The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 59

< Chapter 59 >

“Is it true that the haughty Irina is going around with a girl from a maid background? The one from the prestigious Jenkins family who owns multiple London department stores, Irina, is that her?”

“That’s it? Isn’t she also personally close with the famous journalist, from the de Percy family? How much Mary de Percy is taking care of Mabel.”

On the most beautiful avenue of autumn leaves at Summerhill College, students gathered in groups, chatting away. Some were hanging green banners symbolizing Summerhill on the trees in preparation for the upcoming autumn festival club parade, while others had already opened their books, preparing for exams right after the festival.

“Well, her article in ‘Modern Woman’ was quite well-written. With such talent, it’s no wonder she’s being accepted among the elite ladies of that distinguished family, right? Apart from her past as a maid under the stairs, she was quite active in the student council and had a decent reputation.”

A student who had been in Mabel’s class before her identity was revealed chimed in.

“According to Lorelei, it seems like Mabel might receive a scholarship again this semester for her outstanding grades. Seeing how she devotes herself to studying in the library, it seems she truly did want to come to college, just like she mentioned back in Cheshire Hall. It’s almost pitiful to think she had to lie and scheme just to attend college, isn’t it?”

It was true that Mabel’s school life became a little easier when rumors spread that even the arrogant Irina was supporting Mabel.

Some students believed that organizing a protest in front of the dean’s office, led by Rebecca’s club, and attempting to disgrace Mabel was unbecoming of Summerhill’s dignity.

While it was inevitable that Mabel would feel awkward about her status as the maid under the stairs, most of the students did not openly belittle or ridicule her in the way that they did at the confrontation.

On the opposite side of where the students were preparing for the festival, in the lecture hall, Lorelei and Mabel were tidying up the chemical experiment apparatus.

“Even if Mr. Edmundstone is behind this, who would want to risk being associated with you? If anything, they might want to distance themselves from you when they step into society.” 

Lorelei said as she moved heavy glassware, oblivious to the situation between Mabel and William.

“Don’t worry about someone doing something stupid in front of the dorms; the Student Council is already handling it seriously. Unless they want to face disgrace and expulsion, it’s unlikely to happen again. Besides, it seems like the Student Council doesn’t think that side reflects well on Summerhill’s reputation.” 

Lorelei added, lowering her bright brown eyebrows.

“Thank you, Senior Lorelei. You’ve always been supportive, even after learning about my situation.”

Mabel expressed her gratitude with a smile. It had been almost a month since her return from Oxford.

Though it was nothing compared to the agony she endured back then, whenever William’s name came up, Mabel felt as if her heart stopped, and her body drained of blood.

“Other students might just need a bit more time. They’ve never really interacted with anyone other than themselves…”

Lorelei, who had finished tidying up the lab with Mabel’s help, spoke.

“When I was young, I grew up almost like sisters with the daughter of the nanny who looked after me. We learned manners and studied together, but eventually, she grew up to be a maid in her mother’s footsteps, and I ended up in college.”

A shadow passed over Lorelei’s face behind her glasses.

“She was much smarter than me… It’s unfortunate, but as I got older, I realized how unfair it all was. If she could have gone to college like you, Mabel, how great would that have been? And there are countless children in England who, despite being exceptional like her, can’t receive proper education because of their status.”

Locking the door to the lab with a somber expression, Lorelei muttered.

Apart from Lorelei, the male students at the London School of Economics showed more interest in Mabel, perhaps even more so than before, regardless of her background.

It wasn’t so much her revealed origins that intrigued them but the fact that she, as the first female student from Summerhill and with sponsorship from a powerful family like Edmundstone’s, caught their attention.

* * *

One day, Mary burst into tears as she recounted Mabel’s misfortunes in front of them. George O’Connor, who had been silently listening, spoke first.

“It’s different at our college. We’ve had quite a few students from non-noble or gentry backgrounds enroll each year.”

“Yeah. It’s not uncommon for noble families without sons to sponsor or take in bright servant children as apprentices, right? Summerhill, being one of the few women’s colleges in England and having the idea of educating women to college level itself is unique, not to mention its perception as a highly sophisticated educational institution.”

