[comprehensive] superior skills

Since hearing the news that Mr. Darcy is about to return, Rosings Manor seems to have returned to the state of preparation for Christmas Eve.

From the living room to the dining room, from the living room to the entertainment room, all the magnificent furnishings that had been in place could not satisfy Madame de Boer with a nod of head.

She can be regarded as having found a new joy. Every day, the two housekeepers ordered her to go around, and she was busy improving those places that might make her relatives feel uncomfortable. She almost didn't change all the tableware.

In order to avoid this war without gunpowder, Song Ci could only minimize the time spent indoors and spend more leisure time in the four-corner tent by the Swan Lake.

Fortunately, she now has another good friend, Mrs. Collins, who can communicate happily, which makes the lady who only wants to hide in the tent look less strange.

In the afternoon of early spring, the slightly drunk sunshine poured comfortably on the quiet and beautiful flower and grass field. A girl in a dark green taffeta dress strolled among them with a basket, and when she scattered a few grains, a fat grouse came from the edge of the woods. Cooing and walking.

"Look, Charlotte!"

Song Ci smiled and waved his hands, "Mr. Grouse and his wife are here to forage again!"

"Yes, I saw it!"

Charlotte stood up from the seat in front of the tent, "They look so good, just like I've seen in picture books before."

"It's a pity that I'm not very dedicated!"

Song Ci threw out the last few handfuls of millet, "Mr. Grouse believes in polygamy, and you must often encounter such a scene in a tenant farmer's house. A big rooster is followed by a group of small hens, walking in front of people proudly." Pass."

This kind of naughty metaphor made Charlotte laugh, "I do meet it often, even on a country road more than once. Fortunately, we humans are different."

"Thank God for the privileges we have!"

Without ignoring the cream that had been circling around his feet, Song Ci bent down and picked up the little guy who had gained a lot of weight, "I seldom see Mr. Collins recently. Is he busy?"

"Oh, that's true."

Speaking of her not-so-likable husband, Charlotte couldn't help but rejoice and said: "Spring not only means the recovery of life, but also the responsibilities and obligations that come with it. Mr. Collins will be extraordinarily busy this time of year, and I heard that Inspired by the vicar of Linshire, he is going to take part of his break to study the Kent County Annals, to see that nothing is missing in it."

Although this nonsensical and self-inflicted strange thing made people laugh, it gave Charlotte a lot of time to be alone.

If possible, she would have liked to have Mr. Collins buried in that pile of useless material 24 hours a day.

Not wanting to embarrass this new friend too much, Song Ci had no choice but to cover up his slightly unnatural facial expression by bowing his head and kissing the cream, "Well, who can say that there is no such thing as a husband who can sacrifice his family time to do it?" meaning."

Inadvertently seeing the gardener pruning flower branches in the garden and the servants hurrying past, Song Ci suddenly felt that there was a lot more common language between himself and Mrs. Collins.

Reluctant to continue this topic of headaches for each other, she invited the guests to taste the delicious strawberry cake and appreciate the copperplate engravings that Colonel Fitzwilliam gave at Christmas.

"This gentleman is very kind to you."

Because of Rosings' little master's attention, Charlotte, who often came here as a guest, was fortunate enough to get to know relatives in the family. With her intelligence, it is not difficult to see how the amiable man treats his cousin.

Although Colonel Fitzwilliam's emotions are not warm, they are as silent as a trickle. Coupled with his noble character and gentle and polite speech, it is difficult for any woman who understands feelings not to have a different kind of nostalgia for him.

"He was good to Georgiana, too."

Song Ci did not deny that that gentleman was really good at taking care of other people's emotions, no matter who was with him for a long time, he would feel like a spring breeze.

She gently took the strawberry fruit hidden in the cream sandwich in her mouth, "Georgianna is five years younger than me, if you have seen Colonel Fitzwilliam's thoughtfulness when he is with her, you will not feel that he How special it is to me."

Even if there is, it may be because he was once influenced by his mother.

And in Song Ci's view, a man who is pleasant to all women is by no means a good husband candidate.Compared with subconsciously wanting to please others, this is the most undesirable thing in nature.

