Guidebook for the Dark Duke

Evan returned to the DeLandle church in a daze with a bunch of candles. Mrs. Sanders was away for the past few days, and it was George, the deacon, who helped him arrange the lighting. When he saw him come back with the candles, a flash of light flashed across his face. happy look.

"Oh, Mr. Pastor, it's really great that you bought candles back. I was worried that there were not enough candles just now."

Evan really couldn't laugh at this time, he nodded at George with a stiff expression, turned and entered the church.

Looking at Evan's back, George frowned in confusion. He had never seen Pastor Bruce look so embarrassed.

Evan entered the living room and collapsed on the chair. He hugged his head in frustration. He had completely offended Duke Wilson today.

All the efforts made before are in vain today.

Evan clenched his fist viciously, and his mood was very low. He really didn't expect that such a thing would happen today.

Evan was very upset. He wasn't sure what the Duke was thinking at this time. If he had been blackened, it would be absolutely impossible for him to leave that place alive today, but he just let him go. , At that time, it showed that the Duke has not completely blackened yet, and he still has a glimmer of hope.

Evan raised his head from between his arms. He had countless lovers in his previous life, and he has rich experience in how to deal with different people. Since the Duke is still a rational person, based on his own experience, he must Can get him.

Evan's mood finally improved, and his original depression dissipated a lot under his strong hints in his heart. He understood his image in the eyes of the Duke, so he will try his best to maintain this image in the future until His doubts dissipated.

Evan did a great job in the evening prayer that afternoon. Even George, who was familiar with him, looked at him a few more times. He always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't tell what was wrong.

**

The next day was the day of John's burial. The cloud that had troubled the entire Drumleil would finally return to ashes on this day. As the town pastor, Evan must appear to preside over the funeral, so Evan was extra careful on this day. He chose his latest priest robe and asked Mrs. Haydn to iron it several times before he went out wearing it.

Evan had just left the house, and before he had time to say goodbye to the servants at home, Sheriff Chandler's carriage stopped in front of Evan, and he grabbed Evan's arm with one hand and wanted to take him into the carriage, Evan Somewhat surprised, he stopped his movements and asked, "Sheriff, what's wrong with you?"

Sergeant Chandler looked at Evan with an uneven breath, and said in a low voice, "A lady from London came to attend Little John's funeral."

Evan looked at Sheriff Chandler with some surprise: "The one introduced by Mrs. Lawrence?"

Sheriff Chandler nodded, and said again: "I believe that what Amy said about John's depravity is definitely related to this lady, maybe this lady seduced John to do something dishonorable, you You know, girls in London are different from us here."

Evan was a little dumbfounded: "Sheriff, you worry too much. I believe that the lady who can make Mrs. Lawrence like it is definitely not a lady from an ordinary family. She will not do such things."

In fact, Evan also wanted to tell the sheriff directly what he knew, but it was a pity that when Jimmy said this, he was in a state of confession. As a priest, he could not violate his professional ethics.

Sheriff Chandler touched his head in some embarrassment, and said dejectedly: "You are right, but..." His eyes suddenly lit up: "But since she came to attend Little John's funeral in person, isn't that right?" It means that she still has some feelings for Little John, so my inference is not unreasonable."

Evan had no words to refute for a while, but he really didn't want to see an innocent woman caught up in rumors, especially when he knew all the truth.

"Sheriff Chandler, I think you still need to be cautious about this matter." Evan chose his words carefully: "This matter is about the reputation of a lady, you can't draw conclusions at will like this. Miss Leah is a good proof of that."

Speaking of Alia, Sheriff Chandler couldn't help but blush, and Dr. Hester is still unwilling to take the initiative to talk to him.

"You're right, I was too eager, but it's really uncomfortable for me that this matter has not been resolved for a long time." Sergeant Chandler frowned.

Evan smiled shallowly: "You are a very capable sheriff. John's death this time is a tragedy in my opinion. He doesn't have any enemies that can kill him, and his living environment is very simple. , but he was found murdered in his bedroom, which is really unbelievable, but maybe we can also think about it in a different way, not only hate can kill people in this world, but also love."

