aristocratic engagement

Gunshots?

Annie trembled all over and froze in place.

Her eyes were blindfolded, and her hearing amplified her fear; her hands and feet were bound, leaving her unable to escape or move.

Annie carefully identified the source of the gunshots: there was a faint human voice, but that voice came and went.

She even felt that maybe it was just an illusion.

The most urgent task is to untie the bound hands first.

Annie bit the tip of her tongue, the pain calmed herself down.

She is not helpless with the rope that binds her wrist. Annie has already made plans. In case of kidnapping (judging from her status, this is very possible), it is better to save herself than to be captured .

It's just that she wasn't sure if anyone was watching around just now, so she didn't dare to act rashly.

Her feet slid tentatively across the ground, looking for flake-shaped stones with which to cut the twine.

At the same time, Annie's hands kept moving, and the hemp rope was binding her wrists. The rough surface rubbed against her skin, and the skin was quickly worn away.

Just when she couldn't untie the hemp rope and her wrist was so painful that she couldn't move, she stepped on a small stone flake on the sole of her foot.Relieved, Annie writhed and fell to the ground.

Fumbling with her fingers, she picked up the sharp stone on one side.

At this time, it seemed that only the sound of stones rubbing and cutting the hemp rope could be heard in her ears.

Anne was thankful that at least the Duke of Bridgewater hadn't stuffed a towel in her mouth, which allowed her to breathe.Panting, she focused all her strength on her wrist and fingers.

After an unknown amount of time, Annie's wrist suddenly loosened.

broken!The twine is broken!

Annie let out a cry of excitement.

She struggled, and the broken hemp rope soon came loose, and Annie's wrist was finally untied.She immediately untied the string tied around her neck, and lifted the cloth bag covering her face.

The harsh light made Annie squint her eyes.

She lowered her head, and sure enough, she saw that the dress she was wearing was not her own—it was much more gorgeous than her own. Layers of white gauze held up the hem of the skirt, and it was still shimmering in the sun.Her chest was adorned with a gorgeous pearl necklace, with several large rings wrapped around it layer by layer. The white was pinkish, but the skin on her chest appeared paler.

Anne roughly tore off the pearl necklace and threw it on the ground.

She picked up the piece of stone, and while cutting the rope that bound her ankle, she squinted her eyes to observe the surrounding situation.

This is an oak forest, Anne guessed right.

Her heart beat fast: Could this really be the oak forest where the count was buried?

The trees are towering, and countless leaves are intertwined together. Sparse light spots shine into Annie's eyes through the gaps between the leaves.

Beside him, there was no one around the carriage, but there seemed to be signs of a fight - the wooden bars on the carriage had been broken, there were deep and shallow scratches on the wall of the carriage, and the leaves and soil had been completely mixed on the ground The ground was in a mess, faint blood splattered everywhere.

Undoubtedly, while she was in a coma, someone had brought someone over and clashed with the person who was monitoring her kidnapper.

Is it Darcy?

What the hell is he doing these days?

But where is he now?Why leave her here alone?

Anne looked in the direction where she heard the gunshots just now. Layers of trees and bushes blocked her sight, and a winding and rugged road disappeared at the end.

Annie snorted, and with a burst of force, the rope binding her ankle broke.

Annie quickly untied the rope and stood up while supporting the oak tree beside her.After her hands and feet were no longer numb due to blood clogging, Annie came to the carriage with her heavy skirt and untied the ropes that bound the horse.

——She decided to ride over there to have a look, even if something was wrong, she could escape as soon as possible.

Turning on the horse, Annie straddled the horse's back, pinching her legs heavily.

The horse neighed, and after she flicked the whip neatly, it ran towards the trail.

The gunshot rang out, instantly making the muscles of the confrontation tense up.

The Duke of Bridgewater snorted, and the red and black blood slowly lay down from his lips.And Alan Egerton, who had pointed his gun at him earlier, widened his eyes.

He didn't shoot!

Who is that? !

The Duke of Bridgewater's eyes became red, and bloodshot eyes covered the whites of his eyes.

The gun that was originally pointed at Allen in Darcy's hand was gradually put down.

——The situation of their confrontation before the gunshot was really ridiculous.

After Darcy broke into Ellen's private house that day, he learned that the Duke had kidnapped Anne from his men and imprisoned him here.

And the purpose of the Duke to kidnap Anne from his son was to "threat" Mr. Richter to hand over the new invention company?

Darcy didn't realize what was going on for a while.

Alan's face was pale, and he called him Mr. Richter with a half-smile.

