Chapter 7: 7

Ever since he found out about the fireworks festival, Evan has been in a state of anxiety. He also tried hard to recall the description of the fireworks festival in the original book but regarding this, he only remembered vaguely that the heroine was there. There was a brief conversation with the male protagonist at the festival but the focus was completely placed on the relationship between the male and female protagonists, and the process of how the fireworks festival was held was not described at all. So, this is a complete blind spot for Evan.

In order to complete this festival in a better way, Evan read through some of the records of the previous priests on this issue. He spent a whole day reading in order to get a general idea of the complete process. Only then did he have some confidence in his heart, Mrs Sanders also contributed a lot to this. Evan had promised to conceal the matter about the previous priest which increased the admiration she had for Evan.

No matter how anxious Evan was, the day of the fireworks festival still arrived at the right time. This was the carnival of the town of Delanlier. All the land tenants put down their farming tools, all the gentlemen and people of status also let go of their restraints and gathered together at a vacant lot in the northern part of Delanlier.

Of course, the gentlemen and people of status all had viewing platforms with the best viewing angle built for them. They held their delicate and slender telescopes, elegantly watching the fireworks bloom in the sky. While the commoners had to huddle together, stretching out their necks and almost breaking them while looking at the sky.

Evan, wearing a solemn priest’s attire, stood in the centre of the open space. Following the usual procedure, they prayed first, thanking God for his blessings and Evan then gave his opening remarks.

Although Evan is not the best orator, he is the best actor. His emotional words gave his lacking speech some flavor and there was a desirable response. Evan, breathing a sigh of relief, announced the start of the fireworks festival and his task was finally completed.

Evan returned to the viewing platform and the seat reserved for him was right next to the seat of one of the town’s lawyers, Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson was a gentle middle-aged man. He fit the standards of the gentleman of this era, neatly dressed, sophisticated, well behaved and restrained in his speech.

“Reverend Bruce, that was a perfect speech.” Mr Johnson said with a smile.

Evan touched the button on his sleeve and said a few words of humility.

After that, he deliberately started a conversation with Mr Johnson. Mr Johnson was not just a lawyer in the small town but he is also the lawyer of Delanlier’s church who has been recognized by the church.

Evan felt that the lawyer should not know anything about the problems the church had with the accounts at this time.

He had a few words with Mr Johnson about lease of several lands owned by the church and he suddenly discovered that the church had quite a lot of assets. There was a lot of harvest and this made Evan relieved, at least he didn’t have to worry about the church’s food now.

Apart from this, no matter how Evan tried to ask questions about the accounts, the good lawyer would not answer. He either gave vague answers or just avoided talking about it. This piqued Evan’s curiosity. Is this lawyer really related to this case?

Evan looked at the lawyer from head to toe, he was dressed so perfectly that he dispelled the idea that the lawyer might be a thief. People in this era valued their reputation very much. Mr Johnson was not poor, it was impossible for him to steal so much money from the church’s finances.

But Evan is very sure that this Mr Johnson knows something about the matter.

Before Evan could inquire further, Duke Wilson arrived.

His arrival this time was not as flamboyant as the last time. He quietly walked to the main viewing platform. Only a few gentlemen and ladies in the main viewing platform noticed his arrival, including Evan of course.

But Evan didn’t walk up to him like those group of people. He waited until they had all finished with their greetings before walking up.

“Lord Duke,” Evan nodded slightly, “You’re welcome.”

Duke Wilson glanced at Evan and his impatient expression softened a bit. “Reverend Bruce, I’m very sorry I missed your opening speech.”

Evan smiled awkwardly, “You didn’t actually miss anything important.”

Duke Wilson couldn’t help laughing, “Reverend, how can you be so humble? I’m sure it wasn’t so bad.”

Evan had never seen Duke Wilson smile before, but he smiled this time and the change on his normally cold face was like spring water breaking through ice and Evan was a little stunned.

Duke Wilson also noticed his gaffe and quickly restrained his smile, he coughed lightly and said, “By the way, can I ask you to pay a visit to Cornwall Manor tomorrow? Last time, I didn’t have time to thank you for rescuing Edward so please pay a visit this time so I can.”

Evan was secretly rejoicing, it seemed that his previous actions have started yielding results.

“I just did what anyone with a conscience would do. Lord Duke doesn’t need to be so polite.” No matter how joyful Evan felt, he still looked like a gentleman.

Sure enough, there was a flash of admiration in the duke’s eyes. He smiled and said, “You’re too modest. I can guarantee that few people of those present can do such an heroic act like you did.” A trace of disdain flashed in Duke Wilson’s eyes as he looked around. He turned and said, “Besides, my invitation this time is not just for this matter, I have other considerations. So, no matter what, please come.”

There was a hint of hesitation in Evan’s eyes but he finally nodded.

