Chapter 24

Not long after, Lauren’s personal maid Pamela came to fetch Jasmine.

“Toker, Miss Lauren Lloyd wishes to see you,” Pamela said to me.

Jasmine and I exchanged a glance before following Pamela to Lauren’s bedroom. The room had clearly just witnessed a storm—shattered vases and teacups were scattered everywhere, and Lauren’s face still bore traces of fresh tears.

“Oh, I’m sorry, it’s such a mess here,” she said with a sorrowful expression.

“Miss, has something happened?” Since she deliberately showed me this scene, how could I not play along?

“It’s Freya Lloyd again!” Unexpectedly, Jasmine stood up for Lauren, saying angrily, “Miss Freya Lloyd always bullies Miss Lauren Lloyd.”

“Hush, Jasmine. Don’t blame Freya,” Lauren wiped her tears and said gently. “Ever since the scandal, Sister has been in a bad mood. It’s understandable she’d overthink things. I don’t blame her.”

If it were my past self, I would have been deeply moved by this young lady’s kindness and tolerance. But now, I can only admire her acting skills—her tears flow so effortlessly, surpassing even theater actors. Moreover, she’s putting on this show largely hoping I’ll convey something to the Baron.

“Does the Baron still ride every day?” Lauren asked.

“Yes, Miss.”

“What books has he been reading lately?”

“Books on law, though unfortunately, I can’t read.” A hint of dissatisfaction and disdain flashed in Lauren’s eyes, but she smiled gently. “Toker should learn to read. Becoming the Baron’s personal valet isn’t an easy task.”

“You’re right, Miss,” I replied with a bow.

“Does the Baron have any close female acquaintances in the capital?” She blushed as she asked this, her shy demeanor strikingly similar to that of Lilyanna.

“Yes,” I nodded. “There’s a Count’s daughter with whom the Baron gets along very well.”

“A Count…” Lauren frowned. “Which Count?”

“Count Gerard. Speaking of which, His Lordship will soon visit Miles Manor.”

A few days later, Count Gerard’s carriage arrived, accompanied by his daughter Lilyanna. Lilyanna was very refined—even when facing the disgraced Viscount’s family, she didn’t so much as frown and engaged in polite conversation.

The battles between clever women are often hidden, and men sometimes don’t notice at all. Even if they do, they dismiss it as trivial, believing there are more important topics than women’s scheming.

As soon as Count Gerard took his seat, he eagerly opened the conversation: “I plan to invest in a significant venture—cotton trade along the new shipping routes. That’s why I came specifically to seek your help.”

“Oh, maritime trade investment.” Before the baron could speak, Viscount Lloyd cut in: “Is it about the new route? I’ve heard about it too. Those who invested earlier made a fortune. This is a great opportunity…”

“Count Gerard, let’s discuss this in the study,” the baron said as he stood up.

“Yes, let’s talk in the study.” The count realized this wasn’t the place for serious matters, so he bid farewell to the others and followed the baron out of the drawing room.

Viscount Lloyd’s face darkened instantly, but he wasn’t shameless enough to follow them into the study. The only one who could enter was me, the servant carrying the red tea. Before leaving the drawing room, I caught Viscount Lloyd giving me a meaningful look.

In the study, Count Gerard was passionately presenting his views. “I’m very interested in Mr. Morton’s proposal, but I’m currently short on funds and need your support,” he said without a hint of embarrassment.

“Did that Mr. Morton approach you for investment too?” The baron frowned, clearly displeased.

“I know he approached you first, and you refused. But you must understand, this new fleet formation involves the royal family. The nation wants to open this new route. If we follow the nation’s lead, we’re guaranteed to profit,” Count Gerard said enthusiastically.

“Even so, I still believe we should proceed with caution,” the baron replied slowly.

“If you want to make money, you can’t hesitate,” Count Gerard said. “Don’t worry, once the funds are recouped, I’ll repay the debt promptly.”

Perhaps due to the count’s firm stance or the royal family’s involvement, the baron surprisingly didn’t refuse this time. He readily wrote a check for Count Gerard, who in turn signed an IOU.

“Well then, my good man, thank you for your generosity. I knew you were the most straightforward person.” The count gleefully took the check and stood up. “Let’s join the ladies outside for some cards and drinks. Don’t you find it stifling to always sit in the study?”

“You go ahead. I’ll join you shortly,” the baron said with a slight bow and a smile.

After the count left, the baron sighed softly. “It seems I’m about to lose a significant sum of money.” Earlier, he had written a check for fifty thousand pounds to the count, leaving even a tray-carrying servant like me utterly stunned.

“What? Surprised? Why lend him money if you know it’s a loss?” The baron chuckled. “I’ve been keeping up with this count for a while now, holding a stack of his IOUs. I hope my investment isn’t in vain. Only when he goes bankrupt can I recover my capital.”

“My lord, how can you be so sure it’s a loss? Count Gerard seemed very confident, even mentioning royal involvement,” I asked curiously.

