Excelsior

Chapter 33: Unsatisfied clients

Mrs. Cornell was alone in her office using her laptop. The silence in the manor would be overwhelming for most of people, yet, she found it to be a source of satisfaction. On the wall behind her hung a portrait of her wearing a red gown. The painting was usually of Mr. Cornell, and she made sure of it when he was home, and as soon as he left the grounds, she had it changed immediately and then ordered to change it back when he got home.

Someone knocked on the door and the butler announced that her guest had arrived before letting her. Daphne then greeted her.

Evelyn's face was tense and she violently sat down before Daphne invited her to, and, without letting her say anything, she rushed to say:

"I want you to explain to me why you announced in La Société that I'm looking for a husband! People will say that I am desperate."

Mrs. Cornell's face son lost its expression and became severe. She stood up as Evelyn also vanished her expression.

"First I'd love to comment on how amazed I am at your manners," she said with a delicacy that didn't do justice to her serious face, "for calling me on a Tuesday morning at seven."

Evelyn swallowed hard and whispered:

"Actually, it was seven forty..."

"And at you raising your voice in my office," Daphne continued, "in my own home. Those manners speak highly of you, and your family, which I suppose, will be pleased to hear about this."

Evelyn shrugged her shoulders.

"Second: I look for the matches that best suit my client's qualities, so if you will not prove yourself to be a lady in every sense of the word, I may not be as considerate in finding you a gallant gentleman. I will be more inclined to find you a young man who behaves with the same manners that you show me and who is as scandalous."

She sat down.

"Would you like a glass of water?"

Evelyn shyly declined.

"Anyway, Evelyn. Regarding that publication in La Société, you need not worry, dear. Such tantrums will make wrinkles out of you, and we both would not want that for such a distinguished young lady. That report is simply a report. No one will know that it was orchestrated. Neither of us are even listed as the authors, and it cites anonymous sources."

"I understand," she insisted, " yet I had wanted to publicize that I am looking for a husband, I would have disclosed it myself without having to pay you for it."

Daphne got up, and walked softly towards her.

"But you never did it."

Evelyn looked down at the floor, and Daphne paced the room until she reached the window.

"And will you spend your holydays here?"

"Yes, like every year."

"That's wonderful, dear!" She turned around and her eyes brimmed with happiness. "I was planning to introduce to you certain gentlemen."

"Really?" Evelyn's lips quirked up.

"Why yes!" she went to her desk. "Since it was featured in La Societé, I have received hundreds of calls and proposals."

Evelyn said that she had also received calls.

"Do you see it now? It has worked. Who would not want to marry their son to anyone but La Contessa herself? If I had one, and he was about your age, I would not hesitate to choose you as the first to offer a marriage."

He took some folders out of the drawers and showed him the contents:

"I picked these three for you. What do you think?"

Evelyn pondered the photos silently.

"I like this one." She put down the other photos and showed one of the candidates. "I want it."

"Will you not check his preferences or his financial details?"

"No," she replied without hesitation. "If you chose them, then they are the best. I want this."

"Good lord, how wonderful it is that I am the one who arranges the marriages in this city! You should not rush. We must first interview them so that we can make a decision. I have even contemplated calling a gentleman in New York who has not yet married. While it is true he is forty now, he is handsome, rich, of a good lineage and refined demeanor. He still does not answer my messages, so I advise you not to rush."

Evelyn sighed.

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Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed. English is not my native language, so any feedback, suggestion or advice to change the grammar would be really appreciated.