Instead of showing her around the manor, it was more like they were taking a walk in the elegant garden. Tom Fritz didn’t introduce anything to her, nor did he show any interest in telling her the story of Fritz Manor. Lisa didn’t dare to look at him directly, following by his side and feeling his presence, thinking herself incredibly fortunate.
As they walked, just when Lisa was ready to start a conversation, Tom Fritz spoke first. “You should understand my grandmother’s intentions; she hopes we can get engaged.” He went straight to the point.
The girl turned to him with a smile, “Yes, your grandmother has mentioned it to me.” Talking about this topic made her heart race, and her cheeks flushed slightly. “What do you think about it?” she asked sweetly, looking at him with admiration. She thought perhaps he might accept the idea of love after marriage.
“I don’t want to date, and I certainly don’t want to get married,” Tom Fritz stated his thoughts clearly. The girl’s chest tightened, and her smile froze. He continued, “Marriage is not a game. My grandmother’s decision has never been my own.” As he finished speaking, he turned to look at her.
Their eyes met, and the girl felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her excitement. However, she maintained her composure and smiled, “Actually, I feel the same way. I don’t want to date either.” Tom Fritz looked away.
Lisa stopped walking and looked up at him with a smile. “We don’t know each other well. Getting engaged so hastily would be hard for everyone to accept.”
“Grandmother seems quite fond of you,” he said. “Have you thought about convincing her?” Clearly, he couldn’t convince her himself.
“From her perspective, this might be her only wish,” the girl analyzed calmly. “It’s not easy to persuade her otherwise.” She added, “I’ve tried, but I failed.”
Tom Fritz looked at her in silence.
“Hey? Why is your neck red?” The girl noticed keenly because she cared about him. “Is it an allergy? Does it itch?” The wind had indeed made it itch again.
Tom Fritz did not reach out to touch his neck and didn’t intend to answer. Lisa quickly took out a tube of ointment from her bag and said with concern, “Let me apply some ointment for you? I occasionally have allergies too, so I carry it with me.”
“Thank you, but no need.” Tom instinctively took a step back.
Faced with his aloofness, the girl’s hand holding the ointment paused in mid-air as their eyes met again.
In the villa’s living room, it was hard to see what they were doing from such a distance, but at least they were alone together and seemed to be looking at each other-there was hope!
The elders watched the young couple in the garden while discussing their engagement joyfully.
“Have you met Lisa? Don’t you think she’s a good match for Tom?” Mrs. Fritz was particularly excited and energetic. “This girl has been with me for some time now, and I like her more and more. My affection for her is no less than what I felt for Jane initially. She shares many similarities with Jane.”
It was clear how excellent Lisa was. Williams and Jane had reviewed her background; she was indeed outstanding.
“I’ve already chosen an auspicious date; the day after tomorrow is perfect for an engagement,” Mrs. Fritz told her son and daughter-in-law. “We just need the young ones to agree. Two days are enough for preparations; we’ll hold the engagement here at our manor.”
But Jane knew that their son was resistant inside; he wouldn’t agree.
Williams was quite happy, smiling broadly.
Looking out the window again, the two young people resumed walking side by side; no one knew what they were talking about. But Mrs. Fritz firmly believed that her dear grandson would come to like this girl.