Another try on this story. I hope you will forgive me the inconsequential use of the language of that time. Sometimes I find it easier to use it in the speech of the characters but not in the descriptions etc around it. I rated it T for I'm not entirely sure where it's going yet.

Btw this story deals with difficult subjects as neglect and abuse. So be warned before you start to read.

Chapter 1 On first sight

Henry Crawford didn't know it yet, but today was the first day of the rest of his life. So far, his life hadn't been anything special. Being raised by his uncle, the admiral – a real womaniser – he had learned what he thought was an important trait: that of how to flirt. He was easy-going in company, could talk about many a subject and often managed to have people tell them some of their deepest thoughts, which he then would use to get what he wanted in subsequent encounters. The way he did so however, was so subtle that it was hardly noticed by the person. He owned an estate in Norfolk, but preferred to stay in London, where he had many friends and he and his sister, Miss Mary Crawford, were welcome guests at many places.
Henry wasn't particularly handsome, but because of his liveliness and smooth talk, people tended to overlook his rather plain features.

Recently Henry and his sister had come to Northamptonshire to visit their half-sister, Mrs Grant, and her husband. The latter had recently become a curate in the parish of Mansfield and Mrs Grant, having met the family of Sir Thomas Bertram of Mansfield Park, was desirous of having her brother and sister become acquainted with this family. The eldest son, Mr Tom Bertram, would inherit the title of baronet upon his father's demise, as well as a reasonable fortune and property in the West Indies. Therefore, Mrs Grant hoped that her sister –who was her favourite - would catch the eye of the young man and become connected through matrimony.
For her brother she hoped for an attachment to the younger Miss Bertram.

Their first visit to Mansfield Park had gone rather well. Both siblings were welcomed with much civility and both Henry and Mary found the company very agreeable. They spent such a great time talking with all four Bertram siblings that they soon felt being friends and therefore, another visit had been asked for the next day.

Mrs Grant was happy to hear about their experiences and found her sister inclined to agree with her about the prospect of the suitability of the elder Mr Bertram for a husband. Both Mary and Henry had met him before in London and had already been inclined to like him.
Henry himself found this visit to be a nice diversion. He was not of a mind to marry any time soon, but enjoyed the company of the two lively sisters. He found Miss Maria Bertram the more handsome of the two, but it was said that she was engaged to a Mr Rushworth of Sotherton. Miss Julia was a good second choice with her lively manners and ready laugh.

It was therefore with some anticipation that both Crawford siblings set off for their second visit to the Great House.
There a surprise awaited Henry Crawford. One that would change his life.

When they had been announced and led into the drawing room, they were greeted cordially by everyone present and then introduced to a Miss Fanny Price, who had been absent on their previous visit.

Right from the start Henry couldn't keep his eyes off her. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She curtsied shyly with her eyes cast down. Then she quickly sat down again and continued her work.

Henry, taken in by her as he already was, tried to start a conversation with her, but her answers were short and soft and she didn't seem to encourage more talking. Whether this was some sort of impoliteness on her part or shyness, he didn't know. He took the hint that was seemingly given and bowed and turned to find a space to sit near Miss Julia.
Due to his ease of manners he could hold a light conversation without having to put much effort in it. While chatting, he found ways to observe Miss Price. The more he saw, the more pleasing she seemed.

Her figure was slim but with curves at the right places. It was gracious and although her dress was simple and not very flattering, it could not hide her beauty. Her face was smooth and her features pretty. Her hair was a beautiful golden brown and was done up in a very simple style. But Henry was most attracted to a pair of beautiful green and expressive eyes.
Even though she seemed too shy to look up much, the times she did, Henry could hardly help it to not loose himself in the depths of those beautiful eyes.
But whenever she caught him staring, she would look down again and colour.

