Chapter 27 Chapter Twenty Seven

September 2, 1893 Victoria and the Duke's weekly tea party lasted only two weeks.Then it became twice a week for a week and a half.One or two days before the weekend of that week, the Duke walked past her farm, and without knowing it, he and she had a very lively chat over the front fence. There are benefits to being old, Victoria thought.When she was young, she always wanted to be flawless in everyone's eyes forever, even to the point of fanaticism.All she said was platitudes, and she never dared to say what she really thought, only dared to say some flat, polite words. Thirty years of time can actually bring about such a big change in people, it's really inconceivable.When they were strolling in her garden the day before yesterday, she even directly said that the Duke must be blind, and she couldn't see that the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus was not pure friendship. If they were just friends, how could they be so sad that they would not let him Cremation?

And he stood his ground, defending the theory that the two were just friends.The so-called romantic love in modern Western civilization is a concept that only emerged in the Middle Ages.Men in Achilles' day were not family-focused, and in that context, of course there were deeper and more moving friendships between men than they are today. As they wandered in his garden today, they disagreed even more on issues ranging from metric units to the merits and demerits of the writer Bernard Sue.The duke said her ideas were absurd, and she didn't budge, pointing out to his face that his views were old-fashioned, she said so, without the slightest pretense.

When he was about to return to the door, he said: No one in this life would dare to sing against me like this. Oops, she joked.So you are a little flower in the greenhouse, my lord. He was a little taken aback.Small flowers in the greenhouse.That's right.But shouldn't a well-bred lady like you try to agree with me? That's only necessary if I want to win your heart, my lord. Don't you want to?He gave her a fierce look. She fanned her eyelashes.I am rich and have a son-in-law who will become a duke in the future, why should I put up with a difficult person like you? He will not be your son-in-law soon.

Oh, it seems you haven't heard of it.My daughter has broken off her engagement to Lord Frederick.Not only that, this morning she took the Lucania to New York to find her husband. Then you will be satisfied.Don't want to find a duke to marry? OK for now.she said modestly. He snorted disapprovingly.The duke had no resistance to the absurd.Her reluctance to actively pursue it amused him, and they often joked about it. She smiled, and he was a nice guy, though he had been so loose and always so haughty and loved to intimidate ordinary people.She was flattered by his attentions, but not just because it gratified her vanity.She really likes his company, and now he is a considerate and honest man.

When they returned to the room, the tea set had been prepared in the living room on the south side, and a servant was seriously preheating the tea set.The fire was raging in the fireplace, casting golden shadows on the walls. After the servants had left, she said.See how careless I am. I have been so busy pointing out your lack of knowledge that I forgot to wish you a happy birthday. Not only you have forgotten, but all my friends have forgotten, he said angrily.I used to throw a rave party at Neutrogena every year for my birthday. You miss the rave parties.How can you not miss it?She's never been to it, and even so she's fascinated.

Occasionally.But I don't miss the horror after it's over.The wallpaper in this living room has been changed six times in eleven years. She looked at the wall.The colors of the wallpaper are different now, the pattern is acanthus leaves instead of iris flowers, but it can be seen that they have been carefully selected, and the background color is the same celadon green, exactly the same as when she came to drink tea with a dream more than 30 years ago.It's amazing that I've changed it so many times and it's still the same as it was back then. When I was the most dissolute in the past, it was completely different from what I am now. The theme of the wallpaper is very different.

he smiles.Her heart pounded.Although she was almost an old woman, she still couldn't help being very curious, and wanted to find out about the prodigal son hidden in his heart.Every time she mentions his debauched behavior back then, she will be filled with excitement, coupled with that ecstatic smile, well, it seems that there will be no sleep tonight. After I quit the social circle, the poet copied the exact same wallpaper.I copied everything, including memories and old photos, but I found myself unable to bear it.He took a sip of the coffee he'd given up pretending to drink a few weeks ago, admitting he hated it.So I made some changes to my liking.

