms.
What troubled Leon more than William’s kiss was Mabel’s astonished face as she quickly looked around rather than pushing him away. Leon began to recall Mabel’s expression from the moment William entered the party.
‘Did Miss Willis’ eyes look happy? No, she froze with a face full of worry upon his arrival, as if fearing to lose something precious.’
As his thoughts reached that point, Leon speculated whether she was receiving unwanted affection under the overwhelming power and fame of William Edmundstone. Unconsciously, Leon clenched his fists.
‘No, why am I even worrying about this?’
Leon downed the bourbon he had set on the windowsill. The second-floor corridor he anxiously paced was now as dark and empty as his mind.
It was a time when Leon struggled to escape emotions he couldn’t comprehend. By chance, he spotted a familiar brown-haired girl from the balcony below, who was always with Mary.
“Oh my, I didn’t expect to see Miss Rebecca and her sister at this party!”
The familiar girl greeted the two dark-haired ladies with a flustered expression.
“Well, I’ve been busy during the summer break participating in activities recommended by the Home Economics Club. I’ve read all the required books. I’ve also read all of the required books for the house, but this party is the last one that Mary and Miss Irina are throwing before vacation ends, so I thought I’d come to…….”
She trailed off nervously, looking guilty like a child caught misbehaving.
“Oh Julia, don’t worry too much. The Home Economics Club encourages socializing among women. If you want to become a strong wife for your future household, you should know how to socialize with distinguished guests at parties like this.”
Rebecca replied in a refined tone mixed with a hint of a provincial accent. However, her sister, who slightly raised her chin, remained silent, looking down at Julia with disdain.
“Mary de Percy and Irina Jenkins may be a bit eccentric at school, but one cannot ignore the influence of their families. So, in the end, I ended up coming to this party as well.”
The woman addressed as Rebecca said, eliciting a chuckle of amusement from Leon at the prickly tone aimed at her sister.
‘To be called eccentric to that extent. She must hold my sister in high regard.’
He thought, satisfied with the distraction from his own turmoil, as he rose from his spot by the window. Just then, a name he couldn’t ignore caught his ear.
“By the way, Miss Mabel Willis also came to this party? Ah, I truly can’t figure her out, even though I know her.”
Rebecca said, glancing briefly at her sister before continuing.
“Do you remember the photo of Ms. Willis and Mr. Edmundstone together in the last magazine? I knew about it very well. If it were me, I’d be more cautious after such an incident, but today, Mr. Edmundstone danced with her again. Frankly, I’m more worried that the magazine didn’t uncover Miss Mabel’s background.”
“Oh, um, that, that article isn’t true. Mabel has no connection with Mr. Edmundstone…”
Julia tried to defend Mabel, but Rebecca interrupted.
“That’s even more of a problem. To engage in such gossip-worthy behavior with someone who’s not even her fiancé. Summerhill College was established with a clear mandate to educate young ladies from affluent upper-class backgrounds. So, whenever such scandals arise among Summerhill students, one of our sponsors, our father, expresses concern.”
Rebecca subtly wielded her words, appearing concerned about Mabel while also embedding thorns in her speech. Her sister, seemingly disinterested in their conversation, took out a small fan from her purse and delicately fanned herself while covering her mouth.
“That’s true…”
Julia could only nod and mumble in agreement to Rebecca’s words, feeling uncertain. Seeing Julia’s reaction, Rebecca once again burst into a burst of refined laughter.
“I was simply saying it’s fortunate for a good lady like Julia to be by Ms. Willis’ side. Poor Julia, why don’t you go enjoy the party now? Didn’t you come with your fiancé, Mr. Robert Parsons?”
After exchanging a few polite words with Rebecca and her sister, Julia bid them goodbye and left the balcony. Watching Julia leave hurriedly, relieved from the awkward conversation, Victoria, Rebecca’s sister, finally spoke up.
“Was it necessary to expose and criticize other ladies like that?”
Her quiet yet sharp voice echoed clearly up to the second-floor window. At the same time, Rebecca’s expression became visibly uneasy, far from the refinement she had displayed earlier.
