Passing 3 p.m., Lady Surrey tried to keep her female companion of the northern aristocracy to stay for dinner. Isabel told her that there was still a long way to go from Windsor to Plymouth, and that she must lead the guard on the road with the chest at sunrise after 4 a.m. tomorrow.

Mrs. Surrey listened attentively to her every word, vocabulary and phrase, and when she heard the word "treasure chest" she pursed her lips and laughed, "How much money did you bring to Plymouth this time, Isabel?" How much money do you hope to earn from privateers? ”

Isabel sits on the grass on the shore and admires the sun-lit fish pond. When she saw the fish that jumped out of the water from time to time, and then entered the water and stirred up a snow-white droplet, even her eyes became vibrant. "Isabel, did you hear me? What are you looking at? There was a whisper in her ear, and Isabel looked back at the other, "Yes, I heard you." Frances, your fish are so hot that they're jumping out of the water. ”

Mrs. Surrey knew she might want to do something when she looked at her, and smiled softly, "I see that." Before you take off your clothes and jump into the fish pond, I think you should know what etiquette is, like answering my question first. ”

From the very beginning of their meeting in the afternoon, Mrs. Surrey had a negative attitude towards Isabelle's trip to Plymouth. She argues that Isabel should realize that she is only an aristocratic woman who is subordinate to the male aristocracy, and that she should reserve all positions of authority for the mainstream of a male patriarchal society.

In view of the female partner's resistance to her ideas and the actions that have not yet been carried out, Isabel diverts Mrs. Surrey's attention with the topic of affection. Unexpectedly, at this moment her thoughts returned to the starting point again. She was helpless but had to take care of the countess's face, her eyes kept staring at the surface of the fish pond that rippled from time to time, and explained gently, "This time I brought 3,000 pounds, and this money was put together by His Highness and the retainers of the Duke's Palace, and they hoped to get something in return." ”

"Return? How many will there be? Isabel, you know I know about economic matters. ”

"I know. Well, I've probably calculated that I can get 10 times the return for a year overseas. ”

"10 times? This... Is this possible? Mrs. Surrey was stunned by her words.

Isabel folded her legs, put her arms on her knees, turned her head to look up at Mrs. Surrey, who was still standing beside her, and then turned her gaze to the surface of the fishpond and said, "Francis, if you're tired, sit down and talk to me." You know what, my neck is tired. ”

Mrs. Surrey, dressed in a brawling skirt, stared at her companion for a long time and shook her head. Slowly squatting down and sitting sideways on the lawn, "Isabel, I'm doing this for you. ”

Isabel looked back at Mrs. Surrey, who was sitting in an unnatural posture and expression, and grinned, "Frances, we used to sit on the lawn like this seven years ago, haven't you forgotten?" ”

"That was seven years ago. Okay, just now you said you can receive a 10x return, is this possible? ”

"Well, absolutely. Frances, Your Majesty's order to issue the 'Privateering Permit' this time is to combat the seafaring affairs of the French, so that I can legally plunder all the naval and private ships of France. ”

"Well, that's a good idea. It's just that the French don't seem to be as prosperous and powerful in seafaring affairs as the Spaniards and Portuguese. ”

Isabel looked at the thoughtful Lady Surrey, shook her head and smiled, "Francis, it seems that you are also well aware of the question of where the Spaniards and Portuguese treasures came from. ”

"I... Of course I do. Lady Surrey glanced at Isabel, "These Spaniards and Portuguese have been looking for territory overseas since the last century. I also know of a Venetian who wrote a book called "Stories of the East", in which he said that the East was very rich and full of gold. ”

"Giggle...... Gold, Frances, is a good thing, and it is even the most effective spell that drove the Spaniards across the Atlantic to the Americas! ”

"Spells?! Isabel, I find that you have something that is completely attractive to men, something that makes people want to laugh and love you. ”

"You mean 'humor.'" Isabel thought to herself, smiling as she lay her legs flat and curled up her left leg to take off her high riding boots, "Yes, I know. ”

Mrs. Surrey watched her movements, and even her eyes widened, "Isabel, do you really want to jump into the fish pond?" ”

Isabel, who was sitting on the lawn, laboriously took off her riding boots and glanced at her with both hands, "That's right, it's summer, and you should go to the pond to play in the water in summer." ”

"Well, well, I keep my promise to you. Wait, I'll call some maids to take off for you, and I'll take your clothes for you." Mrs. Surrey could not do anything about her unruly female companion, and tapped her on the shoulder.

Isabel was thinking about how to take off her riding boots without sitting on the seat, when she heard the other party's words, she glanced at Lady Surrey, who looked a little helpless, "How many maids are you going to call?" I thought, my clothes could be thrown on the ground. ”

Mrs. Surrey looked at her complainingly, "You take off all your clothes and jump into the fish pond to play in the water, do you want the men here to see your body?" ”

"Gurgle... Well, I'm following your advice, even though it's just the two of us here. Isabel stopped what she was doing, pouted and lay down on the lawn. Close your eyes and sunbathe with your hands behind your head.

———————————

Before tonight's dinner at Surrey Manor was officially over, Isabel said goodbye to Lady Frances Howard and her four children, including Thomas Howard, the eldest son of the Earl of Surrey and heir to the family. After retrieving his handguard sword from Thomas, he rode back to the Duke of Richmond's Windsor Manor with two manor guards.

As soon as he entered the manor, he galloped to the three or four houses where the servants and guards rested and slept not far from the Duke of Richmond's house. After jumping off the horse and handing it over to the guards, he walked straight to the guards to the east.

As she walked through the door of the house, she saw Baldwin and Fast chatting, and at the same time, the other party saw her in a glance.

Baldwin hurriedly jumped down from the bed, straightened up, and shouted to the other guards eagerly, "All stand up and salute Your Excellency." ”

The dozen or so young men from the north present bowed to Isabel almost at the same time, "Good day, Your Excellency." ”