Chapter 16: 16

It was already dark by the time Evan returned to the church with a bunch of candles. Because Mrs Sanders has been away these days, deacon George has been the one helping him light the church. At this time, when he saw him come back with candles, his face flashed with happiness.

“Oh, Reverend, you actually bought candles. I was just worrying about not having enough candles in the church. This is great.”

Evan couldn’t laugh at this moment. He just gave George a stiff nod, turned and entered the church.

George looked at Evan’s back and frowned for some unknown reason. He had never seen Reverend Bruce behaving like this and looked so embarrassed.

Evan entered the church’s living room and collapsed on the chair. He hugged his head in annoyance. He completely offended Duke Wilson today.

All his efforts he’d made had become useless today.

Evan clenched his fist tightly, his mood very low. He really didn’t expect that such a thing would happen today.

Evan felt very irritated. He wasn’t sure about what the duke would think about what happened this time. If the duke had already blackened, it would have been absolutely impossible for him to leave that place alive today but the duke let him go. It means that the duke has not completely blackened and he still has a glimmer of hope.

Evan raised his head from between his arms. He had countless lovers in his last life, and he has rich experience in dealing with different people. Since the duke is still rational, based on his own experience, he can still get him.

Evan’s mood finally improved and the previous depression he felt had also dissipated a lot because of the strong hope in his heart. He understands the image he has in the duke’s eyes and he would try his best to maintain this image in the future. His doubts completely disappeared.

Evan did a great job in the prayers that evening and even George, who knew him well, couldn’t help looking at him a few times, having a feeling that something was wrong but he couldn’t tell what was actually wrong.

*********

The next day was the day of John’s burial. The cloud that plagued the entire town of Delanlier was finally settling today. As the priest of the small town, Evan must preside over the funeral so Evan was extra careful that day. He chose his newest priest’s robe and asked Mrs Haydn to iron it several times before he wore it.

Evan had just left the house and had not gotten time to say goodbye to the servants in the home when Sheriff Chandler’s carriage stopped in front of him. He pulled Evan’s arm with one hand and wanted to pull him into the carriage. Surprised, Evan stopped his movement and asked, “Sheriff, what’s the matter with you?”

With his breath uneven, Sheriff Chandler looked at Evan and replied, “There is a lady from London who’s here for John’s funeral.”

Evan was surprised, “Is that the one Mrs Lawrence wanted him to marry?”

Sheriff Chandler nodded, “I believe that John’s depravity that Amy was talking about is definitely related to this lady. Maybe this lady seduced John into doing something dishonorable. You know, the girls of London are different from ours.”

Evan felt like laughing, “Sheriff, you’re worrying too much. I believe that the lady Mrs Lawrence likes is definitely not from an ordinary family and she won’t do these things.”

Evan actually wanted to directly tell the sheriff what he knows. Unfortunately, when Jimmy told him these things, it was during a confessional. And as a clergyman, he could not violate his professional ethics.

Embarrassed, Sheriff Chandler rubbed his head and spoke with frustration, “You’re right, but….” His eyes suddenly lit up, “But, since she came to attend John’s funeral in person, isn’t that good? It shows that she still has some feelings for John, so my inference is not unreasonable.”

For a moment, Evan had no words for a rebuttal, but he really didn’t want to see an innocent woman caught in a storm of rumors especially when he knows the truth.

“Sheriff Chandler, I think you still need to handle this matter with caution.” Evan chose his words carefully. “This matter concerns the reputation of a lady, you can’t jump to conclusions like this. Miss Alia is a good proof.”

Speaking of Alia, Sheriff Chandler blushed. Doctor Hester has been reluctant to take the initiative to speak to him.

“You’re right, I’m too eager. But this matter hasn’t been resolved for so long and it’s making me feel really uncomfortable.” Sheriff Chandler frowned.

Evan smiled lightly, “You’re a very capable sheriff. In my opinion, John’s death this time is a tragedy, he doesn’t have any enemies who can kill him and he lives in a very simple environment. But he was found murdered in his bedroom which is really unbelievable. But, we may also think about it in a different way. Sometimes, it’s not only hate but also love that can cause people’s death in this world.”

