Chapter 17 Chapter Seventeen

May 23, 1893 His performance wasn't too bad, after all, she was wearing that damn pajamas.Desire exploded in an instant, but anger was almost silent. I must be getting old and softened, Condon thought.In the past, she often broke into his small apartment in Paris, took off her cloak and revealed her seductive underwear, which guaranteed that even the Marquis de Sade would be dumbfounded.Every time he would be righteous and furious. She actually thought that he would let his lower body dominate his mind, and that as long as he could abduct him to bed, he would be forgiven.He would always drag her out and slam the door hard in front of her.It's a pity that the cruel pleasure faded away so quickly.Amidst his loud heartbeat and heavy breathing, he strained his ears to listen to her every step down the stairs, and the sound of lonely footsteps echoed faintly.

When she walked out the door of the apartment, he was already standing in front of the dark miniature living room window.She raised her head, her face was full of youthful indignation and bewildered pain, and under the street lamp, her figure looked depressed and small.Something in his heart shattered, tried and tested. He hired Miri.Flanding's night was the worst.What did he say to Jiaqi before closing the door?If you want me, don't make yourself so low.go home.If I want you, I know where you are. He waited at the window for at least an hour, anger turning to anxiety.He wanted to go out and see if she had fallen down the stairs, but his pride wouldn't allow it.Finally she emerged on the sidewalk, downcast like a defeated soldier.She left with a long shadow, without looking up.

Three days later, he heard she was packing for England.She gave up so lightly.He got drunk for the first time that day, because it was too bad, and he didn't repeat the same mistake for two years, until the day he heard the news that she had miscarried a few weeks after the wedding. He looks at his watch.There are still fourteen hours and fifty-five minutes before I can have her next time. Someone called him the title.He looked around the park and saw a woman waving at him from a wagon that was driving herself.She was dressed in a dove-gray morning dress, with a hat of the same color over her dark chestnut hair.It was Mrs Renworth.He raised his hand in response.

He rode up to her car, and they shook hands. Lord Treodoss, you are sleepy, said Lady Renworth. I like to come to the park at this time, when the morning mist is still hanging on the treetops.How is Lord Renworth? You only met yesterday afternoon, but he has been safe all this time.There was a hint of cunning in her answer, and it seemed that Mrs. Renworth was not an empty-headed beauty in a vase.Since Renworth can't get Jiaqi, this should be his best choice.How is Mrs Tremes? From my observations last night, she was still unseasonably healthy.He paused, and Mrs Renworth stared, before he added, I mean at dinner.

Did you have a chance to stargaze last night?The sky is full of stars. He was confused for a moment before he remembered that the day he met the Renworths for the first time, he casually said that he also loves astronomy.I'm afraid I prefer to talk on paper. Lord Renworth's field of study is still ignorant to the upper class.It's a bit of a shame, but I must admit that I didn't discover his passion for science until long after we were married.My lord, I hope this is not too intrusive to ask, but I am curious how you heard about his published papers. How do you know?Since the unfortunate miscarriage in March last year, the little girl has been depressed and unhappy.But she had recently made the acquaintance of Lord Renworth, and this friendship had brought her back to life.

I regularly read scientific papers, not just for fun, but also to keep up with the latest trends.So far so honest.Lord Renworth was too good to be missed. The second sentence is not a lie.Lord Renworth was excellent, no doubt about it.However, in this era, where human knowledge and mechanical power are advancing with each passing day, he is only one of the dazzling stars in the splendid galaxy. If he were not Jiaqi's first lover, Condon would not have paid special attention. Thank you.Mrs Renworth's face was beaming with joy.I'm feeling it too. She waved her hand friendly and drove away.

Fourteen hours and forty-three minutes.Is this day really over? Jiaqi was at Carlesso's house, looking for Ferdy in the crowd, when suddenly someone called her: Mrs. Tremais, please take a step to speak. Jiaqi paused.Miss Carlesso. Zandi wanted me to tell that he was in the garden, behind the rose shed. Jiaqi almost laughed.Behind the rose shed, it was originally a very secret place, where all the behaviors that are not suitable for the banquet hall will happen, only Feidi will emphasize it, and also ask the girl who secretly loves him to spread the word.Thanks, but he really shouldn't bother you.

