Chapter – 04
Eleanor officially met Olivia, whom she was to tutor, only the next day, long after lunch. It was at that time that Cindy had summoned her.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Hudson.”
“You may simply call me Eleanor, Grandmistress Clarben.”
Eleanor’s reply made Cindy tilt her head slightly and smile. The butterfly ornament in her hair quivered with her movement.
“You spent time with Logan yesterday, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I happened to meet him while taking a walk.”
Cindy murmured, almost to herself, “I’ve already heard about Olivia.” Eleanor smiled faintly without replying, neither confirming nor denying, and Cindy seemed satisfied with the response.
“You’ve recommended a suitable person from the Billwood household.”
The conditions Cindy wanted for Olivia’s tutor were strict: she sought someone who could correct Olivia’s behavior and keep a careful tongue. Eleanor, from a minor family, was hired for precisely those reasons.
She was a young lady of a moderately educated noble family, but in need of money, and someone who would not recklessly spread gossip. That described Eleanor perfectly.
“I don’t expect much from Eleanor. Olivia herself is…”
Cindy’s expression darkened slightly when she mentioned her daughter, revealing little motherly affection.
“Make sure she behaves like a human being until at least sixteen, before she marries and leaves this mansion. Teach her basic etiquette and social manners.”
“…”
“Discipline her as needed. I don’t want to see her running around recklessly, shouting, creating chaos, or rolling in the dirt.”
Cindy clicked her tongue in annoyance. She seemed to despise her own daughter, willing to have her beaten to enforce behavior. Eleanor, seeing this, found no trace of a gentle motherly face.
“I will do my best.”
“I trust the judgment of the Billwood household,” Cindy said with a smile, encouraging Eleanor.
“Where is Olivia?”
“She is resting in her room.”
“Take Eleanor to meet Olivia. And if that girl acts out, give her a proper spanking.”
Eleanor followed the maid without showing any reaction. Perhaps because Logan would intervene if Cindy became too harsh, the location of Olivia’s room wasn’t inconvenient.
“Miss Olivia! Your tutor has come.”
The maid knocked a couple of times before opening the door, but no answer came from within. Eleanor, startled, looked at the maid, then scanned the room.
“Goodness. She’s gone out again?”
The maid muttered nervously, “I’ll go find her, then.”
As if guided by habit, the maid hurried down the stairs to look for Olivia. Eleanor also descended to search for her.
“Miss Olivia!”
“Miss Olivia!”
The servants were all busy searching for her, combing through the bushes. It seemed she liked hiding in such places.
“Olivia, are you here?”
As Eleanor quietly called Olivia, surveying the mansion’s grounds, a giggling voice sounded somewhere. Suddenly, something fluttered above Eleanor’s head and fell, like a wide white sheet ensnaring her.
“Olive, playing tricks again?”
A stranger’s voice followed. It was not stern like Logan’s, but cheerful and hearty. Eleanor’s eyes widened. It seemed to be Olivia’s doing.
Once she grasped the situation, Eleanor quickly calmed down. As she moved to lift the sheet overhead, it slipped away with a fluttering sound.
The first thing she saw was an unfamiliar shade of violet. But against the entirely blue garden backdrop, the face did not feel strange. Eleanor stared up at the figure, forgetting to blink.
“Seeing me again, huh?”
The person’s violet eyes sparkled warmly with a broad smile.
“Did you end up working at the Clarben mansion?”
“…Yes.”
As he removed the sheet, which had veiled his head like a veil, he chuckled. Eleanor shivered slightly as his hand brushed softly past her hair.
“I didn’t expect to meet the person I was looking for so easily here. I was planning to speak to you again right after we got off the train, but you disappeared so quickly.”
“You were looking for me? Why…”
Eleanor, who had no particular connection beyond a brief conversation, pondered why he wanted to see her. Despite never having dated or been engaged, it was clear he had feelings for her.
“I’m Eleanor Hudson. I’m Olivia Clarben’s tutor.”
Knowing her financial obligations, Eleanor suspected that revealing her name would not make him lose interest. She decided to tell him.
“Eleanor. It suits you well,” he complimented warmly. Eleanor gave a polite, slightly awkward smile at his straightforward praise.
“Olivia Clarben!”
At that moment, a harsh shout came through the window—Cindy’s furious voice. Olivia screamed as she saw her mother’s anger. Eleanor, still talking to the stranger, hurried inside, worried Cindy would not restrain herself.
“Is it that hard to stay in your room quietly?”
The sounds came from Olivia’s room. Eleanor followed, reaching the bedroom just as Cindy was scolding her sharply.
“Why are you covered in dust again? Are you a beggar? What is this mess?!”
Olivia’s small shoulders shook weakly under her mother’s grip. She could not handle her mother’s fury, and the hem of her pajamas had become damp.
“You insane…!”
It seemed she had urinated out of fear, which only fueled Cindy’s anger. Just as Cindy raised her hand to strike Olivia’s cheek, Eleanor rushed in.
“You brat! Were you born to humiliate me?!”
She did not want to see the timid child who flinched at her father’s shadow anymore.
“Grandmistress Clarben!”
At Eleanor’s voice, Cindy paused, realizing she could not publicly lash out in front of someone new.
“Calm yourself.”
Olivia appeared deeply shaken. Eleanor wrapped her shoulders gently. Cindy’s eyes still held contempt, but she refrained.
“Grandmistress Clarben.”
“Ah, Sir Usher.”
Hearing this, Cindy quickly adjusted her expression, smiling as she met Usher’s gaze. The cruel image she had just displayed disappeared, replaced by her usual charming self.
“What happened with Olivia?”
“She was playing a prank and got a little scolded. She still can’t be that bold,” Eleanor explained. Cindy recounted the incident as if it were minor.
Eleanor cleaned Olivia’s damp legs and the floor with a dry cloth while listening to the conversation behind her.
“I hope she learns a lot from her new tutor. What brings you here?”
“Oh, I came back from Dove, and needed to discuss something with Logan.”
“Logan isn’t back yet. Would you like to have some tea while you wait?”
“If the lady of the house offers, I’d be grateful,” Usher accepted. He was quick to adjust.
“Eleanor, please take care of Olivia.”
“Don’t worry, Grandmistress Clarben.”
As Cindy left, calling for the servants, Eleanor prepared to lift Olivia’s pajamas from over her head. She glanced back; even though Olivia was only eight, she did not want to embarrass her in front of a gentleman.
“Grandmistress Clarben is becoming more beautiful.”
“Sir Usher, you still have your wit,” Eleanor said.
As Cindy descended the central staircase, Usher caught Eleanor’s gaze, winked, and followed her.
“Were you very scared, Olivia?”
Only then did Eleanor understand why Usher had appeared—he had kept Cindy close during the tea to prevent further frightening the child. The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the kindness he had left behind.
“It’s alright. Shall we wash up first?”
The sound of Cindy ringing for the servants echoed like the chime Eleanor had once heard at the platform. It was impossible not to think of Usher again at that sound.
