The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 9

< Chapter 9 >

In sturdy suit pants and a faint charcoal-colored shirt, topped with a black sweater and a long suit coat.

His appearance exhibited a neatness and sophistication that surpassed even the standards of London gentlemen at a glance. However, despite the neatly worn hat and the thick sweater that barely concealed his muscular physique and demeanor that challenged the decorum, there was a wild charm about him that seemed capable of shattering the formality that surrounded him at any moment.

‘Why is Master Edmundstone here?’

Mabel, upon spotting him, felt her heart race. She couldn’t tell if it was the excitement of seeing him in such a picturesque manner or something else entirely.

Even though he might not remember, Mabel still felt a little guilty that she’d almost kissed him, along with all the other lies she’d told him.

William finished rolling a cigarette and slipped it into his case, giving Mabel a faint smile.

“It’s been a while, Miss Mabel Willis.”

He looked at Mabel with his blue eyes twinkling. The gentle smile in his eyes was enough to dissolve any remaining reservations.

“What brings you here?”

Mabel tried to suppress her surprise and continue speaking, but at that moment, her friends around her caught her eye. It seemed they were all captivated by William’s appearance. Especially Julia, who was staring at him wide-eyed.

“Ahem, these are my dormitory friends. Mary, Irina, Julia… and this is William from London…”

Mabel was about to introduce William when he interrupted.

“Pleasure to meet you all. I’ve come with a message for Miss Mabel, may I escort her?”

William asked the ladies kindly. It was a polite tone, yet unlike when speaking to Mabel, it was a firm tone that was hard to refuse. Irina, sensing a subtle intimidation from the gentleman in front of them, replied.

“Yes, of course. Mabel, we’ll go ahead.”

Julia, still staring at William, nodded hesitantly and accepted Mabel’s syrup bottle.

“There’s a secluded alley behind the dormitory. We should talk there.”

William slightly bent his arm, indicating to Mabel that he would escort her. It was an escorting gesture. Normally, Mabel would have vehemently refused due to the difference in status, but in front of her friends who didn’t know her status, Mabel had no choice.

Mabel eventually lightly placed her hand on William’s firm arm like a soldier. A faint smile passed by William’s lips as he quietly watched her actions, unnoticed by anyone.

As they turned the corner of the dormitory and disappeared, the remaining three ladies exchanged glances.

“Wow, coming to the city’s college was a great decision. Are all London men that handsome?”

Julia finally closed her gaping mouth and spoke after a moment.

“No, no. He seems incredibly, incredibly handsome. It’s like light radiates from his entire body. How does Mabel know such a person? Could he be related to Mabel’s family?”

Mary finally regained her composure and exclaimed. 

Leon had a reputation for being a handsome man, and Mary was not one to flinch at most looks, but the gentleman she had just seen was one of the most handsome she had ever seen.

“He called Mabel ‘Miss Mabel.’ So, although not family, they must be very close. Did you see the clothes he was wearing? They were all made of extremely luxurious materials that only the upper class can afford.”

Irina, who grew up as the only daughter of a London aristocrat, had lost her usual bored expression and was glowing with excitement.

“But Mabel never mentioned having a fiancé or an engagement…”

Julia, who believed that a close relationship with a man must involve an engagement, said.

As Julia looked at Irina and Mary’s silence, her eyes widened and she said.

“Then, could it be… a lover?”

Among the British upper class, young people would spend time together under the supervision and approval of their families, progressing through the stage of ‘courting’ to become ‘engaged,’ promising marriage. It was common among lower-class people for young people who were compatible to date and marry without family guidance, but sharing feelings without the guidance of family among the nobility or upper class was considered very vulgar.

However, as more upper-class women attended university or pursued careers, it became fashionable in cities to have meetings and develop into lovers without the permission of their families. People called such stages ‘dating.’

“It’s common in the city.”

Irina said casually. Yet, she couldn’t help but wonder who that familiar gentleman was.

* * *

“As my name has appeared in the newspapers, I didn’t want unnecessary fame, so I omitted my introduction. Please forgive my rudeness.”

As they turned the corner of the dormitory, William said to Mabel.