No trouble at all, Miss Carlesso said softly. Miss Carlesso is not beautiful, she can only be said to be heroic at best, but her eyes are bright and bright, and her mind is quick and witty.She's twenty-three, has been on four seasons, and it's generally accepted that she really doesn't want to get married at all, because at twenty-five she'll inherit a small fortune, and she's turned down all the proposals. If Feidi hadn't fallen in love with Jiaqi's art collection at first sight, would Miss Carleso still be in her boudoir?Fei Di thought that Jiaqi was the same kind of person as him, sad because of the passing of time, susceptible to the passing of spring, feeling mysterious about the joy and pain of life, but in fact she bought those paintings just to please Condon, Hope he softens, how ironic!

She likes the future better than the past, never thinks much about the meaning of life, why didn't she tell him?She felt a pang of guilt.If she had said earlier, perhaps Ferdy would have been engaged to Miss Carleso, at least her conscience was pure, and she wouldn't let other men do whatever she wanted behind his back like Jiaqi. Condon's intercourse with her, although extremely brief and hasty, was not disgusting to her, so could she still claim that she was sacrificed for a noble purpose?She didn't even think about poor Ferdy all night. When she arrived, Ferdy had left behind the rose shed and was pacing up and down in the middle of the small garden.

Philippe!He hurried over to put his tuxedo coat on her, and the generous warmth and strong smell of turpentine enveloped her. She glanced at him.Are you painting in formal clothes again? No, he timidly replied when I accidentally spilled the sauce on me during dinner.The steward took it to clean it up.The effect is very good. She stroked his cheek with her knuckles.You should really make you an oilskin coat. How do you know.he exclaimed.My mother used to say that too. She froze.Could it be that she is relying on the old to sell the old?aloof.It doesn't feel like it. Do you know what Angelica said?Ferdy asked earnestly.She said that I should not be so careless at my age.She also said that I kept procrastinating because I was afraid that the next work would not be as good as the previous one, and told me not to be lazy and start writing quickly.

