Chapter 2 Chapter two

Lydie sat in the chair in the study where her father had sat, and was busy counting the latest receipts in the ledger.At this time, Isa is using their only domestic servants-two maids and a cook-to do routine cleaning and repair work.Ever since they couldn't afford more help, Isa was always juggling, doing jobs that women of her stature usually didn't have to.Anjohn left only a small amount of family property, and the annual income from the estate was hardly enough for them to live frugally. Liddy worked very hard to manage the meager possessions, taking care of tenants and servants.It's quite a tiring responsibility, saving and saving again and again and never getting out of debt.The house had begun to reflect their straitened surroundings, but it hadn't lost its splendor.Anjia's house and all the furniture have shown signs of age but have been lovingly cared for.The wooden window mullions were wiped clean, and the faded rugs and trim were kept spotless.

How wonderful it would be if the house could be restored to its former beauty!Liddy feels guilty for not marrying a rich man who made her dreams come true.Her mother should have had an easier, more comfortable life.Liddy understands that she is selfish and only thinks about what she wants, regardless of the needs of her family and loved ones. But she just couldn't help loving Jace, and couldn't help dreaming of living with him.She couldn't stand a cold, practical, arranged marriage, and the mere thought of it was horrible. While Liddy was staring at her neatly written long row of numbers, she heard a muffled knock at the door.One of the maids answered the door, followed by Isha's cry of pleasure.Lydia put down her pen curiously and walked out of the study.She walked to the aisle of the hall and stopped in surprise.Her mother and a maid were holding aloft a large bouquet, trying to place it on a mahogany table in the middle of the hall.

"It's beautiful!" said Liddy, her eyes widening in amazement. Isha ran towards her, a card in her hand. "This is for you. Here! You must read it at once!" Liddy smiled at her mother's enthusiasm, and opened the card. "Thank you for the kind gift you gave Dody - Airy Dai" The bouquet was made of pink orchids like the one she had pinned to Doddy's dress last night.Liddy stared in awe at the large and expensive bouquet.No one has ever paid such attention.She slowly handed the card to Isa, and took out a flower from the group of flowers, stroking the beautifully curvy flower.

"He's coming to see us as soon as possible," Isa said triumphantly. "I'm willing to bet my life." Liddy simply didn't know how to feel. "I suppose I should have no objection, but I don't see the reason—" "Sir Dai is interested in you, Lidi!" With a flash of thought, Isa began to think about practical issues. "We've got to rearrange the furniture, replace the worn knit seat with the good one upstairs - oh! And the cook will prepare some pastries and biscuits when he comes..." She hurried to the kitchen away, while Liddy was still staring at the flowers in bewilderment.

To Isa's surprise, Sir Dai did not visit.Although Lydia breathed a sigh of relief for herself, seeing her mother's expectations gradually fade away, she became more and more angry with Dai Rui.Unfortunately, this seems to have strengthened Issa's resolve to rent a house in London for the social season.So far, Liddy is still trying to dissuade her mother, but she knows that her mother has not given up her hope. From the pile of invitations she had received, Isa picked out some to attend, and insisted that Liddy accompany her to a ball hosted by a friend in London. "We have been absent from the Wu family's annual dance party." Yisha said with emphasis. "And this year is even more important to us."

"What's special this year?" Liddy asked helplessly. "Because Mrs. Wu mentioned to me in her letter that several of the most valuable bachelors have been invited - including Sir Day." "I'm not interested in Sir Day or anyone else except—" "Don't say that name," Isha begged, covering her ears with her hands. "Please promise me to attend, Liddy, for my sake." The Wu family's house in London is elegantly decorated, full of French flavor, rich paintings and silk curtains, and exquisite tables and chairs complement each other.The dance floor was shiny with wax, and the air smelled of wax and flowers.

The scene was so luxurious that Liddy was secretly glad that she was wearing her only new dress this season, a silky white dress with a mint green veil on top.The bodice is cut in the trendiest way, with the waist line at least two inches lower than last year's style, which emphasizes her round bust as a whole, with soft pleats hanging down her waist.Her jet-black hair was curled up and coiled like a crown on top of her head.Her hairstyle uses a surprising number of barrettes to try and hold the silky curls in place.Her hair is soft and thin, and it is difficult to maintain it for a long time.

