Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 61: When Aid Breeds Doubt - Part 2

By early the next afternoon, the Sullivans' mail finally arrived, later than usual because the postal service had to locate their courier, who hadn't shown up for his delivery last night.

With Roland meeting the courier at the mansion's front doors, the courier bows deeply in apology. "We sincerely apologize for the delay. There were also signs of tampering in the Sullivans' designated slot; our investigation concludes that none of your letters or their contents are missing."

"Tampered? Were other slot seals compromised?" Roland asks, slowly shuffling through the letters, all being the replies to his reference requests.

"No others, Sir. The key was used to open it, but it was forced open and broke the seal, which was then closed and locked again. To ensure your and Lord Sullivan's safety, we have confirmed that no poison or harmful substance was in the letters, which is why they have already been opened. We will address the carriage driver's negligence. On behalf of the postmaster, we apologize again and guarantee this will not happen again. Please inform us immediately if anything is amiss."

Going to his office and closing the door, he sits at his desk and begins to read the letters from Marina's references. So far, they show plenty of praise, but maybe a bit too much. Could these be fake? Roland then interlaces his fingers and rests his forehead against his hands. Who would want to invade their mail for some reference letters? He takes a deep, cleansing breath as he ponders.

'Since she arrived here, I've sensed something strange about that girl. Would she have managed to sneak out of her room to leave fake letters? No. She wouldn't have had the means; someone would have noticed her gone for a long time waiting for the carrier. Not only that, would she even be capable of taking the keys, swapping the letters, and disappearing without the carrier noticing? She was determined to get hired in this home, but going to such lengths?'

It all seems too suspicious, too much for his liking. It appears too complicated for just one unsuspecting young woman to handle alone. Over the years of guarding the Sullivan house, this looks more like a larger scheme. Maybe she has accomplices. She must be some kind of spy.

Now the question is: what should he do about her? He could turn her away, hoping that would be the end of it. But if she is truly plotting with others and capable of such an exchange, it wouldn't be that simple.

'Right now, all I know is that she wants to be hired here. I'll need to talk to the postal service to understand the details of how the exchange happened.'

Then there's what Ervin had instructed him to do about making Marina Liam's tutor.

He takes another deep breath.

'Perhaps... we can kill two birds with one stone, while keeping a watchful eye.'

Since some of Ervin's suitors will be leaving to go back home, that will free some of his staff to watch her movements. It will be easier to monitor her as Liam's tutor than as part of the cooking or maid staff. Maybe, in time, the conspirators will be revealed.

Standing up from his desk, he walks over to a copper cone attached to a pipe and leans closer. "Head Maid, will you send Marina Sandoval to my office?"

After a moment, Ms. Muriel responds, "Let me go and find her; then I'll send her your way."

"Thank you."

Although his mind races with paranoia and suspicion, he can't reveal any of that when talking to her. He moves to stand in front of his desk and waits patiently for her to arrive.

It isn't long before he hears footsteps, a pause, and then a knock on the door.

"Come in," Roland calls out.