He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 71

The Last of Alex Parker (1)

◈ A few days later, at the Manchester Magistrate’s Office.

It was early morning. Alex Parker had arrived at the Manchester Magistrate’s Office.

He was visibly agitated, his face flushed as he complained to Magistrate Culp about the perceived injustice.

“So, Lord Parker, you’re claiming that all of this is due to Miss Osborne’s misunderstanding, and that it was fabricated by the house steward?”

“Yes, that’s correct. After Mr. Osborne’s supposed death, that old steward named Blake incited Miss Osborne to make these absurd accusations against me.”

“And you were completely unaware that Miss Osborne had filed a lawsuit?”

“No. I’ve been preoccupied, running around trying to resolve the issues at the Osborne factory, so I had no idea.”

The astonishing news of Mr. Osborne’s return, alive and well, spread like wildfire throughout Manchester almost instantly.

And that news reached Alex Parker, who had been hiding at his mistress’s house.

Above all, the rumor that Mr. Osborne’s vast wealth remained untouched greatly excited Alex Parker.

The considerable sum of 120,000 pounds, stolen from Mr. Osborne’s safe, vanished within months, devoured by accumulated debts, gambling losses, lavish entertainment, and the purchase of a house for his mistress.

He once again plunged into high-stakes gambling, only to find himself hounded by debt collectors.

It was at this precarious moment that an unexpected opportunity arose.

Spurred by the news that Mr. Osborne’s hidden wealth remained untouched, Alex Parker hurried to the Manchester Magistrate’s Office.

Magistrate Culp of Manchester was a salaried magistrate, appointed by the central government, a position essentially secured through the recommendation and backing of the local upper-class aristocracy.

To a man like Culp, Alex Parker was not someone to be taken lightly.

Although his family fortune had dwindled considerably, Alex Parker’s father, Earl Parker, had been instrumental in Culp’s appointment as a magistrate in the Manchester area.

“So, you’re claiming that Mr. Osborne gifted you 100,000 pounds of the money you took, as a dowry?”

“Yes, that’s correct. I was even engaged to Miss Katherine, and the dowry was agreed upon with Mr. Osborne. I also possess a contract regarding the payment of the 100,000-pound marriage dowry.”

“Do you have that contract with you?”

A dowry [money, property, or assets a bride brings to her marriage] was typically provided by the bride’s family to the prospective husband through a contract outlining the terms of payment.

This bestowal was intended to ensure the woman entering a new household had her status and influence acknowledged, a practice mainly prevalent among the aristocracy and wealthy merchants.

“Yes, of course, I have it.”

He smoothly produced the contract from his inside pocket; it bore Mr. Osborne’s signature.

The contract clearly stated that a dowry of 100,000 pounds would be provided to Alex Parker.

“The only reason the marriage didn’t happen was due to the unfortunate and sudden death of Mr. Osborne. We were already engaged, and had it not been for the accident, we would have been married in September.”

In reality, this contract was merely a confirmation document related to the dowry amount that Mr. Osborne had given to a matchmaker [a person who arranges marriages].

However, Alex Parker, who had accidentally obtained this document from Mr. Osborne’s study, had slightly forged it to make it appear as a formal contract.

The magistrate, unaware of this fact, nodded after confirming that the handwriting and signature were indeed Mr. Osborne’s.

“So, are you saying that out of the 120,000 pounds that Miss Osborne and the butler, John Blake, mentioned when they came to the magistrate’s office, 100,000 pounds were received as a dowry?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“What did you do with the remaining 20,000 pounds?”

“The remaining 20,000 pounds were also taken with the intention of increasing the money to pay off Mr. Osborne’s factory debts. However, I unintentionally failed in the investment; the money was never stolen as they claimed.”

“In the end, I took 20,000 pounds, separate from my dowry of 100,000 pounds. As I’ve stated, that money was for investment purposes, and I withdrew it legally with the full knowledge and consent of Miss Catherine Osborne, who was the legal heir at the time. Miss Osborne herself opened the safe and handed the money over to me.”

“Miss Osborne claims Mr. Parker secretly stole it in the early morning?”

Alex Parker thumped his chest, looking genuinely aggrieved. “I’m at a loss as to why she’s telling such falsehoods. Please, ask her yourselves. Miss Osborne possessed the safe key. How could I, without the key, possibly open that heavily fortified safe?”

“Hmm… the accounts don’t align. Miss Osborne testified that Mr. Parker knew the key’s hiding place and took it.”

“Oh, come now, that’s a complete fabrication. I’m not an idiot; would I really hide the key in a place where he could so easily find it?”

“Well, I suppose not.”

