Guidebook for the Dark Duke

Chapter 57 - Findings

Duke Wilson led Edward and Evan to the door of the restaurant, but at the moment they were about to enter through the door, Evan let go of Edward’s hand. Under this circumstance, for Evan, walking in like that was a bit outrageous. The people sitting in this room are not fools and some things cannot be overdone.

The moment Evan let go of Edward’s hand, the smile on Edward’s face froze but he concealed his differences very well. He didn’t even lift his head and followed Duke Wilson into the hall, while Evan walked in after a slight pause.

This birthday party was very successful. Although all the people who came were people of high class and status from Delanlier, no one could match the status and poise of Duke Wilson. Therefore, although it was only a child’s birthday party, the guests gave their congratulations as they looked so happy, except that they didn’t write on their foreheads to show how happy they were to be at the party.

But Duke Wilson was not in a good mood at all. Evan’s sudden announcement of his leaving made him upset. He didn’t want Evan to leave, but at the same time there was no good reason for him to stay. His bad mood made him feel suffocated.

Duke Wilson’s mood also affected the behaviour and attitude of the people around them. They were cautious when talking to the Duke, for fear of poking at the Duke’s painful point and hurting themselves in the process.

Evan didn’t seem to notice the Duke’s mood and he was still very relaxed. His seat was next to the Duke and on the seat on his other side was Sheriff Chandler. The Sheriff had finally solved the case this time and he was in very high spirits, he could not stop talking to Evan about his experience and the process of cracking the case.

Evan did not tire of listening to Sheriff Chandler’s flaunting words as if he was very interested, but he kept observing Duke Wilson from the corner of his eye. In the original book, Duke Wilson is not such a patient person, it seems that his plan is about to succeed.

After the dinner, the Duke sent all the guests away, and Edward was taken back to his room by the footman. Before he left, Edward glanced at Duke Wilson but in the end, he didn’t speak and just left quietly.

He is still in awe of his father and if Evan hadn’t comforted him when he was at his most vulnerable, he wouldn’t even have the courage to speak to Duke Wilson now.

Thinking of this, Edward’s eyes turned a little gloomy. Alia was definitely an uncertain factor. In Edward’s opinion, Alia was not someone who could be easily fooled and threatened.

After Edward went upstairs, only Duke Wilson and Evan were left on the sofa downstairs. Duke Wilson looked at Evan deeply, until Evan’s scalp felt numb, and he finally opened his mouth to speak.

“Evan, as your friend, I am very sorry for your decision to leave, but please remember that the door of Cornwall Manor will always be open to you.”

No matter how reluctant Duke Wilson was, at this time, he had no second option, because he wasn’t in the position to force Evan to stay.

Evan smiled softly and said warmly, “Your friendship has moved me very much. Please rest assured that even if I leave Cornwall Manor, my friendship with you will not change.”

Duke Wilson reluctantly let go. The corners of his lips were pursed, he is definitely still not in a good mood.

Evan chatted with the Duke for a few more minutes, and then went upstairs on the pretext of being sleepy. Today’s entertainment had already made him a little tired. Fighting wits and courage with Duke Wilson completely exhausted his energy. Coupled with this injury, he was really exhausted.

Duke Wilson sat alone in the wide hall. Butler Chris couldn’t help asking for instructions, “Lord Duke, it’s getting late, do you want to go and rest?”

“Leave, I’m going to sit here for a while.” Duke Wilson waved his hand coldly. He was waiting for someone and a piece of news at the same time.

Ederson had asked someone to send a message the day before yesterday, and the result of the investigation he asked for would be brought to him tonight at the latest.

Butler Chris is a competent butler and naturally he will not leave before everyone rests. He stood silently behind Duke Wilson and was not ready to leave.

Duke Wilson didn’t care either. The Chris family have served in the Duke’s mansion for three generations and the loyalty of the old housekeeper was beyond any doubt.

An hour later, when the clock struck midnight, a servant hurried in and reported, “My lord, the gatekeeper said there is a Mr Ederson outside, who has requested to see you.” Asking for a meeting at such a late night is a very indecent thing, not to mention disturbing the Duke.

“He said…he has something important to ask for, and he has your letter with him…” The servant quickly defended, fearing that the Duke would be angry.

There was no expression on the Duke’s face, and his tone was very calm, “Let him come in.”

The servant sighed with relief, and quickly backed out.

After a while, someone led Ederson in. At this time, Ederson was no longer as well put together as he was before. His hair was very messy, as if it had been swept by the wind and his clothes were also somewhat wrinkled. It looked like he came after a long journey, his face was pale and it seemed that he had suffered a lot.

