He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 141

141. Father’s Decision

Mr. Robinson, back in the carriage and heading towards Theo’s house, was fraught with anxiety.

“Could it all be a lie? When I think about it, there’s no real reason for a Lord Sanderson to be involved here, is there? Did he just throw out a famous name that I’d recognize? Ugh, should I have roughed him up more back there? What if he’s already packed his bags and run off?”

His friend tried to reassure him.

“Surely not. Lord Sanderson’s house is nearby. And in a place like London, with so many eyes, he wouldn’t get far before someone recognized him. Don’t worry. Let’s just go to Lord Sanderson’s house and check. If it’s not true, we can always come back. Just calm down.”

As his friend said, Mayfair, where Lord Sanderson supposedly lived, wasn’t far from Covent Garden Market.

Clop-clop—Clop-clop—

From the entrance, Mayfair had a completely different atmosphere from Covent Garden.

Lined with ultra-luxurious mansions the likes of which he had never seen, and with meticulously manicured gardens, it immediately felt like a place where high-ranking nobles resided.

“The more I think about it, the stranger it seems. What reason would a famous Lord Sanderson living in a place like this have to take Rio and my daughter? I think we’ve been fooled. Doesn’t it sound ridiculous?”

“Just stop it already. We’re here now, so let’s check it out before you worry yourself sick. If the address is correct, that’s Lord Sanderson’s mansion right there.”

Looking where his friend pointed, he saw a mansion with a particularly beautiful garden and exterior, even among the other grand houses.

Perhaps because he had just seen the pathetic Jeffrey’s house, Lord Sanderson’s mansion looked like a grand palace.

“That’s… Lord Sanderson’s house?”

In fact, Lord Sanderson’s name was even more famous in Jamaica.

Whenever people gathered, they were always talking about him.

“You know what kind of person Lord Sanderson is, don’t you? He has the King’s special trust. There are rumors that he’ll soon be granted the title of Earl, even though he’s currently a Baron.”

“…Receive the title of Earl?”

“Yes, anyway, he’s a remarkable man. So, don’t cause a ruckus like you did at Jeffrey’s house. If you mess up, your head might be the first to roll before you even see Laura’s face.”

“…….”

As they approached Lord Sanderson’s house, Mr. Robinson’s friend suddenly seemed nervous.

Two burly men with large spears were guarding the entrance.

One of the stern-looking men stopped the carriage and asked curtly.

“What brings you here?”

“Ah, I am the father of Laura Robinson, who is staying at Lord Sanderson’s house. I’ve come a long way from Jamaica, and I really need to see my daughter today.”

Robinson, who didn’t believe Laura would be at Lord Sanderson’s house, waited anxiously for the men’s reply.

“Wait here for a moment. I’ll go inside and let them know.”

As the man turned and walked away, Mr. Robinson whispered to his friend.

“Do the nobles in London keep soldiers at their homes like this these days?”

“No. I’ve lived here for a while and have rarely seen anything like this. Is it because of the recent rebellion? I’m not sure.”

The atmosphere was so different from the market streets of Covent Garden that Hugo Robinson felt strangely intimidated.

Just then, the man who had gone inside came out and shouted.

“You may enter!”

At his words, the gate opened, and the carriage carrying Mr. Robinson and his friend slowly entered Theo’s mansion.

* * *

As they entered the drawing room, a middle-aged man with a firm and dignified face came out.

His attire suggested he was the house steward.

“Are you Laura Robinson’s father?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Please wait a moment. Miss Robinson will be down shortly.”

Mr. Robinson’s eyes widened at the steward’s words.

“…My daughter, is really… in this house?”

“Yes? Didn’t you know she was here when you came to see her?”

“…….”

Mr. Robinson was bewildered as the thing he thought impossible turned out to be true.

Was Theo Sanderson really protecting his daughter?

But he still couldn’t understand why he was keeping her.

‘Could it be that Rio… is Rio really a grandson of the Edwards family?’

While Mr. Robinson was in confusion, someone appeared from the second floor.

“Father!”

At the familiar voice, Mr. Robinson snapped his head up.

It was his daughter. His eldest daughter, Laura, was rushing down the stairs.

And behind her was Rio Edwards.

Seeing Rio, his friend quickly asked.

“Is that young man… the Rio you mentioned?”

“Huh? Uh… uh, yes. I think so….”

“What do you mean? What do you mean, ‘I think so’?”

“Well… he looks quite different.”

To Mr. Robinson, Rio didn’t look like the shabby, rustic manager he remembered from Jamaica.

