Guidebook for the Dark Duke

Chapter 27 - Autumn Hunt

“I sincerely look forward to your arrival.” The duke nodded with his face very plain but looking at his tightly clasped hands, Evan knew that the duke did not feel as plain as he appeared.

Evan finally sent the duke out of the church. (t/n : I still don’t like using this ‘sending out’, it somehow sounds rude to me) The duke’s carriage had been waiting at the door for a long time. Evan watched the duke leave before walking back.

There was a sudden urge in his heart. The duke was not as determined as he seemed and he must have a chance.

The autumn hunt would start a week later. Before that, Evan had a lot of preparations. In his last life, he could ride horses but he didn’t try to use firearms, so during this time, he got familiar with the firearms of this era.

In the process, the things that had troubled Evan before were brought up again by Mrs Sanders. The issue of the church accounts, the loss of a large amount of property, these could no longer be covered up and this matter must be resolved.

“Reverend, now that the Delanlier matter has passed, we must report to the church immediately. Both of us do not have the strength to deal with this matter.” Mrs Sanders was very worried.

Evan also agreed with the opinion of Mrs Sanders, “You’re very right, I will write to the bishop as soon as possible and I will also report my speculations to the bishop. I believe the diocese will soon have an opinion on how to deal with it.”

Mrs Sanders nodded, “You’re right.”

Since the two of them decided to do this, they first sealed up the ledgers of the parish so that the people sent to investigate could find it well. And at the same time, avoid ghosts in the church.

After Evan’s letter to the bishop was sent, the duke’s autumn hunt also started. Evan took the package that Mrs Sanders packed for him, took the carriage sent by the duke to pick him and went to Cornwall Manor.

When Evan arrived at Cornwall Manor, the manor was no longer as quiet as it used to be. There were horses neighing in the manor and dozens of carriages were gathered at the entrance of the manor, while Butler Chris organised the servants to drive the carriages into the manor in an orderly manner.

When he saw Evan, Butler Chris put down his work and hurried to meet him.

“Reverend Bruce, you’re here.” Evan nodded, “Butler Chris.”

“The duke is entertaining guests in the living room. Your presence will make the duke very happy.” Butler Chris said unexpectedly.

Evan raised his eyebrows, the words of Butler Chris’ were really meaningful.

“I’m also honoured to be invited by the duke.” Evan said warmly as if he didn’t understand anything.

Butler Chris’s expression flashed but he didn’t say anything in the end. He made a gesture of respect and led Evan into the castle.

When Evan entered, there were a lot of people in the living room, different gentlemen and ladies. Evan knew that most of them were nobles and only a few were gentlemen from Delanlier. Glancing around, Evan saw Mr Johnson, who is also the duke’s lawyer and also one of the people who was fortunate enough to be invited by the duke this time.

“Reverend Bruce.” Mr Johnson also saw Evan, he walked over with a smile and brought a glass of sherry for Evan.

Dumbfounded, Evan took the glass of wine from him. This strong consensus is really terrible because he doesn’t like drinking sherry very much.

“Where’s the duke?” He didn’t see the duke when he came in.

When he heard this, Mr Johnson looked uncomfortable.

“It seems that there is a problem with the Lord.”

Looking at the expression on Mr Johnson’s face, Evan frowned. Is there a problem with Edward?

“This is really surprising.” Evan looked at the stairs with a look of hesitation, unsure whether he wanted to go up and take a look.

Mr Johnson took a sip from his glass of champagne and didn’t say anything.

While Evan was hesitating, Duke Wilson appeared on the stairs and the noise around him died down instantly.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Duke Wilson’s tone was cold, “Welcome to Cornwall Manor.”

There were no ups and downs in the sentence but the accompanying applause was extremely warm.

Evan stood in the crowd, staring at Duke Wilson with an eager look as he stood on the landing. It’s really hard for him to extricate himself from the desire to conquer him.

Duke Wilson also saw Evan in the crowd, his expression softened as soon as he saw Evan and he even raised the corners of his lips slightly at Evan.

Evan bowed humbly but the determination in his heart grew firmer.

After the duke finished his welcome speech, he walked down the stairs. He was very skillful in blending in with the surrounding nobles. His social skills seemed completely inconsistent with his cold image.

Evan squinted as he watched him chatting with those people, feeling gloomy for some reason. He put down the wine glass in his hand, turned around and wanted to go out.

