Chapter 77 Chapter 77 Beio/You are the guests of honor at the party...
Holy Sunday finally arrived as everyone expected.
Since early morning, everyone at Winston Manor has been busy.
Servants weaved a busy web through the corridors and halls. Some stood on tiptoe, draping tinsel stars on pine branches, while others squatted on the carpet, tying red velvet bows for the roomful of little white children. Daisy the kitten playfully twitched her tail, nearly knocking over the gingerbread tray next to her. The maid quickly caught her with a smile.
Greta kissed the kitten in a scolding tone, "Oh, you little rascal."
Lucy happened to pass by pushing a dress rack and winked. "Mrs. Cooper, I think the little Whites are happy about today, too."
Emily, whom Isabel had brought with her, had already changed into her festive attire and was walking upstairs with a jewelry tray in hand. She said cheerfully, "Of course, thanks to your family, I've also received a holiday allowance. There's no doubt we'll have a perfect Easter this year."
"Good girls, you're so sweet!" Greta smiled. "Go check on your respective 'Miss Norman' to see if she needs any help. It's almost time to go visit the villagers."
The two maids nodded simultaneously and said, "Yes, ma'am."
Since Sophia's troubles were resolved, the estate had been a resounding success. Hermann wasn't stingy with money, and Isabel was even more generous. Both couples gave generous bonuses to everyone, including new clothes for the dogs and cats.
So on Christmas Day this year, even the fire in the kitchen was a little warmer than usual, and there was a sense of joy amid the busyness.
In the living room, Hermann and Heinrich were already dressed.
The silver-haired gentleman was dressed simply, wearing only a newly made black suit and a dark coat. The sparkling jewel cufflinks were Audrey's little idea.
The Duke, on the other hand, was much more particular, as he had always been somewhat competitive in his appearance. Not only was his hair meticulously styled, but everything from his silk shirt to his coat and boots was color-coordinated, and he even chose a bow tie that matched Isabel's dress.
After such a makeover, her already outstanding appearance can be put on the newspaper and participate in a beauty pageant.
Heinrich was obviously handsome and knew it, and he walked out of the locker room with his head held high and his confident aura was overwhelming.
Herman couldn't stand this behavior, so he held up the newspaper to cover his face and rolled his eyes expressionlessly.
Heinrich didn't care what his brother-in-law thought. He deliberately stood behind Isabel and coughed twice.
Emily was putting a tiara on Isabel, and Heinrich's face was reflected in the makeup mirror.
Emily raised her eyebrows, bit her lip and said, "Oh, madam, Mr. Duke looks very energetic today."
Isabel chuckled and turned to look at Heinrich.
Heinrich immediately raised his chin and adjusted his tie.
"Hmm, it's the same bow tie again. Really nice." Isabel tilted her head and praised politely. "Those sapphire cufflinks are also very beautiful. Are they from the same designer as the Atlantis crown?"
Heinrich raised his eyebrows proudly, but soon realized that he was not calm enough. He coughed twice and maintained a steady voice: "Yes, it just happened to be the only one I brought. I just picked it at random and it fits so well. Oh, there's really nothing I can do."
"Wow, what a great coincidence." Isabel didn't reveal that Heinrich had secretly brought a whole box of accessories, and continued to encourage him. "You are impeccable today."
Heinrich was completely happy now. He hummed and pushed Emily aside, putting the earrings on Isabel himself. When no one was paying attention, he sneaked closer and nodded his face.
Isabel couldn't help but laugh and kissed him on the cheek.
As for men, it's good if they are willing to put in some effort, and she really likes Heinrich's appearance, so she doesn't mind cooperating with his childish methods.
Audrey, who was holding Pappy and changing his clothes, came out from the inner room. Seeing this scene, she and her husband rolled their eyes.
Scheming man!
"Make way!" Audrey squeezed Heinrich aside, tucked the puppy into his arms, and put a holly brooch on her sister's head. She said happily, "I had a designer make this for everyone. The ladies have brooches, and the men have neckwear. Look, isn't it beautiful?"
