I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

George Messina believed it, but Lester Sissel was not easy to fool.This person may not be as skilled as his friend Aldrich in other aspects, but when it comes to the relationship between men and women, he thinks he can definitely crush the serious and staid black-haired colonel.

In fact, it does.

On the morning when Pei Xiang and Aldridge confessed their feelings, Lester didn't go downstairs for breakfast, so he missed the opportunity to find out the clue at the first time.

But when he lazily left the bedroom and walked down the stairs, he keenly noticed the over-sweet atmosphere in the living room.

Lester quietly looked at the men and women present, focusing on a few unmarried young people.

Soon, he noticed something unusual about his friend.

Aldrich's eyes fell on Miss Marianne's smile frequently. Whether he was talking, drinking tea or walking around in the living room, the dark-haired man would keep his eyes on the beautiful lady.

If it weren't for his own temperament that was too cold and restrained, such a small gesture would have attracted the attention of other people in the living room.

"Aldrich, I thought that after I missed breakfast today, I would not see you for a while. Didn't you say before that you were going to leave London for a while?"

Aldrich glanced at Leicester who was smiling strangely, and briefly explained:

"The plan has changed, and I don't need to personally supervise it for the time being. Moreover, I will attend several important meetings recently, and it is not suitable to stay away from London during this period."

"That's it," Lester touched his chin, and "interrogated" Aldrich quickly while no one was around, "My friend, please understand my curiosity. Please tell me why it is just After a night and a morning, I feel that something wonderful and profound has happened? If you can, please share with me the mystery of this.”

While the baron's heir was talking, he glanced at Pei Xiang not far away with a smile, and there was something meaningful in the corners of his eyes and brows.

Just as Lester knew his friend, Aldrich was also very familiar with Lester's character and temper. Now he noticed his joking expression, and he was really surprised:

"Lester, I have to admit that you do have excellent acuity and observation skills in some areas. Of course, if you use this talent in other areas of life, you will definitely get a lot of money. reward."

"You admit it?" Lester's eyes lit up, and he asked without thinking.

Aldrich nodded without hesitation, a soft smile flashed in his eyes.

"Miss Marianne and I have resolved some misunderstandings and communicated with each other. From now on, I don't need to deliberately avoid suppressing my feelings."

"Misunderstand?"

Lester muttered in confusion, but he didn't inquire about the inside story, but said happily:

"So what's your situation now? Can I openly tease your intimate relationship with Miss Marianne? Are you engaged?"

Aldrich shook his head: "Lester, please don't publicize this matter for now, it's too early now, I haven't proposed to Miss Marianne yet."

Lester froze for a moment, then turned his head to look at the beautiful second Miss Dashwood, and asked his friend seriously:

"Aldrich, are you worried about Lord Deville's attitude?"

"He won't dictate my marriage too much. Miss Marianne's father and brother are both owners of the manor, and her own conditions are also very good. Most importantly, this is my own choice. My father may feel dissatisfied , but will not deliberately block this marriage."

"then you……"

"Lester, Miss Marianne and I are not ready yet. We still need a period of time to get to know each other better before we formally conclude the marriage contract. Of course, I treat this paragraph with the attitude of going on forever. Emotional, so, believe me, my friend, you'll be sending me your blessing soon."

Lester understood, he raised his eyebrows and smirked, and concluded not very kindly:

"I understand, Aldridge, after all, it means that Miss Marianne has no intention of getting engaged to you for the time being, right?"

Aldridge drank his tea with his head down, ignoring Leicester, who was also a bachelor.

In the next few days, Leicester, who knew the inside story, became an excellent shield. He was pulled by Aldrich and met Pei Xiang in various "coincidences".

After meeting, the man and woman who had just met each other naturally walked together to chat and deepen their understanding.And he has to divert other people's attention, or serve as a background board.

In short, Lester feels that if there is a selection of "Who is Great Britain's Best Friend", he himself is definitely on the list.Look how much leisure and social pleasure he had sacrificed to Aldrich all this time.

And the newly released couple obviously did not regard Lester as an outsider, and the topics they talked about generally did not shy away from him.So, Lester thought in his heart that what kind of pot should match what kind of lid, what kind of man should find what kind of woman.

