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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 17, 2008 10:24:26 GMT -5
Through long training, Darcy was able to hide the deer-in-the-headlights expression he would have worn had he been less well-mannered, and also known what a headlight was.
And Georgiana took the opportunity to ask what Anne had been up to.
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Post by Anne on Sept 17, 2008 10:25:56 GMT -5
"Nothing spectacular, I'm afraid. I'm in charge of Avonlea school, now."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 17, 2008 10:33:39 GMT -5
Georgiana's eyes widened.
"Oh, I can't imagine being responsible for all those students," she said. "What do you do if they're unruly?"
Georgiana, of course, had never even been to school. Such an environment seemed quite foreign and distressing.
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Post by Anne on Sept 17, 2008 11:26:04 GMT -5
"I like to avoid corporeal punishment," *said Anne.* "Only once have I had to administer the strap."
*She lowered her voice to a whisper.*
"I cried for hours when I got home that night."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 17, 2008 11:54:12 GMT -5
Georgiana's refined eyes widened.
"Oh, I can well imagine," she said, her own voice a whisper. "I don't think I could be a schoolteacher, Miss Shirley." Which was doubly true, considering Georgiana Darcy was not bred to have any profession at all.
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Post by Anne on Sept 17, 2008 12:34:14 GMT -5
"To tell the truth, I do not know that I am much suited to the position, either. It has taught me to have a great deal more patience than nature ever intended me to have. Add to that that I am a complete dunce at geometry...I always fear I shall teach some poor pupil entirely the wrong mathematic formula."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 17, 2008 16:26:16 GMT -5
Georgiana smiled the smile of a girl who's found something of a hero and a pet all in one. It was rather confused.
"I'm sure you're an excellent teacher," she said. "But my brother says you're a writer."
Darcy, for his part, was trying his best not to make his fervent desire to escape Mrs. Lynde apparent. In other society, in another life, he might have be curt and abrupt--but he had learned his lesson, and forbore.
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Post by Anne on Sept 17, 2008 16:42:00 GMT -5
"Well, I do not write so much as before...perhaps I'm searching for the right story waiting to be told..."
"Davy Keith, if you take another tart you'll be sick," *said Marilla.*
"I won't."
"If you take another tart, you'll take it with a dose of castor oil, and then we'll see, won't we?" *replied Marilla mildly, her coolness giving the threat that much more weight as Davy had difficulty gauging her bluff. He retreated with a sulking lip, falling to that fidgeting of little boys made to sit in company when they've much too much energy to make it possible to remain still. A frog escaped from his pocket and was quickly re-captured, but the effort cost an upset to the cream pitcher.*
"Davy!"
*Anne was trying not to laugh and failing.*
"Perhaps we could walk down through the orchard while the light is still good," *said Anne.* "There's a lovely sea-view I could show Georgiana, and Mr. Darcy if he would like to join us, Davy might get into less trouble, and Dora could pick some apples."
"A fine idea--Rachel and I will see to the kitchen, then. You'll both stay to dinner, won't you?"
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 17, 2008 16:56:24 GMT -5
Darcy glanced at Georgiana's glowing face, already more animated than he'd seen her in some time, and agreed.
"That is very kind of you, Miss Cuthbert. And an excellent suggestion."
He did not wish to infringe on these people more than he had already, and he knew Miss Shirley must already think the worst of him, but it was not the sort of thing he was comfortable getting out of. Even if he felt dreadfully out of place and like something of a show pony.
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Post by Anne on Sept 19, 2008 13:24:23 GMT -5
((God, Darcy's so emo. He's going to be moaning about how much Anne hates him as they're saying their feckin' vows or something...))
*The children raced ahead--Dora moving at a more ladylike though spritely pace as Davy tore a swath through the tall grass, ignoring completely the path to the orchard. Georgiana and Anne walked more slowly as Anne pointed out various spots of interest, both going slowly enough to allow Darcy to keep pace with the group, rather than falling back on his own.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 19, 2008 23:37:43 GMT -5
((I'm not sure Darcy's ever easy in his mind, where his ladyfriend is concerned.))
The women seemed insistent upon walking so slowly that he had no choice but to keep up. It was bad enough, showing up here as if begging for... for what? Her favor? Her forgiveness? What on earth did he hope to gain by this?
Georgiana was insisting that Anne point out all her favorite spots, probably as a method to keep Anne talking and so save Georgiana from having to come up with something to say. And after some minutes, during which Darcy thought he kept his expression quite composed and had come a good way towards appreciating the scenery, his sister glanced back at him, furrowed her brow curiously, and insisted that Dora had something quite important to show her.
There was nothing for it, he thought, but to accompany Miss Shirley. And he rather got to the point.
"Miss Shirley," he said, a little more gravely than the situation required. "I hope you do not think the worst of us, dropping in unexpectedly. When last we met, I had had no intention of visiting Avonlea, and certainly not so precipitously."
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Post by Anne on Sept 19, 2008 23:43:22 GMT -5
"Really, Mr. Darcy, you make too much of the imagined offense," *said Anne, laughing lightly.* "We do not stand so much on ceremony here. I said you were welcome to come, and so you are. After your great kindness to Marilla and I in London, you and your sister are friends to Green Gables."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 20, 2008 0:05:46 GMT -5
Darcy smiled then, her easy manner also putting him somewhat at ease.
"Forgive my formality, then, Miss Shirley. I was rather bred for ceremony, for all I loathe many of its trappings. They are hard to break, and I feared... Well, it is no mater. I could not have predicted White Sands falling into my possession. But I am glad to see you, and Miss Cuthbert, quite well. Georgiana has spoken of little else since you left, and even Dr. Hartley inquired after your health."
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Post by Anne on Sept 20, 2008 11:46:26 GMT -5
((i c wut u did thar.))
*Anne had been smiling, nodding, but her brow furrowed briefly in confusion.*
"You are acquainted with Dr. Hartley?" *she asked rhetorically.* "I was not aware."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 22, 2008 10:49:12 GMT -5
((i r subtle!))
Darcy blanched slightly, internally berating himself for his error. She was not to know, ever.
"He is a prominent surgeon," he said casually. "Of course, well known in society."
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