[Comprehensive Book] A Rose for Catherine

Mrs. de Boer, the aunt of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, a wealthy, famous and prestigious widow with the same name as Catherine, has a strong wrist and tried her best to promote the marriage of her daughter Anne and her nephew.

A lady who looks like the villain of a prince and princess love story in every way.

Catherine sat on the sofa holding a teacup, slowly took a sip of the black tea said to be made from tea leaves transported from the Far East, and watched Mrs. Bennet happily entertaining the lady without saying a word.

"Please try our tea, it's a good thing from the East! It was sent by my eldest son-in-law."

Mrs. de Boer's mind was not here, and she suppressed her anger and said to Mrs. Bennet: "No, Mrs. Bennet, can you let your second daughter, Miss Elizabeth, meet me?"

Catherine raised her head, first glanced at the unhappy lady, then turned to Mrs. Bennet and said, "Mom, Lizzie has gone to town. She is going to have dinner at Aunt Phillips's today. Not coming back."

Sure enough, the lady came for Elizabeth.Catherine was not surprised, and even thought a little gloatingly that Mr. Darcy would have a headache this time.

Mrs. Bennet said to Mrs. de Boer with apology: "Oh, what a coincidence! Why don't you stay as a guest, and I promise that the scenery here will not disappoint you. Oh, if you are willing to stay Even better is a supper! Even your nephew, Mr. Darcy, is full of praise for our cook!"

Madame de Boer looked even worse, it seemed to Catherine.If it wasn't for the wrong occasion, she would definitely laugh.

However, she still maintained her due courtesy, and took the mother's words: "Mrs. de Boer, I don't know if you have any important business with my sister Elizabeth? Maybe we can convey it on your behalf."

Catherine thought that this lady was approaching menacingly, and she might not have good intentions, so she asked the other party cautiously.

Madame de Boer paused, evidently thinking that the matter should be addressed to Elizabeth alone.Catherine understood, smiled politely, and said to her: "If your matter is urgent, I can take you to my sister."

After she finished speaking, she hesitated, because the lady's attitude was not very kind.Although she was a little gloating towards Darcy at first, she thought about it later that Mrs. de Boer would make Lizzie suffer an innocent disaster and make people angry.

Apart from her nephew, Catherine could think of no other reason to ask the lady to come to see Lizzie, who had nothing to do with her.

De Boer picked up the hat that was put aside, and nodded in a reserved manner: "Then I will trouble you, Miss Catherine."

Catherine made a plan, giving Elizabeth the first word, so that she would not be entirely surprised.

They got into Mrs. de Boer's carriage, and the lady raised her chin proudly, "Miss Catherine, I heard that your eldest sister married a businessman."

Her tone was full of contempt for the identity of "businessman".

Catherine replied calmly: "Yes. Their personalities are very well matched, and I think they will live happily."

"It may be a good marriage for a family like yours, but a respectable family like ours must marry a lady or gentleman of the right kind. Do you understand me, Miss Catherine?"

Madame de Boere's tone was cold and haughty, with a lingering vehemence.

Katherine smiled.

Madame de Boer: "Miss Catherine, don't you think I'm wrong?"

Catherine has no intention of criticizing this family view, because it is a tradition developed over hundreds of years to distinguish commoners from nobles and consolidate the rule, but she cannot agree with the other party's point of view.So she said politely: "Your opinion will not be swayed by someone's words. In this case, does it matter if I think it is right?"

"It's not important." The other party said bluntly, "Because your words are too weightless."

Madame de Boer said again: "I heard that you have seen the princess?"

"It's my pleasure," Catherine replied, acquiescing to her statement.

"It's indeed a little person's luck to see Her Highness the Princess." Mrs. de Boer sized her up, as if to observe which aspect of her deserves the attention of Her Highness the Princess.

Mrs. de Boer continued to talk to her a lot, and Catherine found that this lady was a bit too strong. Even if she had nothing to do with her, she had to teach them a lesson, and she had to let them act according to their own wishes. .Catherine doesn't think the other party is unreasonable. On the contrary, if the other party is not strong enough, how can a widow who lost her husband at a young age survive with her daughter?

Mrs. de Boer was somewhat satisfied with Catherine, she thought to herself, it's a pity that her status is too low, which affects her future.

The carriage soon arrived at the destination, and Elizabeth was already at Aunt Phillips' house. Catherine went to visit her aunt first, and told Elizabeth what happened today.

". . . I think if you're thinking of Mr. Darcy's company, you're bound to deal with this lady. I hope you won't reproach me for my self-assertion today, Lizzie."

Elizabeth replied without thinking: "How can I blame you? I am indeed tempted."

Elizabeth had gone to see Madame de Boer.The other party frowned and looked at the noisy street, and took the initiative to invite Elizabeth to sit down and talk at the only cafe in the town. ①

It was bound to not be a pleasant conversation.When Mrs. de Boer asked Elizabeth to reject her nephew's marriage proposal, Elizabeth laughed angrily, "Madame, if you want to say that, then I must agree to him instead!"

Catherine expected that they might have a quarrel, but did not know how violent it was.She sat at Aunt Phillips's for a while, and felt bored, so she decided to go for a walk in the street.The library was always a good place to go, but today Catherine was not sure where it was. She walked around the main street of the town twice, and the best business was a tavern.She didn't go in - it is undoubtedly dangerous for a woman to go to a place where fish and dragons are alone in this era. Catherine took a look and walked away.

She walked slowly on the street with an "observation" mood, and bought a sachet that was said to come from India.Just as she was about to pay, two gentlemen on horseback greeted her loudly.

Darcy and Bright.

They have just come back from London.

Brett went to meet Lydia, and Darcy was accompanied by him.But he would never take the initiative to tell Catherine about this.

He didn't feel the mother-in-law's pickiness of her son-in-law from Mrs. Bennet, but unexpectedly felt it from Catherine.

—even though Catherine was a few years younger than him.

"Why are you here alone, Miss Kitty?" Brett's attitude towards Catherine could be called cautious.

Catherine held the sachet and showed an unkind smile: "This matter has something to do with you—Mr. Darcy."

She looked at another young man who was silent.

Darcy couldn't help the surprise on his face.

"Your aunt Mrs. de Boer came to see Lizzie. They have been away alone for a while." Catherine explained simply.

Darcy immediately changed his face slightly, "Miss Kitty, where are they now?"

"In town." Catherine shrugged. "Actually, I don't know where they are."

Brett looked at Darcy sympathetically, and began to advise him: "If they are outside, I think they will choose a quiet place. I remember there is a coffee shop in this town, let's go and have a look."

Darcy thanked Catherine, got back on his horse and hurried away.It could be seen that he himself knew that his aunt's presence was definitely not to support his marriage.

They left quickly, but Catherine remained where she was.She stroked the rough but charming sachet in her hand, and murmured the word Brett just said.

-

"coffee shop."

She blinked her eyes, pinned the sachet to the waist of her skirt, and walked away briskly.

She seems to have thought of an excellent meeting place.

The author has something to say: [One update. 】

①: In 1652, the first coffee shop appeared in London, and it was also the first coffee shop in Europe.After Cromwell, the political situation in Britain was turbulent. Many thoughtful people gathered in cafes to preach their ideas and talk about current affairs. Later, writers and playwrights also gathered in cafes to discuss.But by the beginning of the nineteenth century, British café culture had declined, only to be revived later.The text is slightly private.