[Comprehensive Classics] Detective Mary

Sir Blackwood sent an invitation to a banquet.

To go or not to go?This is a question worth considering.

After receiving the invitation letter, Mary did not rush to tell Catherine and Lydia, but thought about it on her own: First of all, it can be determined that Sir Blackwood is a member of the Illuminati, and he is probably a core member. He is definitely not a good person.There must be something wrong with Mary approaching when it is obvious that she is assisting Sherlock Holmes in investigating Sykes' madness.

However, on the other hand, he took the initiative to approach him instead of directly murdering her, which meant that Sir Blackwood was either afraid, or thought that Mary had more clues, or had other plans.

In any case, Sir Blackwood used this method to test Mary, and Mary could also take advantage of his courtship to get more clues.

The second is...Mary had to admit that Sir was personable and handsome, not to mention he had a title, he was a golden bachelor that any lady would have a crush on.This also means that his social circle is wider and more respectable.

It's impossible for all of Jazz's friends to be members of the Illuminati, right?

If she hadn't hoped that her remaining three daughters would marry decent men, Mrs. Bennet would not have allowed Mary to move to London.Even if Mary wasn't interested in those gentlemen, she still had two younger sisters.

Can't let Catherine and Lydia stay in Serpentine Street every day and never go out. Mary doesn't care whether to marry or not, but the two sisters do.

Especially Lydia, Mary saw that she was very enthusiastic about the design draft, and this was a good opportunity to show her talents.

After such considerations, Mary thought that even if it was clearly a "grand banquet", it was worth her risk—so she decided to agree to Sir Blackwood's invitation.

While replying to Sir, Mary did not forget to explain the situation to Mr. Holmes.

And Holmes quickly replied, it was still a telegram with only one sentence: "The decision is right, there may be clues."

But it gave Mary a lot of confidence, just...

Considering Sir Blackwood's status, Mary felt that his friends should be some big names with great reputations—or at least rich people like Mr. Darcy.

And the Bennet family is just the daughter of a squire. Even if Mary traveled from the 21st century, it doesn't mean that she understands the social etiquette and customs of the upper class.

Fortunately, she didn't worry for long.

Ms. Irene Adler, who lived next door, heard about this, and said without hesitation: "Don't worry, gentlemen and ladies in the upper class are also human beings, and they need to eat and breathe like everyone else. What's the big deal? I'll help you buy them everything."

——So, what kind of angel is she?

Mary was very moved: "Then are you coming, Irene? You are so famous in the Paris Opera House, it is estimated that many opera-loving aristocrats want to see your beauty and have a few words with you."

Erin just smiled when she heard the words.

She still had the tender look on her face: "I have seen so many opera-loving nobles, let me be alone in London for a few days, Mary. Besides, I came to London for the devil's heel, the Illuminati, can you Not to be seen or not to be seen."

Also.

In the case of Sir Blackwood's malicious intentions, it is better not to involve more people.

Irene found Lydia and specifically asked her to bring her own designs.The famous soprano singer of the Paris Opera House in France is naturally also a social master who dresses fashionable and chats happily with countless dignitaries and nobles.She selected a few more suitable styles from Lydia's design drafts, pointed out the modification plan, and explained to Lydia all the recent styles of dresses and dresses that are popular in Paris' high society.

Since getting Mary's advice, Lydia has devoted herself to her "career".However, no matter how fashionable women's clothing is in London, can it still be more fashionable than Paris?

Hearing the fashion news taught by Irene, Lydia can't wait to stare at the stars.In addition, this is designing a banquet dress for herself, she is full of energy, and after returning home, she locks herself in the bedroom for a full day to revise the design draft.

When she was finished, Mary invited an embroiderer to sew the clothes.

These are all under Lydia's hands!

Mary had not seen Lydia in such high spirits since Wickham left Meryton.The exuberant, domineering Lydia of yesteryear is back — but on a brighter note.

In order to ensure the quality while rushing to work, Lydia decided to go to the battle herself despite hiring an embroiderer.While she was busy with needlework, she unceremoniously instructed the embroiderer to work.On a normal day, Mary would definitely have to taunt her for oppressing others with a little power, but Mary stayed in Lydia's bedroom for a few more minutes, and immediately realized that the situation was not what she imagined.

Although Lydia spoke bluntly, she also spared no effort to point out the embroiderers and teach them new stitches and sewing methods.At the beginning, these experienced seamstresses disdain Lydia, a single lady, for "teaching experience", but these professional women workers also have an extraordinary understanding of sewing skills. , Can't help showing admiration for her.

The Bennet girl finally regains her long-damaged self-esteem in her beloved sewing.

