TLMS 14

Chapter 14

Like the servants, Count Penwood—who was a guest at the estate—was also questioned by the police regarding Anne’s death.

“That was close.”

Those were Ian’s words when he met me right after the police withdrew from the mansion, letting out an exaggerated sigh. Contrary to his words, his face looked completely relaxed.

“I’m neither a family member nor a servant, and I had only just arrived shortly before the incident. From the police’s perspective, I would’ve been the most suspicious person.”

“So what happened? You weren’t found out, right?”

“If I had been, do you think I’d still be here being treated like an honored guest?”

Ian smiled calmly, as if asking why I would even bother with such an obvious question.

“Anne’s room was in the west wing, while my guest room is in the east wing—separate buildings altogether. That helped. But more importantly, there were no signs that anyone had broken into her room.”

I had already heard roughly the same conclusion from the other maids who’d been questioned. Based on the circumstances, the police had concluded that Anne’s death was clearly a suicide.

Like Aileen’s case, the lack of a suicide note was questionable, but Anne had been heavily intoxicated and had a major argument with her family during dinner. The general consensus was that she must have acted impulsively in a moment of emotional turmoil.

“So the investigation into me was merely procedural. The Plenigan family was practically on edge, worried about offending an important guest. Thanks to that, the police were quite careful in how they treated me.”

For that reason, it seemed that the background check on Count Penwood hadn’t been conducted very thoroughly.

The police had sent a telegram to the Penwood estate to verify his identity, but since Ian had already coordinated with the real Count Penwood and my grandfather beforehand, a firm reply came back stating that “Count Penwood is currently staying at the Plenigan estate.”

The documents and identification Ian carried also appeared legitimate, and the business associate who had introduced “Count Penwood” to the Plenigan household stepped forward to vouch for him. Unaware that this man was part of Ian’s noble impersonation act, the police accepted this as sufficient proof.

“So there’s absolutely nothing to worry about.”

“How can I not worry about the future of this country when you’re mocking public authority like this?”

“I’ve sent a letter to the Count regarding this matter.”

“To Grandfather?”

“Yes. There’s a chance even a small article might appear in the newspapers. Even if not, two young ladies of the household have died in succession. No matter how much they try to hush it up, rumors will spread. I thought it best to inform him in advance so he wouldn’t worry unnecessarily.”

“There’s no need to make Grandfather anxious.”

“I added that you are doing very well, so there’s no need for concern.”

Ian spoke with a reassuring expression.

“I wrote that it seems you’ve finally found your true calling—that you’re exceptionally well-suited to being a maid, and that you could continue for several more years.”

“And did you also write that being a count suits you perfectly, so you’ll keep up the impersonation and loaf around for a few more years?”

“Miss, I’m not joking.”

Ian said this with the same faint smile.

“To be honest, there are many nobles who consider work like that of maids or butlers beneath them. Just imagining doing such work would make them bristle at the thought of tarnishing their noble dignity.

But you willingly became a maid for your friend, and you’ve carried out your duties without a single complaint. I sincerely think you’re admirable.”

“Ian…”

“Of course, if it were me, I’d choose being a count without hesitation.”

Though Ian added that jokingly, I understood how he truly felt. Having grown up together as childhood friends, we didn’t need to put everything into words.

No matter how much I told myself I was fine, no matter how brave I tried to appear, I was anxious.

The Whittington count’s granddaughter disguising herself as a maid and sneaking into another family’s estate to investigate—if that were to be revealed, nothing good would come of it. Above all, I didn’t want my grandfather to be harmed.

I hadn’t even had the time to properly grieve Aileen’s death. Though I hadn’t been particularly close to Anne, her sudden death still shocked me. On top of that, the unfamiliar duties of a maid were exhausting me both mentally and physically.

Ian knew all of this. Just as I understood him.

That’s why he tried to lighten my mood with jokes—so I could forget my troubles, even if only for a moment.

That I wasn’t alone. That he was by my side.

He didn’t need to say it aloud. I understood.

A few days later, Anne’s funeral was held.

Like Aileen’s, there was a strong sense that they wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. The coffin, gravestone, and all funeral items were of the highest quality, but aside from that, the atmosphere felt as lonely as that of an unclaimed burial.

Though they had told outsiders it was an accident, I wondered whether they could truly silence all the servants. Once might be manageable—but twice in such a short time?

Still, whether out of propriety or fear of the Plenigan family’s influence, none of the guests openly whispered or rudely questioned the circumstances.

