Holder Manor Secret

Chapter 23

"Madam, your letter."

Early in the morning, a small villa on the rue Luchel in Paris received a letter from the English countryside.This is a three-story building connected to the left and right. It is built facing the street. The maids of each family will carry the chamber pot and dump the excrement on the street, and then walk back carefully with their skirts.The young man who delivered the letter will hand the letter to the maid, and the maid will deliver it to the table along with the food at breakfast.

"Oh! It's Vivienne!" The young Mrs. Macleod unfolded the letter paper in surprise. She missed everything in Rhys Town, and she looked forward to every letter she received.

Life in the city did not make her happy. There was no garden, the house was small, and the entrance was a dark corridor and long and narrow stairs.The room is baroque-style furniture and decoration, exaggerated and exquisite, and some peeling and fading due to age, revealing some desolation that cannot be concealed.When she entered the door for the first time, Almina gasped, and Hughes stepped forward from behind, took her hand, and supported her precarious body.

"Don't worry, we can fix it up, and it won't take too long to restore it to its former glory."

He comforted gently.

Hughes' father, Alan, was the eldest son of a gentleman. He met an aristocratic lady during his study tour in Paris, fell into a passionate love affair, and finally got married.Their marriage was not blessed, however.Allen is just an ordinary squire with an annual income of several hundred pounds, but the young lady's father is a famous French nobleman.He hoped that his daughter would marry the sons of other nobles, perhaps even princes.So Allen eloped with his young lady, got married in a dilapidated country church, and returned to England, where Hughes was born.

The output of the McLeod estate was sufficient for them to live affluently in the country, but when Hughes' mother fell ill, they moved to Paris.In this luxurious city, simple living also requires big expenses.For this reason, Almina had to start calculating the price of bread, beef and wine, and could only hire a small number of servants.She has fewer and fewer opportunities to study, and maintaining a family takes more effort than she imagined.

"It will get better, I promise." Hughes was still gentle, and he had an inexplicable confidence in the future.In fact, he once got some information by chance, and for this reason, he traveled all the way to the town of Rees in England, married his bride there, and chatted with that great man.He could not have been more satisfied with these results, not to mention that his wife had brought a generous dowry.

With this money, even in Paris, you can live.However, Hughes was not content to be an ordinary country gentleman.He frugal on spending, leaving money to spend on relationships and talking to his grandfather.Although the old man has not agreed with Hughes' father so far, the death of his daughter did make him feel a little softer about the grandson he had never met.He promised to help talk to the King of France and let Hughes spend money to buy a title.If successful, then Macleod will be among the nobles, "not a mud leg in the country anymore." The old man said.

"My God!" Mrs. Macleod stood up, uttered a sharp cry, and fell limply again.Hughes caught her body and ordered to the maid: "Get the smelling salts!"

The maid shook the smelling salt bottle under the lady's pen, and she slowly came to life. "Oh my God," she said, weeping sadly, "my mother passed away."

"I don't have a mother anymore."

Young Mrs. Macleod fell on her husband's shoulders and wept bitterly.

The sudden bad news forced the couple to put down what they were doing and go to England.However, the itinerary in winter is always extremely difficult. By the time they arrived at Holder Manor, Mary's funeral had already been held for a long time, and it happened to be the eve of Vivienne's wedding.

"Almina!" After receiving the news, Vivian ran all the way from the room, bypassed the stairs, and threw herself into the arms of the elder sister.Anna followed closely behind, half kneeling and hugging the two older sisters.

"Vivienne, Anna," said Almina, stroking their hair and cheeks, tears welling up in her eyes, "I miss you so much, and my poor mother, oh." She broke down in tears, and aroused the other two young ladies to ask Mary I can't help but shed tears.

"Madam, let's go in first." Hughes came over and comforted softly: "Mrs. Holder doesn't want to see you so sad either."

Only then did Vivienne turn her attention away from Almina.Wiping her tears, she got up and took a step back, slightly bent her knees, and saluted him. "Excuse me, Mr. McLeod."

"Please come in."

Hughes nodded slightly and walked into the manor.Almina also took Anna's hand and followed her in while talking to her.

"Please warm up by the fire. It's too cold outside." Vivian sent someone to light the fireplace.In order to save money, they only light fireplaces in areas with a small number of activities. There are not many visitors in winter, so the living room for people is very damp and cold.The maid held the small bucket and played with it carefully, bowing her waist, and the fire was quickly lit.

"We set off after receiving the letter. How about the funeral? Has it been held yet?" Almina asked with concern.

"Yes," Vivienne patted the snow on her skirt that was stuck to her knees. "The funeral went well. It's just in front of the church. I'll take you there tomorrow."

Almina was silent for a while, and Anna held her cold hand, warming her with the warmth of her palm.

