A few days had passed since the incident with the maid. I had started taking my meals in my room with the help of Nellie and Bess. Honestly, I wanted to go to the kitchen with them to ensure they weren't having any issues; however, Bess deemed it unnecessary. Nellie expressed how the maids had changed their treatment and weren't as harsh with them that morning.
I thought it had gotten peaceful, but due to my outburst, I was now seated before Duke Alaric, Cedric, and his second son, Lucien. It had been a while since I had entered this office, especially after Cedric took his position as duke in my past.
"I guess you know why you were called?" The duke's gaze swept over me. It was as if I was looking at an older version of Cedric, grey streaks here and there.
"I have no idea why I was summoned, your grace." I'd be an idiot if I didn't know why, but let's play along. I was no longer the people-pleaser I used to be. Secretly, my heart was beating erratically, and I feared if they were close enough, they could hear it. I never expected to overcome such emotions easily just because I had returned to the past. I promised myself I would harden my heart to avoid repeating the same experiences I endured before.
An oak coffee table sat before me, tea placed neatly upon it. As soon as I took a seat, a maid poured me a cup, and I lifted it to sip.
"Recently, you had an altercation with a maid. Could you explain what took place?"
I placed the cup gently on its saucer before looking toward the duke. "I simply reprimanded a maid who was disrespectful toward my husband, your grace." I voiced it as calmly as I could. My eyes shifted to Cedric, who didn't bother masking his displeasure, and then to Lucien, who seemed completely uninterested in the conversation.
"A maid disrespected a young lord?" the duke inquired.
"Yes, your grace. According to the maid, my husband cannot differentiate between a lady or a pig..." I trailed off. "How could I leave her to spread such rumors among her colleagues?"
"Don't you think striking her was a bit extreme?"
"Compared to the reputation of the dukedom and of my husband, my actions were light." I paused, taking a sip of the tea. "If she were a maid in the East, she would have been flogged, and her entire family either exiled or executed, your grace. I did what I thought was best in that moment."
The duke sighed while rubbing the space between his eyebrows. "Next time something like this happens, you report it directly to me."
"As you wish, your grace."
"You're dismissed." I stood, bowed gently, and took my leave.
Upon exiting his office and walking down the corridor for a while, I was pulled back by someone grabbing my arm. Shocked, I turned and saw Cedric's face, set in mild anger.
"Did you really have to strike the maid?"
"Would you have preferred I let her disrespect you, young lord?" I looked down at his hand, wrapped around my arm tightly. If he squeezed any harder, it might have broken like a twig. I tapped his hand, signaling for him to release me. How strange it felt—the first time I ever felt his touch.
He released my arm while staring at me, brows furrowed. "Is this how they do things at the Wyndham manor?"
"Does it matter, young master? Whether they handle their issues as violently as I did or choose another route, you'll still place us under your umbrella of hatred." I smiled gently. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
I turned on my feet and returned to my room. There were matters to attend to, such as recalling the events of the duchess's upcoming tea party in a week.
All I remembered was the humiliation of spilling the pot of tea on the duchess's dress after offering to pour it for her. That's what sucking up gets you. Returning to my room, I found Bess and Nellie already at work. Nellie was given a sheet of paper to express her artistic urges—it was normal for children her age to do so. For Bess, I was teaching her to read, because commoners weren't granted such luxuries, and as my maid, it was a basic requirement. I had selected a children's book from the library, and even though it had only been a few days, her progress was impressive.
I threw myself onto the new couch I had requested be put in my room, taking a break from the overwhelming events of the day. That had been my first real interaction with the duke and my first time even being touched by Cedric. Maybe my younger self would have been excited, but that man had treated me like a plague for thirty-two years. Not that I expected him to embrace me immediately, but I had once believed our love would grow over time.
As the eleventh hour half-passed (11:30am), I sat up and decided to occupy myself. I would make notes of what might happen at the upcoming event—my first major event. Bess had recommended using a book if I was interested in writing, or had planned on writing for some time, so I now had a diary. I moved to the small table, sitting across from Nellie, who drew with passion. Maybe if being a maid didn't suit her, she could become an artist. She'd need a sponsor, though, and I would have to start earning my own money.
I reflected on the tea party. I noted that I had spilled the pot of tea on the duchess's dress after offering to pour it for her. Below that, I wrote a reminder: do not offer to pour the pot of tea. I hoped to be seated as far from her as possible. I had been in a hurry to pour the tea, trying to earn her favor. Perhaps stumbling over my own two feet had contributed to the disaster. Still, the duchess smiled warmly and excused herself to change outfits. The other noble ladies snickered and whispered, claiming I had done it on purpose.
I chuckled, recalling how Cedric had yelled at me once the event was over, repeating accusations similar to the noble ladies. I had wished for the ground to swallow me whole. Cedric had convinced the duchess not to invite me to any other event unless necessary, using the excuse that I was feeling unwell. I felt prepared to face the next tea party, hoping nothing would go amiss.
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The day of the duchess' tea party arrived. Servants bustled around, ensuring everything was in order. I had just gotten out of the bath and was deciding what to wear. My taste in fashion might be simple compared to the other noble ladies, but I wasn't interested in following trends anymore. I remembered receiving the invitation only three days prior and rushing to the store to buy a dress in season. Back then, the manor's tailor was already swamped with the duchess' and young Lady Marienne's dresses; adding mine so late would have been overwhelming.
