"Mrs. Latimer? Well, you told my stepmother about the boy who was fostered in your father's estate!? The Duke of Richmond stood up from behind his desk and paced slowly in the open space of the study with his hands behind his back.

After glancing at the dark night outside the window, he focused his gaze on the face of the Privy Counsellor, "Isabel, is this man named William Parker recommended to you by Madame Latimer?" ”

Isabel stood up, also with her hands behind her back, and stood in the open space with her head held high, "Yes, Henry. Madame had mentioned this in her previous letters to me, and I did not expect that I would meet this Mr. Parker by chance in Darlington today. ”

"A chance encounter? Well, let's hear it. ”

Isabel then gave a general account to the Duke of Richmond of the events that had taken place in the town of Darlington that afternoon, and the dinner that followed. Henry couldn't help but laugh when he heard this, "It's funny that my nephew offended my uncle and caused a duel between relatives. ”

After laughing, he asked curiously, "Since Madame's younger brother lives in Latimer Manor, how can he not know his nephew?" ”

Isabel smiled and explained, "Madame, there are only a few portraits of Lord Latimer's eldest son when he was a child, and John was very thin at that time. Well, Madame also told me something very interesting. ”

"What's the matter?"

John Neville, she said, was so weak at birth that she could effortlessly fit him into a quart (about 1.14 liters in the UK) glass of ale.

"Hahaha...... It's really interesting. Isabel, have you ever learned about this Mr. Parker's parents and family? ”

"Madame has told me that she and Mr. Parker's father was the County Magistrate, Captain of the Guard and Inspector Sir Thomas of Northampton, and that their mother had served as a lady-in-waiting officer to Catherine of Aragon." After Isabel finished speaking, she recalled and added: "They also have a sister named Anne. Well, their father was a descendant of King Edward III. ”

Henry turned to look at her in some surprise, "Oh, or a descendant of Edward III?!" ”

"Yes, it's a verifiable family history."

"Well, for the sake of their royal descendants, I can recruit Mr. Parker as my bodyguard."

"Thank you for your kindness, Henry."

As Isabel was about to leave, the Duke of Richmond stopped her again, "This William? Does Parker have a knighthood? ”

"No, so far he doesn't have any titles, and in terms of education, he has only studied in a church school for a few years."

"Well, that would explain why he came to my Duke's Mansion as a valet."

"Henry, I'll be on my way to Sussex next week to inspect the new estate, do you have anything else to order?" Isabel asked calmly.

"Well, have you arranged the affairs of the county?"

"Tomorrow when you go to Durham Castle, I will make arrangements for the territory and the castle affairs."

"Well, be careful on the road, don't let the bears and wolves eat them."

Isabel giggled, "It's not certain who eats whom." ”

Heng looked at her with a pair of affectionate eyes, "Also, the cost of the road and the cost of hiring a painter should be collected by the housekeeper." No matter where you go, you can't lose face in the Duke's Palace. ”

"Henry, I know. I would also like to make the point that a few banquets or balls can be held on the occasion of the May festival, and the nobles, knights, judges and squires of the neighbouring counties can be invited to the Duke's Palace to congratulate the Duchess on her arrival. ”

Henry glanced at her, smiled and nodded, "I think so too." After all, Mary was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Norfolk, and the Duke was now the most powerful minister in the court who was favored by the king. ”

———————————

Prior to this, William Parker hurried back to Latimer Manor and found his sister, Mrs. Latimer. When the two arrived at the parlor, William was ashamed to talk about meeting his nephew at the cattle and horse market in Darlington.

On Latimer's wife, Catherine Neville's face, expressions of horror, rejoicing, joy and rebuke were written. After drinking a glass of pear wine sent by the servant, he relaxed and looked at his younger brother from his father's house with a gloomy face, "William, John has already apologized to you, and you still refuse to let him go?" John was still a kid, you know? ”

William sat on one side with an aggrieved face, and argued to himself: "Sister, when I saw John, I really thought he was a boy of 16 or 17 years old. Did you know that John looked strong and tall, and carried not only a knight's sword, but also a battle axe. ”

"William, what you said is true?" Catherine hadn't seen her stepson for a long time and was a little skeptical of her brother's words.

William hurriedly raised his right hand and stared at Catherine, "Sister, I can swear to God. If half of my sentence is false, I will be punished by falling into purgatory. ”

Catherine shook her head, "Forget it, I trust you. It seems that John lived well on Miss Isabel's parents' estate. ”

"Sister, it was actually your foresight that saved your brother-in-law's eldest son, your stepson. If you hadn't sent my nephew to foster care at Miss Isabelle's parents' estate, how could John have become so strong. ”

"Well, William, don't tell John's father about this. Also, if this happens again in the future, dueling is not the only way to solve the problem. If you do have a duel, find out the identity, family, and status of the other party before the duel. ”

William looked a little impatient at his sister's ramblings, "Yes, Mrs. Latimer, I see. ”

Catherine looked at her brother who didn't care, and sighed, "Before going to bed, pray to God one more time, and you will repent of your sins." ”

"Got it, sister."

After the two had drunk some more wine, Catherine said of one thing that made her happy, "It is really surprising that you met Miss Isabel in the midst of a duel. ”

William moved his ass and leaned his face in Mrs. Latimer's direction and grinned, "Sister, it is God's will for me to meet Miss Isabel today. ”

"How did you know her identity at that time?"

"Actually, when I saw Mademoiselle in a duel for John, I had some feelings about her... Affection. ”

"Giggle...... So it was, and then what? ”

William propped his chin on his hand and blinked, "Later, I said that since it was an official duel, there should be witnesses, and both sides swore to each other and the witnesses. After I swore it, I think she already knew who I was. ”