The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 54

< Chapter 54 >

Mabel, who returned to the Oxford mansion, had no way to hide her complex feelings. 

The tragic love story between the two lovers expected to be her parents and the conflict over William saddened her heart while also making her feel a renewed longing for her family.

‘My son has cut ties with us, saying that killing his wife is the same as killing him. What kind of love is that…?’

Geofford Birdie’s resolute voice echoed in Mabel’s mind.

Mabel used to spend time imagining what kind of people her parents were when she learned she was an orphan at a young age. However, she eventually stopped because she realized not all births bring happiness, fearing that her existence might have plunged someone’s life into despair.

‘My parents loved each other… Even if their deaths were the result of that love…’

Mabel’s lips trembled as she repeated the unfamiliar word ‘parents.’

Geofford Birdie’s story felt unreal, almost like fiction. Moreover, Geofford seemed to lack any sympathy for his son’s death or the maid he drove away.

Therefore, Mabel decided not to reveal her true identity to him. However, it was inevitable that she felt confused as various emotions mixed upon discovering the existence of her family for the first time.

Fortunately, her confusion didn’t last long. Upon returning to the mansion with William, Mabel soon received word that Lord Alfred had finally awakened from his slumber.

* * *

“Oh, it’s Mabel and William.”

Lord Alfred, sitting up in bed, spoke. Although his voice was still hoarse, Lord Alfred’s face looked much livelier than when he was asleep.

“Lord Alfred!”

“How are you feeling?”

As Mabel clasped his hand at the bedside and William asked, Lord Alfred wiped her tear-streaked face and apologized.

“I’ve been at my best in the past few days. You must have been worried.”

Lord Alfred, wiping Mabel’s tear-stained face, apologized as if to say he was sorry.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone? You weren’t planning to go to Lady Elizabeth Alfred’s side, were you?”

“Oh, Mabel. It’s not like that.”

Lord Alfred replied to Mabel’s resentful voice with a slight cough.

“At first, I thought it was just a simple flu. I thought it would pass even if the situation got a little worse. Besides, the people working at the mansion are used to the old man getting sick and making a fuss… I didn’t know I would end up in bed for over two weeks like this.”

Lord Alfred, with his white hair, gently stroked Mabel’s hand.

“Mabel, I promised last spring that I would stay healthy until you graduate and become a writer. So how could you think like that?”

“But you lost consciousness…”

Mabel trembled with fear at the thought of almost losing Lord Alfred, who was akin to her benefactor, without the opportunity to properly repay him.

“The doctor says the worst is over, so now it’s just a matter of recovering the lost strength.” 

William’s words reassured her, prompting Lord Alfred to nod silently in agreement.

“Yeah. It seems it was just a severe cold after all, so there’s nothing more to worry about. Seeing the faces of my two favorite young ones already gives me strength.”

“How about recuperating once more at Isle of Wight? We’ll look into a place where staff or doctors can stay with you, rather than the cottage.”

William suggested, recalling Lord Alfred, who seemed to have recovered fairly well during his time at Isle of Wight. However, after a moment of contemplation, Lord Alfred smiled politely.

“No… Mabel, didn’t you say you’re graduating early this semester?”

As Mabel nodded in response to Lord Alfred’s sudden question, he continued.

“I’m not trying to hold onto you young ones forever. But given the difficult circumstances of traveling back and forth for treatment, I simply want to spend a little more time in this beloved mansion. With you here, this vast mansion feels a bit less desolate.”

As Lord Alfred spoke so earnestly, Mabel couldn’t say anything more.

In truth, from Mabel’s perspective, Alfred’s proposal of spending time at his mansion while refining her writing rather than immediately seeking employment after graduation was a much better option. Moreover, Mabel needed time to consider Leon de Percy’s proposal to go to America.

‘It would also allow me to keep a closer eye on Lord Alfred’s health.’

Lord Alfred was more like a grandfather to Mabel than Geofford Birdie. Mabel recalled how heartbroken she had been when she heard he was ill and couldn’t do anything about it.