Listen to the scope of the two people's discussions. If one of them was not wearing a skirt and holding a lace umbrella, he would have thought that they were meeting in some gentleman's club.

Thinking of the good times spent at the club, Lester began to miss his friend Mr Paddington, and he casually mentioned the mutual friend.

"To be honest, I've been living in the suburbs recently, and I haven't heard from Paddington for a long time. I don't know what he's up to?"

Aldridge glanced at Pei Xiang, guessing: "Maybe he is working on a new work, and he still owes me a painting."

"What kind of theme did you give him?"

"I hope he can truly describe the situation of those struggling to survive in the East End of London. There is no whitewashing, no deliberate ugliness, just a true portrayal of human suffering and struggle."

Lester frowned: "How could you think of such a subject? It's not pleasant."

"But meaningful, better than stereotyped praise of a happy and wealthy family life."

"I think... when you set this theme, you were actually creating a problem for Paddington. If he wants to draw the effect you want, he must go to the slums to observe and experience carefully, and he may encounter blackmail and hooligans. .”

Of course Aldridge would not admit this "accusation" in front of Pei Xiang, he said quietly:

"This theme was decided after I negotiated with Mr. Paddington. He also agreed with my idea, and wanted to draw a work with more vitality, breaking the illusion of flourishing flowers and presenting some real, more Cruel details that touch the heart."

"The topic you discussed together? No wonder Paddington seldom shows up recently," Lester suddenly said, "It turned out that he was busy with this matter."

Pei Xiang smiled and said: "Since Mr. Paddington agreed, I don't think there is any difficulty. However, this matter is indeed not so easy to accomplish. As far as I know, if Mr. Paddington wants to see To the real and lively East End, he couldn't walk in clean and well-groomed. He had to make himself a real tramp so that he would not arouse guard and vigilance, and would not be Track and chase."

Lester nodded approvingly.

At this time, he was no longer surprised by some of Pei Xiang's remarks and opinions. After a few days of getting along, Lester felt that he probably figured out what kind of woman his friend Aldrich fell in love with.

—Anyway... I wouldn't marry such a smart and powerful person if I was killed.

"Haha, hearing Miss Marian's description, I really want to admire Paddington's homeless appearance. But, Aldrich, what are you going to do after Paddington finishes his work? I understand you, you There must be other plans."

Aldridge shook his head: "I don't have any special plans, but I will send Mr. Paddington's work to the exhibition so that more people can see it. After that, the response is mediocre, or it will arouse some people's attention. Reflection and sympathy for the slums is not something I can decide. I just think that it is better to sow a seed than to add a superb oil painting to several collection rooms in Earl's Court."

Pei Xiang nodded, and added: "Of course a painting alone can't change the reality, but taking action is better than indifference."

Lester thought for a while and made up his mind: "If Mr. Paddington chooses my order again in the future, I will also customize a similar theme. If there are too many times, it may inspire some painters and let them Take the initiative to observe and sympathize with the real sufferings of fellow human beings, and then describe them with strong emotions. I believe that there are many good works of art, which will always bring shock and thinking.”

Pei Xiang smiled and said firmly, "Mr. Sissel, I believe that Mr. Paddington will accept your order soon. After all, your proposal is very good."

Lester laughed, thinking it was words of encouragement and comfort between friends.

Aldrich looked at Pei Xiang with some doubts.He heard the meaning of promise in Pei Xiang's words, and he began to wonder what exactly she and Paddington were cooperating with?

——How could it be so easy to decide the subject and client of the next painting for Paddington?Is this intervention ability a bit too strong?

——Art creation is different from other jobs. If Paddington has no inspiration and interest in this subject, wouldn't Miss Marianne's promise be in vain?

——But... Marianne will not fail to think of this, so why is she so sure?

Aldridge pondered this doubt in his heart slowly, but couldn't think of an answer for a while.But he was not in a hurry, because he had already accumulated a lot of questions about Paddington, and this one was not bad anyway.

After the three chatted all the way and walked away, Anna, the maid who was temporarily in charge of taking care of Rebecca, slowly withdrew her observing gaze.