Alex Parker continued to twist the narrative to his advantage.

“I worked tirelessly to save the Osborne factory and provide for Catherine. I even traveled to other regions to secure additional loans. But my abilities proved insufficient, and it wasn’t as straightforward as I’d hoped. Furthermore, in my foolish haste to increase the capital, I unfortunately dabbled in gambling. Subsequently, I was swindled and lost 20,000 pounds [approximately $2.5 million USD in today’s currency, adjusted for inflation]. I was so deeply ashamed of this that I remained away for an extended period.

Of course, attempting to increase the money through gambling and losing it after trusting a friend are actions I deeply regret. However, these were mistakes made in the pursuit of acquiring more funds for the business. To label someone who worked so diligently as a thief is profoundly unjust.”

The magistrate stood from his seat, gathered a few documents, and proceeded to ask further questions.

“According to the Hardwicke Marriage Act [a British law from 1753 requiring parental consent for those under 21 to marry], Miss Catherine Osborne, being under 21, requires her father’s consent for marriage. Was that consent obtained?”

The Hardwicke Marriage Act of 1753 was the first law in England to specifically regulate marriage, stipulating that marriages must be recognized through official ceremonies approved by the Church.

This law was enacted to prevent social disorder arising from unauthorized marriages, such as fraudulent marriages or inheritance issues.

It also mandated that parents must consent to the marriage of their children under the age of 21.

“Yes, Mr. Osborne consented to my marriage before his accident. Had this not occurred, we would likely already be married with his blessing.

After all, Mr. Osborne publicly sought a groom with a dowry of 100,000 pounds [a substantial sum in those days], which inherently implies marriage. Would he have offered such a large dowry, chosen me, and entrusted Miss Osborne to me without intending for us to marry? That’s absurd.”

The magistrate nodded repeatedly.

*Tap.*

Closing the file, Magistrate Culp said,

“Very well. Let’s proceed to the Osborne residence. We’ll hear Mr. Osborne’s stance on the fulfillment of the marriage and gather evidence for submission to the court.”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

Osborne Residence

While Mr. Peterson and Miss Catherine were out, Alex Parker arrived at the Osborne residence, accompanied by the magistrate and two investigating police officers.

Fortunately, Mr. Osborne and Theo were at home, deep in discussion about the factory operations.

“Oh, Father! It’s been a while. I’m so relieved you’re safe. Truly relieved to see you well.”

“…”

“Father, where is Miss Catherine?”

Mr. Osborne’s chin lifted, and his upper lip curled in a sneer.

Then, his eyelids slowly rose, revealing a burning rage in his eyes.

“You… you dare… how dare you… come here…” he rasped, as if each word caused him pain.

He was no longer the Mr. Osborne who could be intimidated by the eldest son of an Earl’s family. The fire in his eyes showed a man ready to fight for what he believed in, regardless of social standing.

Theo, too, was surprised by Alex Parker’s arrival, though he also saw it as an opportunity.

‘I was just wondering how to ensnare that bastard, and now he’s walking right into the lion’s den. Should I call him reckless, or simply foolish…?’ Theo mused.

In this day and age, if someone truly wanted to disappear, it was no easy task to find them.

He figured that with 120,000 pounds, it would be exceedingly difficult to track him down if he vanished completely. Theo was therefore quite relieved that Parker had come looking for them.

However, knowing Parker was a cunning man, he decided to observe him carefully before making any moves.

After the initial, formal greetings, the magistrate wasted no time in explaining the purpose of his visit to Mr. Osborne.

“Mr. Alex Parker is here today to request the legal fulfillment of his marriage to Miss Catherine Osborne.”

Mr. Osborne’s eyebrows shot up at the preposterous statement.

“What… what did you say? Marriage fulfillment?”

“Although Miss Catherine Osborne is not yet 21 years of age, Mr. Parker asserts that a legally binding marriage contract exists because Mr. Osborne, as her guardian, purportedly gave his ‘consent’ to the marriage.”

Mr. Osborne roared, his face reddening with fury.

“What utter nonsense! That I agreed to the marriage? When did I ever do that!”

Even with Mr. Osborne’s temper flaring, Alex Parker smoothly countered.

“Father, don’t you remember? You gave your permission for the marriage as soon as the textile transport was completed, didn’t you? And as you left, you earnestly instructed not only your daughter but also the butler and those around her to listen to me. Could it be that you imbibed too much seawater and your memory is fading? Haha.”

Mr. Osborne was beyond dumbfounded by his audacity, his anger soaring.

“Look at this guy! Are you the one who’s lost his mind? When did I ever promise a marriage? I said that as soon as I returned, we would have an engagement within a month, and then observe the situation for a year!”

