He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 123

123. Grady, the Baron’s Interest

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes.”

Only after the consulting room door closed did they formally greet each other.

“Hello, I am Theo Sanderson.”

“Nice to meet you. Logan… no, Grady Morrison.”

Logan the writer’s real name was Grady Morrison.

However, his appearance was quite different from what his writing suggested.

With his tall, handsome looks and bright smile, he looked like any other young nobleman.

It was hard to imagine he was the writer who so sharply criticized aristocratic society.

“Lord Morrison, would you like to sit here?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Theo served freshly brewed Juba Special coffee.

Grady looked surprised after tasting the coffee.

“The coffee you gave me as a gift was also amazing, but this coffee is surprisingly superior in aroma and taste. Could it be because it was ground by the skilled hands of the cafe staff that it tastes different?”

“No. The coffee you are drinking now is a little different from the one I gave you as a gift. It’s a special coffee that is only supplied to the royal family.”

“Ah, I see. No wonder….”

Theo carefully observed his expressions and actions from the moment he entered until he tasted the coffee.

He tried to figure out what kind of person Grady was, not missing a single glance or subtle hand gesture.

But he couldn’t figure it out at all.

The reason was simple.

Grady Morrison was also diligently observing Theo.

In a situation where they had become observers of each other, it was impossible to properly identify the other’s tendencies or emotions.

Noticing this, Grady burst into a hearty laugh and said,

“Hoo- I’ve never felt like this before. I’ll be honest with you. I have a slightly bad habit of trying to figure out what kind of person someone is by observing them, and it seems like you do too, Mr. Sanderson. To think that we are both so diligently observing each other… haha. This is too much fun.”

“Haha. As expected of Logan, the writer of meticulous works. I don’t think I’ve ever had my mind read like this before. Let’s just assume we have similar tendencies and have an open and honest conversation from now on, without holding back?”

“Yes, yes. I think we should. Haha.”

Thus, the breathtaking reconnaissance ended before long.

Theo and Grady, having shed their pretenses, had a wide-ranging conversation. In the meantime, the coffee was refilled four times.

“Heo- To think that Gavin Murray came to Mr. Sanderson as a matchmaking client; I had no idea. Is such a coincidence even possible?”

“Yes, it’s something I still find amazing. It’s almost as if fate intervened.”

“Even so, it means that Mr. Sanderson was already suspicious of Gavin Murray at that time and was checking him out? And that’s how you suspected him as the culprit and started chasing him.”

“Yes, I was also involved in the sudden strange serial murder case….”

Grady asked intensively about the Gavin Murray case, and Theo poured out the questions he had about Grady’s novel.

“I had many thoughts while reading the writer’s ‘LOVE’. Above all, there was criticism of ‘noble status’ hidden everywhere, but the writer himself is also an aristocrat, isn’t he?”

“I think I was able to criticize it because I am an aristocrat and know its true nature. In fact, there are surprisingly many people who are not aristocrats who believe in the ‘noble status’ of aristocrats or think that their blood itself is different.”

“I see.”

* * *

Before they knew it, it was time to leave.

“Has time already passed like this? I’m worried I’ve kept you, a busy person, for too long….”

Grady seemed genuinely disappointed at Theo’s words.

“No. I’ve only heard rumors about you, so I was curious about how great you were, but after talking to you in person like this, I feel like my knowledge is infinitely short.”

“What are you talking about? I think it’s the other way around. I learned much more from Lord Morrison.”

Standing up, Theo carefully asked.

“Lord Morrison, if it’s not too much to ask, how about continuing our acquaintance in the future and having pleasant conversations? If you come to the cafe anytime, even once a week, I’ll come down right away.”

“Haha. I also had such a wish, but you’ve read my mind again.”

Since the topic came up, Theo decided to tell the truth about the matchmaking.

“And, as you know well that my job is a marriage broker, I’ll be direct. If there is a lady who is perfect for Lord Morrison, who is still unmarried, I would like to introduce her to you. Since we are now friends, I would like to introduce you to a good woman as a friend, not just a client. Would that be okay?”

He thought that he might politely refuse because he didn’t like to reveal himself, but surprisingly, a positive answer came back.

“I’ve heard rumors about Mr. Sanderson’s matchmaking method and personally thought it was amazing. It’s also similar to my view of marriage. However, the truth is that I hesitate because my situation is not very good, so marriage is not easy. And will there really be a woman who will support and assist the life of a popular novelist?”

