|
Post by Mr. Darcy on May 23, 2008 10:45:12 GMT -5
"A memento," *Darcy said.* "Then I am happy to be able to return it to you."
|
|
|
Post by Anne on May 23, 2008 10:51:14 GMT -5
"Thank you--though I am sure Diana would have made me another one in a flash if I'd written to ask her for one. But there's some kind of charm in originals, isn't there? And a kind of longing over anything lost, no matter how small. Momentos, friends, chances..." *she mused, drifting off into her own beautiful inner imaginings and philosophy in wondering about all the things in the world. "Curiosity killed a cat, that's what," as Mrs. Rachel Lynde would say, but Anne cared little for Rachel's sterner opinions.*
"I know Diana appreciates the one I made for her--though it took me twice as long and looks half as good as this. I never was one for needlework, I fear."
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Darcy on May 23, 2008 10:57:35 GMT -5
*Darcy found himself smiling softly at her meandering speech. She was a wholly different creature than the harridan of the wood; both self-deprecating and self-assured, and it was a refreshing departure from all the airs of gentility women in his circle put on.
Even if she was merely a governess.*
"I am sure your talents are not nearly so deficient," *he said bluntly.* "Though there are other accomplishments. A fine head for verse, for one."
|
|
|
Post by Anne on May 23, 2008 11:04:48 GMT -5
*She giggled, the sound silvery.*
"Though I do like poetry, I'm afraid it rather ruins the practicalities of life. If I'd a penny for every cake that went wrong while I was off building a castle in the air..." *she shook her red head, implying that a great deal of wealth might be amassed in such a manner.*
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Darcy on May 23, 2008 11:13:57 GMT -5
*Darcy had never met such a creature. A comely, intelligent woman who spoke like a lady but worked for a living. Darcy wondered who her family was. What had put her in such straights. And in what society she'd learned to speak so frankly.*
"No doubt your castles are marvels, then," *he said, though he had no use for such frivolities himself. He tried to imagine baking a cake, and failed.* "Forgive me; my name is Darcy."
|
|
|
Post by Anne on May 23, 2008 11:18:49 GMT -5
*She grinned, reached out and gave his hand a hearty shake.*
He might be a kindred spirit after all. He does have the noble, morbid look about him. I'll bet he likes a good cry over a sentimental novel as much as anyone.
"Anne Shirley. Anne is spelled with an E. What do you do, Mr. Darcy?"
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Darcy on May 23, 2008 11:25:12 GMT -5
*Darcy blinked a moment, somewhat chagrined. He did not think anyone had ever asked him such a question in his life. Do?*
"Do you mean in general, or in particular circumstances?" *he asked, genuinely puzzled.*
|
|
|
Post by Anne on May 23, 2008 11:26:29 GMT -5
"Er--are you not in any line of business? A tutor or a merchant, perhaps?"
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Darcy on May 23, 2008 11:29:21 GMT -5
"Heavens, no," *Darcy said automatically, unable to hide his affront. Not at her, per se, but at the suggestion itself he felt an instinctual reaction.* "I'm a gentleman."
|
|
|
Post by Anne on May 23, 2008 11:34:55 GMT -5
"Oh." *she said a little flatly. Not that a gentleman wasn't a new thing, but she didn't know how to relate to...well, aristocrats.*
"...so you're...nobility, is that it?"
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Darcy on May 23, 2008 11:46:42 GMT -5
*Darcy was aware that America was a far different place than England, where birth meant little and "self-made" was a compliment. So he attempted to answer her question without irritation, though it was highly irregular.*
"My uncle is an earl," *he explained.* "I myself have no title. Does that disappoint you, Miss Anne spelled with an 'e'?"
|
|
|
Post by Anne on May 23, 2008 11:58:54 GMT -5
"A little, I must confess. I've never met anyone more important than the premier of Prince Edward Island, though Marilla shook the Prime Minister's hand, once. Marilla's my...well, she and her brother Matthew raised me. They're my family."
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Darcy on May 23, 2008 12:23:04 GMT -5
*Darcy knew well what Caroline Bingley would say, were she here to witness this. She'd cut Anne Shirley down, possibly in front of the girl, though frankly Darcy thought Caroline may have met her match.
But the girl was amazingly uncultured, and forward and familiar and so dreadfully unaware of the lack of breeding she displayed in claiming such tenuous brushes with "importance." Still, she had apparently been without parents.*
"I am sorry for the loss of your parents," *Darcy said.* "Though it is fortunate you had relations to take you in."
((Don't want him to be, you know, prejudice-free from the start.))
|
|
|
Post by Anne on May 23, 2008 12:33:36 GMT -5
"Relations? Oh, no. I've no blood family living that I know of," *she said unreservedly.* "It was all a mistake, really. Marilla can laugh about it now, at least. You see they meant to adopt a boy, but...they got me, instead."
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Darcy on May 23, 2008 12:42:30 GMT -5
"You're an orphan," *he said rather bluntly.* "I... I'm sorry. To hear that."
*What bothered him was not that he was speaking to her, or her to him. He had no reason to think ill of those beneath him, and he had always been fair in his dealings on his own estate.
The problem, rather, was the idea that he so enjoyed speaking to her that he was likely to forget her place, and he his. She... she sparkled, for lack of a better word, and while Darcy would not dared to go so far as to conceive a special attachment to her, even in his mind, the discrepancy between his admiration and her station was jarring.*
"And you work now as a governess," *he said.* "You are a long way from... from Canada, was it?" *He couldn't particularly tell Americans and Canadians apart.*
|
|