Chapter 21

"Madam, your letter."

Early in the morning, a small villa on Rue Lushelle in Paris received a letter from the English countryside. It was a three-story building connected on both sides to other homes, facing the street. Maids would pour out the chamber pots into the street and carefully lift their skirts to avoid the mess as they walked back inside. The young messenger handed the letter to the maid, who would then deliver it along with breakfast.

"Oh! It's from Vivienne!" The young Mrs. MacLeod exclaimed with delight as she opened the letter. She missed everything about Hope Town, and every letter from there filled her with eager anticipation.

Life in the city did not make her happy. There was no garden, the house was small, and the entrance led straight to a dark hallway and a narrow staircase. The rooms were filled with Baroque-style furniture and decorations—ornate and exquisite, yet worn and faded, revealing a certain irreparable bleakness. The first time Jennifer stepped inside, she gasped, and Luther came up behind her, holding her hand to steady her.

"Don't worry. We can fix it up. It won't take long, and it will regain its former glory," he comforted her gently.

Luther's father, Allen, was the eldest son of a gentleman. While studying in Paris, he met a noble lady and fell into a passionate love affair, ultimately marrying her. However, their marriage was not blessed. Allen was merely a common country gentleman with an annual income of a few hundred pounds, while the lady's father was a prominent French nobleman. He had hoped his daughter would marry another nobleman, possibly even a prince. So, Allen eloped with the lady, marrying in a dilapidated country church and eventually returning to England, where they had Luther.

The income from the MacLeod estate was sufficient for a prosperous life in the countryside, but after Luther's mother fell ill, they moved to Paris. In this luxurious city, even a simple life required significant expenses. Jennifer had to start budgeting for bread, beef, and wine, and could only afford a few servants. She found herself with less and less time to read, as running a household demanded more energy than she had anticipated.

"It will get better, I promise," Luther remained gentle, inexplicably confident about the future. In fact, he had learned some information by chance, which prompted him to travel to Hope Town in England, where he married his bride and made connections with an influential figure. He couldn't be more satisfied with the outcome, especially since his wife brought a substantial dowry.

With this money, they could maintain their living standards even in Paris. However, Luther was not content with being an ordinary gentleman. He economized on expenses to save money for networking and managed to speak with his grandfather. Despite his grandfather's continued disapproval of Luther's father, his daughter's death had softened him slightly towards his grandson. He agreed to speak with the French king on Luther's behalf, to purchase a title for him. If successful, the MacLeods would join the ranks of the nobility, "and no longer be mere country bumpkins," as the old man put it.

"Oh my!" Mrs. MacLeod stood up and let out a sharp cry, then collapsed softly. Luther caught her, and ordered the maid, "Quick, bring the smelling salts!"

The maid waved the smelling salts under the lady's nose, and she slowly regained consciousness. "Oh my God," she wept, "my mother has passed away."

"I no longer have a mother."

The young Mrs. MacLeod cried on her husband's shoulder.

The sudden bad news forced the couple to put aside their affairs and travel to England. However, winter journeys were always particularly arduous. By the time they arrived at Hilde Manor, Susan's funeral had long been held, and it was the eve of Vivienne's wedding.

"Jennifer!" Upon hearing the news, Vivienne ran from her room, dashed down the stairs, and threw herself into her elder sister's arms. Anna followed closely, kneeling and embracing both of her sisters.

"Vivienne, Anna," Jennifer stroked their hair and cheeks, tears streaming down her face. "I've missed you so much, and our poor mother, oh." She cried uncontrollably, which triggered the other two ladies' memories of Susan, bringing them all to tears.

"Madam, let's go inside," Luther approached and gently comforted, "Lady Hilde wouldn't want to see you so sad."

Vivienne finally shifted her attention from Jennifer. She wiped her tears, stood up, took a step back, and curtsied slightly. "My apologies, Mr. MacLeod."

"Please, come in."

Luther nodded slightly and entered the manor. Jennifer took Anna's hand and spoke to her as they followed inside.

"Please warm yourselves by the fire. It's so cold outside." Vivienne ordered the maids to light the fireplace. To save costs, they only lit fires in a few areas where activities took place. Visitors were rare in winter, making the guest room particularly cold and damp. The maid carefully handled the small bucket, and the fire soon blazed up.

"We left as soon as we received the letter. How was the funeral? Has it been held?" Jennifer asked concernedly.

"Yes," Vivienne brushed the snow from her dress from kneeling, "the funeral went smoothly, just in front of the church. I'll take you there tomorrow."

Jennifer was silent for a while, and Anna held her cold hand, warming it with her own.

"How is George?" Luther broke the silence, smiling lightly. "I heard he's a healthy boy."