They walked around the rose shed and sat on a bench in a hidden place, which should be the place where Miss Carlesso accepted the proposal.Ferdy smiled softly.You told me she had a crush on me, but what she said tonight was nothing like that. Jiaqi frowned.In 1992, Ferdi only completed one painting, which is now hanging in her bedroom.She often cared about the progress of the next painting, but never really paid attention to his creative talent. She always felt that painting was just a pastime, a kind of entertainment that fit a gentleman's status. Miss Carlesso saw painting differently.Miss Carlesso sees Ferdy differently.Jiaqi is willing to indulge Ferdy to live in a trance and neglect art, as long as he loves her, she doesn't care even if he lies on the chaise longue and eats chocolate all day long.But Miss Carlesso saw the beautiful diamond hidden in the rough, and saw that he could achieve something if he worked hard. Is Jiaqi's feelings for Fei Di pure or selfish?More importantly, Ferdi doesn't want to play his talent. Ferdy rested his head on her shoulder, and the two of them were silent, breathing quietly, the air filled with the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle.In the past, cuddling each other like this always made her feel calm, he leaned on her, and she gently combed his soft hair.But today she couldn't calm down. Was Condon right?Ferdi's admiration for her is based on misperceptions?She shook her head.When you are with your lover, you cannot think of your husband. Lord Tremais was very lenient with me yesterday, and Ferdy sighed, shattering her resolution at once.Even if he insults me in a thousand ways, I can only bear it. Jiaqi also sighed.Since Condon's return, everyone has praised him.Everyone said that he had the upbringing of an orthodox aristocrat, and the elegance of a renaissance duke, and his appearance was an added bonus.Had he continued to stay in England, Renworth might have to give up his title of ideal gentleman. She wanted to warn Ferdy that Condon was not kind.But what is she going to say?Zandi fully embraced the official version of their marriage, never questioning that he believed she and Condon had agreed to separate from the start.If she had blamed Condon, she would have lost her own secret. Oh, that's kind of him, she replied vaguely.Dear Ferdy, when he came home that night, he pinned me on the bedpost and possessed me mercilessly. Are you sure he really cares about divorce?asked Ferdie, sounding innocently bewildered, as if a child is hearing for the first time that the earth is round. Jiaqi immediately tensed up.Sure.He said it himself. Only Ferdy hesitated.forget it.Probably just because I'm still in shock. In order to see his face, she left his arms.Did he say something?or did something?Don't be afraid of him. No, not like that.He is very personable.But he asked some things, like testing me.I, uh, I can't tell.I can't see through him.Although my feelings are often wrong, I think I feel that he is not happy to let you go. Jiaqi shook her head.It was so far removed from her perception of reality that she had to object.No one is happy about divorce.I don't think he's reluctant to let me go, he's just upset that his well-ordered life was disrupted for such a trivial matter as my happiness.In any case, he had agreed.After one year I was free and could choose as I wished. One year from last night.Thinking of last night, she still couldn't escape the filthy climax that swept over her. God bless, Zandi said excitedly.Things will definitely be as you said.You never go wrong. When he looks at you, there are only visions he projects. It's time for me to go back to the banquet hall, she said abruptly.It's not good if someone gossips. Ferdy agrees obediently.Yeah, that's right, you can't let people gossip. How she wished he could grab her by the shoulders, forget about those people in the banquet hall, and kiss her madly, as if the whole world was about to be engulfed in wildfire, just once.It was all Condon's fault, and she had been sexually content with Ferdy before he came back. She stood up, pressed a kiss on Ferdy's forehead, and lifted her skirt to leave.Listen to Miss Carlesso, it won't do you any harm, and start painting "Afternoon in the Park" again, which I hope to receive for my birthday this year. The garden party is in full swing.Against the backdrop of red tulips and daffodils, the strolling ladies are like a kaleidoscope, and the beige skirts are hazy and blurred, like memories of the distant past.In the middle of this colorful, hidden oasis.A man sat alone at a small table, resting his chest on one hand, staring at someone outside the heavy frame. Lord Frederick's painting style is vivid, and his talent far exceeds Condon's expectations.The picture is filled with warmth, intimacy, and intoxicating sadness. A small plaque embedded below the frame reads "Man in Love". man in love. In the house of his sister Claudia there is a photograph of Condon taken on January 2, 1883.As the family prepared to take a family portrait, while waiting for their mother and sister to put on makeup, the photographer captured Condon at that moment, his posture was exactly the same as that of the man in love in Frederick's painting.Condon is sitting on the scholar's sofa daydreaming, propping his head on one hand, smiling slightly, and staring out of the camera. At that time, he was looking in the direction of Shi Nanyuan, thinking of her in his heart. Although he told Claudia to throw away the photo, she kept it as a treasure.I love looking at this picture, she insisted.I miss you like that. Sometimes he misses himself like that too.Full of hope, intoxicated in love, as if walking on clouds.He knew now that it was all rooted in a lie, that those weeks of unfettered happiness came at the cost of never being happy again for a lifetime, but he still missed it. Maybe he will cut off the marriage, but he will never be able to cut off the fetters. Jiaqi's living room was pitch-black, but