Lidi greeted Wu's family politely, and then accompanied her mother to the snack room.They chatted with friends, eating delicacies from china plates, while music streamed from the dance floor room to surround them. Drawn by this intoxicating melody, Lidi unconsciously walked to the door and looked towards the dance floor.The couple danced to the beat of the music, crossing the floor with graceful steps while smiling at each other.She recalled the first time Sui Jing danced with Jess, it was at a similar ball.He hugged her into his arms without anyone's introduction, ignoring her surprised laughter. "You... who are you?" At that time, she was incoherent, following his dance steps mechanically.He looked sinister and sullen and graceful, so different from the other nice men who had courted her that night.

"My name doesn't matter," he replied then, looking at her with a smile. "Your ones don't matter either." "What?" His audacity surprised her. "It's important that we exist for each other." "You don't even know me!" she exclaimed. "I know you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, and you can tell me the rest later." In this way, Jess swept into her life with a seductive magic power that no one could match, and stole her heart again.He made her feel beautiful and cute and special.Liddy watched the dancers wistfully, her heart consumed by the past. "Come back to me, Jace," she murmured. "come back--"

"Miss An." A calm voice woke her up from her contemplation.She looked up quickly, and saw Ser Dairy standing before her.He was as handsome as she remembered, with eagle-like facial features, and a gaze that seemed to be able to see through her mind.His blond hair was brushed back from his face, but one lock fell on his forehead.Wearing a dark blue coat, a crisp white tie, and cream trousers, he looks eye-catching and dignified.Even in his relaxed and still state, he still gives people a strong and powerful feeling.That made her want to stay away. "Still clinging to your absent lover?" he asked.