“Lord Duke.” Ederson’s etiquette was still perfect.

Duke Wilson raised his hand, “Go on.” His tone was very cold, but his slightly trembling hands hidden in his sleeves betrayed his true emotions.

Ederson didn’t see the Duke’s hands, so he didn’t understand the Duke’s true emotions. He sorted out the thoughts in his head and reported the results of his investigation in the past few days to the Duke but this time he didn’t dare make random speculations like the last time, and he honestly reported all the objective facts he had investigated to the Duke.

Duke Wilson was still frowning at first, but the expression on his face gradually softened a lot in the end. Ederson’s expression looked a little weird. To be honest, in his investigation this time, even he felt a little weird. He still couldn’t see through the relationship between Ford and Bruce. Back then, the two friends declared that Ford was a despicable homosexual and spread the rumours, but the two were just purely jealous of Ford and it had nothing to do with Reverend Bruce.

And Ford’s father, the venerable earl, had also approached Reverend Bruce. This matter was very secret at that time. He found the earl’s private secretary from back then and it was only through some special means that he came to know about the meeting. It’s just that, what was said in the past, only the earl and Reverend Bruce know.

And looking at the Duke’s reaction now, maybe the Duke also knows.

A dim light flashed in Ederson’s eyes. He clenched his fist and concealed the unwillingness in his eyes. The last time he lost the trust of the Duke, this time he could only be a man with his tail between his legs in order for him to be trusted again, but he would have to see who made him so embarrassed.

And Duke Wilson got the answer he wanted. He waved at Ederson with a soothing expression and said, “Okay, you did a good job this time. You can go.”

Ederson instantly recovered, he bowed to the Duke, turned and left the hall.

After Ederson left, Duke Wilson also stood up. Ederson’s investigation results were in line with Evan’s remarks. Although he is leaving Cornwall Manor, he is still in Delanlier, Duke Wilson comforted himself.

Most importantly, Evan is still the same Evan.

******

The Duke’s good mood continued until the next morning and even Evan was very surprised to see the Duke’s bright appearance. Does he not care about me leaving? Evan had this doubt, but when he saw Ederson’s respectful figure, Evan immediately knew what had caused it. It seemed that the matter had been resolved and Duke Wilson had verified and accepted his words. Evan smiled happily. It’s time to completely solve the tricky character, Ford .

Evan left the next afternoon, and Duke Wilson took him back to the parsonage himself in a carriage. The servants, Mrs Sanders and the assistant priest greeted Evan at the door of the cottage, especially Mrs. Sanders, there was a rare soft color on her cold face.

“Reverend, welcome back.” Mrs Sanders said warmly, looking at Evan as he got off the carriage.

Evan walked to Mrs Sanders and nodded slightly, “My dear lady, I am flattered by your welcome.”

Duke Wilson sat in the carriage watching this scene, and for some reason felt a little dazzled. After Evan got down from the carriage, he didn’t get down too, he just opened the carriage door and said in a low voice, “Reverend Bruce, then I’ll leave first.”

Evan was a little surprised, but still kept his etiquette, “Thank you very much for sending me back. Please go slowly.”

As Duke Wilson’s carriage left, Mrs Sanders’ brows were furrowed.

“Reverend Bruce.” Mrs Sanders’ tone was a little hesitant, “How were you at the duke’s Manor these past days?” Duke Wilson was so rude the last time, which surprised Mrs Sanders.

Evan naturally guessed what Mrs Sanders was thinking about and smiled, “My lady, please rest assured, I have been very happy in the duke’s Manor these past days. But the duke is really busy at this time, that is why he left in a hurry.”

Mrs Sanders’ complexion was much better now. She looked at Evan, who was pale, and sighed, “Your luck is really bad, you just went for an autumn hunt and you didn’t come back until early winter. Next time, you must not go hunting again, it is too dangerous.”

Evan nodded with a smile, but secretly thought to himself, there will be no such exciting hunt next time.

Everyone crowded Evan into the cottage. The cottage was well taken care of. It didn’t look like no one lived there for a long time. Evan looked at the things in the cottage and they were the same as before he left. Having a servant is really good, he can go on trips with confidence in the future.

Mrs Haydn had already prepared a table of food and Evan praised her very much. The smile on Mrs Haydn’s face almost didn’t stop. This grumpy lady could turn soft in front of Evan.

Several people were enjoying their dinner happily. At this time, Billy, the errand boy, suddenly came in. Mrs Haydn’s face sank immediately. “Reverend, that Mr Ford is here.”

Evan’s original soft expression finally sank at this moment.