Chapter 24

Hild Manor welcomed its second wedding.

Vivian, in her exquisite gown adorned with lace brought back by Jennifer from their mother, embodied the love and blessings of her female relatives. She descended the stairs with a measured grace, her face adorned with a restrained and dignified smile.

She looked like a princess.

"You look stunning," Mike praised her. "Even I am envious of your husband."

Vivian's genuine delight shone through her composed exterior. "You're too kind."

Anna clung to her sister's arm. "Vivian..." The young girl's eyes were red-rimmed, her voice choked with the sorrow of impending separation.

Vivian gently stroked Anna's face. Jennifer stepped forward. "It's time."

A maid brought a heavy coat. They were to go to the church for the ceremony and then return to the manor.

"Let me," Jennifer said, taking the coat herself, and Anna hurried to help. They had taken care of each other, growing up together under the same roof. But in the end, they would sleep under different ones.

All the ladies had tears in their eyes, rolling down their cheeks and into their collars and hair. Mike turned away, taking a deep breath.

"Let's go, ladies."

Andrew was an excellent young man, handsome and from a decent family. He stood beside Vivian, making a fine pair. More importantly, he loved her, his eyes glowing when he looked at her.

It was a rare sight at a wedding.

The baron, chatting cheerfully with Edward, said, "Now there's only Anna left. In a couple of years, once she's married off, I won't have any worries."

"Sigh, they grow up and marry one by one, and I become an old man."

"You're too modest," Mike replied politely. "There's still little George. He needs your careful guidance to grow into a worthy heir."

"Haha," the baron laughed, pleased with the compliment. "That's true. There's still that boy waiting for me. It seems I need to marry Miss Evelyn soon. The manor can't go on without a mistress."

Mike's smile faded slightly, though the baron didn't notice. "Why not at the New Year? Though spring would be better, but..." He winked suggestively. "The long winter nights are especially hard to bear."

Mike masked his discomfort, unwilling to pry into the baron's family affairs. "The weather is indeed getting colder," he shifted the topic. "But spring is approaching, which is good news."

"Yes, spring..."

The baron drawled, walking away leisurely.

"Look at my father, so eager to marry another woman," a voice said behind Mike. He turned to see Jennifer standing there.

"Mrs. McLeod."

"Call me Jennifer, at least in private," she said gently. "I've been away from home for only a few months, yet it feels like years. Everything is changing. Are you planning to change too?"

Her face showed some sadness, prompting Mike to say quickly, "Of course not, Jennifer."

"Thank you," she smiled, pressing her lips together.

"The baron's situation..." Mike began, wanting to offer comfort but unsure how. Jennifer gave him a grateful look. "You don't need to excuse him. I know it's common among the nobility."

Many marriages didn't last a lifetime, often ending with one spouse's early death. Widowed women rarely remarried but often took lovers secretly. Men, however, were more direct, quickly marrying new, usually young and dowerless, wives.

"I just thought he would be more..." Jennifer trailed off, her eyes showing a blend of maturity and lingering naivety. "My mother was his second wife. He's already married twice, so he probably doesn't mind a third."

"Jennifer..."

"Uncle Mike," she interrupted. "Do you think there's such a thing as true love in this world?"

Mike was taken aback.

Jennifer looked at him as she had when she was younger, pointing to confusing parts of her books and asking for help. She had read about half the world in those books, yet she had only known the manor and the town. Mike had described the wider world to her, solving countless mysteries. Now, she sought his guidance once more.

Mike fell into thought.

"I don't know," he finally said. "I'm sorry, Jennifer, I truly don't know."

Plays tirelessly depicted the truth and beauty of love, moving ladies to tears. Yet before they could witness such love, they were married off and had children, spending their lives between their husbands and lovers.

And Mike?

As a man, he had more opportunities to seek love, yet he always failed. His youthful infatuation had him expelled from school, and for many years, he remained alone until now, caught in a mire of desire and love. Was what he and Vincent had love? It should be. They had enough passion, like in the plays. But beyond that, Mike couldn't be sure.

Jennifer watched Mike, seeing in him both a father and a friend. "I see," she nodded with dignity. "It was rude of me to ask such a question. I apologize for my offense."

"There's no need," Mike replied, his smile gentle but his eyes growing distant.

"It doesn't matter. Let Father marry that woman if he wants," Jennifer changed the subject. "I'm just worried about Anna. She has two more years before she can debut in society. The current situation is too difficult for her."

She wouldn't mention it without a reason. "Do you have a plan?" Mike asked.

Jennifer clenched her hands, showing a determined look.

"I want to take her to Paris."

This young woman, who had just left her home and settled in Paris, now faced the reality of growing responsibilities. She already aimed to handle her sister's social debut.

Mike was surprised. "The baron won't allow it," he said. Their father was still alive; it wasn't up to a married daughter to decide. "Besides, you just arrived in Paris. Even with two years, it's too short a time."

Mike hesitated to mention that in Paris, the highest nobility indulged in extreme luxury while common folk struggled in squalid alleys. Luther had no title, and judging by their letters and current behavior, they weren't particularly wealthy. This limited Jennifer's social circle. Even if she brought Anna to Paris, finding a suitable match for her would be difficult.

Jennifer understood his meaning, hesitating before speaking.

Mike looked at her with concern.

"Luther says he can buy a title," Jennifer finally revealed the secret.

"Ah, I see."

Mike realized. The corruption of the French court was well-known, and buying titles wasn't impossible. With enough money, even the king could be tempted. But where would Luther get the money? Mike recalled the night of Jennifer's wedding and what he heard outside Susan's room. Luther had received a substantial dowry. But for buying a title, was that money enough?

Doubts resurfaced. Five thousand pounds was a large sum, possible for the baron with his mines. But with the hasty wedding, could he really produce such a sum? And Susan's insistence on Luther leaving with Almina quickly after the wedding, followed by her death in childbirth, hinted at hidden truths. Mike had never questioned these events, consumed by his pain over Vincent.

Oh, Vincent...

A sudden wave of fear engulfed Mike. Since when had Hild Manor's tranquility been replaced by turmoil? Engagements, deaths, trust, betrayal—all made for a compelling drama, playing out day and night in the manor. The baron, Susan, Jennifer, Vivian, and others were all being pushed to unimaginable places in this narrative.

And Vincent.

His young lover, the one he cherished, the handsome and wealthy heir to a dukedom.

What role did he play in this drama?

"Uncle Mike, Uncle Mike?" Jennifer's voice snapped Mike out of his thoughts. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"Oh, sorry." Mike hastily covered his unease. "I'm fine, really."

Jennifer didn't press him. "Let's go then. The carriage has been waiting."

"After you, my lady."