Mike quickly fell into the abyss of desire.
Vincent frequently visited him and stayed overnight at the Rochester estate. They spent all day and night together, in the bedroom, in the study, in the forest, in places where servants were not allowed to enter, leaving behind the mess of their sexual intercourse.
The enthusiasm and warmth of young people make it difficult for Mike to extricate himself, immersing him in the joy of being loved. Vincent is full of energy, and Mike occasionally feels that his physical strength cannot keep up. However, Vincent is too good at talking about love and easily makes Mike dizzy, following his wishes.
On the other hand, like Luther, Vincent is also very popular among ladies. Although the social season has not yet arrived, for women of appropriate age, every day needs to be cherished - their time is really limited. As the only Duke family nearby, gentlemen often come to visit with their wives and daughters. Mike sometimes takes the initiative to find Vincent, not many times, but every time he meets the ladies and ladies who are already drinking tea.
Vincent did not mention to Mike when he would get married or what kind of young lady he would marry. However, this is truly obvious. As the Duke's only heir, Vincent will eventually get married. He needs an heir to continue his title and wealth.
Mike clawed Vincent's collar and pressed his lips against him.
"What's wrong?" Vincent was a bit confused.
"It's nothing," Mike lightly licked his lips, "I just wanted to kiss you."
"That's all."
Amidst the shaking, Mike looked at the top of the bed with a hint of distraction, the red, gold, and extravagant colors.
Enjoy a moment of pleasure and then leave.
This twisted relationship begins with sexual desire and naturally does not last long, nor does it have a stance to ask anything.
After all, he is an elderly person.
The weather was getting hotter, but the gentlemen and ladies still wore elaborate attire. Susan's belly had grown large, making it difficult for her to move around. She was older, and the pregnancy made her emotions volatile while her body grew weaker, forcing her to bed rest. By the time Mike arrived after receiving the news, she had already been bedridden for two days.
"Oh, madam," Mike said as he entered Susan's room. She had her hair down and wore no makeup, looking very pale. Her maid stood by, wiping the sweat from her face.
"Come here, Mike. Stand by my side while we talk." Susan extended her hand to Mike, who quickly grasped it. "I feel awful this time, everything hurts, I can't eat, and I haven't been able to sleep for nights."
Mike comforted her repeatedly, "It's okay, madam, it's okay. Everything will be fine. The doctor said you'll get better."
Susan wiped Mike's face with her other hand; he had arrived in such a hurry in the heat. "I'm not sure, Mike."
She looked like a wilting flower, slowly losing its vibrant color. "I'm not afraid of dying; I'm just worried about my daughters. And you, Mike, what will you do?"
Mike could only hold her hand tighter. "Madam, you will get better, I promise."
Susan gave a tired smile, then said to the maid, "Lucy, please fetch me a glass of brandy." After the maid left, she turned to Mike. "My dear cousin, I called you here to ask you a favor. This might be my last wish, please promise me you'll do it."
"If I die, please ensure that Jennifer and Vivian get married. You don't have to worry about Anna; her two older sisters will help her."
Susan, though weak, was very serious, even addressing Mike formally. Her expression was resolute, as if she truly foresaw her death.
Mike wanted to ask if something had happened, but Susan was unwilling to elaborate, only asking for his promise. "Lucy will be back soon; there's no time to explain in detail. Please promise me."
Mike had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Susan needed rest, and Mike was soon asked to leave. He discussed Susan's condition with Baron Hilde in the small sitting room. Mike suggested bringing a doctor from the city, but Baron Hilde replied, "It's unnecessary. Dr. Smith has been my family doctor for a long time; he understands Susan's condition better than any city doctor."
Dr. Smith was over forty years old and had served at Hilde Estate since his father's time. After his father retired, he took over the position. Mike had been treated by Dr. Smith when he had a fever. The doctor was skilled and discreet about his employers' affairs.Mike once insinuated and wanted to know if Dr. Smith had found out about his relationship with a man, but he couldn't ask anything.
Baron Hilde was not particularly concerned about Susan's illness and continued to attend various social gatherings. Despite the intense heat, the nights were cooler, so gatherings were still frequent. As the only noble in the area, he had once overseen the entire parish's affairs. Now, with the arrival of the Duke's family, Baron Hilde had more leisure time to indulge in pleasures.
Susan's illness not only disrupted the normal operations of Hilde Estate but also limited Jennifer and Vivian's social activities—without an older woman's accompaniment, they could hardly go anywhere. As the eldest daughter, Jennifer had to start managing household affairs and taking care of Anna, but she wasn't very adept at it. The servants began to slack off and privately discussed that the baroness might soon pass away. Jennifer instructed the housekeeper to maintain discipline, but the results were poor.
One day, two maids were chatting while tidying a room, saying the mistress was dying, and none of the girls were married yet. Especially Anna, without an elder and a dowry, she would probably be married off to a lower-class man.
Anna overheard this and ran out crying. When Jennifer found she was missing, she wanted to mobilize the entire estate to search for her, but Mike stopped her. "Anna is a lady," Mike told his two nieces, "this must be kept secret, or Anna's reputation will be ruined. I will bring her back, I promise."
Vivian held Jennifer's hand and nodded to Mike, "Please, Uncle Mike."
Jennifer was very remorseful. She had read many books and knew a lot of principles, often dismissing her mother's teachings. She always thought her mother was a traditional woman, confined to playing piano and dancing daily. When her mother fell ill, she realized how difficult everything was, and every step was a struggle.
Vivian softly comforted Jennifer, "Don't worry, Uncle Mike will surely bring Anna back."
Jennifer rested her head on Vivian's shoulder. She had been strong for so long, just holding on by sheer willpower. Now, the sisters could rely on each other.
Mike rode his horse into the woods. The forest was large, home to some small animals. Gentlemen often hunted there, bringing many hunting dogs and frequently catching pheasants and rabbits. However, they never ventured too deep, so Mike didn't know if there might be predators like wolves in the depths.
As a young lady, Anna was very lively and energetic, so it was possible she had ventured deep into the forest. Mike unknowingly walked into uncharted territory, and his horse grew restless.
"Easy, girl, hang in there, we need to bring Anna back." Mike calmed his horse, but the deeper they went, the more it struggled.
Mike had to dismount to calm it, but it suddenly broke free and ran off.
"Come back! Come back!"
Mike shouted, but could only watch as it ran further away, disappearing into the forest.
It was still daytime, but the trees around him were tall and dense, their thick leaves making it not just dim, but almost dark.