Isabel looked in the mirror.
Wearing holly jewelry is a Halloween custom, but this brooch is unique. Its main body is woven from fresh holly branches and leaves, the leaves remaining naturally curled, and the berries plump and shiny. However, the base is adorned with a golden ribbon embroidered with each person's name, making it both beautiful and unique.
Herman was also assigned one. Audrey carefully buttoned his collar for him and looked at it with satisfaction: "Hmm! It's perfect!"
In the sunlight, the silver-haired gentleman had a handsome face, and the rather gorgeous decorations on his body did not look out of place.
Mrs. Greta had distributed the others', leaving Audrey with only the last one. She glanced at Heinrich, who was playing with the puppy, and said reluctantly, "Here, this is for you."
Heinrich continued with disdain, frowning, "This doesn't go with my clothes."
"Who cares if it matches you or not? It's better if you don't wear it." Audrey hummed, holding her sister's arm and looking at the mirror with satisfaction, "Anyway, all three of us have it."
Heinrich scoffed, ripping off his bow tie and replacing it with a holly collar ornament. He kept talking, "Hermann, you'd better find a chance to improve your wife's taste. Such a fancy element might be used as cufflinks, but if you go out with this collar ornament, people will think we're from Charlie's Circus."
Audrey: "If you don't want to wear it, give it back to me!"
"Tsk, if it weren't for my wife, who would care?"
…
Isabel closed her eyes, and Hermann sat back on the sofa to read the newspaper.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's time to go." Isabel knocked on the table.
Lucy walked in at the right moment. "The carriage is ready, and the relief supplies are loaded. Is everyone all right?"
"Thank you for your hard work, Lucy. We're ready." Isabel smiled and looked at the remaining three people. Her tone was unquestionable. "Now, let's go."
Isabel went out first, followed by Audrey, and the two brothers-in-law at the end.
Although they quarreled constantly and had their own conflicts behind the scenes, when they appeared in public, the four of them were very harmonious and decent.
The carriage stopped at the door, and Heinrich offered Isabelle his arm to get in. Hermann took Audrey to another carriage.
Facing the warm winter sun of Kent, the two couples headed west of the village.
On St. Peter's Day, it is customary for wealthy families to visit and comfort the poor villagers in the surrounding areas. This time, the Duke and Duchess' visit exceeded previous levels in terms of both the scale of the event and the generosity of the donated materials.
Of course, some saw this as a hypocritical aristocratic ploy to gain fame. Audrey even worried about the newspapers' misrepresentations. Isabel dismissed the idea, saying to her sister, "So what if it's just for fame? As long as the villagers actually benefit, the more hypocritical tactics like this, the better. Ideally, even the wealthy would follow suit."
Obviously, the villagers were more pragmatic than those high-sounding critics. Wherever the carriage went, there were constant expressions of gratitude.
The two couples brought not only supplies but also job offers. White Industries, Norman Industries, and the newly joined Berkeley Maritime and Trading Company all needed help. Anyone who passed the interview could secure a position with generous pay and benefits.
For the villagers, there is no better news than this. It means that everyone can pull their feet out of the mud and go out. In times of disaster, they don’t need to pray for the Holy Spirit’s blessing because there is a system to protect them.
The carriage traveled westward, following the path of the sun, spreading the seeds of hope along the way.
When they stopped outside a small house, Audrey got out first and said to her sister worriedly, "This is it."
There were suppressed coughs and conversations between a man and a woman coming from the house.
"Ahem... there's the sound of a carriage. Are there any guests coming? Go and see, Rose. Maybe they're your friends."
"Today is Christmas Eve. Who would come to visit me?" Rose cried. "I just want to be with you. At least I can have the memory of one last holiday."
The little beggar Polly didn't want to see such a heavy scene. He opened the window and saw the carriage at the door. He was stunned for a long time before shouting, "Kevin, Rose! Someone is really coming! Look!"
Before he could finish his words, a group of people had already stepped into the dim little house.
"Mr. White, Mrs. White?" Rose was surprised and looked at Isabel and the others. "This is..."
