aristocratic engagement

"Really?" Annie's voice was steady, without any panic.

She knew that Darcy would notice sooner or later.He is not a pampered and pampered nobleman who only knows how to make love, on the contrary, he can keep his astonishing wealth and even continue to expand, Darcy is by no means an easy person.It's just that Annie didn't expect it to be just one night...they haven't even spoken a few words yet.

Anne evaded the important point and asked back: "I also think you have changed a lot, Darcy? Three years have changed too much. Georgiana couldn't even speak clearly at that time. Look at her now, she is simply a lark. "Annie turned around as she spoke, looking up at him with difficulty avoiding it.

"I'm surprised she still remembers me." Annie smiled, she was indeed a little puzzled, "You must know that she was not old enough to remember at that time, I thought..."

Unexpectedly, Darcy suddenly looked away uncomfortably: "She can often see portraits."

"What portrait?" Anne asked curiously, and Rosings didn't have many portraits other than those of the De Bourgh family.

"Those happy times." Darcy's eyes seemed to be looking at Anne, but he didn't seem to. "When Georgiana was still in her infancy, you and your aunt came to visit my mother in Pemberley when she was born. My teacher taught me to draw. A lot... No wonder you don't remember, you were still young then."

There is indeed no such paragraph in Annie's memory. In fact, before she came to this world, this sentence of physical experience and memory was like a mess, and she couldn't figure it out at all—but considering that Annie was only a preschooler at that time. Children, it seems no surprise.

Darcy seemed to be immersed in memories.He came forward and walked towards the house with Annie.

"At that time, you were like Bonnie loved Georgiana, always after me-I was not your age at that time. There was no one in Pemberley Park who disliked you, and you were only four years old. At the age of five, you can clamor to climb on horseback, and later Georgiana is not as naughty as you."

The corners of Darcy's mouth raised slightly, and Anne didn't feel honored to be compared to a cute and silly rabbit.

And Annie didn't think his happiness was due to herself.He was just reminiscing about the carefree years in which she happened to be a participant.

"You have changed now." Darcy and Georgiana stood in the middle of the stairs. This is the intersection of the stairs on both sides. Their rooms lead to different directions. "The first time I saw you last night, I felt that you had changed. It's so big that I can barely recognize it. However, seeing you healthy and smart finally puts my brother at ease."

Annie looked at the seriousness in his eyes and... the loving pampering?She understood what he meant and breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm also glad you're all doing well, Georgiana needless to say, I don't see any sadness in her eyes. And you, my cousin, you're about to come of age, do you plan to travel? I hear It is said that when gentlemen become adults, they will leave their homeland for a short time to go out to see the world." Annie asked.

Darcy didn't expect her to ask this question, but he didn't think too much about it, as if he had already prepared the answer: "I have this plan. Father has some old friends in Prussia, and they have been taking care of me and Georgiana for the past few years. I plan to pass Christmas, and after the ice and snow melt, I will visit them on the Continent of Europa, and take a look at them..." Annie didn't pay attention to the following words.

Prussia!Prussia again!

She felt that this was a bit too coincidental, and she needed to find a time to visit someone.

"What's the matter?" Seeing Anne's inexplicable expression, Darcy asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Annie shook her head and asked, "Will you take Georgiana with you?"

"No, I don't have this plan for the time being. It's not going abroad for fun. I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of her, and she will feel bored." Darcy didn't continue talking, he turned his head to look at the ticking clock, "Georgiana should be awake by this time."

Anne knew that he wanted to end this short conversation, so she curtseyed and bid him farewell.The two parted in the direction of the two extensions of the stairs.

Throughout the day, Anne accompanied Georgiana to explore the entire estate.Georgiana had lived here before, but she was so young and so many years ago that she had no memory of the structure of Rosings Manor.

On the first floor of the manor, there are several large and small living rooms, a huge ballroom, several tea rooms, a studio, a piano room and the residences of senior servants.A straight-through corridor runs through the middle of each floor, and the kitchen and tailor's studio are located at both ends of the first floor.

The second floor is almost entirely occupied by bedrooms, most of which are locked on weekdays, but Anne noticed that Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng was standing at the top of the stairs at one end, surrounded by about a dozen maids listening to her give orders.Anne was even more convinced that Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng must have been ordered by Mrs. Catherine to prepare for the ball and party in the near future.

The third floor is a more serious one. Master Rosings' large study room is locked all the year round, and only the master and her personal servants have the key.Next door to the large study room is a huge portrait room, in which are hung portraits of generations of the de Bauer family.Almost everyone in this family has the same stern face, and their wives all have amazing looks and soft faces.

They stopped in front of a portrait. Georgiana looked at the person in the portrait like a kid, then looked at Anne, and came to a conclusion: "You are very similar to Sir Louis."

"I'm glad to hear you say that." Annie almost couldn't help joking, but luckily she wasn't like anyone else.

"I'm not telling a lie! Although you and Aunt Catherine are [-]% similar in appearance, no one will doubt that you are not the daughter of Sir Louis. You see, your usual expressions are almost the same!" Georgiana pointed to the painting The person's slightly squinted eyes and tightly pursed mouth, "Exactly the same!"

She repeated emphatically again.

