If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

“I sent her back earlier. To the mansion where Miss Townsend originally lived.”

 

Matilda said with an expressionless face. She only appeared not long after Eleanor had instructed Emily to call Peggy. There was no apology or request for understanding as if it was natural.

 

Eleanor was looking at Matilda with her hand pressing hard on her sore chest. A hot heat spread around her chest, and now even the strength of her arms and legs was drained. Eleanor opened her mouth with difficulty and asked.

 

“…Why?”

 

“I judged that the maid is not suitable for working at Chatsworth House.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Firstly, she lacks dignity, secondly, she is slow to understand, and thirdly, her appearance.”

 

“What about Peggy’s appearance?”

 

“I believe you know even if I don’t tell you.”

 

There were spots here and there on Peggy’s face. It was a sequelae of the disease she had when she was young. It wasn’t serious at all, but it was a part that she subtly considered a complex. Eleanor quietly bit her lip.

 

“It’s a mark left by a disease. If you don’t look closely, it’s not noticeable. Is that a reason why she can’t work here?”

 

“It’s more than enough. Whatever it is, if there is a chance to damage the dignity of the Duke’s house.”

 

“Who decides that?”

 

“After the Duchess passed away, I have been fully delegated the authority to select maids. That maid also, once she entered this Chatsworth House, under my management—”

 

“Peggy is my maid.”

 

Eleanor’s voice was now clearly filled with anger.

 

“She has been serving me for over ten years, and she is my maid whom I brought myself. Do you think it makes sense to decide her whereabouts without a single word of consultation with me, a mere housekeeper like you?”

 

“..…”

 

Matilda looked at Eleanor without saying a word for a moment. There was still no change in her expression, but her eyes were noticeably sharper than before.

 

“Send someone to bring her back right now.”

 

“…”

 

Matilda did not answer at all. And she was standing still in her place.

 

“Do you disagree?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

Matilda opened her mouth and spoke slowly.

 

“Why would I?”

 

“Then why are you standing still? Go and get Peggy right now,”

 

“Is that really for the maid?”

 

“…What?”

 

“It’s not difficult to bring the maid back as you ordered. However, even if she is exceptionally hired as a maid in this mansion, it is doubtful whether she, who is full of disqualifications, can properly adapt to the Duke’s house.”

 

Matilda continued to speak at a leisurely pace.

 

“From now on, she will eat, sleep, and live in this Chatsworth House, but can she really fit in among the other servants…”

 

Eleanor’s complexion changed.

 

“…Are you threatening me about Peggy’s safety now?”

 

“Threatening? That’s absurd. I just expressed my honest concern.”

 

Eleanor glared at Matilda with her lips bitten. Matilda did not even try to avoid her gaze, she just stood still in the same position as before.

 

What Matilda said was no different from declaring that she would torment Peggy collectively if she brought her back. Realistically, Elenor had no way to protect Peggy when she was harassed. Peggy was innocent. The decision to accept Daryl’s proposal was entirely Eleanor’s own. Therefore, it was right for her to take full responsibility for the consequences.

 

“Are you convinced?”

 

“…”

 

“Then can I leave now?”

 

Matilda bowed her head to Eleanor, who did not answer, and turned around.

 

“Ms. Norton.”

 

When she turned around again, Eleanor was staring at Matilda sitting upright. Her back, which had been hunched over as if in pain, was now straightened, and her hand, which had been clutching her chest, was neatly placed on her knee.

 

“All the things you said and did to me today were all over the line. I tolerated it because today was the first day, and as you said, I was thinking about Peggy. If it was a problem that would end with me, I wouldn’t mind, but I can’t stand it if it hurts someone precious to me. But thanks to you, I don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

 

“…”

 

“It would be good to remember. That I am the person who will become the hostess of this mansion in a month, and that it was you who started the fight.”

 

It was a firm and powerful voice, enough to make one wonder if the difficulty in speaking just a moment ago was an act. Matilda looked at Eleanor for a moment, then left the room.