“Don’t worry about that. I’m embarrassed to say it myself, but I think I have a knack for finding the best match. Now that we’ve become friends who can open up to each other, I want to pay more special attention to you than ordinary clients. I’ll keep introducing you to really good ladies in the future. Lord Morrison, all you have to do is meet them.”

“This is… Anyway, I’m just grateful that you think so.”

◈ London, St. James, Duchess Price’s mansion.

“I thought you had given up on the introduction because there was no contact for almost a month, but suddenly a good match appeared?”

Theo visited the Duchess’s house to arrange a meeting with Grady.

However, the Duchess was out on a long trip, so Eva greeted Theo on behalf of the Duchess.

“Are you free tomorrow, by any chance?”

“I don’t think I can tomorrow. I have something I’m personally preparing for.”

“Then, the day after tomorrow is fine too.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ll have time all week. I’m available from next week.”

This weekend, Grady Morrison was scheduled to attend a distant relative’s wedding. It was said to be a long journey that would take at least two weeks round trip.

If they couldn’t meet this week, the two would only be able to see each other after a month.

“It seems like you have a lot of busy things to do?”

“There’s a book club discussion from the day after tomorrow until this weekend, so I have to prepare.”

“The discussion wouldn’t be all day, so wouldn’t you be able to take a little time outside of that?”

“No. This discussion is a very meaningful and important event for me, so I have to prepare for it.”

“That’s different from what you promised last time. You said you would meet anyone I brought?”

However, Eva didn’t seem to have any intention of making time this week.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can. This discussion is about my favorite writer’s work, so I have a lot to prepare for the discussion, so I can’t make time.”

“If it’s your favorite writer, is it possible that you’re having a discussion about Logan’s work?”

Eva asked in surprise.

“How did you know that?”

“I knew because I saw Logan’s books on the bookshelf in the study last time.”

“…Ah, yes.”

Theo quickly turned his head.

“Miss Riley, can outsiders also attend that book discussion?”

“Of course, you can attend, but if you’re trying to bring a man to see me for a blind date, I’d rather you didn’t.”

Eva, who was quick-witted, tried to preemptively block the burdensome situation.

“I’ll hide the fact that Miss Riley is a blind date from the gentleman I’m taking. Wouldn’t that be okay then?”

“Would that person even want to attend such a book club?”

“The person I’m introducing has considerable interest and knowledge in popular literature. It will be a very fun time. It wouldn’t be a burden for Miss Riley to take a look at him naturally rather than a rigid meeting for marriage, wouldn’t it be good?”

“…….”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut about the fact that Miss Riley is a blind date until the end. If Miss Riley doesn’t like him that day, I won’t even introduce him. Then it will be a clean break without any awkwardness.”

Listening to it, it didn’t seem like she would lose much, but Eva’s expression showed that she didn’t understand Theo’s unreasonable request to bring a blind date to the book club.

“You seem very confident about something? As if I’m going to fall in love with him at first sight?”

“Haha. Wouldn’t it be a good thing for each other if Miss Riley falls in love?”

Eva snorted.

“Hoo- I wonder if that will ever happen? It would be fortunate if there wasn’t a fight at the book club.”

“A fight? Why do you think so?”

“The person you’re bringing is definitely an aristocrat, but Logan’s work is bound to be unpleasant to the ignorant male aristocrats of this society.”

“Haha. That could be true. Anyway, it’s a chance to properly observe all those aspects, so wouldn’t it be okay?”

“…….”

“Have you decided on a location for the book discussion?”

“We decided to do it at a book rental store.”

“If it can be changed, we have a nice reception room in our cafe that can accommodate about 20 people. How about doing it there?”

These days, Kensington T&S Cafe was the most popular place among young people. From Eva’s point of view, it was a better offer in many ways than conducting the discussion while being mindful of the book rental store.

“Well, it wouldn’t be bad to do it there….”

“Then I’ll keep the seats open from the day after tomorrow until this weekend. Please let me know the book club time.”

“…….”

* * *

Theo returned to the Kensington Marriage Information Company immediately after meeting Eva.

But Grady Morrison was drinking coffee on the cafe terrace.

Theo cheered inwardly and approached Grady to greet him.

“Lord Morrison? You came again today?”

“Ah, Mr. Sanderson. It looks like you’re back from work.”