Darcy reacted in an instant, and his clumsy scheme actually came true.

He sent people to wander around the former Earl's Mansion and the current Louis Garden many times, wanting to convey a message: Mr. Darcy in Pemberley Manor who wandered around the continent of Europe all the year round is Mr. Richter.

He wanted to give "Mr. Richter" an untouchable status, a status with weight and background, just like Earl Fitzwilliam once did.

Because he has not been in the UK all year round, and Mr. Richter has not appeared in public all year round, such a guess is very convincing.

At least, the group of shipping industry leaders headed by the Duke of Bridgewater all recognized this conjecture.

What he never expected was that, as the Duke's son, Alan also had his own selfish motives.

—He fell in love with "Mr. Richter."

Allen can get to where he is today, and he is almost a short step away from becoming the future Duke. He has already proved his ability.The original intention of kidnapping Anne, as he said, was for her, and Mr. Richter's power was just icing on the cake.

But for the duke, that's not the case.

The premise of the duke's kidnapping of Miss de Bauer is that Darcy is the mysterious Mr. Richter.In the eyes of the Duke, Darcy's power has some weight, but it is not indestructible.Darcy, as a large manor owner who is entrenched in one side, has almost no flaws and weaknesses.

The Duke was very distressed by this, until he found out about his son's affair.

His second son, who has always been optimistic and has high hopes, has never forgotten and loved a country viscountess; and this viscountess, by coincidence, is Mr. Darcy's cousin, or his fiancée—— The duke learned the little-known news from his wife.

Then, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Richter who have no flaws will have flaws.

So, the duke used all his tricks and picked up Allen's tricks.

Darcy was very grateful in his heart that his "little trick" secretly became Anne's life-saving talisman at this time.

If the Duke wants to use Annie to threaten him, he must at least ensure her safety, otherwise there is no room for discussion.

"Why did you tell me this and the flaws of the Duke of Bridgewater? He is your father." Before jumping off the window sill, Darcy suddenly turned around and asked.

Allen just smiled slightly. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The aroma of Bulgarian roses entered his nostrils through the window.

"Because I love her." Allen opened his eyes. "Whether she thinks I'm a pervert, an asshole, or a villain, everything I say to her is the truth."

'No, Alan, you're lying again. '

Allen spurned himself in his heart.

Only that person can change him forever, after she said that sentence.

'I used to think of you as my best friend. '

After thinking about it all night, Darcy sent a duel letter to the Duke of Bridgewater.

The purpose of this duel is for a lady, but, unlike stories and legends where the heroine is in love, this duel is to save her life, and the bet is Darcy's life.

If Darcy hits the Duke in the heart, he can save Miss de Bourgh; but if he fails, the answer is self-evident.

The duke took the duel haughtily.

They made an appointment to meet in the oak grove where Earl Fitzwilliam was buried.Annie was left knocked unconscious in the carriage, and the one who was still standing after the gunfire could take her away.

After the Duke and Darcy bowed to each other, they each walked ten steps in opposite directions to the position marked in advance.

——However, accidents always appear when they should appear.

Allen appeared at the scene of the duel and broke the fairness of the duel.

"Alan Egerton?! Mr. Duke, so you have such an idea? You are too cunning and violated our dueling principles and oaths!" Darcy yelled angrily.

The Duke of Bridgewater frowned, although he did have a backhand, and arranged for a team of mercenaries to go back, and no matter what the outcome was, he would take Miss de Bourgh away from the carriage.

But he never thought of letting his son appear in this duel occasion!

"Alan, go back!" The Duke glared fiercely at the third person who appeared suddenly, "I didn't let you come, this is a duel between me and Mr. Richter! What does a duel mean, I once taught Pass you, you don't know!"

Allen didn't say a word, just stood where he was, shaking slightly in the wind.

Darcy's gun/muzzle was originally aimed at his duel opponent. At this moment, he narrowed his eyes, moved his arm slightly, and pointed the gun in his hand at the third person.

The Duke was furious, pointed his gun at Darcy, and shouted: "Let him go! I didn't let him come over, our duel is still valid!"

Seeing that Darcy's finger moved to the trigger, but Alan still didn't move, the Duke was furious, turned his head and yelled at Alan: "Go!"

But his angry expression quickly turned into shock and disbelief.

Alan Egerton touched his waist and drew a gun.

He raised his arm slightly, smiled at his father, and pointed the gun at him.

The Duke of Bridgewater didn't know what was going on for a while? !In the duel between him and Mr. Richter, his own son appeared, and he pointed the gun at himself? !

