The Black-haired Noblewoman, Who Disguised Herself, Seems To Have Been Doted On While Serving As The Caretaker For The Duke Who Dislikes Women - Episode 48

A few days after Amanda successfully gave Curtis a birthday gift, while cleaning around the desk in the office, she suddenly felt her husband’s gaze.

I looked up and saw my husband standing by the bookshelf. He had clearly been looking at me, but suddenly he averted his gaze and focused on the book in his hands.

Is there something you need……?

As I meticulously dust the corners, my mind wanders. When the master has something for me, he always calls out without hesitation. But for the past few days, he has been silent. Even when I’m in the study, he rarely asks, “Michelle, could you sort those letters over there for me?” However, while I’m quietly cleaning like this, I sometimes notice the master staring at me intently.

If you have something to command, please don’t hesitate to speak up. Or… have I inadvertently done something wrong without realizing it? Are you unsure whether to admonish me or not…?

Having finished tidying up the desk and now crouching down to wipe the sides, I can still feel my husband’s gaze prickling on my back. He must have something very important to tell me. Since Mr. Curtis is out running errands now, it should be even easier to talk…

Then, my husband approached me. He lightly cleared his throat and sat down in the chair in front of the desk. At that moment, I had also finished cleaning around my desk. I quietly stood up and informed my husband.

“The cleaning for today is finished.”

“Ah. Thank you.”

Should I just greet and leave the room as it is? After pondering for a while, my husband finally looked at me and spoke.

“…How have you been lately? Is there anything troubling you?”

Are you in trouble?

I felt like they were unusually concerned about me; could it be because they wanted to know how I’ve been?

“No, not particularly. Everyone has been very kind to me, and I can work without any issues.”

“I see. That’s good then. …The other day, you and Curtis were talking together in the garden, right? I was wondering if you were discussing something. I was a bit concerned.”

After hearing those words, I finally understood. I see. My husband thought I was calling Mr. Curtis to discuss my troubles. That’s why he has been unusually concerned about me lately…

How kind they are. To care so much for just one servant… They might really be a god after all.

“No, not at all. It’s nothing like that. Please don’t worry. Thank you, sir.”

This time, I intended to say, “Well then, excuse me,” and turn on my heel.

However, my husband continues speaking.

“So, what exactly are we talking about?”

“Huh?”

“I’ve been wondering what you two were talking about in the garden that day. Even when I ask Curtis, he only says it’s a secret. Was there something special you didn’t want anyone else to hear?”

With an unusually serious look in his eyes, my husband asked me that question, appearing more desperate than usual. I panicked. Why is he so concerned about that incident? …Could it be?

Huh? Am I being suspected of having improper feelings towards Mr. Curtis…!? Do they really think I’m the wicked woman disrupting the decorum of the Harrington mansion…!?

If we’re talking about that, Amanda-san is also in love with Curtis-san, but considering that she has been working for many years and has built up her achievements, while I have only recently been officially hired, the level of trust from the husband would probably be quite different. I hurriedly denied it completely.

“It’s not like that! Um…! I just… got a little curious! I was wondering what everyone does on their days off. I even asked Amanda and some others. You see, I sometimes get days off too, but… I don’t really know how to spend them… haha. So, during break time, I thought I’d ask. I was wondering how you spend your time, Mr. Curtis. Yes. I swear, there’s no deep meaning behind it at all…!”

While I was sweating bullets and making the best desperate excuses I could, my husband further cornered me.

“Doesn’t that mean you indirectly asked Curtis out on a date?”

“Wh-what! That’s completely different!! I didn’t have the slightest intention of that!”

“I see.”

“I… I am very sorry for causing any misunderstanding, sir. I will never have private conversations with a man alone again…!”

I was desperate. If I lost my husband’s trust, I would be kicked out of here…! It’s such a good workplace, too!

Then, seeing me tearfully apologizing with all my might, my husband suddenly made an awkward expression, covered his mouth with his hand, and averted his gaze from me. …Why are his earlobes slightly red?

“…No… I didn’t say that much. I don’t intend to… restrict you…”

“Huh?”

When I asked my husband, who was mumbling something under his breath, he cleared his throat and started fiddling with the documents in front of him.

“I’m sorry, Michelle. If you’re not in any trouble, then it doesn’t matter. You should be able to spend your break time freely.”

“Yes…… Thank you very much, sir.”

I don’t really understand why, but it seems like they were convinced for now. Thank goodness… I won’t be kicked out…

I felt a deep sense of relief as I greeted my husband, turned on my heel, and was about to leave the office. Then, from behind, I heard my husband’s calm voice calling out to me.

“You don’t have someone special you have feelings for, do you?”

“Ah! Y-yes, of course, there is no such person.”

“I see.”

When I answered him after looking back, my husband said that and smiled a little.

Walking down the hallway, I was overwhelmed by the strangely loud beating of my own heart and let out a deep sigh.