The past is always sad, right?she whispered. There was an unused teaspoon beside him, and as he turned the handle, the top of the spoon turned up and down.His silence is the answer.His self-exile and seclusion contain a lot of self-punishment.But he didn't have to, it was enough. My daughter has hired a private eye for a long time.The problem with Jiaqi's child is that she is too fashionable and aggressive, and she hopes that the Duke will not ask why.I asked him to help investigate your matter without authorization. He raised his eyebrows.If you want to know why Mrs. Wen Pei's bed caught fire, just ask me.

She might have blushed a month ago, but today she didn't even move her eyelids.In fact, I'd rather know what kind of foreign stuff Mrs. Fancourt used. They were just velvet handcuffs, foreign indeed, but not evil, he said. God, what's wrong with that woman?said Mrs. Rowland angrily.Scarves are fine. He almost sprayed coffee all over the table.God, this woman often made him have to rethink the character of so-called good women.It seems that decent British couples still have imaginations in bed, not as boring as he thinks. I digress, she resumed her graceful posture, God knows what kind of experience and hobbies she actually has, such a strong contrast makes the blood rush.When he was young, he probably would not hesitate to start three wars to possess her, and he is still the same now, but only in his heart.

Where did I just say that?Oh yes.I asked the detective to investigate Mr. Elliott's marital status. He had the experience of a bullet piercing his chest, so he wouldn't say that her words were so shocking, but it wasn't far off.He feels the same now as he did back then, standing still unable to move, covering the right side of his heart with one hand, looking down at the blood oozing from his fingers. Even if others don't understand, she should understand that he can't bear the facts and face the current situation of Elliott and his wife.The reason why he was able to get some peace from living in seclusion was entirely because he didn't know the details, so he could hold a glimmer of hope, believing that he should not completely ruin the whole family.