“I appreciate your generous offer, Lord Alfred. I’ll do that. At least until my writing gets published or I find a suitable job.”

Mabel said, trying hard not to look at William’s expression.

* * *

During the three days Mabel and William stayed at the mansion, Lord Alfred’s condition improved day by day. On the last night, he was well enough to play Pachisi with William, Vincent, and Mabel.

Lord Alfred’s time of falling asleep under the influence of medication was gradually decreasing, and he occasionally burst into laughter at Mabel’s stories. Mabel’s heart felt lighter as she watched Lord Alfred’s vitality return. They had to return to Summerhill the next day, which added to her sense of urgency.

However, there were still things Mabel needed to do before leaving the mansion. She couldn’t shake the thought of having to bid farewell to William, who kept getting involved with her.

‘Just the fact that I’m here at Lord Alfred’s mansion will surely create some scandalous rumors involving Mr. Edmundstone.’

Mabel recalled gossip articles from newspapers that she couldn’t show to the bedridden Lord Alfred. The rumors about Mabel and William, which had circulated only among the Summerhill students, had now made their way into London newspapers.

[Is MP William Edmundstone’s social security system for the masses ultimately because of a woman?]

Mabel chewed her lips as she recalled some headlines she had seen.

Just a few weeks ago, it seemed that a young and capable politician from a prestigious family, who was expected to be engaged to a royal lady, was in love with a mere maid. Articles that had only circulated in gossip circles were now being mentioned in the political sections of newspapers, intertwined with his political career.

‘If everything is settled today, Mr. Edmundstone will surely be able to answer all questions confidently.’

Mabel steadied herself against the beautiful mansion’s door.

‘If I hadn’t asked, Mr. Edmundstone might have publicly declared me as his lover.’

However, William’s side’s response regarding this gossip had been ‘no comment’ so far, making it perfect fodder for hyena-like reporters scavenging for gossip about opposition parties and celebrities.

At that moment, William was coming up the back path of the mansion where Mabel stood. He had agreed to Mabel’s request for an evening walk. The sunset behind William’s silhouette softened his appearance.

“Mabel.”

William approached Mabel and greeted her politely. The refreshing scent of early autumn tickled Mabel’s nose as he came closer, dressed in a blue shirt and pants.

“Uh, shall we walk, Mr. Edmundstone?”

Mabel quickly turned around, worried that he might try to hold her hand or offer to escort her. Just seeing him made her heart race, and she knew that if she handed her hand to his large, warm hand, all the resolutions she had made earlier would vanish.

Mabel and William walked along a path covered with tall grass. The dense sunset cast a golden hue over the grass, creating waves of gold.

‘Mr. Edmundstone, I… I mean, I’ve been thinking… No.’

When it came time to speak, her whole body trembled. As she walked through the bushes with him, Mabel felt that this moment, with the affectionate gaze in his eyes, would be the last moment she would receive it. All the prepared words vanished from her mind, and tears welled up unexpectedly.

The path was secluded, and the surroundings were quiet. The only sound was the rustle of the grass in the wind. But that was it. Mabel couldn’t utter a word until they passed the path and entered the forest behind the mansion.

“Mabel, would you sit here for a moment?”

William pointed to the marble bench in front of the garden arbor. Although the forest attached to the mansion no longer served as the mansion’s caretaker’s cabin, a meticulously maintained garden remained.

Mabel sat on the bench at William’s quiet request. She thought it might be easier to talk to him once she was seated.

Sitting there, the forest looked secluded and mysterious, with a cool atmosphere as if cut off from the outside world. Fireflies emerged from the forest, blinking their lights as they greeted the early evening.

Then, William, who she thought would sit beside her, stood in front of her. No, to be precise, he knelt on one knee in front of her, looking at her.

“There’s something I want to ask you today.”

His serious blue eyes focused solely on Mabel. A refreshing breeze from the forest brushed against his shirt collar.

“Mabel Willis, will you marry me?”

In the hand she so desperately wanted to hold, William held an elegantly opened ring box, with the Edmundstone family crest engraved on it.