Sheriff Chandler looked at Evan half-understanding, and was speechless for a while. Amy’s confession had already made him focus on the Lawrences. Now that Evan said this again, could it be true? What is...

Sheriff Chandler was a little panicked. He always thought that he lived in a peaceful small town, but he never expected that such a dirty thing would be exposed nakedly. Sheriff Chandler suddenly It's unbelievable.

"Priest... Pastor, your thoughts are too crazy." Sheriff Chandler said with a dry mouth.

Evan just smiled slightly, the seed of doubt had already been planted, and he only had to wait for future evidence before it could take root and germinate.

"Okay, I'm just talking about these things, you don't have to take it seriously, I still have a funeral to preside over today, if you have anything to do, please come to me after the funeral." Evan shook off Under the restraint of Sheriff Chandler, he walked towards the Church of Delaneria.

Evan's funeral was solemn and solemn, and the Lawrence couple seemed to have been drained of water. Both of them looked ten years older.

Especially Mrs. Lawrence, she was almost devastated. She was wearing a long black dress, which made her already slender body even smaller. Although Mr. Lawrence seemed to be in poor spirits, he was still upright. Standing there with his waist bent, he tightly held Mrs. Lawrence's hand, letting half of her body lean on him.

Evan turned to look at a strange lady standing behind Mrs. Lawrence. She was also wearing a long black dress and a hat with a black veil on her head, which covered half of her face, but she could still Judging from the outline, this lady is very beautiful.

Evan's eyes flickered slightly, and it seemed that this was the lady from London that Sheriff Chandler had mentioned.

Evan stood quietly by the altar, waiting for the arrival of the people of the town.

What he didn't expect was that Aliya actually came too. She was wearing a dark green dress and the hair tie that John gave her, and she walked away holding Dr. Hester's arm. Come in.

As soon as she entered, Mrs. Lawrence screamed: "Pastor! Get her out of here! I don't want this woman at my son's funeral!"

Evan was taken aback, and hurried forward, stopped Mrs. Lawrence who was about to hit someone, and said loudly: "Please calm down, God, are you going to beat someone in the church?"

Mrs. Lawrence was already weak, but when Evan stopped her, her aura weakened.

"My God!" Mrs. Lawrence cried and froze on the ground: "My poor John likes this man so much, but what did he get in the end! Betrayal! Death!"

Mr. Lawrence hurriedly lowered his body to help her, but Mrs. Lawrence opened his left hand.

"You weak man!" She stared at Mr. Lawrence: "Your son was killed, but you didn't dare to say a word. I'm sure that my little John was killed by this bitch! Pastor Bruce, why doesn't God punish this vicious woman!"

Mrs. Lawrence was almost hysterical, and Mr. Lawrence's face was flushed, but he was a little speechless at this moment.

Dr. Hester on the side heard her insulting Alia and wanted to go forward to explain, but was stopped by Alia, whose eyes were already full of tears.

"My dear lady, John is dead. I am very grateful for his affection for me before, but... but one person's affection cannot be exchanged. I have friendship with John. I regard him as my brother and as my friend. , but I can’t treat her as a lover. My love cannot be maintained by gratitude, just like the pain in your heart cannot be cured by medicine. It's not betrayal, it's just to prevent him from being hurt in this unfair marriage contract. At the same time, I dare to swear to God that I didn't kill John. If I have the slightest lie, let me die. hell!"

Alicia's sonorous words instantly stunned everyone in the church, including Evan.

You must know that people at this time are very devout in their religious beliefs. To be able to say the words of going to hell after death requires not only great courage, but also great courage. The heroine Alia naturally has these two quality.

Mrs. Lawrence looked at Alia in disbelief, as if she was looking at a monster. Just as she was shaking her lips and wanted to say something, suddenly there was a voice outside the door.

"I hear... there's supposed to be a funeral here."

The tone was low-key and slow, with a hint of inadvertent indifference. This voice was unique in the entire Delanele, and everyone in the church could recognize who it was.

Duke Wilson!