TLMS 01

Chapter 01

“So, your name is… Lambert. Miss Ellie Lambert.”

“Yes.”

I answered as politely and composedly as I could, trying to appear calm and trustworthy.

Though I forced a composed expression, my mind was filled with anxiety.

‘Is my skirt length okay? Is the apron string frayed? I ran earlier in a hurry—will they think I’m too reckless?’

And above all, one thought weighed heavily on me:

‘My face… surely they don’t remember it, do they?’

I stood frozen, barely able to breathe.

Mrs. Pierce, the head housemaid, alternated her gaze between the papers she held and me, then gathered the documents and placed them in a brown paper envelope.

“I’m concerned that this is your first time working as a maid, but since you’ve brought a letter of recommendation from Baroness Olga, I suppose you must be someone we can trust. Coincidentally, we are also short-handed right now.

Miss Lambert, when working as a maid, you must always be alert to your surroundings and act swiftly. Laziness will not be tolerated.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And above all, a woman must remain modest. You must not giggle or flirt with the other servants, nor cast glances at male guests. If any unsavory rumors arise that tarnish the honor of the Plenigan household, you will be dismissed immediately.”

“I understand. I will be careful at all times.”

“Many give up soon after starting because the work is tough. So, do you think you can handle it?”

“Yes, I will do my best.”

Of course, I had to do well.

‘Aileen… for you… I will do my best, no matter what!’

I, Elizabeth Whittington, granddaughter of the 13th Earl of Whittington and heir to become the next Earl of Whittington, was now attending a maid interview for the following reason:

Being an only child, I lost both my parents in a carriage accident at a young age and was raised with utmost care by my grandfather. One might imagine a young lady of a historic noble family like the Whittingtons would be genteel and courteous, but in truth, my character was far from such ideals.

I was, in many ways, unlike the typical noble young lady.

From early on, people often said I was unusual. Instead of taking interest in the latest fashion, parties, or dances, I found myself more intrigued by recent criminal cases or political affairs.

“Miss, if you like things like that, you won’t be popular with men.”

Some of the maids even said this—not in mockery, but out of genuine concern. I simply could not understand it.

“Do I have to force myself to dislike something just to be popular with men?”

“Well, not exactly, but men and women are different. There are things women should care about, and things men should care about.”

I knew such remarks were inevitable. Even though society had changed somewhat, there were still many restrictions on what a woman could pursue.

So, when I turned eighteen and declared my intention to attend university, my grandfather was utterly shocked.

“A woman attending university!”

He banged his fist on the desk as if in disbelief.

“Beth, I read in the papers that women’s colleges are being established here and there. But it’s just a passing trend. It will fade away quickly, becoming nothing more than gossip for bored women at parties.”

“Grandfather, studying isn’t a bad thing, is it?”

I protested, but he shook his head.

“What more do you need to study? You had private tutors. You learned reading, writing, drawing, arithmetic. You were taught piano, dance, social conversation, tea etiquette, how to choose the right hat, ribbon tying, and embroidery. I am confident that your education is more than sufficient.”

“Grandfather, I mean something more… I want to study a professional field, like law.”

“Law?!”

His expression was as if the sky had just collapsed.

“What nonsense are you talking about? A young lady of the Whittington family wants to become a vulgar, money-obsessed lawyer?”

“Grandfather, lawyers aren’t all vulgar or greedy. Some may be, but that applies to any profession.”

“In any case, it’s not allowed!”

He was adamant, but I did not back down.

“You don’t have to assume the worst. If I eventually take over your position, there might be legal matters—like fraudulent property documents. If you’re gone and I know nothing of the law, I could be at a total disadvantage. It won’t hurt to study in advance.”

“Our family lawyer, Mr. Benchcliff, will handle all property matters. You have nothing to worry about. He’s not the type to do anything underhanded.”

“But there’s no guarantee he’ll remain our lawyer until then. If we hire a new one who is unscrupulous, they could manipulate documents, and if I know nothing, the family’s wealth could be stolen!”

