The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 76

< Chapter 76 >

Dear Mabel,

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to visit me, James, and our newborn baby Julian. It was truly appreciated. James was also honored to finally meet Mabel and Mr. Edmundstone, whom he had only heard about.

Do you remember how excited I was upon hearing the news of Mabel and Mr. Edmundstone’s engagement three months ago? My joy was as vast as all the chimneys in downtown Worcester combined, but amidst the tumultuous mid-pregnancy period and objections from James and the doctor, I couldn’t express it properly.

So instead, I tearfully sent the scarf Lord Alfred frequently admired in the backyard as an engagement gift. In truth, I made Mabel’s engagement gift before even knitting Julian’s socks or handkerchiefs.

Mabel, in the six years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you as happy as you are now. Mabel and Mr. Edmundstone appear more perfect than any lovers I’ve ever seen.

Oh, and it’s not just because Mabel is wearing the scarf I gave her or the magnificent blue topaz on her hand!

Honestly, the way Mr. Edmundstone looks at Mabel is full of love. His eyes are so filled with affection that even I found myself looking for plates to set before him, despite James and I boasting about our expressions of love…

Honestly, I’m just so happy that Mabel is receiving such wonderful love. You’ve always been so kind and caring towards me, even during my naive and stubborn moments. I prayed every night for only good things to happen to you.

Remember the times Mabel covered for me and got into trouble with Lady Margaret or had to skip meals because of my stubbornness? Not to mention the day you saved me from that dreadful George Herbert.

Ah, but I’d like to think I played a part in this happiness too, for it was my stubbornness that led you to attend Lord Herbert’s party and meet Mr. Edmundstone.

It’s been almost a month since Julian came into the world, so I believe our family can attend your graduation in May and your wedding the following month.

Engaged during the snowy winter, becoming a radiant bride in June!

Mabel, are the wedding preparations going smoothly? Have you found someone to adorn your hair?

I remember promising that when my dear Mabel gets married, I’ll personally make a beautiful wreath of handpicked flowers for her… But considering the Edmundstone family, I suppose Mabel will be adorned with magnificent tiaras and jewels passed down through the generations?

But if you need help elsewhere, you must tell me! Even James, who is still a novice father, will encourage Julian to go to Oxford if it’s about Mabel and Mr. Edmundstone’s affairs.

Oh, I almost forgot, you asked for Julian’s news?

Julian takes after James, hardly ever crying and always smiling brightly. According to my mother, when I was born, I cried at the drop of a hat, so my five-year-old sister had to take care of me constantly…

It might sound mundane, but having a child made all the hardships, the eviction from the mansion after the lavish parties, all worth it.

In the past, I used to roll my eyes at such statements from other mothers, but sometimes when I see my baby sleeping peacefully in my arms, I feel a surge of courage, knowing I can do anything for him.

Of course, my peaceful and happy life is greatly due to Mr. Edmundstone and Mabel. Recently, thanks to Mr. Edmundstone’s recommendation, James finally got a teaching position in philosophy and theology at Worcester High School.

Ah, it won’t be long until I see Mabel again. For that day, Julian is growing up diligently, and James and I are keeping well.

So Mabel, do well in finishing your semester, and please give my regards to Mr. Edmundstone, Lord Alfred, and everyone at the mansion.

Forever loving Mabel, 

Daisy

* * *

On Mabel’s dormitory desk, a stack of thick books formed a tower.

With her chestnut hair neatly tied up, Mabel was comparing the titles of reference materials listed in the paper co-authored with Professor Webster to the books on her desk.

After her engagement to William, Mabel decided to take her desires more seriously.

As part of that decision, she canceled her early graduation application, which was made to enter the workforce quickly, and instead accepted Professor Webster’s proposal to spend the remaining semester as her research assistant.

Under the bright and warm sunshine of May, a brilliant blue topaz ring shimmered on her hand as she flipped through the reference books one by one.

At that moment, Mabel furrowed her brows and spoke towards the stack of books piled on one side.

“I can’t seem to find the book mentioned on page 17, Rebecca.”

At her words, Rebecca’s fair face peeked out from behind the stack of books.

“If you’re referring to page 17, it’s from ‘Madame Bisset’s Bundle of Letters.’ Remember, it was filled with old poems.”

Letters written by medieval women that Mabel was researching often contained subtle and philosophical poems. While Mabel loved poetry, she struggled with interpreting it.

Rebecca Silvester, who had been responsible for the family poetry recitals since childhood, was the one who reached out to Mabel and had been reading ancient poems since childhood.

At Rebecca’s words, Mabel searched through the stack of books again and found the old book.

“Ah, here it is! You’re right, Rebecca. It’s the letters from the return journey of the relative’s wedding written by Madame Bisset….”

