Author's Note: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean nor any of the characters. I only own the plot to the story and few characters which are my own.
Summary: World War 1 Slow Burn Au. Will Turner returns home to England after four horror filled years on the Western Front. Trying to peace back together his broken life. A chance at a new life comes in the form of a job on a country estate in Surrey.
AN Reviews and Feedback are greatly appreciated. Lady Charlotte Swann was inspired by Dame Maggie Smith's character Lady Violet Grantham from Downtown Abbey TV Series
Chapter 4
Swann Estate, Swanson Surrey England
July 1919
Lady Charlotte Swann was the matriarch who kept the family together after her husband Lord Thomas Swann died suddenly and unexpectedly when Weatherby their only child was ten in 1869.
She ran the estate single handed on her own till Weatherby came of age to take over running the estate and take up his father position as Lord of the Estate. Life for the Swann family was happy till that blasted war was declared.
Her eldest three grandson enlisted along with Katherine's nephew James. Another dreadful day was the day Albert Swift arrived with two Army Telegrams with the news Oliver and Benjamin had been killed in France.
That left Emma and Audrey widows and young Grace to grow up with out her father. Katherine lost her self in the bottle, while Weatherby buried himself in his work more so then ever.
"Really dear it's far to early in the day for that" Charlotte shook her head as her daughter in law poured herself a large Gin and Tonic. It wasn't even lunch time.
"Not early enough for me" Katherine snarked at her mother in law.
"Thomas so glad you could join us for breakfast" Charlotte turned to her now eldest grandson.
"Sorry Gran I was going over the Estate Books and Accounts with Matthews since morning before breakfast" Thomas replied walking now with a slight limp on the left hand side.
"Good now that's settled can we eat" Charlotte and the others where still waiting.
Out near the Stables.
"Turner may I have a word."The Estate Manager Edmond Matthews called me over.
"Yes what is it Mr Matthews" I asked wiping my dirty hands on pants.
"Our driver Davy's taken ill. Lord Swann's Mother, Master Thomas and Miss Elizabeth are going to town to meet Lord Swann who is due to arrive at Swanson this morning. Do you know how to drive a car"
"A little Sir."I had to learn drive when I had to drive the Battalion Commander around for a few weeks while he's driver was off sick. That had been before the war.
"Very well clean yourself up a little" Mr Matthews left me alone.
I borrowed some clothes from the driver Davy's wife we where roughly about the same height and build thankfully.
I pulled the Rolls Royce around to the front of the Manor it was more like a bloody castle then a house.
I held open the door as Lady Swann Lord Swann's mother came out of house with her grandson Thomas and granddaughter Elizabeth.
"Oh are you new. Your not the usually driver. Has Mr Jones left us Edmond" Lady Swann turned to Mr Matthews.
"No Lady Swann he hasn't. Davey took ill this morning. Mr Turner who started with us yesterday agreed to fill in his place" Mr Matthews explained.
"You do know how to drive this thing" Lady Swann asked turning to me.
"Yes my lady. Though it been some years since I've driven" I answered truthfully.
"Well as long as we get there in one piece and not crash it. This car was most expensive. I would hate to have walk to town in this outfit. I'd be the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons" Lady Swann quipped.
"I'll drive carefully my lady" I replied closing the door.
I sound found my groove coming to terms with the gearbox of the Rolls. I wasn't grinding gears which was a start.
"Young man you do know you can drive slightly faster. This isn't a funeral procession you know" Lady Swann hurried me along.
I put my foot down bringing the speed up to around twenty miles per hour. We made it Swanson in good time. There was some traffic. It was nothing compared to mad rat race that is London.
I pulled up at the train station. Cutting the engine I got out before holding the door for Lady Swann and her two grandchildren to get out.
"Mr Turner was it. We haven't met before have we. I swear we've met before" Lord Swann now eldest son Thomas asked.
"I don't believe so Sir" I answered.
"You didn't serve with the Royal West Surrey Regiment by any chance Mr Turner"
"No Sir I was with the Royal Sussex Regiment Second Battalion" I explained.
"I can't explain it but I could have sworn we've met before. You look like a man from the village Henry he's the Landlord of the Red Lion's son"
"Thomas leave the poor man alone. Just cause he looks like Henry doesn't mean their brothers" Miss Swann came to my rescue.
"I apologise if I caused any offence Mr Turner I was only curious"
"There was no offence given Sir. So there is no need to apologised" This man called Henry. I wonder if it was my long lost younger brother. Who I hadn't seen since I was eleven and he was five. This Henry they spoke of.
A train whistle blowing in the distance announced the train was coming in from London. I followed behind the Lady Swann and her grandchildren.
There was somewhat a crowd waiting on the platform as the train pulled in. A man in his late fifties well more closer to his early sixties stepped off the train. He wore an expensive well pressed suit. I took this to be my employer Lord Weatherby Swann.
"Thomas it's good to see you back in one piece son" Lord Swann hugged his son close to him.
"Mama it's good to see you in good health" He turned to Lady Swann.
"Porter perhaps you can help with me bags. Oh I'm so sorry I mistook for a porter" Lady Swann quipped before embracing Lord Swann.
"Still sharp as ever Mama" Weatherby laughed.
"It's what keeps me so young and virile."I cracked a smile at that comment from Lady Swann
"Has Davy left us" Lord Swann had noticed me standing behind them.
