Chapter 21:
The Maid Consults the Duke’s Heir
THAT NIGHT, after bidding Claudia good night, Helen ran into Virgil in the hallway.
“I realize you must be exhausted as well, but could you spare me a moment?” he asked.
“Yes, certainly,” Helen answered.
It was perfect timing, since she’d been wanting to speak with him anyway. She told Virgil as much, and they moved to an empty drawing room where they could sit and talk. Virgil’s office was always bustling with officials shuffling in and out at all hours, so he’d chosen this room for its privacy. It was obvious what they both wanted to discuss.
“Please, go ahead,” Virgil said.
“All right. It’s about Lady Claudia, actually… The plight of the refugees has deeply affected her, most likely because she witnessed their living conditions personally during her visit.”
Virgil nodded. “That was weighing on me too. Dee tends to take on more than she should. She probably thinks the refugees’ situation is her responsibility to solve.” He smiled sardonically. “It’s really my responsibility, though.”
“May I say as much to her?” asked Helen.
“Be my guest. I’m not trying to scold her for her involvement, but I don’t want her taking it all to heart.”
If Helen admonished Claudia for taking Virgil’s work from him, she would back down. She was always keenly aware of the boundaries of their social positions.
“It might be better for her to focus on her duties as the saint’s attendant,” Helen suggested.
“Indeed. Her presence alone is enough to give people hope. I can’t even begin to articulate how much it meant to them, having her visit and listen to their concerns the way she did.”
Miguel, who had recommended these visits in the first place, was greatly pleased with the result. Even the merchants’ guild acknowledged the positive influence they’d had. There was far less unrest among their people now than there had been before. It had probably helped that the refugees’ arrival hadn’t caused widespread chaos.
“We need to maintain this tranquility.” Virgil pressed between his brows, massaging his forehead with more force than necessary.
He’s been grinding himself to dust, working every day. Before she even realized what she was saying, Helen burst out, “Would you mind if I massaged your shoulders?”
“Hmm? Oh, go ahead.”
Virgil had his own maid, but Helen very much doubted the woman gave him massages in his office.
“Lady Claudia is terrible at letting other people take care of her, but so are you,” Helen chided as she massaged him. “You have some real knots in your shoulders. You ought to take rest periodically too, my lord.” She shifted her weight to press deeper. “It doesn’t hurt, does it?”
“It hurts,” was all he said.
“That’s proof that you’re getting proper blood circulation, then,” she replied smoothly. “I’ll be a little gentler.”
“No, it feels nice, actually. Please continue as you were.”
He didn’t seem to be lying, so she continued working her fingers into his muscles, squeezing from his shoulders to the base of his neck.
“So, I’m not good at letting other people look after me, hmm?”
“Did you not realize that?” Helen asked.
“The concept never even crossed my mind.”
Unsurprising. Like sister, like brother—though Virgil was far worse than his younger sister.
“Then please be more cognizant in the future,” Helen advised him. “The best way of performing self-care is to kick back and treat yourself to your favorite food and drink.”
“Hmm. Does taking care of myself really count? No one is looking after me, then.” Virgil tilted his head back, his eyes meeting hers. The light in the room was reflected in his blue eyes, and she nearly lost herself in their depths. “Helen?”
“Oh. Right.” She shook her head. “I think I’m done with your massage.”
She yanked her hands back and stepped away. The overlapping star hanging from her bracelet swayed with the sudden movement.
“Thank you. My shoulders feel so much lighter.”
“Glad to be of service.” Helen tried to excuse herself as if they hadn’t shared a moment, wanting to deny the noisy thrumming of her heart. But that low, husky voice of his stopped her in her tracks.
“May I ask you to do it again?”
Her mouth felt dry. “Another maid can do it for you.”
“I want you to do it.” He rolled his shoulders and smiled softly at her as he spoke, which made her blood pulse in her ears.
There’s no deeper meaning to it, Helen told herself. He just liked the massage. That’s all.
Maybe she was secretly relieved that he didn’t have any ulterior motives. If someone asked her to choose between Claudia and Virgil, she would loudly and confidently choose Claudia. That was the only reason she and Virgil could be alone in a room together: She valued Claudia above all else.
“Very well,” Helen relented. “If we should have a free moment in our schedules at the same time, feel free to call for me.”
There was a brief silence as he let her words sink in. “Ah. Of course. This is a privilege, not a right.”
She wasn’t sure she followed.
“I forgot that your time belongs to Dee. Your words reminded me how rare it is to be able to share these moments. I appreciate you giving me your time.”
“You’re being far too generous. I am only a maid.” Helen was the one who had noticed his exhaustion and offered.
She bowed her head and made her escape at last. She wasn’t sure whether all hardworking aristocrats inspired doting from their servants or if it was specific to the Lindsay siblings.
Either way, they’re both serious flirts without even realizing it.