At this moment, Duke Wilson had finally ended the conversation with the nobles. As he walked through the crowd, he saw Evan leaving and quickly grabbed Evan’s wrist.

“Where are you going?” He looked at Evan anxiously.

Evan looked at the duke in surprise, “It’s a little stuffy in here so I wanted to go out for fresh air. Does the duke have any instructions?”

Annoyed, the duke let go of Evan’s hand when he heard this, “Sorry.” He looked embarrassed, “Why don’t I go out with you? The air in here is indeed a little suffocating.”

Evan nodded with a good temper.

Both of them left the living room through the french windows on the terrace. The sun outside was very bright and the green grass looked very vibrant under the sunlight.

“How did you arrange the hunt this time?” The silence made Evan embarrassed so he could only find something to say.

Duke Wilson’s stiff face finally eased, “The hunting will last for a week. In the morning, we’ll go hunting in the mountains behind the manor. In the afternoon, the gentlemen will play cricket together.”

Evan felt relieved and heaved a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he could play cricket otherwise, he would be embarrassed.

“I see.” Evan smiled, “I just heard from Mr Johnson that there was a problem with the Lord. I don’t know what’s going on now?”

Duke Wilson’s face sank when he heard the question, “I’ve let you worry. Edward is a bit of a noisy fool.”

“Noisy?” Evan was surprised, “Lord Edward has always been a very obedient child. How can he be a fool?”

Surprised, the duke gave Evan a subtle look and it took a while for him to answer, “Edward attaches great importance to the relationship between you and Alia.”

Surprised, Evan looked at the duke, “Lord Edward, he…”

Duke Wilson looked annoyed, “Reverend, I’m really sorry. I don’t know who taught him such a thing.”

Evan basically understood what the duke meant and he couldn’t help laughing a little, “Lord Duke, you don’t have to be like this. Lord Edward is still a child and would always like to use a child’s imagination to imagine a perfect world. I understand such imagination, you don’t need to be so angry.”

Duke Wilson sighed with relief, “You are really a generous person.”

Evan smiled and didn’t say much.

After the reception on the first day, the ladies and gentlemen who were present all stayed in Cornwall Manor and Evan was no exception but he was a little more special than others. The room he would stay in was located next to the duke’s room. For a small town priest, it was a great honour. Even Mr Johnson looked at Evan with a look of astonishment.

Evan didn’t look too excited. He accepted this arrangement almost indifferently. His expression didn’t change when he spied on the looks the nobles gave him.

Butler Chris personally led Evan to his room. Evan looked around. The white and soft carpet, and the light coloured bed linen were almost the same as those in his bedroom in the parsonage.

Evan felt a chill go down his back. Could it be that the duke was watching him? Has he blackened to this point? Evan stood in the same place, trembling. His plan this time must be successful, otherwise things will be very troublesome in the future.

With a heavy heart, Evan unpacked the things he brought. He was about to go downstairs for his meal when there was a knock on his door.

Evan thought it was the duke who came to call him for dinner but when he opened the door, he realised that he was wrong.

Standing at the door is a very handsome young man. In fact, it is not appropriate to say that he is handsome, it may be more appropriate to say that he is beautiful. He is obviously a man but his appearance would make a woman ashamed.

Delicate facial features and fair skin made the person look feminine and the light blonde hair was very dazzling.

He looked at Evan with a cold look and spoke with an impatient tone, “Reverend Bruce, Mr Johnson wants to see you.”

Evan came back to his senses and he suddenly remembered that this person is Mr Johnson’s secretary. Rael White is a very famous handsome man in Delanlier.

“Mr Johnson?” Evan didn’t like the young man’s attitude so his face didn’t look very friendly, “What does he want to see me for?”

Rael may have never met anyone who treated him with indifference like this. He bit his lower lip with a look of grievance in his beautiful eyes, “He said he wants to talk to you about the church’s land .”

Church’s land? If Evan remembers correctly, this is probably the biggest source of income for the church. What does Mr Johnson mean by talking to him about this?

“Okay, I see. I will go to him after dinner.” Evan’s face was still unfriendly.

Rael frowned, looked at Evan for a moment before leaving with some dissatisfaction.

Watching Rael leave, Evan sneered. What he hates the most is the kind of person who thinks that the whole world should like him. In his philosophy of life, if a person wants something, he must work hard, keep planning and approach these plans step by step with all his strength. This is his life goal and he must hold it in his hand tightly.