[Pride and Prejudice] Becoming Katherine Bennett

Catherine had never seen Willard at this moment.

There was no expression on that handsome face that always wore a casual smile, or pretended to be kind and enthusiastic.There was no warmth in his eyes, pouring on Catherine's back like ice water, chilling her bones.But soon, a fiery spark burned in his eyes again.

Catherine subconsciously wanted to turn her head, but just as she turned her neck to the other side, she heard Willard's tone without ups and downs: "Look at me."

His voice was calm, but there was an irrefutable determination in it.

Catherine hesitated for a few seconds.She didn't dare to argue with Willard, so she could only turn her eyes back and look at him.

Willard took a beautifully crafted box from his coat pocket.Catherine recognized it as a cigar box.

He opened the lid of the box, took out a cigarette with a dark wrapper, put it in his mouth, and then took out a long cigar match from the box.The slender fingers hold the match and slide it gently on the sandpaper.He tilted his head slightly, and the non-phosphorous match followed his movements, burning blue flames.

The flame was weak, illuminating his handsome eyebrows and indifferent expression.

Soon, the aromas of natural tobacco leaves and cedar wood chips merged and blended, and the room was filled with the unique aroma of cigars.

Willard put the cigar in his mouth, took a small puff, and exhaled the smoke. The smoke from the cigar shrouded his face in a haze, making it difficult for Catherine to see his appearance clearly.

Willard said lightly: "Is there anything you want to ask?"

"No." Catherine was very uncooperative.

She repeated the old trick, hoping that such an attitude would drive Willard away again, who would have thought that the other party would actually laugh.

"Miss Catherine," Willard smiled, "did I tell you, you're very interesting."

"Like you praised Miss Manla just now?"

Willard laughed now.

"No, it's a real kind of fun like you're doing now."

Catherine decided to keep her mouth shut.

After another moment of silence, Willard took a puff of smoke: "I have always been puzzled by women's thoughts. Whether it's my mother, my stepmother, my sister-in-law, or young ladies like you and Manla, I never figured it out."

Catherine remained silent.She guessed that he might have something to say about his family secrets.She couldn't help looking up at the gate, trying to measure the distance between her, the gate and Willard with her eyes.She kept weighing in her mind, if she ran towards the door, would Willard catch her first, or would she escape first.

The smile on the lips of Willa who was standing opposite widened.He easily guessed what Catherine was thinking: "I guess I will move faster than you."

Catherine turned her head sideways.

The feeling of being amused in Willard's heart turned up again.He didn't understand why he always had unique feelings when facing Catherine.He has never been really angry with her, nor has he ever been impatient. Even things that others do that would irritate him are extraordinarily delicate and cute on her.

"Then change the subject," Willard said, "I have a question to ask you. It is said that I am a gentleman with such conditions, please forgive my arrogance, but I do think that my conditions are good. If I express to a certain woman Good impression, I guess most of them will agree with restraint even if they are not excited and ecstatic. But why am I so unlucky to meet a lady who says no? Catherine, maybe you can explain it for me?"

After a brief silence, Catherine said: "I'm sorry sir, I think every woman in the world has a different personality, and I don't know what others think."

"You're right. Then tell me what you think, what do you think?"

Catherine refuses: "I never think about other people's business."

"Miss cunning, do you want to hear my confession here? Tell you the name of that lady?" Willard raised his eyebrows, eager to try.

Scared by this sentence, Catherine immediately turned her head to look at him, and tried her best to explain calmly: "Sir, I think you have misunderstood. I swear that I have no such intention. I just want to tell you that I am not qualified to speak for you." Any advice on something as important as love."

"I said you have it, and you have it," Willard said with a smile, "tell me, I'm waiting to hear."

Catherine was very upset, and after a long time, she said: "If you insist on this, then I will no longer hide my guess. Although I don't know why you like that lady, of course you don't have to tell me, I have no intention of inquiring, I I think any lady of noble birth and mature thinking would be ecstatic about your confession, so I guess she must be eccentric and short-sighted, which is related to her low status and a family that cannot give her a good education. Not good enough for you."

