[Pride and Prejudice] Becoming Katherine Bennett

Catherine was embarrassed by such solemn compliments.

She looked up, wanting to say thank you to Willard, but she just met his gaze, and immediately looked away.

He was looking at her, looking at her very seriously.

It's not that no one cares about her so that no one pays attention to her, she even makes a fuss when people see her.But Catherine has never felt such a gaze, such a sharp and hot gaze, full of conquest and aggressive gaze.

She felt like a prey being stared at by a beast, she didn't dare to move, her scalp was a little numb.For the first time, she clearly felt that the way a man looks at a woman can still carry such strong conquest and plunder.

Catherine looked away in a panic, lowered her head uncomfortably, and didn't dare to raise her neck at all, for fear of meeting Willard's gaze.

If she could still stare at Mr. Darcy's deep and gentle eyes for a moment, she couldn't resist Willard's eyes at all.

She only glanced at it, then felt embarrassed and nervous, and hurriedly avoided, even her ears were flushed with embarrassment.

Catherine regretted wearing this dress which was far beyond her control. Although she was a little breathless in her heart, she still tried to calm down, hoping to drive away the embarrassing and ambiguous atmosphere: "You are so kind, Mr. Gordon, You can clearly see that this dress is not suitable for me, but you still want to comfort me, thank you very much."

After she finished speaking, Willard never answered.There was a lazy and domineering smile on his handsome face, and he stared at her intently with hot eyes.

Catherine's face was flushed, and even the toes in the shoes were tightly curled up because of shyness and tension.

Willard's attitude was not stingy to her. She couldn't bear it, so she could only suppress her shame and beg in a low voice: "Please don't look at me like that, Mr. Gordon."

Willard replied softly, "Why not?"

"Because I have nothing to look at."

"I think whether you are worthy of admiration and admiration, your own decision may not be enough, and the opinions of others are also very important. I think you are very beautiful and unparalleled."

"Mr. Gordon!" Catherine couldn't stand being watched by him, she shouted his name a little angrily, and at the same time, her fingers tightly grasped the hem of the skirt.

However, Willard felt that her appearance, whether it was the angry expression or the annoyance she called out to him, was extremely attractive.

He chuckled, and finally changed the subject: "Miss Catherine, I came to you because I want to ask you for help."

Catherine was eager to end the conversation and let the other party go, saying: "You said, if I can do it, I will try my best."

"It's just a small thing." Willard looked at her with a smile.He will no longer use that aggressive gaze, and Catherine immediately feels no pressure and feels much more relaxed.

Willard bowed slightly: "I don't have a partner for the opening dance. I wonder if I have the honor to dance with you?"

"What did you say?" Catherine was too surprised, "Me and you?"

Probably because the disgust and reluctance in her tone were too obvious, Willard was not angry when he heard it, but was amused by her honest reaction.

He already guessed that she might not want to, because she didn't like being noticed.But he thought that her reluctance would be hidden in his heart, and for the sake of their friendship, she would give him some fluff.

However, even though Catherine was so straightforward, Willard still had a smile on the corner of his mouth, with a natural attitude, and didn't feel any embarrassment at all: "Yes, with me. Am I so repulsive to you?"

"No, I didn't mean that, I just wonder why you invited me? There are so many beautiful ladies at the scene." Catherine explained.

In fact, Willard was not wrong, she really didn't want to dance with him.This resistance is not because Willard himself is annoying to her, but because she is unwilling to dance the opening dance with the master's brother on an occasion like today.

In her heart, such behavior was too eye-catching, and it was completely opposite to her idea of ​​not wanting to attract others' attention.But she has no proper reason to refuse the gentleman's invitation, which is very rude, especially if the other party is Mr. Gordon who has always taken good care of her.

And Willard obviously didn't intend to give her room to refuse.He stared at her, smiled, and said the answer that people couldn't avoid: "The reason? It's simple, because I think."

Yes, that's the reason.Willard said in his heart.There is no other reason.

In fact, he could find some excuses and tell her that maybe it was because the music was too beautiful, because the lights were too blurry, or her lips were beautiful, like blooming flower buds.

However, in the end, he only said this one answer.

