The Nanny of House Herzen - Chapter 8
In the days following that morning, Evelyn remained on edge, conscious of others’ gazes, but life continued as usual. If people were only whispering among themselves, she almost felt grateful for it.
Compared to the misfortunes she had endured, this was but a trivial rumor. However, it certainly helped Evelyn steel her resolve.
She had survived, so she must live. And if she was going to live, she wanted to do so impressively, as if to show everyone. It was silly that it took others’ judgment to remind her of such a fundamental truth.
Finally, focus returned to her previously vacant blue eyes.
Evelyn didn’t just sit idly by watching over the young lady anymore. She dressed neatly and ate foods that would help with nursing.
During meals, she listened to the other maids’ conversations to understand the workings of the mansion. More than anything, she wanted to confirm if all the rumors about the Duke were true.
Changing her attitude revealed things she hadn’t noticed before.
Although her estate was not as grand as Herzen, Evelyn had grown up as a Count’s daughter and lived as a Marquis’s wife. But there was something distinctly different about Herzen.
It was hard to pinpoint exactly what…
“You look like you’ve finally come to your senses. It was pitiful before.”
While looking out at the garden from the window, the head maid approached her.
Evelyn slowly shifted her gaze. Many servants were kneeling and tending to the lawn, but beyond the head maid, the corridor was almost empty.
It then became clear to her. The mansion was understaffed.
Considering the number of rooms and corridors, it was absurd how few servants were inside while so many labored in the garden.
Evelyn slightly bowed her head.
“I owe my life to this place, I have no choice but to keep living.”
The head maid cocked her head curiously.
“Now that I see you, you’re not from a humble background, are you? You’ve been so quiet, I hadn’t noticed.”
Evelyn bit her lower lip, realizing her slip.
“Just some basic home education, that’s all.”
Fortunately, the head maid nodded without much suspicion.
“Ah, you must have had a good teacher, then.”
Evelyn’s face flushed slightly.
If it weren’t for the head maid, Evelyn’s life would have ended at the gates of the mansion. It was also the head maid who taught her day and night how to care for Johanson, effectively training her to work as a nanny.
Yet, she had been deceiving her.
While saving the starving Johanson had been a priority, Evelyn knew that the head maid had taken pity on her as a woman.
“…Thank you for saving me that day.”
Prompted by Evelyn’s delayed thanks, the head maid finally voiced a question she had been holding back.
“Did your husband, that scoundrel, throw you out after you lost the baby?”
Evelyn silently nodded.
“…He also tried to have me killed.”
The head maid clicked her tongue in disapproval.
“If he so desperately wants a child, he should try bearing one himself. Men’s cruelty can be so infuriating.”
She then pursed her lips and added apologetically to the silent Evelyn.
“I wish I could keep you on as a kitchen maid after your nursing period, but hiring people at Herzen is more difficult than elsewhere. Do you really have no one who could provide a reference or confirm your identity?”
“…I’m sorry.”
So, the mansion’s quiet halls were a result of being selective about who they hired. That too matched the rumors she had heard outside.
“They seek out healthy mutes to serve, to keep secrets.”
“How frustrating!”
“That’s how secretive they are.”
The head maid sighed deeply.
“As you see, we are always understaffed and busy. But don’t mistake our master for a harsh man. We are all paid well for the work we do.”
With that, the head maid praised her master and then moved away from Evelyn. She then glanced around before ascending the stairs leading to the upper floors.
“You mustn’t go up these stairs.”
It seemed that the rule about not going up those stairs didn’t apply to the head maid. Of course, the upper floors would need at least minimal staffing for cleaning and maintenance.
* * *
A few days later, the head maid brought Evelyn several dresses that had once belonged to the late duchess. Although slightly worn, they were far from lacking compared to what Evelyn had worn at the Marquis’s house.
“To-to give me such valuable clothes…”
Evelyn hesitated, but the head maid urged lowly.
“Naturally, the roles of nannies and handmaids are often filled by ladies from good families. Especially now, with the position of the Duchess vacant, you, who are solely caring for the young lady, cannot be seen in mere rags. These were specifically set aside by the late Madam for the nanny, so don’t worry.”
“But, still…”
The head maid looked at Evelyn with a hint of sympathy.
“When the nursing period is over, surely another nanny will come? You can leave these dresses behind then. I’ve obtained permission from the steward for you to borrow them until that time.”
Finally, Evelyn bowed her head in gratitude and accepted the dresses.
As the young lady grew, there would certainly be occasions when she needed to go outside. She couldn’t always wear the simple servant’s attire she had been given.
“Try them on.”
The head maid urged with a pleased expression and did not even leave to give Evelyn room to change.
