gentleman's manor

Early in the morning two days later, a large carriage stopped in front of my house.

When the tailor's clerk knocked on the door, Anna and I were watching through the window in amazement as they unloaded boxes of things from the carriage.

"Mr. Constantine? This is what Mr. Gary ordered from London. We sent a seamstress to measure the clothes for your lady." The male clerk said.

At this time Edward was coming from the next door, holding a black wooden cane in his hand, he took off his hat and saluted us very gracefully when he saw us, and then said to me: "It seems that the good tailor you asked me to introduce has arrived .”

The seamstress got off the carriage, curtseyed to us, and then looked at Anna with a smile: "Is this beautiful lady going to make a ball gown?"

Anna nodded with a smile, and said to me with some reproach: "Why didn't you say you were going to entertain guests today? I haven't prepared anything at home..."

The seamstress smiled heartily and said, "There is no need to prepare anything, we have everything here, just don't worry, miss, we will make you the most eye-catching lady in the whole ball."

Then she ordered the servants to carry boxes of things into the house, surrounded Anna and said, "If you don't mind, let's pick out the styles first. I brought a lot of styles that are popular in London."

Edward and I were alone in front of the gate, and I whispered to him, "You're amazing."

"It is impossible for you alone to arrange for your sister to stand out at the social ball." Edward said silently: "Fortunately, I have a countess mother and a viscountess sister. I have seen them prepare for balls and social events since I was a child, so I can do it a little bit." It’s better to provide some advice than Mr. Constantine doesn’t know anything, just make a fool of himself.”

After listening to his words, I looked at him gratefully, thinking that it was really the case.We don't have an older woman in the family to offer us advice and help, and if I just made Anna a few new clothes and sent her out into the world, I'd be stuck.If you don't know the unspoken rules among some upper-class women, you will be in trouble.

Obviously, such a huge project could not be completed in a small bedroom, and the entire living room was requisitioned.

Anna stood on a round shield, surrounded by maids, helping to compare various materials on her body.Edward and I sat on the sofa in front of her, listening to the seamstress introduce us.

"I don't know how many dresses your lady wants to order." asked the seamstress.

"Uh..." I looked at Edward.

"From the beginning of winter until the arrival of spring, at least a dozen dresses that can be seen are needed to cope with it, and new riding clothes are needed, as well as shoes, gloves, hand fans, headbands, etc. that match the dresses." Edward said.

Anna interrupted hastily, "I already have several new dresses, all newly made in the past two years, and they can be worn out."

"Oh! No! Mademoiselle," said the seamstress sharply. "This is a dress for the social season. Do you want to wear everyday clothes to the most important ball in your life?"

"Anna, we need to make adequate preparations." I looked at the tailor and said, "We will make fifteen sets of dresses, one set of riding clothes, and complete accessories. If there are not enough, we will summon you again."

The tailor smiled with satisfaction: "Yes, sir. I know several jewelry stores with reasonable prices. Does your lady need to make new jewelry?"

"No need, we have some jewellery, which can be used." I shook my head and said, I brought back some gold ornaments inlaid with rubies and sapphires from India. Although they were not exquisite, they looked expensive enough.

Then, we spent the morning choosing fabrics and dress styles.Several servants were commanded by the seamstress to circle around Anna holding up various materials.Although Anna was just standing, she was sweating from exhaustion.The seamstress was full of air, constantly asking Anna to change various poses, and then asked our opinion.

Edward had his own set of aesthetics, which he often suggested, which the seamstress adopted.And I couldn't help it, I really didn't understand why one of the two fabrics, both of which were made of white cotton, was elegant and the other was vulgar.After choosing all the materials and styles, Anna and I were deeply relieved, as if we were glad that it was finally over.

Then I went to the study room to discuss the price with the male clerk of the tailor shop. The dozen or so dresses were so expensive that my jaw almost dropped.

"We will inlaid precious decorations such as pearls on the corner pattern of the skirt, so the price will be more expensive." The male shop assistant raised his chin proudly and said: "We are the best tailor shop in London, and we strive to make the most exquisite The dress will satisfy the ladies and wives."

When I was about to give the check, the clerk waved his hand and said, "Mr. Gary has already paid in advance, we will rush to work as soon as possible, and deliver the ready-made clothes to the house before winter comes."

After the tailors had left, we had a quiet lunch and I decided to talk to Anna about social season and marriage.

I asked her to come to the study with me and sit opposite each other across a table.

It is very rare to have such a serious conversation in the study, so Anna seemed a little embarrassed.I was also a little worried about how to speak. I didn't start the conversation until the servant brought us tea.

"You're about to grow up, Anna, and you'll be a mature lady when you enter the social season, and you're about to talk about getting married," I said.

Anna's face was flushed, and she lowered her head vigorously, without saying a word.