Alex Parker couldn’t hide his displeasure at Mr. Osborne’s sudden use of informal language.

“Magistrate, observe his vulgar manner of speaking. These common people gather together, attempt to change a promise of marriage to a mere engagement, and then behave in this manner. Honestly, it’s unbelievable. This is precisely why it is said that common merchants have fundamentally different blood from noble aristocrats.”

The magistrate showed his annoyance.

“I am not here today to witness a squabble between the two of you. Depending on the nature of this matter, I may need to collect evidence and submit it to a higher court, so please answer my questions accurately.”

“······.”

The magistrate of this era maintained law and order within his jurisdiction, directly handling minor criminal offenses and civil disputes. In more serious matters, he also collected evidence to submit to a higher court.

“According to the Hardwicke Marriage Act [a British law from 1753 regulating marriage], parental consent is required for the marriage of children under the age of 21. Mr. Osborne, you clearly consented to the marriage of Catherine Osborne, who is 19 years old, correct?”

“What are you talking about? Consent? What consent? I didn’t give any consent! Why would I give such consent?”

“You placed an advertisement offering a marriage dowry and ultimately decided on Sir Alex Parker. Doesn’t that effectively imply tacit permission for the marriage? If Mr. Osborne hadn’t gone missing, wasn’t the marriage between Alex Parker and Catherine Osborne almost certain?”

He even placed an advertisement to find a marriage partner, and the person he ultimately chose was Alex Parker.

Therefore, the implication was that consent for the marriage had already been tacitly given.

In fact, Mr. Osborne was flustered because it wasn’t entirely wrong, and he couldn’t refute it. He was even afraid that he might have inadvertently broken the law.

‘······.’

Tae-oh, who had been quietly observing the magistrate, understood his intentions.

‘He’s exploiting Mr. Osborne’s ignorance of the law, confident that he alone possesses true legal knowledge. He’s subtly manipulating the situation to favor Alex Parker.

If he validates the marriage promise and Parker seizes all of Mr. Osborne’s remaining assets, he believes some crumbs will fall his way too.’

The magistrate, holding paper and pen, glared and shouted.

“Why can’t you speak up? Before the accident, you clearly arranged for Lord Alex Parker to meet your daughter with marriage in mind. You even drew up a dowry agreement, didn’t you?” the magistrate pressed, his voice laced with impatience.

“And there were many witnesses at the time of the accident, resulting in a death certificate being issued. All of Mr. Osborne’s assets were inherited by Miss Catherine Osborne. Isn’t it true that Lord Alex Parker, as her intended husband, can rightfully exercise his rights regarding the 100,000 pounds of dowry he is to receive?”

Mr. Osborne shook his head vigorously, his face paling.

“It’s true that I set the dowry at 100,000 pounds and sought a suitable son-in-law,” he stammered, “but I never formally approved the marriage between Lord Alex Parker and Catherine. And what dowry agreement are you talking about? I only intended to hold an engagement ceremony after the matter was settled and observe their compatibility for a year afterward.”

The magistrate, as if exasperated by Mr. Osborne’s trembling and aggrieved state, pressed him further, his voice rising in volume.

“Where is the evidence for that? Evidence that you only intended to have an engagement and observe them for a year! Lord Alex Parker understood it as a marriage agreement and has been working tirelessly to secure the necessary funds, even taking out loans based on this assumption.”

He leaned forward, his gaze intense. “There may be communication issues and misunderstandings between the two of you, but I need objective evidence to report it accurately. Provide concrete evidence that you intended to prioritize the engagement!”

“My daughter, the butler, and the servants all know this,” Mr. Osborne replied, his voice barely a whisper.

“Testimonies from acquaintances are not considered valid in a court of law. Is there any documented evidence, perhaps a letter or a statement from a priest, that guarantees objectivity?”

“…That’s…” Mr. Osborne trailed off, his shoulders slumping.

Tae-oh, who had been silent until now, finally stepped forward, his presence suddenly commanding attention.

Tae-oh could no longer stand by and watch. He had to intervene.

“Why is the magistrate interpreting the law so arbitrarily?” Tae-oh demanded.

Tae-oh interjected sharply, causing Magistrate Culp’s lower eyelids to twitch as he glared back. The magistrate clearly wasn’t used to being questioned.

“What? What did you just say?” Magistrate Culp sputtered, his face reddening.

“Aren’t you, as the magistrate, speaking as if the 100,000-pound dowry already belongs to Lord Parker? Does a magistrate truly not know the basic legal principle that the property rights of a dowry arise immediately after marriage under current law? Or are you doing this on purpose?” Tae-oh’s voice was laced with accusation.

