Audrey seems to regard Sean's love as a young man's impulse.
The urge would fade over time, and she decided Sean had better options.
At least in her mind, aristocratic marriage has always been a top priority. Bloodline, family status, social status and wealth must all be taken into consideration. Being a widowed woman will not bring much help to Sean.
She does not think that Sean's future should be limited to Genoa, and that the Holy City is where Sean should display his talents.
But her ambiguous relationship with Sean had already spread throughout all circles in Poitou, which made her embarrassed and made her even more afraid of participating in social circles.
Yes, she is a strong woman. She can face the difficulties of maintaining the family business alone and the boycott from within the family. She can also endure the loneliness in her love life, but she cannot bear the criticism from morals and ethics.
However, the Countess of Koval returned to Poitou from the Holy City to visit her relatives, and Audrey had to take the initiative to pay her a visit.
If the Robinson family is the richest man in Genoa, then the Covar family is extremely rich. In addition to owning a large amount of land in Genoa, this family also owns a considerable ocean-going fleet and controls most of Poitou's foreign trade. At the same time, this family
The family is also actively investing in emerging industries in the north.
Not only that, Count Covar is also a member of the Parliament of Nobles, representing the voice of the Genoese people, so this family is recognized as number one in Genoa.
Count Koval's wife is already fifty-two years old this year. She is no longer young. Although she is well-maintained, her hair has turned gray, but her nobility is unmatched by others.
As a countess, her status in the holy city with so many nobles was just ordinary, but in Genoa, she was surrounded and complimented by everyone.
In fact, this countess is also Audrey's cousin. If someone studies the marriages of nobles, they will always find that they tend to intermarry within their circles. Bloodline and family status come first, and then wealth.
Obviously, this trend has been challenged. Except for the eldest son of the countess, who is married to the daughter of an earl in Gyeonggi Province, and is considered well-matched, the other sons are all married to the daughters of bankers or wealthy businessmen.
Recently, Count Koval, who is far away in the Holy City, has frequently written letters to celebrities in his hometown, asking for and exchanging opinions on some important matters. The Countess, on the other hand, traveled thousands of miles to return to her hometown for the purpose of visiting relatives. Her purpose is intriguing, especially
When the Estates-General of Genoa is about to convene.
The Countess of Coval had a long journey, but she held a salon the next day. She invited the ladies of Poitou to her manor and invited them to appreciate and taste the most popular clothing styles and styles in the Holy City.
Items of jewelry.
Audrey was first on the invitation list.
Whether in terms of close relationship or status, among the circle of ladies, Audrey sat next to the countess.
While enjoying the performance of the famous artist, the ladies maintained an elegant posture and secretly compared the exquisiteness and luxury of their evening gowns and headdresses. Even their expressions when speaking and their sitting and standing postures were compared.
If someone behaves inappropriately, there will be whispers and jeers.
Audrey completely outclassed them. Her beauty and youth were beyond their comparison. Although she was not wearing any extravagant jewelry, she had a graceful and luxurious aura sitting there.
The only thing that can surpass Audrey is their marriage, at least they have husbands.
"What a pity, I didn't see Viscount Connery. Viscount Connery is young, rich, and respected. If the countess has a daughter, you might as well make him your son-in-law." Someone deliberately approached the countess.
Everyone's eyes turned to Audrey involuntarily. Audrey's expression did not change and she just said lightly: "This is really a pity."
The countess really didn't know about the ambiguous relationship between Sean and Audrey. She just looked away at the teasing looks of all the ladies, and then looked at Audrey next to her. She was so sophisticated that she reacted instantly.
This kind of thing is too common in upper class society.
When she left the Holy City, her husband had warned her to pay attention to Viscount Connery.
Count Kovar believes that this "lucky nobleman" is definitely worthy of attention, because when Sean was not a nobleman, the reputation of genius spread in the Holy City, and now he has become an important nobleman in Genoa.
Sean's name has even appeared in some important reports recently. Sometimes, it even makes Count Koval feel embarrassed, because when someone mentions this name, he knows nothing about Sean.
But because Sean was too "lucky" and his rise was too short, Count Koval had no friendship with this rising star and was a stranger to him, so it was inconvenient to write to Sean directly.
"I, an old woman, have heard the name of Viscount Connery," said the countess. "He is a hero and a scholar. I heard that he is also the president of our University of Poitou. This is so rare.
