Hi everyone! This is my fourth entry for OQ Book Week: a Pride and Prejudice oneshot requested by FraiseDandelion: the scene in chapter 4 when Robin sees Regina teaching Henry from Robin's POV.
Robin spent as much time as possible observing how August interacted with the eldest Mills daughter, particularly her reactions to him, over the next few weeks. Over the course of their stay in Arlington, he had seen the MIlls family at least a few times each week in a variety of social settings, and while his opinion of Mrs. Mills and her youngest daughters had not changed, he had, he believed, gained a deeper understanding of Emma and her sister Regina.
And based on those observations, he was uncertain if Emma was truly the best match for his closest friend. While yes, both were quiet and had tranquil, kindhearted personalities, Emma was so timid that he almost felt as if he did not know her at all. How could he truly determine her suitability to be part of the Booth family if she did not allow them to have a better grasp of her character?
Her family, however, was predictable to a fault. Mrs. Cora Mills, Kelly and Mary were silly, spending all of their time giggling and gossiping with their neighbors like babbling baboons. He had no desire to see his friend, a man who had been his closest confidant since they were mere children, ruin his life by marrying beneath him and gaining a family who was unworthy.
Except, perhaps, for Emma's younger sister, Regina. To Robin, the second Mills daughter was an enigma. He knew that she had a level of intelligence that rivaled his own, and that alone made him wary of her. While yes, she adhered to proper decorum in social settings, he knew from personal experience that she would not hesitate to stand up for herself or others, as she had demonstrated so spectacularly on the night they met. While it had been somewhat infuriating at the time, it was also admirable. Not many dared to stand up to Robin Locksley and lived to tell the tale.
Her intelligence was another component of her personality worth noting. That she knew how to read and write, which was almost unheard of for someone of her gender, was astounding and almost scandalous, were she not a part of one of the upper classes in the country. She used her knowledge well, but that left one to wonder how she had gained that knowledge. Her love of poetry was surprising, her broad understanding of the notable works of the day astonishing. Like him, Regina Mills was not one to cross.
Despite his grudging admiration for her, he couldn't help remembering the inferiority of her family when considering her sister as a suitable match for his friend. From what he had learned from the elite members of society in his time here, Henry Mills's family had once been highly respected, and was still seen as such at times. However, his father had squandered some of their fortune, wasting it on debauchery, gambling, and other unsavory pursuits, and while Henry had made strides in regaining the family's finances, much of it was still lost to the imprudent bets of an inebriated man. And his poor choice of wife did not help him in that regard, either.
These factors combined were Robin's main motivation behind his current actions. He and Ruby had asked to speak with August in his study, and now Robin was raising his hand to knock on the door.
"Enter," August welcomed them, ushering them in.
Robin crossed the threshold of his friend's study with Ruby and took a minute to gather his bearings. It was a room built for business, but still had the homely air that his friend was known for. The walls were painted a bright red with black trim. A fire burned brightly in the hearth behind the desk, ensuring that any occupants would be comfortable despite the chill of winter that was ever present out of doors. The floors were of an ebony wood that enhanced the fiery red of the walls. He missed England, but Robin was thankful that the house that Ruby, August, and Marco owned was a place that he felt he could genuinely call home while he was in the New World.
"What can I do for you both?" August asked.
Robin glanced at Ruby, following her lead. While he was not hesitant to tell his friend how he felt, he thought it best that their shared opinion on his interest in Emma Mills would be best received if it came from his little sister. It was no secret that August doted on Ruby. There was nothing he would not do for her.
"We think that you should stop courting Emma Mills," Ruby informed him bluntly.
Robin expelled a brief, harsh laugh. It was just like Ruby to convey their message so abruptly. She was always the loudest in a crowd, sharing her opinions with an honesty that could be easily considered brutal. Robin was thankful that he had offered to talk to August with her. Without him, words may be exchanged which could never be taken back. For he had learned in his lifetime that August Booth was a sensitive man who had feelings as deep as his thoughts. His younger sister, however, seemed almost impervious to the harm the words of others could inflict, the sharp edge that a tongue could possess. As such, it was possible that Ruby might say something that would destroy her relationship with her brother, albeit temporarily.
"Wh-what?" August stuttered. "But- why?"
Robin put a hand on Ruby's shoulder and squeezed, indicating that he would lead the conversation from that point forward. "Old friend, we simply feel that given the nature of her family, particularly her mother and youngest sisters, it would be imprudent to introduce them to high society back in London. They would be an embarrassment to the whole Booth family. And they are not of the same social class.
"It would not be a good match financially either, for her dowry would not add to your wealth. Tis likely that the Mills family may have difficulty securing any dowry for her at all. How would you truly profit from this marriage? How would it benefit you?"
