I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

A prospective fiancé who can directly participate in the estate management affairs?

Pei Xiang was taken aback for a moment, and immediately understood the old earl's worries. He was worried about his son and Doris's mate selection.

Charles Gladstone evidently realized that the late old earl had deliberately arranged this move to prevent him from plotting his daughter's estate.

This knowledge displeased him, and he was a little annoyed that his thoughts had been seen through, so he got up and left the restaurant without waiting for Pei Xiang to continue asking.

After the earl left, everyone who had finished breakfast also got up one after another and left the restaurant to do their own things.

Pei Xiang chose to take a walk outdoors.

She walked slowly along the flagstone path, turned left and right, and soon wandered to a few oak trees under the bedroom window.

"Good day, Miss Doris."

"Leah?"

Pei Xiang turned around when he heard the sound, then smiled and waved: "Why are you standing in the corner? Come here, there is no extra sunlight under the tree, and my face will not be sunburned. Liya, I am disappointed that I didn't see you this morning , to be honest, I still like your combing skills."

Leah immediately showed a look of honor.

After she approached, Pei Xiang realized that Lia, the foreman of the maid, had white gauze wrapped around her hands.

"Is the burn bad this morning?"

"It's blistered. I just went to Dr. Norton to see it. He gave me some plasters to treat the burns and said that it will be cured in about ten days."

"Well, then, before your injury heals, let Lucy go to my place to help in the morning. You have to take good care of it and don't leave any scars."

Leah gratefully obliged.

Pei Xiang felt that the timing of the burn was a bit of a coincidence.

Last night's murderer lit the fireplace and fired the stove, and hurriedly removed the charcoal basin, so he might not be scalded.

"Leah, I happened to meet you. Let me inquire with you. If I want to send a servant to London to help me with errands, do you have any recommendations?"

Liya didn't answer right away, but asked Pei Xiang: "Miss Doris, what kind of help do you need, the kind who runs errands honestly, or the kind who can speak well?"

"I can't say, Leah, you can analyze and analyze for me. I ordered three hats from the hat shop on Regent Street, but last night, um, I had a nightmare, and suddenly I didn't like the previous custom style Yes. I need to change some details, and I can’t explain it clearly in a letter, so I have to ask someone to go there.”

"You had a nightmare? That's too bad," Leah, the foreman of the maid, immediately looked worried. She leaned forward slightly, and leaned over to Pei Xiang to examine her complexion carefully. "Miss Doris, do you feel How about it? Will you still be troubled by nightmares? If you are willing to tell the nightmares, maybe you won’t feel particularly depressed."

Pei Xiang frowned, and followed Leah's words with a serious expression of thought.

"Last night's nightmare was actually quite strange. It just felt like I was in a sea of ​​fire. I wanted to run out, but I couldn't open my eyes, and I had no strength. Later, I really wanted to be hugged , moved to a place where he could breathe freely."

Having said that, Pei Xiang paused, noticing that Liya suddenly lowered her head and missed the eye contact between the two.

"And then, well, I stopped having nightmares. In the dream, I couldn't see what my rescuer looked like, but I had a vague impression that he was wearing a beautiful red and green checked waistcoat , face, seems to be wearing a mask. So, I plan to change my new hat to a red and green plaid style, oh, I also want to order a matching skirt and coat."

Because of Pei Xiang's words, Li Ya showed very changeable expressions, sometimes worried, sometimes frightened, and sometimes expressing gratitude.

After Pei Xiang finished speaking, she immediately agreed that if she wore such a hat, Miss Doris would definitely not have nightmares again.Therefore, the shops in London must be notified as soon as possible, so that they can step up their work for the eldest lady of the Earl's Palace.

"Miss Doris, you can draw the heroic rescuer knight in your dream, and then have the footman take it to Regent Street. Those tailors and hatters who have been dealing with clothing materials all the year round will surely make according to your Special request, to make the most elegant and eye-catching works. Miss Doris, I sincerely believe that you will be praised and sought after by many celebrities."

Pei Xiang immediately looked very happy and looking forward to it, and praised Liya as the most caring maid, and she couldn't leave her for a moment.

