Chapter 90: Daily Life of a Noblewoman 4: Honesty is a Good Virtue
Colonel Fitzwilliam was, after all, the son of an earl and had seen a lot of the world. Even though the situation was filled with an elusive weirdness, he still shook hands with the gentleman opposite him very politely.
"My name is Fitzwilliam. Good day, sir."
Then they discussed the weather in Hunsford in a friendly way, and Heather could not find a moment to speak.
"Did you just arrive in Hunsford this morning? Then you should be thankful you missed last night's violent storm. It was probably the heaviest rainstorm this spring. Even my horse was goose-stepping all night and I couldn't sleep."
Colonel Fitzwilliam's sense of humor made Lancaster feel uneasy. He tried to search his mind for equally humorous remarks, but failed.
He could only tell the truth: "Well, actually I happened to arrive at the town's post station last night when the rain was at its heaviest."
"Oh, that's unfortunate," Colonel Fitzwilliam replied dryly.
Lancaster's Adam's apple rolled, and he subconsciously glanced at the silent lady beside him. "Yes, that's unfortunate. I wanted to visit you during the downpour, but I felt that would be impolite, so I had to go back to the post station and wait. Fortunately, the rain stopped completely this morning."
He had actually wanted to ride to the parsonage in the pouring rain yesterday, perhaps his embarrassment and vulnerability would be more likely to evoke sympathy. However, he ultimately gave up, fearing that such an act, which could easily be considered deception, would only exacerbate his guilt.
Heather didn't say anything, but took the opportunity to carefully look at the dusty man opposite her.
His always-shine leather shoes were speckled with dirt. Perhaps because he'd been in such a hurry and forgot to bring hairspray, his hair fell sideways. He even had a fringe of green stubble on his chin, making him look even more mature and casual.
Hmm...Hazel told herself not to look anymore.
"I'm going home, Colonel Fitzwilliam. See you tonight." After saying that, she politely bent her knees slightly towards the two men and continued walking the same way.
Lancaster clenched his hiking stick and asked, "Perhaps there will be some grand event tonight, Colonel Fitzwilliam?"
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked at Heather's back in confusion and replied, "It's not a grand event. My aunt Lady Catherine has invited Mr. and Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Lawrence to dinner together. Mr. Lancaster, I also solemnly invite you to join us for dinner tonight."
He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "But are you here specifically to visit Mrs. Lawrence? She doesn't seem to be very familiar with you and has no intention of stopping to wait for you."
Lancaster twitched his lips. "Because I'm just one of her admirers... Please keep it a secret for me, sir." He patted the other's shoulder stiffly and turned to leave. "Goodbye, I'm going to catch up now."
Colonel Fitzwilliam really wanted to go along and see what was going on, but he finally went to Rosings Manor as planned. After all, there would be enough time to find out by dinner time.
Lancaster took big steps and within two minutes he caught up with the person in front who was carefully avoiding the mire.
He followed silently, without making any sound.
Heather hurried on, not until he had left the muddy ground and stepped onto a smooth road, feeling relieved. Without even turning back, he said, "You are truly powerful, Your Excellency. It seems you can track me down even if I flee to South America to dig sugarcane."
Lancaster's throat tightened. "I'm guilty of concealing my identity, but I definitely didn't send anyone to investigate you this time. I was able to escape at nearly midnight on the night of the inquiry. When I arrived at Paddington, the concierge informed me that you had already left London. The Gardiners didn't know much about your whereabouts, and your two nieces were loyal and kept their mouths shut. I had no choice but to assume that you had returned to your sister's house in Longbourn, so I immediately set off there."
Heather stopped suddenly and turned to look at him in disbelief: "You went to Longbourn in person?" In just four or five days, he actually found Longbourn from London and appeared in Hunsford again.
Lancaster sensed a hint of relief and was slightly pleased. "Yes, I went to Longbourn first, but found that you hadn't been there, and Mrs. Bennett knew nothing about you. She still remembered my name and warmly invited me to stay there. She also sent for her future son-in-law to come and talk to me, and asked if everything was going well for you in London."
Heather's eyes were a little hot. She was busy experiencing life in London, but she never had the chance to go back to see her sister. She didn't even write letters very often. Fortunately, she would be able to go back soon.
"I tried to inquire of her where you might be going," Lancaster continued, "but she, having heard you warn the Miss Bennetts not to tell anyone where you were going, declined to give me any information. She said you had made her a pact before you left Longbourn, not to reveal any of your family affairs to outsiders."
Heather felt relieved that her sister had finally grown up.
"Then how did you find this place?"
