aristocratic engagement

"..."

Annie didn't move for a long time. If it wasn't for Darcy's motion of inviting the dance for a long time, the hands spread out in front of her could be within reach, and she almost thought she had heard wrong.

Darcy just looked at her like this, and Anne couldn't help but want to analyze his eyes.Darcy's gaze was calm, and after meeting her tentative sizing, there was no trace of panic, retreat or hesitation.When Annie tried to find a different kind of emotion, she still found nothing.

As if on a whim, they happened to be discussing the ball, and he happened to have a suitable partner standing in front of him, so he sent an invitation.

No matter Anne is Miss de Bourgh or any other lady, at this time, as long as she stands in front of him, Darcy will extend his hand of invitation.

——If she could see his other hand behind his back, which was unconsciously clenched at this moment, perhaps Annie would not think so.

"Miss de Bourgh needs a ball of her own." Anne finally gave a "decent" refusal.

Darcy suddenly realized that he let go of the invitation: "I was negligent."

Lady Catherine was a respectable person who kept old decorum.At the ball hosted by his nephew, let his daughter who has never participated in the society dance with him for the first time... Such a suggestion is extremely offensive to all male and female guests, unless it is a Announce.

Darcy: "I hope my invitation didn't make you feel uncomfortable."

"No." Annie breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and returned to the way she came.

"It's really because I didn't think it through." Darcy also followed, "You are right, the first ball that Mrs. Catherine prepared for Miss de Bourgh must be very beautiful, which is different from the Rosings manor. The status matches. As for the Pemberley Manor, the masters have not been at home for several years, and perhaps the servants have already slacked off."

"Mrs. Reynolds writes to Mom every month."

Darcy pretended not to hear the evasion she had prepared for the servants: "Pemberley Park this year is not fit for a master's social ball."

"I don't think this is a problem, the experience of the servants..."

Darcy interrupted her: "—Since you suspect that the earl's accident has something else behind it, then, I guess you already have someone to suspect?"

Although the topic diversion was not masterful, Anne really had to be carried away by the topic.

"Our opponent is at least an earl."

"Assuming this person really exists, there must be a deep-rooted influence. Even if Earl Fitzwilliam knew that he was going to die, he would not tell the truth. My dear, he may already know who the enemy is, but there is nothing he can do. The only way he wants to protect you is to..."

"Hide it from me." Annie's voice was extremely low, she lowered her head, and even her shoulders collapsed.

"There is another possibility." Darcy resisted the urge to hug her shoulders to comfort and encourage her, "Maybe this opponent will no longer be your opponent soon."

"What's the meaning?!"

"If he's going to die, you'll have nothing to take revenge on."

Anne was a little puzzled at first when she heard this, but soon her eyes widened and her heart beat faster: "You mean, the Earl knows that his enemy is also on the verge of death to make a final counterattack? He Knowing that he must not live long, so... so why don't you tell me anything, and let this hatred dissipate silently?"

"It's all possible. Our enemy is either too strong to be defeated at all, revenge is doomed to fail, and the end may be the same... or he has only a few days to live, or even a dead person."

"As long as he is still alive, I want him to pay a thousand times the price! Even if he has already entered the grave, I want him to have no peace." Annie said firmly, the anger in her eyes almost gushing out.

A large, thick, warm hand rested on the top of her head.

"me and you together."

Even though Darcy already has a vague premonition, her hatred and unwillingness are very likely to be irresolvable.However, Darcy felt that even if this was the case, they were not without gains.

——At least, for Darcy himself, he is trying to look at the girl in front of him with a new perspective and identity.

The countess still didn't let all the servants back to work, and the servants of Rosings brought by Lady Catherine temporarily took over the job.

When Anne and Darcy rode back to the gate of the Earl's Mansion, they heard a burst of excited dogs barking.As soon as the garden fence was opened, a black figure rushed towards Annie like a whirlwind.

Just as Darcy was about to reach out to block Anne behind him, he saw the black whirlwind slammed to a stop, sat obediently on the ground wagging its tail, and grinned wide, as if smiling at his master.It seemed to have noticed that the man next to its owner had been staring at it, so it opened its mouth to him, showing a mouthful of fangs.Its calf was about to move, but in the end it still didn't pounce on it.

"Fenrir!" Annie touched its head affectionately, and took out a paper bag from her pocket - Fenrir's eyes were fixed on the paper bag immediately, and his saliva was about to drip.

The paper bag contained strips of dried meat, and Annie stuffed one between Fenrir's teeth.Fenrir bit the jerky and rubbed it against her leg until Anne ordered "Go eat it!", it turned around immediately, ran towards the garden, and finally settled down by the gate of the fence and began to enjoy it snacks and rewards.

"Fenrir..."

