Guidebook for the Dark Duke

Chapter 21 - Severe Suspicions

Duke Wilson’s words shocked not only Evan, even Dr. Hester was stunned. Dr. Hester stared blankly at the duke, his beard still laughably cocked.

With a cold smile on his face, Evan quickly responded, “The duke is very right, I really should go back. Because Mrs Sanders is not around, church matters are very complicated.”

Dr. Hester smiled awkwardly, “Yes, yes, it’s my fault, so I won’t delay your business.”

Evan nodded, turned and left the living room without even looking at the duke.

Butler Chris dutifully sent Evan to the door of Cornwall Manor. As Evan wanted to leave, the butler suddenly spoke, “Reverend Bruce.” His face was still stern and serious, “I hope you can visit Cornwall Manor more in the days to come. Lord Edward enjoys your company very much.”

This loyal old butler, who has devoted his entire life to this manor, is very fond of Edward and Duke Wilson. The feelings he has for them are the same as feelings for a son and grandson.

Evan was already not in a very good mood, and the arrogant words of Butler Chris made him angry.

“Mr Chris, all the parishioners of Delanlier are under my care. They are all children of the Lord, whether it is Lord Edward or the son of a servant, they’re all the same in my eyes. If you choose to favor anyone, you should say less of such words in the future.”

Evan said these words in a very cold way and ignoring the butler’s surprise, he turned to leave Cornwall Manor.

When Evan returned to the church, Sheriff Chandler was still waiting for him there. When he saw Evan’s figure, his eyes lit up and he quickly stood up to greet him.

“Oh my dear Reverend, why did you come back at this time? I want to tell you about a happy event. This case is now completely solved, the murderer is Mrs Lawrence. I asked her maid, Laura. Mrs Lawrence had gotten into an argument with little John before and she even hit her cute little John. What an interesting discovery, won’t you say?” Sheriff Chandler feigned a funny smile.

Evan’s mind was still occupied by Duke Wilson’s blunt attitude and he had no time to pay attention to this matter, so he waved his hand impatiently, “You don’t have to tell me these things. If you have the evidence, you can send the murderer to the gallows.”

Sheriff Chandler didn’t pay attention to Evan’s attitude, he spoke excitedly, “Do you agree with me?”

“Yes, I agree.” For now, Evan just wants to send the long-winded sheriff away.

Sheriff Chandler was finally satisfied this time. Smiling, he gave Evan a pat on the shoulder and turned to leave the church.

Evan sat in the front row of the church, folded his hands and faced the statue of Jesus. It looked like he was praying but he was really thinking about the day’s events in his mind. Why did Duke Wilson drive him away so rudely? Did Dr. Hester say something? Evan’s mind was in disarray.

Evan had a very tormented night. While thinking about his behaviour in the past days, he reflected on whether he had behaved properly that day. Before he had gone upstairs at the manor, he was full of confidence that Duke Wilson still treated him well. The duke must have had a good impression of him, otherwise he would have reprimanded Butler Chris who had made his own decisions. But things changed when he came back downstairs.

Before this happened, Dr. Hester was the only one who spoke to the duke, so it was definitely something Dr. Hester said that changed the duke’s attitude.

Evan made up his mind, he must find out what Dr. Hester said.

Evan had not gotten the time to implement his plan when, early the next morning, a huge scandal rapidly spread through Delanlier.

Mrs Lawrence had been arrested by the sheriff on the suspicion of killing her own son, John Lawrence.

It was like the most incredible burlesque-like situation and it caused a huge stir in Delanlier. It was only at this moment that Evan remembered the speech the sheriff made the afternoon before and his whole being became fidgety.

It was at this time that Mrs Sanders came back to the church.

Mrs Sanders was no longer looking as haggard and weak as she looked when Evan last saw her. Although her face was pale, her expression was firm. She was wearing a light gray skirt with a coat wrapped around her shoulders. Mr Chandler stood behind her with a worried look on his face.

She looked at Evan, the sadness in her eyes almost overflowing, “Reverend Bruce, I know that you have a very good relationship with Sheriff Chandler. Please tell him that I want to see Mrs Lawrence. After that, I will tell him everything I know. This matter is very important!”

Evan stiffened, he had made some guesses before. Could Mrs Sanders really….

“Is your body okay?” Evan asked, pretending not to know.

Mrs Sanders looked at Evan with her eyes full of mirth, “Reverend Bruce, you’re a noble person and you don’t want to expose my shame. But I believe you must have guessed that I have a secret in my heart. Please tell Sheriff Chandler what I said, I just want to see Mrs Lawrence now.”

