aristocratic engagement

Chapter 9

Even if the first note was played wrong, Darcy's eyebrows did not move.Annie was infected by his calmness and gradually relaxed.

She has already played this "Tempest Sonata" very proficiently, except for the first one that is out of tune, there is almost no lag.At least she herself is very proud of such proficiency, even if such proficiency means that she has played it countless times without getting a favorable comment from Lady Catherine.

The last syllable of the third movement ended, Anne let out a breath, turned her head to look, and saw Darcy looking at herself thoughtfully.

"What's wrong? Did I play it wrong?" Annie immediately became unconfident when he saw it, and reached out to flip through the music.Of course, even if she ruined the score, it would be useless.

"No, on the contrary, you play very 'accurately', not a single note is wrong." Darcy said, turning back the first page of the score, "I understand what Lady Catherine means, your music lacks emotion, No ups and downs."

"It's terrible, if I knew what emotion is, I wouldn't be so troubled!" Annie muttered.

Darcy straightened his sleeves, and Anne made way for him, and stood aside obediently.

The same notes flowed from the piano, but unlike her mechanical performance, the music at Darcy's fingertips was full of emotion and the priority was just right.Whether it's the moment of tranquility before the storm and the tension of the undercurrent, or the intensity and haste when it comes, or the last desperate cry and helpless sigh... Anne's eyes widened, surprised by the same song It is so different in different hands. After listening to his "Tempest Sonata", it is like watching a Shakespeare play.

At the end of the song, Darcy let out a breath slowly.Annie followed him with a sigh of relief.

Annie clapped her hands and looked at him with bright eyes.She has an inexplicable admiration for people who are proficient in art, probably because of her complete lack of talent in this area.

"Your biggest problem is that you don't understand the difference between the weight of the key and the breathing feeling between the fast and slow rhythm." After thinking for a while, Darcy told her in the simplest expression.Obviously he has realized that Anne really doesn't understand those things that cannot be quantified and standardized.

"That's right!" Annie nodded vigorously, almost making him her confidant!

Darcy smiled slightly: "Then we will use the stupidest method." He made room for Anne, found a charcoal pencil from the small table next to him, put it on the piano, and was ready to draw , "You remember my priorities for each bar, and I will mark it on the score for you. Take your time, and you will always succeed—at least, it sounds like it can fool those people."

Annie shook hands, stretched her muscles, and became full of energy again.

This day has finally arrived after much anticipation.

Early in the morning of the ball, Darcy, with Wickham and the servants, left Rosings Manor on horseback in a hurry after breakfast.Georgiana was excited all day, running up and down the estate as if she were going to the ball too.Anne doesn't have to check every detail herself, Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng's housekeeper has her own way.

Throughout the day, there was no news from the men who went out.Anne, as usual, took Georgiana and ate breakfast, lunch and simple dinner with Lady Catherine.Georgiana always ran to the yard in front of the manor when Anne wasn't paying attention, looking eagerly at the way she came from in the distance.

But each time, she looked back at Annie in disappointment and shook her head.

Until night fell, even Lady Catherine was a little anxious.

"They won't be in trouble on the way, right?" Mrs. Catherine stood at the door, looking worriedly at the night lit by candlelight. Big snowflakes fell from the sky. Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng immediately ordered someone to bring them The cloak was put on for several masters.

Annie had no choice but to ask Daniel to ride a horse to explore the road for the fifth time, "Mom, Dawson's skill in driving a carriage deserves our reassurance. What's more, the Earl of Fitzwilliam's house will not send not even a carriage."

Lady Catherine glanced at Anne, she was worried about Darcy who went out in the morning!Anne actually thought that she was worried about her elder brother—oh, to be honest, she rarely worried about the Fitzwilliam family, they were always the most admirable and reassuring.

As soon as Daniel got on the horse, Anne noticed a little light in the distance, just like when the Darcy brothers and sisters first came.

"There's no need to look for it, someone is already here!" Annie walked down the steps, but was held back by Madam Catherine. Seeing her mother shaking her head at her, she immediately understood.Anne stood beside Madam Catherine, and heard Madam Catherine mock her and whispered: "Lady, Anne. Behave like a lady. Your manners and manners represent the entire Rosings Manor."

Madam Catherine didn't say too much, she knew that Anne knew it well.

Anne nodded, and Darcy's usual arrogance, which was exactly the same as Lady Catherine's, flashed through her mind. She slowly puffed up her chest, lifted her chin, and slightly narrowed her eyes. She looked like a noble lady.

Georgiana's gaze went back and forth between the two de Bourgh, she lowered her head and secretly smiled, but Annie spotted her with sharp eyes and ears and pinched her little face, Georgiana immediately restrained her smile.

Even a seven-year-old child bears the responsibility of Pemberley Manor at this time.

The sound of horseshoes was getting closer and closer, and the lanterns on the carriage seemed to be connected together like stars in the sky.Annie quickly realized that their guests seemed to have met on the road.Daniel has already sped away and opened the cast iron gate on the border of Rosings.Fenrir couldn't hold back, rushed to the iron gate and yelled at the people who came.