"I stayed in Longbourn for two days. One day, I heard Sir Lucas, who was visiting, say that his eldest daughter, who married in Hunsford, had a good relationship with you and had kept in touch after the marriage. So I asked him for the address."
"Okay, I understand." After asking what she wanted to know, Heather continued on her way back.
Lancaster's heart, which had just warmed up a little, was instantly poured with a bucket of cold water. Where Heather couldn't see, his always straight back slumped a little. She didn't ask, and he didn't dare to continue to defend himself. He could only follow her silently as she walked towards the parsonage.
Charlotte caught a glimpse of two figures, one in front and one behind, from a distance through the window, and her curiosity reached its peak.
Half an hour ago, Mr. Lancaster knocked on the door of the parsonage. Charlotte, who had also attended Longbourn's hunting day, had some impression of this sharpshooting lawyer and quickly invited him in. However, upon learning that Heather had gone for a walk in the hills behind, he politely declined the invitation and headed back to the hills without giving Charlotte a chance to ask questions.
"You're back." Charlotte greeted them warmly.
Heather pinched her arm subtly, asking her to calm down. However, Charlotte was always steady and reliable, so she wouldn't say anything that might embarrass the guests.
"Mr. Collins has gone to visit an elderly gentleman nearby and should be back soon to greet the guests. Mr. Lancaster, please rest in the living room for a while." She noticed that Hazel was awkward and didn't want to stay with that person, so she said, "I have some urgent matters that require Mrs. Laurence's help and advice, so I'm borrowing her first. Sorry."
Lancaster had no objection and obediently stayed on the sofa in the corner of the living room. As Heather was being pulled towards the kitchen, she couldn't help but look back. She inexplicably felt that he looked a little down and out, and a little pitiful.
She must be crazy to feel pity for a big liar who can make things happen with a wave of his hand.
Charlotte carefully closed the kitchen door. "What's going on? Isn't that gentleman your lawyer? Why does it feel like something's strange between you two?"
"I wish he was just my lawyer..." Heather didn't know how to introduce this man with several layers of disguises. She was afraid that if she revealed her true identity, he would continue to pretend to be just a lawyer.
"Oh, it's such a dull day today." Heather moved to the window, waiting for the fresh breeze after the rain to fill the entire kitchen.
Mr. Collins had missed the hunt the previous year, and he had been on the dance floor at Netherfield that evening, so he had never met Lancaster, but he had heard of him and knew he was a lawyer. This meant that the first person Mr. Collins met was Lancaster, who had become unusually friendly.
He felt that he and Lancaster were from the same class, so he particularly liked to talk to the other person.
He hardly stopped talking at the lunch table, and didn't notice the strange silence between Mrs. Lawrence and his wife. Lancaster's occasional agreement would allow him to continue talking.
In the afternoon, he invited Lancaster to inspect his parish with him. In the evening, on the way to Rosings Manor, he eagerly shared with him Lady Catherine's character and preferences.
After everyone was seated at the table, which still had a sumptuous meal but had barely changed, Lady Catherine looked at Lancaster, who sat at the first table on the right, and spoke. She had heard her nephew vaguely mention this gentleman that afternoon, but knew almost nothing about him except his name.
"Mr. Lancaster?"
"Yes, Lady Catherine, thank you for inviting me here today."
Lady Catherine nodded dignifiedly. "I only agreed to have you dine with us because I heard you were a friend of Mrs. Lawrence. After all, I can't have someone of a completely different status and position appear at this table. It would be bad for everyone. Fortunately, I can see that you are indeed a respectable gentleman."
Lancaster thanked her politely again.
"But I think it's still necessary to clarify some things, such as where you work now? What's your annual income? Where is your home? What does your father do for a living? Does he have a title? Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
Lady Catherine was as straightforward and careful as ever, and Heather was secretly looking forward to seeing how he would rack his brains to come up with a complete identity.
Lancaster put down the knife and fork that he had hardly used.
"I work in the recently merged Supreme Court, which pays me an annual salary of about £75,000. My home is in London, and I mean most of the house. My father, who is now deceased, was also a judge and held the title of Duke. I have an older sister who has been married for many years."
Mr. Collins's cutlery fell with a clang as Lancaster uttered his first words.
When he got to the last sentence, even Lady Catherine opened her mouth awkwardly. Charlotte wanted to shake Hazel's shoulders and ask for clarification, but Hazel herself was shocked at his honesty this time.
But this is a bit too honest! He almost disclosed the university where he went to and the address of his house.
This is the case where the tone is ordinary but the content is extraordinary.
After Lancaster finished speaking, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was quite satisfied with his performance this time. At least Heather on the opposite side didn't look so angry, right?
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