"No father this is Mr…."
"William Turner my lord. I started working at the Estate yesterday as the new blacksmith. Mr Jones took sick this morning. Mr Matthews asked if I could step in till he's better" I explained.
I grabbed Lord Swann's baggage taking over to the Rolls Royce placing it in the boot before opening the door. I cranked her over first time
"How was London father" Miss Swann asked her father as we drove back to the Estate.
"Noisy and Busy as ever. Nothing much changed in the capital my darling. I'm home for a while. Their going erect a memorial to our fallen boys. I though it best to take charge of this project as two of my own boys are going to be on the memorial.
How your mother"
"Still meaner then ever and a drunk"Lady Swann cut in.
"Mother Katherine is dealing with Oliver and Benjamin deaths in her ow way"
"Oh like you hiding yourself in your work in London. Hardly being home. Leaving the running the Estate to Elizabeth, Matthews and myself while Andrew and Samuel are to young. And it's now fallen on Thomas's shoulders" Lady Swann cut in.
"Mama"
"Don't Mama me. I know what it's like to lose someone. When your father died. God rest his soul. I could have taken the easy way out. Taken one of the many offers of marriage offered to me.
No I soldiered on. Raising you and running the Estate mostly on my own till you came of age."Lady Swann was not yet finished speaking.
"I know Mama but Katherine and I are quite different. She blames me for Oliver and Benjamin dying"
"It was war Weatherby. Oliver and Benjamin where grown men they choose to enlist. No one held a gun to their head forced them to join" Lady Swann pointed out.
Swanson, Surrey England
July 1919
The driver Davy recovered from his illness and took back over the driving duties the next day. I went back to my work. Today was Sunday which meant going into Swanson for the weekly church service.
I dress what was my somewhat my Sunday Best. Most of us rode on the back of the wagon heading to Swanson.
I sat the back of the church beside the two footman I had made friends with Mullroy and Murtogg. The service drew to close with the final hymns being sung and prays.
Henry, Carina and Henry's foster parents Joe and Edith Swift exited the church talking with Philip and Syrena.
Henry did a slight double take noticing a man standing talking with Angus Mullroy and Giles Murtogg. It couldn't be could it.
Sixteen years earlier.
London, Middlesex England
1903
"Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust" Father O'Riley finished the service for mother's funeral. Five year old Henry held tightly to his older brother's hand. While the other hand was griped tightly by worn and warm hand of their grandfather Alessandro.
"I'm sorry for you're lose. Arabella was a fine woman" Many of those attending the funeral say.
Only a few days after the funeral Father O'Riley returned again.
"Alessandro, Abigail I don't mean to speak out of turn but what are you to do with William and Henry" Both Henry and Will overheard as they where listen through the closed door.
"What do you mean do Father O'Riley. We are going to raise them we are all the family those boys have left with Arabella gone" Abigail cut in.
"I understand that. But please listen and let me finish speaking before you say anything. You and Alessandro are not getting any younger. I know two families who would be to willing take the boys on. They are childless couples.
They would love and look after them like they where their own."
"You mean send them away" Abigail protested.
"It may be the best thing for them. To have a chance at a better life."
"Father O'Riley right. What kind of life can we give them here. I can't work anymore due to my back we're on the brink of the poor house. Arabella worked herself to the bone for us to get by.
We can barely make the rent as it is. What are we going to do send William out to work on the docks. This is the boys best chance at a better life. No matter how much it's going to hurt separating them.
I know they will be fine."Alessandro tied to explain.
Only a few days after both he and Will where separated never to see one another again till today perhaps. Please let it be his older brother.
"Henry what's wrong" Carina noticed her husband attention was else where.
"You remember I said I had an older brother and we had been separated after our mother died"
"Yes William what about him" Carina asked.
"There a man over there with Angus Mullroy and Giles Murtogg. I believe that's Will my older brother."Henry answered plucking up the courage to go and speak with the man who may or may not be his long lost older brother.
Henry made his way over to where Angus Mullroy and Giles Murtogg where standing with the man Henry believed to be his long lost brother.
"Excuse me I don't mean to be rude and interrupt a private conversation. But ah I know this may sound strange your name wouldn't be William Turner by any chance" Henry asked.
"I am William Turn…. Henry it can't be" I say in shock seeing my long lost younger brother after sixteen years apart.
"It is you Will. God I never thought I see you again big brother" Henry teared up as he pulled his brother into a hug.
"Nor I little brother" I cried as well as I embraced my now found and older younger brother.
"Will there's some people I'd like you to met" Henry dragged me off the direction of where an older couple stood with a woman I took to be Henry's sweetheart or wife.
"Ma, Pop Carina. This is my older brother Will. Will this is my foster father and mother Joseph and Edith Swift and my wife Carina" Henry introduced us.
"Mr and Mrs Swift. Henry you did well yourself little brother you batting above your average with her" I teasingly ribbed.
"I know and what of you big brother have you got anyone special"
"Not at the moment" I answered. I had been engaged years shortly before war was declared to Victoria Hamilton. Victoria and I had been madly in love at the time or so I thought.
Just a few months after we left for France I recited a letter from Victoria saying she was calling off the engagement. She'd meet someone else. Brandon someone or other. She was sorry but she couldn't marry me as she in love with Brandon fella.