Speechless, Sheriff Chandler stared at Evan for a while but he had some vague understanding. Amy’s confession had made him focus on Mr Lawrence and his wife, but with Evan saying this again, is it true? Yes….

Sheriff Chandler was a little panicked. He always thought he lived in a quiet town, so he didn’t expect that such dirty things would be nakedly exposed. It felt a little unbelievable to Sheriff Chandler.

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“Reverend, your thoughts are too crazy.” Sheriff Chandler said dryly.

Evan just smiled, the seed of doubt had been planted and only after getting some evidence would it take root and sprout.

“Okay, I’m just casually talking about these things. You don’t have to take it seriously. I still have a funeral to preside over today. If you have anything to say, please come back to see me after the funeral.” Evan got rid of Sheriff Chandler’s restraint, and walked towards the church.

John’s funeral was sad and solemn. Mr Lawrence and his wife looked like they had been drained of life, both looked like they were ten years older.

Especially Mrs Lawrence, she was really grief-stricken. She was wearing a long black dress which made her slender body look even smaller. Although Mr Lawrence looked like he was in bad spirits, he still stood upright. He stood there holding onto Mrs Lawrence’s hand tightly, letting her rest half of her body on him.

Evan turned to look at the strange lady standing behind Mrs Lawrence. She was also wearing a long black dress and a hat with black gauze on her head, covering half of her face but it could still be seen from the outline of her face that she was very beautiful.

Evan’s eyes flickered, it seemed that this was the lady from London that Sheriff Chandler was talking about.

Evan stood quietly by the altar, waiting for the arrival of the town’s people.

What he didn’t expect was that Alia would be there too. She wore a dark green dress with the lace ribbon that John gave her in her hair, she walked in with her hand in Dr. Hester’s arm.

As soon as she walked in, Mrs Lawrence’s scream rang out. “Reverend! Get her out of here! I don’t want this woman to be at my son’s funeral.”

Evan was startled and he hurried forward. He stopped Mrs Lawrence, who looked like she wanted to beat someone, and said loudly, “Please calm down, do you want to beat someone in the church?”

Mrs Lawrence was already very weak so when she was stopped by Evan, her momentum weakened.

“My God!” Mrs Lawrence was tired and cried on the ground, “My poor John liked this woman so much, but what did he get in the end! Betrayal! Death!”

Mr Lawrence quickly lowered his body to help her up but his hand was slapped away by Mrs Lawrence.

“You weak man!” She glared at Mr Lawrence, “Your son was killed but you didn’t dare to say a word. I’m sure my little John was killed by this bitch! Reverend Bruce, why doesn’t God punish this vicious woman!”

Mrs Lawrence was almost hysterical and Mr Lawrence’s face was flushed but he couldn’t say anything.

In the side, Dr. Hester heard her insulting Alia and wanted to step forward to explain but was stopped by Alia, whose eyes were full of tears.

“My dear lady, John is dead. I am very grateful for his feelings for me before, but….but a person’s feelings cannot be changed. I have a friendship with John, and I regard him as a brother and a friend but I can’t treat him as a lover. My love can’t be maintained with gratitude, just like the pain in your heart can’t be treated with medicine. I don’t regret the decision I made and please understand that my rejection of John’s love was not a betrayal, it was just to prevent him from getting hurt in an unfair marriage contract. At the same time, I dare to swear to God that I didn’t kill John and if I’m telling the slightest lie, let me die and go to hell!” (For some weird reason, I’m actually starting to dislike this Alia, I don’t know why. The speech and the timing just doesn’t sit well with me.)

Alia’s sonorous words stunned the whole church, including Evan.

You must know that the people of this time are very devout in their religious beliefs. It does not just take great strength but it also takes great courage to say that they will go to hell after death. The heroine, Alia, naturally possesses these two qualities.

Mrs Lawrence stared at Alia in disbelief, as if she was looking at a monster. Just as her lips shook and she tried to say something, a voice suddenly came from the door.

“I heard….there should be a funeral.” The tone was low and calm with a hint of casual indifference. This voice was a unique voice in the whole town of Delanlier and everyone in the church heard it. They knew who it was.

It was Duke Wilson!

 

 

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