Chapter 19 Chapter 19 The naive Ms. Norman has always had good...
The Kentish sun shines brightly in the midsummer, streaming into the windowsill.
The white dove fluttered on the oak branch, tilting its head curiously, staring at the blonde girl reading a letter at the desk.
"'Isabel, I hope you are well when this letter arrives. Did you receive the box I sent you? Don't be surprised by the amount; it is an asset left to you for your safety. If you have someone you trust, you can ask him to take care of it, but I hope it is someone Lucy has selected. After all, apart from Miss Lucas next door, there is no one in the entire Principality of Ceylon that you don't trust.'"
Lucy was like a doppelganger sent by Isabel, silent and wise. She rarely interfered with Audrey's decisions, but when big things happened, she would quietly help Audrey plan everything.
Audrey looked up in frustration after reading this. "I've made great progress in judging people, don't you think, Lucy? I'll definitely tell you that when I write back."
Lucy nodded. "Of course. Last time we went to town, at least you recognized the same beggar who asked you for money six times in one day. That's great."
"Oh Lucy~" Audrey drawled, her fluffy blonde hair looking fuzzy in the sunlight. "I just don't want to expose that poor kid. Please give her sincere praise, please."
Lucy's smile widened, resisting the urge to pet the furry creature.
"God knows I truly admire you. Good luck will always be with a loving woman."
After all, the kind-hearted young lady's donation of a little silver coin would not cause Winston Manor to go bankrupt.
Audrey laughed happily.
"Sister's letters are always so short!" Looking at the remaining half of the paper, she sighed again and read on with reluctance, "'My wedding to the Duke is scheduled for August 5th, and the wedding will be held at St. Westford Cathedral. Although my family can't come, I will prepare a commemorative gift for you. Remember to check it then. Love you.'"
"Wait! Lucy! Am I seeing right? August 5th?!" Audrey's gloom vanished, and she stood up excitedly. She handed the letter to Lucy and muttered, "Then we're getting married on the same day! Oh my God! How lucky!"
"Yes, it's August 5th." Lucy confirmed again.
"Great! Lucy! My sister and I are getting married on the same day!" Audrey's eyes lit up instantly, and the white doves outside the window frightened by her laughter fluttered around.
Lucy smiled as she watched Audrey spinning happily, her eyes returning to the cursive writing on the letter.
The Duke's wedding date was roughly calculated through divination, so it wasn't a secret. But was Winston Manor's wedding on the same day a mere coincidence? Or was it a deliberate act by the capitalist, so that the White and Spencer families' relationship would be known to the entire Kentish social world?
Of course, she wouldn't tell Audrey about these speculations, just as the letter from Charvis didn't mention them at all.
Audrey just needed to be happy about the heaven-sent coincidence and be a happy bride.
At the same time, outside the window, the sound of horse hooves came from far away.
Audrey was looking for ink to write a reply.
Lucy didn't disturb her. She quietly found a new piece of ink from the cupboard and glanced downstairs casually.
The carriage had ornate gold ornaments on its corners, and even its armrests were inlaid with ivory. The door opened, and a middle-aged woman got out. Charles and Herman went forward to greet her.
Velvet handmade carpets extend from the magnificent main building to the outdoors. In the central area, there is a circular fountain, guarding a statue of a little angel. If you look closely, you will find that the statue is as white as jade.
Not to mention the interior that can be seen when you look up, the marble steps opposite lead all the way up, and the magnificent hall is filled with the smell of money.
"Hurley, this is too extravagant." Even though she was wearing priceless jade jewelry, Ms. Greta Cooper, who came from a humble background, still did not feel a sense of belonging to such huge wealth. "To be honest, I'm still not used to it."
In order to avoid being heard by the servants who were lined up to welcome her, Greta lowered her voice and spoke only to Hermann, who was holding her hand.
Charles, with his sharp ears, quipped, "At Winston Manor, extravagance is the easiest habit to develop. You'll get used to it, Mrs. Cooper. Who gave you a son who's as rich as a country?"
Greta was indeed very proud when she mentioned her son. She smiled shyly and said, "Charles, it's been a long time since we last met. You are still so good at flattery."
"Oh, ma'am, this is not flattery. Please believe my honesty. Spending your son's money is a must for us!" Charles winked and raised his eyebrows exaggeratedly. "The other 'Mrs. White' did it very well."
Greta: "Uh, you mean, Miss Norman?"
"Yes, she is a very cheerful and lively lady. I think you will get along well."
"Really? That's great." Greta's smile was a bit forced, and she subconsciously lowered her head to adjust her clothes. The frostbite she had contracted from hard labor in her early years seemed incompatible with the pigeon blood ring.
Charles did not notice Mrs. Cooper's uneasiness. Instead, he introduced his fiancée more cheerfully, telling her what she liked to eat, how she liked to go to town, how she became Caroline's nemesis when she first came, and so on.
"Charles."
Hermann said in a calm tone, suddenly interrupting his chatter.
"My mother is very tired and needs to rest."
"Yes!" Charles shut up immediately.
