Holder Manor Secret

The McLeods plan to stay until after Vivienne is married.Almina once again intervened in the affairs of the manor and kicked Evelyn out of the manor. The formerly quiet and introverted lady accused the baron of the absurd behavior of the mistress who stayed overnight, and said, "Father, you can be your wife." Anything you want. But at least after Vivienne's marriage, I think His Excellency will have some criticisms about it."

She is married and no longer under the control of her father.Now, as the eldest woman of the Holder family, she must protect the marriage contract and reputation of the two ladies from any infringement.

With Vivienne's wedding only days away, the Baron relented.

"It seems that you are going to be lonely recently." Vincent shook his wine glass lightly, showing a knowing smile.Edward stood by the window, gazing out at the snow-covered garden.

"Who made her my daughter?" Baron Holder showed a helpless expression, "now she is Mrs. McLeod."

Hughes laughed. He was close to the fireplace, his face was slightly red from being baked, and he looked shy.

"How is Mrs. Macleod?" Edward asked suddenly.

Hughes froze for a moment, and replied in a good manner: "She is very good. Now she is busy preparing for the wedding and taking care of George and Anna. She is very careful, and she must be an excellent mother."

He implied that he hoped to please someone important.

Mother?

Hearing this, Edward was slightly dazed. In his eyes, Almina was still the little girl lying on his knee and listening to him read.Her hair is soft and her features are immature.But suddenly, she has grown up, married smoothly, and will even have children of her own soon.

Time is really a cruel thing. It takes away youth, innocence, and those beautiful and precious things.But people can only remember them in memory, pretending that they still exist.

"Oh, Edward." Baron Holder exclaimed, "You don't look well, come here, have a glass of brandy."

"I think he probably needs to rest." Vincent put down his glass, "I'm sorry, please go back first. Tomorrow, Edward and I will visit Holder Manor."

With a courteous but undeniable order he gave the order to evict, and the Baron and Hughes departed in no time.Edward was still standing by the window, his face was pale and his back was straight, but he looked like a plant in the winter snow, almost overwhelmed.Vincent came over and hugged him.

"You are too rude." Edward leaned on Vincent's body, feeling the young man's hot body temperature and strong heartbeat. "I'm just a little emotional, Almina has become a McLeod, but I feel like she's always by my side."

"If you want, my love." Vincent said softly.

Edward raised his head and kissed Vincent's chin.

"No," he looked at the young man with watery eyes, "she has her lover."

"And I have mine."

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes, I trust you."

Like the dead leaves that are bound to fall, the lake water that is bound to freeze, the bones that are bound to rot.

Vincent took Edward's hand, put it to his lips, and rubbed it lightly.

"Then, I will swear by this country,"

"I will always be by your side. And you, have my loyalty."

When leaving, Hughes raised his head. Under the window, he saw two figures very close to each other. Edward raised his head, bearing Vincent's kiss.He closed his eyes, his waist bent into a soft arc, but Vincent suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes were sharp and fierce, as if a beast that was hunting was disturbed.If the gaze had substance, it pierced Hughes' shoulder through the glass and fluttering snowflakes.

Hughes shuddered.

"Come up quickly," the baron urged in the carriage, "the wind is so strong, it's freezing to the bone."

"Yes, sir."

Vivienne's marriage was settled very early, but Almina's marriage, Mary's death, and Baron Holder's absurdity, tricky things followed one after another, and no one could plan for her.Now, Almina stepped into the Holder Manor again. Although she had only been married for a few months, she already had a completely different attitude.The way she handles housework and the way she interacts with people is no different from other wives.When she spoke to Vivian and Anna, her tone and expression became more and more like their mother.She is no longer the miss of the Holder family, but has taken on the burden of the hostess of the manor.

Vivienne got the long-lost peace of mind from Almina, which was hard to imagine before.All along, Vivienne has played the image of a mature protector.Marriage changed Almina and made her grow rapidly from an ignorant girl. Now, it is her turn to protect her sisters.

"The preparations for the wedding went well," Almina said to Vivian. "I brought something. I thought I would give you a surprise at the end, but I'm really not a person who is good at hiding things."

She led Vivian to the wardrobe, opened the dark cabinet door, and a white skirt appeared in front of Vivian.

"Oh, God..." Vivian raised her hand to her lips, and tears filled her eyes.

"I thought... you didn't bring... I mean, in such a sad moment..." She broke off, shock and joy swelled in her mind, and they swelled and blocked her throat.

