[Pride and Prejudice] Becoming Katherine Bennett

After time travel, the gentle and kind Jane and the lively and brave Elizabeth became the most important people in Catherine's heart.Like two beams of light, they drove away the coldness and darkness in her heart, and gave her selfless care and caring friendship that she never dared to expect.

Jane and Elizabeth are different from many girls of the same age who pursue status and nobility. They are frank, generous and wise, but like thousands of young girls, they also take marriage as their life goal, and their expectations for marriage are simple and innocent. .

They are different from her.Catherine knew this very well.Jane and Elizabeth grew up in the royal age, and their characters and ideas would naturally be affected and bound by time and society.But that doesn't get in the way of their friendship.

Knowing that Mr. Walker is kind and reliable, and that he is an excellent husband candidate, Catherine's mood is like the sunshine in April, bright and bright, and joyful joy flows through her whole body.What could be more reassuring and gratifying to dear Jane than to find a man of her own accord?The corners of Catherine's mouth twitched into an uncontrollable smile.

After Tina praised Mr. Walker and his family, she vaguely mentioned Mr. Walker's income.She told Catherine Walker that Mr Catherine had an income of at least £800 a year and that was not all.Tina is Walker's benefactor, so the amount she said is naturally true and credible.

Catherine was grateful for Tina's willingness to tell her such information, and at the same time more satisfied with Mr. Walker.Money is not the only criterion for marriage, but money and income are undoubtedly important considerations. No one can live on water.Catherine seems to have seen Jane's happy life after marriage, imagining her sister living in a clean and spacious priest's mansion, living happily every day. She and Mr. Walker are connected, sweet and happy, and may have several children. All of them are like angels, with the same kindness and beauty as their mother.

After sitting at Earl Gordon's house for another hour, Catherine said goodbye and left.After she left, Tina was discussing with the housekeeper about holding a salon next week.

At this time, the door was opened, and Willard appeared behind the door, looking at them without saying a word.

Tina glanced at him and continued talking to the butler as if she didn't see him.The butler looked at Willard a little uneasy, and responded to his wife's words in a low voice.

Willard didn't mean to speak, and continued to keep quiet.He walked to the sofa and sat down, beckoning the servant to bring coffee.He silently listened to the conversation between Tina and the housekeeper about the salon, and watched them wordlessly.His gaze created a peculiar atmosphere.

There were three people in the room, but only Tina was talking.When the housekeeper was very uncomfortable and wanted to say something to brighten the atmosphere, Earl Gordon who came in at this time broke the weird feeling.

Tracy said, "Tina, who came just now?"

Tina couldn't help but give her husband a blank look.The mansion and the servants belong to him, so how could he not know who will be the guest.Asking this now is obviously putting on a show.

Tina didn't intend to answer him, and continued talking to the housekeeper.The poor housekeeper was not as strong psychologically as the madam. She was extremely nervous by the stares of the two gentlemen, and quickly left on the grounds of urging the servants to prepare snacks.

Tracy said: "We just came back from the racecourse, and I heard that you have guests."

Tina had no one to divert the topic from, so she could only answer her husband's questions.

She made up her mind that if Willard didn't ask, she wouldn't say, "Oh, just a young lady."

Tracy picked up a strawberry from the table and handed it to his wife with a smile: "Well, Tina, for the sake of our lovely brother's restlessness, let's give him some information."

"Oh, a 32-year-old cutie." Tina said with a strange tone.

Willard kept a calm smile on his face, as if he was used to the joint jokes of the couple.

Willard and Tracy had just arrived home.When he entered the door, Willard was letting the servant take off his coat, and the steward said that a Miss Catherine Bennett was visiting.When Tracy heard the name, she immediately looked at Willard, and the expression on the latter's relaxed face did not change at all. Seeing that everything was normal, but after the servants had taken off their coats, he still kept his arms raised. .