"I didn't stick to it," she said with great dignity. "I'm waiting." "How can you be sure that he is not with other people, Miss An? Maybe at this moment, he is embracing another woman. " For his teasing, she responded with a cold expression. "I'm starting to find your words offensive, ser." She paused, then added reluctantly, "But thank you for the flowers." He smiled and reached out to her. "Would it be an honor to dance with you, Miss An?" "No, I'm so sorry." She looked away, clutching the little dance card in her fist. He didn't argue, just shrugged. "Okay, greetings to you and Lingtang." "Thank you," she whispered, watching him walk away.For a moment she regretted it a little, that dancing didn't mean anything, that she might still enjoy it, but she didn't want to encourage Ari to give her mother false expectations. "Liddy?" Her mother appeared beside her. "I saw you talking to Sir Dai! What did he say?" "Nothing, Mom. He was just saying hello." As Dairy approached a group of young women and their guardians, there was a ripple of female giggles in the room.His younger sister, Dotty, was also among them, and she took his hand, pulling him to join the conversation of the companions.A few minutes later, he escorted an attractive blonde onto the dance floor, bowed formally, and danced a waltz with her in his arms.Dai Ai Rui is a rare dance forest master, leading his dance partner swaying. Liddy looked away with difficulty, with suspicion and an incomprehensible twinge of jealousy.For some reason, she was suddenly mad at Jace, Dairy, and all the men in the world.She didn't want to see these high-spirited girls trying to get rich - she wanted some quiet, private place away from the music and the boring talk. She slipped out of the room after her mother had conversed intently with a few old friends.She is very familiar with Wu's house and knows where she should go.After slipping out of the ballroom, first the card room, where older gentlemen liked to hang out, and then the hunting room, where men liked to stay and smoke, she went straight to the row of guest rooms at the other end of the house. Finding a small room with no one there, Lidi closed the door behind her with a sigh of relief.The room was quiet and dark save for the wood burning in the fireplace.She took off her long white gloves, threw them carelessly on the floor, and stretched her clean hands over the fire.At least, she can have a few minutes of peace. The door opened quietly, so quietly that she hadn't heard it.A man's voice startled her suddenly, and she turned away with wide eyes. "It's not proper to be alone here, Miss An." Daryl walked into the room and closed the door.As he approached, the bouncing firelight shone on his face, sharpening the contours and angles of his face.His eyes scanned her figure, the white silk and a light layer of green tulle moderately emphasized her petite figure. Lydia regained her composure from her surprise with a slightly sarcastic answer. "It is not proper for you to stay here with me, my lord. I should be very grateful if you would go away. I do not need your company." "There are only two possible reasons. One is that you find me unattractive—and I don't." Liddy was both amused and offended. "You think very highly of yourself, don't you?" "Another reason is that you think you're in love with another man." "I do love another man." "Is there no one who can make you forget him?" "Not even for a minute." "He's apparently the only man you've ever kissed." "I've kissed more than a dozen men." She lied coldly. A smile suddenly shone in his eyes. "Wish I had been one of them." She folded her hands on her chest and frowned at him. "Please leave, my lord." Arie reached out to smooth out a small crease in her dress.The touch was light but intimate, making her heart beat uncontrollably faster. "I hope you're not afraid of me." "Of course not," she said with difficulty, desperate to move away from him, but determined to stand her ground. "I'm mad at you." The teasing smile still stayed in his eyes. "Wait a minute and you'll be even angrier." "Why—" Before she could regain her senses, she was suddenly grabbed by his steel-like arms, and her hands were trapped between their bodies.She drew in a sharp breath and opened her mouth to scream, but his mouth quickly closed over hers.She writhed and struggled, but could not escape his grasp.She threw her head back and a lock of hair slipped from her bun and fell on her face.One or two hairpins fell on the carpeted floor.Dai Rui paused, relaxed his grip, and brushed her hair behind her ears.Liddy stared at him in shock. "Let me go," she murmured. His face suddenly turned grim, his gray-green eyes shaded by golden lashes.His palms slid to the back of her neck and held her gently, and then his mouth returned to her lips.A voice of denial sounded in her body—no!She belonged to Jace, she felt nothing for anyone else—but when he tenderly devoured her lips, she became a willing prisoner, without a thought in her mind.When he finally looked up, she could barely stand on her own. The last time someone kissed her was Jace, and now this stranger wiped away that sweet memory.She stared at him, her lungs breathing hard, her legs shaking.She expected to see a look of contemptuous triumph on his face, but there seemed to be just the same confusion as hers. "Miss An—" Lydia waved her hand abruptly, only feeling her palm touch his cheek.If she had strength, the slap would have been more severe, but this palm had already made her hand ache.She turned hard to run away, but Dairy put an arm around her waist, slowly brought her stiff hand close to his face, and pressed his mouth into her reddened palm.His lips pressed against her skin. This sudden action made Lidie stunned, and she stood there letting her hand be held. What connects them now is a secret, that kiss...a memory that must be thrown away and forgotten.She would never admit to the feelings that kiss aroused.She had betrayed Jace, to react like that to a stranger.She