Chapter 4

Eleanor formally met Olivia, whom she would teach, after lunchtime the following day. Cindy had summoned her at that time.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Hudson.”

“You can call me Eleanor, Madam Claven.”

Cindy tilted her head slightly at Eleanor’s response and smiled. The butterfly ornament on her hair quivered with the movement.

“You spent time with Logan yesterday.”

“Yes. We met by chance during a walk.”

“You’ve already heard about Olivia.”

Eleanor simply smiled in response to Cindy’s murmured question. It was neither a confirmation nor a denial, but Cindy seemed satisfied.

“The Billwood Earldom introduced someone suitable.”

The conditions she wanted for Olivia’s tutor were behavior correction and discretion. Despite receiving an introduction from the Billwood Earldom, she hired Eleanor, who came from a humble background, for those reasons.

A young lady from a moderately educated noble family who needed money and wouldn’t spread tales indiscriminately. That was Eleanor.

“I’m not expecting much from you, Eleanor. Olivia herself is…”

As soon as Cindy mentioned Olivia’s name, she frowned slightly with displeasure. She didn’t seem like a mother who loved her daughter.

“At least until she’s sixteen and gets married to leave this mansion, make her look presentable. Teach her basic etiquette and social manners.”

“…”

“I don’t mind punishment. I’d rather not see her running out at all hours, screaming and causing a fuss, or covered in dirt.”

Cindy clicked her tongue with a face of disgust. She even showed signs of hatred towards her daughter, suggesting she should be beaten to correct her behavior. Eleanor couldn’t see the face of a loving mother she knew.

“I’ll do my best.”

“I already trust the Billwood Earldom’s judgment.”

Cindy encouraged Eleanor with a smile.

“Where is Olivia?”

“Miss is resting in her room.”

“Introduce Eleanor to Olivia. If she acts cheeky, spank her.”

Cindy ordered the maid. Eleanor stood up and followed the maid without showing any reaction. 

Despite Cindy’s dislike for the child, Olivia’s room was not in a bad location, perhaps because Logan cared for her.

“Miss Olivia, your tutor is here.”

The maid knocked a couple of times and abruptly opened the door. She did so even though no response came from inside. Eleanor looked at the maid in surprise, then scanned the seemingly empty room.

“Oh dear. Has she gone out again?”

The maid muttered with a pale face.

“I’ll go look for Miss.”

Really, she’s like a ghost. 

The muttering voice carried dissatisfaction. The maid hurriedly ran down the stairs to find Olivia. It happened too quickly to stop. Eleanor, who was also looking around Olivia’s bedroom, went down the stairs to find Olivia.

“Miss!”

“Miss Olivia!”

The servants were all busy searching for Olivia. They seemed to be searching the bushes, as Olivia often liked to hide in such places.

“Olivia, are you here?”

Eleanor called Olivia in a low voice while looking around the mansion. Suddenly, she heard giggling laughter and something fluttered down above her head. Trapped under a wide white sheet like a net, Eleanor blinked in confusion.

“Olive, did you play another prank?”

Soon, a stranger’s voice was heard. Eleanor opened her eyes wide at the man’s question. It wasn’t as indifferent as Logan’s voice. Ha-ha-ha. A cheerful laugh was heard. It seemed to be Olivia’s prank.

Understanding the situation, her startled heart soon calmed down. As Eleanor tried to lift the sheet draped over her head, it was removed with a fluttering sound.

“Oh…?”

The first thing she saw was an unfamiliar shade of purple. Yet, the face revealed against the entirely blue garden background wasn’t unfamiliar. As if time had stopped, Eleanor forgot to blink and looked up at the person before her.

“We meet again.”

Usher smiled brightly with warm violet eyes.

“The place you started working at is the Claven Duchy?”

“…Yes.”

Usher chuckled as he finished removing the sheet that veiled her head. Eleanor shivered sensitively at the gentle touch brushing past her hair.

“I didn’t expect to meet the person I was looking for so easily here. I waited to talk to you again as soon as I got off the train, but you disappeared so quickly.”

Usher clicked his tongue briefly as if he regretted it.

“You were looking for me? Why…”

They had no particular connection other than a brief conversation. Eleanor was recalling what she might have done wrong.

“I didn’t ask your name at first meeting, fearing you’d find it unpleasant.”

Why would he need to know my name when there was no reason to meet again? 