the bedroom was very bright, with light coming through the slightly open door, reflecting a narrow golden triangle on the ground.Strangely, she remembered turning off the lights before going out. When she walked to the door of the bedroom, she found that the door connecting the two rooms was wide open, and the light came from Condon's side.Although his room was brightly lit, it seemed that no one was there, and the bed was neatly made and untouched. Her heart beat faster.She came home late on purpose to avoid what happened last night from happening again.Since he still has three hundred and sixty-three days to conceive her, he shouldn't stay up late waiting for her, right? But where is he?Fall asleep in a chair?Or somewhere in town for fun?Why should she care what he's doing?That was his own time.She should close the door quietly and go to sleep on her own bed. Instead she went into his room. Seeing the restored bedroom, she still felt a tightness in her throat.She once fell on that bed and cried bitterly, resenting the injustice of life. The day she emptied this bedroom, she regained control of her life.Three months later, she met Lord Renworth, and a wild and passionate affair further boosted her self-confidence.But here is the beginning of everything. She separates her life from Condon and decides her own way. No matter how lonely she is and how uncertain she is about the future, she will never look back. Nothing of his personal belongings could be seen in the room, save for a pocket watch on a silver chain on a crescent-shaped table opposite the bed.It was an expensive and exquisite Patek Philippe watch.She turned the watch over, and the back was engraved with congratulations on her 30th birthday and Claudia's name. She puts down the watch.The table was not far from the door leading to the living room. The door was half closed and a ray of light came in, but the living room was as silent as the deep sea. She pushed open the door and saw rolls of blueprints on Table Street, at least dozens of them.A white drawing was spread out on the desk, and the three corners were pressed down with a paperweight, a slide rule, and a can of chocolate. She didn't see Condon until the door was fully open.He sat on a low Louis XV-style sofa, his black dressing gown highlighted the dark dots in his green eyes, like a summer forest at dusk.He was flipping through a book on his lap. You're up so early, he obviously wants to get his tongue out and get some fresh air. Isn't Protestant ethics very popular recently?Looks like I'm on the bandwagon too.she says. How's it going at the poker table tonight?His eyes fell on her deep neckline.It should be a big gain, right? She wore a rather daring gown.Although it is a bit low-level to use this trick to distract the opponent, it is not her style to dispose of a sharp weapon.Who told you that. yourself.You said before that after you got married, you stopped dancing, and you had to sit at the card table all the time when you attended the ball, killing those dudes so that they didn't even have money left to buy scarves. I don't remember saying this to you. A long time ago.He said.Show you something. He stood up and walked towards her, opened the book in his hand to a large folded page, and spread the book flat.look. She saw at once the subject of the illustration.Shield of Achilles.Mrs. Roland loves the eighth volume of "Iliad", which contains Jiaqi's bedside stories when she was a child.The magical shield cast by Vulcan for Achilles, the carved pattern is divided into five layers, depicting the different styles of the city in times of peace and war, people's daily activities in detail, and the outermost part is the river of Neptune surrounding the earth. She has read a lot of books about the Shield of Achilles, most of which are too faithful to Homer's description, packed with various details, such as dancing youths, girls wearing flower crowns, so detailed and cumbersome that the shield may even support a war. but.But the circle diagram in this book is very concise, omitting many details, although simple, it is solid and mighty.The sun, moon and stars illuminate the earth, and the wedding and the killing are carried out in the same solemn atmosphere. Your mother helped you find someone new, and this is the person's life's work.Condon refolded the pages.If you can no longer be married to me, she wants you to marry him. Jiaqi was so surprised that she took the book from Kang Deng's hand and looked at the spine carefully. "Geography, Transportation, and Daily Life in the Trojan War Era Eleven Years Before the Trojan War" by Ronff.Pei Lin.The Duke of Perrin's family name is Fitzwilliam, but nobles are used to signing their titles. I can't think of it.She returned the book to him. Condon put the book aside.Now that you're here, take a look at my designs. His words and deeds showed no intention of having sex with her, but she suddenly felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.How do you feel good I want to see? That way you'll know who to blame the next time Britain is beaten in the America's Cup sailing challenge. Although panicked, she still felt displeased.Do you want to help the United States? More than 40 years ago, an American yacht challenged 14 sailboats of the Royal Clipper Fleet, and the race circled the Isle of Wight for a week. The result was that the United States won by 20 minutes.According to the legend, the queen was watching the game and asked which ship was the second place, and the courtier replied: Your Majesty, there is no second place.Since then, Britain has worked hard to beat the United States to take back the trophy.But so far no success. I'm going to help the New York Yacht Club because I'm a member. He walked to the desk first, then turned around and waited for her.The light from a nearby standing lamp caresses his hair, illuminating the sun-faded strands.His expression was kind and patient, too kind, too patient. She felt the force of gravity