[Pride and Prejudice] Mary's Pride and Prejudice

Miss Edwards' Garden Party

The new store of Fanny's Food Store opened. Mary is no longer the same as she was before, but Miss White still kindly invited several shareholders in London to visit. In order to support her work, Mary specially released Lydia for a day. Although it was only a short day, and she was still in the grocery store, Lydia was still in high spirits.

Of course, Miss White's work has won the support of her relatives. Both Colonel Edwards and Mr. Alfred are free to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mary also met their sister, Miss Edwards. The relationship between this lady and Miss White seems to be stronger than that of The first time Mary saw her was even deeper, and the expressions of the two of them were very intimate when they talked.

Miss Edwards also invited several Miss Bennets to attend a garden party hosted by her at Edwards' mansion the day after tomorrow. The party began at three o'clock in the afternoon, and the guests had a period of time to visit Edwards's beautiful conservatory before afternoon tea. The old Duke Edwards was a gardening enthusiast, and his greenhouse garden was famous in London.

Mary was very eager to see it, and she accepted Miss Edwards' offer almost at once.

Lydia also said that he had heard Colonel Edwards talk about the greenhouse in his house a long time ago, and if there was anything in Edwards House that he would miss, it would be the greenhouse besides the kitchen.However, since Miss White became the director of Fanny's Food Store, he began to abandon his nostalgia for Edwards's kitchen and concentrate on eating the take-out of Fanny's Food Store for 100 years.

When Lydia heard that Miss Edwards invited her to the banquet, she immediately asked Colonel Edwards if he could take her to see the beautiful greenhouse. She especially wanted to see the little flower house that Colonel Edwards had mentioned several times. It is a natural growth of many climbing vines and rose branches intertwined with each other.

Mary didn't want Lydia to go out, but thinking about how well-behaved she has been recently, she acquiesced.

Lydia and Colonel Edwards had obviously become good friends, and they always talked and laughed enthusiastically when they were together. Mary looked at the two of them frequently, and began to worry that her little sister would be abducted by this playboy.

She wanted to ask Mr. Alfred whether Colonel Edwards' preference for women would endanger Lydia, but she was worried that this topic would be difficult to discuss, and Mr. Alfred was talking to Jennifer Crawley. Mary recommended her to Miss White to be the receptionist of the new store. Jennifer liked this new job very much. Not only did she have a good salary and good treatment, but also her colleagues and boss were very friendly.

Mr. Alfred also noticed this situation, and he was very pleased that Miss Crawley could start a new life.However, this environment is not suitable for reminiscing about the past for the time being, so Jennifer had to leave after a short exchange.

After thinking about it, Mary still wanted to inquire politely. She pretended to be unintentional and said to Alfred: "Colonel Edwards is really likable, especially an innocent girl like Lydia."

Alfred looked at Colonel Edwards, he was used to this kind of situation: "He has been likable since he was a child, no matter men, women or children, if he deliberately wants to win someone's favor, I don't think anyone can." Resist his charm. However, I know your concerns," he gave Mary a look full of meaning, this kind of "don't be kidding, how could my brother like your sister" eyes made Mary almost feel sorry for her " Overly narcissistic" apologized, and he went on to say, "For Miss Lydia, I think he just thinks of her as his sister. You know, the women he used to pursue... well... were all like him Temperament, he likes French and Italian women."

Mary understood somewhat. Women from these two countries have always been famous for being romantic and affectionate. If you compare them to beautiful flowers like roses and lilies, then I'm afraid Lydia, a silly cabbage, won't be able to catch Colonel Edwards' eyes. of.

However, Mr. Alfred did not bring the topic more to his brother. After a while, he chatted with Mary about an Irish comedian who just became popular in London, and the two made an appointment to watch it together tomorrow night. play.

When Aunt Gardiner knew that several nieces were invited to Miss Edwards's garden party, she was very excited and even made suggestions for choosing clothes and jewelry for the girls.Of course, Aunt Gardiner is a learned and well-bred woman. She is so busy not because she is excited that Mary can associate with high society, but because she thinks that Miss Edwards values ​​Mary so much, it is precisely Alfred. Another strong evidence of Mr. De's love for Mary.

Miss Edwards' invitation came the next day, saying that you can bring your companions.Mary then invites Aunt Gardiner and Cousin Daphne to see and see together.

Aunt Gardiner hesitated for a moment, but she declined. It wasn't that she was frightened of the stage, but that she thought this kind of occasion was about little girls having fun together, and people at her age should stop making fun of it.But she has no objection to Daphne going with her. The eldest daughter is 11 years old this year. She has already discussed with her husband to send her to a girls' school next year, so that this somewhat shy daughter can make more friends of the same age, so let her Going to high society banquets should be of great benefit to Daphne.

But Aunt Gardiner guessed wrongly about the purpose of the banquet.

It was 03:30 in the afternoon when the Mary sisters arrived at the banquet. The Edwards family’s mansion was magnificent, and the wrought iron gate was elegant and grand. It was a long road before their carriage stopped in front of the gate of the house.

Miss Edwards stood with a young man at the door to greet the visitor.

"Miss Mary, I'm so glad to meet you!" Miss Edwards enthusiastically greeted Mary after they got off the car, and the man beside him followed him step by step.

"Please let us introduce you. This is my brother, Lord Adrian."

It turned out to be the second brother of the Edwards family, the one who succeeded Colonel Edwards after he was kicked out of the house.Mary looked at Lord Adrian calmly. He was young, with gentle eyes and a beautiful face. He looked very similar to Colonel Edwards, but from his demeanor and behavior, But unlike his brothers, Edwards and Mr. Alfred were both sharp, like drawn swords, but this Mr. Adrian was gentle, like a calm lake. .

