[Pride and Prejudice] Becoming Katherine Bennett

Before dawn the next day, after Catherine washed and dressed, she went out quietly and got on the carriage to London.

She did not dare to tell the whole family about her trip this time, but only told Mr. Bennett and Elizabeth.She took out the letter and showed it to the two relatives, saying that the husband of the publishing house needed her to go to London urgently.

"I'm not avoiding my mother and Lydia, there's really something going on," Catherine said.But even so, when she left Longbourn, she felt a little relieved when she thought that she would not have to suffer from the terrible duet of female voices far beyond imagination for at least dozens of hours.

It's spring in London.Sitting in the open carriage, Catherine felt the spring full of flowers and luxuriant leaves all the way, and she was in a great mood.This time she went to London, she decided to stay at Uncle Gardner's house for one night. This decision was of course to have more time to solve the book matter, and on the other hand, it was also to have enough time to meet Mr. Darcy.

Thinking of her husband, Catherine's cheeks flushed slightly.Although it's only been two days since we separated, Catherine has already missed each other again. She thinks about her during the day and sees her in her dreams.Oh, why did she use "cai" just now?"It's been two days since we parted" should be used to explain her true mood.

Four hours later Catherine reached Grace Church Street.Her sudden appearance surprised the uncle's family.She explained to them the reasons for coming to London and her request to stay overnight, and she was immediately received warmly by the host.

"It would be better to stay for a few more days." Aunt Gardner said, "After you go back, I am not used to it. I always feel that there is something missing at home."

After staying at her uncle's house for a long time, Catherine went out to No. 109 Sinkenton again.Amidst the rumble of the carriage, Catherine saw the office building of the "Daily Telegraph" gradually appearing in front of her eyes. She looked at the building in the distance, filled with emotion.

Just ten months ago, she stepped in there with excitement and pride, her eyes were full of fame and money, and her mind was full of ambitions and dreams.

Fortunately, fate has treated her well, at least in terms of writing, it can be said that she is quite fond of her. Once her first work came out, it caused a huge sensation, and the money, fame and fortune rolled in, far beyond her imagination.There she signed the most important contract for her, there she took the first step in a new life, there she saw her words become beautiful print, there she received the first book payment...

And today, she will also be there, ending this journey worth remembering in a lifetime.

In fact, after these days of calming down, Catherine no longer feels sad in her heart.Although she still feels pity, time is the best medicine, and she is not a character of self-pity. After the initial hardship, everything becomes easier.

I come, I see, I conquer.

She had it, and that was enough.

Catherine saw Mr. Ben at the door in the distance, as the carriage turned the bend and came into the road.He seemed very anxious, walking around with his hands behind his back.When Catherine came over, he was turning his back to her direction. When she was hesitating whether to call Mr. Ben, he turned around and saw Catherine at a glance.

"Miss Catherine!" said Mr. Ben, more delighted than he had been every time he had seen her, and he ran towards her before the carriage even stopped. "I'm afraid you won't come."

"Mr. Ben, I kept you waiting." Catherine said slightly apologetically.

"No no. I just came down too."

"I want to talk to you about the contract this time. My thoughts are in the letter..."

Mr. Ben interrupted Catherine: "Let's talk in the office, Miss Catherine."

Catherine thought that he didn't want to be heard by passers-by, so she nodded and got out of the carriage, followed Mr. Ben, and he led him into the office building of the newspaper and went up to the second floor.

When Catherine stepped up the stairs, she couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

She glanced at Mr. Ben, who was walking in front of her, without saying a word, walking very fast, only giving her an anxious back.

Catherine stopped when they were halfway down the corridor and had no intention of stopping.

"What's the matter, Miss Catherine?" Mr. Ben noticed at once.

"Where are you taking me?" Catherine asked.

It wasn't the first time for her to come here, and she was deeply impressed by important things. Seeing that they were about to reach the room at the end of the second floor, an idea that she didn't want to accept but seemed ready to come out appeared in her heart.

Mr. Ben showed a wry smile: "Miss Catherine, please don't make things difficult for me."

Catherine stood where she was, still refusing to move.

While the two were silent, someone behind the door of the office facing them slightly turned the handle, and the door slowly opened.

The first time she heard the movement, Catherine felt that her breathing was stagnant, her heart seemed to be grabbed by someone, and she was restless.She watched as the door was slowly pushed open, and a tall and familiar figure appeared bit by bit in the light and shadow.

The other party raised his chin slightly and looked at her expressionlessly, but there was a kind of arrogance and calmness in his eyes.

It was Willard Gordon.

"It's me going, or you coming in." Willard said to Catherine.

Catherine pursed her lips.After they looked at each other for a moment, she sighed inwardly and walked into the room.

After entering the door, Catherine heard the door being closed behind her.The teak door hit the frame, and the brass hinges creaked.

Catherine looked around.This office seemed to be the same as it was when she first came a few months ago. It was still magnificent, spacious and bright, with bright windows, expensive sofas, and neat desks. Everything was exactly the same.

Catherine looked at the coffee table again, and found that the teacups on the table were the ones she had when she visited for the first time. The beautiful porcelain was filled with brick-red milk tea, exuding the aroma of milk and tea, and curling up. hot fog.

"Just cooked, not much sugar," Willard said, passing her, and sat down by the sofa.He leaned back in his chair, without looking at Catherine, but casually pointed to the opposite side, "Sit down."

Catherine sat down slowly, her eyes fixed on the tea, and she said nothing.