It was only when the duke turned his head that a hint of joy showed in Evan’s eyes. Although Duke Wilson’s three views became problematic in the later parts of the book, he was still an easy person to get along with in the early stage.

Evan said a few more words to the duke and finally even sat down beside the duke.

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The people around watched this scene with astonishment. It was strange that a priest, who had only been around for less than two weeks, could become so familiar with the duke.

At the same time that this raised questions, the story that Evan had rescued Lord Edward also spread and everyone enviously looked at Reverend Bruce and felt he was lucky.

Although these people made it seem like what Evan did was no big deal, they would not have had an easy time dealing with such a situation.

It was very late by the time the festival ended. It was unusual but the duke stayed till the end. Evan escorted him to his carriage and was just about to say his goodbyes to the duke when the duke unexpectedly invited him into his carriage and proposed that Evan leave with him.

This came as a pleasant surprise to Evan. He refused at first but later accepted the offer.

Duke Wilson’s carriage is very spacious with a simple interior, lowkey and luxurious with the colors black and gold.

On the way from the venue to the parsonage, Evan and the duke talked a lot about literature. Although Evan had been a playboy in his previous life, ha had learnt everything a rich second generation should learn. He didn’t act timid before the duke.

By the time Evan was about to alight from the carriage, even Duke Wilson was surprised, “Reverend Bruce, I really didn’t expect that you would have read such a wide range of books. I thought…..” Duke Wilson’s tone became a little hesitant.

Evan blinked, “Do you think I only read books on religious studies?”

Duke Wilson coughed awkwardly but Evan just smiled, “Lord Duke, you must know that even Jesus was a learned person. When I was at Oxford, my classmates were quite knowledgeable.”

It just so happened that Evan and the original priest both graduated from Oxford University.

Duke Wilson raised his eyebrows in surprise, “You also studied at Oxford? I don’t recall ever seeing you.”

Evan knew that this would arouse the duke’s curiosity. You must know that in the original book, Duke Wilson said that his time at Oxford was filled with fond memories.

“I studied in the seminary and I was two levels below you. Naturally, you wouldn’t have met me.” Evan said with a smile.

Duke Wilson looked at Evan with more fondness in his expression. Anyone who sees this would think that they were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Who would think that they have only known each other for less than two weeks.

Evan got down from the duke’s carriage with Duke Wilson bidding him a sincere farewell. But Evan didn’t go in immediately, he stood at the door of the house quietly watching the duke’s carriage go until it was out of his sight, only then did he go in.

Human feelings are like this. No matter how deep they get, they are accumulated bit by bit from the beginning. Evan had an indescribable affection for the duke, naturally he will not miss such a good opportunity to show his hospitality.

Evan was really exhausted that night. Not only had he suffered mentally he had also lost his pocket watch and he hadn’t noticed that he’d lost it till he got home. It was his manservant, Tom, that had pointed it out when he was helping him undress. But Evan didn’t have the strength to agonise over this besides it was not a very valuable pocket watch. So when Tom wanted to call the police with indignation, Evan had stopped him, waving his hand to indicate that he didn’t need to. He still had another pocket watch anyway. It was very popular among the gentlemen in Delanlier.

Evan woke up a little late the next morning. He had just sat down at the dining table for breakfast when his servant, Tom ran in with his face pale like that of someone who had just seen a ghost.

“Reverend Bruce, Law…….Mr Lawrence is dead.”

Evan stood up in shock, the tableware in his hands dropped with a harsh sound which made Mrs Haydn complain.

“What did you say? Mr Lawrence is dead?!” Evan almost shouted ignoring Mrs Haydn’s complaints.

He really couldn’t believe that the arrogant Mr Lawrence would die. He clearly remembered that Mr Lawrence had made the heroine’s life uncomfortable later in the book.

Tom’s hands were shaking and he said stammering, “It’s true… it’s true, Reverend. I…I just met Jimmy, Mr Lawrence’s manservant. He told me.”

Jimmy? Evan had some doubts in his heart, “Which Mr Lawrence are you talking about?” He asked with a frown.

Tom became a little sluggish, looked at Evan blankly and murmured, “Uh, yes, it’s Mr John Lawrence.”

Hearing this name, Evan couldn’t help heaving a sigh of relief. It was just as good as the final result anyway. John was a cannon fodder, there was no difference between him dying earlier or later.

“I see.” Evan quickly calmed down, “You go out and call a carriage. I’ll go to the Lawrence’s house in ten minutes.”

After speaking, Evan went upstairs to change his clothes. John died but Tom didn’t mention if it was a suicide, murder or an accident. But according to Evan’s previous judgment on this young master, the possibility of it being a suicide was zero which meant that it was either a murder or an accident. And if Tom can be so shocked, it can only mean that it was a murder. Jimmy surely knows something otherwise he won’t purposefully tell his manservant. A dark light flashed in Evan’s eyes. This happened so suddenly.

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