Emma: A Victorian Romance (英國戀物語エマ)

Tasha.

What are you doing?

Huh? I'm cleaning...

Aren't you in charge of cleaning the master bedroom today?

That'll come out of your pay, again.

I'll let Mrs. Wieck know.

Emma, please take care of the master bedroom in Tasha's stead.

Of course.

Emma!

The master bedroom should have been cleaned while the Master and Madam ate breakfast.

I'm sorry.

I don't care if you've caught the Madam's eye. Don't think you're special.

It's been about a month since I left London and arrived here in Haworth.

It's been difficult adjusting to life at the mansion, but...

...even so, I'm very grateful that I'm able to work again.

Chapter 1 A New House

Oh!

Well, here's someone we haven't seen in a while.

What brings you here, William?

What's that supposed to mean, Lionel?

You're the one who invited me.

I heard a rumor that you sprouted roots from your rear, trapping you forever in your house.

I heard you chose to be a man of the cloth after falling into despair.

Stop giving me such a hard time.

At any rate, it looks like you're finally recovering from your broken heart.

To William's fresh start!

Cheers!

That dress is a bit plain.

It's the roses' fault for being so beautiful.

You've been acting strange lately.

You're a lady now. You should pay more attention to your appearance.

It doesn't matter if I dress up or not. He won't be here.

Drink up! That's only your fifth glass.

Such an amusing day!

I should have stayed home...

What's going on?

It would seem they're putting on quite a show.

A show?

Hakim! What are you doing?

What's this? William, you're here too?

If I'd known you were coming, I would have given you a ride on this fellow.

I really should have stayed home...

Lionel, thank you for the invitation.

I thought I'd liven up the party.

Wonderful! Today really is an amusing day!

Oh, for Heaven's sake...

William...?

Eleanor...

That's amazing.

Hakim always manages to steal the show.

I'm glad to see you're doing well.

There have been several rumors circulating about you, so...

Yes.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up.

It's fine.

I'll wait for you.

What... ?

It doesn't have to be today, or tomorrow.

I really don't mind...

Um...

My feelings...

...haven't changed.

Eleanor, let's not talk about that anymore.

Who is that man?

My, have you really forgotten what your daughter's suitor looks like?

That's the eldest son of the Jones family?

It's not a done deal yet.

I think it's a good offer, though. His father is very eager.

Damn gentry...

What are you doing? Don't put that there!

I'm sorry.

Oh, it's you. You're the new provisional maid, right?

Yes.

We already have enough to do around here.

Don't make our lives any more difficult!

You're in the way! If you're going to just stand around, then get out!

Everything is so different from London.

Here. Look at this.

Oh! I can sell this off at a high price.

If I keep doing this, Madam will figure it out sooner or later.

If I get caught, I won't be able to work anymore.

I said I'll take care of you.

Do you really think I'd believe you?

Don't be so cold.

You're the only one I can trust to do something like this.

Once my debt is paid off, we'll be together.

I'll see you later.

Emma!

How long have you been there?

How could you eavesdrop on us?

That wasn't my intention...

Please, promise me you won't tell anyone.

If I get thrown out, I have no place to go.

You must think me a fool of a woman.

That I'm in way over my head.

That's not true.

I'm well aware...

...that he's only using me.

But he also has a good side, that man.

I worked harder than anyone to get to where I am now.

I have pride in myself as a lady's maid.

But to him, I'm just a servant.

I know this love is beyond my stature.

But what else can I do? I've fallen in love.

He'll leave me if I don't do this. I have no other choice.

Miss, did something good happen?

Annie, are the rumors about William true?

Yes, I heard the maid from the rumors has left London.

I see.

William must be feeling quite lonely now.

Love won't come unless you act, miss.

So, how is Emma?

For a Londoner, she speaks well, surprisingly without an accent.

Although she used to be a maid-of-all-work, her character has been impeccable thus far.

However, we mustn't hire someone without a recommendation so quickly.

I suggest we wait and see a little longer.

Oh? But it's been almost a month since she came here.

Pardon me, Madam, but she is a servant that was taken in off the road.

Tasha met her on the train. They seem to get along well.

That's exactly why I'm worried.

I've heard stories of maids who let thieves into the house,

taking advantage of the fact that their background wasn't checked.

You're just over thinking things.

If I may, Madam.

I am voicing my concern for the sake of this house, as the housekeeper.

Very well, Mrs. Wieck. If you so insist.

Say, can you bring me my blue fan? The one with bird feathers on it.

But Madam, you've mentioned before that blue doesn't suit the tone of your skin.

Lord Primdale and his wife are coming to tonight's dinner.

The fan was a gift from them.

As you wish.

The gear is stripped.

That's no good. Can you fix it before the dinner party?

If I had the parts, sure.

Then I'll have Emma fetch them.

It'll be faster if I go myself.

Mrs. Wieck wants us all in the servants' dining room.

Hans, you too!

What's going on?

Apparently someone stole Madam's fan!

Are you sure you really looked for it?

We need every minute we can get to prepare the dishes for tonight's dinner party!

Madam was planning to use that fan at the dinner party. That's why you are all here.

First of all, we're stuck in the kitchen all day long,

so how in God's name could we steal something like that from Madam's room?

That's right. You're completely off the mark.

The culprit has to be someone with access to Madam's room.

Are you implying that I, as the lady's maid, or one of the housemaids did it?

Who cleaned Madam's bedroom today?

It was Emma.