"Then, Leah, please quickly recommend me a quick manservant, and when I finish drawing everything I saw in my dream, oh, if I still remember the fragments, I'll let him go right away London."

Mentioning the recommended candidate again, Leah happily said a name this time.

"Tom White, Miss Doris. I think Tom White is qualified for the job. He is a very hardworking and self-motivated young man. If you leave things to him, you can't go wrong."

"Tom?" The name moved Pei Xiang's heart, and she felt that she was gradually grasping a thread, "I remember him, he was the new manservant last month, right? Hey, Leah, I thought , Well, you will recommend William to me, after all..."

Speaking of this, Pei Xiang showed a tacit ambiguous smile to Leah, as if telling her that she had heard about the close relationship between the head maid and William the servant.

Liya immediately restrained the easy-going smile on her face, and clarified very seriously:

"Miss Doris, don't listen to those silly gossips. The relationship between William and I is very clean, and there is no unnecessary relationship."

The eldest lady who was keen on talking about the scandal between men and women immediately smiled slyly and quickly asked:

"So there's something superfluous between you and Tom?"

This was originally a casual joke, but she didn't think about it, Liya obviously hesitated for a moment, then she pursed her lips and stopped talking, her cheeks turned a faint pink.

Pei Xiang immediately covered his mouth, and exaggeratedly looked left and right, the corners of his eyes and brows were full of pride and joy in discovering the big secret.

"Leah, Leah, so it's like this, hahaha, let me just say, the way you look at William is very flat, it doesn't look like you're in love at all. Sure enough, I'm not mistaken.

"Oh, oh, but, how could it be Tom? There is no sign at all! And, Leah, do you know Tom? He has only been in the manor for a month. Does he have any savings? Can he give you a home? ?”

Faced with Pei Xiang's excited and concerned inquiries, Liya was very shy.

But who can resist the boundless enthusiasm of Miss Gladstone when she wants to gossip?In particular, there is not much malice in her enthusiasm, it is purely because of her own curiosity and concern for her acquaintances.

After only holding on for a short while, Leah told the ordinary and romantic story between her and Tom in fits and starts.He also told Pei Xiang that Tom is a down-to-earth and hardworking man. In order to save more money and give her a decent wedding, he is currently working two part-time jobs in the manor.In addition to the normal work of a manservant, he also used his rest time to help the gardener and the caretaker of the storage warehouse with some heavy physical work.

For example, get up two hours early every morning to help them transport coal and various ingredients to the main house.Go to bed an hour late every night to help them pick up and dump all kinds of trash.

Pei Xiang smiled and listened to Leah's talk about Tom White's hard work, but he slowly had double question marks in his heart.

Is this Leah really saying good things to Tom White?Or is it trying to lure me to think in a certain direction?

Regardless of the other party's intentions, Pei Xiang was still very sincere, and she assured Leah that after she drew the clothes worn by the knight in her dream, she would immediately order Tom White, who was hardworking and motivated, to go to London.

"Don't worry, I'll tell Mr. Jason personally to ask him to find someone else to replace Tom's daily work."

"Thank you very much, Miss Doris, and Tom and I will remember your favor."

The two talked a few more words, and parted under the oak tree.

Pei Xiang walked around the oak tree a few times, but found no special traces.

She guessed that there might be clues on the canopy of the tree, but there were so many people coming and going here that it was really inconvenient for her to lift her skirt to climb the tree, so she had no choice but to give up.

——It is not necessary to find all the evidence, as long as the gang behind the scenes is determined.

—Because of my death and resurrection, those murderers who killed Doris Gladstone can't be judged by the law at all.

——So, I have to investigate by myself to determine the identity of the murderer and the motive of committing the crime, and then set a trap so that the criminals will get the punishment they deserve.

Pei Xiang continued to walk, and when she passed the second small fountain sculpture, she deliberately slowed down and counted the time in her heart.

Sure enough, after a while, at the turn of another corridor, the figure of Anne Gladstone appeared in Pei Xiang's sight.

"Annie, where are you going? Why didn't you play the piano in the piano room?"

"Sister Doris, I'm going to visit Miss Winster. I just heard from Mrs. Murray that Miss Winster's condition seems to be a bit recurrent. During breakfast, she had no appetite at all and vomited. Her face was frighteningly pale. .”