As Mabel joyfully rewrote the title of the book, Rebecca leaned on the stack of books in front of her and spoke.

“It’s a wedding, Mabel, but I might not even make it to your wedding, let alone the graduation, due to my plans to go to America. What should I do?”

“Oh, Rebecca. It’s a shame, but there’s nothing I can do. Maybe you could study literature more in the US? And it’s also a chance to experience the luxury of a top-class cruise ship…”

As Mabel responded optimistically, Rebecca replied with a bitter smile.

“Well, actually, it’s just my parents’ plan to send off their worthless daughter to overseas marriage markets…”

Mabel stopped sorting through the reference materials and looked at Rebecca.

Over the past six months, Rebecca and Mabel had built a strong friendship reminiscent of a dormitory sign room. Freed from the constraints of perfection for the family, Rebecca turned out to be a versatile member of Summerhill, just like Mabel, who was passionate about Olivia Panthera’s poetry and even wrote her own.

Mabel turned to Rebecca, grasping her hands tightly.

“They may think that way. But to you, it’s just an opportunity to become a great literary figure by meeting various poets in America, isn’t it?”

Rebecca’s face brightened a little with her friend’s support. As a lover of literature and poetry herself, the trip to America didn’t seem so gloomy anymore.

“Right. And they felt sorry for me going alone, so my father arranged a first-class cabin on the most luxurious cruise ship in the world for me. I’ll have fun partying every night on that ship. I’m no longer the obedient daughter, Rebecca Silvester.”

As Rebecca regained her spirits and teased, Mabel also chuckled.

“By the way, I heard that Mr. Leon de Percy’s ship returning from America will depart from New York around that time. Maybe the two ships will meet in the middle of the Atlantic?”

“Oh, I remember when I met him last time, he glared at me standing next to you. He still definitely sees me as your enemy. So he might recognize me even from afar on the ship.”

As Rebecca rolled her eyes exaggeratedly, Mabel burst into laughter. But she couldn’t completely hide her feelings of regret behind that laughter.

After William and Mabel’s official engagement announcement, London buzzed with excitement over the romantic overcoming of class barriers. Some welcomed it, some dismissed it as cheap gossip, and some criticized it in light of William’s recent political actions.

But above all, what made Mabel uncomfortable was Leon de Percy’s attitude.

On the night of the party when she was crying, thinking she had lost William, Leon reassured her, giving her confidence that she could win back William’s love.

Therefore, just before the engagement announcement, Mabel decided to send a separate thank-you letter to Leon. She expressed her gratitude for his comfort and encouragement, which had been a great help.

But for some reason, Leon did not make any contact with Mabel after that. The same thing happened when she sent letters not only to his office, where she always sent manuscripts but even to the de Percys.

Worried, when Mabel asked Mary about Mr. de Percy’s well-being, Mary responded with a somewhat awkward expression.

‘Hmm? Oh, nothing special, just, um, he seems busy with work. Maybe too busy to even reply to letters? Probably…?’

In the end, Mabel could only assume he was just too preoccupied with his upcoming appointment as the head of Montaire Publishing. However, not long after, as the new year approached, she came across news in the newspapers that he had declined the position as head of Montaire Publishing and instead left for the American branch.

‘I thought we were good friends who built our friendship, how could you disappear from my life like a mirage in a single moment? Last winter, we used to take walks together every week and discuss literature from one literary figure to another…’

Still unable to give up, she tried sending a letter to his US address, but all that returned was Olivia Panthera’s latest poetry collection.

Replacing greetings with a book full of farewell poems, it was very much like Leon to act so arbitrarily, but Mabel couldn’t shake off the uneasiness in her heart.

At that moment, Rebecca, who was helping Mabel categorize reference books, stretched herself. Outside the window, the sunset was fading.

“I guess I’ll stop here for today. I’m going to check the kitchen for snacks, do you need anything, Mabel?”

Mabel, who was lost in thoughts about Leon de Percy, was surprised and checked the time.

“Oh, my, it’s already this late. No, I’m fine. Well then, go ahead, Rebecca. Thank you for today.”

Mabel hurriedly said. She straightened her clothes as if guests were visiting the dormitory at this late hour. Rebecca was a bit puzzled but also hastened to bid farewell, intending to fetch snacks before the kitchen closed.

“Alright, got it. Have a good night, Mabel.”

As Rebecca left, Mabel stood in front of the bathroom mirror and checked her appearance. She let her tied-up hair down. Despite looking a little pale, her rosy cheeks and tousled hair suited her well.

Still, as she pondered whether to use the hairpin Irina had given her, the familiar sound of branches tapping against the window reached Mabel’s ears.