"How is George?" Hughes broke the silence, he said with a brisk smile, "I heard he is a healthy boy."

"Yes, Mr. McLeod." Vivienne said reservedly, "He is all well and rarely makes any noise. It's just that the maid who took care of him fell ill, and it was difficult for a while. Fortunately, Uncle Edward sent him away two days ago. Get a wet nurse, and then there's nothing to worry about."

"Oh, then I'm relieved." Hughes smiled. "Speaking of which, Baron Holder, my father-in-law, isn't he at the manor?"

Vivian's face changed slightly.She often takes the room with her, and even seldom moves around the manor. The reason is what Baron Holder has done recently.

Vivienne has lost patience with her father.With Mary's death, Baron Holder becomes even more reckless.He took his mistress directly to the manor to have fun. If Mr. Thomas hadn't dissuaded him, he might have married that woman directly.After all, among the nobles, there are only long-term widows, but few long-term widowers.

"Please wait at ease, Miss Vivian." Vincent once said to Vivian privately, "After you get married, everything will be fine."

For this young and handsome duke heir, Vivienne had no doubts about what he said.What's more, she is a smart woman who discovered Vincent's affair with Edward.Although it is disgraceful and sinful for nobles, it is extremely common.This emotion provided Vivian with an extra guarantee, allowing her to get the most dowry without having to look at her father's face,

"You will see him, I promise." Vivian answered Hughes' question politely but coldly.

At dinner, Lord Holder appeared.He took his young mistress and placed her in the place of mistress.Almina was very surprised, "Father! How dare you!" After staying in Paris, her English has already acquired a little accent.And as the mistress of the house, she was more dignified than before. "Let her go, or I'll have her dragged out by her hair."

"Almina!" Baron Holder also lowered his face, "You are already married, so you are not qualified to manage the affairs of Holder Manor."

"I can call the servant I brought, you know, I can do that." Almina refused an inch.

The situation stalemate.

"Oh, Chris, please don't get angry." Evelyn, who was sitting next to the baron, suddenly spoke and persuaded softly.Her skin was very fair, with some freckles on her face, and her black hair curled around her chest, like a snake that tempted Eve to eat. "I'll come back tomorrow."

Evelyn was the daughter of a down-and-out gentleman, and after her father died, she got nothing.Forced to make ends meet, she quickly worked as a courtesan, and under Mrs. Green's recommendation, she met Baron Holder and became his mistress.

Although the baron was already bald, his fat belly was strangled layer by layer by the waistcoat.But he was still able to get an erection, and he was also able to impregnate women - the Baroness's pregnancy was proof.This is already the best choice Evelyn can find. As long as she can successfully marry the baron and give birth to an heir, all the wealth and respect will follow.For the sake of a stable future, she is willing to make slight concessions to the married lady.

Oh, and as for George, he was too young for a baby to live to manhood easily, and any sickness or accident could kill him.

She was quite sure of that.

Evelyn's departure made the faces of the ladies slightly relieved.Although Baron Holder was a little frustrated, he didn't want to spoil this rare moment of reunion.He talked to Hughes, asking how they were doing in Paris.Anna spoke to Almina: "What do the ladies wear there? Are they beautiful?"

"Yes, they are beautiful," Almina replied with a smile. "They wear wigs full of jewels and feathers. They love intricate decorations, even the shoes are layered with lace."

"Really?" Anna's eyes lit up. "Even the shoes are covered with lace and jewelry?"

The assets of Holder Manor are not enough to allow these girls to dress luxuriously, and most of the residents of Reese Town are ordinary country gentry.The magnificence of Paris made them dumbfounded. Although Almina didn't have many contacts with nobles, one or two occasional ones was enough to bring her rich conversation.

After dinner, Hughes and the baron came to the small living room.

"How is your cooperation with Mr. Thomas going?" Hughes asked, avoiding the female relatives.

"It went well. Mr. Thomas provided a lot of help and offered a very good price." The baron said proudly.He now has enough money for him to spend, Vincent has found workers and buyers, and he can receive countless pounds just by sitting on a soft sofa.

For a long time, Mary, as the hostess, controlled the expenses of the manor, so that the baron didn't even have money to look for women—and their income was indeed limited, and the three daughters still needed their own dowries.But now it is different, minerals have been discovered in his territory, and the duke's son has personally cooperated with him.This is really a lucrative business.With enough money to buy fun, Baron Holder's aging heart seems to have regained its passion.Although it is hard to avoid sometimes, Mrs. Green has a secret medicine from London!Just a little bit, and it's like stepping back into your twenties, no, even better!His daughters were married off one by one, and his heir was in good health and had nothing to worry about.Mary died, which is slightly sad.But she vacated the place, and now, Chris Holder can marry a new, young and beautiful girl.

"Oh, I'm going to call on Mr Thomas tomorrow, so come with me."

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