pulling her feet, but she refused to say anything to reveal her weakness. This obstinacy forced her to move forward, taking heavy steps again and again, and finally came to the desk. She looked down to study the blueprints, and he came behind her.It's just a preliminary sketch at the moment, he said. He whispered in her ear.A burst of numbness rushed through like lightning, and the stimulating feeling made her whole body go limp.She felt him brushing away the loose strands of hair from the low chignon, his fingers resting on the nape of her neck. Well, her voice was tense. I can draw precise scale drawings myself, he murmured, undoing her first button at the same time.But recently, it is mostly handed over to draftsmen. She lowered her eyes to look at the blueprint.In the center is a yacht sailing with all sails up.Alongside, he draws a section of the hull and a mock-up of the ship in dry dock. With one hand he reached forward, pointing to the protrusion that ran from the mid-keel to the stern, and with the other he continued to unbutton her effortlessly, carelessly but quickly. I wish the fin keels would add lateral stability, and even though he had unbuttoned her top down to her midriff, he still sounded like he was lecturing to an engineering student.Let the boat surface as much as possible to increase the speed of the hull, but the boat with too shallow draft is easy to capsize. Have you turned over the boat lately?She hoped the tone was sour. It hasn't happened in a long time, but it has happened once before, and it was my first sailboat.I spent years tinkering with the design and building it myself, but it capsized just two leagues out on its maiden voyage.He took the dress off her shoulders, and the sleeves fell down his arms, with extremely gentle movements, like the first summer breeze.I deserve it, for telling me to name the ship the Marchioness. Her heart suddenly beat wildly.He named the ship after her?What's wrong with you, why would you do that kind of thing?You can't stand me?Did you forget? Someone told me that I should name the ship after my wife or mistress, and as he spoke, her gown fell to the floor, a hill of brass-coloured silk and tulle.I hauled the boat ashore, gave it a full refit, renamed it the Mistress, and it's been on a roll ever since, becoming the fastest racing sailboat in the Atlantic. See, he undoes the straps and pulls the corset up and off.Even if you are thousands of miles away, you are still a big problem. But no, I will only sink deeper and deeper.She said sharply, but her hands gripped the table desperately. Her petticoat slipped and piled on top of her gown.He simply removed her shirt, and in the process accidentally touched her skin, leaving it hot.I seem to have a photo of that time left behind. Before sailing, I stood on the Marchioness and waved like a fool. I'd rather see you soaking in the frozen Atlantic Ocean, I'll sail across, but not get you on board. He fought back physically, stripping her panties and physically trapping her at the table.She was completely naked except for long white silk satin gloves and stockings. His fingertips slid across her bare buttocks, moving slowly but surely between her legs.Although nervous, she closed her eyes, bit her lower lip, and said nothing to clamp her legs tightly. Are you always this wet?he whispered.Or is it just for me? She wanted to speak sarcasm, which completely hurt his magnetic self-esteem, and he could no longer be complacent.But when he slowly entered, she could only desperately suppress the sobs that were about to burst out of her throat.His robe caressed her back, the cool, silky feel of it contrasting sharply with the burn of his advance.He backed away, then advanced again, so hard that she let out a gasp and stood on tiptoe. His teeth dug into her shoulder, not hurting, just marking a re-beat for his hot, smooth movement.She couldn't hold back a low moan. She tried to recite the alphabet backwards in her mind, but before reaching the fifth letter, she lost her ability to think and her body was intoxicated with pleasure.She was filled, so full, it felt so good to thrust.The joy condensed and swelled, and she grasped the edge of the table even harder, her mind completely lost comprehension, and she only knew to get a deeper, more exciting, and more intense pleasure from the combined actions of the two. Pleasure explodes, orgasms shudder and smolder.She vaguely felt his last push, his body twitched, his heavy breathing came from her ears, and his heavy heartbeat came from her back, even though separated by a layer of silk satin, she was still clearly discernible. His face was pressed against the nape of her neck, his hands pressed against her sides.They just stayed that way, basically embracing tenderly, with him snuggling up to her and surrounding her. Oh, my God, Jiaqi.He whispered, almost inaudibly.Jiaqi. Her whole body froze, and the magic at that moment was shattered.He also said exactly the same words on the wedding night, on her, under her, and beside her. At that time, she thought it was blissful ecstasy. She broke free and turned around, pushing her hands against his chest.The blow didn't push him, but his eyes widened in surprise, and he moved out of the way.She looked like a woman who took nude photos to make a living, but she didn't care at all. She bent down, picked up the clothes and hugged them in her arms, and then turned around resolutely. Wait a moment.He catches up.She thought she missed the clothes, but he just passed them to her.Unexpectedly, he took off his dressing gown and put it on for her.Don't catch a cold. She was angry, ashamed, humiliated, and still is.But his concern awakened the pain that had been buried for a long time, and when she emptied his bedroom, she thought she had completely forgotten the pain.The pain of not regretting the original. I won't thank you, she only has Zuluke as a defense. A trifle, nothing to worry about, he said.Good night, Mrs Tremais, see you tomorrow night.