Guidebook for the Dark Duke

Chapter 34 - Suicide

Mr Johnson actually died? Evan looked at the duke in disbelief, “This, how is this possible?”

Duke Wilson sighed and helped Evan sit up on the bed before saying, “Sheriff Chandler went to Mr Johnson’s house this afternoon and found him dead in his bed.”

Evan’s thoughts flew in his mind but there was no trace on his face. He even drew a sign of the cross on his chest with some regret, “God bless, this is terrible.”

Duke Wilson looked at Evan’s pale face and he couldn’t bear it. In his mind, Evan was completely a white moonlight that could not see blood. He could hardly bear to let him hear such bloody news.

But Evan didn’t feel anything but surprise about this result. How could Mr Johnson suddenly die? Evan didn’t expect this outcome at all.

“Mr Johnson…” Evan’s tone was hesitant, “How did Mr Johnson die?” After thinking about it, he decided to ask this question.

Duke Wilson sat on the chair beside Evan’s bed but his eyes moved away from Evan’s pale face with a guilty conscience. But he concentrated when he heard this question.

“He committed suicide.” Duke Wilson’s tone was disdainful, “Even though he is a Christian, he is a coward.”

“Suicide?” Evan was even more surprised. How could Mr Johnson commit suicide?

“Did he leave a note to explain why?” Evan continued his questions.

Duke Wilson raised his eyebrows when he mentioned this, “Of course he did, but it’s just full of those clichés. He admitted to all his crimes, including the embezzlement of the church’s money. He didn’t dare to use the check I gave him, he just wanted to make a last-ditch effort but he was defeated by his cowardice in the end.”

The doubts in Evan’s heart deepened. This is not like what Mr Johnson would do. He had the courage to lie to the duke, how could he give up his life so easily?

“Are you really sure about this?” Evan lowered his eyes, he still had doubts.

Surprised, Duke Wilson looked at Evan. He didn’t realise that Evan would ask such a question.

“Of course.” Duke Wilson’s tone became hesitant, “He committed suicide by taking poison, the suicide note was placed by his pillow. His wife was not at home, the room was locked and the key was in his pocket. This must be suicide.”

Looking at Duke Wilson’s expression, Evan’s thoughts were fluctuating. Maybe it was absolutely impossible for the people of Duke Wilson’s era, but for Evan who had been educated in modern society, this is not absolute.

“How will this matter be handled?” Evan asked cautiously.

Duke Wilson paused for a moment before speaking, “Mr Johnson’s body has been taken away by Sheriff Chandler and it will be buried after the autopsy.”

There should be an investigation. Even if there will be a burial, it will have to wait until he recovers, after all, Mr Johnson is a Christian and his parishioner. Although he committed suicide and made a big mistake, the church still has to make a statement.

Evan lowered his head in thought while the duke looked at him with some hesitation. After a long silence, the duke finally spoke, “Will you preside over Johnson’s funeral?”

Evan was still deep in his thoughts so without paying attention, he replied, “Of course I will.”

After he said this, he came back to his senses and looked at Duke Wilson subconsciously, only to find the duke looking at him tenderly.

“You… don’t you hate his behaviour?” The duke looked at Evan with a complicated look in his eyes.

Evan didn’t realise what the duke’s intention for asking was so he just replied according to the character he’d set before, “Mr Johnson’s behaviour is indeed not worthy of praise but he’s God’s own after all and God will not give up on any lost soul easily. And as God’s messenger, I will naturally not give up.”

Evan subconsciously used his most tender expression as he was speaking. The duke was really stunned. He looked straight at Evan and the complex expression he had made Evan’s back cold.

“You, what’s wrong with you?” Evan asked cautiously, he felt uneasy in his heart.

Instantly, Duke Wilson retracted his gaze, he lowered his head and looked down at the floor, as if a flower would bloom there.

“It’s nothing. You’re a really tolerant person.” Duke Wilson’s tone was normal but Evan noticed that something was wrong.

“It’s just what I should do. You flatter me.” Now is not the time to investigate the issue so Evan still said what he should say.

The two didn’t talk about it anymore. Because it was already very late, Duke Wilson left. Evan frowned as he watched the duke leave. He noticed that the duke’s attitude towards him had changed slightly, the duke did not like and admire him as clearly as he used to. The duke now has an expression in his eyes that he couldn’t understand.

The next morning, Evan was eating in his room. Although Tom was being fussy, he was very thoughtful, especially in serving Evan.

Evan had breakfast in bed and read for a while before the duke came to see him again.