After exchanging pleasant greetings, Theo carefully brought up the topic.

“Excuse me, Lord Morrison?”

“Yes?”

“Did you know that a book club will be held from the day after tomorrow discussing Lord Morrison’s work?”

“Well, I’ve heard occasionally that they’re holding book discussions with my books here and there. There are so many socio-critical parts [socially critical elements].”

“Have you ever heard the evaluation of Lord Morrison’s writing directly at such a book club?”

Grady smiled wryly.

“I’ve never heard it directly, but I know that they criticize it.”

“There are many criticisms, but there are also many readers who are enthusiastic about Lord Morrison. Would you like to hear it directly this time?”

“Me directly?”

“Yes, of course, no one will know that Lord Morrison is Logan, so it would be fun to go and listen once.”

“Well, I don’t know if that’s really meaningful.”

“A person with a strong mentality like Lord Morrison wouldn’t be hurt by readers’ criticism, and I don’t think it would be bad to hear how readers view it.”

“…….”

“After all, since he is a writer who writes novels for the public, I think it would be helpful to have time to hear the public’s opinion of Lord Morrison in writing in the future.”

As Grady’s expression changed positively, Theo quickly informed him of the discussion venue.

“Coincidentally, a book discussion on your ‘LOVE’ will be held in our cafe’s VVIP reception room behind the cafe for 3 days from the day after tomorrow. Why don’t you stop by to have coffee?”

Grady nodded silently.

◈ Two days later, Theo Marriage Information Company VVIP reception room.

A man opened his mouth, fiddling with the ‘LOVE’ book.

“I read this book again for today’s discussion after a long time, but even after reading it again, the writing ends with a somewhat unsettling feeling. It’s five volumes long, but the ending is a bit….”

A woman in a white dress nodded and agreed with the man’s words.

“That’s right. It’s a predictable story about a young nobleman named Kaiden Neville, who was innocent, fell in love at first sight with the daughter of a wealthy merchant he met at a bar, was abandoned, and eventually took revenge out of betrayal, but the ending is so ambiguous that it doesn’t feel good, like an unfinished meal.”

In the novel, the poor nobleman Kaiden dates Natalie, but she later meets Aaron, a more handsome and wealthy gentleman, and starts a new relationship, and soon even has a grand wedding.

Kaiden was consumed with betrayal and revenge, but there was only despair for Kaiden, who was from a poor aristocratic family with no money or power.

But an opportunity comes to this Kaiden a few years later.

He inherits a large fortune from a distant relative who died without children.

Kaiden, who suddenly becomes wealthy overnight, now dreams of revenge, and the novel unfolds.

A man with a long face was excited and talked about the atmosphere that sympathized with his words.

“It seems like the writer Logan has good writing skills, but overall, the composition and coherence are not smooth and clumsy. The love story of a man who wasted his life falling in love to the point of obsession is frustratingly unchanging. Of course, well, that’s why it’s not popular, haha.”

Grady Morrison, who was listening to their cold evaluation of his book, was just smirking as if he knew it would be like that.

Theo could understand the readers’ reactions a little.

‘The era is not yet ripe to grasp the writer’s intention of conflict and subjectivity regarding human emotions….’

But then, Eva Riley, who had been silent, opened her mouth.

“I don’t think this novel is simply trying to show the love story of a man who fell into a terrible love and succumbed to obsession.”

Everyone’s attention was focused on Eva’s opinion.

“Then what do you think Miss Riley was trying to capture in this novel?”

The man with the long face asked gruffly.

“I think the writer of this novel struggled fiercely with what the real feeling of love is and tried to capture the story about it.”

“Real… what do you mean by the feeling of love?”

“The love that the main character Kaiden showed was not a love with his own subjectivity.”

Everyone had puzzled expressions. It was the story of a man who laughed and cried with love from beginning to end and was faithful to his emotions, but it sounded like all those emotions were fake.

“So, Miss Riley’s words mean that Kaiden’s love was fake?”

“Yes, the male protagonist Kaiden loses his real feelings at the moment he first encounters the feeling of ‘love’, ironically. And he has fake feelings.

He struggles with fake love for so long, and only at the end does he finally regain his real feelings.

So I think this novel is not just a love story, but a story about the process of finding his lost self-emotion.”

Grady Morrison straightened his upper body and glanced at Eva.

Grady, who had been yawning with a consistently bored expression, was showing interest for the first time.