Embarrassed, Evan opened his mouth but he found that he couldn’t say anything in the end. Mrs Sanders is a smart person but unfortunately, she thinks too much.

“I see, I will make the arrangements for you. Please wait for a moment.” After saying this, Evan left the church.

On the way to Sheriff Chandler’s house, Evan was thinking about this matter, it would seem that his guess has been confirmed. Then if it is as he guessed, the suspicion on Mrs Lawrence is even more serious.

This is like a disaster. Evan cursed in his heart. He never thought that a good Mary Sue novel would turn into what it is now.

Sheriff Chandler was very impatient with Mrs Sanders’ request. He was still busy interrogating Mrs Lawrence, who was loudly blaming him. He had no time to pay attention to a parish secretary’s request but because of Evan, he thought about it.

“Reverend, Mrs Lawrence has been detained by the police. I’m afraid this matter will be difficult to handle.” Sheriff Chandler spoke with a bitter look on his face.

Evan knew he didn’t want to waste time, so he didn’t beat around the bush and spoke directly, “Don’t worry, this visit will definitely satisfy you. Mrs Sanders knows some very important information that you must know.”

Sheriff Chandler’s eyes lit up when he heard this. He was currently in a dilemma in the interrogation of Mrs Lawrence because the lady was screaming herself hoarse like a mad woman, cursing with all the words she could think of, and did not listen to what he said at all.

“Since that’s the case, then I think the police can provide the appropriate facilities but I’ll also ask Mrs Sanders to provide some really beneficial information.” This case has really frightened Sheriff Chandler.

Evan smiled, “Of course Sheriff, trust me, you won’t be disappointed.”

With Evan’s smooth coaxing, Sheriff Chandler agreed to the matter but considering Mrs Sanders’ health, Delanlier Church was chosen as the place of the meeting.

When Sheriff Chandler brought Mrs Lawrence out, Evan almost couldn’t believe what he saw. The person in front of him was no longer the arrogant Mrs Lawrence. Her gorgeous clothes were now ragged and her face didn’t have its usual arrogance. She had become neurotic, she was thinner and her high cheekbones made her already unbeautiful face even more mean. (T/n : I don’t think ‘unbeautiful’ is a word but that’s what I got)

When she saw Evan, it was like she had seen a life-saving straw. She jumped up and grabbed Evan’s hands tightly, “Reverend Bruce, please help me, these thugs are accusing me of killing my son! That’s my little John! How could I have killed him!”

Evan was a little embarrassed but he didn’t pull his hand out of her grasp, he just spoke calmly, “Madam, don’t worry. If you didn’t do this, then no one can send you to the gallows.”

Mrs Lawrence’s eyes were filled with horror, she didn’t believe Evan’s nonsense at all but she didn’t have the chance to say any more. Sheriff Chandler took her to sit in the carriage that would take her to the church and she disappeared from Evan’s sight in the carriage.

“Reverend Bruce, I’m so sorry. Mrs Lawrence is really an unreasonable woman.” Sheriff Chandler smiled apologetically.

Evan slightly curved the corners of his mouth, the expression on his face was very gentle, “You shouldn’t say that about a lady. Although she has likely made a big mistake, she is still a child of God and she should be treated equally. It’s still very possible that she’s innocent.”

“It’s very possible?” Surprised, Sheriff Chandler looked at Evan, “Mrs Lawrence’s crime is already done, Reverend.”

Evan lowered his head, he still has some uncertainties about this matter. “Since that’s the case, I won’t make any judgments until the judge makes his judgment.”

Sheriff Chandler sighed, “You’re really a kind-hearted person. Even with this, you will not give up on a lost lamb. Reverend, you will become a great priest in the future.”

Evan smiled. His goal is not just to be a great priest.

Sheriff Chandler and Evan returned to the church and the carriage that held Mrs Lawrence had just arrived when they got there.

Mrs Lawrence didn’t know who she was going to see but when she saw Mrs Sanders, she seemed to have been hit by something and she almost fell down.

Fortunately, someone behind her supported her, which prevented a tragedy.

“My lady, what’s the matter with you?” Mrs Sanders stared at Mrs Lawrence coldly, with deep hatred in her eyes.

Mrs Lawrence was speechless. She stared at Mrs Sanders, as if there was something on her mind and she looked frightened.

“Sheriff,” Mrs Sanders turned her head to look at Evan and Sheriff Chandler, “Could you, please, give me a moment to talk to her?”