At this time, she was almost completely convinced of some previous conjectures, that there was something wrong between Aldrich Dwyer and Marianne Dashwood, and Lester Sissel was courting that Marianne.

——There were so many single and beautiful ladies among the guests, but Lester Sissel only clung to Marianne, and he didn't even participate in the gentlemen's activities he was keen on before. What is it not infatuation?

——This Aldrich Dwyer is also sparing no effort to bring those two together, right?He also had his cousin George Messina distract Elinor Dashwood in order to leave Marianne alone.

——There were several times when it was obvious that Lester Sissel and Marianne Dashwood would not be able to meet each other, but they were deliberately lured to meet by Aldrich Deville...

One day, Lester found that a book he had been reading recently was missing. After looking around, a new room cleaning maid stood up tremblingly and admitted his mistake.

She confessed that when she was cleaning, she accidentally messed up a few books. Although she tried her best to put those books back where they were before, she might have made some mistakes because of her lack of literacy.

"You mean, you've confused the pile of books arranged vertically with several books lying sideways?"

"Yes, sir."

Lester suddenly said, "Ah, so that's the case. No wonder I couldn't find that book in the study. It should have been put in the pile of books laid flat by you, and then sent back to the library."

It's not a big deal, Lester looked at the poor maid and waved his hands, telling her that if she encounters such a situation next time, she should tell the housekeeper, the housekeeper will deal with such small troubles and won't detain her salary.

After the maid retreated, Lester processed two documents in the study, and then remembered the novel he hadn't finished, so he got up and went to the library on the third floor.

Lester rummaged through the bookshelves, and finally found the book he wanted to read in the corner.

——Hey, there is a bookmark in it. It seems that this book has not lacked readers in the past few days.

Lester bent down to pick up the bookmark that had accidentally dropped, thinking with a smile.

However, when he saw clearly the words and pictures on the paper bookmark, his face changed slightly.

"At night, when the wind blows, the fragrance of flowers and the light of the stars converge, just like my love for you, hidden in the darkness, never missing an appointment..."

Lester slowly read a few lines of sentences on the front of the bookmark, and noticed that there was no name left on the inscription, but half of the family crest of the Deville family was outlined.In the remaining blank space, the names of Marianne and Aldridge are mixed together in distorted cursive characters, which has an ambiguous feeling of being permanently entangled.

"This is..." Lester couldn't help but widen his eyes.

—God, look what I found?Is this a short love letter from Aldrich's serious iceberg face to Marianne?

—Hold on, Lester, you're a grown man, don't yell, keep secret, take a deep breath, don't grin, take a deep breath, keep silent!

——Oh yo yo yo yo, I can't see it at all, you are such an Aldrich, hahaha, I am going to laugh at him and blackmail him, hahaha...

Lester closed the book in his hand with a snap, and left the library like a gust of wind holding the bookmark with love words written on it.

When Lester found Aldrich, the black-haired colonel was enjoying the moving notes flowing from his sweetheart's fingertips.He glanced lightly at the excited Lester, leaned over to turn a page of music for Pei Xiang, and stopped distracting the friend who broke in suddenly.

Pei Xiang concentrated on playing the piano, and the sound of the piano was melodious. Aldrich stood beside the piano and listened silently, with a gentle and peaceful expression.

After playing a song, the two looked at each other and smiled.

Lester hurriedly said: "Hey, Aldrich, I know you think I'm an eyesore now, but I have to criticize you, my friend. Since it's not time to make it public, how can you put The verses addressed to Miss Marianne are scattered all over the place, such lingering love poems... You see, it's thanks to me who discovered it, or else... Hehe, this is another piece of gossip."

"Misplaced verses?" Aldrich frowned, "What verses, where did you see them?"

Lester noticed that Aldrich did not deny that he had written love poems, and laughed a few times.He looked at his friend teasingly, and handed Aldrich the bookmark he found in the library.

"Look at this, I found it in a book and put it away for you right away, how can you thank me?"

Aldrich looked at the bookmark that Lester gave him with an inexplicable expression, and Pei Xiang also leaned over curiously.

"I didn't write this." Aldridge only glanced at it, and denied it without hesitation.

Lester didn't respond.