“Oh, no. I was just thinking about how to introduce Mr. Edmundstone… My friends won’t mind.”

Judging by the expressions of her friends, Mabel was convinced that just as she did, they would overlook William’s small rudeness due to their admiration for his beautiful appearance.

“I was so preoccupied on the day you escorted me to the college that I forgot to thank you. I was wondering when I should thank you, and here’s the opportunity. I was really grateful that day.”

“Not at all.”

“But did you come to Summerhill College for a specific reason to see me?”

Mabel suppressed her fluttering heart and looked up at him. Despite being quite tall for her age group, she still had to look up quite a bit to see William Edmundstone.

“Edmundstone family is sponsoring Summerhill College, so there were discussions about that, and I also came to deliver the guaranteed signature that Uncle Frederick requested.”

Having finished speaking, he took out a small envelope from his pocket and handed it to Mabel.

“Oh, the guaranteed signature… Thank you.”

Mabel replied. Since he had accomplished the main purpose of delivering the guaranteed signature, there was no reason to stay, but William, as if he could read her mind, naturally covered her hand, which was resting on his arm, with his other hand and escorted her to the side street.

“I’m glad to see Miss Mabel again. Are you enjoying the school?”

Miss Mabel.

He spoke with formality, yet somehow casually called her by her name. If it were someone else, they would have surely pointed out such rudeness, but strangely, Mabel didn’t feel that way about him. Instead, it seemed to please her.

Mabel quickly dismissed her embarrassing thoughts and smiled.

“Of course. I’m just happy every day to be in such a beautiful place. Thank you once again, Mr. Edmundstone, for all your efforts in getting me enrolled, as much as Lord Alfred did.”

“No, Miss Mabel. You don’t have to thank me at all. Students sponsored by our family have often been good companions for me during my time at university. So, you could say that I have benefited greatly from the scholarship program.”

Mabel couldn’t help but be surprised by his modesty.

Most noble families’ offspring, as seen from the perspective of a maid, did not have a way of speaking that considered people of lower status. Both their demeanor as gentlemen or ladies and their behavior were all for their ‘own world,’ and not polished for the sake of their employees or people of lower status.

“It seems like you have made many friends.”

“As Mr. Edmundstone mentioned last time, I wouldn’t be lonely at college, and fortunately, I was able to meet good people.”

William chuckled softly.

“I didn’t mean that.”

“Yeah……?”

As they walked side by side, he suddenly stopped and faced her. His gaze, which had been gliding over the small hand on his arm, now locked onto Mabel’s eyes. His previously clear eyes now sparkled with charm.

“It’s been over a month since we exchanged numbers. Why haven’t you contacted me?”

His smooth voice echoed in Mabel’s ears.

“…”

“Am I the only one hoping we could become more than just acquaintances?”

“Uh……”

“I’ve had that thought.”

Mabel remembered his words, encouraging her to contact him comfortably.

“Ah, I thought you were just being polite…”

‘Above all, someone like me doesn’t have a reason to contact Mr. Edmundstone.’

Mabel’s mind was in turmoil. She couldn’t understand it at all. William, who showed kindness to a maid he had just met, his desire to become closer, and even her own heart beating loudly at just those words.

“I didn’t contact you first because I thought Miss Mabel might feel uncomfortable.”

As they reached the end of the side street, a small bush-made wall marking the boundary of Summerhill College appeared. 

Mabel, still taken aback by William’s words, had no time to regain her composure as William briskly strode through the bushes. Mabel, who was still holding his hand, had no choice but to follow him into the foliage.

“Ah!”

A gasp escaped Mabel’s lips as they emerged on the other side of the bushes, revealing a beautiful lake in front of them. Contrasted against the red and yellow autumn foliage, the clear lake shimmered under the warm sunlight, capturing the colors of the sky like a jewel.

As Mabel took in a momentary breath, William spoke.

“So… about that…”

His low voice reached her ears again. Mabel looked up at William, whose blue eyes were filled with her reflected image of the lake.

“Let’s start as friends.”

With that, he suddenly held her hand. 

Without giving Mabel a chance to respond, William continued the walk with determination.