She probably sensed how shocked he was, and quickly restrained her smile.I know I shouldn't be nosy. He glanced at her.Ma'am, your greatest expertise is meddling in other people's business, and I promise I will train you terribly.He can continue to babble, let her know how good he is at using swear words, and when he finishes swearing, her heart will become withered, dry, and pitted.But he stopped there, because the unavoidable reality was right in front of him, and there was no point in procrastinating, even though he really wanted to escape.Come on, what did your detective find? They were fine, she smiled sweetly. It must have been his imagination, he seemed to hear her say they were fine.Please don't hold back, please, he said. My detective, who had been working as a servant for several weeks at the Elliott's, made his report with the assurance that it would be correct.The Elliotts got along very well, not only as guests of respect, but with genuine affection. Did you make it up to lie to me?he said vaguely.How can it be?The wound between the two is so deep, how can there be a way to heal by itself?He has always held negative ideas about human beings and believed that human nature is inherently evil. Could it be that he is wrong? Just based on my one-sided words, you probably won't believe it.The detective's name is Samuel.Ripley, last month he went by the pseudonym Samuel.Chuan Bai, who worked in Elliott's house for three weeks, served as the deputy general manager.What I just told you is only the general situation. I received a written report last night. The content is very detailed, and it meticulously records all the conversations he heard and all the scenes he saw. My daughter is very good at reading people, and the people she hires are very serious about their work.I could feel that Mr. Ripley spent a lot of time peeping through keyholes and upstairs windows.Some parts of the report I had to skip because it was too embarrassing. His heart clenched and his throat choked.The cloud of self-blame has been hanging over him for too long, and he has forgotten how pure and happy the feeling of peace of mind is. I have brought the report and put it in the carriage, you can send for it. He got up to pick it up himself. The report was two centimeters thick. He stood beside Mrs. Roland's carriage and read it word for word without skipping any parts, especially the intimate moments between husband and wife. Engaging in those behaviors because of the need to carry on the family line.He especially likes the silly but sweet nicknames between the two of them, my sweetie, my street car master. Lord Perrin, Ronff.Fitzwilliam returned to the south living room, as if walking on clouds, feeling that the whole world was so beautiful that he almost couldn't keep his eyes open. Mrs. Roland had prepared a glass of brandy for him.Drink, my lord, she said.You didn't destroy his life, you can breathe easy. He drank the brandy in one gulp, and the flames of joy spread endlessly in his heart.Now if I were to attend a hundred country dinners, I could smile. Really exciting and good news.I have dukes at my table, and I want all my acquaintances to see them and make them envious. Is it just the dining table?He said with a grin.Where has your ambition gone? Always here, only softened, Your Excellency.Now I just want to show off our warm friendship, and that's enough for me. He clicked his tongue.Mrs. Roland, I didn't expect you to be so small.After revealing the news, you should know what will happen next, right? This idea has been circling in his mind for several days. Like a resolute lover, he crossed the barriers and whispered in front of the window of the shy virgin, and that virgin was exactly the mood he wanted to marry.He felt that as long as she was willing to accept him, marrying her should be very happy. But his past mistakes have made him less courageous.A cold and ominous voice whispered that he had no right to dream of being loved by a good woman, that he was not worthy of any good woman, let alone the beautiful, brilliant and intelligent Mrs. Roland.He casually destroys the happiness of others, and is not qualified to pursue his own happiness. But now it's different.He broke free from the shackles of self-pity and regained his freedom. If he is lucky enough to get her, as long as she is by his side and on his bed, he can enjoy his old age with peace of mind. The light in the fairy eyes made Victoria's heart skip a beat.Planning a rave party? No, now I am free to propose to you. She was extremely astonished, just like when she found out that she fell in love with John.As Roland did.You want to marry me? Ma'am, otherwise you think I am going to do something.Didn't I obediently follow the steps that should be followed in courtship?Seriously, I even drank tea.You should feel very face, instead of drinking tea, I would rather drink the horse's bath water. I thought you just wanted to talk about the past, at most to lure me into agreeing to a secret affair. Ma'am, I do want to talk about the past, and I do want to get you into bed.However, these two things can still go smoothly after getting married. But in less than fifteen months, I will be fifty years old!She yelled, unable to believe that she had revealed the top secret herself. good news.It turns out that you are much younger than I thought. Her eyes widened.How old do you think I am. he laughed.No la.I considered the age gap between us, and I found it didn't matter.Your husband is nineteen years older than you, even so you still get happiness, and I am only a few years younger than you, there is no reason why we cannot be happy together. I can't bear children for you. Then my cousin's son would be very grateful.He took her hand, leaving her even more bewildered.Believe me, madam, the thought of having to deal with babies at this age scares me.My cousin is a fine fellow, and I have no regrets in having Neutrogena in his place. She wanted very much to say yes immediately.Oh, how she thought.Since the invention of chocolate cake, it was the first time she had encountered such a great temptation that a duke would come to her door automatically.Your Excellency the Duchess of Perrin.The title seemed to have magical powers, causing a spark of joy to bloom deep in her heart.At this point