He had completely transformed in the meantime.

Dressed in luxurious clothes and with his hair styled, he looked like a high-ranking nobleman.

“Father!”

Laura, who had run over, hugged Robinson tightly, and he hugged her back.

“You bad girl! What is all this about!”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Father. Waaah-”

Rio, who followed behind, bowed repeatedly and begged for forgiveness.

“Master! I sincerely apologize for causing you great concern, though belatedly, after worrying you so much all this time.”

“…….”

Mr. Robinson had intended to slap Rio across the face as soon as he saw him.

But strangely, he didn’t dare to do so, seeing his dignified transformation.

While Rio and Laura were busy attending to her father, his friend whispered in Mr. Robinson’s ear.

“Could Jeffrey be right? I thought Rio was a complete fraud based on rumors, but look at his attitude and the way he speaks. He doesn’t just imitate a nobleman; he seems like a real duke’s family member.

And considering that he’s being protected in Lord Sanderson’s house… could he really be a grandson of the Duke’s family?”

“…….”

Mr. Robinson, who was standing there blankly as if he had lost his soul, just blinked at his friend’s question.

When he thought about it, there were more than one or two strange things about Rio’s behavior.

No matter how difficult the situation was on the farm, he remained calm and composed, solving problems with composure, and instead of the vulgar and crude behavior and speech of the managers, he was gentle and formal.

In many ways, he was definitely different from ordinary managers.

Once, at the Jamaican port, he had tilted his head, seeing him mixing in luxurious vocabulary and chatting happily with the merchant representative.

Manners and pronunciation are not something that can be easily imitated.

It is something that is possible only after a long time of listening, seeing, and speaking, but it was truly strange that a lowly white slave showed such a thing.

But at that time, he thought that Rio was of humble status and had nothing to do with the noble family, so even if he saw a special appearance, he thought it was just a coincidence that he saw and followed it somewhere.

‘Yes, how could a slave who hasn’t learned properly follow such behavior or speech? It must have been because he had a father from a real duke’s family that he could receive teachings….’

Just then, someone came down from the stairs and said.

“So, you are Miss Laura’s father. You must have had a hard time coming all the way here, haha.”

Lord Theo Sanderson, whom he had only heard of in rumors and seen in newspapers and magazines, was striding towards Mr. Robinson.

* * *

Theo and Mr. Robinson were talking over coffee.

Next to them, Rio and Laura were quietly listening to the conversation while drinking tea.

Theo explained step by step the background of how he became convinced that Rio was the Duke’s grandson and his future plans.

“…In fact, we are still looking for evidence, but I can guarantee that Lord Rio Edwards is the only legitimate grandson of the Duke’s family.

However, I would appreciate it if you, Father, would understand that we cannot disclose this to everyone for the time being because there are forces trying to cover this up, as well as other serious criminal acts.”

Robinson couldn’t help but trust Theo, who explained the various facts in a polite and courteous manner.

“So, you’re saying that you’re going to file a lawsuit against Duke Garrett in two months and proceed with a counterattack?”

“Yes, that’s right. However, we need to change the public opinion that is too skewed towards Duke Garrett before that. That is currently in progress, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

Theo’s words not to worry sounded reassuring, as if he would win the lawsuit.

“However, there is one thing I find strange and curious about. May I ask?”

“Of course. You can ask anything.”

“I’m curious as to why someone as famous and busy as Lord Sanderson is going out of his way to help Rio. What is the reason?”

Theo replied with a smile.

“Mr. Robinson, when you see someone trying to help a child who has fallen into the water, are you curious about the reason?”

“…….”

“If you know how to swim, wouldn’t anyone jump in to save them?”

“…Well, of course.”

“This is the same. I happened to learn about Rio’s unfortunate situation, and I just wanted to help because I had a little power. What grand reason would there be for such an obvious action?”

Mr. Robinson was impressed by Theo’s composure.

‘Indeed… no wonder the King trusts and relies on him so much. It’s not an empty compliment….’

The rumor that Laura had run away with a white slave manager was already spreading throughout Jamaica and London.

Now, Laura was in a position where marriage proposals could not easily be discussed with anyone.

For the Robinson couple, who had been eagerly hoping that Laura would marry a noble from a family with a backbone, it was as if the sky was falling.

But an unexpected twist was unfolding.

Rio, whom they only knew as a freed slave, could be of noble lineage, a grandson of the Duke’s family that was too difficult to even look up to….