Tracy laughed at her brother's affectation.But he resisted the idea of ​​making a joke, and the two went to the study together.Tracy chatted with Willard about business affairs as if nothing happened, but unfortunately the latter was absent-minded and completely lost his usual wisdom and wisdom. He could cope with whatever Tracy told him.

"I think, I need to go to the salon." Tracy said.

Willard raised his eyelids, looked at Tracy's calm but joking face, and continued talking about the previous topic as if he hadn't heard Tracy's proposal.Tracy shrugged and talked to him calmly.After the two talked for more than ten minutes, Willard began to lose his mind again.

This time Tracy stopped asking him and got up directly.

"Where are you going?" Willard asked.

"Go to Tina, I have something to tell her."

Willard pursed his lips: "I don't think it's polite to leave guests alone in the study."

"You're right, I'm sorry and I hope you'll forgive me. I'll be back as soon as possible."

Willard squinted, and Tracy looked back calmly.

About a minute later, Willard got up: "I'll go with you, I don't like to be alone."

"No, just wait here for me."

Willard and his brother looked at each other for a few more times, and finally lost the battle. He gave him an annoyed look, and then Tracy took her brother downstairs with satisfaction.

The flight of stairs never seemed so short to Willard.He had laughed at the Duke of York's mansion before, that their corridors were not as long as the stairs at home.But now, Willard felt that this was the shortest step he had walked, so short that it seemed that he had just stepped out of the study and arrived at the door of the salon.

How can he go so fast?And what about Tracy?Didn't you agree to come together?Where did he go?

Willard stopped in front of the door, waiting for the servants to open the heavy door.When the scene in the house was fully opened in front of his eyes, Willard adjusted his expression, hoping that he would look nonchalant, not overly happy or pretending.

Thinking that in a few seconds he would be facing Catherine, Willard wondered why his heart was beating so fast suddenly.He hadn't seen Catherine for many days.Wait for the first sentence, what does he want to tell her?

haven't seen you for a long time?No, no.It would look as if he was counting the days he hadn't seen her.

Miss Catherine, I didn't even know you were here.This doesn't work either, if he came over directly when he first entered the house, he would still be able to get over it, but it's too fake to say so now, she's so smart, how could she not see it?

Willard was so troubled in his heart that he couldn't figure out why.The door opened, and he couldn't help but hold his breath and looked into the room, subconsciously searching for the beautiful lady.

Catherine, however, was not there.Only Tina and the housekeeper were in the salon, and the sofa opposite Tina was empty.

Tina said: "If you are asking about that lady, my best friend, then I have to tell you, she has already left. Please come earlier next time."

Willard was relieved, or disappointed, and he couldn't tell the difference.Even if he could recognize it, he would never admit to the latter emotion.He didn't think he fell in love with Catherine, at most he thought she was special.After she appeared in his dreams and hearts one after another, occupying his soul and emotions, Willard was afraid.He had a vague idea that something would get out of control if this went on.

Willard couldn't bear to have such emotions that he couldn't control himself occupying his heart.Love leads to weakness.Weak and will be defeated by the enemy.

These days, he deliberately didn't associate with that young lady, and he couldn't avoid making arrangements for her behind the scenes.Now it seems that it's okay if they don't meet, and everything is business as usual these days.So her business was no big deal, and he reluctantly listened to what Tina had to say.It didn't matter to him if Tina didn't talk.

Willard smiled, and his words were full of admiration and praise: "I didn't know that two women could become best friends after only seeing each other three times. I have to envy the sincerity of your friendship."

Tina also smiled: "Whether people hit each other or not is a matter of a few meetings. Some people only see three sides and I like them very much. Some people, I watched them grow up, and the more I see them, the more annoying they become." .”

Willard nodded in agreement: "I agree with you, Burns is a bit naughty, but overall he is still a good boy."

Burns is not here, otherwise he must have yelled "Uncle, why are you throwing fire at me again"?