Charlotte observed her new friend seriously for a while, and saw that the other party had never had any emotional fluctuations because of talking about that man, so she had to regretfully admit that the two seemed to be far from destined.

If it is said that the earliest contact with Rosings Manor was just to cooperate with Mr. Collins to serve the noble mistress, now for Charlotte, compared with the magnificent manor and the wealth envied by the world, the reserved and beautiful girl in front of her is the only one. It's a reason to visit frequently.

Ever since she felt that Anne's character was as worthy of everyone's true love as her beauty, Mrs. Collins began to sincerely pray for this delicate and frail lady, hoping that God would give her a husband who was equally good-looking and precious.

It is a pity that Mr. Collins' narrow social circle cannot allow Charlotte to meet a gentleman who can match Rosings' heir, otherwise she really wants to introduce a good marriage for the young lady to repay the other's respect.

In the middle of the afternoon tea, Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng hurried over, "Miss, Mrs. de Boer, please come in immediately!"

"Oh, what's the matter?"

Song Ci put down the teacup helplessly, "Good lady, please tell me in advance, is it true that mother is still dissatisfied with the sculpture at the top of the stairs?"

"No, my lady! This time something really happened!"

Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng blushed and said loudly: "Your cousin, Mr. Darcy is back! He is at Rosings now!"

"Mr. Darcy?"

Song Ci was really surprised, "Didn't Mom send him a letter last month, why did she come back so soon?"

"Who knows, perhaps the letter from Mr. Darcy was on his return journey!"

Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng's expression was like getting a golden egg at Easter, "Hurry up, my lady! Do you want the lady to come out and invite you in person?"

"Oh, that must be a day of disaster for all Rosings!"

Song Ci only prayed secretly in his heart, then tried his best to raise a smile and said to Mrs. Collins: "Could you please come with me?"

"of course."

Naturally, Charlotte would not leave alone without saying hello, that would be too offensive to the host.

Especially in Rosings' reception room, there is a Mr. Darcy who is very popular. She wants to take this opportunity to see what kind of perfect gentleman it is that makes Mrs. de Boer so laborious.

Walking to the door of the corridor, Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng reminded in a low voice: "Miss, madam asks you to go back to your room and change into a more suitable dress for entertaining guests."

"Oh, spare me!"

Song Ci lifted the hem of his skirt and walked towards the room where the conversation came from, "Mr. Darcy and I grew up together, I'm afraid he still remembers my embarrassment when I was a child."

Charlotte heard the words and unconsciously adjusted the waistline to avoid too many folds on it.

Of course, she did this not because she had some unrealistic fantasies, but as a qualified wife, she should always consider the pastor's face as much as possible.

As soon as the three people walked to the door, they heard the irresistible request of the hostess Rosings, "Now that you are here, don't think about leaving easily. I want to hear your greetings every day. Promise me, Darcy!"

Charlotte's footsteps paused slightly, and it was the first time she heard Mrs. de Boer speak in such a serious tone.

She was wondering how the gentleman she had never met would deal with this difficult question, when she heard a low voice that was not gentle but very polite: "Okay, aunt. At least there will be no more important ones before summer." Things have taken me away from your side."

"What a smooth answer."

Song Ci really wanted to applaud this gentleman, "If it is not necessary, who would leave the beautiful countryside to endure the stinking city."

It's a pity that the dedicated servant didn't give the little master too much time, otherwise she would have to imagine how the cousin who didn't agree with him would face the increasingly powerful Mrs. de Boer during his temporary stay.

"Annie, come to me quickly!"

Finally looking forward to her daughter's introduction to Mrs. Collins, Mrs. de Boer talked about the gift brought by her nephew with great interest, "Darcy specially sent Rosings the latest carriage tires. If the rubber wheels It's half as good as Mr. Thomson's praises are, and you'll have a long ride with me in a carriage."

"Mom, I'm sure it will please you."

Song Ci smiled slightly, turned to his taciturn cousin and curtseyed, "Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy. I didn't expect to see you so soon."

Mr. Darcy stood by the fireplace with his hands behind his back, his quiet eyes turned inadvertently from the girl, "Good afternoon, Miss de Boer. You look very good."

This tall and handsome gentleman was wearing a black double-breasted woolen coat. The open hem revealed a light brown vest and gray flannel trousers inside. More manly.