She suddenly realized something and quickly stood up and nodded: "Mr. Duke, Mrs. Duchess."
Isabel: "No need to salute."
She gently helped Rose to her feet and, without wasting time on small talk, walked straight to Kevin's bedside.
"No, ma'am, I'm very sick... Please don't come near me, cough cough cough!" The freckled young man was so weak that he was just a bag of bones.
Polly suddenly jumped forward and said, "Please save Kevin, ladies and gentlemen."
Kevin: "Polly! Cough cough cough come back!"
He coughed violently, his handkerchief stained with blood. He looked at Isabel helplessly, "I'm sorry, Duchess. Polly cared too much about me. My illness is incurable. Please don't waste your money and supplies. Leave them to those in need."
Rose covered her mouth and cried out.
Isabel didn't answer. She waved and asked Emily to bring the prepared medicine box. "Hein, come and help me pick out the herbs you drank last time. Do you remember?"
The Duke hummed, "I happen to have a very good memory, ma'am."
The couple began to tinker with the box as if no one was around.
Kevin was confused. Audrey looked at her sister's actions, breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled, "Don't worry, the Duchess is here to help you heal."
Rose stopped crying, and Polly jumped up happily: "Really? But the best doctor in town said Kevin is hopeless!"
Heinrich, picking at herbs, raised an eyebrow and said, "That's because the best doctor in Ceylon didn't come."
"Don't listen to Spencer's boasting. I'm not that great, and I don't necessarily know everything about difficult and complicated diseases." Isabel chuckled. Seeing Kevin and his family's gloomy expressions again, she changed the subject: "But byssinusosis can't faze me. It's not a terminal illness."
Saying this in such a confident tone was like a ray of light shining into the little house of despair.
Rose burst into tears, and she hugged Kevin. This time they were tears of joy.
Audrey breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help wiping away her tears.
The sister's arrival not only saved this family, but also brought hope to countless people facing the same desperate situation, and also resolved the obsession that had been lingering in her heart.
Kevin's voice trembled as he asked again: "Duchess, can I really recover? Can I be as healthy as before?"
"I can't guarantee your health, but your life will definitely be saved." Isabel didn't resort to unrealistic words just to comfort anyone. She wrote the prescription and had Emily pack the selected herbs separately, handing them to Rose. "Give it to the patient according to the instructions I've written. I'll also arrange for a doctor to come from Mellenvik to treat you. We can proceed with both methods simultaneously, and your husband will be able to spend many more Christmases with you."
Audrey: "Yes, and you have to bring Rose to the ball at Winston Manor!"
Kevin was stunned, then nodded gratefully with Rose, speaking incoherently: "Oh! Thank you! Thank you, thank you all so kind! I don't know how to express my gratitude! I..."
"Recovering well and getting as healthy as possible is the best reward." Audrey smiled.
"If you have time, please spread your treatment methods." Isabel packed the medicine box.
"Remember to make our Doctor Norman famous." Heinrich added lightly.
The heavy atmosphere in the cabin was immediately swept away and everyone started laughing.
"We will do it!" Kevin and Rose smiled at each other.
Polly jumped up and shouted, "I'll go now!"
Professional beggars have very clever little channels and are perfect at publicizing someone's achievements! That's how the story of Audrey giving him money six times the first time they went out on the street got out. So, every time Mrs. White went out, the sign "Silly but Rich" was written on her forehead, and she was always surrounded by children.
Of course, Audrey didn't know about the good thing Polly had done at this moment. She was so happy that her eyes were red because of the ending of the story that turned from sad to happy.
Hermann never came into the house. He just stood quietly by the door and looked at his wife.
See her worrying about those unrelated people, feeling sad for their misery, and happy for their luck.
Before this, he had also made considerable material contributions to Kevin's family and other workers, but he had to admit that he could not show any genuine concern for them.
But at this moment, his fingertips unconsciously stroked his cane, and he took a step forward as if possessed by a ghost, stepping into the dim room.