Mary did not interfere with Lydia's work anymore, and she and Catherine went to visit Irene again and listened to her explain the etiquette and customs of high society in detail.

The short period of a few short weeks is naturally impossible to compare with the noble ladies who have received a "decent education" since childhood, but Mary didn't expect to be able to amaze the audience at first—she is not beautiful, nor is she famous. Family background, the purpose of attending the banquet is not to attract the attention of others.Especially when my sisters are all prettier than me, as long as I don't make a fool of myself and don't hold back the Bennet family, that's fine.

In any case, it must be worthy of Lydia's elaborate dress.

From Longbourn to Milton, and then from Milton to London, Lydia, who loves balls and society, has not attended any banquet for half a year.Her passion turned into action, most evident in...the dress was beautifully designed.

Even though Mary, the third sister, was still listed in the ranks of "disgusting people" in her mind, the dress in front of Mary still caught her eyes.

As early as when Milton helped Mary revise men's clothing, Mary noticed that Lydia's design ideas were quite avant-garde, and the skirt presented to her also inherited Lydia's style as always.

The skirt is still a Victorian dress, the same as the dresses seen in documentaries before Mary traveled through time—more than gorgeous, but not practical.Lydia chose her favorite plain style for Mary. The beige fabric is matched with not so much lace and skirt pleats, which maintains a decent style and also looks fresh and elegant.

What's more, because Mary is not tall, she is the shortest of the five Bennet sisters.So Lydia slightly raised the waistline for Mary's skirt. The waistline a little higher than the standard scale raised the visual focus of the whole skirt a lot, and elongated Mary's whole body line.

It's a pity that in the [-]th century, there was basically no difference between women showing their ankles and calves and going out naked. Otherwise, Mary might have suggested that Lydia should cut the skirt length a little bit to complement the raised waistline.

And Lydia's careful preparation was not in vain.

Although Elizabeth was still on her honeymoon with her husband, Mr. Darcy, at Pemberley Manor, the four remaining Bennet daughters still amazed everyone when they appeared at the banquet.

Especially Lydia.

She was already good-looking, young and lively.What happened in the past six months finally made her a little more stable, and under Irene's careful reminders, although she still couldn't speak elegantly, and she was comfortable when talking to big people, she was neither humble nor overbearing, showing a Immediately the proper gesture of a 16-year-old unmarried lady.

Seeing her twinkling eyes, Mary felt inexplicably complicated—what is going on with this feeling of being full of old mothers!

But after being depressed for so long, finally seeing Lydia's bright and unscrupulous smiling face again, even if Mary didn't like her little sister any more, she secretly felt relieved.

She can focus on business now.Mary didn't come to the party for fun.

Just when she was thinking about how to talk to Sir Blackwood, as the host of the banquet, Sir still found Mary in the interval between entertaining several important figures.

"Miss Mary."

Sir Blackwood stepped across the crowd and walked directly towards Mary.At the banquet, he still wore a seemingly simple dress, but the luxurious satin and comfortable fabrics still showed the wealth and status of the banquet host.

"Thank you for coming," he said politely, "You are really radiant today."

"is it?"

Mary just smiled. "I'm nowhere near my sisters."

Sir Blackwood shook his head: "I have to admit that several of your sisters have more attractive appearances than you, but maybe you haven't noticed, Miss Mary, that you have a special temperament that they don't have. This also makes you stand out among the crowd. Extraordinary."

"Thank you for your compliment, sir," Mary replied dryly.

But she obviously didn't take Jazz's words to heart.Realizing this, Sir Blackwood raised his eyebrows, restrained his friendly smile, and became extremely serious.

He seemed to want to say something to prove his point of view, but Mary was not in the mood to listen to him complimenting herself, but took the first step: "Are Mr. Brownlow, who adopted Oliver, and his aunt, Miss Louzi, present? Although I have never seen him." I have lived with that poor child, but I still want to meet the kind people who helped him."

"That's natural."

Knowing that Mary was changing the subject, Sir Blackwood did not refuse her request.

Sir raised his elbow: "Please follow me, Miss Mary, besides Mr. Brownlow and Miss Louzi, there are many gentlemen and ladies who wish to make acquaintance with you."

"Please, sir."

Just before Mary stretched out her hand, ready to take Sir's arm.Just as her fingertips touched the fabric of Blackwood's clothes, a thin figure strode over and stopped between Sir and Mary.

"As host, you still have quite a few guests to entertain, sir."

Mary's eyes widened at the familiar voice.

Like the other gentlemen at the banquet, Sherlock Holmes wore a black tailcoat and white tie, and his black hair was still neatly pulled back.He looked stern, nodded politely to Sir Blackwood, and turned his pale eyes to Mary.

"I also know many of the guests present, how about I introduce them to Miss Mary?"