"Darcy, I have to say that I missed a lot during the year you were away."

Mrs. de Boer immediately interjected: "Not only has Georgiana grown into a big girl, but even our Anne has become more charming. The most congratulatory thing is that her body is much healthier!"

In order to strengthen her persuasion, she said to the governess who was always paying attention to her daughter: "Am I right?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng quickly echoed: "I remember clearly that even at the coldest time, the lady only caught a small cold! You must know that in such a cold and windy weather, not to mention the lady, there are not even strong male servants." Anyone who is not sick!"

"That's really good news."

Mr. Darcy stepped forward. "So my present was delivered in good time."

Song Ci looked at the smiling mother, and wondered if he had misunderstood the meaning, "There are gifts, are they specially for me?"

Mrs. de Boer said proudly: "Of course! Darcy is so sweet. He has prepared the most appropriate gifts for everyone in the family."

Speaking of this, she still did not forget to comfort Mrs. Collins, who had no chance to enjoy this preferential treatment, "Believe me, if Darcy knew that you were here, he would never be stingy with a kindness."

Appropriately expressing her regret, Charlotte responded gracefully: "I fully agree, ma'am."

After chatting with the host for a while, and confirming that his aunt agreed to take his cousin to enjoy the belated Christmas gift, Mr. Darcy pursed his lips and said, "Please forgive me for a moment."

After saying this, he did not leave the reception room immediately, but looked at the girl who had not made a statement with a slightly expectant gaze.

"Annie!"

Mrs. de Boer, who was happy to see the result, urged her daughter to leave quickly and repeatedly said: "You must bring that gift to me. No matter how much I asked Darcy just now, she refused to say anything more. It’s really tantalizing!”

"Okay, Mom, if I can do it."

After catching up with Mr. Darcy, Song Ci smiled apologetically at Mrs. Collins, "Charlotte, I'll be back later."

With Mr. Darcy leading the way, the two companions left the main house and walked along the garden towards the stables.

In order to keep up with the tall cousin who was walking alone, Song Ci could only pick up the hem of his skirt and walk quickly like when he came.

Halfway there, she suddenly felt that she couldn't accommodate this rude guy too much, so she immediately stopped where she was and pretended to cough a few times.

Darcy, who suddenly realized all this, couldn't help explaining in a low voice: "I'm sorry, I just want you to see it quickly."

Due to the obvious height difference between the two, when he was talking, he naturally followed the girl's ruddy and beautiful face and the silk scarf on her chest to the delicate shoe upper.

The girl's white satin shoes were still stained with a lot of green grass blades, which looked extraordinarily delicate and charming when they were exposed outside the corners of the gauze skirt.

"it?"

Thinking of the picture of herding horses sent by Colonel Fitzwilliam, Song Ci could hardly keep calm, "Who is it? Is it what I imagined? Tell me, Mr. Darcy!"

"It's up to you to find out the answer."

Mr. Darcy's expression was still so serious, but his tone was involuntarily relaxed.

He passed the coachman and craftsmen who were changing tires according to the instructions, and walked to the wooden door of the last column of the stable, "Come here quickly!"

Song Ci knew that this cousin would never make such a silly joke on him, so he strode forward with no regard for dignity.

"My God, it's so beautiful!"

As soon as Song Ci saw the half-person-high black pony in the stable, he couldn't bear to get in, "Look at its hair, it's even more beautiful than the most expensive silk and satin! It also has hooves, don't they look like it?" Like clouds floating in the sky?!"

Resisting the desire to kiss it, Song Ci stroked the horse over and over again, "Where did you find it? How old is it, and does it have a name?"

Only then did Mr. Darcy show a faint smile, "I stayed in London for three days after returning home, and I heard from my friend that there is a pony that has not been trained in the racecourse. It has not been trained yet. to four months old but the parents are of good blood. As for the name, I think it should hope that the mistress will come up with a new name for itself."

"The racetrack?"

Song Ci looked at the big moist eyes of the horse in admiration and retorted: "I will never let my pony suffer such cruel and ruthless treatment! It doesn't need any training, as long as it lives freely in Rosings That's enough, there's a big enough field here to make it work!"

