The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 44
< Chapter 44 >
To Mr. Edmundstone who I miss dearly,
My goodness. It’s truly innovative of you to come up with the phrase ‘My Bella Birdie’ using my name, it seems like it could be a line from a novel. Perhaps it’s not me who should become a writer, but you, Mr. Edmundstone. I haven’t been able to come up with any nickname for you, neither Edmundstone nor your actual name William. At least receiving thick letters every week written in a man’s handwriting could serve as a perfect disguise to dispel any suspicion about me.
Looking at the calendar, it seems the charity fundraiser you mentioned last time is already approaching next week. Every newspaper is filled with news about this grand charity event held at the royal palace.
And I’ve noticed that your name is always mentioned in articles estimating the scale and impact of this event. Perhaps your attendance at the royal events serves as a guarantee for the success of the fundraiser.
Here are some amusing articles describing you:
The Daily Gazette says, ‘Whether it will be a charity fundraiser or a competition among London’s high society ladies for the most eligible bachelor will depend on the presence of William Edmundstone, Esq.’ And oh my, the London Post says, ‘To see his sharp and deep eyes and handsome face in person, it would be advisable to donate to the gala even if one has to give up their savings to secure an invitation to the royal charity fundraiser.’
The journalist who wrote this article is smitten with Mr. Edmundstone.
It’s embarrassing, but I miss you so much that I would sell everything I own just to see your face.
I even thought about inviting you to the autumn festival next month, pretending I didn’t know any better, but as a respectable Summerhill student, I’ve learned not to casually invite male guests to the autumn festival. It’s disappointing.
Oh, but don’t just show up unannounced like last time! I’m not in a position to go to London right away either. As you know, I have to attend many lectures to graduate early, so I’m quite busy.
Sometimes I get tired of the continuous lectures and assignments, but learning new knowledge and incorporating that into my own opinions in essays or presentations is exciting.
Last week, my esteemed Professor Webster read my assignment interpreting Queen Elizabeth’s letter and offered me an amazing proposal. She thought I’d be perfect as a research assistant for a literary project studying letters written by women over the past 500 years, exploring their hidden emotions and lives.
As she wrote the letter, Mabel briefly thought back to her conversation with Professor Webster the previous week.
Professor Webster stood up and asked a question.
‘Education is supposed to provide opportunities to live one’s life in a fulfilling and happy manner, much like a gift given to Miss Willis. It seems like someone who gave Miss Willis such a gift would be more interested in her happiness than her success. What do you think?’
Trying to grasp the context of the conversation, Mabel responded somewhat absentmindedly.
‘I thought I would be happy after achieving success.’
‘Of course, that could be the case. However, filling success and deficiencies are different. Imagine all the deficiencies Miss Willis has now filled. What would make Miss Willis happy then? Think about it and give me an answer before the semester ends.’
Professor Webster smiled again before dragging her long skirt across the floor and moving away from Mabel.
… It’s quite a riddle, isn’t it? Perhaps Professor Webster thinks my desire for success to be recognized and to please others comes from a place of deficiency.
In that case, my loneliness could be seen as a longing for a family I never had, and my desire for financial independence could stem from a lack of wealth I’ve never experienced. So, as the professor’s question implies, what would make me happy when all of that is fulfilled…
Ah, when I close my eyes while thinking about this, I can see the beach of Isle of Wight straight ahead of me. There’s the warm sunlight by my head, the moderately warm sand beneath my feet, seagulls singing, and the scent of heath flowers blooming on the coastal cliffs.
There, I read, learned, and put my thoughts and observations into words. I felt a fulfillment beyond my anxieties and sadness, a peace and happiness. You were there, accepting my thoughts and presence as natural, and there were endless books and time that fueled my thirst for knowledge.
Thinking about it, I realize that chasing happiness isn’t what I’m doing now as I rush to graduate and earn money. I’m clearly in a hurry to fill the deficiencies.
What about you, Mr. Edmundstone? You’re the smartest person I know, so I’m curious how you would answer the professor’s question.
Do you see the Isle of Wight in front of your eyes when you think of happiness? Or perhaps the Westminster Parliament building unfolds?
‘Are you in your vision of happiness as I am in mine?’
That was what Mabel truly wanted to ask, but she hesitated. She couldn’t tell him, but she was planning to leave William as soon as she graduated.
Feeling her heart growing deeper towards him, she felt it was her duty to leave him at the right time.
Therefore, Mabel couldn’t confess that she admired him like the letters he sent every week, missing him every day as she looked at the sun and the moon.
“Still, I’m glad that I could give everything to him without regret in the end…”
Instead of letting countless words swirl in her mind, Mabel concluded her letter by wishing success for William’s attendance at the charity fundraiser.