"However, I also think that because she has a clear enough understanding of herself, she can see that there are huge differences between you in terms of personality and status, and there will be no happiness in the future when you are together. At the same time, she has a little brain, Know that the life she wants is completely different from what you are prepared to give."

"But she is so smart, didn't she think that when I was tempted by her, I had already considered the issue of status? She doesn't need to worry about it. I am confident that I can bring her good living conditions, and I can rely on my ability To make up for the lack of her family background. I don't need her to socialize, socialize and maintain relationships, she only needs to do what she wants to do."

"I can't believe you don't need anything from her for your relationship."

"It's really not necessary. You may not believe it when you say it, Catherine. In fact, it's hard for me to believe that this is a decision I made after thinking for a long time. But in fact, I'm sure of my thoughts, and I'm sure I can do what I say."

Speaking of this, Willard paused briefly, and then said in an unquestionable tone: "I only want her. I only need her."

Willard's confession was overbearing and unexpected.

Catherine's heart beat violently.

In two lifetimes, it was the first time she heard such a declaration of love.She had to admit that although she was sure that she would not agree to the other party's show of love, she could not remain indifferent.

The lines of many TV dramas sound outdated and clichéd to the audience, but if there is a man, a handsome and promising man, who speaks to you so affectionately, earnestly and firmly, no one can help their heart beat faster.

Willard stared at her intently, a fiery red flame was burning in the blue ocean.If there is warmth in the sight, she almost burns because of him.

Catherine withdrew her gaze, not daring to look directly into Willard's eyes.

After a moment of silence, Catherine replied: "Sir, I think she must be shocked to hear what you said, and she doesn't understand what she can do to get your attention. She must be very touched, thank you for your willingness to help her." She has made efforts and sacrifices, but I am afraid she will not agree with your confession."

Catherine's words made Willard narrow his eyes slightly, and he said nothing. The cigar in his hand hadn't been favored for a long time, and the flame was almost extinguished.

He raised his cigar and waited for the smoke to rise again, lingering between them, before saying, "Maybe you'd like to tell me why she refused."

"Because she is very grateful to you, but she has no special feelings for you. And the compromises you said to make up for her family background, she has no intention of marrying into a noble family, so she is not very attractive. I Think she doesn't care."

"What a cruel lady, huh?" Willard chuckled. "Well, let me tell you what she cares about. Catherine, I forgot to tell you just now that my lady is unique. She has her own writing career, And it was so successful, I've never seen a better author than her, at least in my mind."

"However, this is not an advantage in the eyes of many people. Any lady who wants to gain a good reputation would not dare to do such a thing. Once others find out, it will not only affect her, her sisters are also destined to be implicated."

"So her writing is a secret, and no one knows about it except her family. But I do. Not only do I know, I also know her thoughts, her career, her character, and I dare say there is no young man in this world. Men know her better than I do. Why can't I have happiness with her? Isn't the basis of happiness knowing and familiar? Doesn't she even care about that?"

Catherine said calmly: "Of course she cares. But she thinks that what is more important is whether the two people's personalities match. After all, marriage involves all aspects. It is a long-term relationship and a day-to-day relationship. Sustain. Although you know her, you don't know everything, at least you don't know what she wants. Even if you know, with your character, you can't give it to her. "

"Oh? I'm curious when you say that. Please don't hesitate to enlighten me and give me some advice. What does she want? Is there anything I can't give you?"

Catherine answered earnestly: "She wants respect, trust and freedom."

Willard was taken aback for a moment, and quickly said, "How do you know I can't give it?"

"No, you can give, but according to your personality, what you give must be limited and within the scope of your permission. If one day she exceeds your tolerance, I don't have the slightest doubt, you will definitely do it yourself Destroy all her hopes. But she doesn't want to live in a cage, no matter how big or gorgeous the cage is, she doesn't want to."