Now that things had come to this, Mr. Robinson couldn’t just stand by. He wanted to step up as much as he could.

“Lord Sanderson… what happens if Rio wins the lawsuit?”

“I don’t know about the Duke’s title right away, but he can bring in a considerable amount of wealth. And if the illegal activities I suspect are revealed, Lord Rio may be able to receive the Duke’s title.”

“Re… receive the Duke’s title? Are you saying that this young Rio could become the Duke right away?”

“That’s right.”

Mr. Robinson, with a dazed expression, was stunned for a long time before regaining his senses and asking again.

“Lord Sanderson? Then, if you go into litigation, the cost will be considerable, won’t it?”

“It probably will. We have to find various evidence and witnesses, too.”

“I will cover all those costs.”

“Father?”

“Yes! Rio’s matter is no different from my daughter’s matter now. I can’t just stand by while Rio is finding his roots, can I? Even if Lord Sanderson is helping out of good will, that’s really not the way to do it. I have enough leeway to do that.”

Rio and Laura looked touched at Mr. Robinson’s words. It was as good as saying he would allow their marriage.

Theo also smiled and nodded.

“Yes. In fact, I was a little worried because a lot of money might be needed if we go into an all-out war, but it would be a great help if you, Father, would bear the burden.”

“Of course, it’s my daughter’s business, so I have to take the lead. That’s why I worked so hard to save money all my life, haha.”

◈ Fifteen days later, at the end of October 1779.

After finishing lunch, in the afternoon, a call came from the book rental store.

It was a call saying that Logan’s book was completed.

As soon as Theo received the call, he rushed to the store and brought a first edition to the company.

The front cover of the book had the title ‘A Young Man’s Sad Memoir’ written in large letters, and a black and white sketch of a lonely figure was drawn on it.

While writing the work, Grady Morrison met with Rio and discussed the details, making several revisions.

In the meantime, Theo asked Charlie to draw a picture of Rio’s back with a sad emotion.

Charlie, who was studying painting at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, gladly participated in the work and completed a stylish cover picture with atmosphere.

‘First of all, I really like the cover. Charlie is definitely a genius. How can he capture such emotions with just one back view? Where should I go to appreciate the writing of Logan, the genius of the literary world?’

Theo was already looking forward to seeing what it would be like if Logan took the power out and wrote.

* * *

“Hoo-”

A deep sigh escaped from Theo’s mouth as he closed the last chapter.

He was going to read only the first part to see how it was written, and then read the rest at home.

However, the moment he read the first line, he was drawn in and had no choice but to immerse himself in reading to the last page.

“Huh- geez.”

Theo’s eyes were red. He felt as if tears would fall at any moment if there was sad music playing next to him.

‘Amazing… to be able to stir people’s hearts like this…. Haha- geez.’

He thought it would be very well written.

No, he was sure that it would be well written and would give a lot of emotion, so he asked for it.

However, he expected that the period for conceiving it was too short, and that it would be a little difficult to counter the public opinion that Garrett had created in the meantime because it was not a long article.

But that expectation was completely wrong. He wondered if he had underestimated Logan’s ability too much.

It was in the form of a memoir, but it was more touching and impressive than any novel.

In the scene where the protagonist’s father leaves England to protect his love with the maid, despite his high position and wealth, and for his born son, the sense of responsibility and family love as a man came to him deeply,

When these families run a small farm in North America and enjoy simple happiness, the scene of eating poison and spitting blood brought anger and pity for them like a raging wave.

And in the scene where the young protagonist, who survived by the skin of his teeth, confirms the death of his parents and weeps, it felt as if his heart was torn to pieces.

Being tormented to the point of death by a bad neighboring farmer and being sold into slavery and boarding a ship to Jamaica made the reader feel breathless.

By the time the novel was over, his heart was so heavy that he wanted to send a helping hand to the protagonist right away.

Also, he felt like finding that relative, like a devil, who ruined their lives and killing him.

Theo, who put down the book and slowly got up from his seat, walked towards the window.

The world looked different before and after reading the book.

“Hoo-”

The waves of emotion were churning in his heart, and he had a hard time calming them down.

Theo prided himself on being able to manage and control his emotions better than anyone else through his long study and training in psychology.

But for the first time in a long time, his emotions were so intense that he couldn’t control them.

‘Amazing… Grady… he’s a really great writer….’

Then he smiled, looking at the cover.

‘Charlie is a really great painter… hehe.’

He thought it would be successful even if he could move public opinion a little, but it seemed like he could expect more than that.