CH 60

Mrs Sanders followed Butler Chris into Cornwall Manor, and they did not stop there. They went straight to the second floor and walked towards the Duke’s study.

At the door of the study, Butler Chris knocked on the door first, “Lord Duke, Mrs Sanders is here.” Butler Chris said respectfully.

A moment later, the Duke’s voice came from the room, “Come in.”

Butler Chris pushed the door of the study open, and Mrs Sanders followed Butler Chris into Duke Wilson’s study.

Duke Wilson was sitting by the window when Mrs Sanders entered, and when he saw Mrs Sanders entering, the Duke stood up.

“Mrs Sanders.” Duke Wilson looked at her with a smile.

Mrs Sanders had some inexplicable feelings in her heart, but her face was still very respectful, “Lord Duke, thank you very much for your reception.”

Duke Wilson smiled slightly, “My dear lady, you are someone I respect. Cornwall Manor is open to you at any time.”

Although Duke Wilson said this, Mrs Sanders would not foolishly believe it. Duke Wilson can show such respect to her because of Reverend Bruce. Otherwise, she has never seen Duke Wilson being so humble before.

“Lord Duke, I’m here to discuss with you about Reverend Bruce.” Mrs Sanders glanced at Butler Chris, who was standing beside her and said very cautiously.

When he heard Mrs Sanders talk about Evan, Duke Wilson frowned. He waved at Butler Chris and Butler Chris resigned very respectfully. After Butler Chris had completely left, Duke Wilson asked, “What are you trying to say?”

Mrs Sanders sighed, “You should have heard the rumors in the town these days, right?”

Duke Wilson’s frown got deeper, “Rumors?” He has been dealing with matters from the capital for the past few days and he hasn’t paid close attention to Delanlier like he did before.

“You don’t know?” Mrs Sanders looked at Duke Wilson in surprise, “My lord, it has been circulating in the town these days that Reverend Bruce once did a shameful thing in London, and that was why he was sent to Delanlier. This is really nonsense. What kind of person Reverend Bruce is, you know best. Such rumors are really an insult to him.” Mrs Sanders was quite angry as she spoke.

Duke Wilson frowned tightly and his face was a little ugly, “When did this start?” His tone was cold.

Mrs Sanders gritted her teeth and replied, “Just a few days ago, after Reverend Bruce’s first week back to the church. It didn’t have much impact at first, but these days, it’s getting more and more outrageous. And you know, sometimes the more ridiculous the rumors are, the more people believe in them. Reverend Bruce is an upright man, and those with a dark mind, the more they like to humiliate him with filthy thoughts.”

Mrs Sanders actually spoke these words with a hidden meaning. She has always believed that this matter was made by Ford, so it is inevitable that she will bring out some points when she speaks.

Duke Wilson’s face was ashen when he heard this. He glanced at the indignant Mrs Sanders, understood what she meant, and asked in a low voice, “Do you already have someone in your heart that spread this rumor?”

Mrs Sanders, at this time, was extremely cautious. After all, it was just her own thoughts. She pursed her lips slightly and said carefully, “I’m not completely sure, so I don’t dare to say it. I still need your help. Reverend Bruce is stubborn, he doesn’t want to explain all of this. If we let these things develop more than this, I’m afraid the church will come forward.”

Duke Wilson’s expression darkened, he sneered as he said in a low voice, “Mrs Sanders, you are a kind person. I am very aware of the object of suspicion in your heart, and I agree with you very much. At this time, the church plays a decisive role in Evan’s life, and we happen to have a church member sent here as a representative, what a coincidence that is.”

Mrs Sanders heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed that Duke Wilson thought the same as she thought, and this person, Ford, was really like a poisonous snake, who made her sleepless all the time.

“Okay, I already know about this matter, and I will solve it. Don’t worry, since Reverend Bruce doesn’t want to explain more, don’t force him. I will handle this matter well.”

When Duke Wilson mentioned Evan, his expression softened obviously and his tone was much gentler. Mrs Sanders was satisfied, nodded slightly and turned to leave the Duke’s study. Since the Duke promised to solve it, she didn’t think it was necessary for her to intervene again. She knew very well how capable the Duke could be.

After Mrs Sanders left, the Duke’s face sank at a speed visible to the naked eye. He just hadn’t asked about Delanlier’s matters for a few days, and no one had bothered to report such a big matter to him!

Duke Wilson rang the bell of the study, and after a while, Butler Chris walked in from outside, “Lord Duke.” He bowed respectfully.

Duke Wilson looked out the window with a blank expression, his tone without any waves, “Remove the person in charge of the town’s intelligence and find someone else, someone that will be more responsible. I don’t need someone that will make up his own mind about what to report to me!”

