The Happy Life of a Duchess

Adele's brief confusion did not last for too long.

She has to spend her energy on socializing and dancing in front of her. At this time, whether it is the British court dance or the French folk customs, it is a new and unfamiliar content for her. She is not yet proficient enough to just With muscle memory, I danced without any mistakes.

Although for most people, as long as they don't step on their partner's feet, even a small mistake or lack of movement is not a big problem, Adele still doesn't want to make such an embarrassing mistake. mistake.

She quickly lost herself in the music.

The gentlemen who can take the initiative to invite her to dance are not stupid, at least not the kind of people who can't speak for a long time. When they want to please, their witty talk amuses Adele more than once, and she is also relaxed You don't need to think too much about the topic, you just need to follow the other party's wishes and give them a chance to show off——

This method is suitable for almost most of the gentlemen.

No man can resist the instinctive urge to brag about his achievements in front of a beautiful woman. They are eager to show their best side, and Adele no matter whether she listens carefully, asks questions with a smile or gives a little approval Watching, will make them feel very self-invigorated.

So, after the first half of the dance was over and it got dark, it was time for a break.

Most of the men who danced with her have a very good impression of her, thinking that she is a kind, gentle, beautiful, funny and understanding noble lady, with admirable noble qualities.

Of course, they would not blatantly boast that her family background is equally rich and that she would have a generous dowry, which would make them look utilitarian and foul-smelling, and their sense of shame and morality would not allow them to express it like this, but Adele has every reason to believe that they are right Her high evaluation, in addition to satisfying their self-worship, is more about her identity and background.

As for the comments of the wives, perhaps only after the interview can some more authentic remarks be heard.

But as far as she is getting along with everyone, she is still very harmonious.

"It seems that you feel good?" Mariana took the time to talk to her in a low voice, and the polite smile on her face did not change at all.

"Of course, a great ball." Adele didn't hide her praise. She walked to the place where the snacks were placed, picked out a creme brulee and took a glass of champagne, and Marianne also took a glass of red wine.

Although the food has been taken one after another, there are also waiters who have been providing fresh food to ensure that the food on the table is in a more abundant and beautiful state.

For a serious dinner of soup, wait until around midnight, a common arrangement at private dances.

In the afternoon, there were only refreshments. Fortunately, Adele ate some whole wheat bread that was easier to fill her stomach, and she had several snacks in the afternoon.

"Is there any comparison..." Marianne smiled, "I see you danced twice with Mr. Gaston?"

"Yes, but I also danced a long piece with Mr. Castellana." Adele smiled. "I really like Mrs. Dressel, she is really interesting."

"Yes, she's very interesting," Mariana nodded approvingly, and quickly took another sip of her wine, "but their son... the eldest son's status is okay, but unfortunately he's already married, and the youngest son hasn't graduated from college yet , I can't see any climate."

Adele turned her gaze, and saw a certain "Mr. Smart" who was tasting wine after changing what was on hand.

"Okay, go get busy, I can do it by myself."

Adele urged Marianne with a smile, and she did find time to come over and ask a few questions.

Although there are many men and few women present, the young girl does not have to worry about not having a dance partner, but there will always be various things happening at a ball, she must always pay attention to all aspects, and make no mistakes, otherwise it will affect her housekeeper's reputation .

"Tsk, from the Baron's family..." Mariana didn't notice Adele's gaze, she was looking at the young lady of the Baron's family who was talking to Mr. Armand with an admiring face, and she concealed a part or two of her face very well ridicule.

Anyone can see that, with just one glance, the young lady of the Baron's family has taken a fancy to Armand, the youngest son of the Duval family, who is now a popular figure. I don't know if it is the family's instruction, but Marianne is quite disapproving of this.

Adele didn't know where this hostility came from at first, but later when she was playing cards with the wives, she heard Mrs. Castellana say that the baron's house was ahead of theirs, so go to the house first. Visited Duval's house and was first received by Mr. Duval.

At that time, everyone was laughing, and there seemed to be some other things mixed in this kind of laughter. Adele made everyone happy by giving away two cards in a row, and only after getting familiar with them did she tap into the truth from their words.

"Okay, don't rest for too long, I'll go over there and have a look." Mariana quickly restrained her expression, still looking like that amiable sister.

"Understood, sister, you can go to work." Adele smiled, hiding a little thought.

Mariana walked towards the place where the wives were playing cards. There was constant laughter, and the earliest news about the family and property of certain strange faces came from there.

Adele didn't doubt that Marianna was planning to go there to share gossip, and if she guessed correctly, nine out of ten she was going to speak ill of the baron's lady.

The baron's covetousness towards the Duval family was too obvious.

