Seeing that he really turned around, Anne couldn't help but smile.
But in fact, this didn't help much. After all, she could still see his slender and well-proportioned back, wearing that iconic blue nightgown.
Moreover, after the two stopped talking, her thoughts immediately returned to the scene when he just hugged her.
For the sake of her health, Anne had to look away and began to recite the multiplication table in her heart.
After reciting it for the umpteenth time, Anne's breathing finally stabilized. She opened her eyes and found Shylock sitting at the kitchen table full of chemical utensils eating the biscuits she brought.
Anne glanced at the ground first. The broken teacup and the shocking eyeball were gone.
Then she walked over and found the tea set in the cupboard again.
Anne busied herself in front of the counter, boiling water, cutting lemons, making tea …
Shylock took a bite of the biscuit and glanced at her. Then he took another bite and glanced at her again.
When Anne finally put a cup of hot tea on the table in front of him, Shylock realized that at this moment, he was actually thinking that she had a slender frame and narrow shoulders, very suitable for hugging.
Anne poured herself a cup of tea and sat next to him.
The warm aroma of the tea finally restored some color to her pale face.
Shylock's plate of biscuits was almost empty.
Anne smiled slightly, a little happy that he liked it.
Shylock put the last biscuit in his mouth and glanced at the smile on her face coldly.
"Thank you, Shylock." Anne smiled and thanked him.
"You're welcome. After all, you can't die now. We need your help to have a chance to go back."
Anne: "…"
Speaking of "go back", Anne gently put the teacup back on the saucer. "I'm sorry, I've had that time gem for three days, but it hasn't reacted at all. I don't know how to use it to send you back."
She even carefully recalled the magic hand gesture that Doctor Strange used to activate the time gem in the movie and hid in her room foolishly imitating it for a long time. Still nothing.
Shylock looked up at her and said, "Don't tell me that you lost sleep for three days because of this?"
Anne was a little embarrassed. "Not exactly."
"Yes." Shylock agreed, which was rare of him. "Because your brain is not smart to begin with, and you like to think about things that you can't solve even with all your limited wisdom."
Anne subconsciously retorted, "I didn't …"
Shylock looked at her calmly.
Anne pursed her lips and looked back at him weakly with the same light green eyes.
Well, it was not a good choice to argue with Sherlock Holmes.
"Maybe if I use my brain more often, I will become smarter." Anne smiled and joked.
Shylock played along and gave a perfunctory smile. "Don't bother. I can tell you the answer now. Absolutely not."
"…" Annie was speechless. How many times had she been rendered speechless? She really wanted to sigh.
But then she heard that deep and pleasant voice say, "You don't need to become smarter, Anne. You're fine as you are."
Anne was stunned and subconsciously looked for his eyes. But Shylock had already picked up the teacup and elegantly lowered his head to drink the tea.
The sky was gloomy in the spring morning, and the sun was blocked behind thick clouds. The curtains in the living room were only half open, and the room was dark. Everything seemed to be blurry. Only he, sitting in the innermost corner of the kitchen, was still clear and bright.
A long nightgown hung down from both sides of the chair, and the gorgeous silk material glowed blue in the dim light. He was still barefoot, leisurely stepping on the floor. When he lowered his head to drink the tea, his long and thick eyelashes would droop, covering his beautiful gray-green eyes.
The sound of the door opening came from downstairs, and then the voices of Mrs. Hudson and Watson talking.
Anne was startled back to reality.
She stood up from the chair. "I should go."
Shylock finished the tea in the cup, leaned lazily against the back of the chair, and said indifferently, "Mm."
This was too different from the way Anne had seen him before. His unbelted nightgown fell apart as he moved, and one side fell directly to his arm. But he didn't seem to notice or didn't care.
But such "untidy clothes" didn't make him look sloppy at all, but there was a little more childishness in his arrogant and conceited expression that made people's hearts soften.
Anne stared at his messy curly hair. She was standing, and he was sitting, which made their visual communication finally reversed.
But Anne's sense of superiority didn't last for two seconds, and she saw the person sitting in front of her slowly stand up.
Anne's gaze rose bit by bit as he stood up, and finally, she was looking up at him again.
Shylock looked down at her and curved his lips.
Anne: "…"
Why did she feel that he was doing it on purpose?
Childish. Anne pursed her lips and turned to walk to the door.
"I've been here for two months."
His voice suddenly came from behind her.
Anne's heart tightened, thinking that he was going to rush her.
But then, Shylock said, "I don't think John and Mrs. Hudson mind staying a little longer. As far as I know, Mrs. Hudson and Mr. Adam next door are getting along very well. As for John, he even found a new job at the clinic. "
Anne turned around and corrected him with a smile, "It's Mr. Adrian." Anne had heard Mrs. Hudson mention the old gentleman that she often talked about.
Shylock said whatever, as long as Mrs. Hudson didn't mind his crutches and age.
Anne asked, "What about you?"
Shylock looked at her in confusion.
Anne asked again patiently, "What about you? Are you willing to stay here for a little longer? "
Shylock raised an eyebrow. "As long as the 19th-century London criminal organization is dedicated, I don't care how long I stay."
Anne lowered her head and chuckled.
"So," Sherlock looked at her and said, "you can put away your useless thoughts and worries and go back to your big, flashy house and have a good sleep."
Anne looked up and felt her heart tremble and soften.
Had she just received Sherlock Holmes's concern?
.
Two days later, Darcy and Bentley also came to London. They also brought Georgiana. Of course, Caroline, the clingy lady, was also there.
Georgiana was Darcy's sister, a soft and introverted girl, two years younger than Anne. She was the youngest child of Darcy and Deboer's two big families and was spoiled by Darcy and Anne. But the little girl wasn't spoiled at all and didn't have the temper of a noble lady. On the contrary, she was very gentle and kind.
