The sunset was burning wantonly, and the gray-blue sky revealed a clear and bright shimmer, like ink dripping into clear water, slowly blurring, slowly blending layer upon layer. Dark green shrubs, light gray buildings, dark red wooden houses, and dark brown roads are all hidden in shadow, leaving only a vague outline that stretches out in a bright to brilliant light.

In a trance, it was impossible to tell whether it was dawn or before sunset.

The ambiguity of time makes the noise in the ears all meaningless, the moment is magnificent, the moment is small, the surging heart surging one after another hits the chest, as if playing the music of life, all words and all thoughts have stopped, just stunned to look at the grandeur and vastness of this moment, quietly feel the majesty slowly spreading.

It is hard to imagine that London can still see such a scene, and the tranquility and majesty of Jane Austen's pen are reinterpreted in just a few strokes, giving people a glimpse of the beauty of the British Isles.

To be precise, this is not London, but the suburbs of the Greater London area. Or the countryside.

For most people, the countryside seems to be where the poor live, but big city dwellers know that the real rich people just settle in the city, but choose to spend their holidays in the suburbs, enjoying the space and freedom that money can't buy. And the tranquility that has almost disappeared.

Emma Fielding was quietly surveying the manor in front of her.

The quintessential British retro style seems to be older than the Victorian period, and traces of historical precipitation can be glimpsed in every corner of the house, leaving behind elegant and noble traditions, which are timeless, but the specific culture and connotation, because of the lack of understanding of architecture and antiques, she can't say why.

However, this does not prevent Emma from admiring the estate.

She had heard that vacationing to such a estate was becoming an emerging trend in high society. Not only can you experience the environment and tranquility of the manor without being disturbed, but you can also enjoy the aristocratic life of the past, with a distinguished butler, a professional servant, and a full set of experiences, truly recreating the aristocratic life of centuries ago.

It costs fifteen thousand pounds a night.

This is just the cost of accommodation and services, and if you have a party, then the cost will need to be calculated separately.

For the declining traditional aristocracy, it was an income to sustain their profligacy, and for the rising newcomers, it was an experience as if they had been gilded and straightened up.

As the manager of the Almeida Theater, Emma has access to most of the upper class and a glimpse of the mysterious world, but she is still extremely far away from such a life, and she never imagined that one day she would be the guest of honor at such a manor party.

What's more, this is not a rented venue, but a private party hosted by Richard de Vee, Earl of Oxford, the true owner of the estate, with very different specifications and standards. Even if it's just an invitation, it's a great honor to be sought-after.

This was a party to commemorate the anniversary of Les Misérables at the Almeida Theatre, but Emma, as the theatre manager, would not necessarily be eligible to attend, and the further reason was the relationship between the Earl of Oxford and the London Drama Society, who wanted to use the reputation of Les Misérables to continue to promote the revival of theatre and to secure more sponsorship and investment.

The Almeida Theatre has earned its place as an innovative pioneer in the industry.

Even now that I'm actually in it, the incredible feeling is still bubbling in my lower abdomen.

Not to lose his temper, but still excited.

Picking up the champagne and taking a sip, the flustered heartbeat calmed down a little, and a familiar voice came from his ear, "It's better to control the amount now, otherwise, you will lose your temper in a while." ”

He followed the voice and looked over, and then saw the figure of John Cord with a shallow smile on his face, "Pay attention to the others, the drinks in your hands are all decorations." Those who start drinking now are either /addicts/gentlemen or outsiders. ”

Emma only then realized that her cheeks were starting to heat slightly, and on the surface, she pretended to be calm, but in fact, it was the third glass of champagne, and she just felt thirsty, and before she knew it, she brought the glass to her mouth. If it weren't for John's friendly reminder, she wouldn't have noticed her gaffe at all, "God, I thought I covered it up well." ”

"Don't worry, they're all a bunch of monsters. We are normal people, and nervousness is not a big deal. As he spoke, John, who seemed to be calm, also picked up the wine glass in his hand, took a sip, and noticed Emma's gaze, he explained, "This is brandy." More violent, but also more thirst-quenching, avoid unknowingly taking too much. ”

Emma suddenly realized.