Pei Xiang observed the handwriting on the bookmark. Although it was quite similar to Aldrich's handwriting, it was indeed a fake.

"Mr. Sissel, take a closer look. This is not Aldrich's handwriting. Look at the curly E and S, which are different from Aldrich's writing habits."

"Isn't this... a love poem written by Aldridge to you, Miss Marianne?"

Pei Xiang shook his head and smiled, "Unfortunately, it's not."

Lester looked at his dark-haired friend eagerly again, and then got the answer from the other's nonchalant expression.

"Hey, it turned out to be a fake! But, but what's the use of forging this?"

Lester's excited mood was momentarily depressed, and then he was full of doubts.

"However, according to what you said, Miss Marianne, um, let me take a closer look...it seems, indeed, it is not Aldrich's handwriting. But, who is so boring and wants to write love poems for Miss Marianne for Aldridge? ?”

Pei Xiang and Aldridge looked at each other, and at the same time thought of Rebecca, who was still recovering from her injuries, and the suspicious maid.

At the same time, the two women suspected by Pei Xiang and Aldridge were also talking about the same thing.

"I had been hiding behind the curtains before, so I could see Lester Sissel's expression clearly. He must have been greatly shocked. I think he was very angry, his face changed a lot, and he turned red. He took a few deep breaths, and it looked like he was holding back his anger. Later, he rushed out of the library with the bookmark."

Rebecca asked quickly, "Did he confront those two people?"

"I went, and I happened to see two people playing the piano one by one and admiring the other. It's a very warm and romantic scene."

"And then?" Rebecca asked urgently.

Anna shook her head regretfully: "That Marianne is extremely vigilant, I dare not approach rashly, so I don't know what happened in the piano room."

Rebecca pondered for a while: "I think the couple must deny it."

Anna sneered: "If you deny it, just deny it, as long as there is a trace of doubt in Lester Sissel's heart. We have other means, and we will always make him believe that his good brother has been robbing him all the time. The beloved woman is plotting against him."

"Well, you are right, things have to be done little by little. By the way, have you contacted the outside coordinator?"

"If we get in touch, they will find a way to encourage Baron Sissel to get engaged to Lester Sissel as soon as possible."

Rebecca thought quickly, what would happen to Lisa's situation if Lester made an appointment for marriage?

After a while, she sighed:

"That's good, let's disrupt Aldrich Deville's arrangement plan step by step, and when he is estranged from Lester Sissel, we will start with Lisa and place someone in the name of helping her Go to the baron's mansion."

Anna nodded.

Rebecca asked her again: "By the way, we still can't find out where that Brown Paddington hides and paints during the day?"

"No, we've searched all the places he disclosed—whether intentionally or unintentionally. Not to mention finding Paddington himself, we haven't even seen a piece of paint or a canvas."

"This is really strange, you say, could it be... that Paddington is fake from beginning to end?"

"What do you mean?" Anna wondered.

"You see, no one has seen Paddington paint with his own eyes, but every once in a while, he will come up with a work, and each one is highly praised and touted. I have seen and seen his works The work, to be honest, is indeed an outstanding work of art. But don't you think it is very unusual? Compared with such outstanding artistic achievements, Paddington is too young?"

Anna's eyes lit up: "Rebecca, what do you mean...Paddington is not the creator of those paintings at all? The real creator is someone else?"

"Maybe, I'm not sure. But Anna, whether it's true or not, we can treat this matter as true, and then release the news and spread the word."

"Release the news? Yes, that Paddington works for Aldrich Deville. These days, he has accumulated a lot of connections for him, and has extended his influence to the gang. It should not be underestimated. We can take advantage of his mysterious disappearance during the day. , attacking him for being in name only. At that time, there will be more doubts from all parties, and Paddington, as well as the people behind him, will definitely mess up their own positions. In this way, it is tantamount to disrupting Deville's secret arrangement."

This analysis made Rebecca temporarily forget the pain:

"Anna, if he succeeds this time, it will definitely frustrate that cold and ruthless Dwyer. We people are pushed too hard by Dwyer, and we must find ways to fight back and make him overwhelmed. Only when he is in a hurry can we get new respite."

"Hope everything goes well."