Summary: Miss Juliet Carteret (daughter of the former Miss Bingley), an accomplished young lady of almost eighteen, is set on making an unexceptional match. She did not factor in meddling cousins, a boorish acquaintance, a wayward sister, and a ludicrous notion called love.

This story is set in the Odd Duck's Quest universe (next-gen), but can be read as a stand-alone.

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Jane Austen's genius. Only this plot is mine, along with a few original characters.

Thanks to the people who left comments! Hope you'll enjoy this little interlude... (which is also a wink at the readers of the Odd Duck's Quest)


Sir Thomas Bertram wondered how his son was faring in the Derbyshire.

Mrs Bingley's latest letter contained nothing but praises of Samuel; but he knew his gentle sister-in-law too well to trust entirely her account. A horde of wild nephews could descend en masse on her house, without any invitation; drink all her best wine and shoot her husband's pheasants, and she still would find them to be delightful guests.

At least on this point Samuel was irreproachable. He had never shown any inclination to act like a wild youth; unlike Sir Thomas, who had been somewhat dissipated at the same age and was now finding himself the proud, if slightly bemused, father of a bookworm.

He had only himself to blame, he thought with a wry smile; when one had married the former Miss Mary Bennet, one could not affect surprise if the union resulted in an overly intellectual offspring. He did love his son dearly and could rely on him to provide endless sources of entertainment; but he was now beginning to see that freedom of speech, liberally encouraged under his roof, might reach its limits outside Mansfield Park. He and his wife had raised honest children, with a strong moral fiber; but he must now admit that their social graces could be found wanting on occasion.

"Samuel has formed a resolute distaste for what he perceives to be worldly artifice- and he voices it too eloquently to uphold the peace," he told Mary. "This is the enthusiasm of youth, I suppose- time shall mellow him."

Mary protested – their son had integrity- she saw nothing wrong with the views he held. He might stumble along the way, but surely he knew how to behave in society.

"Among us, here in Mansfield, within the circle of family and friends, he is much more personable; but it has come to my attention that he performs quite poorly to strangers."

She eyed him with suspicion:

"Was this the reason behind your insistence that he should go to Derbyshire with Felix Harding?"

"Indeed; his manners can only improve in the company of our perfectly amiable Harding. I suspected I had only to display the lure of the Pemberley library to convince him that a visit to his Aunt was a capital idea."

"His expectations might be disappointed after the high praises you sang," his wife observed. "I believe that we have nothing to be ashamed of; I have spent a great deal of time on our catalogue- indeed, our family library is far from being neglected."

Lady Bertram had Strong Opinions on libraries- and Strong Opinions in general. So did Samuel; and Sir Thomas hoped that someone would end up finding it as endearing as he did.

"Indeed, I am quite certain that our library can very well rival Pemberley's; and I shall always cherish it, for the invaluable help it procured me in securing your hand."

Mary blushed a little:

"This was not your best feature, though," she said- a look passed between them, filled with the understanding that was born of some twenty years of union- and they went back to the subject of their children.

"I have noticed a worrying tendency in Samuel of late," Sir Thomas said; "that is, when left unsupervised for too long, he reverts to the most insufferable version of himself: a pompous, pedantic boy. We must hope that if he finds flaws with what he sees, he'll stew in judgmental and disapproving silence. This way, he might be mistaken for a reserved young man; but I fear all shall be lost if he ever regales the assembly with his thoughts."

"You are quite melodramatic," Lady Bertram replied; "I still fail to see the harm in exerting one's judgment, although I grant you that Samuel could learn to compromise. Cassandra, however, cannot be taxed with these flaws. Her behaviour in society you cannot criticize."

"Our daughter, in essentials, is very much the same as her brother; she sets high standards for others, and higher for herself. Indeed I believe her temper to be even more unyielding; but she hides it a little better, as ladies are wont to do. "

Sir Thomas laughed, recalling the mention of future assemblies by Mrs Bingley:

"Poor Samuel! To be forced to attend assemblies where he knows so few people! I wager that he will not be a success with the young ladies."

His wife looked guilelessly at him:

"It matters very little, as long as he is a success with the right one."

Lady Bertram, Sir Thomas reflected, while not as shrewd in matters of love as her husband, could always be counted upon to get to the heart of the matter.


-hope you enjoyed this other POV on Samuel Bertram!

-as usual, your feedback is much welcome!

-next chapter: what happens at the assembly...