aristocratic engagement

Allen Egerton lived at Rosings Manor.That day, when Fitzwilliams and Darcy and his party came back, they heard that the patient had woken up, so they went straight to the guest room.After the simple greetings, the Earl talked with Allen alone for a long time. It was not until the night fell that Anne heard the sound of the door of the guest room being closed.

Anne poked her head out of her room, and saw the Earl standing at the top of the stairs, looking at her with a smile on his face: "Do you have something to tell me?" This is an affirmative sentence, not a question sentence.

There is no need to play tricks in front of smart people, not to mention that Annie didn't think she could play tricks on him, so she said directly: "I'm going to London, and I have to ask my uncle to help persuade my mother."

Earl Fitzwilliam smiled slightly: "You are direct, but you have to tell me your plan, so that someone will help you when you half fall into the cliff. Catherine only has this manor in her eyes, and I see I don’t understand what you see in your eyes...Wealth, status? These are not what a lady should pursue. Even for a manor owner who already owns a property, it’s poisonous wine mixed with honey .”

"Honey, your eyes are covered with fog. I can't see clearly what emotions are in it. Ambition or greed? Strategies or reckless actions? I can't see clearly. It doesn't matter. But if you can't see clearly , rampaging in the mist, sooner or later will fall into the trap that is close at hand."

The Count spoke loudly.

Annie's hand clutching the door frame froze slightly.

"Rosings Manor can't hold me, uncle." Annie lowered her head, her eyes were tracing the patterns on the carpet, "I thought I saw the way ahead, but your words made me... doubt Myself."

Running a rose plantation is not only to satisfy my own romantic feelings, but also because the income is really good.Buying mills without churning out salable woven fabrics in order to go the "high quality" route, like those fake self-deceiving luxury brands that keep pounds out of the pockets of those struggling to get into the lordship pull out.

Money, money.

This is a lesson Anne learned in her previous life. Money can bring her a sense of security. Seeing the increase in the account book, her satisfaction also increases.

She is the sole heir of the family, as long as she is armed with money, she can even choose not to marry and keep the castle.

But the earl's words hit her hard.What she thought was well concealed was discovered, and her property was exposed before his eyes. The news revealed by the earl made her—a lady with nothing but money—have to face a bigger world, a person whose problems cannot be solved by money. world.

"If you are at this age, I would be surprised if you know your future goals clearly and well, Anne." The earl softened his tone, hesitated for a moment with his palm, and patted her on the shoulder, as if facing a Old friend, "If you ask me, I will say yes."

He didn't make it clear, but Anne understood him.

"Uncle, I beg you, take me to London."

"No! I absolutely don't agree!" Mrs. Catherine was so bombarded by the news that she forgot her ladylike demeanor, "Anne is still young, she should stay in Rosings, and Mrs. Blake, the governess, will return to work soon. Anne's Lessons cannot be interrupted."

"I'm just taking Anne to London to play, Catherine, take it easy, no one will do her any harm." The earl poured a cup of tea for his sister, "The kid from the Duke of Bridgewater's family can already get out of bed, mansion But there was no news from here, I helped people to the end, and I happened to be going back to London, so I took him with me."

"You know his identity! A second grandson without inheritance rights! Annie shouldn't be so close to him!"

The count frowned: "What's the mess, how old is Annie? A girl of her age loves to play, so it's not surprising that she wants to visit London. Those ladies who are well versed in social skills stand together?"

"Ignorance is the most fatal flaw," said the Count emphatically.

Madam Catherine couldn't help becoming anxious. She never thought that Anne would stand with those ladies, competing with each other and trying her best to attract the attention of men of the right age.Darcy is the only candidate she fancy, asking her to hand over the property of the de Bourgh family to a strange man?Don't even think about it!

However, looking at Darcy's appearance, he didn't seem to care about this engagement.I don't know if he accepted it by default, or if he didn't even care at all...

The count knew that looking at his sister's uncertain face, he knew that she had actually wavered, and he just needed another push.

"I only asked my wife to take Anne to London for a while, not to sell her to jackals. That's it. These days, let the servant pack some clothes for her, and you can also bring some books. You didn't say anything Wrong, Anne's study cannot be stopped." The count decisively made up his mind for her, and turned to leave.

The earl did not tell Anne for a long time, what was the result of the negotiations with Lady Catherine.

These days, Annie often sits by the window of the restaurant, drinking tea and reading a book, while staring blankly.The earl's uncle's words lingered in her ears that day, and she fell into an inexplicable depression.But she had a hunch that such confusion and anxiety might find an answer in London.

After Alan was able to walk around, he often took walks in the manor. Under the same roof, it was inevitable that he would meet.After chatting back and forth, Anne found that this man was really interesting.He is not a flamboyant playboy, on the contrary, he is very good at business management, and the sophistication revealed in his words cannot be concealed.

Perhaps because Anne was young and just a lady living in the manor, Allen was not as vigilant as he was with Mr. Fitzwilliam and Darcy.

At first Annie felt that he was a bit of a disobedient person. During a chat during a walk, when talking about the reform of bookkeeping methods, she suddenly realized that Alan was not like a "professional manager" in the previous life?He participates in the management of the family business, but does not own it.

The day of parting was so hasty that Anne didn't even have time to go to Hansford to see if Rommel had returned.

Anne was taken aback when she learned that Lady Catherine had decided to stay at Rosings Manor by herself.Knowing that Georgiana was also left in Rosings to receive Mrs. Black's teaching, she was stunned again.

Georgiana hugged Annie and cried loudly: "Brother is going to London, and you are going to London too, and you don't take me with you! Why! Woooooooooo...I don't want to be separated from you, Anne..."

Annie turned her head to look at Darcy who was standing aside holding the rein, and asked, "Are you going too? Aren't you..." Planning to travel to the continent of Europa?

"Depart from London Port, but I have some business in London first, and I can't take care of her." What it was, Darcy didn't say, "It is for this reason that I entrusted Georgiana to my aunt to discipline her. Lessons can't be delayed any longer."

Even though Georgiana hiccupped from tears, Darcy was not relented.

All Rosings' servants stood at the gate of the manor to say goodbye, and Lady Catherine occasionally wiped the corners of her eyes silently with a handkerchief.She looked at the back of Annie climbing into the carriage, and for some reason, she always had a premonition that the ordinary and peaceful life in Rosings Manor would be a thing of the past.

The two carriages slowly left Rosings Manor.

Annie opened the small curtain of the carriage and looked back. The Rosings Manor on the hillside stood silently as before, and the grass covered by hoarfrost had turned into a tender yellow green.

As we approached London, night had just stained the borders of the Thames.The water was dyed red by the setting sun, like flowing magma.

The car window was knocked, and Anne opened the small window, only to see Darcy riding a horse, looking down into the car.

"Want to come down for a horse ride? The scenery in the suburbs is very nice."

Annie didn't refuse. In fact, after sitting in the carriage for a long time, she was already bored.

But there was no extra pony for her to ride, Darcy didn't say anything, got off the horse and motioned her to ride his favorite horse.He held the rein firmly, clamping the horse's uncontrollable head.

Annie stepped into the stirrups and climbed up, clutching the saddle tightly with both hands.But the stirrup was almost at the height of her waist. Annie climbed for a long time, but because of lack of strength in her arms and legs, she slipped down after several attempts.

Darcy couldn't help laughing.

This laughter was particularly harsh in Annie's eyes, she turned her head and glared.