They not only paid a high-profile visit to the famous Duval's house before those with higher status than them, and after publicizing the matter, they also wanted to introduce their nephew to Miss Duval, and now they let their daughter Go and contact Mr. Armand again and again.

Of all the stupid things they do, the one that displeases women the most is—

Whether on purpose or not, the Baroness began to think of the family as Duval's best friends.

And she is really a woman who can't understand winks and can't speak, so she quickly offended the women present who were either of higher status than her or had a better reputation in the circle than her.

Duval's family is also good-tempered, because there is no mistress in charge, and the social aspect of the women's family is a little weak. Of course, they are not easy to clarify when they are newcomers. climbed up.

Others weren't so lucky.

What Mr. Duval showed was that he didn't want to get to know too rashly, and he didn't want to form an intimate relationship with the powerful and powerful in Paris right away, but right now he is a sweet mom, and everyone wants to have a relationship with him, but they don't know if it is Because of the rash actions of the Baron's family, it became impossible for them to start.

The women also wanted to make friends, but they couldn't directly contact the gentlemen. Miss Duval was sick and absent, so she was quite helpless.

Of course, Adele knew that the Angli family seemed to have the intention of cooperating with the Duval family, etc. Judging from Marianne's undisguised behavior of wanting to get acquainted with their family, there must be some profit schemes.

But Mariana didn't gain much after such a dance, so how could she not be angry.

Adele thought about it, and walked towards Mr. Duval.

He was no longer scribbling and drawing on paper with a pencil. Instead, he was gesturing leisurely while occasionally drinking a sip or two of wine from a silver cup.

She was sure he felt it when she approached him, but he just smiled at her.

Adele thought about it, and stopped at a place not too far from him, which was a position slightly beyond the social distance, and she just spoke from a distance:

"I heard that you don't like being approached by people, so can I come over?"

He froze for a moment, as if he was wondering where her words came from, and then he reacted with a smile and said:

"Then please allow me to say something unfair. My original words are that I don't like being disturbed when I am painting."

"So are you drawing now?" Adele tilted her head and looked at him amusedly.

"As you can see." He spread his hands, with a relaxed and gentle smile on his face, but Adele couldn't tell how real it was, "No."

"There is one more question." The other party's beautiful blue eyes focused on her, and even the smile on the corner of her mouth was strangely bewitching. Adele blinked her eyes to shake off the strange feeling from her mind , but she was sure that she admired a middle-aged gentleman like him, just in terms of appearance.

"Yes, please say." He stood up, with a bit of respect and a little joy.

Adele didn't know if this good mood was brought to him by herself, but talking to the other party did make her feel happy.

"Shall I ask the baroness to introduce me, sir?"

Adele asked this on purpose, and then turned her head to look in the direction of the baroness, and happened to see Marianne and the others laughing and talking to the baroness and the lady. They didn't hide this gesture, she could The certainty that they were gossiping about the Baron's family took a small hit from her good humor.

"Of course not." He denied it outright, Adele raised her eyebrows, and confirmed one more thing from his blunt response. The Baron's family really wanted to take the Duval's free ride, but unfortunately The Duvals didn't take over.

"Uh, or, I know you," he smiled and looked at Adele, "Miss Juradi is the most eye-catching and beautiful lady at the ball today."

"..." Adele froze for a moment, then smiled, "It's really my honor, this compliment will definitely make me happy for many days, thank you, Mr. Duval."

"It's an honor that you know me."

He saluted her with a smile, and after Adele raised her skirt in return, she approached.

"Can I see your work? To be honest, I have been curious for a long time." Adele looked at the canvas curiously.

"Is that why you keep looking at it?" Duval smiled and turned sideways, "I hope my work can be liked by you."

"..."

Adele didn't reply, she didn't know how to reply.

In fact, she was just not sure whether those several times of staring at each other was due to coincidence, or whether the two sides were just observing each other at that time, so they exchanged eyes in such a wonderful tacit understanding.

If it is said that the other party is actually looking at his son or observing the changes on the dance floor, that is completely reasonable. Since he wants to draw the current scene, there is no reason why he should not observe it. She does not want her to be the first The first time they met, they seemed self-indulgent.

"It's just a pencil sketch!"

Although judging from the composition of the lines, the painting already looks like a scene, and the characters are roughly outlined. In the center of the dance floor is the Angli couple who are the hosts, and there is a pair of characters next to him. Armand.

This is not realistic, but no one will mind this, and Adele believes that the cousin's family invited him or even agreed to him to paint here, not really to get a picture of him.

Adele doesn’t know much about painting, but realistic content is easier for her to understand, at least she can understand and appreciate it better than impressionist stuff. For her, “like enough” is already very good up.

Of course, Adele won't immediately bow her head and admit that this is really good.

She just turned her head to look at him and said mischievously:

"Do you want to get my likes just because of it?"