Already."
"He is still very rich." Someone added. Perhaps for some people, especially those noble ladies who appear to be beautiful but are actually very financially strapped, this is the most important thing.
"Yes, this tea drink is now popular throughout the empire." The countess pointed to the tea cup in front of her, "I can't imagine that if the host lacks this drink in such a salon or banquet, it will definitely be considered rude and negligent.
.This drink will definitely bring great joy to our young Viscount.
A huge amount of wealth. Moreover, this industry is an elegant industry. "La Traviata" has become the most popular repertoire of the Holy City Opera House. The funny thing is that someone approached my husband and asked if he could transfer some high-quality products.
You can imagine my husband's blank expression while drinking tea."
"Haha." The ladies all laughed cooperatively.
They used exquisite sandalwood fans to cover their mouths, and kept the volume of their voices at an appropriate level. They would not be rude and overwhelm the guests because they were too loud, nor would they make the host embarrassed and boring because they were too quiet.
The countess's words greatly diverted the attention of the guests from Audrey. However, the countess said again:
"I heard in the Holy City that many distinguished families are interested in marrying Viscount Connery. It is said..."
The countess cleared her throat: "It's just a rumor. It has never been confirmed. Please don't spread it. Princess Elizabeth is already twenty years old this year. This age makes her majesty and queen who dotes on her a little anxious. And the second prince, His Royal Highness Philip, privately
Mentioning a name, the owner of this name is also a member of the Royal Scientific Society, and His Highness is the honorary president of the society."
The ladies all exclaimed in low voices, this was explosive news.
Although the countess spoke very cautiously, she revealed that this was absolutely true news.
They couldn't help but be jealous of Viscount Connelly's luck, and at the same time they cast Audrey's sympathetic eyes. The emotions and opinions of these people changed too quickly.
Audrey remained unmoved. As for what she was thinking in her heart, others could not see it from her face. As a member of the upper class circle of ladies, she learned the skills to control her emotions as a girl.
.
"Countess Robinson, if this news is true, do you think Viscount Connery is accepting the favor from the royal family?" Someone saw that Audrey still maintained an impeccable posture and asked deliberately provocatively.
"First of all, I am not Viscount Connery, and I cannot express my opinion on his behalf. But if you have to ask me to guess, as far as I know, Viscount Connery will not accept it, because the authority of the royal family will make him feel...
This kind of constraint. As everyone knows, he is not a traditional aristocrat, he is a very talented person. This kind of person is actually arrogant. He probably does not want his success to be based on other foundations."
Audrey said, "Of course, this is just my personal opinion."
"If he thinks this way, he must be a fool. This is the royal family." Audrey's words aroused opposition from most people.
She just smiled and didn't defend herself.
To be honest, what she just said was not what she really thought. According to normal rules, marrying a princess is the dream of every noble, especially since this princess is the emperor's only princess and is extremely favored.
But out of a rebellious mentality, she still gave the opposite answer against her will. This change finally frightened her, and unknowingly, she found Sean's figure quietly stopping in her heart.
The salon was carried out according to its inherent procedures. The ladies admired and tasted the most fashionable clothes from the Holy City, as well as exquisite jewelry. While admiring Countess Kovar's vision and taste, they each gave these new objects
Valuation.
Everything has a price.
The salon ended when the night was dark. Countess Koval left Audrey behind. The countess used the time during the party to quietly inquire about the rumors about Audrey and Sean.
"Audrey, how have you been these past few years?" The countess held Audrey's arm.
"Aunt, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." Audrey said.
But she actually still has complaints against her aunt and Count Koval. When her husband went to the Holy City, he was supposed to be taken care of by Count Koval and his wife. However, it was recently confirmed that her husband died of poisoning. This is an unforgivable disappointment.
.
If it were not for Sean, the truth of this terrible incident would not have come to light at all. It can only be attributed to God's occasional negligence rather than the evil and conspiracy of careerists.
"Viscount Connelly is our rising star in Genoa. His rise is so fast that it is surprising. And he himself has shown talents commensurate with this. You may not know it well, but both the Crown Prince and the Second Prince praised him at the same time.
Youjia, this is a huge opportunity for him." The countess said seriously, "I'm going to say this, you must think about it carefully."
The Countess' words made Audrey's expression change, as if she had become a sinner.