The roar of the dog tore through the tranquility of the night, like opening a magic box, and cheerful laughter and shouts came from the light.

Annie's eyes widened, and she realized that the person riding a horse far ahead of the group of people was Fitzwilliam Darcy. A few steps behind him were two young men who were about the same size. One was more burly and muscular, and the other was dressed much younger.

"Oh! That's Brother Fitzwilliam! Your cousins!" Lady Catherine's expression remained unchanged, but Anne could easily hear the trembling of excitement in her voice.

After a while, the group got closer and closer.Darcy and the two cousins ​​reined in the horse neatly, Rosings servants saluted neatly, and the three handsome gentlemen got off their horses and walked towards the master's house.

Their looks are three or four points similar, but their temperaments are different.As he walked, the youngest gentleman did not forget to wink at the two cousins ​​standing in front of the door under the lamp.

"Auntie, long time no see. You are as beautiful as ever." The older Fitzwilliam stepped forward first, and saluted Madam Catherine. The calmness and alienation on Madam Catherine's face could not be restrained, and she asked lovingly About his recent situation, he began to care about her brother and sister-in-law.

"Dear cousins, how are you all?" The young Fitzwilliam showed a gentle smile on his face, instead of choosing a restrained gentleman's salute, he stepped forward and bent down to hug the two cousins.

"It couldn't be better, cousin." Annie's eyes also bent.

Darcy only nodded with them, and after confirming that they were still in good condition, he and his two cousins ​​turned their heads together - the large army arrived, and they were in a mess for a while.The gentlemen on horseback got off their horses one after another, and the servants immediately pulled the horses to the stables.Then, the carriage drove slowly into the yard, and the gentlemen greeted the carriage.The coachmen deftly lowered the pedals and opened the doors.

The gorgeously dressed and beautiful young ladies got out of the car with their long skirts supported by their male companions.After flirting with each other, they quickly calmed down and looked at the manor.Another group of carriages that arrived late got off a pair of elderly and unattainable old gentlemen and ladies. They seemed to have known each other for a long time, and they walked forward gracefully and calmly without being polite to each other.

Madam Catherine greeted the visitors one by one in a graceful manner, and introduced Anne to the guests.Annie knew that this was the stage for her to perform. She used the polite words that she planned countless times in her mind, and the perfect smile that she practiced countless times in front of the mirror to meet them one by one.During the chat, Anne never missed the address of the person who suddenly interrupted the conversation. The elders showed each other a look of surprise. It was unexpected that she was so smart, and she memorized dozens of names in just a few rounds. name and face!They had never met her before!

Madam Catherine looked at their surprised admiration, and felt indescribably happy in her heart, as if the resentment and unwillingness that had been in her chest for several years dissipated at once.Annie's advances and retreats are measured, her words are polite and sophisticated, her attitude is neither humble nor overbearing, and she quickly won the love of the elders.Let me ask, who doesn't like such a well-behaved, sensible, and gracious girl?

—and even better, she's not old enough to compete with those young ladies at all!

thought old gentlemen and ladies with young girls at home.They couldn't help but soften their attitude towards the two young girls, and they didn't hesitate to praise and love them.

What surprised Anne was that all the guests invited by Lady Catherine were either rich or noble, including the distinguished Duke and Duchess Russell and their children.As soon as this family appeared, they became the focus of the audience. The newly grown princess naturally became the envy and envy of all young ladies. Her dignity and beauty almost attracted the attention of all men.

Annie heard those slender whispers, discussing what kind of material the princess's rose-colored dress was made of. Looking up, the white skin and towering chest actually exuded a suet-like luster under the light.

Her beauty is enough to make all women feel ashamed!

Annie made this evaluation from the bottom of her heart—but she didn't regard herself as a "woman" at all, let alone jealousy and hostility.Her attention was completely attracted by the skirt on the princess, which seemed to be...

"She's irritating." Georgiana's voice interrupted her thoughts.Annie looked down, and saw Georgiana hiding behind her shadow, completely without the excitement of the day.

"Who?" Annie touched her head.

Georgiana snorted coldly, and Annie followed her gaze——

The princess's eyes were high above the ceiling, and her gaze was like a feather, gently brushing over the bodies of men and women, stopping for a while on the only leading man of the ball, and then quickly moved away, revealing the graceful and slender neck .

Everyone knew it in their hearts, and they looked at Darcy with a hint of envy and teasing.Darcy didn't seem to notice anything, and calmly asked the guests to enter the house in an orderly manner. The maids of Rosings Manor guided them one by one to the bedrooms on the second floor to rest, wash and change clothes.

Soon, calm was restored in front of the manor, and Lady Catherine went up to the second floor while talking with the Duchess herself.The two forgotten sisters looked at each other, suddenly not knowing what to do.

"Don't stand at the door to blow the air." At the end of the crowd under the stairs, Darcy turned around in the lights and said to them.