was both surprised and ashamed of her behavior. His bright eyes looked into hers as he spoke calmly. "You will forget him, Miss An, and I will make you forget him." Liddy jerked away from his hand and staggered hastily out of the room.She quickly groped for the doorknob, turned the door hastily, and ran out of the room. Days later, the kiss at the Wu's ball still tormented Liddy.She couldn't think of Dai Ai Rui, and the feeling of his lips covering her, and the way he hugged her tightly.She dreamed of him kissing her over and over while she writhed in his arms with joy and shame.To make matters worse, Jace gradually disappeared from her dreams until she could barely remember what he looked like.The memory of Jace's dark pupils had been replaced by a pair of gray-green eyes, and his charming quip had been replaced by the memory of Diary kissing her palm after she had slapped him. Of course she didn't tell her mother all this - she was too ashamed of herself.A good young girl shouldn't allow a man she barely knows to do to her.What's more, this will only strengthen Isha's determination to find her a husband.Issa is busy arranging a stay in London against her daughter's objections. You've been gone too long, Jace, Liddy thought wretchedly, her head buried in the cluttered surface of her desk.Why do you ask me to wait while you disappear without a trace?You must come back to me quickly.She didn't know how long she could resist strongly under her mother's insistence and her own weakness.She is lonely, vulnerable and unable to withstand temptation. "Liddy," Isa rushed into the study, flushed and breathing terribly.She held a letter high in her hand, and then hurriedly handed it over. "You won't believe it—see for yourself—" "What is this?" Liddy asked with concern, rushing towards her. "Bad news?" "No, no, just the opposite!" Isa couldn't restrain her excitement, and forced the letter into her hand. Liddy took the letter paper and lowered her head, reading it quickly.After the first paragraph, she paused and looked at her mother in bewilderment. "It was written by the Duchess Day." "Yes, back to the letter I wrote her last week. Go on, read it!" "Dear Isha, I hope you don't have to bother with renting a house in London anymore.That's hardly necessary, because there are still many empty rooms in the Dai family house.I hope that you and Lingmei will give me the honor to come and live with my family in my house.I'm sure Doddy will be delighted to be with Liddy, and I hope Liddy feels the same! The family consisted of Deja and I, Dotty, and Deja's brother, Kenley, who had lived with us since his wife's death two years ago.I'm sure it's good for him, and for all of us as a family, adding two new faces will liven up our lives.I admit that I am also making this request for selfish reasons.I really wish I had a dear old friend with whom I could talk about the old days, the happy days, the days when your dear husband and my beloved son, Ed, were still alive.In our memories, they are still young and vibrant, aren't they?Please tell me you would like to come, Isa..." Liddy stopped reading and put the letter aside.She said in a firm voice, "I can't, Mother. You must think this is the best thing for you, but I can't go." "Okay, you'll go," Isa said, turning hard. "I'm not going to let you pass up a great opportunity to go to the best dance and dinner of the season and meet every worthy man in London and watch you bury yourself here—" "And staying at Dai's is the best way to meet Sir Dai, isn't it?" Liddy asked sarcastically. "I'm not interested in him, Mom!" "Then choose someone else—you can choose Jace if he does come back. But in the meantime, you have to live with me at the Dai's and spend the season there." "Who will look after and manage the property while we're gone?" "It's as well taken care of as it gets from London, we can always find something." "Mom, it's impractical and inconvenient—" "This time I want you to rejuvenate and absolve you of responsibility," Isha said firmly. "You've been deprived of so much of your precious youth! I want you to have a few months of the fun you deserve, and I hope your dad doesn't—" "Please don't talk about Papa," Liddy said, her stubbornness fading.She sat dejectedly in the chair in front of the desk, examining the pile of work on the table. "Let's stop arguing about it, Mom. Can't you accept the fact that I don't want anyone but Jace?" "Accept that my daughter will have no husband, no children, no home of her own, just because a scoundrel once made a wrong promise to her? I can't do it!" Stared at her intently. "Come and live with me at Dai's. I won't ask for anything else, dear. Even if it's for me, to appease my worries about you. Please don't refuse me, Liddy." Day's house is located in the upper section of Geffen Street, separated from Hyde Park by a thick tree wall.The design of the house is elegant, with tall Greek-style colonnades in front and a row of Greek-style windows, making each room airy and sunny.Inside, in the main hall, there is a wide curved staircase leading to the second and third floors.Glittering statues adorn the blue and white walls, as well as dazzling paintings in ornate frames.The duchess had come to welcome them before Lydie had time to fully absorb the grandeur of the place. The Duchess hugged Isa first, while Liddy watched them shyly from behind.Julie—that's what Isa called her—was a slender, beautiful woman with hair as fair as Doddy's. "My God! Isa," she cried. "You haven't changed a bit in ten years!" "Oh, I've changed," Isa replied, putting on a strange expression, looking at her body that was full of comfort. "You haven't changed, Julie dear, you're just as slender as ever. How can I forgive you?" Julie smiled and turned to Liddy. "Isa, your daughter is so beautiful! She is very much like you, but I can still see some of John's heritage." She stepped forward, put her arms around Liddy, and embraced her like a gust of wind, exuding a delicate fragrance. fragrance. "I'm so glad