The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 60
< Chapter 60 >
Andrew’s peculiar and somewhat clammy hand made Mabel’s skin crawl as it touched her arm.
Mabel felt a shiver run down her spine. Quickly withdrawing her hand from Andrew’s grasp, she spoke.
“It’s best if I determine what brings me the greatest joy.”
“Ha-ha, attending Summerhill and yet still acting so prim and proper. Considering the difference in our stations, it’s a natural response, but there’s no need for you to outright reject the affection I offer, Miss Willis.”
Andrew shrugged off the rejection as if it were inconsequential. However, his throat was suddenly flushed red.
“That’s not it, Mr. Woolf.”
Despite trying to endure for the sake of her friends who had arranged a seat for her at the autumn festival, Mabel couldn’t simply listen to Andrew’s words.
“It’s not because of social status. I’ve never expected affection from Mr. Woolf. On the contrary, I never thought Mr. Woolf would have any interest in me.”
“Ha, then who do you expect affection from in your position?”
Andrew said, furrowing his brow. He was taken aback by the harshness of his tone, but he was already offended enough by Mabel’s assertive words that he decided not to worry about his tone.
“Surely you don’t harbor any misguided hopes from the nonsensical gossip circulating between Mr. Edmundstone and yourself?”
That their only agreement was how futile William and her relationship was. Mabel felt angry at Andrew’s impertinent words yet also felt a dismal sense of resignation.
“If what Mr. Woolf says is true, wouldn’t expecting affection from Mr. Edmundstone for entrance into high society be a path to absolution for my humble status?”
“Ha-ha-ha! Miss Willis, any sane person would think someone like Mr. Edmundstone wouldn’t give a second thought to a maid girl under the stairs.”
Andrew laughed exaggeratedly as if Mabel had just told the funniest story in the world.
“If you’re so convinced, then why did you think I would entertain misguided hopes from the beginning regarding him? If I were the kind of person who’s not in their right mind, as Mr. Woolf suggests, wouldn’t it be equally strange for Mr. Woolf to expect affection from someone like me?”
“No, then wouldn’t that hope not be in vain? Is there a possibility of affection between you and Mr. Edmundstone?”
Andrew snapped irritably. Mabel sighed at his demeanor and stood up from her seat.
“That’s not what I’m saying. Besides, even if, against all odds, there was affection between Mr. Edmundstone and myself, someone like Mr. Woolf, who only hears what he wants to hear, wouldn’t believe those words. So, it’s best to consider this conversation nonexistent.”
Andrew furrowed his brow, trying to comprehend the torrent of words Mabel unleashed. Seizing the opportunity, Mabel swiftly made her way to where Mary and Theo were.
Realizing belatedly that Mabel had insulted him, Andrew’s face turned a shade of red and blue. However, Mabel was already far away by then.
* * *
Dear Mabel,
I apologize for the delay in this greeting letter. Upon hearing about the Summerhill inquiry, I decided not to burden Mabel with other complicated matters for the time being.
James and I are doing well.
At first, James found it strange and daunting to live as simply “James Herbert” without the aura of the Baron’s eldest son, but now he’s enjoying the freedom and confidence of living without the surveillance of family.
Yesterday, we borrowed books about babies from the Worcester library, and James went to the local vicarage to inquire about secretarial positions.
Also, Aunt Louise sent me Sally. Lord Alfred also offered to accommodate both James and me at the estate, but for fear of any repercussions near the Herberts, we’ve chosen to stay in Worcester for now.
Mabel, we’re so grateful for everything you’ve done. Thirty pounds, how did you manage to gather such a large sum? Are you sure it’s alright to give it to me?
With this money, James and I were able to rent a place for the next year. Thanks to the recommendation letter from Lord Edmundstone, James might even work as a teacher at Worcester High School next year.
So, combining the money Mabel sent and the money earned from the vicarage secretarial job, our family of three (including the baby!) will be able to live happily and warmly until the baby arrives.
Thank you so much, Mabel! You’re the kindest and most generous person I know. Of course, knowing that this money came from your hard work, we’ll make sure to repay your kindness as soon as we have the means.
By the way, Sally mentioned that after Mabel graduates, she’ll be returning to Lord Alfred’s, is that true?
And what about the rumors concerning Lord Edmundstone and Mabel? I couldn’t believe it. Lord Edmundstone, a noble gentleman, with a maid under the stairs…
Though there’s a significant difference in social status, I do not doubt that Mabel, being beautiful and intelligent, would make a fine match for the Lord.