Feeling Emma's admiring gaze, John pursed the corners of his mouth and took the initiative to explain, "This is the trick that Lan Li told me. It's just that I never knew what it was for, and I thought it was a trick for college students to have an all-night party. Until today. ”

Emma let out a long breath, "I think, I need a glass of brandy too." Because she felt thirsty again, that tension couldn't be eliminated at all, only alcohol could calm herself down a little, not to show her flaws, "You say, will Lan Li be there tonight?"

John shrugged, "Who knows." Glancing around, he lowered his voice slightly, "However, I seem to have seen Mr. and Mrs. Hall in the garden area just now. So, I'm not sure if it's an accident, or if it's arranged in advance, or if it's the result of knowing it. Phew, their lives are too complicated, it's a real headache. ”

"It's the same with ordinary families. Emma was not surprised, "Those working-class parents do not necessarily agree with their children to choose the path of actors, and their opposition is even greater than that of the aristocracy." Then they also need to face the same situation, but in a different way. ”

John thought seriously for a moment and nodded, "Makes sense." ”

At this moment, two tall men approached each other, John raised the brandy in his hand to gesture slightly, Emma then noticed them, also raised the champagne glass to signal, they walked over, paused for a moment, briefly greeted a few words, and then chose to say goodbye, and took a short step behind him.

"Both of them are here, does that mean that Lan Li is about to appear?" Emma brought the glass to her mouth again, only to notice that the glass was empty again, and she really should have replaced it with a glass of brandy.

John's gaze followed the two men as he drifted away, and whispered, "Whew, maybe." ”

……

"God. Didn't you say okay, it was just a private party?, why did the scene spread out so much?" Farewell to John and Emma, Eton Dormer straightened his back without a trace, and moved his stiff shoulders faintly, and after less than thirty minutes on such an occasion, he felt as if he had just finished thirty kilometers.

André Hamilton, on the other hand, chuckled, "Isn't this what you want? When you are energetic, you can concentrate on your work, and when you are tired, you can quietly disappear." It's exactly the perfect occasion for you to play. ”

Eaton, who was standing beside him, showed a helpless expression, his eyes released the meaning of surrender, and Andre pursed his lips, "It's always so boring to chat with you." Alas, I'm already starting to miss Lan Li now, even if Matthew is here. ”

In the face of such complaints, Eaton also smiled, did not refute or justify, Andre's attack was like falling on a ball of cotton, so soft that there was no place to stay, which was even more discouraged, but for Andre, he had long been accustomed to it, gently shaking the whiskey in his hand, and thinking seriously:

Should you choose to get drunk and unconscious, or should you continue to wait in boredom to see if Lan Li's arrival will cause a bloody drama?

Walking and stopping, the footsteps of the two finally came to the host of today's dinner, Richard de Ville was telling the waiter, and when the matter was over, he took the initiative to smile at the visitor, "Welcome, welcome, young people come to the party, the atmosphere always becomes much more lively." ”

"But you don't care. Andrei complained unruly, "All you care about is drama, don't you?"

"You can't say that. Young blood is a complement to the theatre industry, which is crucial, and I have always attached great importance to young people. Richard said in a serious manner, showing the importance and concern for the future of theater.

Eaton replied with a smile, "That's why you like Lan Li so much, right?"

"That's one of the reasons. But at the end of the day, it's his strength and talent that counts, and it's like Andre standing on the stage of a theater and I would never care about it, that's a truth. Richard's complaint is also easy to come by.

Andre didn't care, either, "If you're looking forward to Lan Li's attendance, then I think you may have made a wrong decision. First, he didn't like such a grand occasion, and second, the Hall family wouldn't like such an encounter. George and Elizabeth's presence, this is your handiwork?"

"Would you believe me if I said it was all an accident?" Richard did not answer directly, but showed his innocence.

Andrei chuckled, "It doesn't matter if I believe it or not. The important thing is, do they believe Lan Li and George? Also, do you care?"

"Andrei, I'm really sad to hear you say that. You should know that I really like Lan Li. Richard said with a serious expression, but then a smile appeared, "Besides, I don't think it's that tricky, George and Elizabeth have behaved very well in the last few months, haven't they?"

Andre and Eaton quietly exchanged glances, retracted their jaws meaningfully, and said in a long voice, "Yes, that's true." ”