Lying against a large blanket spread out with food, Theo added.

On the first day of Summerhill’s autumn festival, instead of joining the bustling festival where they might encounter members of the Home Economics Club, Mabel, and her friends decided to have a separate brunch picnic, which turned out to be an outing with the male students from London School of Economics.

“By the way, Mabel, I knew a bit about your secret, but I didn’t realize you were being sponsored by the famous Mr. Edmundstone. That’s impressive, isn’t it?”

Picking up a plate beside Andrew, Theo winked at Mabel.

“It’s something. All I did was luckily work as a maid for Lord Alfred, a relative of Mr. Edmundstone.”

Mabel said, trying to remain composed despite the stabbing pain every time she mentioned William’s name.

Mary, who had vaguely learned about Mabel and William’s situation, discreetly nudged Theo’s side, indicating he should stop talking about William.

“Oh, it hurts. What’s the matter, Mary……. Oh, is it because of the gossip about Mr. Edmundstone and Mabel? Well, who cares, we all know it’s not true anyway. I think spreading such rumors might even help Mabel.”

Theo interjected, rubbing his sore side.

“What’s the big deal about social status? Just try going out and looking for a job. People who desperately want to get in touch with someone like Mr. Edmundstone would offer countless opportunities, regardless of your background.”

Theo, unaware of the subtleties, spoke naively, alternating his gaze between Mabel and Mary.

George O’Connor and Irina, who had finished their meal, were spending some quiet time a little away from them on the blanket. Mary and Theo started their own conversation again.

Julia and Robert hadn’t attended gatherings since Mabel’s background was revealed, so naturally, Mabel ended up closer to Andrew.

“Ms. Willis certainly has a knack for surprising me.”

Andrew approached Mabel, who was giving him a questioning look and crawled closer to sit beside her on the blanket.

“Of course, Ms. Willis’ humble background is nothing compared to mine. I’ve mentioned before that I come from a rather modest household compared to my peers. No titles and my father worked as a low-level customs officer his whole life…”

Andrew frowned as if the thought disgusted him. He, who always felt inferior to the other male students at the political college because of his unremarkable family background, felt that he could truly understand Mabel.

“People from humble backgrounds or insignificant families must have not only unimaginable efforts to socialize with the upper class but also innate talents and ambitions. It’s often said that a typical woman’s small and cute head lacks space for ambition and knowledge, so seeing Ms. Willis, who possesses all of that, surprises me.”

“Mr. Woolf, I’ve never made any effort to socialize with the upper class. My presence here is solely thanks to the generous Lord Alfred, who wanted me to learn about writing.”

Every time she conversed with Andrew, Mabel found herself bewildered by his twisted logic and tried to keep her distance from getting caught up in his words this time.

‘She seems embarrassed by my praise. It’s a shame she’s from such a lowly background, but being seen beside a woman like her will only make me appear more noble and generous.’

Seeing Mabel avoiding his gaze, Andrew felt as if he were truly practicing noblesse oblige with a broad mind.

“Ms. Willis, don’t be ashamed of trying to mingle with the upper class. I, on the contrary, highly esteem such efforts from Ms. Willis. After all, it’s as if a merciful god has deemed us sinners by subjecting us to poverty from birth, isn’t it? In other words, Ms. Willis and I must continue striving to earn our redemption through such efforts…”

Andrew, with a compassionate expression, trailed off.

‘Besides, just in case. If the elderly and childless Lord Alfred, the sponsor, were to take in Ms. Willis as his daughter…’

If that were to happen, he might eventually marry the maid Mabel under the stairs, inherit Lord Alfred’s title, and become a relative of the Edmundstone family. Andrew admired himself for realizing this fact and gazed at Mabel proudly. The hidden pearls of wisdom had shone brightly before his eyes.

“But, Ms. Willis, ambition and entry into high society are all well and good, but above all, you must not forget the greatest joy of all: being born a woman.”

Andrew lifted his pale lips and gave a bitter smile.

“It’s about marrying a suitable husband and bearing children. But Ms. Willis is an exceptional individual, so perhaps she’ll find a husband with much better conditions than her background.”

Andrew gently intertwined his hand with Mabel’s, which had been lying on the blanket.