"Brother! Anne!" The shout interrupted Darcy, and Georgiana ran out of the door holding up her skirts. "You are finally back. Lunch has just been prepared, and aunt and aunt are already waiting for you in the dining room."

When Darcy and Anne heard this, they quickened their pace.

"Auntie sent the cook back?"

"No, Mrs. Blue made lunch."

"Mrs. Blue?" Darcy frowned suspiciously.

"It's the cook from Rosings Manor." Anne explained, "The count...uncle's death is strange, and the countess doesn't trust the former servants so much, especially the imported things."

That's why she dismissed all the servants temporarily.All the servants are now suspects and potential demons in the Countess' eyes.

After lunch, the Darcys, the mother and daughter de Bourgh, and the countess sat in the drawing room talking.Lady Catherine asked about Anne's and Darcy's morning itinerary, and Darcy answered in detail—but he didn't say anything about his conversation with Anne.

Lady Catherine was a little happy, and Anne probably knew the reason for her happiness—she thought that she was not as repulsive to her cousin as she said.

The countess was a little tired, and after only talking for a while, she planned to go back to her room to rest.Annie couldn't bear to let her digest the pain of losing her husband alone, and it would only get deeper and deeper, and it would be difficult to return to a normal life.But the countess looked tired, even sitting here, she was a little dazed, her eyes were fixed in one place without focus, and she didn't know what she was thinking.

"I plan to take Georgiana back to Pemberley Manor in just a few days." Darcy's words finally pulled her back a little, and immediately attracted Lady Catherine's attention.

"I have come back, and I have no intention of going out again. Georgiana should come home with me. There is no reason for her to disturb my aunt all the time." Darcy said to Lady Catherine, "I am grateful to you There are no words to express my love, if you hadn’t kindly kept Georgiana by your side to take care of her, and hired a tutor to teach her, I would never have left her alone, nor would I have traveled abroad with peace of mind... Over the years, I am able to live for my ideals regardless of everything, and all this is thanks to you. Aunt, if you need me in any way, please don't hesitate."

"Rosings won't be troubled by having one more girl to eat. Besides, Georgiana is well-behaved and sensible, but she doesn't have her own ideas like Anne and doesn't listen to me. Georgiana is by my side, it seems My daughter." Lady Catherine glanced at Anne, and immediately looked lovingly at Georgiana.

Georgiana blushed and sat beside her, hugging her arm reluctantly.

"However, you have to ask me where I can use you..." Mrs. Catherine dragged out the end, and her gaze flashed across Anne's face—she believed that Darcy had noticed her movements—Mrs. Catherine shook Shaking his head, "Where is this? We are a family, and we should take care of each other."

Annie curled her lips, but did not speak.

"You are so generous, but I have something to trouble you." Darcy stood up and said respectfully, "The Pemberley Manor has not been visited by the master for seven years. Although the servants are managed by Mrs. I'm not restrained by a serious master. Besides, I'm a man, so it's really hard for me to ask more questions."

Mrs. Catherine knew the elegant meaning when she heard the stringed voice: "You are a decent gentleman, there is absolutely no reason to reprimand the servants yourself... There is no mistress in Pemberley Manor. As an aunt, I naturally have to share more considerations for you."

Again Darcy thanked him respectfully.

Lady Catherine suddenly felt powerless.Darcy's politeness certainly satisfied her, but it also meant alienation and politeness.Looking at his daughter again, she and Darcy were sitting face to face, but there was no communication at all—not even eye contact!

"...If Pemberley Manor plans to hold a ball, of course I am the only one who can talk." Lady Catherine said casually, then, bowed her head and took a sip of tea, waiting for Darcy's answer.

Kexi didn't say anything, just lowered his head and drank his tea.

Anne looked at the silent Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and suddenly asked: "Auntie, what about you? Let me tell you, you really should go out for a walk and breathe the fresh air. Spring is here, and the flowers in the suburbs are also here." opened."

In Anne's mind, she would like to take Mrs. Fitzwilliam to the Rose Manor in Hertfordshire to relax.The fragrance of roses can heal most of the sufferings in the world.

"You are always welcome at Pemberley Manor, Auntie. If you prefer not to live at Pemberley Manor, there are quite a few small manors nearby, some with lakes, and some built on hillsides, which are good holidays for gentlemen and ladies. Where to go." Darcy also persuaded.

Mrs. Fitzwilliam waved her hand: "I know your kindness, but Lawrence and I have already made plans... We decided to go back to our old house in the country, and Lawrence has already sent someone to clean it up."

"The old house?!" Anne was shocked, "I haven't heard about Cousin Lawrence yet... Hasn't he already joined the Upper Council? Cousin Lawrence isn't staying in London either?"

