aristocratic engagement

The earl's cemetery is very simple, lying alone in an oak forest.Even in the dead of winter, the oak trees still stand, their leaves rustling in the wind.

Darcy stood for a long time in front of the tombstone.

When he came back to his senses, his hands and feet were already cold and numb.As soon as he raised his head, he was covered by a thick cloak.

"This action should be done by me." Darcy's emotions were stripped from his sadness instantly, and he shook his head dumbfounded.

"But I'm not cold." Annie touched his fingertips, "And you are cold."

The touch was fleeting, Annie withdrew her hand and put it in the pocket of the heavy coat.She didn't know it at all, because her touch for a second made Darcy's fingertips instantly warm, from cold to hot.

The heat spread from the fingertips to the bottom of his heart, and Darcy clenched his hands subconsciously.

Annie turned and walked towards the depths of the woods.

Darcy looked back and saw that the two horses had stopped by the roadside, their necks pressed closely together, in a very intimate manner.

Darcy's eyes flickered, he withdrew his gaze, and strode towards Annie's direction.The two walked slowly along a vague path, separated by half a person.

"What did you say to uncle?" asked Anne.

"Some greetings and promises. The earl's departure was so sudden that I didn't expect to see him for the last time. If it had been earlier, maybe..."

"One day earlier." Annie repeated his words, and smiled wryly, "Although my reason tells me that all of this is doomed; but I can't help but regret that if Mr. Bergram hadn't been transferred from the original steam For the ship improvement project, hurry up, hurry up, you may be able to receive Rommel’s letter earlier and return earlier.”

Darcy narrowed his eyes in confusion: "Mr. Bergram? Who is he? A steamship?"

Suddenly, the words of the two young men he met on the ship appeared in his mind...

"It's time to tell you this." Annie bit her lip and made up her mind.

For the next 10 minutes, Darcy's heart was shaken violently. The image of "Mr. Richter" is forcibly brought together with the girl in front of him, which is abrupt but natural.

He finally understood the joints, and understood what Anne's collapsed words meant last night-he had already had a vague guess about all this, but because of the deliberate guidance and concealment of others (the earl and Rommel), he never Really connecting those shattered omens.

Perhaps because of the gentleman's natural arrogance, he couldn't believe that a young lady who had just grown up had come this far.

Her courage and wisdom are no less than her own, no, it should be said, more than her own.

"That's why you said that you suspect that the earl blocked the knife for you?" Darcy asked.

Annie nodded.

"Then, I promise to investigate this matter with you." Darcy said slowly, "I will continue to do everything the Earl has done for you."

"I don't want to hurt you anymore, you don't have to—" Anne quickly wanted to refuse, she only wanted Darcy to investigate the death of the earl with her, but she didn't want him to be... Darcy said seriously Looking at her, he shook his head slightly, unable to refute.

Annie was a little dazed, so she had to put the matter on hold for the time being.

The two walked in silence, and their footsteps stepped on the soft fallen leaves, making a rustling sound.

Darcy moved forward sullenly, recalling what Anne said just now and the promise he blurted out. He couldn't tell what the lingering shock in his heart was, so he couldn't help but quicken his pace.

"Where are you going?!"

Darcy woke up suddenly, but found that the people around him were no longer around, and the voice came from behind.

Annie was holding on to a thick tree out of breath, and seeing him finally stop and turn around in a daze, she couldn't help laughing.

"...Sorry." Darcy grabbed the hem of his clothes in embarrassment.

After being stiff for three seconds, Darcy finally regained his gentlemanly demeanor, walked towards Annie, and stretched out his hand.

Annie stared at his bent elbow, and after hesitating for a moment, she still took it.

"You don't have to apologize, you know now that I'm not a real lady, and I don't need your tolerance and care all the time."

Anne was a little happy. After hearing her confession, Darcy didn't show an unbearable expression, nor loudly reprimanded her for her audacity-he just accepted it silently.This is definitely a great encouragement for Anne.

The haze in my heart these days finally dissipated a little, and Annie breathed a sigh of relief.

However, in addition to this, there is one more unspeakable thing...

"I'm sorry for ignoring your feelings. Even if you were Mr. Richter, I would still say that." Darcy patted her hand, and the two walked forward side by side.This time, he took care of Annie's steps, pacing slowly, no longer like a marching man, with only one distant destination in his eyes.

"However, did you treat those romantic girls like this when you were studying in France and Prussia?" Annie looked up at him, "If you are so careless, it will be difficult to please them?"

"I don't intend to please them either." Darcy said blankly.

