Love Lightning Old Virgin
XXXVII CHAPTER

This speech left Sir Arthur speechless. He looks embarrassed, and seeks refuge in wounded self-esteem. “It would definitely be better for me to rent a suitable inn in the city!”

“Much better, except it will make all the gossipers in Rouen talk about it! Tomorrow morning, I will give the order to prepare the rooms, but I fear that I will not be able to host the Majorie as I wish. I have so many promises to fulfill, in addition to accompanying Cherry when she was introduced. You will agree that it, since his uncle has entrusted the girl in my care, is an unavoidable responsibility.”

With this sharp remark, Miss Dior left the room. She still felt angry because her brother's weak behavior and reason for the sudden visit had confirmed her suspicion that the real reason was determination to prevent any closeness between her and Damien Constantine. Majorie will be placed in her home as a watchdog despite what George imagines Majorie can do (a poor little woman!) to prevent his brother from doing what he himself wants only he knows! Miss Dior was so angry that not being able to think about what seemed to her an irresponsible interference was actually not a bad attempt, but it is good intention to protect him from someone who his brother believes is a dangerous badung man. And, seeing the figure of Miss Harrow waiting near the doorway of her bedroom did not relieve her anger at all. Miss Dior has no doubt that Miss Harrow had a hand in Arthur's sudden arrival, and would have loved to silence such a chatty old woman who would interfere in the affairs of others and slap him as well. Holding back this very undeserved impulse, Miss Dior said unhappily, “Nah, Belevia? What do you want?”

“Oh? said Miss Harrow, nervously. “There's absolutely nothing, Caroline Darling! I was just wondering if Mr. Arthur got everything he needed. Had Anash told me of his arrival, I would have withdrawn from the party, and taken care of his needs, as I did not have to convince you, for it was my duty to provide for all your guests, right? And, even great servants like our good Anash, you know”

“Anash is far more capable than you, Cousin, to provide for Mr. Arthur's needs,” interrupted Miss Dior, while forcing herself hard to control her anger.

“If anyone wants, Mr. Arthur will ring the bell! I suggest you go to sleep, so that you have the energy for the task that awaits you tomorrow! I will need you to provide for the needs of a few more guests! Good night!”

Sleeping all night restored Ms. Dior's mental and emotional balance, and she was able to face her brother at breakfast in a fairly calm manner. She asked her brother, rather happily, if he wanted her to provide accommodation for him during the Majorie stay, and accepted, without showing any relief he felt, she said, a boring explanation of the reasons for the circumstances that prevented him from staying longer after the arrival of the Majorie. This soon led Miss Harrow to express her objections, which she said she knew well that her beloved Caroline would support her.

“I'm sure Big Lady Dior will definitely need your support to go through the torment of the future!” said Miss Harrow. “Moreover at times like this, since your arrival last time to stay in Rouen, because I did not take into account at all your visit the other day! And, if you think there is no room for you, there is no difficulty about it, because you and Big Lady Dior can be comfortable in the green room, which can be prepared for you in an instant. You just have to give the order!”

“If she can cram someone into it,” Miss Dior said in an amused tone.

Mr. Arthur snorted laughing, and exchanged meaningful glances with him. She loved breakfast conversations that few enjoyed, and perhaps she never liked Miss Harrow, especially if she got illogical rants from him.

“When can I look forward to the arrival of Majorie?” Ask Miss Dior gently.

“Well, about it, I can't answer you exactly,” replied her brother, looking distracted. “She intends to leave early in the morning, but with all the packing business, he said, and keep the nurse from forgetting something and she will most likely do it because even though she is very good at handling children, she is not smart at all! When we brought Luke to visit his grandparents last year, we had to go back and forth three times! Just so you know, my patience was really tested, and I made it clear that I would never travel with him again! Or with Luke!” he added, with a reluctant big smile. “The problem, you know, is that Luke can't travel! Feeling sick before traveling one and a half kilometers, and after that have to stop, drop it off the train in order to vomit on the streets pity the child.”

This indifferent final remark made Miss Dior suddenly laugh, who was timidly followed by her brother. “Now I know how the circumstances that made your return to Tywnham in a hurry are so important!” abugn.

“Well, I hope I'm not a heartless old man, but ... well, you know how things are, Caroline.”

“Oh, it was heartbreaking when that sweet boy was sick, for there is nothing more sad than that!” sela Miss Harrow. “Not that I myself like motion sickness, for I myself am convinced that I can travel from one end of the country to the other without experiencing any inconvenience, but I remember very well my special friend, Miss Aston, who was a very special person, always feeling unwell in a rented car though. He is now dead, what a pity he is, even if not in a rented car, of course.”

Judging from her brother's expression that she was about to utter a rash slur, Miss Dior interrupted, to suggest to her chatty friend that if she had finished her breakfast, she should speak to Lady Mary about the arrangements that need to be made for Grand Lady Dior, her children, her nurse, her makeup artist, and the nursing maid. Miss Harrow expressed her genuine willingness to do so, and immediately gave a detailed account of the plans she had laid out. Miss Dior immediately stopped her by saying, “Let's go, Belevia, if you're willing! Household details are of no interest to Arthur!”

“No, of course! Men are never interested in such things, are they? My own father used to always say”

He was interrupted by the presence of the incoming Cherry in a hurry, so they never knew what the late Mr. Harrow used to say. Cherry apologized deeply for the delay. “I can't figure out how I'm gonna get up late, unless I'm not woken up! Oh, how are you, Mr Arthur? My waiter told me you arrived in the middle of the party. Are you too tired to enjoy the party? I'm hoping you can enjoy it because the party is so satisfying! Right, "right, Madam?”

Miss Dior laughed, told her to ring the bell to ask for a fresh cup of tea, and said she had ordered that Cherry not be disturbed.

“Indeed, I intend for your breakfast to be brought up as soon as you wake up,” Miss Dior said.

“Oh, yes, Lisa told me so, but I didn't feel the least bit tired, and I couldn't imagine eating my breakfast in bed! The crumbs were scattered on the bed, and the tea spilled on the sheets. After all, I will be riding my horse this morning, and how annoying it would be if I got late! Did my uncle tell you when he intended to bring his horse, Madam?”

“No,” replied Miss Dior, realizing Mr. Arthur had become silent with worry. “Actually, I forgot we were about to ride today. There's something else I need to think about. My sister-in-law will bring her children to live with me, and I'm not so sure when they will come.”

“Oh,” Cherry says flat. “I don't know. Does that mean you can't go with us? Please don't cancel, Madam!”

The bad side of his thinking intelligence prompts Mr. Arthur to speak unwise words. “Dear young lady,” she said kindly, “you should not expect my sister to have fun enjoying the expedition, so no one will welcome the arrival of Big Lady Dior.”

“No. Of course not,” Cherry agreed with courtesy, but in a disappointed tone of voice.

Well, Miss Dior had decided, hours before, not to ride with Mr. Constantine, not even to meet him. He had intended to write a formal message showing regret. That, he thought, would give Mr. Constantine a useful lesson. However, after Mr. Arthur spoke, his anger rose and he said, “About that, Lady Mary will be happy to welcome the Majorie and be given the opportunity to pamper the children, he said, in addition to discussing with Majorie all the details of the nursery that they both found very interesting, and that did not interest me.” He got up as he added, “I have to go and tell Miss Harrow what I want her to do for me this morning.”

“You will ride with us?!” Cherry shouted excitedly.