"Lawrence has his plan." Mrs. Fitzwilliam smiled wryly, "Before Christmas, we had already planned to move back to the old house in the spring, but who knows, the Earl... However, Lawrence told me that his plan remains the same As for his work, I think he already has a way to deal with it. Even if he doesn't go to the parliament, the estate left by the earl's ancestors is enough for him to worry about."

Annie didn't know what to say.

The Earl's family moved to the old house, as if she had severed all the connections and pasts with the Earl and London.She could also understand Mrs. Fitzwilliam's decision-no one could live happily in the house and room where her husband died.

However, everything happened so fast that she was unprepared.

"... Cousin Lawrence is not married yet, will he still miss this year's social season in London?" Annie finally thought of a reason for the delay.

"I know what Lawrence thinks, and so do you."

"He's still for Miss Campbell..."

"Lawrence has his father's blood flowing, the same infatuation." Mrs. Fitzwilliam sighed.

"That Miss Canberra is too arrogant and picky! Lawrence is so handsome, outstanding, and has a title. I can't think of any reason for her to refuse him."

"It's Campbell, Mom."

"Oh! Campbell?...Well, Miss Campbell. I still remember this person. She seemed to be at the Rosings banquet. She was such a taciturn person. She was not as good-looking as our children. The only advantage was She plays the piano well. Why, Lawrence fell in love with her then?" Mrs. Catherine couldn't believe it.

"Mom!" Annie pressed her hand and shook her head.

Mrs. Fitzwilliam's face was not very good, but she did not refute.

Darcy coughed and broke the slightly awkward silence: "Since both my aunt and Cousin Lawrence have decided to go back to the old house, they have to pack it up as soon as possible. When do you plan to leave?"

"Just a week from now."

"Ah! Time is so tight, then I..."

"Anne, dear, you and your mother will go to Pemberley with Darcy. I'm still here, and Lawrence has been planning this for a long time. It's not a difficult thing." Mrs. Fitzwilliam interrupted Anne's words, "Over the years, you and your uncle have had a deep relationship, and I also regard you as my child. If there is really trouble, I will not be polite to you."

Annie could only nod.

At this time, there was a rhythmic knock on the door.As the only man, Darcy immediately got up and walked out the door.After a while, he took a letter back.

"This is... a letter to Anne." Darcy raised his eyebrows after seeing the writing on the envelope.

"Mine?" Annie was a little surprised. Someone knew she was here and wrote a letter here?

She took the letter, and as soon as she read the envelope, she couldn't help laughing.

After reading the letter quickly, Anne said to Lady Catherine: "Bennet invited me to the ball in May."

"Oh? Bennet of Hertfordshire?"

"Yes, mother. Miss Bennet invited me to her bar mitzvah, do you remember?"

"That's a beauty. Why, hasn't she married herself?"

"With Miss Bennet's beauty and virtuousness, she can choose carefully." Anne said while folding the letter paper, "This time, the Bennet family will hold a dance, and Elizabeth will also attend."

"The second child of the Bennet family?" Mrs. Catherine yelled, "I really don't know etiquette. The eldest is not married yet, so how can the younger sister start socializing? There are fewer and fewer people who follow etiquette. In the past, People like this will be ridiculed!"

"You also said that it was in the past."

Madam Catherine frowned: "Then why did she invite you? You haven't celebrated your birthday yet!"

"I am the same age as Elizabeth. She is a little nervous and afraid, so she wants me to accompany her."

"It's fantastic!" Lady Catherine's nose bulged with anger. "You are not allowed to go, except after your birthday! Besides, with a family like theirs, there is no gentleman worthy of you at the ball!"

"Mom!" Annie couldn't laugh or cry.

"Mr. Bennet should know many young and outstanding gentlemen, wouldn't he make arrangements for his sisters?" Darcy asked suddenly.

"Where is the son of the Bennet family? There is only one old squire in the Bennet family!" Mrs. Catherine waved her hand indifferently, "Poor Mr. Bennet, there is no son to inherit the family property. After he dies, the family The property is all outsider's! Ah... by the way, his heir is now the vicar at Hansford, below Rosings, and I'm glad for him. I can't live anymore, if Annie and I didn't take care of him, he wouldn't be able to inherit the old pastor's position..."

Lady Catherine began to babble about the past again, taking the credit for herself.

"Oh, the Bennet family doesn't have a son of the right age." Darcy nodded thoughtfully.

He turned his head and glanced at Anne who was a little embarrassed, his eyes were particularly meaningful.

For some reason, Annie felt a little hot when he saw her.

The author has something to say: fat chapter!

明天有更新！感谢在2020-12-1102:20:55~2020-12-1400:11:17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 who threw mines: MK71;

Thanks to the little angel of irrigation nutrient solution: MK72 bottle;

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