Chapter 40 Always be the other woman

"I'm so sorry," said Hazel. "You don't have to be," replied Charlotte. "And what happened next?" she asked interested in knowing how it ended. "He told me that people of his status can never marry a servant and that he was using me," she said and Hazel realized that she was no longer affected, as if she was used to it. "He ordered me to stay at his house until I give birth to the child and then I disappear from his life. He said that he will tell him that his mother died while giving birth to him," she felt as if her heart was being pricked by a thousand needles.

"You left him?" she asked and she nodded.

"I barely held him for twenty minutes, and he took my son away from me," she said, her voice choking and her eyes glistened in tears.

"I'm so sorry. That is so cruel," said Hazel. Separating a new born baby from it's mother was inhumane, she thought.

"So how old is he?" she asked. "He's two and a half years now," she replied and she nodded. She couldn't imagine the pain she might have gone through. "I have never met him again. I only saw him once from a distance when he was still one year," she said and wiped the tear that had rolled down her cheek.

"I am afraid the same thing might happen to you, and I don't wish it to happen to anyone else especially you, as I now take you to be my friend. Even if the Duke loves you, he will never marry you since he will be mindful of what society says. You will always be the other woman, that is if he doesn't do what they did to me," she said and got up, then Hazel followed suit.

"I have said what I had to say. At the end, the decision is yours," she said and Hazel nodded.

"Thank you so much," she said. "Alright good night," she said. "Good night too," she replied.

Hazel sat on her bed and she pondered over the words Charlotte had told her. She cannot imagine the kind of pain she might have gone through at the separation of her son from her.

She couldn't even picture herself going through the same thing. She then realized that she had to stop this madness before it gets too late.

The following day, the four women were preparing lunch when Ms Cooper came to the kitchen. "Ms Winston," he called and they all turned to look at him. "The Viscountess wants to meet you. She's with the Duke in the study," he mentioned. "Uh, alright," she said and she washed her hands before following him.

She couldn't help but feel nervous about meeting the Duke after what happened between them yesterday at the pond. Reaching the study, she knocked before opening the door and peeked inside.

Alvara who was laughing about something Raven had said turned to see the maid and she said," Hazel! Come in."

She took a deep breath before stepping inside and she bowed her head at the both of them.

"How have you been Hazel?" asked Alvara. "Good Ma'am," she replied. Before she found out that she is the Viscountess, she was talking freely with her but now that she knew, she couldn't help being cautious. "You can call me Mrs Grayson," she said and Hazel nodded, feeling the Duke's eyes on her. "Are you busy?" she asked and she shook her head. "Alright then. Can you make me the same tea you made me last time?" she asked. "Yes I will bring it right away. Please excuse me," she bowed and quickly glanced at the Duke who had not looked away from her before dashing out of the room.

"You two already met?" he asked when he saw the door close. "Yes. We met at your birthday party and she made me tea that greatly helped with my nausea. She's such a good girl," she said. He nodded before saying," That she is." They went back to their conversation until Hazel came back with the tea. Handing it to the Viscountess, she said," Thank you." Taking a sip, she looked at Hazel who was standing as if waiting for a compliment and she said," This is much better than the previous one."

"I'm glad. I will take my leave," she said and she walked towards the door. Before she could leave, she heard the Viscountess say," Raven, why don't you give Hazel to me and I take her to my house? She will be really helpful." At the statement, Hazel's eyes widened and she closed the door behind her.

"That cannot happen," he remarked. "Why? I will bring one of my maids to replace her," she said. "You can take any other but not her," he said. "Why's that? Wait Raven, are you doing the girl?" she asked. "No. Why would you think that?" "What am I supposed to think?" she asked. "The girl was given to me by someone important and he asked me to take good care of her. And I can make sure of that only if she stays here," he said.

"But you know that I will never mistreat her, don't you? Alright let's do this. Let me take her with me until I deliver," she suggested. "No Alvara. She's not leaving this place," he said and she rolled her eyes. "What an inconsiderate friend," she murmured before taking a sip on the tea. "I clearly heard you," he said.

While Hazel was working in the kitchen, she was called by the butler again. "The Viscountess asks for your presence in the attic," he informed to which she nodded.

Going to the attic, she found her sitting on a chair with a book in her hands.

"You called for me Mrs Grayson?" she asked.

"Yes please. Come and have a seat here, with me," she said and she walked over.