Greta said quickly, "Don't listen to him, Charles. I'm not tired. You can go on."
"No, no, no, even if you were here, I wouldn't dare offend the Caesar of Winston Manor." Charles took off his hat and nodded, smiling and gesturing for someone to come in. "Please, Mrs. Cooper."
The three of them walked through the crowd and into the luxurious hall.
As soon as she entered the room, Caroline and the long line of maids behind her all smiled and bowed: "Mrs. Cooper, greetings to you."
Greta was startled by the scene and clenched her fingers involuntarily. "Hello."
Herman glanced at Caroline and said, "I didn't order this. Everyone, leave."
"I wanted to give Mrs. Cooper a welcoming ceremony." Caroline waved away the maids but stayed put. She smiled and nodded to Greta. "After all, we all want to meet Winston's real mistress."
Herman frowned slightly, and Charles could tell at a glance that he was unhappy.
Before his boss could get angry, the old lawyer winked at the housekeeper and said, "Caroline, Mrs. Cooper is exhausted from the journey. Take her to rest!"
"Okay, ma'am, please follow me."
Caroline glared at Charles and led Greta to the prepared bedroom.
Looking at the two ladies' receding backs, Charles shook his head helplessly and followed Hermann back to the study.
"Mr. White, even the richest bachelor needs time to rest when his wedding is approaching, and to improve the relationship between Miss Norman and your mother!"
"Mother won't want to stay, and Isabel Norman doesn't need to foster a relationship with anyone." Hermann glanced at Charles coldly, hinting, "All she needs is to know how to go shopping and spend money."
"I'm honored that you took my joke to heart," Charles said, raising an eyebrow as he picked up the document. "By the way, we need to reserve headlines in advance to promote our relationship with the Spencer family. How many newspapers do we need to contact?"
"All of them." Hermann said without looking up.
Charles tilted his glasses and sighed hesitantly, "Oh. Do I need to explain this to Miss Norman? I'm afraid she won't think this marriage is just about exploitation."
"Isn't it?" Herman suddenly raised his eyes, his dark gray eyes were emotionless. "Don't do anything unnecessary, Charles, just do as I say."
Charles shrugged. "As you wish, sir."
-
On the other side, Caroline brought an evening dress to Greta.
"It's so beautiful, Mrs. Cooper." Caroline praised in the mirror, "It would be even more perfect if you added this peacock feather brooch."
"Thank you, Caroline." Greta stood in the mirror, pinned the brooch, and checked her body again, her eyes slightly uneasy. "Is this appropriate? I heard that nobles are very particular about it. Is this too exaggerated?"
Tonight is her first time meeting her future daughter-in-law.
I heard that Miss Norman came from a baron family. The upper class always has a lot of rules, while Greta came from the bottom of the slums. If her son had not become successful, she would never have had anything to do with such a girl in her life, let alone become her mother-in-law.
"Just the right amount of solemnity, ma'am." Caroline smiled, a cold look in her eyes. "Don't worry, you're the elder, so just act like one. Whatever you do is right, and you don't have to worry about Miss Norman's expression."
"That's what I said, but..." Greta lowered her eyes and forced a smile, "I'm afraid I'll lose my composure in front of a noble lady and embarrass Hermione."
In the mirror, the peacock sapphire brooch shines brightly, paired with a dark blue square-necked satin dress, her hair tied into a high bun, embellished with a diamond crown and earrings, she looks like a wealthy lady.
But the uneasiness in her every move could reveal her guilty conscience at a glance.
"Don't think so." Caroline opened the door and made an invitation. "Even if she's a noble, so what? Her family has fallen on hard times, and she married here to pay off her debts. In this manor, you are the only mistress."
Greta was encouraged, took a deep breath, and tried to straighten her back: "Yes, yes, this manor belongs to my son."
"That's right! First of all, you have to maintain your authority and don't give her a good face." Caroline supported Greta as she walked towards the banquet hall.
"Is this okay?" Greta sat down at the main seat in the restaurant with a stern face, "'Ms. Norman, sit down!'"
"Excellent." Caroline gave a thumbs-up. "Remember not to laugh. Keep your voice low and your face stern, just like your son. Don't show any fear. From now on, she won't dare to offend you."
"Sit down!" Greta imitated several times in a row, and her majestic face really had some shadow of Hermann.
The clock struck seven, and Mrs. Cooper, who looked strong but was actually weak, hoped that her daughter-in-law would come earlier. After all, it was very tiring to maintain her dignity.
At the same time, upstairs in the castle, Audrey stood up suddenly after hearing Lucy's report, her blue eyes full of excitement.
"What? Old Mrs. White is here! I'm going to see her right away!"
Having said that, she picked up her skirt and ran out.
Lucy wanted to warn her, but couldn't stop her. She could only sigh at the excited figure.
Forget it, the naive Ms. Norman has always had good luck, I hope it will be the same this time.
The author has something to say:
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Audrey: No one in Winston Manor dislikes me! I'm sure of it!
Lucy: Uh, I'm not sure.
Caroline: ...
Audrey: Right, Caroline?
CAROLYN: ...Yes, miss.
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