The baron stood up, walked to the window, and gently touched the cold glass pane. “Count Gerard’s confidence is like this glass—bright on the surface but fragile underneath. They are all people who chase profit blindly, without even pausing to think,” he said slowly.

“Leaving aside whether this plan will succeed, relations between our nation and the colonies have grown increasingly tense lately. The stamp tax issue has caused uproar in the House of Lords,” the baron murmured.

This reminded me of distant memories. Around this time—perhaps half a year or even just months later—the North American colonies would erupt in a war for independence. “If war breaks out, the so-called royal involvement is purely for military purposes, and all investments will vanish,” the baron shook his head and sighed. “Pity these fools are diving in headfirst.”

The baron shared extremely private thoughts with me—I never expected him to reveal such crucial information. “By the way,” he suddenly added, “yesterday you mentioned missing your family. Should I arrange for your mother and siblings to come to Miles Manor? The taxes at Baker Manor are high, and their life must be hard.”

My heart stirred slightly; I hadn’t expected him to remember a casual remark I made. However, I could only shake my head: “My mother won’t leave Baker Manor. She’s been waiting for Father to return home.”

“So that’s how it is,” the baron sighed. “If there’s a chance, I’ll help you search for him too.”

“Thank you for your generosity, my lord,” I replied.

The baron hesitated for a moment before asking, “Did you understand the sonnet I taught you yesterday?”

“Yes, I understood it,” I nodded.

“It’s really just a pastime for leisure; you don’t need to strain yourself over it. Yesterday, I saw through the window that you were reading very late—it was already midnight, and your lamp was still on. You have to wake up before six in the morning. Don’t you feel exhausted?”

“How did you know which window was my room?” I couldn’t help but ask.

The baron’s face flushed slightly as he replied, “All the servants’ rooms had their lights out. I assumed the one still lit was yours.”

I also blushed and nodded, saying, “I’ll be more mindful…”

“Well… see you later. We’ll continue last time’s lesson in the evening.” Without waiting for my reply, the baron hurriedly left the room.

I stood foolishly in the study for a long time, feeling like an idiot. When I returned downstairs, Viscount Lloyd intercepted me. He called me to a secluded corner and smiled, saying, “You’re doing well. My nephew seems to trust you quite a bit.”

I replied with trepidation, “It’s all thanks to your guidance, my lord. If you hadn’t sent me to Baron Lloyd’s side, I wouldn’t have had such an opportunity for advancement.” The viscount nodded in satisfaction and praised, “Good, good. You’re a clever child. What did they discuss earlier?”

I pretended to cautiously glance around before lowering my voice and recounting everything in detail. “Indeed! The earl mentioned royal involvement!” The viscount’s eyes widened with excitement.

“Yes, my lord. Baron Lloyd gave the earl a cheque for fifty thousand pounds,” I answered.

“Fifty thousand pounds!” The viscount clutched his chest, his face filled with disbelief. “He’s truly wealthy! You couldn’t have misread it, could you?”

“I’m telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, you can send someone to inquire at the bank. The insiders will surely know the details of this transaction,” I said.

“Good, good. I’ll ask around.” The viscount seemed somewhat swayed. I laid out all the reasons proving this investment would yield huge profits, coupled with the royal involvement as a guarantee, making it seem absolutely risk-free. Most importantly, if the baron himself invested fifty thousand pounds, how could it possibly fail?

Seeing the flicker in the viscount’s eyes, I secretly laughed to myself before bowing and saying, “My lord, if there’s nothing else you require…”

“Very well, you may go. From now on, report any news here to me immediately,” the viscount said.

“As you command, my lord.”

When I entered the drawing room, I found Lauren about to sing, accompanied by none other than Austin. “Oh, my beloved, you’ve gone to a distant battlefield; amid the flames and smoke, I miss you always. Oh, my beloved, the comb you left me before your departure rests against my chest, and with it, I tend daily to the locks you adored…”

Lauren’s voice was exquisitely sweet, like soft cotton, soothing the heart. Yet, I was somewhat puzzled. Lilyanna, who had always gotten along well with the baron, sat stiffly on the sofa, while Freya was nowhere to be seen. In contrast, the viscountess smiled contentedly, watching Lauren and the baron’s duet and occasionally clapping lightly.

“Your duet was marvelous—so moving I nearly wept at the beautiful story,” the viscountess dabbed her eyes and remarked emotionally.

“I just didn’t expect the Baron to also enjoy Austrian folk songs,” Lauren replied shyly, “My singing isn’t good, please forgive me.”

“No, Cousin Lauren, your voice is truly beautiful.”

“You flatter me too much, your playing is the most moving.” Lauren gazed affectionately at the Baron, slowly lowering her head to reveal her fair neck. I involuntarily clenched my fists—this woman was truly formidable, her methods of seducing men identical to mine in my past life. When I looked back at the Baron, I found him smiling and nodding at her.