[Titanic] I can't help myself

On the third day after we came, the guests arrived in Chatsworth one after another.In less than a week, the castle became lively and crowded. For this reason, Chatsworth had advertised in the newspapers in advance, and temporarily hired many maids, maids, and cooks to help, and the town also specially prepared for it. A carnival for these ladies and gentlemen to pass the time.

Aunt Edith did not look down on Americans like the traditional British aristocrats. Among the guests she invited, there were many children from American families, and Cal Hockley was one of them.

However, Mr. Cal Hockley is not an American in the true sense. His grandfather was a down-and-out British baron. He did not stick to the land like other nobles. He became an important steel tycoon in Pittsburgh and even the whole world, and his mother was a Spanish countess. When she married the old Mr. Hockley, there was only one noble title left, but it is said that the couple married because of money and blood Very well, the old Mr. Hockley even took back the manor and land that had been mortgaged for her in order to please his wife.

The Hockley family's steel industry is spread all over the world and their assets are strong. If I can persuade him to buy new steelmaking technology, I guess I can not work for the rest of my life, and I can maintain everything in Bukett as before.

On the night when all the guests are present, Aunt Edith throws the first ball, the implicit purpose of which is actually to launch Rose solemnly.

Rose wore a long green dress, which complemented her emerald-like eyes. It was dotted with countless pearls from the chest to the hem of the skirt. the sound of.She successfully became the focus of the ball. When she appeared in the hall, every man's eyes were on her, and all the women were eclipsed in front of her.

There is no woman who does not like the adoring and admiring eyes of a man, even a woman like Rose who pursues a high-level spiritual world is no exception. some attractive mystery.

Single men surrounded her, trying to talk to her, expecting a response from her.Mother couldn't be more pleased with this.

"She really has a lot of suitors tonight, even Princess Aurora can't compare to her." The mother said with a smile, "Seeing this scene now, I think the anger I suffered before was worth it."

"But I think she doesn't like anyone." I said.

"Smart women should do this." The mother spread out a small fan to cover the smug smile on the corner of her mouth, "Men are so stupid and blind, if a beautiful girl ignores him, he will treat her as a treasure, It would have been even better if there was a group of competitors who would be vying to win her over, blind to any of her flaws."

I burst out laughing: "Mom, I'm a stupid man too."

"So you have to listen to your parents about marriage. What do you know about marriage?" My mother took my arm and walked slowly around the hall. Little, don't be impatient, just dance with them, don't do anything else. I'll go talk to Edith for a while, can you be alone?"

"Of course mom."

The crystal-clear and magnificent crystal chandeliers illuminate the entire hall like daytime, and the colorful dresses and sparkling jewelry on the ladies are extraordinarily gorgeous under the bright lights.The dance will not end until four or five o'clock in the morning. These gentlemen and ladies seem to be quite adapted to this kind of activity that stays up all night, and no one shows the slightest tiredness.And I can barely stand.

The mother chatted lively with a group of married ladies, while Rose sat with the two girls, still surrounded by a group of courteous bachelors, and William and his wife Jane twirled on the dance floor.No one noticed me, so I sneaked out of the hall quietly, planning to find a place to rest for a while.

Not a single candle was lit outside the hall, and the moonlight came in, vaguely outlining the outline of the corridor, and there were several couples flirting in the corner.I walked awkwardly past them, hoping they wouldn't recognize me in such a dim light.

My destination was a small study at the end of this floor, which was originally used for children's play, as opposed to the large study used for the master's office.When I was a guest in Chatsworth when I was young, because I was the youngest one, I often spent time here alone, and I was very familiar with this room.

After closing the door, I sighed wearily, loosened my collar, took off my coat, untied my tie, and walked to the window.There is a large artificial lake outside the window, with lotus leaves floating on the sparkling waves, and a few sleeping swans perched on the shore.Pushing open the window, one could faintly hear the music from the other side of the hall, but listening to it here, it seemed even more silent.

I took a few deep breaths of moist and fresh air, and rubbed my already numb face.My back was sore and sore from puffing out my chest and abs all night to maintain proper posture.I just want to lie down now.

I knew there was a couch facing the window behind me, and I used to lie on it faceless and read novels before, so I stretched myself, closed my eyes, and stepped back.

"My God!!"

Someone is already on the sofa!I just fell on top of him!

I screamed and jumped up, but I fell back because I couldn't stand firmly. The hard elbow knocked a soft spot, and the man groaned.I needed to support something to get up, and in a panic, my palms pressed against that person's body again. The warm feeling of my body made me raise my hands quickly, and returned to the previous position.In the chaos, the man stretched out his hand, grabbed my waist, and helped me up when I was in a hurry.

As soon as my feet were able to stand firmly on the ground, I immediately broke free from his hand, and quickly leaned against the window sill, looking at the man on the sofa in panic, my heart was pounding with fright.