"Besides, you are an adventurer, and you are obsessed with the unknown and uncertain. She may indeed have something special in your eyes, but she is just an ordinary person. What if you see through her in the near future? By then, Will she still love you?"

There was silence in the room except for the sound of cigars burning.

Willard looked at Catherine. At this time, the scorching heat in his eyes had gradually subsided, and turned into an emotion intertwined with thinking and confusion.

After a few minutes, the cigar went out.

Willard glanced at the cigarette, walked to the desk, threw the remaining half of the cigar into the ashtray, then walked in the opposite direction, stopped in front of the sofa on the other side, turned around and sat down, leaned back On the couch, fold your hands in front of your belly.

He was silent for a long time.All the while, he kept looking at Catherine.Catherine remained silent and let him look at her.

After a while, he said: "I agree with what you said. I really can't guarantee that my love will not change in my life. Although I know that ladies like to hear such words, I don't want to lie to her. Even if I am willing to give this kind of She will definitely not believe false promises. As for the others, I also agree with your words. I am now convinced that she really sees through me, and may still think that I scare her. But I don’t think anyone can promise the same for a lifetime Therefore, it is unreasonable to ask me so. As for what she wants, I don’t believe that anyone can give her unlimited respect, trust and freedom. I can only say that I will do my best to give it.”

Catherine said firmly: "Sir, I don't think you understand, those just now are just reasons, and there is only one reason why she won't agree."

"What is it?"

"Because she doesn't love you, sir."

Willard's face darkened.

He stared at her quietly, until he saw her a little scared, and then said: "I always think she is a lovely girl, sometimes she has amazing insights and ideas, but she also has an innocence that is not familiar with the world. She thought it was a multiple-choice question whether she would accept me, but when she appeared in front of me with the manuscript, there was only one answer to everything, she must marry me, and love can be cultivated slowly."

Willard's words were arbitrary and firm, and the non-discussed decision and sense of coercion in his words made Catherine, who had always been soft but not hard, extremely angry.

She tried her best to restrain her anger and make her tone sound calm: "I don't know that there is such a thing in this world. It turns out that you can ignore the other party's wishes when you show love, and just decide for yourself. Now that you have the answer, why do you falsely say it?" Seeking other people's opinions? I'm afraid you make people laugh more than the Miss Manla you mocked before."

"However, since this is the case, you can try to confess your love to that lady bravely and directly, instead of beating around the bush like a coward. But I might as well tell you the ending in advance: she will definitely ignore you. If she agrees, then It is the most absurd thing since the birth of England!"

Willard was already in a bad mood after being rejected by her, but now he heard Catherine say such words, he couldn't help being furious: "Oh? If she doesn't marry me, who else can she marry? Fitzwilliam Darcy?"

Catherine had not expected to hear Mr. Darcy's name at this moment.Her heart tightened suddenly, and she couldn't help being in a daze.But soon, she suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and said: "Whether she marries or who she marries has nothing to do with you."

"Ha, it has nothing to do with me? Catherine, you probably don't know how much I have worked hard for that lady's peaceful life."

Catherine looked at him in amazement.

"That's why I said she was naive. She thought that after she wrote such a book, she could solve all problems by hiding in the dark. But she probably never thought that her current peace is the result of others protecting her behind her back."

A deep anxiety rose in Catherine's heart.

"She is lovely, beautiful, talented, but of low status. She never knows how evil and dirty some people are, who can easily persecute her. And how eye-catching is her uniqueness. Can't help but want to have it."

Willard no longer concealed it, but was aggressive: "Do others know about your book writing? Are you sure that others will accept it like me and protect you willingly?"

Catherine's face paled, she slumped on the seat, her fingers tightly grasping the armrest.

Willard stood up and strode forward.He stopped in front of Catherine and squatted on the ground.

He stared deeply at her, and softened his voice: "Catherine, only I, only I understand you. I am willing to protect you."