Chapter 17: Late evening note
The night before the wedding, Ruelle found herself busy accommodating the guests who had gathered at the Belmont house. Most were relatives from Mr. and Mrs. Belmont's side, along with a few of their friends. The house bustled with activity, the clinking of glasses and polite laughter filling the air, but with only a maid and a stableman hired to help, Ruelle stepped in as an extra pair of hands, moving quietly through the rooms with a tray of refreshments.
"Ah, finally, the refreshments have arrived!" a woman exclaimed, reaching eagerly for a glass, her voice cutting through the hum of polite laughter. The atmosphere was merry, but a mistimed gesture led to a glass slipping and spilling its contents. "Oh, pardon me! I didn't mean for it to fall," the guest stammered, clearly embarrassed.
"It's alright. I'll clean it up right away," Ruelle reassured, her smile gentle and her hands swift. With practiced ease, she wiped away the mishap, leaving no trace of the incident.
As Ruelle continued her task, a woman across the room attempted to summon her, raising a hand and calling out, "Maid, the bedding—"
The woman was interrupted by a sharp nudge from her companion, who stifled a laugh. "What are you doing? That's not the maid," she whispered loudly enough for Ruelle to hear. "That's the Belmonts' eldest daughter, Ruelle."
The woman's brows furrowed in confusion. "The eldest daughter? Why isn't she the one getting married? Isn't it customary for the eldest to marry first?"
Ruelle, standing just a few feet away, heard every word. The air seemed to thicken around her, but she didn't react. Her father had been clear—no disruptions, no unnecessary attention. The wedding was to proceed smoothly, and Ruelle's presence was meant to be as invisible as her contributions, as this was Caroline's time to be happy.
At that moment, her father entered the room, commanding the attention of the guests. "Harold! I'm so happy for you and Megan! Congratulations!" One guest exclaimed, whisking him away from the exchange.
Taking the opportunity, Ruelle slipped into the next room, trying to shake off the conversation she had overheard. But the whispers followed her, like shadows refusing to leave.