Although Mr. Lake is shy by nature, he has received a very comprehensive gentleman education. He chatted with the ladies for a while, and then took the ladies to the greenhouse of the Edwards family, where there was a friend of the ladies, Edwards. The Colonel and Mr. Alfred.

Mr. Adrian showed full tenderness and kindness during the short journey. When the servant standing in front of the greenhouse opened the glass door, Mr. Adrian reminded: "It's hot inside, you can take off your shawl. "

Mary had a good impression of him, until she met Mr. Alfred, Mary kept praising Mr. Adrian for his tenderness and care.Mr. Alfred frowned, and then he took Mary straight to Colonel Edwards.

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The girl he was talking to was tall and slender, her hair was combed up on top of her head with a diamond hairpin, she turned around, revealing a beautiful face.The red-haired girl's communication with Colonel Edwards was obviously not going well. Her face was dignified and serious, without a trace of a smile.

But she was very happy to see Alfred, the corners of her mouth curved, revealing a trace of relaxation and joy.

"Let me introduce you, Miss Woodhouse, these Miss Bennets are my friends, Miss Mary, Miss Kitty, Miss Lydia, Miss Daphne Gardiner." He said to the red-haired lady first .Then he said to Mary and the others: "This is Miss Woodhouse, betrothed to my brother, Lord Adrian."

Miss Woodhouse?Isn't that the original fiancée of Colonel Edwards?Mary was amazed in her heart, but she didn't dare to show any strangeness on her face. She just exchanged pleasantries with Miss Woodhouse.

Both Kitty and Daphne were a bit cautious in the face of this noble woman, but their behavior could also be interpreted as shyness, which made Miss Woodhouse's expression more gentle.

Lydia followed behind everyone, taking advantage of people's unpreparedness, and took a good look at Miss Woodhouse. At first glance, Miss Woodhouse was born in the upper class. When she talked to people, the corners of her eyes drooped habitually, and her chin Always raising her head slightly, Lydia compared Miss Woodhouse's face and dress in detail, and finally couldn't help admitting discouragedly that this lady is indeed qualified to be a duchess, and she is so beautiful. , of noble birth, rich family background, and a noble manner.

But Lydia thought a little unconvinced: "She's no big deal, Andrew doesn't like her very much."

Thinking of this, she looked at Colonel Edwards who was on the side. Sure enough, he looked impatient. He found that Lydia was more relaxed when he was looking at him. He walked up to Lydia and asked her: "Will you go with me Shall I go and visit my secret castle together?"

Lydia became excited. She looked around and asked in a low voice, "Is it the secret cabin you mentioned to me last time?"

Colonel Edwards nodded: "That place is surrounded by bushes and tall rose bushes. I hide there every time I am unhappy, and many of my trophies are stored in it."

Lydia nodded immediately, and a passion for treasure hunting arose in her heart. She turned to see that her sister didn't seem to be paying attention to her. Colonel Edwards had already grabbed her hand and pulled her away.

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Alfred saw through her worries, and comforted her, "Maybe I shouldn't say such things. Although I'm not complimenting my brother, he has never been entangled with decent ladies."

"It's really not something to brag about."

Mr. Alfred was a little embarrassed when he heard Mary say this: "Actually, Andrew has been in a bad mood recently, so he wants to do something to have fun for himself. He really likes Miss Lydia and will never Those who hurt her, Andrew has been very protective of children younger than him since he was a child, especially the weak ladies."

Mary thought that most of the Playboy's troubles were related to the pornographic news, but the truth of the matter was beyond her expectation.

Mr. Alfred told her: "Grandpa found Miss Sissy a good family to marry a few months ago, so the woman ran away with Andrew's child."

Mary was taken aback.

"It's no secret in London that Andrew once wanted custody of the child, but Miss Sissy preferred to raise the child, so Andrew gave it up. He was depressed for a while, until my grandfather tried to get the navy The Ministry laid him out, he used to spend most of the year on board, but now he has not been out at sea for half a year, which is very incredible for us and for him."

"Duke Edwards...does he want Colonel Edwards to submit to him?" Mary asked incredulously. Colonel Edwards seemed to him a rebellious family, with a slightly secondary nature. To deal with this kind of person, he could only outsmart him. How can we attack by force?It seems that the old Duke Edwards is also a stubborn species.

Mr. Alfred was noncommittal: "My grandfather's most beloved grandson is Andrew. It's a pity that the two people always have different opinions, and their personalities are so similar."

"Colonel Edwards doesn't look like a man waiting to die?" Mary asked.

"He thought it was a disgrace to have no errands and paychecks, so he donated his paychecks to Navy relief."

What does he eat and drink?

"Recently, he is trying to find a way to set up a sales company. Maybe he will have some business dealings with the Bennet family in the future." Mr. Alfred said jokingly.

However, Mary thought about the feasibility of this aspect carefully. Although the scale of their canning factory continued to expand, the products were not worried about selling. Now there are always some canned desserts in various banquets in London.She knew that many sellers came to sign contracts with the cannery on their own initiative, but most of them were bought by private individuals, so far they have not received any large orders from the Navy Department.Even if the Navy has a few cases of cans on board, most of them are individual purchases for the ships.Colonel Edwards has served in the navy for many years and has a deep naval background. If he can rely on his relationship to receive large and long-term orders, it will be a huge leap forward for the development of the cannery.

"But will the Duke of Edwards allow it?"

"He's just a duke, not a king," Alfred smiled helplessly, "Even a king isn't omnipotent."

The author has something to say:

Today's posting is really full of twists and turns, and I couldn't post it at the beginning, because the update link was not open.

Later, I thought I could just post it in the reply below and try again tomorrow, but after a while I found that all my replies had disappeared.

I have been trying non-stop, this time the update is clicked, I hope it can be successful.