Tracy helplessly watched his younger brother and his wife "tit for tat", and brought the topic back to the original place: "Tina, maybe Miss Bennett mentioned Willard?"

There were only three people in the salon at this time, and they were the closest people to each other. Tracy didn't hide this matter that everyone knew already, and said it very directly.

Who thought Willard didn't appreciate it, he denied it very quickly: "Tracey, what you said surprised me. I'm curious what Miss Catherine mentioned about me? The publication of her book is managed by Mr. Ben." , she didn't mention my reason. Even if she did, I don't want to know. "

"Oh, that's just right, but I can still cooperate with your little wish." Tina said slowly.

Willard maintained a smirk, trying not to show aggrieved expression on his face.

Tina rejoiced all night as a winner, and only Tina and Tracy were left together before going to bed, and Tina talked about it again.

"Maybe you can find an opportunity to tell Willard that I invited Catherine to the salon next week, and she agreed."

The invitation was sent out in the afternoon.Tina told Catherine that next week's literary salon would be about Addison Fitch.At that time, Catherine was very surprised. Tina said that it was not her decision. When she was a guest at a friend's house last week, everyone chatted about "Blood Debt", which has recently become a hot topic, and they were all very excited.

"At that time, I invited them to our house as guests. You know we have to maintain social relations. I thought of inviting you. Although I don't know if you will come, I always have to be prepared. I told them that there is admiration. Literary friends can be brought regardless of background or status. If you are willing to participate, let Alma take you and your sisters. If you don’t want to, then don’t force yourself in the slightest.” Tina said generously.

"I'll come on time." After hesitating for a few seconds, Catherine agreed.Tina was so bothered that she couldn't find a reason to refuse.

Tres said: "I remember you said that she would not even invite her to the salon."

Tina combed her hair and looked at the woman in the mirror who was aging despite all the maintenance: "Yeah. She's not very social, just like me."

Although Tina's salons and balls were already one of the most famous gatherings of high society, few people knew how much Tina hated fuss and trouble when she was young.

Tracy looked at her, her expression became softer: "Thank you Tina."

"Oh, don't be nasty. I'm your wife, the Countess. There's no reason to only enjoy the glory, and I don't want to give at all."

Tracy: "Hope Miss Catherine will change for Willard too."

Tina gave him a white look: "Don't be so optimistic. I don't think Catherine has any thoughts about Willard."

"Maybe it will change in the future." Tracy smiled.He thought that even if Catherine didn't agree for a while, she would nod after a long time, knowing which choice was the most suitable.

"I don't think Catherine is a character who weighs pros and cons for marrying someone. Although we don't have much contact with her, we can tell by reading her works. The book is a reflection of the author. Although it may not necessarily replace the protagonist, what kind of person is praised in the book? If such a person ends up miserable, you can know the author's point of view and preference. Catherine has a broad mind, with a chest and a world of thought that is no less than that of a man. Think about the books she wrote, those conspiracies and power struggles. She does not want to be famous, A lot of people speculated about her identity, but no one ever thought that Addison Fitch could be a young lady."

"That's true," Tracy agreed. "So what's your conclusion?"

"We can't look at her with the standard of an ordinary young lady. We should think about whether she would appreciate Willard as a friend who is evenly matched."

"It's hard to say. If you want to talk about friends, you must like Willard a lot, but people who are evenly matched...may be completely the opposite."

Tina sighed: "That lady is very smart, she knows Willard's character. She came here today to ask about Rhodes. Rhodes is pursuing her sister. I told her Rhodes is fine, she She looks very happy, the kind of heartfelt joy for the happiness of her loved ones. Catherine is a kind and generous girl, and I really hope she can be with Willard."

When Catherine arrived home, she saw a strange expensive carriage parked in front of the door.She couldn't help but looked around curiously, thinking it was some wealthy friend of her uncle, who didn't know who the guest was until she entered the house.

"Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley came to visit. Madam and Miss Jane were waiting for guests in the lounge. They just arrived not long ago."