Their enemy is Mr. Richter!

Suddenly, the Duke seemed to understand something, and said loudly, "Your Miss de Bourgh is in the oak forest over there! How can I do anything to the person you want, go!"

As he spoke, his gun was still pointed at Mr. Darcy.

Now, the three of them formed a strange triangle situation.Darcy's muzzle was aimed at Alan Egerton, but Alan Egerton raised his gun at the Duke. The Duke's muzzle lingered between his son and Darcy for a moment, and finally aimed at him. Darcy.

After all, Allen was his son no matter what, even if he shot Allen, would Darcy let him go? !

This situation only stalemate for about 3 minutes, but was broken by the gunshot.

The Duke of Bridgewater's eyes were filled with bloodshot eyes. He faltered on the spot, persisted in pain for a long while, and then fell forward feebly.

With a bang, dust and fallen leaves were stirred up.

Behind him, a man in a black coat still held his gun and did not put it down.

Darcy gasped: "Rommel?!"

The man nodded slightly. He didn't speak, but just took a step forward and came to the side of the Duke.He raised his hand, and with a jerk, hit him on the back of the neck with the barrel of the gun.

Struggling to get up, the Duke fell down again.

"Boy, take your old man back." Rommel stood up slowly, and put the gunman on his waist. "I didn't kill him. I can save him by taking him back now."

Allen trembled all over, and for a moment he didn't know what to do.

bring him back?

But he came here with the belief that he must die, and aimed his gun at his father. Could it be that after bringing him back to revive him, he will be able to live a good life?

But, don't take him back?Watching him bleed out here?

Allen frowned.

Regardless of what he thought, Rommel sneered and walked towards Darcy: "What a reckless boy, more impulsive than Anne! Duel? Thank you for thinking it out!"

"...I am fighting for my dignity and Annie." Darcy frowned, feeling resentful at Rommel's critical language.

"You're clearly not an indifferent brat, yet you still believe in the words of such an old man?" Rommel curled his lips, utterly disdainful, "If I didn't come, even if you shot him, you would find him Not back to Anne!"

"What?!" Darcy and Allen said in unison.

"Our duke has kept more than one hand, but my people have already gone to solve it." Rommel smiled slightly, "It was also his bad luck, the mercenary he contacted happened to be one of my people. If Catherine hadn't come to me, I don't think about dealing with their private business either."

Hearing the word mercenary, Darcy immediately dropped his gun and strode towards the oak forest.

"What do you think of this man? Kill him?" Rommel's voice stopped his footsteps, and Darcy turned around and saw him pointing at Alan Egerton who was standing aside.

Alan Edgerton's presence was unexpected, especially when he turned his gun on his father.

This action caused an uproar in Darcy's heart - he couldn't understand Alan's behavior, if it was him, he would never do such a thing.But in this case, he was even grateful to Allen for making this decision, interrupting their duel abruptly.

At this time, Darcy suddenly didn't know how to evaluate this rival in love—whether Darcy admitted it or not, Alan's love for Anne still surpassed everything, especially his father who had nurtured him and used him to the end.

Darcy dared not say what choice he would make if he were Alan Egerton.

No, I won't be him.

Darcy said inwardly.

Suddenly, there was a sound of horseshoes behind Darcy, all three of them were startled and looked in the direction of the sound of horseshoes.

—I saw the high and low bushes in the dense oak forest shake and stir, and the sound of horseshoes getting closer and louder.

Suddenly, a snow-white voice jumped out of the dense forest.

She was dressed in a white and gorgeous dress, just like the bride in the painting.She rode a steed, holding the reins tightly, and leaped swiftly from the thorn bushes.

The long curly hair drew a perfect arc in the air and was left behind by her.

"Annie!" Darcy heard himself shouting from the bottom of his heart.

His eyes were fixed on the figure, but he couldn't make any sound from his throat for a while.

After seeing several familiar figures, Annie suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, and pulled the rein hard.

The horse neighed, raised its front hooves, and stopped neatly.

Dust mixed with withered grass and leaves fell in front of Darcy.

Before the horse could stand still, Annie jumped off the horse.

A pair of strong arms hugged her waist, preventing her feet from landing on the ground.

Familiar smell, familiar temperature, familiar intensity.

Annie's eyes became hot, and she hugged his neck tightly, feeling his heartbeat and breathing.

Darcy's ear was pressed tightly against her chest, but Annie's violent heartbeat made him gradually calm down, and he found his voice: "Is that Annie? Is it my Annie?" His voice was not asked definitely.

