I No Longer Have Love to Offer You - Chapter 13

The next day, Mirabelle changed into one of the few dresses she had taken from the Hylas household and visited Albert’s trading company as promised.

“Thank you for your help yesterday.”

Albert gave a wry smile at Mirabelle’s immediate words upon being shown into the company president’s office.

“I heard you didn’t come for dinner yesterday?”

From his response, Mirabelle realized Albert already knew how yesterday had ended. He’d probably had one of his employees report on her condition.

“I just didn’t have an appetite.”

That was Mirabelle putting on a brave face. While it was true, she wasn’t so hungry she couldn’t function, she hadn’t been without appetite either. Yet for some reason, admitting that honestly felt embarrassing.

“Is that so? I was just about to have tea. Would you care to join me?”

On the reception table before Albert were arranged sandwiches along with various pastries like pies and tarts. The fragrant black tea was likely Darjeeling – its rich aroma filled the room.

Whether he didn’t expect Mirabelle to refuse or intended to make her eat regardless, Albert began plating some sandwiches himself without waiting for an answer.

“…Thank you. I’ll have some.”

Mirabelle had initially meant to decline, but quickly accepted the plate with gratitude for Albert’s consideration. Yesterday’s lesson about the futility of stubborn pride played its part too. The current Mirabelle understood she should accept kindness openly rather than worry about appearances.

(He must have prepared this especially for me)

She wasn’t so dense as to miss that.

Having heard she skipped dinner yesterday, Albert had likely anticipated Mirabelle arriving at the company without eating anything. In truth, she’d considered getting food nearby but gave up upon realizing she only had gold coins.

Even on the capital’s main avenues, common stalls and shops couldn’t handle gold coins – silver was the practical limit, since their wares were priced in copper. Without small change available, gold was useless. This oversight proved Mirabelle remained, for all her circumstances, fundamentally a noblewoman.

Nor could she afford to splurge at restaurants given her future needs, so she’d arrived having eaten nothing.

“This is delicious…”

The murmur escaped her sincerely.

Whether from hunger or the company chef’s skill, every bite tasted wonderful.

Albert watched over her with gentle eyes.

“Our cook got overenthusiastic with new ingredients and made too much. I can’t finish it alone, so please have more if you’d like.”

Thus encouraged, Mirabelle kept eating, and it was nearly an hour later before business could be discussed.

“Now, about yesterday’s matter…”

Albert began as Mirabelle returned her cup of Assam tea to its saucer. Her posture straightened instinctively.

“The job I have for you is this.”

Albert placed a contract on the table.

“A secretary position for a marquis’ household?”

“Correct.”

“But wouldn’t a marquis have stewards and butlers? And aren’t such roles usually held by men?”

“It’s actually a branch family. The employer is unmarried so uses the marquis title, but holds no real authority. They have a butler, but the workload requires more hands.”

Indeed, the document listed diverse duties – from schedule and estate management to paperwork and miscellaneous tasks.

“Secretarial work isn’t exclusively male, is it? Estate mistresses often oversee many such responsibilities.”

“That may be true, but…”

While male attendants typically served masters directly, married women frequently managed household affairs, especially domestic matters.

“But an unmarried nobleman deliberately hiring a divorced woman is unthinkable.”

It would invite assumptions about keeping a mistress.

“For purely household duties, that might be a concern.”

“What do you mean?”

In answer, Albert turned a page.

“…?!”

The first sheet described the main duties. The second bore the employer’s name – revealing why the household name appeared second rather than first where expected.

“Employer: Theo Albert?!”

“Indeed. That would be me. I’d like your help with both estate and company matters.”

Mirabelle had resolved to work hard wherever placed. While tutoring noble daughters would have been ideal, she’d never protest any position Albert arranged.

But this…

“I can’t, Albert. I won’t impose on you.”

“It’s no imposition. I’d be grateful for your assistance.”

Albert was earnest, his unwavering resolve clear across the table.

(No, I mustn’t. I won’t take advantage of kindness)

“I told you to rely on me when in need, didn’t I?”

He had  at her graduation.

Even so.

“This may sound presumptuous, but if your feelings remain unchanged, I can’t accept.”

A divorced woman hired as secretary would inevitably invite speculation about ulterior motives, given how society viewed such women.

(If Albert still has feelings for me…)

Having suffered the pain of exploited affection more than anyone, Mirabelle couldn’t bring herself to nod.