I’m not yet sure if these rumors are true, but now, I can understand Lord Edmundstone’s actions during last Christmas better.
Remember? The day Mabel walked for a staggering five hours from Winterbrook orphanage back to Oxford?
Lord Edmundstone carried the feverish Mabel like a princess to bed, then summoned all the maids who had finished preparing for Christmas vacation to bathe Mabel and change her clothes.
Just before we boarded the train back home, Lord Edmundstone told me not to take my eyes off Mabel for a moment and chose the fastest horse from the estate to rush to Oxford to call a doctor.
Despite the heavy snowfall making it impossible to drive, he arrived before the maids’ train time as promised. He was sweating profusely even amidst the blizzard, and it turned out that all the doctors in Oxford had closed their doors, so he had to fetch a country doctor from a neighboring village, which was an hour away by carriage. How he managed to make a round trip between the estate and the village within an hour is still a mystery to Sally and me.
I distinctly remember him saying to the doctor that he would pay whatever the cost. Thanks to that, despite it being Christmas Eve, the doctor quickly prepared medicine and tea for Mabel. And Lord Edmundstone stayed by Mabel’s side with utmost dedication until we all left.
We could see just how worried Lord Edmundstone was for Mabel. Even Aunt Louise, who has seen Lord Edmundstone since he was a child, said she had never seen him like that before. Perhaps that’s why there’s confidence in the rumor that Mabel is soon to become Lady Alfred’s daughter-in-law. It’s all because Lord Edmundstone cares for Mabel as if she were a princess, which makes one believe in it.
Oh, Mabel! If it’s true that you’ve become his beloved as the rumors say, I couldn’t wish for anything more.
Of course, Lord Edmundstone’s background, abilities, and demeanor are unquestionable, but to be looked upon with such affectionate eyes and dedication, what could be more dreamlike than that?
Always praying for Mabel,
Daisy
Reading Daisy’s letter after a long time, Mabel felt a mix of emotions.
The first emotion was relief that Daisy and James Herbert had settled well in Worcester and could receive Sally’s help.
But soon, this emotion turned into astonishment. The money she sent was only five pounds. But thirty pounds? Thirty pounds could afford lodging in an inn for several months. Then the remaining twenty-five pounds after deducting the money she sent…
‘Mr.Edmundstone…’
It was William who found Daisy and arranged for the money to be delivered to them, so Mabel was convinced that he must have added extra money.
‘Because I’m worried about Daisy…’
Without saying a word, William took care of all her worries and anxieties. The thought of him surfaced again amid the difficulties, making Daisy’s Christmas day story only intensify her longing for William.
‘When times are tough, you rely on others. Just like this…’
William’s embrace, while trying to dismiss his feelings as mere friendship, was a reminder of how he had always waited for Mabel to be ready on her own. Instead of blaming himself for his frustration and slowness, he consistently provided a home where she could run into his arms.
But now, having fiercely rejected William’s proposal, he probably wouldn’t offer his embrace to Mabel anymore. She was now left without a home to return to, just like before she met William. Once again.
“Mabel, you’re such a hypocrite.”
Mabel muttered bitterly to herself.
William shouldn’t be with someone like her, she thought. Love was not important, and she, with her humble background, didn’t fit with someone noble and superior like William.
But even when someone like Andrew Woolf, who was in a similar situation as herself, sought her affection, Mabel couldn’t accept it. The reason was that she didn’t have any feelings to give.
‘To reject Mr. Edmundstone’s proposal claiming that feelings and love don’t matter, and then reject Mr. Woolf saying I can live without love from Mr. Woolf…’
Perhaps she was just scaring herself by thinking that William’s feelings towards her might be just a momentary passion, using it as an excuse.
‘I thought I didn’t even deserve his love, so I assumed his feelings were just my imagination.’
Mabel’s conclusion echoed the advice her friends had given her a few days ago.
‘But Mabel, you, just because you can’t value yourself as much as others do, are making arbitrary judgments about other people’s feelings.’
Irina’s cheerful voice echoed in her mind. Mabel touched her necklace. It was a seagull necklace she couldn’t bring herself to take off even after parting with William.
She used to stroke it whenever she missed and longed for William. Over the past few weeks since their separation, the necklace had become even more worn.
As Mabel’s face burned with tears of regret and sorrow, quick footsteps made their way toward her dormitory.