"It's me!" Anne's voice was choked with sobs. She made a gesture to let him go and let him see herself face to face, but Darcy hugged her even tighter.

Annie understood what he meant and didn't want to let him go.

Before seeing Darcy's figure, she had no idea that she missed him so much.

Fear and darkness were swept away in an instant, and in the days before - days that she did not know how long - she had forced herself to remain calm, not to go mad in the darkness and hunger, and not to cry out to Bridgewood. The Duke compromised.

She felt that her life was slowly passing, but she could not struggle and could only wait for help.Just like the heroine imprisoned by a witch and a dragon in a fairy tale, she wants to save herself but is powerless.

Well, it's all over.

Darcy suddenly felt a tear fall on his forehead.

He put her down and wanted to check her for signs of injury.And the moment Annie was put down, she held his hand with both hands.

She raised her head and eagerly pressed her lips to his.

Darcy opened his mouth tacitly without hesitation.

The moment lips touched lips, tongue and tongue touched, both of them couldn't help sighing, then squeezed their laughter between their lips and teeth, and digested it alone.

Darcy's hands cupped her cheeks, his rough fingers brushed under her eyes, and tears moistened his dry wounds.

Annie closed her eyes, and another tear fell from the corner of her eye.

Darcy's hands gradually went down, one hand rested on her back, and the other hand held her neck, stroking and comforting her.

Annie was like a cat, under his caress, she gradually calmed down, and the initial urgency and tension also relaxed.

After realizing the relaxation of the person in his arms, Darcy opened his eyes slightly, and his lips and tongue gradually separated from hers.

His lips moved away from hers, and came to the corners of the lips, cheeks, tip of the nose, eyelids... He kissed each place carefully, as if inspecting the territory.

His hand also left her back, along his arm, holding her hand.

Suddenly, he felt a trace of unevenness and stickiness at his fingertips.

Darcy immediately took her hand—her wrist was already scratched with scars because she broke free from the hemp rope, and the blood seeped out from the broken skin, staining the pure white gauze clothes red. skirt.

"Get on the horse, I'll take you back! The doctor is waiting in Louis Garden!" Darcy said anxiously, and was about to put Anne on the horse.

Only then did Anne realize that she was injured—the wrists and ankles were aching, and the twitching followed the beating of the heart, which was a symptom of worn-out skin and bleeding.

These were just flesh wounds, and Annie was suddenly out of breath.

Did Darcy rob her of all the oxygen when he kissed her just now?

Anne thought wildly.

Her head suddenly throbbed with pain.

However, things have not been resolved here.Annie bit her lips tightly to keep herself awake, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the pain all over her body.

She turned to look the other way.

Rommel leaned against the tree trunk with his chest folded, squinting his eyes, not sure whether he was looking at them or resting.

The Duke was still lying on the ground. There was a deep black hole on his back, blood was still flowing out, and it even shone faintly in the sunlight.

Allen stood three steps away from him, his eyes lowered, looking at the Duke, not knowing what he was thinking.

"he……"

"Alan suddenly appeared in the duel between me and the Duke." Darcy's tone was calm, as if he was talking about something irrelevant to him, "I didn't hit the Duke's injury, it was Rommel, he should be following Coming from behind Allen."

Annie nodded, and after a moment of silence, she couldn't help asking: "The Duke is not dead, is he?"

"No, Rommel missed the point."

"Then why, why didn't he send him to the doctor as soon as possible?!" As soon as this question was asked, Annie thought of a terrible conjecture, and she stared at the standing figure in disbelief.

"...It has nothing to do with us." Darcy covered her eyes.

This action made Annie tremble subconsciously. The darkness gave her many bad memories.

Darcy suddenly realized something, put down his hand, and turned sideways to block Annie's sight: "Don't look, let's go, leave this place to Rommel."

As he spoke, Darcy carried Annie onto the horse's back, turned over himself, and wrapped Annie in his arms.

Without looking that way again, he turned his horse's head, and walked towards the oak wood - a short cut, and a way to meet Lord Fitzwilliam again, and tell him that it was all over.

Annie's back was pressed against his chest, she fell back in peace, turned her head, and kissed his chin.

It's a bit prickly, but Annie doesn't mind.

"Bang—" The gunshot came from behind again.

Annie was stiff.

"The Duke is dead." Darcy's indifferent voice came from above his head.

The author has something to say: After writing, I let out a long sigh of relief. These chapters are too much torture for me.