Catherine was quiet for a moment, pursed her lips, and agreed to his invitation softly.

Willard greeted Mrs. Gardner and Jane politely, and then left.

Mrs. Gardner stepped forward and couldn't help saying: "Kitty, I think the answer is easy to see. Mr. Gordon is not as businesslike as you imagine."

"I also found my aunt. To be honest, I don't know what to do now."

Catherine was distraught.

"Isn't that a good thing?" asked Aunt Gardner. "He's a fine bachelor, and you're a pretty lady-to-be, what's wrong with that?"

Catherine didn't know how to explain her resistance to her aunt, let alone how to resolve it.

Besides, what is she going to solve?Mr. Gordon didn't say anything, and he couldn't even tell the truth. She first told the other party "it's impossible", and was laughed at by others, "You think too much"?

Catherine's mind was buzzing, not knowing how to solve this mess.While she was hesitating, she realized that another figure had come to her side and stopped.

Catherine looked up and saw Mr. Darcy standing in front of her, just half a meter away from her.

She stood so close to him that she could even see clearly his slightly trembling eyelashes and the reflection in his eyes.

Catherine subconsciously took a step back to distance herself from the other party.

Her actions darkened Darcy's expression.

Mr. Darcy took a deep breath without any trace. He looked at her flustered expression. Although his heart was anxious, his tone was still full of tenderness: "Miss Catherine, I want to ask you to dance."

Catherine refused, "Sorry, someone invited me just now."

Darcy didn't want her to see his annoyance, and said calmly, "It's just a coincidence that I came. But I don't think he can book your whole night. After you dance, the next two dances, and Let me dance together, okay?"

Catherine tried her best to keep calm, but the behavior of the two gentlemen acting out of common sense made her confused. She raised her eyes and looked at Darcy in puzzlement: "Mr. Darcy, I don't understand."

Darcy looked into her eyes, seemed to understand what she hadn't said, and said softly: "Sometimes, I can't figure out many things."

After Darcy finished speaking, the two fell into silence.After a while, Catherine replied: "Yes sir, I am honored."

After he left, Catherine looked at his back with sad eyes, revealing her inner troubles.

Aunt Gardner and Jane stood beside her, not knowing what to say for a moment.They all saw something unusual between Catherine and Mr. Darcy.The two of them just stood together, and the atmosphere was different from other times.

Aunt Gardner weighed her words: "Is this Mr. Darcy Wickham said? He doesn't look as bad as Wickham said. No wonder you quarreled with Wickham about him."

Catherine heard the meaning behind her aunt's words, and her face became ashamed again. She explained: "I didn't quarrel because of him, I just think Mr. Wickham's words are very unreliable, his words are vague and vague, and he says one thing and does another. I just don't like what he said at Longbourn. It has nothing to do with Mr. Darcy, and I won't sit idly by Wickham's slander."

Aunt Gardner glanced at her, and Catherine blushed again with suspicion in her eyes.

"Kitty," asked Jane, "has Mr Darcy come to ask you to dance?"

Catherine replied truthfully: "Yes, oh, don't look at me like that, I don't know what's going on!"

First Willard, then Darcy, Catherine suspected that what happened just now was a dream.

Aunt Gardner's tone was full of unconcealable surprise: "Kitty, this is really unbelievable. I didn't mean you are sorry, but the two of them may be the top bachelors in the whole of England. And Now, they're all here to ask you to dance. I probably know what's going on between Mr. Gordon and you, but is there something you're hiding from us about Mr. Darcy? I don't believe it's just a temporary invitation. There are other things."

"Not really, aunt." Catherine blushed with shame.But with her appearance, what she said was not convincing at all.

Fortunately, Aunt Gardner didn't mean to force her to admit it, but just looked at her meaningfully: "It is indeed a troublesome thing to have a beautiful girl who is waiting to be married at home."

When Catherine was invited, there were also many gentlemen who invited Jane.She and Miss Manla were the two brightest pearls in the whole ball, but not everyone dared to talk about the latter. In comparison, the gentle and beautiful Jane received a lot of attention.