"I have to remind you to choose your partner carefully. This is a major event related to lifelong happiness. At the same time, you must pay attention to your words and deeds, and try to be cautious to prevent outsiders from judging you."

"Yes, brother." Anna murmured.

I imitated the tone of my parents, said a few high-sounding written words, and then I was speechless.After all, I am a man. This kind of exhortation before sending a girl into society should be done by an older woman. It is really embarrassing for my brother to tell my sister, but who told us to lose it when we were very young? Mother.

"Do you...do you like Mr. Carlos?" I asked a stupid question.

My clumsy topic immediately caused an accident. Anna's face turned red instantly, and she hesitated, not daring to look up at me: "No...no...you...why would you think so..."

"I just...uh... the way you looked at him..."

After a while, Anna suddenly covered her face with a handkerchief, and sobbed softly: "I... am I ugly? Am I acting obvious? Everyone must be laughing at me, woo..."

"No, no, why would someone laugh at you? No one laughs at you." I got up in a panic and comforted her.

"But my brother sees that I like Mr. Carlos. I must be very stupid at ordinary times, always peeping at him. I am so stupid, woo...I am a big fool...Other people will talk about me, I will tell the family Disgraceful..."

"Don't cry, please Anna." I knelt in front of her on one knee and gently wiped away her tears: "No one will laugh at you. There are so many girls who have a crush on Mr. Carlos, and no one will." Watch yours."

Anna looked at me for a while, her eyes became redder, and she said sadly: "Yes, no one will notice me..."

I cried out to God, what a bad conversation, I'm getting her down more and more.But there was one thing I could do to cheer her up, so I said to her hastily: "Hey, Anna, don't be disappointed. We have a chance, and I've got four thousand pounds for your dowry. How about it? Not bad, right? Mr. Carlos will definitely pay attention to you when he knows the number of your dowry."

However, as soon as the words came out of my mouth, Anna stared at me with wide eyes: "Four thousand pounds! Where did you get so much money?"

"Uh... anyway... that's it, don't worry about it so much..." I said.

Anna stood up from the stool quickly, looked down at me, and said in horror, "Brother Adam! How did you get so much money? I know you don't have that much money, tell me quickly!"

Anna's expression turned pale, and her voice trembled nervously.

I hurriedly comforted her and said, "Don't be nervous, my dear. It's not money from unknown sources, I just borrowed part of it from someone."

Anna's face became even paler, she shook her head, and suddenly said loudly: "No! Don't borrow money! I don't want my brother to lend me money for my dowry!"

"Honey, this is only temporary, and I will pay it back slowly." I explained, "We need this money. You are the lady of the Constantine family, and you should have this amount of dowry. If the mother is still alive If so, she will definitely let you have a decent dowry, and personally choose an excellent husband who matches your status. Although she is no longer here, I will help her complete all of this."

Anna shook her head desperately, with tears welling up in her eyes. She was very emotional and objected loudly: "No! Just don't! What Miss Constantine, I'm not! I'm just a pastor's sister, we don't have that much money, why? You have to hold your face and do meaningless things! Do I have to let my brother be in debt to get married? Then I would rather not get married for the rest of my life!"

I was so annoyed, I didn't expect to cause such a big reaction from her, I grabbed her shoulder to comfort her and said: "It's nothing Anna, my annual salary will increase, and I will pay back the money. Besides, you know me You are a priest with a clear call for celibacy, if I don’t spend my money for you, who will I give it to?”

"No! It's just not possible!" Anna cried violently and objected fiercely.

"What about Mr. Carlos? If you want to marry Mr. Carlos, four thousand pounds may not be enough." I said.

Anna sobbed and said: "Who said that I will marry him, I never thought of marrying him."

"Why not? You love him, of course you can." I said to her, "Of course my sister has the right to pursue the person she loves, and I will fully support that."

"If you use the borrowed money to give me a dowry, I'll become a nun!" Anna cried and ran out of the study, and then quickly ran up the stairs under the watchful eyes of Edward and the servant.

I chased it out in embarrassment, unable to advance or retreat under the condemning eyes of everyone.

Edward was holding a cup of black tea at the time, and he was stunned when he saw this scene, and motioned for me to explain with his eyes.

I sat across from Edward, pressing my temples, and waved the servants back.

"I seem to have messed up a good thing. Anna didn't listen to my explanation at all. She didn't want me to borrow money to fill the dowry." I sighed: "What do you think should be done now? She misunderstood me."

Edward raised his eyebrows and said: "I think you misunderstood each other, you should have a good talk with her. As far as a gentleman is concerned, you have not handled this matter maturely, and you have never had a good communication with Miss Anna. , just make a decision based on your own thoughts, and you don’t even know what she thinks at all. It would be great if there was a lady here, who could help us ask her thoughts."

"I'll go to her room and have a look." I looked at the stairs and said.