She said and untied the rope, "Let it do what it likes!"

As if understanding the master's intentions, the freed pony paced and neighed a few times, then ran away from the stunned coachman with its head held high like a proud king inspecting his territory. It can't stop it from running towards freedom.

"Look, it jumps like a deer!"

Song Ci took off his hat and waved to the pony in the distance, "But a horse can't be named after a deer, let's call it chocolate, it just goes with cream!"

Darcy didn't know that Rosings already had an ancient shepherd named Cream, and it was only when the girl had to choose a partner for the pony sooner or later, "As you please."

He didn't think there was anything wrong with this name, which could neither show the noble blood of his parents nor show his personal style.

Just as there are always some people in the world who are destined to exist for others and feel the happiness that only each other can feel, only the irresistible and inviolable will of God will guide the lost lambs to the most correct path.

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy! This is the most memorable Christmas present I've ever received!"

Nestled against the docile pony, Song Ci said with a smile: "If it weren't for your generosity, I'm afraid I would never get it in my life. Please tell me frankly, have you prepared a gift for Georgiana? I I can decide whether I should show off my baby when we meet next time, so as not to make her sad because of my recklessness!"

"You don't have to worry about it too much."

Speaking of his only sister, Mr. Darcy's bright black eyes were instantly filled with a warm and serene expression, "Georgiana's gift is a piano. Believe me, she must be more important than a pony that can run and jump." I like to sit quietly indoors."

"That couldn't be better!"

Song Ci tied a soft hat decorated with beautiful lace on the pony's head, "Now, it's time for Mom to meet Chocolate!"

Predictably, how successful this whimsical prank was.

If Mrs. de Boer, who was sitting on the sofa, was only a little suspicious when she saw her daughter's constantly moving hat from the window facing the garden, she would only be a little suspicious when she saw the pony in the drawing room. The rest was horrified.

"A horse wearing your hat!"

Madame de Boer's stiff expression suddenly turned into a cracked eggshell, "Annie! How could you bring a wild horse covered in fleas into the house!"

"Mom, it's not a wild horse, it's a gift from Mr. Darcy!"

In order to appease his mother, Song Ci could only push out the almighty cousin, "We even gave it a nice name called Chocolate."

"Well, chocolate is a good name."

Madame de Boer brooded for a few minutes, trying to calm herself down, "but it still can't stay in the house."

"I didn't intend to let the chocolate live in the house, it's too small for him here."

Under Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng's kind persuasion, Song Ci took off the hat from the pony's head, "I just brought the gift here as you said. Are you not happy to see it?"

"I am very happy……"

Madame de Boer, who spoke insincerely, suddenly complained to her nephew, why didn't she give some ivory jewelry to her daughter like she did to her elders, so that she would not have to worry about her well-bred noble daughter becoming a wild child.

After personally ordering the housekeeper to place the new family member near the broad grassland by the Swan Lake, the hostess of Rosings regained her calm and reserved posture, and tried her best to let Mr. Darcy, a distinguished guest who came from afar, experience the Sincere sincerity to feel at home.

And the highest courtesy a family can express starts with a perfect dinner.

Song Ci didn't know how much poor Mr. Darcy had suffered in that country where even the drinking water was not safe. Anyway, it was not difficult to see that he was very satisfied with the big dishes on the table that the English people had eaten for hundreds of years.

While eating the lamb chops, Mr. Darcy also casually praised the new silver-plated handle tableware in the kitchen, which really made Mrs. de Boer smile.

Unsurprisingly, the entire dinner was held during the conversation between the aunt and nephew, and objectively speaking, it should have ended amicably during the hostess' inquiries.

Compared with Mr. Darcy who was greeted with greetings, Song Ci, a serious lady, became a foil.

However, she didn't care too much about whether her mother's loving smile kept falling on her. Instead, she took advantage of the gap when no one was paying attention to whispering to Charlotte, who was quite coldly received.

The author has something to say:

Song Ci: The scumbag author really thinks that Charlotte is a rare good friend. Thinking about her lines every time she appears on stage, it is not difficult to see that this is the real smart person.

Also, is there a girl who likes thoroughbreds? The scumbag author is so obsessed. _(:з」∠)_

What a beautiful moment~~