* * *
As the end of September, with its autumnal hues, approached, Summerhill became busy again with preparations for the annual autumn festival.
Mary had little interest in anything other than matters related to food, while Irina claimed that she no longer found the festival interesting after attending it once. However, Mabel, together with Julia from the home economics, spent the entire weekend assisting in the festival preparations at Cheshire Hall.
“Mabel, you really have no intention of joining the home economics club? Wouldn’t your grandfather also like it?”
While Julia lamented the intimidating rejection from Mary and Irina regarding the home economics club matters, she expressed deep disappointment that the quiet and demure Mabel wouldn’t join her.
“I’ll talk to Miss Rebecca this time and send another formal invitation to the home economics club. Consider it again. I’ll even try to persuade your grandfather.”
Under Julia’s enthusiastic onslaught, Mabel could only awkwardly laugh.
Even though she was appointed as co-leader of the festival alongside Senior Lorelei thanks to Professor Webster’s endorsement at the Student Council, coordinating with people and festival-related matters wasn’t Mabel’s forte.
Among them, the most challenging were the stringent and pompous home economics members. Especially Rebecca, the chairwoman of the club, consistently gave off the impression of not particularly liking Mabel despite always wearing a polite smile.
“By the way, did any of you hear about the royal charity fundraiser last night?”
As Rebecca entered the Student Council room with her entourage, she addressed her companions.
“Of course. It was a charity fundraiser, but it was truly London’s biggest social event in years!”
As one of the home economics club members replied, the rest of the group, including Julia, immediately began to share their stories about the fundraiser.
“Mabel, I heard you’re from Oxford. Did any of your family attend the fundraiser?”
Mabel, who was in the posture of immediately jotting something down on a large piece of paper listing the club procession order, paused at Rebecca’s question.
“Oh, I knew about the charity fundraiser, but my family didn’t attend, Rebecca.”
“Really? That’s surprising. I heard there were dignitaries present. None of your family attended?”
Rebecca’s eyes widened as she exaggeratedly repeated Mabel’s words.
“Well, maybe it’s because Mabel’s grandfather is elderly.”
Julia, who stood behind Rebecca, murmured as if trying to console Mabel, but Rebecca continued without acknowledging her.
“Still, someone you know must have gone to the charity fundraiser?”
“Um, no, that’s… I mean…”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Mabel replied hesitantly, but Rebecca interrupted her with a smile that seemed almost anticipated, her cheeks bulging with mirth.
“It’s nothing, Mabel. William Edmundstone, who was once rumored to be your fiancé, was a prominent figure at the fundraiser, right? Oh, of course, it’s clear now that you’re not Mr. Edmundstone’s secret fiancée. Isn’t that fortunate?”
“Pardon?”
Mabel felt a strange unease in Rebecca’s demeanor. While to others, Rebecca might have sounded like she was merely gossiping, oddly, Mabel couldn’t shake the feeling that Rebecca had prepared something to say to her in advance.
“It was so unfortunate to have a fellow Summerhill lady involved in rumors of a secret engagement, but thanks to last night’s fundraiser, such rumors have been dispelled, and I couldn’t be happier. Come on, Mabel, you really don’t know anything?”
As Mabel continued to wear a confused expression, Rebecca burst into laughter.
“Oh, poor Mabel. It’s the talk of the town even in this morning’s newspaper. Mr. Edmundstone has finally found a suitable match worthy of his reputation. The new fiancée of Mr. Edmundstone, or rather, since Mabel has never been his fiancée, let’s just call her Mr. Edmundstone’s official fiancée. Rumors about him are rampant.”
‘Mr. Edmundstone’s fiancée.’
A sharp pang pierced Mabel’s body for a moment. Sensing Mabel’s change in expression, Rebecca went to the back of the Student Council room and picked up a bundle of newspapers.
“If you can’t believe me, take a look at this, Mabel. I wondered if there was some acquaintance between Mr. Edmundstone and us even at the Isle of Wight’s party… Honestly, isn’t someone like her more suited to represent the pride of London’s elite than us mediocre upper-class ladies?”
The newspaper Rebecca handed over contained an article titled ‘Dream Couple,’ featuring a photo of William standing next to a strange woman, along with the caption ‘The Dream Couple: Lady Charlotte Simpson of the British Royal Family and William Edmundstone, heir to the prestigious Edmundstone family of London.’
According to reliable sources, the long-standing union between the royal family and the Edmundstone family is said to be realized by this next-generation couple within this year. While Lady Simpson’s engagement ring is not yet visible, rumors abound that Mr. William Edmundstone recently brought out the family ring, indicating that the announcement of this couple’s engagement is only a matter of time…
It wasn’t just any gossip magazine but a publication from the royal family. Mabel’s hand trembled as she looked at William smiling in the photo.