Pei Xiang immediately asked worriedly, "What did Dr. Norton say?"

"The doctor said that Miss Winster's mood fluctuated too much. It should be a nightmare or something frightened, but the cold didn't get worse."

"Huh? Miss Winston also had a nightmare?"

Pei Xiang covered his mouth and whispered, and sighed sincerely:

"I had a nightmare last night too, and it was terrible! My God, I feel sorry for such delicate and sensitive women as me and Miss Winston. Our hearts are so fragile, and we long for safe protection, otherwise, A nightmare of waking up in the middle of the night is enough to make people overwhelmed and weak."

Annie doesn't think that her eldest sister has a "sensitive and fragile" heart. On the contrary, she has a tougher and rougher nervous system than many people, and she always lives at her own pace.

Sure enough, the man just lamented his "fragility and helplessness" one moment ago, and the next moment, he happily raised a smile, ready to join Annie's itinerary to visit the sick.

"Sister Doris, you haven't spoken a few words to Miss Winster before, will it be awkward to visit her now? And didn't you say that you don't like the profession of a tutor? You said to your mother , My scalp tingles when I see being a tutor, so you must keep your distance."

"Oh, I did say that, Anne. But there are exceptions to everything."

Pei Xiang said in a slow voice:

"At breakfast, I heard you and Edward say that Miss Winster admired me so much, learned my living habits, and even got sick because of it. At that time, I felt, um, I have an obligation to visit her in person, to ask her Showing you care and encouraging her to keep going. Even though, this was a challenge and a test for me, God forbid, who would have thought Doris would be so brave?"

Annie secretly made a face.

Pei Xiang pretended not to see it, and she asked with a smile, "Shall we bring some flowers to Miss Winster? What kind of flowers does she like?"

"It should be Jasmine." Annie replied quickly.

"Are you sure? I remember that Miss Winster painted tulips. Besides, she has several rose-pink veil dresses. Hey, I've always wanted to remind her that her skin color and hair color are not suitable for roses." Pink, fruit green or champagne will make her look more energetic."

Anne is more convinced of Doris's views on dressing, even though the elder sister's playing skills are not as good as the 13-year-old's, she has no more than fifteen foreign language vocabulary, and she can't finish reading a serious book in three years. Also confused about the geographic location of India and North Africa.

"Sister Doris, when Miss Winster recovers, I will suggest that she make two new dresses. However, Miss Winster is very fond of jasmine dew. She often sprays it on her hair and clothes. Every time she teaches me , I can smell it."

"Well, then this Christmas, maybe I can give her a small bottle of good jasmine essential oil."

"She'll be happy."

The two sisters were talking, and they came to the room where the governess, Miss Winster, was convalescent.

After getting the answer from the owner of the room, the two pushed the door open and entered.

Noticing Pei Xiang behind Annie, Miss Winston immediately showed an extremely shocked expression, as if confirming what Annie said before.

That is, how incredible it is that Miss Gladstone, who has always hated governesses, can come to visit her in her room.

Pei Xiang smiled and nodded, thinking that since she felt that her visit was very unexpected, maybe he could find some clues that were too late to cover up.

While asking about Miss Winster's physical condition, she observed her room, and soon her eyes were fixed on the charcoal stove in the corner.

Miss Winston remained pale, bewildered by Miss Gladstone's visit.

"Miss Winster, don't be nervous." Pei Xiang sat down by the charcoal stove, as if he wanted to get close to the heat source in the room to warm his hands and feet, "I heard that you had nightmares, didn't even eat breakfast, and were still sick , I came to visit you with Annie, I hope you get better soon."

Pei Xiang's words did not make Miss Winster feel relaxed. She leaned on the head of the bed with a stiff smile and covered her belly with her hands.

In the eyes of Third Miss Anne, this action represented nervousness, but in Pei Xiang's view, it was Miss Winster's subconscious posture of defense.

Pei Xiang recalled it carefully, and found that Doris Gladstone and the tutor had very little past contact, and there was no phenomenon that the eldest lady bullied the tutor.

So, this defensive posture is very interesting.

——Besides, why are you covering your stomach?