 

After the door closed, Eleanor curled up like a shrimp. The refluxed gastric acid was now sore and hot up to her throat. She was desperate for a glass of water, but instead of calling Emily, Eleanor staggered to the desk and picked up a pen. She had to check if Peggy had safely returned to Loud, or if they had hurt Peggy who resisted.

 

A moment later, Eleanor’s hand stopped while sealing the written letter. Who should she entrust this letter to?

 

Almost all the servants in this mansion had to be considered under Matilda’s management. She hadn’t had a proper conversation with the butler yet, but there was no reason to be optimistic that he wasn’t on Matilda’s side either. Even if she somehow managed to entrust the letter to an outsider, Peggy’s reply would eventually come to this mansion. There was no guarantee anywhere that it would safely reach Eleanor’s hands.

 

In the end, there was only one name that came to mind.

 

****

 

“Welcome home, Master.”

 

Despite the late hour, dozens of servants were standing in line, and Daryl entered the mansion. The butler, Herbert, took Daryl’s hat and coat.

 

It was a tiring day. A big deal had been at a standstill for days over contract conditions. At this stage, it had to be seen as a battle of stamina. The one who couldn’t stand it and backed down loses.

 

“Prepare some liquor. Is there still some of the Isla Sird that came in last year?”

 

“Yes. There are still two bottles left.”

 

“Then that’s it. No need for ice.”

 

“Understood. Are you going to the office?”

 

“No, I’m going to bed right away, so put it in the bedroom.”

 

At that, Butler Herbert hesitated for a moment.

 

“That, Master.”

 

“What?”

 

“Miss Townsend is waiting. I told her that you might be late, so she should go to bed first, but she said she would wait until you come.”

 

“Eleanor? Is she here now? Why?”

 

He reflexively asked, seeing Herbert’s puzzled expression, Daryl belatedly remembered the fact he had forgotten.

 

“…Right, she said she would be coming soon. That was today.”

 

Daryl frowned. It was a sense of defeat for forgetting an important matter, not because he felt sorry for Eleanor. He was annoyed that something unexpected had happened. He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep for over a week. He had to get up early in the morning and go out tomorrow. To be honest, all he wanted to do now was rest.

 

The hesitation didn’t last more than 2 seconds.

 

“Tell her I’m tired and we’ll talk tomorrow.”

 

Without waiting for Herbert’s answer, Daryl headed straight for the bedroom. A moment later, a voice saying “Understood.” came from behind him. After emptying two glasses of whiskey straight, Daryl went straight to bed. And he woke up exactly four hours later.

 

As per his long-standing habit, Daryl was having coffee for breakfast and listening to Philip’s briefing on the day’s schedule when Herbert came in after knocking.

 

“Master, Miss Townsend wishes to see you.”

 

“…What time is it now, Philip?”

 

“It’s 6:04.”

 

Daryl clicked his tongue and frowned.

 

“Let her in.”

 

Soon the door opened and Eleanor came in.

 

“Say what you have to say briefly. I have to go out soon.”

 

Daryl said almost without looking at Eleanor. Eleanor looked at Daryl for a moment and then opened her mouth.

 

“I’m sorry. In the midst of your busy schedule.”

 

“I’ll be like this until next week. So if it’s a long story, it would be nice to do it then.”

 

“No. It won’t take long.”

 

Eleanor approached Daryl and held out what was in her hand. It was a letter sealed with wax in a white rectangular envelope.

 

“I want to send this letter to the mansion in Loud.”

 

At that, Daryl’s eyes changed. He glared at the letter in Eleanor’s hand with narrowed eyes.

 

“…Why are you telling me that? Just order any subordinates to do it.”

 

“It’s an important letter. I think I can rest assured if His Lordship directly orders it from this position.”

 

“…”

 

Daryl, who had been silent, suddenly picked up his coffee cup. But as soon as the cup touched his lips, he put it down again.

 

“It’s cold.”

 

“I’ll have it ready again in a moment.”

 

The maid took the cup and hurried out of the room. Eleanor waited patiently.