Chapter 9 Chapter nine

May 14, 1893 Jiaqi didn't notice the music at first.She wasn't used to hearing music in her home, especially if she hadn't paid someone to play it.She put down the report in her hand and listened intently. It was true that someone was attacking the piano. Crouching in the basket by the bed, Croyce whimpered, hummed deafly, and finally opened his eyes.The poor little guy didn't sleep well at night, probably because he kept dozing off during the day.It shook its head, propped up its short legs, and climbed up the stairs with extremely difficult movements.It used to be able to jump onto the bed just by relying on the footstool beside the bed. Since it couldn't do it, Jiaqi specially ordered this ladder.

She lifted the sheet and picked it up.It's my stupid husband, she said to the old dog.He didn't come to me, but ran to mess with the piano, let's tell him not to quarrel. As she came down the stairs, her husband changed to a bombastic tune.thump thump thump thump, thump thump thump must be the work of that melancholic master Beethoven.Jiaqi sighed and opened the door of the music room. He changed into a silk nightgown, the black silk as shiny as the surface of a piano.His hair was disheveled, but other than that, he looked very serious and focused.He is a man with ideals and goals, an outstanding man, a model in the eyes of the world, the most filial son, the most loving brother, and the most loyal friend. In addition to these advantages, he also has social status.

He also has a cruel and vicious side, but you have to experience it to believe it. Sorry, she said.Someone has to get up early tomorrow and needs to sleep. He stopped playing and looked at her strangely.After a while it dawned on her that he was not looking at her but at Croyce. Is that Croesus?He frowned. That's right. He left the piano bench and walked to her side, looked at Croyce carefully, frowning more frequently.What's wrong with it. She looked down and saw that Croyce was just as usual.It's fine, her tone sharp with defensiveness.She thought she made Croyce happy and comfortable.It's getting old, which is great.

Croyce was ten and a half years old, his once lustrous fur was dull and gray, and his eyes were wet and sticky.He often drools, pants, gets tired easily, and can’t eat much, but when he has an appetite, he eats foie gras with fried mushrooms, and when he is sick, he is taken care of by the best veterinarians in London. Condon held out his hand to Croyce.Come here, old man. Croyce studied him with sleepy eyes.It didn't move, but it didn't resist when Condon carried it towards him. do you remember me?He said. I doubt it. Condon ignored her gruff reply.I have two dogs in New York.he said to Croyce.One is Hannah, one is Bernard, and both are troublemakers.They will be very happy to see you one day.

He has a dog, such an ordinary thing, but it caused her to feel a sharp pain in an instant, and she didn't understand why. It seems you don't remember me.He scratched Croyce behind the ear wistfully.I miss you very much. Please give it back to me, Jiaqi said coldly. He gave Croyce a hug and kissed the old dog on one ear before handing it back.It's time to tune your piano. Anyway, no one played. it's a pity.He glanced back at the piano appreciatively.The Erard piano should not sit idle. You can take it with you when you go back to New York as a divorce gift.The piano was originally purchased for him, but when the goods arrived, he had been away for several months.

His eyes returned to her.Thanks, I'll consider it, especially with my initials engraved on it. He stood so close that she vaguely felt that she could smell him, the manly fragrance after midnight, the naked skin under the silk nightgown.Please, do it quickly, she whispered.Men who shy away from sex are annoying. Yeah, I know that.But the thought of touching you makes me sick, and that hasn't changed. Turn off all the lights and pretend I'm someone else. I'm afraid it will be difficult.You are yelling very loudly. She blushed uncontrollably.I will sew my mouth shut. He shook his head slowly.useless.Even if I only hear the sound of breathing, I know it's you.

Ten years ago, she would have taken this sentence as a gesture of love.Now her heart is still tugging, feeling the lonely echo from the past. He bows.After playing the last piece, I went back to my room and went to bed. As she left, he played a soft, lingering tune, like the last rose of summer.She recognized it after hearing only two phrases, Liszt's Dream of Love.On the night they met, he and Mrs. Roland had played this piece together, and even Jiaqi, who lacked musical talent, could play the melody with one hand. dream of love.The love between them is just a dream. Madame Roland's plan to capture the Duke hits a snag.