Only then did Anne seriously look at Sir Louis in the painting. Unfortunately, she had never seen him in real life.Only in the memories of the servants, Mrs. Catherine's occasional absence, and the portraits, I can barely piece together the image of such a person--gentle-tempered, though unsmiling; People were taken aback.

The most astonishing thing he did was to marry the arrogant eldest daughter of Earl Fitzwilliam's family.

After visiting the members of the de Bourgh family, Anne took Georgiana to the other end of the third floor.She pushed open the beautifully carved door and walked in. Georgiana followed her, looking around curiously, and was greeted with a burst of book fragrance and a burst of cold air.

"This is the small study I asked Du Li to prepare for you and Darcy. I guess he has a lot of things to deal with. Even if Rosings comes here, he can't escape." Annie felt a little bored, opened the window, and then She patted the sofa in front of the fireplace, no dust, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Here are the books I used when I was literacy. Du Li also asked someone to move them here." Annie pointed to a small bookshelf and said, "After a while, you will have classes with me. Don't worry, Mrs. Black is not a story. Instead of the serious, sarcastic lady in the novel, she's humorous and talented."

Georgiana didn't believe it. Her shoulders slumped and her face looked awkward.

"I think she will like you very much, because your paintings are good." Last night, Georgiana gave her a gift of an oil painting that she painted herself. Although the strokes are immature, the colors are bold and bright. At one point, it was difficult for me to be appreciated by Mrs. Black, and I lacked artistic talent."

Saying that, Annie shrugged indifferently.

Georgiana stared at her with wide eyes, with disbelief on her face: "I thought you could do everything!"

"No one is perfect, Georgiana."

"My brother knows everything!" Georgiana raised her nose proudly, "He taught me how to draw! I often listen to him play the piano. The piano teacher said very early on that he has nothing to teach my brother. What's more Not to mention literature and philosophy... I don't understand, but I heard from Mrs. Reynolds that many of the frequent guests at home are professors from the university...Does professor mean teacher?"

"In a way, yes, Georgiana."

"Professors say it's a pity that my brother can't be their student!"

"Didn't he go to college?"

"No, brother is too busy." Georgiana shook her head, and went on to brag about her almighty brother.

Anne had a faint guess. According to Georgiana, Darcy was very interested in literature and philosophy.And he himself said that he is about to travel to Prussia and its surrounding areas... There are many famous universities and scholars there, especially famous for philosophy and politics.However, a place not far from there - France, has been troubled recently.

At night, several people sat in front of the fireplace chatting and having fun again.

"Yes, I plan to go to Europa in the spring. The Darcy family and some properties have a little problem there, and I have to deal with it. By the way, I also want to visit my father's old friends, who are professors in the university ..." Darcy said to Mrs. Catherine, he glanced at Georgiana, and Mrs. Catherine immediately asked the piano to know her meaning, and said: "You can safely leave Georgiana in Rosings Manor. Anne never needs me to worry about it. I wish I could have another girl by my side."

Georgiana looked at her brother in panic, tears welling up in her eyes.Since the governor, she has never left her only blood relative.

Darcy frowned, looking very unreasonable.But Annie also saw a trace of struggle from the bottom of his eyes.

"I can take good care of Georgiana! You can rest assured."

Several people were taken aback, only to see Wickham touching Georgiana's hair affectionately, and said with a smile.

Darcy frowned even tighter, and he said forcefully: "If you go with me, a man should gain more knowledge. You always say you want to learn and improve, but your teacher says you always go out. Your father I want to leave his priesthood to you. It just so happens that you go to Europe with me, and you can learn a few languages ​​along the way. If you want, I can also give you a sum of money to go to Rome to worship the Pope and feel the presence of God. teach."

"France has been somewhat turbulent in recent years, not peaceful." Annie said suddenly, "You must pay attention."

After hearing her words, Darcy suddenly looked at her, as if he just knew this girl.

Wickham's face froze.Annie guessed that he might not be as delicate as herself, how could he bear the fatigue of traveling and traveling.

Georgiana bowed her head and said nothing.Annie sat beside her and held her hand: "Aren't you willing to live with me?"

Georgiana shook her head.

Mrs. Catherine looked away from Georgiana and looked at her nephew: "Then, I propose to hold a ball for you before Christmas to introduce you to the social world. I think after the year, you Busy preparing for the tour, I can't concentrate on dealing with those people."

"Is it too urgent?"

"For others, maybe. But as long as I think about it, it's not a big problem." Madam Catherine didn't care, "It's their honor to hand out the invitation letter in my name, and they won't fail to come. And yours Uncle, I will personally send someone to pick me up, and the two boys from the Fitzwilliam family don’t always come to see me, hmph... Dear nephew, you leave it to me, who did your mother have a good relationship with? I know everything. Your father's side..."

"I will write down the list and give it to you."

Lady Catherine nodded with satisfaction, satisfied with his respectful manner.

"The small study on the third floor has been packed, you can use it as much as you want." Annie added.Lady Catherine gave Anne a look of praise, and she was in a good mood.Anne felt chills for a while, and suddenly regretted her efforts—she had accidentally encouraged Lady Catherine.

"Thank you, dear." Darcy nodded at her, with a gentle look between his brows.

Seeing Lady Catherine's eyes suddenly shining, Anne yelled in her heart that it was not good.

TBC.