"Yes, Mr. MacLeod," Vivienne replied reservedly, "he is well and rarely fusses. The maid who cared for him fell ill, which was troublesome for a while. Fortunately, Uncle Michael sent a wet nurse a couple of days ago, so there's nothing to worry about now."

"Oh, that's a relief," Luther smiled, "by the way, Baron Hilde, my father-in-law, isn't he at the manor?"

Vivienne's expression changed slightly. She often stayed in her room and seldom moved around the manor, mainly because of Baron Hilde's recent behavior.

Vivienne had lost patience with her father. Since Susan's death, Baron Hilde had become even more wanton. He had brought his mistress to the manor, and if it hadn't been for Mr. Thomas's intervention, he might have married her outright. Among the nobility, there were often long-standing widows but rarely long-standing widowers.

"Rest assured, Miss Vivienne," Vincent had privately told her, "everything will be better after you get married."

Vivienne had no reason to doubt the young and handsome duke's heir. Besides, she was a smart woman and had discovered Vincent's affair with Michael. Although such relationships were considered disgraceful and sinful among the nobility, they were also quite common. This relationship provided Vivienne with an additional guarantee, ensuring she could secure a sufficient dowry without having to rely on her father's favor.

"You will see him, I assure you," Vivienne politely but coldly answered Luther's question.

At dinner, Baron Hilde appeared. He brought his young mistress and seated her in the lady of the house's place. Jennifer was shocked, "Father! How dare you!" Her English had acquired a slight accent from her time in Paris. Acting as the lady of the house had made her more authoritative. "Send her away, or I will have her dragged out by her hair."

"Jennifer!" Baron Hilde's face darkened, "You are married and have no authority over Hilde Manor's affairs."

"I can have my servants do it, you know I can." Jennifer did not back down.

The situation became tense.

"Oh, Chris, please don't be angry," Evelyn, seated beside the baron, spoke softly, trying to calm him. Her skin was very fair, with some freckles, and her black hair curled down her chest like the serpent tempting Eve. "I'll leave and come back tomorrow."

Evelyn was the daughter of a destitute gentleman who had received nothing after her father's death. Forced to make a living, she soon became a courtesan and, through Mrs. Green's introduction, met Baron Hilde and became his mistress.

Despite the baron being bald and his bulging belly strained by his waistcoat, he could still perform and impregnate women—Lady Hilde's pregnancy was proof of that. Evelyn saw this as her best opportunity. If she could marry the baron and bear an heir, wealth and respect would follow. For a secure future, she was willing to make a minor concession to the married lady.

Oh, as for George, he was still so small. It wouldn't be difficult for a baby to succumb to illness or accident before reaching adulthood.

She was quite sure of it.

Evelyn's departure eased the tension among the ladies. Baron Hilde, though somewhat annoyed, did not want to spoil this rare family reunion. He conversed with Luther, asking about their life in Paris. Anna, meanwhile, talked to Jennifer, "What do the ladies there wear? Are they beautiful?"

"Yes, they are very beautiful," Jennifer replied with a smile. "They wear wigs adorned with jewels and feathers. They love elaborate decorations, even their shoes are covered in layers of lace."

"Really?" Anna's eyes lit up. "Lace and jewels on their shoes?"

The Hilde Manor's assets were insufficient for such extravagance, and the residents of Hope Town were mostly ordinary country gentry. The splendor of Paris amazed them. Even though Jennifer hadn't mingled much with the nobility, the occasional encounter provided her with plenty of conversation.

After dinner, Luther and the baron went to the small drawing room.

"How is your cooperation with Mr. Thomas going?" Luther asked, avoiding the ladies.

"Very well," the baron said smugly. "Mr. Thomas has provided a lot of help and has offered a very good price." Now, he had enough money to spend. Vincent had found the workers and buyers; all he needed to do was sit on his comfortable sofa and watch the pounds roll in.

When Susan was alive, as the mistress of the house, she controlled the estate's expenses, so much so that the baron didn't even have money for women—besides, their income was indeed limited, with three daughters needing their dowries. But now things were different. His land had discovered minerals, and the son of a duke was personally collaborating with him. It was a windfall. With enough money for leisure, Baron Hilder's aging heart seemed to regain its passion. Although he sometimes struggled with his strength, Mrs. Green had secret medicines from London! Just a little bit, and he felt as good as he did in his twenties, perhaps even better! His daughters were getting married one by one, his heir was healthy, and there was nothing to worry about. Susan's death was a minor sadness, but she had made way. Now, Chris Hilder could marry a new, young, and beautiful woman.

"I plan to visit Mr. Thomas tomorrow. Would you join me?"

"Of course, my father-in-law," Luther replied.