Evan looked at the duke and felt that he was being weird. Although his attitude was still the same as before, he felt that the way the duke looked at him was different from before.

But even so, Evan’s strategy for the duke has not changed, because in his opinion, the duke’s overall change is still beneficial to himself.

Evan and Duke Wilson talked for a while about the knowledge of several books, which can be regarded as spiritual communication. Evan tried his best to elevate his image higher. This is also thanks to his accumulated knowledge from his previous life and this life. With early preparation, Evan can also get in line with the duke in terms of reading.

After both of them had talked for a while, a servant came in with a report.

“My lord, Mrs Johnson asks to see you.” The person who came to report is Thomas, the manservant the duke wanted to send to Evan.

“Mrs Johnson?” The duke put Evan’s book down, “What is she here for?” The duke frowned, disgust was evident in his eyes.

Thomas sensed the duke’s rejection clearly, so he started trembling.

“She…She came to see Reverend Bruce.”

“What?” Duke Wilson suddenly stood up from the chair, “She actually dared to come and see Reverend Bruce?”

Evan was also surprised. Without a personal friendship existing between them, Mrs Johnson came to see him at such a sensitive period, this made Evan confused.

“She…” Evan paused with obvious hesitation, “Did she say anything?”

Evan’s words broke the tension and relieved Thomas from the pressure. He was about to reply but the duke spoke first.

“With this kind of person, you don’t need to ask anymore. Just let her go. Does she want to ask for Reverend Bruce’s forgiveness for those things?” Duke Wilson said bluntly with a very contemptuous expression.

Evan frowned, Duke Wilson’s reaction is normal but he still felt that something was wrong.

“Lord Duke.” Evan decided to appease the duke first, “Mrs Johnson did nothing wrong. Since she came to seek the Lord’s help, I should not refuse her. Let her come in.”

Evan turned sideways as he leaned on the cushion, the awkward posture made him really uncomfortable.

Duke Wilson looked at Evan with disapproval but there was a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

“Reverend, you’re too kind which makes these people have no fear of you.”

The intimacy revealed in Duke Wilson’s tone was captured by Evan.

Evan’s lips showed an imperceptible smile, he bowed his head slightly and said warmly, “You really flatter me. Let Mrs Johnson come in first, I also have something to ask her.”

Listening to him, there was a flash of clarity in Duke Wilson’s eyes. Mr Johnson did so many things and Evan still had to give the church an account, and the person who knew the most about it would be Mrs Johnson.

“Okay then, let her in.” Duke Wilson said to Thomas with a cold face.

Thomas shivered and quickly lowered his head and said, “Yes.”

After Thomas left, the atmosphere between Evan and Duke Wilson became a little subtle.

“What do you think of Mrs Johnson’s visit?” Duke Wilson was the first to speak.

Evan frowned, “Mrs Johnson and Mr Johnson had a close relationship. Mr Johnson committed suicide this time, which is also a tragedy for Mrs Johnson. She should have come to seek the Lord’s help.”

Evan said this cautiously but the duke sneered unabashedly, “Your guesses about human nature are too simple. Although the Johnsons seem to be close, as far as I know, Mr Johnson has been having lovers outside for a long time. Mrs Johnson is not a fuel-efficient lamp. These two people were just in harmony on the surface.”

This was the first time Evan heard about this so he was really surprised.

“How could this be? This is really…” The look on Evan’s face was indescribable.

Duke Wilson saw him like this, his expression softened and he spoke in a warm voice, “A person like you can’t understand his dirty heart. Reverend Bruce, I hope that when you talk to Mrs Johnson, you won’t be deceived by her. An honest person like you can’t deal with these hateful demons.”

Evan could hardly stop himself from laughing, this would be the first time someone felt that he’s an honest person…

Evan pursed his lips. Just as he was about to say something, he heard a voice from outside and Mrs Johnson came in. Evan froze and raised his head.

The woman at the door looked like she was in her 30s, with a gentle expression and a soft appearance. She was wearing an elegant and simple light purple dress. She walked in behind the servant and walked slowly till she got to about five steps in front of the duke, raised the corners of her skirt, bent her knees and said softly, “Lord Duke.”

Duke Wilson looked at the woman in front of him with a cold expression with his lips curved in disgust. Finally, in a charitable manner, he raised his hand allowing Mrs Johnson to stand up straight.

Evan watched this scene and lowered his head. The difference between the levels of the social statuses of this world is so obvious that he must grasp everything he can in order to climb to the top.