I left my outfit choice to Bess. She selected a muslin gown in a pale shade of ivory-rose. Like all my other dresses, the waistline rested beneath my bust and was secured with a faded lavender satin ribbon. Nellie tied it at the back in an almost perfect bow. The bodice was adorned with tiny flowers, and the short, puffed sleeves edged with fine lace. The neckline revealed my collarbones rather than my cleavage. Nellie chose cream satin, short-heeled shoes, leaving my feet comfortable. My hair was half-pinned at Nellie's request, the rest flowing freely. She had done a remarkable job. This time, I chose to carry my fan instead of a shawl, to lessen the chances of mishaps—like the wind blowing my shawl and hitting the duchess.
I exited my room and made my way to the duchess' garden, passing Cedric without acknowledging him as I once would have. The duchess had scheduled the tea party for the second hour of the evening (2:00 p.m.), when the trees would provide the right amount of shade while still allowing warmth and a subtle breeze. It had been long since I had visited this garden; the memories haunted me each time I set foot here.
At this time of year, the garden was in full bloom, the air scented with roses and freshly turned earth. Manicured hedges formed soft, winding borders around beds of hydrangeas, lilies, and pale pink peonies, nodding gently beneath the breeze. Small steps led into the garden, and a cobblestone pathway ended at a grand willow tree, beneath which a white wrought-iron table was set. The duchess and a few associates, along with Lady Marienne, would be seated there. I remembered stories of how the duke and duchess had fallen in love under this very tree.
Fine china gleamed upon the embroidered linen covering the table. Delicate cups painted with golden rims were paired with matching saucers, and slender teaspoons chimed faintly when lifted. I had already taken a seat among the other noble ladies. I chose one of the tables opposite the pathway, far from the duchess, to avoid any accidents. Silver trays displayed an array of confections: warm scones split to reveal soft crumbs, small sandwiches of egg and cress, and flower-shaped sugared biscuits. Bowls of strawberries and raspberries sat beside each guest. While the ladies mumbled among themselves, I helped myself to some strawberries. The duchess had not yet arrived—it was maybe a quarter to the second hour (1:45 p.m.). A crystal dish of clotted cream was set nearby to accompany the fruits, and glass pitchers of lemonade and rosewater rested on the edges of the tables, along with pots of tea.
The duchess arrived with Lady Marienne in tow. We all stood carefully, mindful not to knock over the pitchers. I moved the closest ones from the edge just in case.
"You may all be seated," the duchess announced once she took her seat.
With a bow, the noble ladies, including myself, sat. They spoke quietly, barely touching the plates before them. These events were for social elevation, not eating. I had eaten lightly that morning to make space for the snacks. I took the butter knife beside the cream spread, spread some on a strawberry, and bit into it. The taste lit my soul; I closed my eyes, savoring the moment.
"My, you eat well," one lady commented, peeking from beneath her fan. Others snickered.
Looking her up and down, I smiled warmly. "Better than not eating at all, don't you think… Lady?"
"I am Lady Veronica Halloway, daughter of Viscount Halloway."
"I see." Someone so insignificant I couldn't remember from my past life. I did remember Viscount Halloway fleeing his territory when it was invaded, leaving his family behind. "Well, it's nice to make your acquaintance, Lady Halloway. I am Lady Eloise Valemont."
I ignored the small gasps and murmurs around me and took a sip of tea poured by the attending maids. Today wasn't windy, just like back then. I observed the others, some giving mean looks and whispering. This would have been my first introduction to society in my past life, when I was known as "Eloise Wyndham, the unknown bride." I chuckled, then set my cup on its saucer and took a bite of a sandwich.
"How is life in the manor, my lady?" I turned to a soft-spoken lady. I set my sandwich on a small plate and wiped my mouth with a napkin.
"And you are?" I asked politely.
"My apologies. I am Lady Sylvia Edevane, my lady." Sylvia… Sylvia… I thought for a moment.
"Ah… Marchioness Edevane… it's a pleasure to meet you."
She stared, startled that I knew of her. "So you are aware of me, my lady?"
"Yes. If I remember correctly, the Marquisate contributed funds to support the knight order under the empire, correct?"
"That is correct. I see you've educated yourself on such matters."
"How could I not? My husband is responsible for that order, and as his wife, there are things I must know."
She smiled, taking a sip of her tea. We had never interacted before, and she did not show herself unless necessary. Her paternal family came from a line of merchants. I made a mental note: I must get closer to her. We continued discussing society—a subtle test, in my eyes. She was surprised by my knowledge, but I moderated myself. She mentioned she would send a letter soon for a small gathering she was hosting.
Finally, the tea party ended successfully and it was now the seventh hour of the night (7pm). I fell into bed after a warm bath, closing my eyes. Something that had not happened before occurred today: I reached over to my bedside table, took my diary and pen (hidden under a pile of undergarments), and recorded the new events. I had interacted with Lady Halloway—perhaps not crucial, but worth noting. Most importantly, I may be able to foster a relationship with Marchioness Edevane; I now await her invitation.
A knock at the door startled me. I hurriedly hid my diary under my pillow and opened the door. No one was there—only a basket of oranges on the floor. Suspicious, I brought the basket inside and placed it on my small writing table. I would have Bess inspect it tomorrow.
And with that, I resigned myself for the night.