aristocratic engagement

The war that would have lasted five years came to an abrupt end.

Annie thought it was hard to tell whether it was a victory or a failure.Perhaps the original trajectory had already taken another path when she fell into this world, and the end of this war made all the fates that had not yet happened completely unknown.

After Darcy returned, he planned to take Georgiana back to Pemberley Manor. Anne tried to persuade him to stay in Lewis Garden for a while, but she couldn't find a reason for him not to go home.

The London affairs came to an end, and Mrs. Catherine also felt a little tired of the bustling social life, so she also proposed to go back to Rosings Manor for vacation.In Lady Catherine's mind, staying in London was just for the convenience of Anne's business operation.

One morning, Anne and Darcy entered the palace together to bid farewell to the king and prince, but they encountered a sudden shock and were politely turned away.

—The king was utterly ill, and mental illness overwhelmed him.

The female officer frowned, with a sullen face, and ordered someone to move a portrait covered in wine-red velvet to Annie's carriage.

"Count de Bourgh, His Royal Highness is so busy right now that he has no time to see you and Mr. Darcy. He asked me to give you this portrait, because... His Majesty always looks at it when he sees it Depressed, this is very hurtful to his illness. In addition to the death of the princess last year, Count de Bour, this is very hurtful to the royal family!"

When Anne heard this, she could only comfort her with worry, and left Buckingham Mansion with Darcy.

After seeing the portrait, Lady Catherine silently accepted it and ordered someone to take it back to Rosings Manor.

On the second day, Annie was rushed into the palace.After a parliamentary resolution without any suspense, the prince officially took over his father's work and became the regent.

Count de Bourg became a hot figure for a while.

But Darcy quietly exited at this time, and immediately took Georgiana back to Pemberley Manor.Annie understood that he wanted to go back to the country manor to avoid the limelight, and prosperity would inevitably decline. With the relationship between the two of them and the current momentum, it is easy to become a thorn in the side and a thorn in the flesh of others.

Although Annie knew this well, she couldn't help feeling a little anxious and awkward.

Her network of connections in London was deeply rooted, but she was caught in it for a while and couldn't get away.An endless stream of visitors stepped on an obvious path on the lawn in front of Louis Garden. Those visitors either hoped to chat with the factory owners of the Knight of Swords through the way of Earl de Bourgh, or They wanted to curry favor with the Prince Regent through her, but more, their target was her herself.

An unmarried, single female count who has a lot of assets and has not yet made a marriage contract!

Even better, her looks are enough to make people overlook all her financial advantages.

"If she's poor and savage, she's likable enough."

Annie was very annoyed by this, but what made her even more annoyed and even annoyed was that Darcy left her here alone to face such an endless stream of "eyeing" people?

What about his promise?Don't count in the wear and tear of the war?

Lady Catherine was unusually secretive about this, and she did not reprimand Darcy for his "irresponsibility" and "coldness" as before.On the contrary, she began to ask about the origins of the young people who came to visit with great interest.

Under such a weird situation, Annie couldn't lose her temper for a while, and then she became bored with anger.At this moment, an invitation letter from Elizabeth Bennet rescued her.

"Annie,

Seeing a letter is like a face.

The change of owner of Netherfield has far more impact than you can imagine. It completely pushed Mom into an extremely exciting situation—you didn’t tell me that you sold Netherfield to a handsome young man. And wealthy single gentleman!

No, no, I'm not interested in this new master, but he's causing a sea change in Hertfordshire!I have heard from numerous mouths about this gentleman's income of five thousand pounds a year!

God knows I've got five thousand pounds and five thousand pounds all over my ears now, and it's all thanks to those crazy wives.

Mr. Bingley was about to give a ball at Netherfield, perhaps only a housewarming ball, but it was not so simple in the eyes of everyone.

And I am writing to you, one is to invite you to the ball together, which can make you relax; the other is because I heard that this gentleman and Mr. Darcy are old friends, and Mr. Darcy will definitely not miss the big event of a friend; Yes... I can't say that, 'Miss de Bourgh, you must bring Jane and Liz some of the newest and most expensive stuff!They mustn't be at the ball...' Sorry, my mother snatched my pen - alas, as you can see.

Enclosed is the letter of invitation to the ball. Mr. Bingley promised the wives and ladies around him that they would bring a friend to the ball.

your faithful friend,

Elizabeth Bennet"

"Hannah, pack your bags." Annie put down the letter and ordered.

"Yes, Comte de Bourgh."

Hannah, the gypsy maid, bowed her knees and turned away.

Maybe Liz's suggestion is right. At the ball, the beautiful clothes and the laughter of the ladies made Anne forget the intrigue in London for a while-of course, this does not mean that the country ball is full of pure joy, but The tentative little thoughts and shy and youthful faces of the girls are extraordinarily energetic and relaxed.

Annie was warmly received by Mr. Bingley and Miss Caroline when she entered the venue. She didn't even have time to look at the manor that once belonged to her, and she didn't even have time to search for the figure of that person in the crowd. Surrounded, and respectfully invited to sit down in the most honorable center seat on the side sofa.