At one point, I wondered if Ben—the man Anne had supposedly been seeing—might have attended the funeral. I glanced around discreetly, but I couldn’t find anyone who fit the description.

Most likely, even if he wanted to come, the Plenigan family would have prevented him. Thinking that made Anne’s final journey feel even lonelier.

Anne’s sisters, Jane and Delia, wept uncontrollably throughout the funeral. While the others maintained stiff expressions—as if displaying grief openly would be beneath their dignity—these two made no attempt to hide their sorrow.

I didn’t remember how they had behaved during Aileen’s funeral, but perhaps it had been similar.

Even during my short stay at the estate, it was clear how close the sisters were. Aileen herself had spoken only fondly of them.

As an only child, I didn’t fully understand sibling bonds—but seeing four sisters reduced to two made my chest ache.

Even after the funeral, Jane would sometimes break down, unable to contain her grief.

Jane had been the most cheerful and lively among the sisters. She loved jokes, pranks, parties, and dancing.

Naturally, the Plenigan family disapproved of her personality, considering it too frivolous and improper for a lady.

She was forbidden from attending dance parties where men were present, and was only allowed to attend daytime garden parties mostly for women. Still, Jane had been content with that.

Unlike Anne, Jane wasn’t particularly strong-willed. When criticized, she would comply quietly in the moment, so she rarely caused trouble.

Even so, seeing her—who once brightened the entire atmosphere—now completely deflated and in tears made the already oppressive mansion feel even more suffocating.

“I was so startled when Miss Jane suddenly burst into tears.”

Carol, who usually served the family in the west wing, said this with a sigh to Amy and me.

“She seemed perfectly fine while I was pouring her tea. She was even teasing Miss Delia about her crooked ribbon.

But after taking a sip or two, she suddenly started crying, saying it felt like Miss Anne might walk in through that window any moment.”

According to Carol, Anne and Jane’s rooms were adjacent, and their balconies were connected. They often used that balcony to visit each other and play.

Anne, in particular, had a habit of going over to Jane’s room in her nightclothes first thing in the morning, often earning criticism for her lack of modesty.

“Why didn’t I hear anything?”

Jane sobbed, covering her face with both hands.

“My sister jumped from the window! And I was just sleeping!”

But it wasn’t fair to blame Jane. No one had known when Anne jumped.

Even if their rooms were next to each other, it had happened late at night during heavy rain. It was only natural she hadn’t heard anything.

“This place was already suffocating, but now it’s unbearable.”

Carol sighed again.

“I overheard Sir Edward and Sir Thomas talking—they said it might be best to quickly arrange marriages for Miss Jane and Miss Delia before anything else happens.”

It seemed the family feared that the remaining sisters might do something similar.

“That’s ridiculous. Instead of mourning properly or worrying about the girls, all they care about is their family reputation. No matter how rich they are, I wouldn’t want to marry into a family like that.”

Amy scoffed.

“Well… if they’re this rich, I might be able to endure it.”

Carol replied with a snort.

“Being nagged all day about how a lady should behave, and at night being haunted by a ghost telling you to uphold family dignity? Sounds delightful.”

“Anyway, do you think the two young ladies will end up marrying men they’ve never even met? You haven’t heard any rumors about them seeing someone, have you?”

“Even if they were, they’d keep it secret. Just like Miss Anne did.”

At the mention of Anne, both Amy and Carol’s expressions darkened.

No rumors about Jane or Delia having lovers ever surfaced—but another absurd rumor soon began spreading throughout the estate.

To confirm its truth, I went to find Ian.

“Ian, is it true?”

I asked the moment I saw him, making him frown slightly.

“If you’re asking whether I’m handsome and capable, then yes, it’s true.”

“I’m not joking!”

“Then please form a proper sentence and ask again.”

“I heard you might be getting married!”

“…What?”

“The maids are all talking about it! That Count Penwood might marry one of the Plenigan daughters!”

Ian looked momentarily dumbfounded, but quickly regained his usual shameless composure.

“Before coming here, I heard a bit about the Plenigan family’s wealth. If it’s not exaggerated, becoming their son-in-law wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”

From his reaction, I immediately understood—this was the first he’d heard of the rumor.

“But Ian, considering the way this family thinks, it’s not impossible.”

I sighed lightly.

“They’re obsessed with nobility and status. If it meant gaining a noble son-in-law, they’d probably drink that entire pond dry if told to.”

“If it meant marrying into such immense wealth, I’d gladly uproot every tree on that mountain and eat them.”

Ian shot back.

As always, he refused to lose even a single word in an argument.