Holder Manor Secret

The baron was lying on the bed, the fat on his chest squeezed his bones and internal organs, making his every breath turbid and heavy, like an old animal.The pastor stood beside the bed. He had a close relationship with the baron. He personally baptized the three young ladies of the Holder family. When he heard the door opening, he looked at the people who came in, "Children, you are here."

His voice was kind and compassionate.

The room smelled peculiar to patients. Edward frowned unknowingly, but Evelyn didn't notice it at all. She smiled lightly and walked quickly to the baron's side, "My dear," she said. Calling sweetly, "How are you feeling?" Her fresh, flowery lips reflected the baron's old, decayed face, "I'm so happy today, really."

"As long as you're happy, dear," replied the Baron in his muffled voice, and his eyes, always gray with illness, shone with a faint light, like light through a dirty window.

Evelyn was obviously even more moved, she buried her entire upper body in the baron's chest, causing the baron to murmur indistinctly.

The pastor stood quietly, with a benevolent smile on his face that never seemed to change.

"Okay," Almina interrupted the sweetness of the lovers, she raised her chin respectfully, "Our time is precious."

"Please begin."

"Of course," said the priest kindly.Then he began to read a long speech, praising God, praising morality, praising union and procreation.His voice is full of moving power, people can't help but trust him and respect him.Edward was deeply moved, and at one point, he even yearned for a marriage contract.A warm and beating fire, well-behaved children, and a big dog lying on its stomach.A woman came over, her face was blurred, and her body was stained with the aroma of milk and bread, "What do you want to eat tonight?" He embraced her and gave her a long kiss.

He will get a full engagement if he can fall in love with a woman.

Edward came back to reality from the fantasy, and the illusory happiness hit his eyes, making his eyes moist.On the other side, Evelyn's tears were already rolling down her face, but her eyes had a gleam that could only be seen on the most expensive jewelry.

"Yes, I would." She said in a sobbing voice.

The priest asked the baron the same question again, and the baron responded with a muffled voice.So the pastor announced the conclusion of the marriage contract and received God's blessing.

Evelyn buried herself in the baron's chest again, and the baron's suffering face showed a subtle radiance, which could almost be called happiness.He put his hands on Evelyn's back with difficulty, and the fat on his face kept shaking. "Don't cry... my dear..." This scene inevitably made some people present feel uncomfortable.Almina reservedly asked the pastor to leave. "Thank you for coming. Next, we need to deal with some housework." When she said the word "household affairs", she couldn't help showing a little ugly look.

"Of course, my boy," said the priest kindly.Edward sent the pastor to the door. On the way, they chatted for a while.The pastor asked, "When can I preside over your wedding?" Edward smiled, "Not recently."

The pastor observed Edward's expression, "You look worried," he said, "If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."

"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine." Edward declined, and he excused: "I'm just worried about the baron's body."

The pastor didn't ask any further questions, his eyes looked into the distance, "Time always flies by quickly." He said, "I still remember the scene of the ceremony for Lady Mary and the baron, it seems like it was just yesterday."

Because Evelyn had officially become Baron Holder's wife, the priest used Mary's name as a reference.

Edward was silent for a moment. Mary's death had only been a few weeks, but he felt that Mary had been gone for so long that it no longer made him sad to mention it again.

All pain will pass and become the accepted reality.

"Yes."

Edward dryly replied to the pastor.

Leaving the warm room, the cold swept over them again.Almina had ordered the servants to prepare the carriage, and Edward sent the pastor up and watched him leave.

"Priest, priest!"

Just when Edward was about to go back, Vivienne rushed out suddenly. She was flustered. When she ran outside, she even accidentally stepped on the hem of her skirt and fell heavily to the ground.

"What's going on, Vivian?"

Edward quickly stepped forward to help Vivienne, her hand was broken, "Why are you so careless!" However, she didn't care, grabbed Edward's arm, and asked anxiously: "Uncle Edward, where is the pastor?" , where is the pastor?"

"He just left, what happened?"

"Go and find him!" Vivienne yelled sharply, her facial features wrinkled together, like a child about to cry.

"Calm down, Vivian!" Edward held Vivian's shoulder, "What's the matter?"

Vivienne took a deep breath, wrinkling the tip of her nose, suppressing her emotions.

"It's Daddy," she said,

"He's dying... We need a priest, Uncle Edward."

"He'll have to say a prayer to Papa."

The chaplain hurried back, and, thank God, Lord Holder was still alive when he arrived.He was lying on the bed with his eyes closed, his face flushed with a suffocating rosiness.The priest put his hand on the baron's forehead, prayed the same words, and the nobles and the poor enjoyed a heaven or hell.

Edward stood aside, watching in silence, surrounded by the baron's daughters and new wives, expressing their grief in their own way.The young wife pressed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, crying gracefully and endearingly.The youngest daughter, Anna, cried a little out of breath, and was hugged by Vivienne who was crying tears, and gently stroked her back.

The eldest daughter, Almina, was standing, her eyes lowered, quietly listening to the priest's blessing.Edward wanted to go forward, but Hughes suddenly walked in from the door, blowing a gust of wind. "Sorry, I'm late." He walked up to Almina and put his hand on her shoulder.

Edward backed away calmly.

After the death of his father and brother, Edward placed all his family affection in Mary, so his relationship with Holder Manor has always been close.However, with Mary's death, Almina and Vivian got married separately, and the relationship between them seems to be drifting away.At this moment, Edward was standing at the door of the room, and the pastor's prayer mixed with the women's low sobs lingered in his ears, but he did not feel the despair and sadness when his relatives left.

He suddenly began to miss Vincent.

The Baron didn't last long.Before he passed away, he suddenly called many people's names, including his wife and children, "George!" He yelled loudly, and suddenly became very weak, "Let me meet him..." Mina bent down. "He's still sleeping, Father. Let him sleep."

The baron seemed unable to understand Almina's words, "George! George!" He repeated firmly in a weak voice. "Oh, dear..." Evelyn stroked the baron's chest with her slender fingers, and said in a soft voice, "Don't worry, I will take good care of him."

The Baron seemed to hear the words.He stopped shouting, closed his eyes as if extremely tired, and soon, he stopped breathing.

His face is so serene, it seems that he has no regrets in his life.

it is finally over.

Edward and the pastor are about to leave, but Evelyn retains them as the hostess. "The wind and snow are too heavy, please stay one night before leaving."

The people present were obviously a little surprised by Evelyn's behavior. Vivienne looked at Almina, and Almina gave Evelyn a cold look and said nothing.

The pastor didn't seem to notice the undercurrent of calm, and nodded gently in agreement.Edward was a little hesitant. Logically, he should be with the ladies. However, the last conversation with Hughes made him terrified. He wanted to learn more about the truth, but he was also terrified.

"Please stay, Uncle Edward." Vivian persuaded softly, "Andrew will come to pick me up at night, you gentlemen can talk about it."

Her eyes were still red and swollen, but her mood had stabilized a lot. "I also need to discuss with Almina and Evelyn, about father's funeral, and some things after that." Vivienne stroked her hair, "With you by my side, we will feel much more at ease."

This made Edward unable to refuse.

"Of course, ma'am."