Kevin lowered his voice subconsciously when he saw Herman. This was not only his instinct, but also the instinct of all Haddonfield workers when they saw their boss.
"Mr. White..."
Audrey turned around and looked at Herman, a little surprised: "What's wrong? Are you impatient? We'll be ready soon."
She explained patiently, thinking Hermann was impatient.
Heinrich snorted coldly: "Don't be so arrogant, sir."
He puffed out his chest, raised an eyebrow at Isabel, and swiftly helped her pack her medicine box. He was clearly pushing his brother-in-law down, as if to say: Look, your husband is a duke and he doesn't put on airs, and then look at him, huh!
Isabel chuckled and shook her head, but her eyes looked at Hermann with a deep meaning. She could see that something had changed in this man.
Herman, of course, didn't bother responding to the boring criticism. He simply pulled out a document from his pocket and said, "If you can't fully recover later, White Company will guarantee your life."
Kevin and Rose looked at each other and said, "Mr. White, you've given us enough before. We can't take it!"
Herman didn't hesitate, "I set up a charity fund to treat byssinosis. This is more than just helping you."
Hearing this, Audrey was also surprised: "When did you do it?"
Herman looked at his wife and just curled the corners of his lips: "I forgot, maybe there was a night when you cried about it?"
Then he took out another invitation and handed it to Rose: "There will be a ball at Winston Manor tonight. You can go if you are free, but it is best to ensure that you are in good health."
Kevin and Rose looked at each other in disbelief: "You...invite us?"
Herman remained calm and simply said, "Everyone who participated in the bonfire party last time."
"Everyone?" This time it was Audrey who gasped in surprise. She stared at the invitation, then looked at Hermann, as if she didn't recognize the man in front of her. "Hermann, did I hear correctly? You're inviting the villagers to celebrate the festival with us, right?"
Herman leered at her and raised his eyebrows deliberately: "If you mind, I can take back the invitation."
"Of course not!" Audrey happily hugged Herman's arms, her eyes shining. "Oh my God! It will be so lively tonight! How can you be so nice, Herman!"
Herman let his wife sway back and forth, a slight smile in his eyes.
Heinrich commented critically, "Well, that's what a proper husband is."
"Alright, model husband, please help me carry the medicine box." Isabel said goodbye to Kevin and his family with a smile. "I look forward to seeing you tonight, but I think it's best for Kevin to stay in bed."
Rose and Kevin felt a little regretful, but were still happier. "Yes, health is more important. I wish our four benefactors a happy Easter in advance."
"Happy Easter!" Audrey waved happily. As she left, she looked at Herman again and asked tentatively, "Even if I miss this ball, I think there will be more opportunities to see Kevin and the others at Winston Manor in the future, right?"
Hermann chuckled, escorted his wife to the carriage, and ignored her expectant look.
Until Audrey shook him anxiously and stretched out her voice: "Hermann, don't you think so? Answer me quickly."
Hermann looked at the small house outside the car and the curling smoke from the village, and the ice and snow in his dark gray eyes melted.
"If you wish, I think the answer is yes."
The next moment, those water-blue eyes were indeed filled with smiles, and cheers of surprise filled the carriage.
Hermann watched her joy silently, and the warm atmosphere enveloped him as well.
He tasted the incomparable flavor of happiness.
At the same time, Charles led the servants to distribute invitations to the villagers.
"Every household in the village has one. A servant will come to pick you up this afternoon. Welcome everyone to Winston Manor."
When the villagers received the invitation, almost no one dared to believe it.
The tenant farmer's son clutched the invitation, his knuckles turning white. "To the banquet hall at the manor?"
You know, the last time Audrey and Herman got married, the villagers were honored to have a feast on the lawn outside the manor, and they didn't even dare to look at the door of the banquet hall!
But at this moment, Charles handed over the invitation very solemnly and saluted respectfully: "Yes, you are the guests of honor of the party. I sincerely look forward to your arrival."
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The author has something to say: The next chapter will also be about a happy Chinese New Year! Make dumplings! (Not really)
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