Chapter 309: Chapter 309

The next day, Lady Catherine, having received the news, rarely showed a smiling face.

As the butler from Pemberley had previously mentioned, whether it was Anne or Anna, it was about time for them to make appearances in various social occasions recently.

It must be said that given Countess Ross's position beside the Queen, this evening banquet as the first dance for her daughter's debut into society was undoubtedly quite respectable.

In Lady Catherine's view, her precious daughter Anne, whether in terms of talent or beauty, was simply perfect from head to toe, down to every single strand of hair.

Such a treasure, making her first appearance in social circles, should naturally be in a more grand and meaningful occasion.

Thinking this way, Lady Catherine immediately instructed the butler beside her without hesitation, insisting that within these two months, they must create the most beautiful and, of course, the most luxurious dress for Anne, ensuring that her daughter's beauty and nobility would be fully displayed before everyone's eyes...

At that moment, Lady Catherine looked full of fighting spirit, much like a female warrior about to head into battle.

Indeed, a mother is still a mother after all!

However, before that, on this particular day, Rosings Estate where An Ning resided unexpectedly welcomed an unexpected guest first.

Blonde hair, blue eyes, not particularly tall stature, well... and eyes as exceptionally lively as rumored.

At that time, An Ning was sketching with her young cousin by a lake. On the plain white drawing board were the sky, flying birds, the lake, and one or two white geese playing and frolicking - in short, in this painting, everything around seemed to become extraordinarily vivid and interesting.

It wasn't until an exclamation of surprise came from near the small hill not far away that An Ning turned around to look in the direction of the voice.

Georgiana, who had been watching with great interest, also turned her head.

"My apologies, Miss de Bourgh, Miss Darcy! I'm terribly sorry to disturb you both!"

Charlotte hurriedly apologized, while Elizabeth, standing beside her, upon hearing this, found her large green eyes unconsciously staring fixedly at the two before her.

She seemed unable to equate these two with certain fixed images she had in her mind.

"It's quite alright!"

"Anyway, this painting was about to be finished anyway!"

Facing this person's somewhat anxious expression, An Ning soon smiled. Regarding this Miss Charlotte, or rather Mrs. Collins now, although they hadn't met many times, An Ning had always held some appreciation for this intelligent girl.

She immediately put away her paintbrush and nodded slightly in their direction:

"Anne de Bourgh! This is my cousin Georgiana!"

"Good day, Miss de Bourgh, Miss Darcy. I'm Elizabeth Bennet. Miss de Bourgh, you can call me Lizzy!"

"My apologies for nearly disturbing you earlier!"

Seeing An Ning's gentle attitude, without the haughtiness she had previously imagined, Elizabeth quickly retracted the prickliness that was about to overflow and greeted both of them politely as well.

She couldn't help but privately compare the exceptionally beautiful and gentle young lady before her with the haughty-looking woman from earlier.

Well... after careful observation, this mother and daughter pair really didn't resemble each other in any way.

It was hard to imagine that such a noblewoman, whose every move practically screamed arrogance, could have such a well-tempered daughter despite her daily teachings and examples. Probably this Miss Anne took more after the late Sir de Bourgh.

And this Miss Darcy didn't resemble her brother at all, who acted as if his eyes were practically looking down from the heavens, completely disdainful of others.

While mentally grumbling, Elizabeth didn't delay in appreciating the beautiful painting before her.

Although she admitted she wasn't deeply accomplished in this area and hadn't had the fortune to see famous artworks, the vitality and beauty emanating from the painting were immediately apparent.

Suppressing that indescribable discomfort in her heart, Elizabeth unconsciously spoke up in praise:

"You paint so well! Miss de Bourgh is indeed as talented as rumored!"

Who would have thought that Cousin Collins would actually tell the truth for once! Elizabeth unconsciously glanced at Charlotte beside her.

With just one look, An Ning could practically tell what this person had been thinking from start to finish, and couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

This female protagonist was indeed as lively as rumored, and quite the witty commentator too.

The young ladies chatted idly for a while longer, and seeing that it was getting late, An Ning soon left with her shy young cousin.

As for Elizabeth, she watched their retreating figures, unable to regain her composure for a long time, as if struck by some impact. Charlotte beside her couldn't help but chuckle:

"Lizzy, didn't I tell you before that Miss de Bourgh is a most wonderful lady, whether in appearance, temperament, or any other aspect? It's just that she seemed somewhat aloof when she was younger because of poor health!"

"But Lizzy, God guarantees, this Miss de Bourgh has never looked down upon anyone!"

"Alright, I admit, Miss Anne is indeed very different from that lady who practically has 'haughtiness' written all over her!"

And also very different from that lofty Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth thought to herself.

Charlotte beside her couldn't help but shake her head: "Actually, according to the old folks at the estate, Lady Catherine has changed quite a bit over these years."

"Even because Miss de Bourgh's health has gradually improved over these years, Lady Catherine believes it's God's blessing, and she hasn't been sparing in granting favors to the tenant farmers on the estate."

She has also been particularly generous to Mr. Collins, the vicar.

Therefore, although her husband chattered incessantly with endless flattery, Charlotte didn't find it overly irritating or distasteful.

She even occasionally joined in with a word or two of flattery without feeling bad about it.

After all, Lady Catherine was really quite easy to please - just appropriately praise Miss Anne, and this lady would always look particularly pleased and be quite generous with her rewards.

And Miss Anne, in Charlotte's view, truly deserved all kinds of praise! She didn't feel these compliments were insincere at all.

"Even so, Charlotte, regarding this marriage of yours, even now I still feel it's not well-matched!"

Thinking of this cousin, Elizabeth unconsciously frowned. To this day, she still believed that such a person - obsequious, constantly flattering, both conceited and hypocritical, with not a single merit to be found in his entire being - marrying such a person, even if materially comfortable, would surely lead to a barren and empty world!

Elizabeth affirmed this in her heart.

Therefore, she particularly couldn't understand and regretted her good friend Charlotte's choice.

"But Lizzy, please believe me, this was the best choice I had at the time..."

After a long time, facing her best friend, Charlotte finally said these words with a smile.

Looking up with a smile at her friend before her, Charlotte's voice was particularly gentle at this moment, yet carried an indescribable sharpness:

"Lizzy, I'm twenty-eight years old, not eighteen. I'm not as beautiful as you and Jane, and I don't even have a proper dowry like you do."

"Even before marriage, whether it was my parents or my younger siblings below, they were already particularly disdainful of me, even blaming me for affecting their marriage prospects..."

"Yes, in your eyes, he has all sorts of faults, but he gave me a comfortable life, a peaceful place free from family disdain and gossip, didn't he?"

"Charlotte, I'm sorry, I..."

Meeting her friend's gaze, Elizabeth found her throat unusually hoarse and couldn't help but step forward to embrace her friend: "I'm sorry, Charlotte. No matter what, I should respect your choice."

"It's alright, it's alright, Lizzy..."