The plane landed in the middle of an enormous lawn. Looking down, Wang Cheng saw several people waiting. Two of them supported the man standing in front, because the wind from the aircraft’s propellers was making it difficult to stay upright. Only once the plane came to a stop did the cabin door open.
Mother Emily was helped down. The leading man immediately approached with delight and swept her into an embrace.
“My dearest Emily! I’ve missed you terribly. At last you’re here. I’m so happy!” This was unmistakably Duke Austen. He had striking features and a straight nose, and among Western men he was exceptionally handsome and gentlemanly. He looked younger than his fifty-odd years. For such a powerful man to be utterly enchanted by Emily was another testament to her extraordinary allure.
“I’ve missed you too, dear Austen. How wonderful to see you again.” Emily was equally delighted and exchanged an affectionate cheek-to-cheek greeting with him. Among her lovers, Austen would certainly rank in the top three. Even though he adored her, he always behaved like a gentleman and had never forced his attentions on her.
Once the excitement of their reunion passed, Austen finally noticed Chu Yifeng and Wang Cheng nearby. He knew Chu Yifeng, but Wang Cheng was unfamiliar.
“And who is this gentleman?” Austen was curious. He knew the members of the Aimer family. For an East Asian man to accompany them, he must hold an unusual place in Emily’s and Leo’s lives. It even made Austen think of his daughter.
Chu Yifeng answered, “This is my partner, Zhou Cheng, heir to Zhou Group. He’s joining us for your daughter’s wedding celebration.”
It was a rather long introduction. By emphasizing Wang Cheng’s standing, Chu Yifeng made it clearer still how important he was to them.
Austen’s attention was drawn to the reference to Zhou Group. He knew the company. He had visited China before and stayed in a five-star hotel owned by Zhou Group, the Golden Summit Hotel. He had traveled there while pursuing Emily and had learned a little about the country’s prominent companies. Zhou Group ranked among China’s leading privately owned businesses. He extended a hand to Wang Cheng.
“Mr. Zhou, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Austen. Welcome to my daughter’s wedding.”
“Duke Austen, it’s an honor.” Wang Cheng shook his hand.
Austen then escorted them to their hotel. He had originally intended to put them up at one of his private villas, but Emily declined, so he had to settle for hotel accommodations. He reluctantly parted from her after a few more affectionate moments.
Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng shared a room, with Emily in the room next door. Chu Yifeng handled check-in downstairs. Austen had intended to attend to the arrangements himself, but Emily occupied his attention so completely that the paperwork was finished before he remembered.
A knock sounded. Wang Cheng thought Chu Yifeng had come upstairs, but when he opened the door he found Emily. “Mother Emily, what brings you here?”
“To chat with you, of course.” Emily walked inside without waiting for an invitation. A plate of washed fruit sat on a table. She picked up a strawberry and sat down, motioning for Wang Cheng to join her. “Now that you’ve met Duke Austen, what do you think?”
Wang Cheng was puzzled. “Am I supposed to think something in particular?”
Emily laughed. “So Leo hasn’t told you. Then I’ll say it plainly. Duke Austen’s daughter Mary is getting married, but you should keep your guard up. She used to be one of the women in love with Leo. She’s nothing like Johanna. Mary is rational, calculating and extremely clever.”
“You think she might not have given up?”
Wang Cheng frowned. In China he had hardly ever encountered rivals interested in Chu Yifeng. Abroad, it seemed he met another around every corner.
Instead of answering, Emily said, “I know Austen well. He’s a devoted man. Once he decides on something, he never gives up. Do you know how many years he’s loved me?”
“How long?”
“He fell in love with me before I married Leo’s father. He never had feelings for his late wife. Even after marrying her, I was the only one in his heart. Unfortunately, I couldn’t be with him. His daughter Mary has known about me and her father since she was old enough to understand, yet she’s never resented either of us.”
That was why Emily called her rational.
Wang Cheng nodded.
“But she might be too rational. Mary is just like her father. At eight years old, she fell for Leo the first time she saw him. As a duke’s daughter, she could have had her pick of suitors, but she chose to keep following Leo. He never paid her much attention. Three years ago, however, she suddenly gave up, saying she understood it would never work. She went back to England, and I heard nothing more until yesterday, when I learned she was getting married.”
“Are you worried that, like her father, she hasn’t given up on Leo? But if she hasn’t, why would she get married?” Wang Cheng was more puzzled than ever.
Emily smiled. “My dear child, married people can get divorced.”
Wang Cheng was stunned. Was she treating marriage like a game?
Emily burst into laughter. “You believed me! I’m teasing. The man Mary is marrying is hardly ordinary. It’s not a marriage she can simply walk away from.”
“Then why worry?”
“You’re such a sweet boy.” Emily almost seemed reluctant to explain. “Never mind. You’re only here for the wedding, and you and Leo won’t stay in England very long.”
Chu Yifeng did not know Emily had visited. Wang Cheng could not quite make sense of what she was trying to say, but decided it was nothing important enough to mention.
That afternoon, Austen sent over formal clothes for the evening banquet, chosen to fit each guest. Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng received black suits, while Emily had a vivid red gown. On her, it looked dazzling. Her skin was remarkably smooth and fair for a woman in her late fifties. Wang Cheng suspected she might even outshine the bride.
Emily was very satisfied with the gown. Before the banquet, she put it on and asked Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng for their opinions. Austen clearly knew her well; it fit perfectly.
“Beautiful!”
Wang Cheng had become accustomed to Emily’s good looks, but had never seen her in evening wear. The effect was extraordinary. He could already imagine everyone staring when she arrived.
“Thank you, darling.” Emily swept back her hair with practiced charm. The gown accentuated her slender waist.
Wang Cheng understood more clearly than ever why so many men were infatuated with her.
Mary’s wedding banquet was about to begin. Since it was a formal event, they would not be free to eat as they pleased. Chu Yifeng therefore took Wang Cheng downstairs to have something at the restaurant first. Emily wanted to maintain her figure and make a stunning entrance, so she declined to eat.
After their meal, the men went upstairs to change. By the time they finished, Austen’s limousine had arrived promptly at the hotel entrance.
The three got into the car, and the driver took them to the banquet venue.
It was an extraordinarily luxurious five-star hotel. Duke Austen had reserved the entire property for the evening. Guests included leading figures in politics and business as well as celebrities usually seen only on television.
Reporters crowded the hotel entrance when they arrived, cameras clicking incessantly. Some were thankful they used digital cameras and did not have to change a roll of film every few moments.
The flashes were so bright that Wang Cheng could barely keep his eyes open when he got out. Fortunately, Chu Yifeng moved to shield him from some of the lights.
Emily stepped out first and handled the attention effortlessly. Cameras turned toward her in a frenzy. Another car had already arrived, yet reporters were still photographing her retreating figure. A grand lady in the next vehicle, expecting her own moment in front of the cameras, nearly lost her smile when she saw it.
Almost every woman envied Emily. Many recognized her even from behind. The lady clenched her teeth at the sight of that flamboyant Emily once again commanding all the attention. Her husband’s approach only reminded her of the past, for he too had once been infatuated with Emily.
As soon as Emily entered the hall, a chorus of admiring gasps sounded around her. Duke Austen was already approaching. Someone had informed him when their car arrived. He took her hand and kissed it reverently.
“My darling, you are so beautiful tonight that you make my heart race.”
“Thank you.” Emily slipped her arm through his and walked deeper into the hall, smiling brilliantly. Together, they looked like the grown-up version of a fairy-tale couple.