Anne was very happy to see Georgiana. The two hadn't seen each other for a long time. Anne immediately invited everyone to stay in Deboer's house. Anyway, there were many empty rooms, so everyone could see each other every day.
Darcy stood aside and smiled as he watched Anne greet everyone warmly and gently.
When they finally passed through the gate of the mansion and walked inside, Darcy had a chance to talk to Anne alone.
"You seem to be adapting well to life in London." Darcy looked at her cheerful and rosy side profile. She looked really good.
"It's okay," Anne replied with a smile. "Although I don't know anyone else here, you know, I don't like to go out."
After thinking for a while, Darcy asked, "The thing that Mr. Holmes needs your help with, have you solved it?"
Anne paused and shook her head. "Not yet …"
"Then you're going to stay in London?"
It was only then that Annie realized that she had actually forgotten about this matter. If she couldn't solve the secret of the time gem, would she have to stay in London?
But Anne probably wouldn't be able to answer this question in a short time.
"Why do I have to stay in London?"
Anne looked up and saw Georgiana, who had unknowingly walked up to them.
"Anne, aren't you coming back to Pemberley with me?" Georgiana said with some disappointment. "I came to London with my brother to bring you back. You broke your promise, Anne. "Georgiana's eyes were full of accusation." You promised to go to Pemberley to see me, but you came to London yourself! "
Anne felt guilty under the little girl's gaze. "Of course I will go to Pemberley, but there was an accident …"
"What accident? Is it because of that detective? I heard Mr. Bentley and Caroline mention him. "Georgiana immediately asked.
"Not exactly." Anne didn't know how to explain. "There's also my own problem. I just … I think, I have some things to think about. "
Georgiana looked at her with the same brown eyes as Darcy's in confusion.
Anne smiled. "But it won't be long. I'll figure it out eventually. "She reached out and touched Georgiana's soft curly hair hanging over her chest.
Are all curly-haired people so sensitive and kind? Anne naturally thought of another person with curly hair.
However, anyone who knew Shylock probably wouldn't agree with those two adjectives.
Anne didn't dwell on the awkward feelings in her heart. That would be neglecting her friends who had come from afar.
"Bentley looks a little down? Did something happen? " Anne looked at Mr. Bentley, who had been silent with his head lowered the entire time. This was very inconsistent with his usual cheerful and optimistic personality.
According to the plot, they should've stayed in Longbourn for a month or two, but now that they were leaving so soon, something must've happened.
Darcy glanced at his friend's sad back and said in a low voice, "I think he's experiencing his first breakup."
Anne nodded thoughtfully. So, only the time had been shortened, but the plot hadn't changed.
"Is it because of Miss Jane Bennett?" Anne asked softly.
Darcy nodded slightly. After a pause, he added, "Or you could say that it's because of me. I don't think he's suitable for Miss Bennett, so I suggested that he leave Longbourn. "
With that said, Darcy looked at Anne calmly, as if waiting for her to criticize him.
Anne chuckled. She knew that at that time, Darcy still had old-fashioned views about social status. Not to mention Jane and Bentley, even Darcy had hesitated and wandered for a while because of these rigid and conservative views after he realized that he had fallen in love with Elizabeth.
Furthermore, when they were in Longbourn, Mrs. Bennett and the other two young Miss Bennets had said many frivolous words and actions, causing Darcy to harbor a deep prejudice and even contempt for the Bennets.
From Darcy's standpoint, what he did wasn't wrong. What did she have to criticize him for being honest with his best friend? It was just that Mr. Bentley lacked his own opinions. Because of his good friend and sister's persuasion, he easily chose to give up.
Fortunately, this wasn't the final outcome. Everything would be fine.
Anne didn't want to comment on the "relevant plot," but Darcy looked at her persistently, as if he had to hear her judgment on this matter.
Alright.
"Of course, you can't be blamed for this." Anne thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Strictly speaking, the Bennets and Bentley families aren't compatible. And because of Miss Jane's gentleness and introversion, she didn't express her love for Bentley, causing him to retreat. This has nothing to do with you. You're just giving a pertinent suggestion to your friend. There's nothing wrong with that. "
Darcy's serious expression softened slightly, and he even smiled. "I didn't dissuade Bentley entirely because of this."
Anne looked up at him.
"It's not just family status," Darcy explained patiently. "Bentley and Miss Jane's personalities aren't compatible either. You know, Bentley has just inherited the family business and a large amount of property from his father. Bentley is warm, sincere, kind, and generous. He's a good friend, but he's too simple and isn't good at managing the family business. Of course, he can find someone to take care of the business, and I can help. But family--all who know him, I think, would agree that Mr. Bingley wants a shrewd and steady wife. '
In fact, Anne understood when Darcy was halfway through. Jane's personality was too similar to Bentley's. Perhaps that was why they were attracted to each other. But it was also because of this that they couldn't complement the hidden flaws in each other's personalities …
However, this was a romantic romance novel. The ending of the story only needed the prince and princess to live happily together … Not many people would think deeply about the trivial daily life after that.
Darcy's words surprised Anne. "I thought …"
"What did you think?" Darcy asked when he saw her stop.
"I thought that you would think that sincere love is the standard for choosing a marriage."
"Of course."
With a bunch of grand statements about family status, character, and so on, it was surprising that Darcy agreed without hesitation.
Seeing that Anne was speechless, Mr. Darcy seemed to be happier.
"I believe that as long as one encounters true love, all obstacles and differences will vanish without a trace. If Bentley and Miss Bennett are truly in love, they will still be together in the end. "
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