She revealed her identity to Emily’s brother, how hard her younger sister was working, and how deep her worries were about their family.
[I regret the unfortunate accident you suffered, and I am arranging a job for you so that you no longer will live a useless life again. This is not just a recommendation, but a serious warning I am sending to you. So consider how to act ultimately for you and your family.]
“…The servants at home are all upright, affectionate, and trustworthy. If your brother changes his mind and works hard, he will definitely be able to adapt well.”
Despite Eleanor’s explanation, Emily couldn’t easily believe what she heard.
“…Really… Is that true?”
“Yes. It’s true.”
“But why would Madam…why would you do something for someone like me…”
Emily looked around with small, trembling eyes. Eleanor handed her a small purse.
“And this is the money I give you.”
“No? I… I can’t accept this! It’s a great favor just for my brother to work, how can I take money from you…!”
“It’s okay, take it.”
Eleanor put the purse in Emily’s hand.
“I don’t know how much your brother’s gambling debt is. Use this money to pay off that debt. Keep the remaining money for emergencies.”
There was also a note in the letter sent to Harold ‘If Jack goes to the gambling house again with his first salary, stop him and contact me.’
“Ma… Madam…”
Emily didn’t know what to do with the purse in her hand.
“I, I… I don’t know. Whether I should really accept such… such excessive kindness from you…”
“Think of it as a return for taking care of me usually.”
At Eleanor’s words, Emily’s face lost its color. Her expression was filled with intense guilt.
“I, I am, Madam… I…”
Eleanor looked at Emily and gave a faint smile.
“I know very well that you are actually a very good child. I heard from Kate. Because I have a weak stomach and can’t digest breakfast well, you asked the kitchen to make soup or pudding that digests well.”
“……”
It was definitely true. But it was a very recent event. Until then, she had only brought hard and difficult meals. The reason for changing the menu was because of the guilt she felt seeing Eleanor leaving half of her meal every time.
“Even when I read a book in bed and fell asleep, it was you who came in and turned off the candle.”
“…That’s, as a maid, it’s a natural thing…”
“Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean I’m not grateful.”
Eleanor muttered in a small voice. That’s right. She had been painfully aware of that fact since she came to this mansion. A newfound gratitude for the things she had enjoyed as a matter of course in her previous life.
In the end, Emily shed tears. She sobbed, shaking her shoulders.
“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry, Madam… I, such a thing, I don’t deserve your kindness…”
“Don’t say that, Emily.”
Eleanor pulled Emily into her arms. Emily was startled and shook her head.
“No, Madam. The dress…the dress will get dirty.”
“It’s okay, Emily. Don’t worry.”
Eleanor held Emily’s head and stroked it quietly. She could feel her trembling and desperately holding back her tears.
Eleanor held Emily like that for a long time.
****
“Madam! How can you go out alone without saying anything!”
When she turned around, she saw Emily running towards her.
“What’s wrong, it’s not far, it’s right in front. Besides, Peter is here too.”
“Normally, precious people should not walk alone. Even if it’s right in front, please call me whenever you go outside. Besides, it’s still cold even though it’s March, and you’re wearing so thin… What are you going to do if you catch a cold?”
Even though she was already wearing a shawl, Emily hurriedly covered Eleanor’s shoulders with another thick shawl.
Two months had passed since the brooch incident. Emily’s brother Jack had taken a job as a gardener’s assistant at the Townsend mansion and was working diligently. Harold reported on his situation in a letter once a week.
[He hasn’t touched alcohol since he came here. It seems he has completely cut off going to the gambling house. It seems that Jack himself had a deep sense of self-loathing. He must have been waiting for a chance to get out of the mire. He is deeply grateful to the Duchess. He is looking forward to the day when he can meet her in person and express his gratitude. You don’t have to worry anymore.]
Since then, Emily’s attitude had completely changed and she served Eleanor with utmost care. The little girl, who was only thirteen, seemed to have become a nanny to Eleanor, a grown adult. She followed Eleanor wherever she went and prevented her from doing anything with her own hands.
Peter, who had been watching Emily, chuckled.
“Wow, what a great little maid. She’s scolding the Madam.”
At Peter’s words, Emily’s face turned red.
“S, scold? I, what…!”
“That’s right. Emily was just saying that because she was worried about me. Don’t tease her too much.”
“Yes, Madam.”
At Eleanor’s words, Peter tipped his hat and nodded. He was the stableman of the Duke’s mansion, a burly man with red hair who looked to be in his early forties.
Eleanor reached out and gently stroked Molstead’s neck. She could feel the smooth yet soft touch over the firm muscles. Molstead didn’t snort or move, but blinked his gentle eyes.
Molstead was a horse that Empress Theodora had given to Eleanor as a wedding gift. Molstead was a white horse with a slight silver sheen, and was indeed beautiful enough for the Empress to describe as ‘pretty’. Eleanor had come to see Molstead like this at least once a day since he came to the Duke’s mansion.
“Did he eat well today? Does he seem uncomfortable anywhere?”
“Yes, Madam. As you can see, he is very healthy. He has so much energy.”
“Make sure to take him for a walk so he doesn’t feel stuffy.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Eleanor stroked Molstead’s mane a few more times, then gently hugged his neck.
“I’m sorry, because of me. You must want to run freely.”
“…..”
Peter seemed to want to say something as he watched Eleanor, but he seemed to hold it back. Emily also looked puzzled.
[It’s really pretty. How can it be so pretty and elegant?]
When Molstead first came to the Duke’s mansion, Eleanor walked around Molstead, admiring him over and over again. Even when Peter said it was okay to touch him, she hesitated for a long time. Eventually, she cautiously reached out her hand, but quickly pulled it back, causing Peter to smile without realizing it.
“Would you like to try riding?”
When he asked, Eleanor looked troubled.
“I’m embarrassed to say, but I don’t know how to ride a horse.”
“That’s okay. It’s not difficult.”
“But if I fall…”
“He’s a gentle one, so there won’t be a problem. I’ll prepare a lady’s saddle, so just get on. I’ll lead you.”
Despite Peter’s words, Eleanor shook her head in the end.
“I don’t want to cause any worry, just in case.”
Eleanor gently stroked Molstead’s head. And she murmured in a small voice.
“It’s okay. It’s good enough just to look.”
Peter quietly stroked his beard. Eleanor, the new mistress of the Duke’s house, had been staying indoors since she arrived. According to rumors, she seemed to be quite weak. There was only one time when she went out with the Duke, and she fainted then.
‘But if she stays at home every day like this, her physical strength will only decrease.’
Since she liked Molstead so much, it seemed that her health would improve a lot if she rode and walked around once every few days. But Eleanor’s will was so strong that it was hard to persuade her. And it wasn’t Peter’s place to directly appeal to the Duke.
To begin with, the young new Duke seemed to have little interest in his wife. He seemed busy with work, but he spent too little time at the mansion. So it felt more like he was neglecting his wife rather than overprotecting her.
Eleanor suddenly shivered slightly. Even her nose was red, as if she felt the cold.
“Madam, let’s go in now.”
“Alright, let’s go in then. Take good care of Molstead.”
“Yes, Madam. Don’t worry.”
Peter watched Eleanor and Emily’s backs for a moment, then pulled the reins and took Molstead into the stable.
Esse capítulo foi sentimental!!!