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 52

It seems that the former Duchess of Harrington is scheduled to stay for about two weeks. We, the servants, were determined to give our all to ensure she had a comfortable stay during this period.

The day after the lady arrived at this mansion, there was a notice from the steward.

“Seven days from now, the Lady of the House plans to hold a tea party at the salon of this main residence, inviting the ladies and young ladies with whom she is on friendly terms. About twenty guests will be invited. The master of the house is also expected to attend the tea party. Everyone, please proceed with the preparations to ensure there are no mistakes.”

Understood.

Just like the line of servants, I replied the same way, but my mind was in an uproar.

Wait… twenty noblewomen are coming here…? Eek, I’m so nervous…!

I wonder what kind of people they are… Honestly, I don’t have a very good impression of noblewomen. I don’t know many of them, but Countess Everly and her daughter Padma were both arrogant people with no trace of kindness, and that young lady from the Bracey Marquis family who visited the other day was really scary too. …But then again, my mother was a lady from the Everly family, and she was very kind and gentle. Not everyone is as terrifying as those people.

After the housekeeper finished speaking and everyone returned to their respective posts, the elderly female servants who were with me and Amanda spoke in low voices.

“The Lady of the Inner Chambers has gone out of her way to hold a tea party at this main residence, and even the master will be attending… it might finally be happening.”

“Yeah. I thought so too.”

“What are you talking about?”

When I casually asked, Amanda spoke up instead of the two of them.

“Hehe. I think the lady of the house is probably starting to decide on a marriage partner for her husband.”

“Huh…?”

A marriage partner…?

For some reason, those words made my chest feel strangely unsettled.

One of the elderly servants says.

“Yes. It seems you intend to remain single for life, but I don’t think that would satisfy either the lady of the house or society. After all, you are the head of the foremost duke’s family, overflowing with talent. I’m sure the lady of the house hasn’t given up on wanting you to continue that lineage.”

“Indeed, it’s said that many young ladies of marriageable age are competing for the position of their husbands’ wives, choosing to remain single without even deciding on a fiancé.”

Another woman joins in, and the three of them, including Amanda, are laughing mischievously.

“I see.”

I wonder why. It’s as if something is stuck in my chest, and I can’t find the right words. An unpleasant sensation washes over me, as if a strange creature is wriggling around inside my stomach.

I… I wonder what suddenly happened to me.

“Surely, the ladies and young ladies from each household will come all dressed up to the nines.”

“Yes. There’s no doubt about it. Everyone is definitely fired up.”

“That gentleman is finally going to give in to his mother and choose a partner, isn’t he?”

Amanda and the other two are talking happily in low voices, but I didn’t feel like joining their conversation. The smile I forced out only stiffened, and my mouth twitched.

This is troubling. What could be bothering me so much? Just because my husband got married, it doesn’t change my situation at all…… Oh, maybe depending on the partner, he might say he doesn’t want a commoner servant! If he accepts that, there’s a possibility I could be kicked out of here……?

There’s no way that’s true. I’m not the only commoner servant. Although, technically, I’m not a commoner.

Having thought that far, I suddenly had a bad feeling.

No way……, that Lady Bracey, the Marquis’s daughter, isn’t coming, right……?

Yeah. She probably won’t come. Because the master clearly told her the other day that she is forbidden from entering this mansion.

Since the head of the household has been so strict with him, there’s no way he would come here. Moreover, this time the host is the former Duchess of Harrington, the Lady of the Inner Palace. It’s not the person who was close (?), or rather, intimate with her husband, but those who are on good terms with the Lady of the Inner Palace who will be coming.

I thought so.

So, when the first person to show up at this mansion on the day of the tea party was that Lady Bracey, my entire body froze like a statue as I welcomed her in the salon.

“Good day, Lady Harrington. Thank you very much for indulging my whims today!”