Two days later, the Lady of Ripley and the Earl of Essex rode outside the town of Plymouth with two large squires. Subsequently, as soon as the two nobles and a procession of cavalry attendants numbering in the hundreds entered the town, it immediately attracted a large number of onlookers from the townspeople. As the inhabitants stood on both sides of the road into the town to greet the arrival of the two nobles, the principal officials of the city council and the heads of prominent merchant families in the town were quickly informed by the servants.

Later, the officials and the big merchants, led by the mayor, waited for the arrival of the two nobles in the square in front of the town hall. As the Earl of Essex rode his handsome Andalusian horse down the roads of the town, he talked to the Baroness Ripley, beside him, and said, "Look at these commoners, Isabel, they have probably never seen the arrival of the nobles. ”

Baroness Isabelle Walton snorted softly, "William, that's because there have been no noble lords here for seven years. If the Lord of Exeter and Devon were still alive, I think there would have been more civilians to greet him. ”

William didn't mind Isabel's words in the slightest, but just moved his ass from the saddle and smiled at her, "The fate of Exeter and Lord Devon is decided by God. If the Lord had not insisted on rebelling against His Majesty, he would not have received a regrettable end. ”

Soon, the two rode to the square in front of the town hall. After the local officials and businessmen greeted the two men respectfully, Isabel smiled and talked with William Hawkins, a member of the lower house of parliament and mayor-elect for the city council, saying, "Captain, congratulations on your successful election as the next mayor. ”

Captain Hawkins, dressed in a luxurious merchant attire, nodded respectfully with a smug smile on his face, "Your Excellency, actually, it is up to me and the Hawkins family, as well as all the merchant families in Plymouth, to congratulate you on your award of the title of Baroness Ripley. ”

Richard Hawkins, the captain's brother who was standing on the side, also said with a smile on his face, "Your Excellency, as your father, Lord Walton and a daughter of the Walton family, you can be granted a title of nobility and a title by the king. This is enough to prove that you are a very good, intelligent and noble woman who can be trusted by the king. ”

Still wearing a silk long-sleeved shirt, a corset, leggings, high riding boots, and a handguard and sword at her waist, Isabel smiled and whispered, "Richard, you are very good at talking. It's just that your words made me think that as the daughter of a nobleman, I probably won't easily get the title and territory that only male nobles have. ”

Captain Hawkins, the mayor-elect, immediately heard another meaning in these words, and quickly nodded respectfully, "Your Excellency, my brother has not received much education, so there is rude behavior in front of you. ”

"Captain, my education has allowed me to be very generous with your brother." After Isabel finished speaking, she glanced sideways at William, who was surrounded by city hall officials. Soon, he focused his gaze on the captain's brother's countenance and whispered, "Richard, be careful what you say, this Lord Exes is the younger brother of Her Majesty the Queen. ”

Captain Hawkins, his brother, and some of the merchant representatives present looked very surprised, and the captain asked in a low voice, "Your Excellency, you probably didn't mention this when we met with you and Lord Exes just now. ”

"Captain, since Lord Exes has accompanied me to Plymouth on his own initiative, I think it is not necessary to mention the other identity of the Lord."

A county earl accompanied a viscount from the city of London to distant Plymouth, a thing that the captain and other merchants had probably never heard of. For a moment, everyone did not know how to answer the honorable Lady Ripley. Isabel glanced at the merchants' expressions and smiled easily, "Everyone, relax. Lord Exes was an easy nobleman, though he had never been to sea once and had no knowledge of maritime trade. ”

Several of the businessmen present lowered their heads and laughed softly, and Captain Hawkins, who heard the laughter, turned around and reprimanded him solemnly. Unexpectedly, William Parr, who had been paying attention to Isabel all along, seemed to hear the laughter of the merchants. After saying a few words to the officials beside him, he came to Isabel's side and said with a reserved smile on his face, "Your Excellency, are you talking to the merchants about maritime trade?" ”

Captain Hawkins and the merchant representatives quickly put away the smiles on their faces and looked respectfully at this "young and promising" young nobleman (in history, William Parr was born on August 14, 1513 and died on October 28, 1571). Having just heard of William's relationship with Her Majesty the Queen, Captain Hawkins felt it necessary to show the respect of the people for his sister.

With a light cough, he nodded to William, "Your Excellency, it is a great honor for me and the others to meet you, the younger brother of Her Majesty the Queen. If there is something rude about these people, I am sure you will forgive their sins. ”

"City Councillor, Captain Hawkins, mayor-elect, you heard about this from Lady Ripley." William nodded, an expression on his face that was neither annoyed nor smiling.

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Isabel glanced at William, a little disgusted that the other party deliberately made a certain gesture to show others. With a smile still on his face, he said in a somewhat cold tone, "Lord Exes, I think you're tired, and I can immediately ask Captain Hawkins to arrange a place for you to rest." ”

When William heard this, he quickly smiled, "Your Excellency, I... Not tired. Hmm, can you take me to see your merchant ships? ”

The inconsistent performance of the Earl of Exes made Captain Hawkins and others feel jaw-dropping. However, the merchants, who had been trading by sea for a long time, soon understood that there must be some kind of intimate relationship between the two nobles. Captain Hawkins looked at William with a smile, "Your Excellency, if you want to see Lord Ripley's merchant ship, I can send someone to arrange this matter immediately." ”

From the bottom of his heart, William Parr disdained to deal with these vulgar and ignorant businessmen who had become rich and rich, and did not even want to say a word. However, judging from the performance of this Captain Hawkins, there is an educated, gentlemanly or chivalrous etiquette in the other party.

William put his hands behind his back, nodded slightly, and said, "Well, Captain, you better arrange for Lady Ripley, me, and the attendants to eat and rest first." ”