Annie looked at his unsmiling expression and thought to herself, could it be that he is not enlightened?Or have you suffered emotional damage in the past few years?

——With Darcy's appearance and family background, even if he doesn't take the initiative, he will be favored by young girls and even wives who still have charm.

"There's nothing... You, think too much." Darcy frowned.

Only then did Annie realize that she had actually spoken out the doubts in her heart.

"You can't blame me for thinking too much. It's written like this in the book: A young gentleman goes out to travel and meets a young and beautiful girl or a luxurious lady in the world of flowers. But the happy time is always short, due to various reasons. The reason is that the gentleman has to leave the girl he loves so much, and go far apart... When they meet again after many years, the two of them are no longer the same people they were at the beginning."

"I remember you don't like to read these books, dear." Darcy raised his eyebrows, his voice calm and unwavering.

But Annie heard a hint of gnashing of teeth.

"This does not prevent me from having a friend who loves reading and writing."

"Ah, that Mr. Bennet?" Darcy's tone was unpredictable. "He should be keen on such a love story? That's not a good character for a gentleman. Anne, I have to advise you, leave The gentleman is far away—" He broke off abruptly.

Darcy stopped, stood sideways, looked down into her eyes and said, "I don't mean to interfere with your friendship. It's just that, as a cousin, I can't persuade myself to watch you interact with... strange men , you are a noble lady, even though you have an unusual mind, you are still a gentle and fragile lamb. Wolves are everywhere, they hide their greed and desire, once you let go of your heart, the sharp blade will stretch out towards your neck."

"He is not a 'stranger' person, dear cousin." Seeing Darcy's puzzled expression, Anne only pursed her lips, "I have heard your words countless times in the past few years. "

"Lady Catherine?"

"Of course." Annie turned around and raised her head. The thick oak branches above her head were intertwined, covering most of the sky.All these are like shackles, trapping them in the middle.

"But, you must know what mom will say next." Annie turned her eyes and looked at him.

Darcy was stunned, looking into her sparkling eyes, for a moment, embarrassment and shame hit his heart.

Maybe that's not just a rumor.

Darcy knew his mother very well. She and Lady Catherine had a deep affection for sisters, and it was very possible to make a marriage contract for her children.This is not uncommon in the families of nobles and gentlemen. In order to keep the family business and grow together, it is the best choice to get closer.

Darcy is unwilling to accept such a marriage contract—such an arranged life.So he came to Rosings Manor because of rumors, and asked Lady Catherine to personally arrange a ball for him, and even socialize, hinting to her that he was not interested in that "marriage contract".The relationship between Darcy and Rossings should stop at cousins.

And Anne—the suspected object of marriage—what could an innocent girl know?

Think of it, a younger version of Lady Catherine!

It may be very offensive to say this, but frankly, Darcy has no interest in standard noble ladies like Lady Catherine.Beautiful, vain, arrogant, noble blood but empty minded.How could her daughter look different under the influence of her ears and eyes?

Variables still happen.

Darcy's previous prejudices were broken down one by one.

Annie stood in front of him, slim, slender but tough.Before he knew it, Anne had grown into another appearance that had nothing to do with his original prejudice.

'Maybe that's all right. ’ In the back of Darcy’s heart, a voice said indistinctly, ‘Is she implying me by saying that…’

"I am like you, Cousin Darcy."

Lo and behold, she did say so.

Darcy breathed out and waited for her next word.

"I, like you, sneered at that 'marriage'." Annie continued to walk forward, "——no, please don't get me wrong, I don't have any opinions or prejudices against you, on the contrary, you are so good, I appreciate it Too late. However, I feel very uncomfortable with everything that has been arranged. What kind of clothes should I wear, what should I say, who should I marry, what should I do... all these should be decided by myself .You think so too, don't you?"

"……Yes."

Although this is indeed the case, there is always an inexplicable awkwardness in Kexi's heart.

Annie nodded, and let go of his arm: "I am relieved to hear you say that. Spring is coming, and my mother told me that she will arrange a social dance for you-this is already seven It's New Years! I sincerely hope that you can meet a girl you're attracted to at the ball, even if..."

"Will you go to the ball?" Darcy interrupted her abruptly.

Annie was taken aback for a moment, nodded, then shook her head: "My birthday is not in the spring. If I strictly follow the etiquette, I should not officially enter the social occasion after the birthday party. Mom has always been a person who observes etiquette... But , I don't know what her plan is now."

"What if I say, I want to invite you to be my dance partner?" Darcy stretched out his hand and made a motion to invite the dance.