in her life, the word "old" has been stuck behind her, like an overly enthusiastic suitor. She never expected that she could get the title and status she longed for all her life, and the other party was once the most difficult diamond bachelor in the country.How could anyone be so stupid as to refuse. She jumped up from her seat and withdrew her hand.No.She shook her head.The voice trembled audibly.No, you want to marry me just out of nostalgia, just like you want to restore Neutrogena to how it was when your parents were alive. He frowned.I don't know how you can compare these two things. How can you not understand?Like a wallpaper, I'm your mother's crush! You mean to say that because I snubbed my mother when I was young and now want to fulfill her last wish as atonement, that's why my heart wants to marry you and my crotch wants you? How she wished otherwise, but she was not blind.He likes her and is attracted by her body, but the reason why he chooses her over other women is because she can let him regain his lost youth.right. Isn't that a noble motive.Why do you object? Oh, the badass, how can she talk like this at a time like this, she feels like she's falling apart, and thanks to the stiff corset, she doesn't scatter all over the floor.Because your so-called noble motives are just wishful thinking.You are a good man now, and your mother will surely be honored to hear that.You don't need to keep making it up. He nodded, as if he had finally figured it out.The reason why you refused should be the main and strongest factor, right? That's right. There are other reasons too.For example, I am too picky?Or because I hate tea? Absolutely not.How much she wished so, then rejecting him wouldn't be so painful. He smiled, and twenty-five years ago, this smile could have mesmerized a bunch of women, making them pass out and have their skirts flipped.That being the case, dear Mrs. Rowland, I would like to read a passage to you. He got up and walked over to a basswood writing desk that had been used by his mother.When Victoria visited many years ago, the Duchess had repeatedly shown her items from that table. The Duke opened the lower drawer and took out a large book bound in parchment.Still my mother's diary.He opened it to three-quarters of the way, and then slowly turned the page to find the text he wanted.Look here, she wrote it on November 18, 1862. He turned to her with the diary and read aloud Eat: Tea with Miss Pierce today.It should be the last time.She thanked me for my friendship, and said that she was engaged to a low-born upstart named Roland.What a pity, I had intended to introduce her to Hubbard.They should be a good match. Hubbard?Is that part of the duke's name?She remembered that his full name was Ronff.Alexander.Humphrey.Fitzwilliam.Who is Hubbard? My cousin, Hubbard.Lancaster, son of Lord Wesborough, third eldest.Mrs. Wesper was my mother's eldest sister, and Hubbard must have been twenty-six at the time. her nephew?Victoria felt dizzy for a while, and covered her mouth with her hand.God.so many years, so many years He is very nice, and his family background is very prominent, but he has no money.said the duke.Don't forget, how old was I then?Fifteen, sixteen?My mother will not be in a hurry to arrange a marriage for me.Moreover, although she is very amiable, she knows that our identities are different. She is the earl's daughter herself, and the standard for finding a wife will certainly not be lower than that threshold. Victoria groaned.The daughter and son-in-law thought it was really embarrassing for her to lure the Duke with her body to eat at home, but now she is even more ashamed.Please have the manservant help me find a shovel, I want to dig a big hole outside to bury myself. Digging up my beautiful garden.Forget it, my dear.She heard him close the diary and put it back in the drawer.You were young at the time, and it was natural to have an excess of imagination. Many women who have seen the world also lost their minds because of me. Oh, this man is so arrogant.Her skin must have thickened with the years, for she recovered quickly.Since you want to marry me, it seems that you shouldn't let me die of shame, right? He was so close to her that she could smell the scent of shaving soap.Her half-aged heart was beating wildly.She couldn't believe it was happening, that this incredibly attractive, wonderful, funny man valued her so much that he wanted to marry her.He wants her! If you don't speak, it means you agree? I didn't say that, she said stubbornly. You should say yes.I proved that I didn't want to marry you because of my mother's last wish, and I showed ironclad evidence.You said it yourself less than two minutes ago, and there is no other reason for you not to say yes, not at all.He paused deliberately, his eyes gleaming with evil brilliance.I get it, you want me to give a little more.Well, seducing women is my forte, but I have to figure out how to do it first.Well, should I kiss you before taking you to bed, or the other way around. She tried to look angry.As I said just now, Your Excellency, you are really a little flower in a greenhouse.You should do both together.It's unbelievable, unbelievable, that you don't know. He smiled.I really can't figure out why I didn't touch women from good families before. Fortunately, I still have the opportunity to make up for it now. After saying this, he kissed her. This kiss was not the dignified and delicate kiss she imagined when she was young, nor the sinful kiss that had been on her mind recently.His kiss was warm and joyful, full of joy that his wish had finally come true. She was completely melted and completely content. He backed away shortly after.Say it quickly, he urged, rubbing his nose against the corner of her mouth. No, she gasped.Although this kiss is very good, I will not give up my independence because of a mere kiss.Your Excellency, I was married, and very happily.You'd have to do more than a kiss to get me down the aisle. He laughed and was cheerful.He looked around the living room, and his eyes fell on a small sofa, the armrests were carved into the shape of scrolls, and the chair cushions were covered with beige brocade. All right.He kisses her again.Dear Mrs. Rowland, you'd better be careful what you say, because it may soon come true.