Eleanor soon realized what the man in front of her wanted. Though she had never been engaged or even dated, Usher’s attitude towards her was clearly one of interest.

“Eleanor Hudson. I’ve started working as Olivia Claven’s tutor.”

But once he learned she was busy earning a living, Usher would surely lose interest. There was no harm in telling her name. Eleanor readily shared her name.

“Eleanor. It’s a fitting name.”

Usher kindly complimented her. Eleanor awkwardly smiled out of courtesy at the transparent praise.

“Olivia Claven!”

At that moment, a piercing shout was heard from beyond the window. It was Cindy’s voice, filled with anger. Olivia screamed, seemingly startled by her furious mother. Eleanor forgot she was conversing with Usher and rushed into the mansion. Just hearing Cindy’s voice made her think she wouldn’t leave Olivia alone.

“Is it so hard to stay quietly in your room?”

“Huh, uhh…”

The continuous sound came from Olivia’s room. When Eleanor reached Olivia’s bedroom, Cindy was harshly scolding Olivia.

“Where did you get covered in dirt again! Are you a beggar? What is this appearance, really!”

Olivia’s small shoulders, gripped tightly by Cindy’s hands, shook helplessly. Olivia couldn’t bear her mother’s anger. The hem of Olivia’s pajamas was damp.

“This crazy…”

It seemed she had urinated out of fear. But that only incited more anger from Cindy. As Cindy raised her hand to slap Olivia’s cheek, Eleanor hurriedly intervened.

‘You little girl, you were born to embarrass me!’

She didn’t want to see a child trembling at the mere shadow of their parent, who often hit them.

“Madam Claven!”

Cindy stopped her actions as if regaining her senses at Eleanor’s voice. If only the servants were present, she would have slapped Olivia immediately, but she couldn’t show such disgrace before Eleanor, whom she met for the first time today.

“Calm down.”

Cindy bit her lower lip tightly and clenched her hand.

“I showed a disgraceful side.”

“It seems Miss Olivia was quite startled. It’s not a sight for a noble person to see, so I’ll take care of it.”

Eleanor spoke as she embraced Olivia’s shoulders. Cindy still looked at Olivia with contemptuous eyes.

“Madam Claven.”

“Oh, Sir Usher.”

But at the voice heard right behind her, Cindy quickly changed her expression. She faced Usher with a smiling face, as if she hadn’t been scolding Olivia moments ago. It was the typical Cindy Claven seen in social circles.

“What happened to Olive?”

“Olivia played a prank and got a little scolded. She’s still not very bold.”

The abusive words she had just poured on Olivia seemed false. Cindy calmly explained as if she had merely scolded Olivia and the child had frightened herself. Eleanor listened to the conversation behind her while wiping Olivia’s damp legs and the floor with a dry cloth brought by the maid.

“I hope she learns a lot from the new tutor. What brings you here?”

“Oh, I came to discuss something with Logan about Dover.”

“Logan hasn’t returned yet. Would you like to wait with some tea?”

Cindy offered in a gentle voice.

“If I can be hosted by you, I’d be grateful.”

Usher didn’t refuse and accepted Cindy’s offer. He was a man with a good temperament.

“Eleanor, then I’ll leave Olivia to you.”

“Don’t worry, Madam Claven.”

Cindy’s indoor shoes echoed as she left the room. Eleanor turned around before removing Olivia’s pajamas. Though she was only eight, it wouldn’t be right to embarrass a child in front of a grown man.

“Madam Claven, you are becoming more beautiful.”

“Sir Usher, you are still as charming.”

As Cindy stepped onto the central staircase, Usher looked around the room and met Eleanor’s eyes. Usher winked and followed Cindy down the stairs.

“Did you get scared, Olivia?”

Only then did Eleanor realize why Usher had deliberately shown himself and accepted Cindy’s invitation for tea. Staying longer would only stimulate the child’s fear, so he separated Olivia from Cindy to allow her to calm down. At least while he was beside Cindy, she couldn’t get angrier.

It wasn’t entirely comfortable. The light streaming through the window stretched along the path Usher had disappeared. The warmth he left behind lingered there.

“It’s okay. Shall we wash up a bit?”

The calling bell Cindy used to summon a servant rang like the bell she had once heard on the platform. It was inevitable to be reminded of Usher by that sound.