"Don't you want to try it? The tea I just brought back from Paris is said to be a new variety from Africa. It tastes very unique."

Catherine didn't move or respond.

Willard also stopped talking.They sat opposite each other in silence until, when the tea was no longer steaming hot, he rang the bell, and the servant quickly came out at the door.

"Pour out the tea and make a new pot," said Willard.

The servant approached as instructed, and when she was about to reach the table, Catherine said, "No need, this is lukewarm, just right."

The servant was suddenly at a loss.

Willard smiled: "Why are you so dazed, why don't you go out?"

The servant immediately panicked and left quickly.When they were alone again in the room, Catherine picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, "When did you come back?"

Willard didn't answer directly: "It's a surprise that I'm here? I thought I was only going to talk to Ben about this?"

His tone was calm, but every move exuded a Hittite breath.Everything is pointing to what seems to be the calm before the storm.

Catherine subconsciously clenched her fingers holding the teacup: "I remember you said that he will be in charge of my book from now on."

"That's right." Willard pulled a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"So I told him that this matter is in line with your regulations, and there is no problem."

Willard didn't answer.He was sitting on the sofa, staring at Catherine intently, his eyes were like sharp blades, making Catherine tremble all over.Her face was calm, but gradually pale, and she could hardly hold the teacup.

Seeing that the tea in the cup was about to spill onto her skirt, Willard looked away, and said in a calm voice that Catherine had never heard before, "Of course, you don't have to do anything with the book." question."

Catherine put the glass down, her hands trembling slightly.She tried her best not to be nervous and afraid, but she found that it was not up to her.

"Oh." Willard let out a chuckle.

Catherine thought that she was far inferior to Willard in terms of psychological quality and scheming, so she stopped playing charades with the other party, and asked directly in compromise: "What do you want?"

Her words were like pressing a switch, which angered Willard at once.

Willard originally lowered his eyes halfway, but when he heard her words, he raised his eyes instantly, looked at her with those blue eyes that were as cold as glaciers, and diverted her gaze until he deliberately prolonged his tone. One word at a time, and asked in a very soft voice: "What do I want? Catherine Bennett, it seems that I should ask you this question. Oh, I may have called you wrong, right, maybe I should respect you as Da Mrs. West, right?"

Catherine turned pale: "I don't understand what you are talking about Mr. Darcy now."

"You don't understand? You actually told me you didn't understand? Catherine," Willard seemed to have heard some big joke, his voice was still not loud, but Catherine could easily hear the suppressed anger in it, "You are very Funny, you're so funny, you turned around and got another gentleman right away when I went to Paris. Congratulations, you're awesome, you're the only woman who makes me a joke."

The strong sarcasm in Willard's words made Catherine feel the anger of being humiliated. She no longer cared about being afraid, but retorted: "Did I let you go to Paris? Are you using it to accuse me now?" Isn't it ridiculous. As for who I am with you, what does it matter to you?"

Willard didn't answer this time.He stared at her quietly, and after a few seconds, he suddenly changed his face, with a mocking and contemptuous smile on his face.

It's just that there was some unknown sadness in this ridicule, and he couldn't tell whether he was laughing at Catherine or looking down on his ridiculous self.

Willard got up and went to the desk, took out a beautifully packaged box from the drawer, undid the ribbon roughly and opened the lid, revealing the contents inside.

It was a diamond ring.Huge diamonds sit on deep blue velvet, quietly shining brightly.

Willard looked down at the diamond ring that he had worked so hard on for nearly a minute before softly saying, "You're right, I wanted it myself."

He smiled as he spoke, and when he had finished he flung the ring and box in Catherine's direction.The expensive diamond drew a parabola, and when it fell to the ground, it instantly escaped from the box and flew to Catherine's feet.

Willard said in a tone that was so casual that it was almost contemptuous: "I asked someone to find a craftsman for the King of France to work for more than three months, and it cost [-] pounds. If I hadn't been so hot-headed and engraved your name on the ring setting, I would It’s a pity that it can be given to other young ladies. I’d better give it to you, as a congratulatory gift for you and Mr. Darcy, I hope you don’t dislike it.”

All the blood on Catherine's face faded away, her ears were buzzing, and her fingers and lips were trembling slightly.

"Why don't you pick it up and look down on it? Yes, although you are ridiculously poor, you have found a rich man after all. Compared with Mr. Darcy's wealth, this little money is nothing, and it is normal for you to look down on it." .”

Catherine was petrified, her eyes were bloodshot and her teeth were chattering.

"Oh, by the way, I remember the first time I saw you in this office, I was standing by that window. You know what I thought when I saw you jump out of the carriage? I think this girl is Find a new route, know how to write books to increase your value, and sell yourself for a good price. Your book is very good, it must be very popular, and it will be appreciated by nobles. You have to pay more to write such a book Mind, it's not out of the question to be England's Madame de Pompadour."

Catherine closed her eyes, her hands were cold.

"It's a pity that your appetite is a bit small." Willard walked to the window and leaned against the wall, "I was at this position and this angle. Tsk, speaking of it, although Mr. Darcy is not bad, but compared to me helping you Contemplated……"

"Willard Gordon." Catherine interrupted him with an unconcealable tremor in her voice.

"Ok?"

Willard was satisfied with the response that finally elicited Catherine.He turned his head and was about to continue talking...

"Snapped."

A loud applause sounded in the room.

Catherine raised her arm high, exhausted all her strength, and slapped Willard's right cheek fiercely.