When Claudia returned to their estate, she made a promise to Martha as well.
“I will become the perfect noblewoman, just like Mother.”
Martha’s eyes misted over. She smiled in open delight, saying, “If anyone can manage that, it is most definitely you, Lady Claudia!”
“Yes. I am my mother’s daughter, after all. I hope you will continue to guide me.”
“Of course!”
As promised, Claudia dedicated herself to her studies. Her reputation steadily improved. Where once she had been petulant, she was now much calmer and down-to-earth. She quickly mastered aristocratic etiquette, which earned her tutor’s complete seal of approval. Now no one could say a disparaging word about her. For Claudia, it was all a rehearsal of what she already learned at the brothel. She’d also become far more adept at reading people, which helped her foster a much closer relationship with Virgil.
“Won’t you take a break soon, Elder Brother?” Claudia asked when she visited her brother’s room. She’d timed her arrival exactly when he normally stopped studying, followed by a maid pushing along a serving cart with a tea set. The tea set rattled as they entered.
Virgil shot her a sunny smile, touched by her thoughtfulness. She never remembered him beaming at her like this in her first life. It was proof she was making progress.
“How could I say no to you, Dee?”
He was also using her nickname now. It was plain to everyone how much he doted on her.
“I’ll be the one to prepare our tea today,” Claudia said.
Virgil’s eyes widened. “You? Really?”
She giggled. “Yes. I have been practicing especially for this.”
Claudia prepared their tea with such grace and finesse that it was hard to believe she was only fourteen. Still, her features remained somewhat girlish, which further endeared her to Virgil. In his eyes, she was adorable.
“You must be so busy with all your other studies. How did you ever find time to practice?” Virgil asked her.
“During breaks. My first attempt was bitter sludge you couldn’t even force down your throat.” Claudia let a tinkling laugh slip past her lips, careful not to sound too unladylike, as her maids smiled warmly from a respectable distance.
From time to time, Claudia would fall back into old habits from her previous life, but those minor gaffes did nothing to hinder the increasing fondness of those around her. The previously tense atmosphere that hung over their estate had begun to soften of late.
“Here you are. Take a sip.” Sounding proud to the point of swagger, she slid one of the cups toward her brother. She loosed another peal of laughter as she settled in the seat across him.
Virgil’s eyes flew wide open as he took a sip of her brew.
“How is it?”
“Delicious,” he enthused. “This is incredible. I think this may be the most enjoyable tea I’ve ever tasted.”
“Truly?! I’m overjoyed to hear it!” This time, Claudia took care that her reaction didn’t sound too dramatic.
She knew all of Virgil’s preferences, from the sort of tea he preferred to what reactions would please him. He was oblivious to all her precise calculations, his attention too focused on how adorable she was. His expression melted into one of genuine joy.
“I would like to drink this again.”
“Of course! For you, Elder Brother, I’d be happy to brew and pour another cup anytime.”
Virgil’s good favor appeased her appetite for approval.
“I was only able to accomplish this thanks to everyone’s support,” she added.
“‘Everyone’ being…?”
“The maids, of course. In particular, the most veteran members of our staff. Their work is awe-inspiring. They taught by example, and every brew they produced was incredibly delicious. I was so moved by their skill.”
Virgil furrowed his brow. “I would’ve thought you were keeping a respectable distance between yourself and the maids.”
According to their mother’s teachings, one wasn’t to be overly familiar with the help. Claudia understood her rationale. Ladies were expected to maintain a line between themselves and those who served them. At the same time, Claudia thought it imperative to build a relationship of trust with the family maids.
It was the servants at the brothel who collected detailed information about each customer. They were often of great help to Claudia. In this second go-around, Claudia intended to elevate her mother’s teachings and integrate them into her own style. After all, the majority of the maids working at the duke’s estate were ladies from lower-ranking noble houses. Their jobs here were a sort of live-in apprenticeship for them to learn proper high society decorum and earn personal recommendations from the duke for future employment or marriage opportunities. Claudia would use every avenue available to get information on Helen.
“Martha isn’t too keen on it,” Claudia admitted, “but I spend more of my time with the maids than with anyone else.” By implying that the maids were the ones who kept her company in the long hours her brother was gone, she gave him no grounds to scold her.
At sixteen, Virgil was busy studying at the academy and didn’t return home until the evening. He’d promised to stay at Claudia’s side, but the time he spent with her scarcely changed. Her words must have made him feel guilty. As she anticipated, he made no attempts to criticize her behavior. That wasn’t the important part, though.
It’s quite obvious now that I think about it. Martha has a tenuous relationship with the senior maids here.
Claudia’s mother brought Martha from her own family home, then appointed her as head maid. From the perspective of the senior staff, Martha was new blood who had suddenly waltzed in and become their boss. None of them were pleased.
At first, Claudia assumed it was her father’s single-handed decision that resulted in Martha’s firing. Now she realized it could have been the other staff pressuring her father from behind the scenes.
The best option is for Martha to conduct herself wisely so the other staff have no ammunition against her—but social shrewdness doesn’t seem to be her forte.
Martha, like Claudia’s mother, was a stern woman. Claudia could barely contain a sigh just thinking about it. At any rate, Claudia had no choice but to maneuver secretly on Martha’s behalf. Part of the reason the atmosphere at the estate had changed was, in fact, because of Claudia’s efforts to allay the other servants’ dissatisfaction.
Having the duke’s direct heir recognize their efforts should please them.
That was why, rather than express her gratitude to them directly, she was careful to convey it to her brother while they watched. She didn’t forget to brighten his spirits either.
“Being alone at home has given me a lot of time to think. Part of the reason I’ve taken a renewed interest in embroidery is thanks to the maids’ inspiration.” Claudia clapped her hands together. “Oh, there’s an idea! If I embroider a handkerchief, would you do me the honor of carrying it with you?”
In truth, she’d practiced embroidery at the brothel. Her choice to pursue it now was because she already achieved some level of skill with it.
“For me? Of course, I would be delighted.”
“I’m so glad to hear you say that! I’ll put all my effort into making something that pleases you. I hope that if you carry it around, at the academy or otherwise, you’ll remember me whenever you look at it.”
Virgil shook his head. “Even without a handkerchief, you’re always on my mind. I look forward to seeing what you make. I should get you a gift too.”
He proceeded to ask her what she wanted. Claudia reassured him she would be happy with anything he chose while subtly hinting she’d prefer something practical. Virgil interpreted it as her wanting a token to symbolize their close relationship. He was in even higher spirits than before as he continued sipping his tea. That is, until the butler popped into the room. It was rare for him to interrupt them.
“What is it?” Virgil asked, bemused.
“The master is on his way.”
There was only one person the servants here referred to as master.
What business does he have coming here? Claudia wondered. Normally, he keeps us at arm’s length and receives reports about estate affairs from the butler.
Her father had remained distant with them ever since their mother’s funeral. His sudden return had her and Virgil trading puzzled looks.
“For now, we should all go out to welcome him,” the butler suggested.
Virgil nodded thoughtfully. “I suppose. How much longer until he arrives?”
Claudia listened to their exchange, cocking her head. Strange. The mourning period is still in progress, so surely he can’t mean to bring Fermina and her mother here yet.
Virgil seemed no privier to the reason for their father’s return than Claudia. The two left their seats, equally at a loss.