——The smell of jasmine, Howard, the secretary who came suddenly to deliver the documents last night...

——Also, the off-white soft ashes around the charcoal stove and the smell of burnt animal feathers, as if the cotton wool or pure cotton fabric had just been burned.

Pei Xiang didn't hide her scrutiny.

"Miss Winster, are the maids taking good care of you? Is this stove burning all the time? If so, it's not very good. I'm worried that you inhaled too much unclean gas, which caused your condition to persist. repeatedly."

The young tutor forced a smile: "Miss Doris, everyone has taken good care of me. I am very grateful to God for allowing me to meet such a kind and generous host in your house. Of course, this stove will not keep burning, if If that's the case, my voice won't be able to bear it."

Pei Xiang came to a sudden: "Yes, you are responsible for teaching Anne's vocal music. If I remember correctly, my mother praised your piano and singing. Since you have such outstanding talents, Miss Winster, please take care of me. Take care of yourself, protect your voice and your hands playing the piano and painting. You must order the maid to do such a job of lighting the charcoal stove, and you must not interfere with it yourself, you understand?"

Miss Winston nodded in panic, expressing that she would not ignore Pei Xiang's advice.

Anne on the side smiled and said: "Sister Doris, you are overthinking. Miss Winster was the daughter of a squire before, and after something happened at home, she came to our house as a tutor. Maybe she never ordered it herself. The stove has a fire, how can you start doing this when you are sick?"

"Well, you know better, smart little Annie. I just touched Leah, and her hand was burned, so I'll worry a little more, okay, okay, I don't care about it."

Because they came to visit the patient, the two sisters didn't stay long. After Annie put down the visiting gift, she gave a few more instructions and took Pei Xiang to leave.

Before going out, Pei Xiang glanced at the coat and scarf hanging by the door, stopped suddenly, and stared back at Miss Winster coldly.This sudden change of face made the other party startled, and his loose hands immediately covered his lower abdomen.

Pei Xiang raised his eyebrows, his emerald eyes glistened, and left a smile with no meaning, before turning around and leaving the tutor's room.

— There is a black hair on the lady's coat, short.

——Winster's own hair color is reddish, and there are no short black hair among the maids, and there are no male servants either.

——In the entire manor, only Mr. Secretary, who visited last night, has black hair.

After saying goodbye to Annie, Pei Xiang checked the time and felt that he had stayed outside long enough, so he returned the same way.

When passing the living room, she met Mr. Howard, the secretary with black hair.

He changed another set of clothes, and this time when he was close to him, he could only smell the refreshing smell of men's soap, as if the faint scent of jasmine she smelled before was an illusion.

"Miss Gladstone, I happened to be looking for you, and His Excellency ordered me to tell you something."

Pei Xiang asked Mr. Howard to sit down on the sofa, and he himself sat on the jacquard soft high-back chair.

"Please say."

"It's about...one of the guests coming to visit."

Pei Xiang tilted her head, and the corners of her mouth no longer curved gracefully. She showed a very obvious attitude of resistance.

"Oh, about the unknown fiancé-to-be who has never met."

Howard smiled slightly, and continued in a polite manner:

"I believe that the old earl will not misjudge the person. The gentleman he chose for the lady must be a trustworthy and reliable gentleman. You grew up with the old man, and you have always known how wise and kind he is, with a good eye for people." How precise and transparent. The young people who were admired by him before are all soaring now."

"That's the truth," Pei Xiang nodded frankly, "I always remember that among the few people who visited our Gladstone Manor with you before, the two that my grandfather favored are now the new rich in London. .

"When I went to the ball last year, I could always hear the ladies talking about their names. Mr. Howard, you have to work hard, even if you are a secretary for your father, well, maybe you can get lucky. In my opinion , you are also very good, you know a lot of things that I don't."

Howard tried his best to suppress the embarrassment in his heart, ignored Pei Xiang's sincere praise, and continued the previous topic:

"Miss Gladstone, what you mean by the earl is that I entrust you with some information about that guest in advance."

Pei Xiang immediately leaned forward, his eyes bright: "How does he look? Does he have a pair of melancholy lake blue eyes and a handsome face that has been kissed by the God of Beauty?"