"Jesus Christ..." The man sat up with a sigh, "You brat, who are you?"

The silver moonlight shone on him, and I squinted my eyes to identify him carefully for a few seconds. The moment I recognized him, my heartbeat that had just calmed down began to hit my chest crazily again, and I was about to cry. : This man who was crushed by me just now is Mr. Cal Hockley, the partner I want to contact!

Calm down, dear!Take a deep breath!I said to myself in my heart, you just sat on him for a while, and you are not yet an adult, he will not blame you.

Gradually, I felt that my heart, which was so violently contracted and pumped blood that my head was a little dizzy, slowly returned to its normal working state.

Cal Hockley only arrived this afternoon, and I only exchanged names with him before dinner, and then never had a chance to speak to him again.This single aristocrat in his early thirties is the only heir to a huge steel empire, and he has also created a lot of industries; and he himself is tall and handsome, with a good-looking talent, showing his perfect upbringing etiquette in every gesture, but It also has a bit of American-style frankness and wildness, full of masculinity, so the guests present, regardless of gender, want to talk to him in front of him, but I can only be squeezed to the periphery, unable to do anything except smile.

However, Mr. Hockley disappeared after midnight. Everyone thought he had gone to "talk" with one of the girls who also disappeared at the same time, but it turned out that he hid here to rest.

"God, Mr. Hockley, are you okay?" I took two steps forward uncontrollably, "Did I hurt you?"

"It's okay, it's okay, don't be nervous." Mr. Hockley rubbed his forehead and looked up at me, "Are you... Earl of Richardmond?"

"Yes, Mr. Hockley." My limbs were still a little weak, the cold sweat that gushed out just now made my clothes stick to my skin, and the air blowing in from the window behind made me shiver, "Mr. Hockley, really I'm so sorry. Did I really not hurt you?"

"Of course not, young Mr. Earl." Mr. Hockley straightened his somewhat messy hair, "You are not even as heavy as Edward, how could you hurt me."

"Edward?" I asked, a stiff smile on my face.

"That's a Yorkie my mother raised in America." Mr. Hockley smiled. "You're so light, you landed on me like a bird. So please don't be nervous. I'd like to ask you Forgive me for scaring you."

"You're very generous, Mr Hockley." I put my thumb on the second knuckle of my forefinger, nails digging into the flesh, "thank God, if I cut a hair on you, all the girls would kill me ’ I joked, but God knows my heart was going to be overloaded again.

"You're exaggerating, but thanks for the compliment." Mr. Hockley laughed, and I quickly followed suit.The atmosphere seemed much more relaxed, and I applauded myself in my heart.

We exchanged a few meaningless greetings, and Mr. Hockley asked, "So, you are also here to escape?"

"Uh, yes." It took me two seconds to react, "Yes, I've been dancing for hours, and I'm really tired. And... I used to come to this study room when I was a child, and I can't touch it with my eyes closed." I have to apologize again for causing the accident just now.”

He laughed, his voice was low and mature, like a double bass vibrating, "It's really okay, Earl. But if we continue to apologize like this, there will be no end to this evening." He said, and sat down on the sofa , "Since you are all tired, please sit down." He moved to the side.

The atmosphere began to become awkward again, and now I can only try to keep a decent smile on my face, so as not to change.

Then Mr. Hockley said: "Can I do you a favor, Mr. Earl?"

"Please speak." I secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as long as someone speaks, I found that the muscles on my face were a little sore.

"Please don't tell the old Duchess of Prestbury that I am resting here," said Mr. Hockley, "or she will think it's because the ball is boring, which would be a very bad manner on the part of the hostess. As a matter of fact, I haven't slept a wink for two days because of business in London, and I couldn't hold on to the fun of the ball."

"Of course, I won't say it." I replied in a brisk tone, "I'm sorry to disturb your rest." I looked at his face, thought for a while, and added, "Please don't Tell my aunt about my rest here."

"Of course." Mr. Hockley had a gentle smile on his face. "So, we are all on the same side now, aren't we? We all sneaked away from the ball. Maybe we can be counted as friends?"

"...Yes." I hesitated for a moment, then hurriedly said, "It's a great honor to be able to..."

"Since we are friends, don't be so restrained." Mr. Hockley put his arms around my shoulders and patted me lightly. "You can call me Carl."

I carefully observed his expression, trying to discern the truth of his words.I know that sometimes the other person is very close, but it doesn't mean that he really wants to be so, at this time, it is what you should do, but sometimes the other person is really sincere, and the opportunity is fleeting.I pursed my lips. Dealing with someone as smooth and well-rounded as Mr. Hockley always makes me nervous.

"Eon," Mr. Hockley laughed. "Am I so scary? It made Earl Richardmond afraid to be friends with me."

"Of course not. It's really my fault if I let you have this illusion." I replied quickly, without thinking about anything else, "I'm glad to be your friend, Carl, and you can call me Henry."