In truth, my grandfather was not as stubborn as he appeared. He initially opposed my plan out of concern for the family’s reputation, but he could listen to reason when convinced.

After a prolonged discussion, he finally relented, and I was able to enroll in Bayden Women’s College as I wished.

Although small and with few students, Bayden was the only women’s college where one could study law, mathematics, and chemistry.

Most students came from wealthy, progressive merchant or lawyer families. I was the only noble among them.

“Beth, if after a semester you find it too hard, you can quit and return home. It’s hard for a woman to leave home and study.”

When I entered the dormitory, my grandfather’s words—whether encouragement or curse—echoed. And indeed, after my first semester, I filed for a leave before the next semester began.

But it wasn’t because I found studying too difficult. A more urgent matter demanded my attention.

At college, I made several friends, including Aileen Plenigan. Soon, Aileen and I became inseparable, as if we had known each other since childhood.

Aileen was the youngest daughter of the Plenigan family, who owned a large country store. Unlike my grandfather, who could be persuaded, her family was stubborn and unyielding. Naturally, they opposed her attending college.

“How did you manage to enroll? Begged until they relented?” I asked.

Aileen shrugged.

“Getting permission would’ve been slower than waiting for a flower to bloom on a rock. I just left home at night.”

“You ran away?”

“Yes. I had some savings, and I sold jewelry and dresses I brought along.”

“Aileen, that’s amazing!”

“I’m eighteen. I’m an adult. I make my own decisions.”

Though Aileen said it nonchalantly, living in a strange city, working as a tutor three times a week to cover tuition and living expenses, could not have been easy.

Aileen was cheerful and spirited, but sometimes she seemed melancholy. I assumed she missed her home, but I was completely wrong. Her sadness was related to her family, yes, but not from longing.

“Beth, there’s a ghost in our house.”

One day, Aileen told me this. I had no idea how to react.

“I’ve heard old estates sometimes have ghosts. But I’ve never seen one at the Whittington estate.”

“No, Beth. It’s not a ghost flying around like in old stories.”

Aileen shook her head.

“It’s a curse and confinement created by our ancestors. The ghost appears only before the women of our family…”

I knew Aileen didn’t joke about serious matters, but I could not understand what she meant. She said no more.

After the first semester, the vacation began, and I had to part from Aileen.

“Aileen, is it okay to go home? You snuck out, didn’t you?”

“I’ll go home for now. If they keep opposing me, I’ll sneak out again at night.”

Aileen smiled cheerfully.

About ten days later, I received a letter from her:

*“Dear Beth,
Just ten days apart and I miss you like a year.

Don’t worry about my family. It’s settled now. They’re still angry, but they’ve accepted that what’s done is done. They won’t support me financially, but that’s fine—I’m an adult now, eligible to inherit, and I can earn my own way.

Something exciting happened! Beth, will you visit the Plenigan estate? My family is obsessed with social status. Since you’re from the Whittington family, they insist you must be invited.

I don’t mean for you to greet them. More than anything, I want to see you. And I have something I must show you.

Remember when I said there’s a ghost in our house? I discovered its identity! I freed our women from the ancestral curse! Some family members might be unhappy I found out, but I know I did the right thing. When you visit, I’ll tell you everything first!

Soon I’ll send an official invitation. There’s a lovely forest path near the house, and a summer festival in town. It’ll be a wonderful holiday!

I want to see you as soon as possible. No one here really understands me. My older sisters listen, but still hold prejudices about how women should behave. My uncles and grandmother are hopeless. Sometimes, I feel talking to a cat is easier than them.

Until we meet again, take care.
With all my love,
Aileen Plenigan”*

From the letter, I couldn’t tell exactly what she had discovered, but she seemed excited about resolving a family matter.

I eagerly awaited the day I could see Aileen again. A week later, another letter arrived from her home.

But it was not the invitation I had been waiting for.

The letter was in a black-edged envelope. It was an obituary, asking me to attend Aileen’s funeral.