Victoria continued to sway her fan as she spoke as if she were accustomed to seeing Rebecca in such a state.
“The young lady’s friends are close to gentlemen from families like Theodore Amide and George O’Connor. And to express a lady of the de Percy family as eccentric… Rebecca, I understand you may want to make up for your mistake, but…”
As Victoria emphasized the word ‘mistake’ with a gentle tone, Rebecca’s face turned pale.
“If it were me, I wouldn’t meddle with a lady acquainted with Mr. Edmundstone.”
Victoria folded her fan and Rebecca hesitated in her response.
“But, there’s nothing uncovered about Miss Willis’ family… If, by any chance, she’s from a household unsuitable for Summerhill, and if that were to tarnish the reputation of Summerhill invested in my father…”
“Father investing in Summerhill is ultimately for your reputation, don’t you know? Just being a Summerhill alumna ensures you’re a first-rate bride. That way, you can safely marry and preserve the family fortune.”
Victoria spoke with annoyance.
“Regardless of how suspicious that lady’s background may be, at least try to become Mr. Edmundstone’s fiancée. That’s the fastest way to elevate Summerhill’s reputation. So stop thinking needlessly and focus on the activities of the Home Economics Club. You need to calm the rumors about you and secure a position as someone’s future wife.”
With that, Victoria walked past Rebecca towards the reception hall. Watching her quietly, Rebecca seemed to relax, trembling slightly before slowly following Victoria.
Observing the unexpected scene, Leon tried hard to remember Rebecca’s face as she scrutinized Mabel’s background and nobility. For a lady, questioning her lineage was dishonorable in itself and not something to be easily dismissed.
‘As long as Miss Mabel appears close to the Edmundstones, there will be many who try to discredit her.’
Leon thought with an innocent expression, recalling Mabel holding William’s outstretched hand. Did she realize she was attracting more attention than she thought?
‘I just want to live quietly and write. It’s my writing that wants to meet many people, not me.’
It was her shy confession by the de Percy fireplace on Christmas Day. Leon seemed to decide on sorts, raising the empty glass and heading back to the party.
* * *
Mabel found it difficult to breathe amidst the sharp tension between the two men surrounding her.
It began when William and Mabel returned to their seats after the dance. Leon, claiming his greeting was belated, requested a handshake from William.
“I remember you throwing gossip around last time, and journalists like myself are always welcoming unexpected moves from politicians like Mr. Edmundstone.”
Despite his refreshing smile, Leon withdrew his hand from William’s, delivering a pointed remark. However, William, reacting calmly, was no less formidable.
“Is that so? While reporting on the changing international situation alone could keep one busy, I’m not sure if those who are obsessed with uncovering politicians’ private lives can truly be called journalists.”
“Haha, you’re right. Mr. Edmundstone, who often faces media exposure due to his political career and lineage, can simply ignore such people.”
William nodded as if it were obvious. It was a gesture signaling the end of the conversation, with nothing more to say.
“But the people around us are different.”
Leon changed his gaze and stopped William from leaving his seat. Leaning slightly towards William, his face dangerously fixed on Mabel.
“So, don’t be too quick to dismiss me. I’m at least distracting Miss Willis from the attention she’s getting.”
Mabel, who was escorted by William, reacted to Leon’s words. Leon looked at Mabel’s startled shoulders and continued speaking slowly.
“You should know that there are people here who don’t need to see the two of you together. It wouldn’t be pleasant to spend the whole night guarding Miss Willis’ side like this.”
Leon tilted the bourbon bottle towards his glass, speaking slowly. Mabel, who didn’t even realize she had been kissed earlier, found it difficult to understand all of his words. Nevertheless, sharing similar concerns, she took a step back from William’s side.
“Still, seeing the human side of Mr. Edmundstone, known for being rigid and cold, while working with Miss Willis is quite an experience. So…”
Leon, observing William’s stiffening face at Mabel’s actions, slowly brought the glass to his lips. Then, he turned his head to Mabel with a subtle smile.
“Let’s have a drink for Miss Willis.”
The liquid, a mixture of anger and mockery, burned down Leon’s throat.