Logically speaking, every detail about anything that happens in Delanlier should be reported to the Duke. This man dared to not report it. This was a fatal mistake for him.

Butler Chris glanced at the duke in surprise, full of sympathy for the sacked gentleman in his heart, but he was still respectful, “Yes, Lord Duke.”

Butler Chris withdrew as the duke sat on the chair in the study. This time, Ford dared to spread such unfounded rumors, he has already done a good job, and he must not easily be exploited by him.

Two hours later, Butler Chris walked in and said in a low voice, “My lord, the previous one’s matter has been resolved. Simmons, the deputy of the person who was originally in charge of intelligence, has asked to see you.”

Duke Wilson thought about his plan in his heart and nodded slightly, “Let him come in.”

Of course, Duke Wilson couldn’t uproot all his original people. The main person in charge was removed, and naturally the deputy could be promoted.

Simmons walked in, trembling. He hardly dared to look up at Duke Wilson. He still remembered the fate of his previous superior, and now he is facing the young Duke with the most lofty awe towards him in his heart.

“Duke… Lord Duke.” Simmons bowed, trembling.

Duke Wilson looked at the man who was trembling with fright with a cold face. He was very satisfied. As a subordinate, he must have a sense of reverence for his superior.

“In the future, you will be in charge of Delanlier’s intelligence.” Duke Wilson’s tone was very cold, “About the rumors in the town, go and investigate Mr Ford for me to see what he has been up to these days. At the same time, you should also always pay attention to whether there are strangers coming to Delanlier, and then give me a thorough investigation of the matters of Reverend Bruce in the London church and his transfer to Delanlier. There must be no omission.”

Simmons has already been really scared that he had cold sweat running down his back, and now that he heard that not only was his position promoted but a task was also given to him, Simmons was relieved. He hurriedly bowed his head and saluted with gratitude, “Lord Duke, please don’t worry, I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly.”

Duke Wilson nodded, thought for a moment and then said, “It’s better to be faster.”

Simmons responded again.

Duke Wilson finished his orders, and Mrs Sanders also returned to the Delanlier Church. Evan stood behind the church bell and watched Mrs Sanders walk towards the church through the colored glass. A smile spread across his lips. Sometimes, you don’t need to do something yourself, there will naturally be someone who can’t see you in trouble and will stand up for you. It seems that it is very necessary to win people’s hearts and put on a show.

Evan returned to the altar again. This time he sincerely knelt in front of the statue of Jesus, clasped his hands and prayed sincerely. This incident was like doom for him. Life in this world has not settled down yet.

********

Five days later, the rumors about Reverend Bruce in Delanlier were rampant, and the people used the greatest imaginative scenarios human beings could come up with to vividly describe such a vague and unfounded rumor, like how he hooked up with a married woman, committed adultery or seduced a good woman. They came up with the most filthy scenarios that could be planted on Evan’s head.

Generally, rational people naturally do not believe this nonsense, but in this era, gentlemen of the upper class account for less than one-tenth of the total number of people in society, and most people are the people of the ignorant lower class in the society who believe such rumors easily.

At this time, Evan also found that his very respectable status had received certain challenges.

One day, he went to visit the tenants under the name of Delanlier Church, but when he passed by the door of a widow’s house, a dog suddenly ran out of the door and ran straight at him. Fortunately, there were several deputies around at the time, and they blocked it, otherwise it was possible that Evan would die in the mouth of the evil dog.

What made Evan even more frightened was that when such a thing happened, the owner of this dog, the peasant woman who usually respected him very much, just stood at the door and watched coldly, without wanting to help him in the slightest. It didn’t mean anything, only when the deputies were about to beat the dog to death did she scream and tried to protect her dog.

Evan looked at this situation and felt chills in his heart. This peasant woman’s husband died early and she is raising three children. At that time, he looked at her pitifully, exempted her from the land tax for a year and usually took good care of her. But at such a time, just because of such ridiculous rumors, she could actually treat him like this. This was quite unbelievable to Evan. (It’s funny how some people forget the good things you did for them very quickly, especially when you need their help)

In the end, Mrs Sanders dispelled his doubts. “Oh, Reverend, those ignorant farmers regarded you as the most perfect god. Now, when such terrible things happen, it is strange that they are not crazy.”

Evan finally understood at this moment, how strong the influence of religion on this society truly is, it goes so deep into the bone marrow.

At the same time as Evan was attacked, Duke Wilson finally got his results. Simmons came to Duke Wilson’s study again with a haggard expression, but this time, his eyes shone with the brilliance of his joy.