"...Sorry miss, I haven't seen that gentleman with my own eyes, but it is said that he is a very handsome gentleman."

"Stylish?"

Pei Xiang murmured in a moderate voice: "This is not an adjective that makes people happy. When people praise a girl's appearance, if they can't find any compliments, they will say that she is quiet, friendly, Or ladylike? Well, isn't that even a 'handsome' comment for that gentleman?"

Howard raised his eyebrows, and was not surprised by Pei Xiang's complaints. Anyone who knows this young lady knows that this girl has always liked beautiful people or things, and all the young people she has ever admired are handsome young men with outstanding appearance .

However, before Howard concocted a suitable rhetoric to comfort Pei Xiang, Pei Xiang sighed helplessly:

"Forget it, I don't have any expectations for my grandfather's aesthetics. Anyway, heh, I'm just a prospective fiance, and everything hasn't been settled yet. Oh, by the way, what's his name? What's his background? How's his temper? "

"Miss Gladstone, the gentleman's name is Holmes, Mr. Mycroft Holmes."

Pei Xiang's expression froze for a moment.

"Holmes?!"

"Yes, ma'am, what's the matter?"

Pei Xiang forced a smile, and she said dryly against Howard's puzzled and probing eyes:

"I seem to have heard of it, but I can't remember clearly. By the way, is he the eldest son? Are there other brothers and sisters in his family? Is he the kind of old-fashioned gentleman who likes to preach?"

"As far as I know, Mr. Holmes is the eldest son of the family. He has a younger brother named Sherlock Holmes. As for the character of Mr. Holmes, I am sorry that I cannot tell you, Miss Gladstone, because I do not know."

Deep in Pei Xiang's heart, there were countless villains fighting and exclaiming, skeptical and unbelievable, but on the surface, she still maintained the expression Miss Gladstone should have, frowning, not very happy.

Seeing this, Howard took out a document from the folder beside him and put it on the table beside Pei Xiang.

"Miss, this is the information of Mr. Holmes. You can take a look at it first. Your Excellency means that if you really don't expect this marriage contract, you can explain it to the gentleman in private, and then the two parties will sign a few more minutes." Simple files, and you're good to go."

These words made Pei Xiang's eyebrows twitch. She quickly put the shock of meeting Holmes behind her and concentrated on dealing with the current troubles.

——Whether the other person is a character in the story or not, my life is real, so I can do whatever I want, and I can't let anyone disrupt my steps and rhythm.

"Do I still need to explain it in private? Can't my father refuse me directly? It's so troublesome. If my little sisters know that I was almost engaged, they will definitely make fun of me. Besides, the person who is engaged is not handsome and fashionable enough. , How embarrassing to say it."

Howard endured the impatience in his heart, and explained in a gentle voice:

"Your grandfather made a will very carefully. He... seems to be too worried about your future. He felt that the Gladstone family alone could not protect you well, so he invited Mr. Holmes as the client. It is said that at the beginning, he wanted to The marriage contract was made directly, but the gentleman refused, and the old earl used the past favor as a condition.

"Mr. Holmes can't. He can only agree to meet with you for a while, and then decide whether to get engaged. But no matter what, Mr. Holmes is very important among your property trustees. Even if, um , if you marry someone else in the future, if you want to use the dowry, you need Mr. Holmes' permission."

This long passage disturbed Miss Gladstone in a daze, and she said hesitantly:

"You mean, my property is not mine anymore? It belongs to that Sherlock Holmes? Then, he still doesn't like me, the earl's eldest daughter?"

Howard smiled helplessly, then nodded:

"Currently, your property is jointly managed by His Excellency the Earl and Mr. Holmes. Of course, if you are married, it depends on the pre-marital property agreement between the two parties.

"However, according to the old Earl's will, Mr. Holmes always has the right to manage and make decisions. Anyone, including yourself, who wants to sell or mortgage the property and jewelry under your name must be approved by Mr. Holmes."

"It's not fair!" The eldest lady yelled angrily, "Why should a strange man take care of the pocket money my grandfather gave me? I always thought that whoever owns the money belongs to him, and I have to manage my property myself."

"This...about the trust deed and the prenuptial agreement, Miss Gladstone, let me explain to you..."