maid chapter 16

“I’m not really into dating other servants. And this is a secret, but…” Amanda lowered her voice, and Ellie leaned in, intrigued. Secrets were always interesting.

Just as Amanda was about to continue, the bathroom door burst open. Both women turned towards the doorway. Amanda recognized the newcomer first. “Diana, are you here for Ellie?”

“Yes.”

Daniel’s expression was unusually stiff. Amanda glanced at him, wondering if he was upset about having his work partner taken away. Ellie wasn’t originally scheduled to clean the bathroom this week. The head maid arranged almost all of their tasks with Daniel. However, Ellie had offered to help Amanda with the evening cleaning, which Amanda usually handled alone.

Because of that, Daniel had to do their shared tasks by himself. He’d seemed agreeable earlier, but perhaps he’d changed his mind. Amanda quickly snatched the rag from Ellie’s hand. “Thanks, Ellie. Let’s talk later!”

“Huh?” Ellie’s eyes widened. Secret aside, they weren’t finished cleaning.

Amanda gave her a pointed look urging her to go. Sure enough, Daniel turned and left the bathroom without a word. Completely caught off guard, Ellie exchanged glances between the two before hurrying after him.

Aware of her pursuit, Daniel continued walking, his gaze fixed ahead. “What were you talking about?”

“What?” Ellie’s eyes widened further at the sudden question. She had no idea what he meant. Retracing her steps in her memory, she recalled her last conversation with Amanda.

Romance between servants, and a secret. If Daniel had only heard the last part, he could easily misunderstand, thinking she’d gossiped about his relationship with Ian.

She was about to be branded a blabbermouth who betrayed her friend’s confidence. Ellie rushed to deny it. “Oh, no! I didn’t say anything!”

Daniel eyed her suspiciously. Ellie waved her hands, desperately trying to explain. “Really! Amanda was just saying something about so-and-so and such-and-such… you know? And then… I mean, we weren’t talking about you and Ian…”

The more she spoke, the more tangled her words became. Her mind was spinning. She couldn’t tell Daniel about Betty, Joanna, and Ian. It might cause further misunderstanding, especially if he and Ian were involved.

As Ellie stumbled over her words, Daniel’s frown deepened. “Speak clearly.”

His rebuke deflated Ellie. She was trying to protect her friend, and all she got was criticism. Dejected, she continued haltingly, “Well… Amanda seemed to think something was going on between Betty and Joanna and Ian… Anyway, I really didn’t say anything!”

Daniel stared at her. He still couldn’t understand what she was trying to say, but he had a general idea of what she was thinking. She probably saw it as some kind of love affair.

It was true that Ian had approached Betty and Joanna. Not just them, in fact. Since infiltrating the Stoner household, he’d befriended numerous maids. Daniel knew this, and it wasn’t a problem. It had been a deliberate tactic.

Regardless of Ian’s true feelings, his goal wasn’t romance. A footman’s access was limited, so they had considered using the maids to their advantage. The plan hadn’t been as easy as they’d hoped, which was why Daniel had ended up entering the Count’s household himself.

In any case, naive Ellie seemed convinced that he and Ian were an item. It was an irritating misunderstanding, but also a relief.

Daniel’s harsh gaze softened as he turned and ascended the stairs. “Alright.”

“I’m telling the truth! I never gossip about other people’s secrets.” Ellie scurried after him. They were headed to the same place, but her presence was still a nuisance.

Daniel climbed the stairs with long strides. Ellie panted, struggling to keep up, but her mouth never stopped moving. “So, Diana, are you and Ian really dating?”