Magistrate Culp’s lips thinned as his emotions shifted into a state of barely controlled anger.

“Well… of course, I know that,” he stammered, “but with the sudden death [of Catherine’s father], it’s virtually the same as being married…”

Tae-oh pressed the magistrate relentlessly, not giving him an inch.

“What nonsense is that! All of Mr. Osborne’s assets were inherited by Miss Catherine upon his death declaration. But there hasn’t been an explicit wedding ceremony yet, has there? Therefore, no marriage has taken place.

According to the Hardwick Marriage Act [a 1753 act requiring formal marriage ceremonies] you mentioned earlier, to receive official recognition of the marriage, it must be performed by a clergyman appointed by the Church of England in a chapel or public church.

Furthermore, there must be two witnesses present during the wedding ceremony, and a marriage license or vows must be read accordingly. None of which has happened.”

“Shouldn’t we first seek out such evidence before determining the marriage’s legal validity under the existing marriage laws?” Tae-oh pressed, his voice sharp.

He continued, elaborating on the legal framework. “The Hardwicke Marriage Act [a 1753 act requiring formal marriage ceremonies] stipulated that official recognition of a marriage must be overseen by clergy recognized by the Church of England. Clergy who failed to comply faced severe penalties, including exile.”

Magistrate Culp shifted uncomfortably. “Ah… no. I was planning to investigate that aspect later…”

Tae-oh pounced on the magistrate’s hesitation. “Furthermore, Alec Parker explicitly stated, in the presence of Miss Catherine Osborne, the housekeeper, the maid, and the factory manager, that he was taking the 120,000 pounds [approximately equivalent to millions of dollars today] for the express purpose of funding the factory and repaying its debts.”

He paused for emphasis. “In that case, even Parker acted with the clear ‘intention’ that the money belonged to Catherine, the legal heir of Mr. Osborne’s estate, and not as his personal dowry, didn’t he?”

“······.”

“At best, Alec Parker merely exercised legal actions ‘on behalf’ of the factory’s financial needs. If he exceeded that defined scope, wouldn’t he be clearly liable for civil charges as someone who abused his authority to handle property? And wouldn’t such actions also constitute a criminal offense?”

“…….”

Tae-oh’s voice rose with indignation. “But now, he suddenly claims that the money was his legal dowry and spent it accordingly. How can a magistrate even pose such a question without properly investigating these glaringly contradictory statements?”

Magistrate Culp was visibly flustered by Tae-oh’s meticulous and relentless questioning.

‘How dare that lowly bastard…’ he thought, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

Alec Parker’s face twisted in anger.

Tae-oh’s relentless questioning continued.

“Even with overwhelming evidence to the contrary, if this court persists in siding with Lord Parker based on flimsy legal justifications and twisted logic, we can only conclude that there is an illicit agreement between the local magistrate and Lord Parker.

In that case,” Tae-oh’s voice hardened, “I will be forced to use every resource at my disposal to respond decisively.”

In an instant, the magistrate’s face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and fear. He stole a cautious glance at Tae-oh.

“By the way…” the magistrate stammered, “who… who exactly are you referring to?”

Suddenly, a loud burst of laughter erupted from Alec Parker.

“Puhahaha!”

Alec Parker, who had been sneering until now, turned serious, his eyes glinting with malice. He addressed the magistrate directly. “Listen to the drivel this commoner is spouting. It’s utterly ridiculous. Magistrate, are you truly curious about what this fellow does for a living?”

With a contemptuous smile, Alec Parker twisted his lips and spat out the words as if discarding something filthy.

“Magistrate, that fellow is a matchmaker, a mere matchmaker! He’s arranged a few marriages for the high and mighty in London, and now he struts around as if he’s some noble aristocrat himself. Ha ha ha!”

The magistrate’s face changed at the word ‘matchmaker’.

“Really? You’re saying he’s just a matchmaker?”

“Indeed, Magistrate. How long will you listen to the words of such a lowly fellow, who doesn’t even qualify as a businessman? He claims he’ll use all the power he has? Hah! What power does such a commoner possess? He’s just trying to intimidate you with empty threats, so don’t be fooled. Heh heh heh.”

Alec Parker, who had been glaring at Tae-oh with a sneer, turned serious again and said,

“Magistrate! You must severely punish him for insulting a distinguished Earl’s family. Daring to flaunt nonexistent power and influence before a true noble…”

But, at that moment,

“Are you the famous Alec Parker, I presume?”

Earl Anthony Burns entered the living room with three attendants.