Lady Felice’s Secret Class - Chapter 51

After visiting Rose’s atelier, Felice couldn’t define what she was feeling or even understand her own thoughts. So whenever she ran into Claude, she found herself swallowing nervously and lowering her head in confusion.

Then, suddenly, she remembered the house she had originally lived in—the squeaking bed, the faded blankets, the envelopes of money on the shelves. In that moment, all her scattered feelings and thoughts seemed to merge into one.

Anytime she encountered Claude, her heart would flutter, and memories would flood unbidden into her mind. But thankfully, Duchess Vanessa’s suggestion had neatly organized all of that.

Once she informed Claude that she would be leaving the residence, everything would be settled.

Though her romance lessons were just beginning, with Duchess Vanessa supporting her in every way, it was clear they would soon proceed smoothly. Everything flowed naturally, like a river, as beautifully as sunlight glinting on water.

Everything was falling into place.

The embarrassing lessons could remain Felice’s secret; no one else would know. Claude, after all, was beginning the unforgettable experience of first love. His eyes, full of deep emotion, would soon be drawn toward Elise.

Felice smiled and sat up on the bed. Most importantly, she had tasks to attend to today.

With summer approaching, the Racliffe residence had grown busier. All the curtains had been replaced with muslin to let in soft light, and the maids and butlers had switched to lighter clothing. One side of the western garden was slowly being filled with roses.

Felice decided to participate in the household work—and she actively offered to do so. Having received Rose’s dress, she wanted to contribute something of equal value.

The butler looked slightly perplexed but soon assigned her an appropriate task.

“Could you look after Mr. Thomas’s daughter tomorrow morning? Mr. Thomas has been busy lately, and his daughter Annie has been coming into the garden asking for her father, causing a bit of a disruption.”

Felice was delighted to take on the task. After a light meal, she headed to the western garden.

There, with a straw hat covering half her face, stood Annie, alongside Mr. Thomas wearing a matching hat. The hat was so large that only her small, pouty lips were visible.

Seeing this, Felice couldn’t help but smile widely.

“Hello, Mr. Thomas.”

“Hello, Miss Felice. Annie, you must greet the teacher.”

The child, holding tightly onto Thomas’s hand, wiggled slightly and moved her lips in a tiny greeting.

“Hello, Miss.”

“Hi, Annie.”

Felice said, smiling at Thomas as she greeted the child.

“I’ll stay with Annie, so don’t worry.”

“I’m sorry for troubling you. But… sigh, Annie refuses to be with anyone else.”

Thomas said, glancing at his daughter holding his hand tightly.

“She sticks like glue. Every day it’s like this.”

The dark circles beneath Thomas’s eyes suggested that raising his young daughter had been exhausting.

Felice chuckled softly and nodded.

“This is the age when children love their parents the most.”

“And their curiosity is endless… She wants to see everything, touch everything. And I handle sharp tools frequently, so if she plays nearby, it’s quite worrying.”

Thomas said, glancing at the equipment nearby. Covered in dirt, it was clearly larger and heavier than Annie. Any mishap could be serious.

“That’s true. At this age, children are all naturally curious. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of Annie today so you can work.”

Thomas crouched fully, looking at Annie. The child’s straw hat still shadowed her face down to her lips, and he leaned under it without adjusting the hat.

“Annie, what do you think about playing with Miss Felice today? Daddy will finish work quickly and come back.”

Annie moved her lips slightly in response. Felice bent down as well, matching Thomas’s crouch to look under the brim of the hat.