you're coming to live with us, honey," she whispered. "My two children are so fond of you." Liddy blushed and didn't know how to answer. "Liddy!" Dotty's flying blond hair suddenly appeared, and her delicate face shone with light. "You are finally here! Come, let me show you around while the maid is still packing your luggage." Just then, another person appeared, a tall dark-haired man in his forties.He emerged from the hallway on the second floor and stopped on the stairs when he saw them.There are some silver hairs on his sideburns, his thin face seems unhappy, and the lines around his mouth clearly reveal his sarcasm and disappointment in life. "Who are you?" He asked gruffly when he saw the two strangers. Julie blushed in embarrassment, and quickly smoothed over the embarrassing situation. "Ken Ray," she said softly. "They are the guests I have mentioned to you—my dear friend Mrs. Ann and her daughter Lydie." He glanced at them uninterestedly, and for a moment longer at Isa.Then he whispered a word of welcome and walked away on his own. Julie frowned slightly and said, "You'll have to forgive Kenley," and when he was gone, she added, "Usually he's a lot more polite than he was before." "I hope so." Isa said briskly, shaking her head disapprovingly. Dody smiled softly and led Liddy upstairs, while Julie led Isa into the living room. "I have to apologize for Ken Ray," Julie said again, once they were seated in elegant French chairs. "Two years ago, before his wife O'Day died of an unexpected fever, he He was a charming and kind person. He loved her very much, and losing her would be a devastating blow. After the funeral, Deja and I invited him to live with us, and the family seemed to give him some small consolation. But he seemed He's a lone ranger, and most of the time we hardly feel he's here." She shrugged gracefully, with a hint of sadness on her lips. "I don't think Kenley will remarry again. Since Audrey's death, he hasn't shown any interest in women—I mean, noble women." The man may have been rude, but Isa still had some sympathy for him. "When a person is old, it is very difficult to live without a companion." She expressed her feelings. "At least I have a daughter, which is more comforting." "Are you going to remarry, Isha?" "No way, God!" Isa laughed at the thought. "No one can replace John. I just want to see Liddy happily married and have children and grandchildren for the rest of my life, and I will be satisfied." "But you're young and attractive!" Julie exclaimed. "You can easily find a husband, I know a few people of good standing, age and status-" "No, no," Isa said with a smile. "I just want to find a good son-in-law for Lidi, and I don't even want to find a suitor for myself." "Your tone is as stubborn as Kenley's. It seems that I must concentrate on helping Liddy hold the red line." As for Liddy going upstairs with Dody, Liddy casually looked at the surroundings with a slightly uneasy expression, worrying that Dai Rui might appear suddenly. "Doddy," she asked cautiously. "Does your brother live with your family, too?" "Ai Rui? No, he lives in a house in the city near Ball Hall." Dotty smiled slyly and added: "Now that you live with us, I guess he will come back more often. " Liddy frowned unconsciously. "Oh." Dotty gave her a puzzled look. "You seem a little panicked. Alas, I thought all the women in the world were eager to capture my brother!" "Your brother is charming," Liddy admitted, speaking as objectively as she could. "It's just that my heart already belongs." "Really?" Dotty grimaced. "It's not good. I hope Ai Rui will marry a girl like you one day. You are very sweet and natural, and the conversation is very interesting. Most of the girls who pester him are very artificial." Dotty paused, proudly Said, "You know, he's the best target of the season." After a long but pleasant chat with Julie, Issa swapped her travel outfit for a plain blue dress.Living at an old friend's house was relaxing, a brief respite from the annoying chores she and Liddy had to deal with on a daily basis.This trip should be helpful to Lydia, at least it can expand her life experience and see that life still has many possibilities. Isa headed down the grand staircase, but stopped before a large gilded mirror adorning the cloister.She saw a few strands of her hair falling out of the clips, and she reached out to comb them.She wanted her appearance to be well-groomed, without a stray hair or a stain on her clothing.The sound of footsteps was sucked out by the carpet, so she didn't hear anyone approaching until a man was almost behind her. After finishing her clothes and being bumped into by someone, Yisha turned around with an embarrassed smile, and quickly disappeared when she saw that it was Dai Kenlei who came.There was dissatisfaction in his black eyes, and there was a stiff and serious expression on the corners of his mouth.He looked disheveled, as if he had just gotten out of bed and was busy getting dressed.She could smell the brandy on him--and it was broad daylight! "Sir Day," she said crisply, standing up to her five-foot-three-inch height. "Mrs. Ann," he said a little inarticulately. "If a man has to put up with his tenants, I think you're all right." "What did you say?" Isa said in surprise.She would have sympathy for anyone in his situation, but this impudent fellow didn't deserve kind words at all. He looked her up and down shamelessly, and replied, "Plump and neat as a pullet. Widowed in her prime... What a waste. If you need a companion, come find me in the East Wing. " "My God, you rude man!" Isa yelled, flushing with anger. "No one has ever spoken to me so disrespectfully—and it's Deja's brother—" "Dejia is different from me, thank God! He is burdened by family property and status, and I never need to worry about these." "If only you were like him." She said coldly, then ignored him and continued walking up the stairs. "Really?" Ken Ray asked, and laughed lewdly as she hurried away. "East Wing, madam, don't forget."