This is Almina's wedding dress.

The new dress for Vivienne's wedding has already been made, it is beautiful, of course, it was made by the tailor of the Royal Capital.The dress is the trendiest style in town, with white pearl studs at the neckline that complement the blue piping.In comparison, Almina's long dress seemed a bit plain, and the style was outdated.

Yet it is so beautiful and so unique.

"I think you need it." Almina held Vivian's trembling hands, her palms were soft, her voice was gentle, and her scent was a mixture of the beauty of a girl and the fragrance of a lady.She is both a sister and a mother.

"The lace on it was left to me by my mother, and now I'm bringing it to you."

A little new, a little old, a little borrowed, a little blue.

Right now, it's complete.

Mary died, and those who lived lived on.Life goes on and moves forward with no turning back.A young girl will embark on a new life, and although in many cases she will be alone, but at least this moment, she is not alone.

So did Edward.

He always thinks a lot, so that he is hindered everywhere and shrinks back.The death of Mary and the marriage of his niece made him suddenly realize that the world is impermanent and no one can be with him forever.He began to yearn for marriage, for someone who truly belonged to him, who would accompany him, hold his hands and kiss his forehead when he died. "I will not confess," he thought to himself, "God will not listen to my confession, so I will not do this. I will use my last strength to feel his kiss, and say to him one last time, I love you."

In fact, Edward didn't know who that person would be.Or such a person would not exist at all.But now there is Vincent, who is handsome, rich, healthy, and very young.He will outlive Edward.Then maybe before their love dies, Edward will usher in the end of his life, and he may die leaning on the hot chest of the young man.

He will die in the embrace of his lover, in loving and being loved.

If so, he has nothing to fear.

Since Edward stayed in Thomas Manor for a short time, the occasional official business that needed him was sent to Vincent's desk.Even though he knew that Brooke was doing poorly, Vincent was still surprised by what he saw. "My dear, you are too easy on them."

The land Edward owns is tilled by farmers, with good and bad crops.He did not charge high land rents and various taxes to the farmers, so that even in a good harvest year, the pound sent to Edward was limited. "Don't look at this." Edward anxiously pulled the letter from Vincent's hand.

The elder turned around and pretended to tidy up the messy desk. He lowered his head and buried his blushing face into his collar, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Although Edward was not a man of business from the start, he was ashamed to expose this in front of his young lover.

"Or should you consolidate the land?" Vincent suggested, "I can introduce you to professionals. They will explore the land for you, select suitable crops, and find suitable buyers for you."

"Thank you for your concern, but I would like to maintain the status quo."

Edward inherited Brook House from his older brother, and their father inherited it from their grandparents.To this day, Brook Manor still maintains the traditional way of operation.In this regard, Edward has no intention of changing, even if changing means more wealth.But he was afraid of this, as if once a change was made, the Brook Manor would no longer have the old imprint.

In this remote town, everyone lives in the way of their ancestors.If nothing else, they will be born, married, and die in the same house.And their heirs will continue this life, and in a short life, give birth to the next heir.

"Okay." Vincent didn't pay too much attention to this issue. He opened his arms exaggeratedly and made a gesture of resignation, "As you wish."

Putting business aside, they soon became intimate again.Vincent held out his palm to Edward, "May I?" Edward froze for a moment, then smiled.

He put his hand on it reservedly, and nodded slightly.

This is a silent ballroom dance.Young gentlemen and ladies have learned various dance steps since they were young, and they can take turns and turns at their fingertips.In this rotation again and again, they find their marriage partners and get love and marriage.

Of course, sometimes they only get one of them.

Edward handed over the initiative to the young man, who moved forward or backward under his guidance.Then they got closer and closer, breathing intertwined, the most suitable position for kissing.Suddenly there was the sound of fierce footsteps outside the door. Edward pushed Vincent away, but Vincent hit the table without noticing it for a moment.

The door was pushed open, and with the high voice of the Duchess, "I heard that William has a letter! Where is the letter?"

As Vincent's mother, she has the same long golden hair, against her snow-white skin and noble posture, it is as dazzling as gold.She didn't seem to expect Edward's existence, put away her anxious expression, and maintained her nobility.Edward saluted her and took his leave in a hurry.

Vincent rubbed the place where he was hit, and looked at Edward who was running away and his expectant mother, and couldn't help frowning.