Chapter 9

Austin lounged lazily in the white porcelain bathtub. Soft sunlight streamed through the glass window, turning the rising steam into a golden mist. His thick, curly brown hair, soaked with water, clung in strands to his broad back as droplets trickled down the contours of his muscles.

I gently poured hot water into the tub, and the petals on the surface slowly unfurled with the flow. The baron’s figure loomed faintly in the hazy steam. “Enough, the water’s too hot,” he said displeased.

“Yes, my lord,” I hurriedly set down the bucket and asked softly, “Shall I scrub your back?”

The baron raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. After a moment of eye contact, he averted his gaze. “No need.” Perhaps due to the water’s heat, his cheeks were flushed.

I glanced at the clock on the table and reminded him, “My lord, the dinner begins at six. Should you get out of the bath now?”

The baron nodded slightly. “Indeed, any later would be cutting it close.” I unfolded a long woolen blanket and stood behind the tub. As he stood up, I immediately wrapped the blanket around him. Whether it was my imagination or not, his body seemed to stiffen for a moment.

He quickly grasped the edges of the blanket, wrapping himself tightly. “That’s enough. You may leave; I’ll handle the rest.” I was slightly surprised. In our past life, he had me attend to almost everything, and we’d seen each other unclothed many times. Back then, I had resisted, unwilling to frequently face a naked male body. Now that I wanted to help proactively, he refused.

“Yes, my lord.” I arranged his clothes neatly. “I’ll take my leave now.”

Lloyd Residence was unusually busy today. The arrival of the social season had the ladies buzzing with excitement. Though winter still gripped the outdoors, the fervor of the ball seemed enough to ward off the cold.

The viscountess directed the maids, “Move this over there… Replace the carpet… Not this kind of fruit…”

Butler Pod saw me approaching and asked, “Does the baron no longer require your service?”

“No, is there anything I can assist with?”

“Certainly, we’re swamped with work. Go attend to the musicians,” the butler instructed.

Around three in the afternoon, all the guests had arrived at Baker Manor. The gentlemen rode on majestic horses, while the ladies arrived in ornate carriages. As a footman, I stood in the freezing snow to greet the distinguished guests, cold, hungry, and in a foul mood.

Before I could grab a bite to eat, I was called to the hall to serve dinner. Lady Berry, who had previously shown interest in me, fluttered her fan playfully and said, “Oh, it’s you. You served me well last time—I’d like you to attend to me again tonight.”

I stood by her side with a smile, diligently pouring wine and serving dishes, occasionally exchanging flirtatious glances. Though widowed, this lady was exceedingly wealthy, with a son who was a baron and vast lands in southern Yorkshire. I didn’t mind becoming her lover—after all, she could help me achieve my goals.

“Oh dear!” Berry’s fan slipped from her hand, and she looked up at me. Meeting her gaze with a faint smile, I knelt on one knee to pick it up, leaning close to whisper in her ear, “Your fan, my lady.”

She took it with a smile, blinking at me like a young girl and murmuring softly, “Thank you.”

See? She’s interested in me. Our exchange—just a glance, a smile—felt like sharing a secret. In my past life, I would have scorned such behavior as beneath my dignity, but now I had to thank God for blessing me with such captivating looks.

Though just a small moment, everyone at the table noticed. Their expressions varied, but all remained silent, as if nothing had happened. A wealthy widow taking a footman as a lover wasn’t unusual in these circles—sometimes even encouraged by the hosts, as a skilled servant could strengthen ties between families.

However, Viscountess Lloyd curled her lips in disdain, whispering behind her fan to her companion before giggling. Berry seemed unbothered by the stares and gossip, openly appraising me with a satisfied smile.

After dinner, the guests gathered in the grand hall on the second floor for the ball. The crystal chandeliers overhead cast a warm glow from their candles, while the wall sconces bathed the room in soft light. The once-dark hall now shone as bright as day.

Some ladies retired to their rooms to change. As noblewomen, they changed outfits at least four times a day—for outings, afternoon tea, dinner, and soirées. On busier days, they might switch over a dozen ensembles.

Those remaining in the ballroom danced gracefully to the melodious music. It was a group dance, with men and women lining up opposite their partners. I weaved through the crowd with a tray, offering glasses of red wine to guests who weren’t dancing.

Austin was conversing with several gentlemen when he spotted me with the tray. Excusing himself, he strode over, picked up a glass, and remarked with biting sarcasm, “You’ve been quite busy tonight.”

I wanted to reply—yes, I’d been working nonstop since afternoon, even missing dinner. Instead, I bowed my head humbly and said, “It’s my honor to fulfill my duties, my lord.”

The baron snorted coldly and stormed off, his face dark. I sighed inwardly, baffled—what had I done to upset him this time? His moods were truly inscrutable.

The party lasted until midnight, and the guests were finally exhausted. They were led by the servants to their respective rooms, and the lively Baker Manor gradually returned to tranquility.

I carried a candle, walking ahead of Austin. Noticing he was still displeased, this displeasure was not only reflected in his cold expression but also in the fact that he only danced two group dances and never took the floor again afterward. Although the third young lady, Lauren, hinted, he merely stood in a corner chatting with a few gentlemen.

The baron’s bedroom already had a fire lit, making the room as warm as spring. Just as I was about to retreat, he suddenly adjusted his cravat: “Don’t you need to attend to me for bedtime?”

I froze for a moment, then hurried forward to untie the baron’s cravat and then unbutton his coat. The firelight in the room was dim, making the buttons hard to undo. I leaned in closer, trying to see more clearly.

“Do you always do this?” the baron’s hoarse voice sounded in my ear, “Seizing every opportunity to seduce the nobles around you?”

My hands stiffened instantly, and I looked up at him. In the faint firelight, his brown eyes turned pitch-black, filled entirely with my reflection.

“Paying constant attention to a hunchback like me and that fat pig of a woman? Hmm?” His large hand suddenly grabbed my collar, slowly pulling me closer.

I didn’t know how to refute him. Today, I had indeed deliberately seduced Berry, but to say I seduced him seemed… hard to justify.

Seeing my silence, he angrily pushed me away and shouted, “Get out! Don’t ever appear before me again! You filthy, lowly wretch!”

I stumbled out of the baron’s room, leaning against the wall to catch my breath. In the darkness, I closed my eyes tightly. Perhaps he had fallen for me again—otherwise, why would he be so angry? I should have stayed away from him, I thought to myself.

“Did the baron say he no longer needs your service?” Butler Pod asked me.

“Yes, I made some mistakes and angered the baron,” I replied.

“Oh, it’s nothing. After all, you haven’t received training as a valet, so it’s understandable that you upset the baron. I’ll inform the master. For now, avoid appearing wherever the baron is.”

“Yes, sir,” I nodded in agreement.

When leaving the butler’s room, I encountered Zerah. She was carrying a bucket, clutching a dirty rag in her hand. The young girl blushed furiously upon seeing me, not even daring to lift her head, scurrying past like a frightened rabbit.

In my past life, this girl had hopelessly fallen in love with me. She said she loved me and was willing to do anything for me, while I was pining for Lauren at the time. To climb the ranks to senior footman or even butler, I used her many times. In the end, she took the blame for me and was driven out of the manor.

Perhaps I was born a scheming villain. How could someone like me be worthy of their devotion? How could they fall for someone as despicable as me? Was it just my looks they loved?