Anne didn't pay attention to the terrified and unnatural looks of those older gentlemen and ladies. The lively girls greeted her tentatively, but they didn't dare to talk again.

Liz, who was originally eloquent, was entangled by Mr. "Collins" who came from afar, so she disappeared into the crowd in a flash when entering the arena.

"This is Earl Anne de Bour. ​​She generously transferred this manor to me, and that's why today's joyful event happened." Mr. Bingley introduced to everyone, and then he turned and bowed slightly to Anne , "Count de Bour, thank you again."

"You and I help each other, Mr. Bingley."

Annie didn't get up, but nodded slightly, with the corners of her mouth curled up.

At this time, she seemed to hear whispers from the crowd: "Why doesn't this lady stand up and salute Mr. Bingley? This is too impolite..."

"Didn't you hear that she was the Earl? My dear, how could Mr. Bingley afford such courtesy! You see, Miss Caroline's eyes have returned to their normal position from the top of her head!"

"Women can also be earls?"

"Before her, it's true that it didn't happen. But, maybe in the future." Liz's cold voice made those who were thinking shut up.

Annie had heard this kind of conversation countless times, but it couldn't arouse any psychological changes in her.Annie's eyes flicked across the faces of the crowd, all the complicated emotions were in their eyes, but Annie couldn't find his face.She didn't show any disappointment on her face, but turned her head to look at Mr. Bingley: "Mr. Bingley, don't ignore these lovely guests just because of my existence! What about the music? Why did it stop now?"

As soon as the words fell, Anne suddenly felt that her behavior at this time was quite like Mrs. Catherine.

Bingley smiled slightly and gestured in the direction of the band, and cheerful dance music rang out.

At this time, a loud laughter came from beside the tall and beautifully carved pillars.

"Oh! Count de Bourgh, don't you think it's a little noisy? All the young children are coming to the ball?" Miss Caroline frowned and complained softly.

Annie raised her eyebrows: "Not at all, I find it very interesting."

"Caroline, what are you talking to Earl de Bourgh? Come and meet the guests and neighbors with me." Mr. Bingley said in a low voice. Soon it was smoothed out again.She stood up, straightened the hem of her skirt, saluted Annie, and followed her brother towards the crowd.

As soon as her place became vacant, more ladies and gentlemen stepped forward, tentatively introducing themselves to Count de Bourgh.

While Anne was distracted, she memorized everyone's face and name familiarly, causing bursts of flattered admiration. At the same time, she looked at the family again—as expected, she witnessed an arrangement by Venus with her own eyes. .

Mr. Bingley could hardly take his eyes off Jane, and the way he tried to control himself was deliberate and awkward.

But Mrs. Bennet was delighted by the embarrassment.

Jane bowed her eyebrows neither humble nor overbearing. She might be embarrassed, but Anne could see her intentions from her constantly flickering eyes.

"May I compare you to summer?" Annie suddenly remembered this line.

"Although, you are more lovely and gentle than Xia Tian."

Annie's eyes widened suddenly, and she immediately stood up from the sofa, turning to look at the source of the sound.

All the suffocation was wiped away at this moment, but Darcy didn't go straight to her side, but turned around and walked towards the band. Anne's call was on her lips, and she couldn't help following.

The pianist stepped aside, and the orchestra suddenly stopped.

Darcy sat down at the piano, his eyes intertwined with Anne's intently.

Annie's heart was about to jump out of her throat. She couldn't find it at all. Everyone at the ball stopped talking and dancing, and turned their curious eyes to this place.

Darcy raised his hand, and pressed down on the black and white keys slowly and solemnly.

As soon as the first note was heard, Anne realized that it was that piece of music—the only "Sonata of the Tempest" that she was familiar with and good at.

However, the subsequent sound of the piano seemed a little stagnant, as if something was missing.

Yes, it is the main theme.

In Annie's mind, the jumping melody played automatically.With difficulty, she looked away from his plunder, and looked at his side.

The spacious piano bench was half vacated.

Annie walked there step by step, and Darcy pressed the keys once and again, and each of his keys seemed to be in time with her steps.

Annie sat on his right side and raised her hands.The moment her fingers touched the keys, she seemed to hear a laugh from Darcy's throat.

"Did I play it wrong again?"

Annie's cheeks were steaming, and she seemed a little ashamed—she had never been confident in playing the piano.

"No." Darcy held her left hand with her right hand, and suddenly, something cold was on her finger.Annie's fingers also jumped with her heartbeat, as if she wanted to bend up to stop his movement, but she couldn't help but straighten in the end.

Violet brilliance flowed on the snow-white slender fingers.

"You are my main theme, dear." Darcy's voice seemed to come from afar.

No, he's right there.

The author has something to say: I would like to be your foil forever. —Darcy.

Unexpectedly, there is another chapter!This is the official end, it should satisfy everyone ←_← (Sweet or not!

再次感谢大家的支持！鞠躬！感谢在2021-02-1105:43:52~2021-02-2422:25:13期间为我投出霸王票或灌溉营养液的小天使哦~

Thanks to the little angels of irrigation nutrient solution: 4 bottles of shadow; 1 bottle of wit;

Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!