Chapter 721 The Midnight Conversation
Aunt Emma explained, "This is a custom we have in our hometown. We weave a red cord for ourselves on our birthday as a lucky amulet."
Clarissa could not help being curious. She came over and chatted with a smile, "It's so beautiful. Does everyone here make one for themselves every year?"
Her question stunned Aunt Emma who shook her head immediately and replied.
"No, the people here won't."
"Why?"
Both their eyes opened wide in amazement at Aunt Emma's answer and asked in reply.
Right at this moment, Uncle Jasper walked in.
Immediately, Aunt Emma bowed her head and did not continue with the conversation.
When Uncle Jasper saw the three of them sitting together, he asked, "What are you discussing?"
Clarissa and Nora shared a wink and replied with a smile, "Nothing important. We were talking about the doctor who just left. He is amazing. Nora was complaining about the pain in her leg. After changing the dressing and medicine, Nora doesn't feel any pain now."
When Aunt Emma heard her say this, her hand trembled.
But, she did not say anything.
Uncle Jasper laughed at her answer and answered back.
"That goes without saying. These few villages depend on him to heal all our ills and chills. If he cannot heal us, then no one can."
Then, he told Aunt Emma, "Tonight, you cook two more dishes. These two little ladies need more nourishment. Illness always affects vitality. Extra nourishment will help them to recover faster."
Aunt Emma nodded in acknowledgement and turned to go out.
Subsequently, Uncle Jasper left as well. Clarissa and Nora could finally breathe easier.
As expected, dinner was a spread.
Before dinner, there were many visitors.
The news was out that there were two ladies from outside the village at the house. Everyone rushed over to have a look as if this was a peep show.
During the time Nora was there alone, the news was not so widespread.
When Clarissa came over, the news spread like wildfire. Probably the young man who drove the oxen cart spread the news.
Everybody was here to have a look and satisfy their curiosity.
Clarissa noticed that quite a few were young men in their twenties or thirties.
They stared at Clarissa and Nora like a pack of wolves looking at two lambs.
Clarissa had to admit that it was a menacing atmosphere.
However, Clarissa and Nora were guests from afar and it was impolite for them to voice their displeasure.
She put on a fake smile and sat there to greet them.
They only left when it was dinner time.
When Uncle Jasper came back, he was in a good mood. So much so that he had more than a glass of wine during dinner.
When dinner was over, Clarissa and Nora returned to their room.
They lazed around the room for a while before Clarissa made another assessment on Nora's fractured leg. Later on, after Clarissa had washed up and ready to sleep, her tummy felt queasy.
She got up and told Nora, "I'm going to the washroom. You'll be careful alone."
Nora nodded. Then, she thought Clarissa might be scared since it was night and there was no light at all. So, she asked Clarissa, "Do you want me to accompany you?"
"There's no need."
Clarissa waved her hand and replied.
It was painful for Nora to move around. So, Clarissa did not have the heart to get Nora to accompany her.
Nora understood Clarissa's thoughts and did not persist.
Clarissa got up from the bed, put on her slippers, and went downstairs.
Her steps were more rapid as her tummy was painful. She was intent on getting to the toilet and did not notice the surroundings.
It took some effort to locate the toilet. After she was done and out of the toilet, she noticed a cluster of lights swaying not far away.
She was mystified and curious.
As far as she knew, the folks here slept as soon as darkness fell. There would not be any light outside.
There was no nightlife whatsoever here, unlike in the big cities.
Furthermore, the cluster of lights was outside and not inside the houses.
In the countryside, toilets were not built inside the house. Most of the toilets were located outside behind the kitchens in the backyard.
From her room upstairs, she had to go downstairs, open the back door, and walk along a small path to reach the toilet.
So from the toilet, Clarissa had to walk a short stretch before she was back in the house.
Unexpectedly, on the way back, she saw someone standing outside Uncle Jasper's house.
From the shadows on the ground, it was apparent that there were two persons, not one.
The faint flicker of light must be from the torch held by one of them.
Filled with curiosity, she crept over.
The shape of the stone building was square. The two men were standing at one of the corners that faced the front.
Clarrissa was scared that she would be discovered and did not dare to go so near to them. All she could do was to inch slowly along the wall. When she was near enough, she flattened herself against the wall.
Between her and the other party were a stretch of the wall and the corner where the other party was standing.
In the night, a man's voice was saying, "Thirty thousand pounds is too expensive! Don't suppose that I have not done a background check. When Peter and Anne sent the woman here, they said that she is married with children. She is not a virgin and should not worth that much."
Following the man's outburst, an older man's voice answered.
Clarissa recognised the voice to be Uncle Jasper.
He was smoking a pipe which gave out a cracking sound and he slowly answered, "It's okay if you think she's expensive. The other is a virgin, and the price is also thirty thousand pounds. Why don't you choose the other one instead?"
"I..."
The man paused and fell silent.
Uncle Jasper was chuckling away.
"If you desire good looks, then you should pay the price for good looks. We're both in the same village, so I offer to you first. If you want, then this is the price, and I'll send her over to you. If you don't want her, then I'll sell her to the nearby village."
The man started fidgeting at Uncle Jasper's words and appealed.
"But, the price is too expensive. You know our family's position. How can we pay so much money all of a sudden?"
Uncle Jasper thought for a moment.
Then, he explained, "To tell you the truth, this woman was sent by Aunt Anne and Peter. I am just the middle man earning a little commission. When the deal is done, I still have to split the money with them. The price cannot be any less!"
He carried on and asked, "Say something. Do you want it or not?"
The man hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes, yes. I certainly want her."
Uncle Jasper said, "The amount is what I just mentioned. Not a single penny less."
"Ermm..." The other party wavered for a moment. Then, he gritted his teeth and replied, "Well, I'm going broke! When I raised enough money, I'll come and look for you. Since I have confirmed the deal, you cannot continue to let others see her for this period."
Uncle Jasper started to chuckle again and told him,
"Don't worry! The little lady with the fractured leg needs at least a month to recuperate. I can't get a good price if she doesn't recover. So for one month at least, they are not going anywhere but staying at my house."
"I won't force them. I will talk to them during this month. If they are smart, they will know that they won't be able to escape. Perhaps, they will accept the inevitable."
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