Chapter 15:
The Maid Blushes
AFTER RETURNING TO HER ROOM in the servants’ dormitory, Helen changed into more comfortable clothing and curled up on her bed. Martha had arrived soon after Virgil left. Helen had assured her that everything was Virgil’s misunderstanding, but Martha had refused to listen. She said that Helen had a habit of overworking herself in the first place—and since Claudia was out, it was the perfect opportunity for her to rest.
I’m not sick at all, though, thought Helen. But her whole body relaxed the moment it hit the mattress, and she was out like a light.
When she awoke, the sky outside was painted orange.
“The head maid was right.” Helen had been more fatigued than she’d realized. She’d slept soundly without even realizing she’d nodded off. She reached for the water carafe on her side table. After several gulps, she let out a sigh.
Helen flopped back on her bed. Getting up at this point wouldn’t do any good. Her mind conjured an image of raven-black hair and blue eyes—not her mistress but the man who so resembled her. She thought of his pronounced brow that seemed to communicate his strength of will, and the beautifully sculpted line of his nose. Virgil’s eyes were such a dark shade that, depending on the light, they appeared azure. They were like gemstones, akin to the very sapphires everyone referred to as Lindsay Blue.
I wonder if Lord Virgil realized what he was saying? Helen wasn’t sure he did. At least, not completely.
It was like when an art teacher asked you to draw an egg. Were you supposed to draw it as a circle, as if viewing it from above? Or more like an oval, as if viewing it from the side? It was the same object, but depending on the perspective, it could be drawn differently. Likewise, perhaps Virgil’s words had an entirely different meaning than she thought. That had to be it. Why else would he say she was special to him?
But what if? What if he meant it the exact way she had interpreted it?
There’s simply no way.
She snatched up her pillow and hugged it to her chest. Heat built in her cheeks again, and it was very much not caused by illness. Helen wouldn’t have blushed this easily if she weren’t so shaken.
Urgh, is this what it’s like in high society?
The memory of Virgil’s voice telling her “You’re the only one” echoed in her mind. She slapped her hands over her ears, as if that might help. But it obviously didn’t. His words continued to reverberate in her skull.
Forget what he said, Helen commanded herself. Forget his voice, forget the way he touched your cheek, forget the firmness of his fingers.
Her eyes caught sight of his gift, which she’d set beside the water carafe. Crawling on her stomach, she snatched it up. The ribbon was a beautiful violet color, probably chosen because of her eyes. She unfastened it and peered at the bracelet nestled within. A layered cross in the shape of a star, with a sparkling sapphire set in its center, hung from the thin silver chain. It was indeed identical to the one he had gifted Claudia.
I love it.
It didn’t suit someone like her, of course. As a maid, she shouldn’t have accepted such a gift. Yes, the gemstone was as small as her pinkie nail, but still, it was Lindsay Blue. It would cost her several years’ salary to afford such a thing herself. The sapphires were so rare that few aristocrats possessed something like this.
What delighted her the most wasn’t the value of the piece, however; it was Virgil’s thoughtfulness. She’d nearly dissolved into tears when he talked about hoping that having a matching bracelet with Claudia would encourage her. Helen knew she should have refused the gift despite his words, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to.
Helen clutched the bracelet to her chest. Lady Claudia…
Claudia was foremost in her thoughts, but Virgil followed close behind. She was endlessly grateful to them both.
She remembered how relieved Virgil had looked, smiling at her when she finally accepted the gift. Those narrowed eyes had softened, the air around him turning gentle and warm. Her cheeks heated again and, ignoring the discomfort of lying on her stomach for this long, she buried her face in her pillow.
It’s cheating, really.
Helen recalled how he’d glared at her when they first met. His attitude toward her gradually softened over time, but unlike his sister, he kept all the servants at arm’s length. Virgil was equally aloof with everyone, which was why his reaction had been so unexpected. She hadn’t been ready for it. She had never even imagined he would smile at her like that. It had pierced straight through her wall of professionalism and hit her square in the heart. If she weren’t more careful, she might have misunderstood his intentions.
When Virgil brushed her cheek, warmth had coursed through her entire body. Her blood had felt hot as lava. It wasn’t until he apologized later that she finally regained her senses—but now she was losing herself to giddiness again.
What did he mean about feeling relaxed around me? Everything he’d uttered suggested she really was special to him. But special in what way? Special because she’d served at Claudia’s side for all these years? That had to be it, right? Yet it felt more personal than that. He’d been so open and vulnerable with her that it was hard to believe it was just a gift to express his gratitude as her employer’s son. Don’t be silly, Helen. You know it’s not that deep.
She blamed his face. The man was incredibly handsome but always so aloof that he felt unapproachable. It was only with Claudia that he showed his softer side, and now he’d shown it to Helen too.
It didn’t matter.