The look August gave him was one of astonishment. "I am surprised at you, Robin. Growing up, you wished as often as I did to meet the woman of your dreams and ride away with her on a white horse like the knights in the stories we were read as children. Emma is my princess, the woman I love. And I have it on good authority that she harbors the same feelings for me as well, I can see it in her eyes. Would you separate two people who love each other for the simple reason that she would not increase the estate or that her family might be considered undesirable?"
Robin hesitated. His friend made a good point. He certainly had longed for a princess to sweep off of her feet for much of his life. For years his dreams had been filled with a nameless, featureless face in the role of his lifelong companion, and he had often wondered what she would look like, and especially what her voice would sound like and what unique personality would captivate him completely.
Suddenly, ebony eyes and chocolate hair filled his mind's eye. While strong-willed, he somehow could not imagine anyone better to challenge him to be a better man. After all, he knew from experience that she certainly had the nerve to face the challenge head-on.
He shook his head. It was ridiculous. Marry Regina Mills? She would sooner engage him in fisticuffs than accept his advances. Furthermore, his family and friends would be astonished at his selection- all except for Belle, that is. She was the only person he knew who could always see the best in everyone.
"I know-" he began, but Ruby interrupted him.
"What about taking a tour of the rest of the country? Surely, if you travel the country, you will have a better idea of what the maidens of the United States have to offer."
Robin smirked. He knew that she was hoping that ultimately August would court Belle and he would court her, making their families intertwined permanently. However, he saw through her advances and always had. While he loved her, his feelings toward her held brotherly affection at their heart. He could not imagine her as his wife.
August thought the idea over for a moment while Ruby and Robin waited with bated breath. At last, with his "Very well, we shall tour the country," preparations began in earnest for their next journey.
Robin walked through town, looking for a suitable present to bring back to Belle when he returned to England. As he rounded a corner, he happened to spot none other than Regina Mills sitting beneath a tree with a young boy who could not be more than ten years old.
He began to approach her, but stopped immediately upon hearing her voice on the breeze. "Remember Henry, the letter "A" has two sounds: 'ah' and 'ay'. Try it again, you are doing so well."
As the boy stammered through the pronunciation, Robin observed them more closely. They were so close together that Robin scarcely knew where one ended and the other began. Regina had one arm around the lad, and the other was pointing to what appeared to be a spare piece of cloth. It was likely a discarded fragment from needlepoint completed by one of her sisters. Regina did not seem to be the type of woman who enjoyed needlepoint. Someone with her strong will would never wish to sit for hours creating something that to Robin seemed to have no meaningful purpose. Yet he knew that ladies were more inclined to appreciate more delicate arts such as needlepoint. Regina, however, seemed the type to partake in activities outdoors and use discarded cloth for other uses.
Sure enough, when he was finished, Regina folded the piece of cloth- none too gently- and handed it to the child. "Here you are," she said. "Use this to practice writing until next time."
His head cocked to the side, Robin considered them. Regina was still one among many women, and a member of a disreputable family at that. But she had shown in the past that she had a fire in her, and the way she considered the child before her was nothing short of maternal.
He shook his head. What was he thinking? While he was sure Belle would welcome Regina with open arms regardless of class, Ruby would have a canine ferocity in her response to the proposition. The two women were opposites in every way, and Robin had never understood how the two women tolerated each other. Somehow, he had always been the bridge between the two vastly different personalities. He had the presence of mind that Ruby did in regards to matters of his estate, but the gentle heart of his sister when the occasion called for it.
Like the scene before him, for example. The sight of Regina being so maternal towards this boy despite the clear disparity between their societal standings caused his heart to begin to thaw towards the second eldest Mills daughter.
The pair beneath the tree stood, and as the little boy skipped away, clearly pleased with his progress, Robin chose that moment to make his presence known. He cleared his throat as Regina turned, and she stared at him, shaking her head, confusion etched on her face. She was likely caught up in the lesson with her pupil, and was not in the right state of mind for the robust conversations that they habitually engaged in.
"Can I help you, Mr. Locksley?" she asked.
With the sound of his formal name, the weight of Robin's status came crashing down around him. He was the son of Lord Locksley, one of the most distinguished noblemen at His Majesty's court. How could he stoop so low as to contemplate getting to know this woman better, when the mere mention of her family would surely disgrace her, and by extension, him? Despite the physical distance, the gossipers at court, particularly the ladies, would likely all inform him just how disreputable her connections were. If they were to discover his thoughts at the moment… He shuddered. If he thought Ruby would ridicule him, others back home would be far worse.
He shook his head. What was he to do? He was torn between the straight, well-worn path before him, and a far more treacherous, winding path that could lead to something far greater than he could ever imagine. And alas, there was nothing she could do to aid him, as she was at the center of his calamity. "No, milady, I am well, thank you."
He returned to the Booths', determined to get the thought of Regina Mills out of his mind. There was a part of him with regrets about his actions earlier that day, but he hoped that with some time away from her, Regina Mills would become nothing more than a distant memory.