The progress was surprisingly smooth, but unfortunately it only lasted for about a day.The box of Lafitte wine was quickly sent to Neutrogena, and the duke also quickly sent a letter of thanks, along with a basket of jams. After that, there was no more news.Victoria is about to hold a charity gala, inviting the public to participate in the event.He sent a generous donation check, but declined to attend.Two days later, she had the audacity to pay a visit to Neutroil herself, but was told that the Duke was not at home. She had lived in Devonshire for five years, and the farm was her childhood home, which she had bought from her nephew.For five years, she observed the Duke's whereabouts every day.She was well aware that he never went out except for his regular daily walks.

As a result, she had no choice but to ambush again and pounce on his walking route. She knew that no one with a little knowledge of gardening would prune in the afternoon.But she still held the shears and pretended to be arranging roses in the front yard.He showed up on the detour just on time as usual, and her heart was pounding.She pretended to be nonchalant and fumbled, and finally came to the low gate beside the road, but only received a polite greeting, and then he walked away. The next day, she stayed near the gate, and the result was still the same as yesterday.The Duke refused to stop for a small chat.She said the weather was nice, but all she got was the same polite greeting.Three days later, when it rained, he went out for a walk in a raincoat and wellies, but it was raining so hard that she couldn't go on pretending to tend the garden.

She gritted her teeth and decided to pester him further.She is going for a walk together.Even if she had to put aside her dignity, she would put the duke in a bag and tie it up and give it to Jiaqi. She changed into white walking clothes and easy-to-walk boots, and stood waiting in front of the main gate of the farm.When he appeared on the far side of the bend, she rushed over immediately dragging a fringed parasol. Your Excellency the Duke, I decided to come out to exercise too.She smiled and closed the garden gate.You don't mind me joining, do you? He raised the pince-nez hanging around his neck and looked at her from above through the lens.God, every little gesture of his was ducal.His height is not too outstanding, about 177, but his eyes are extremely arrogant and cold, and even the Rhode Island Sun God Statue, one of the seven wonders, looks small.

He didn't express his agreement exactly, but just took off his glasses, nodded slightly, and said something softly.lady.Immediately, she continued walking, and Victoria hurried to catch up. Of course, she already knew that he was going fast.But after ten minutes of chasing after him, she realized how fast his steps were.This is a rare occasion, she hopes to have Jiaqi's amazing height, not just 157. She put aside the lady's code of conduct, and started to trot, scolding the narrow skirt for being too in the way, so she managed to catch up with him.She prepared different opening remarks, chatting about local and small matters, but when she finished counting the anecdotes about the old house in the alley next door, she found that she was nearly two hundred meters behind again.All her life she had observed ladylike demeanor, fearing that another quick chase might cause a stroke. So she got straight to the point.Your Excellency, would you please come to my house for dinner on Wednesday in two weeks time?My daughter will be coming that week and I'm sure she would love to meet you. She has to run to London to drag Jiaqi back, but I'll worry about that part later. Mrs. Roland, I'm a picky eater.I only like the craftsmanship of my own chef, and the dishes cooked by other chefs are usually not to my liking. hateful.Why is he so difficult to serve.How can I make him willing to go to her house?Do you want her to dance naked?But he probably thinks her dangling around makes him dazzled. there should be a way However, as long as you promise me one thing, I might consider it. Although she was astonished, she didn't dare to stop, because it was too hard to catch up with him again.That's my pleasure.What do you want me to do? I'm sure you know that I like the peace and quiet of country life.He said.She seemed to hear a hint of sarcasm.But as much as I like country life, I will inevitably miss the entertainment of the city. very natural. I haven't been to a gaming table for the past fifteen years︱ This duke gambles?He is obviously a hermit, who spends his days studying Homer in the ancient parchment.I understand that even though she said that, she didn't really understand. I hear the table calling, but I don't want to go all the way to London.Could you please play a few games with me? This time she was so surprised that she stopped involuntarily.I?gamble. She has never gambled money in her life, not a penny.In her opinion, the stupidest woman would gamble, second only to the woman who divorced the future Duke. Of course, if you reject gambling, I can understand how could be.she heard herself say.It's harmless to play a small gamble. I think it's more interesting if Xu is bigger, he said.A bet of a thousand pounds. I admire men who take high risks, and her tone is high. What happened to her.Although she had to put aside her dignity, she didn't intend to give up even her reason.Gambling is the most stupid behavior, it will definitely lead to ruin, and yet she even praised him!There will inevitably come moments in every Protestant's life when he envies the Catholics who can easily be absolved with a visit to the confessional. Very good.Duke Perrin nodded in approval.Let's decide on a date and time first.