Tina walked up to them with a young gentleman and introduced: "This is Mr. Walker, the pastor of our church. He has a very good relationship with our family. This is my friend Mrs. Gardner and Mrs. Bennett. Miss, Miss Catherine. Miss Bennett, Mr. Walker would like to ask you to dance."

Mr. Walker is a well-behaved young man. His appearance is not handsome, but his facial features are majestic, his expression is calm, and his gestures reveal a calm and courteous atmosphere.

"Ma'am, miss, it's a pleasure meeting you." Mr. Walker bowed to them.

Jane accepted his invitation.Walker was very happy. He looked at Jane with a joyful expression on his solemn face.

He talked to Jane, and Tina said to Catherine: "I hope you don't mind my neglect, I really want to stay with you for a while, but I am too busy today, and there are too many guests."

Catherine was surprised by her enthusiasm, but also a little flattered, she quickly said: "No, madam, I am very moved by your enthusiasm and generosity."

Tina and Catherine didn't say a few words before they were called away by Earl Gordon who waved to her from a distance.She originally wanted to take Catherine there, but after thinking about it, she felt a little awkward, so she said something like "I'll come to you later" and left gracefully.

After Walker invited Jane, three or four gentlemen successively came to ask Jane to dance.

Catherine herself was ashamed when she was invited, but when she looked at her sisters, she was calm: "I haven't seen Jane with such a lively expression for a long time."

Mr. Bingley and his sisters made Jane lose the joy that was always on the brow.And at this moment, Jane seems to have found her self who loves to laugh.

"It's a good thing. Jane can't always be depressed because of a man who left her. The fastest way to forget the old people is to meet new people and embrace a new beginning." Mrs. Gardner said.

Catherine is not as optimistic as her aunt, and she doesn't think that Jane will forget the gentleman who failed her just because she met a few new men, but she also agrees with her aunt that the appearance of new people will indeed benefit and improve Jane's mood.

"Kitty, I must say that Mr. Darcy is looking at you without blinking, even though you turned your back on purpose," said Aunt Gardner, glancing behind Catherine.

Catherine was greatly embarrassed.She opened her mouth slightly, but she didn't say any explanation for a long time.She really has nothing to shirk.

Mr. Darcy had indeed been watching her all the time, just like two months ago, whenever they met, he always stood not far from her, watching her silently.

At first, she misunderstood his thoughts, and later, she ignored his friendship.She thought that this matter had come to an end, but now it seemed that the situation was completely different from what she thought. This gentleman still looked at her like this.

This is really embarrassing and angry.She was ashamed, because no matter how calm and self-possessed Catherine was, the attention of such an excellent gentleman would make her feel a little complacent, and even more shy.It's because Catherine couldn't figure it out, if he wasn't determined to draw a line with her, why did he leave suddenly?He has already left without saying goodbye, what is the meaning of this now, if he teases casually, it will only increase the troubles of others.

Catherine turned away, not wanting Darcy to see her expression.But she didn't expect that Aunt Gardner would watch every move between her and Darcy.

The latter didn't intend to say it at first, if it wasn't for the young gentleman's eyes that were too hot, and he kept refusing to look at other people or things, staring at Catherine made her, the person who was taken by her, want to go far away, So that he can concentrate on appreciating it, and she won't point it out.

"Auntie, I don't know if anyone is looking at me. Even if there is, it has nothing to do with me." Catherine said half ashamed and half angry.Aunt Gardner immediately changed the subject and said no more about the matter.

About 10 minutes later, the live band set up their instruments.Catherine kept her back to the hall, not noticing that the others had already started looking for their partners and preparing to dance.It wasn't until Willard walked in front of her that she realized that their dance party was about to officially begin.

Willard stood beside her, stretching out his arms to her: "Come on, Miss Catherine."

Catherine gently raised her hand and took his arm.She turned around and found that almost half of the people in the ballroom were looking at them.She subconsciously exerted force on the fingers lightly on Willard's arm. Although she immediately withdrew her force, Willard still felt her tension.

Willard tilted his head slightly, his lips were close to Catherine's ear, and his tone was like a whisper between lovers, detailed and full of warmth: "Don't be afraid."

He withdrew his words.But he's already convinced that someday not too far off, he'll tell them.

do not be afraid.My lady, I am here.