She hardly spoke in the company. Mostly when her aunt, lady Bertram asked her for her assistance with her work. Her voice was soft and melodious and Henry tried a few times to make her talk to him, just to hear her beautiful voice.
He soon found out that this did not serve his case, for at the same moment as Miss Julia required his attention again, the aunt, Mrs Norris spoke up.

"Fanny, be so good as to retrieve some yarn at the white house. It will be in a basket under the table in the little parlour. Ask Nanny if you cannot find it." This was all said in a cold tone that would brook no opposition.
Upon this, Miss Price stood up, curtsied and said quietly: "Yes aunt."
Henry followed her with his eyes when she graciously walked out of the room. When turning back to his conversation partner, he intercepted a look of contempt from Mrs Norris' side.

Suddenly he was wondering if Miss Price was being sent away because of his own attention towards her. He could not account for the suddenness of what had happened.

The visit was soon over and he heard Mary invite the Bertram siblings to visit them at the parsonage.

On their way back, Henry was distracted. Somehow he couldn't get Fanny Price out of his head.
Mary had to nudge him.
"Brother? You seem miles away with your thoughts. I do hope they are agreeably engaged." This last was said with a teasing tone.
"You are right," was his reply. "I find I am very much inclined to enjoy this visit to the country side; more so than I thought I would."
"I agree," said his sister. "I find the Bertram siblings pleasing company."
This was not entirely what he had meant, but he was not planning to tell her his thoughts about Fanny Price just yet.

And while his sister chattered away about her conversation with Mr Tom and Mr Edmund Bertram, he let his mind wander back to the intriguing cousin.

Said lady was at this very same moment on her way back to Mansfield Park. Usually she was not very averse to a walk, as it meant being out of her aunt's presence. However, today was rather a hot day. Also, her aunt had omitted to tell her that the basket she had desired Fanny would retrieve for her, was rather heavy.

Fanny walked slower and slower, feeling quite tired. She looked ahead and saw a big tree under which she might rest for a while in the shade.

But before she reached the tree, she saw two people walking towards her. Coming closer she recognised them as being Mr and Miss Crawford. The tree under which she was wanting to find shelter from the sun, stood at the border of the parsonage garden.
She looked down and hoped that they would not see her.
Their visit that morning had been very awkward to her.

For some reason Mr Crawford had paid her much attention, which had made her feel even more shy than usual. She hoped he would keep his attention to her cousin Julia as he had seemed to be doing later. For she knew that her aunt had sent her away because of the attention Mr Crawford had given her. As if she could help it. Her aunt seemed to think Fanny somehow deliberately made men being attracted to her. She had no idea why. She was shy, had no fortune and was inferior to the people she was living with. Even though they were her family, they always made her feel that she was below their station and should remain so. Especially her aunt Norris made her aware of this at every turn. Like today, for she was sent on an errand as if she were a mere servant to be ordered around.

Her pace slowed even more, still planning to seek the shelter but also hoping to avoid detection from the inhabitants of the parsonage.

Her hope was however in vain.

Henry had spotted her from a distance. Even though he had just met her that same morning for the first time, he would recognise her –he thought- even in a crowd.

She looked fatigued and her cheeks were flushed from the heat. Some of her curls had escaped the bun she was wearing. She was walking rather slowly and seemed to head to the oak tree near the parsonage.

Mary wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings, so, without having seen Miss Price, went indoors, while Henry waited at the gate.
When she was nearby, he greeted her.
"Good day Miss Price. How good to see you again."
She looked up.
"Hello Mr Crawford."
"It is a rather hot day today, is it not?" he said. Upon her nodding, he continued: "Would you like to come in the parsonage for a little bit of rest and a drink?"

She looked nearly frightened.
"Thank you, but I must head home for my aunt is waiting for me." Unconsciously she had stopped and put the basket on the ground straight away.
"I'm sure a little time will do no harm. It is still quite a walk and in this heat. You look fatigued." Here she blushed, was about to reply, but then stopped and seemed to think.
He could see she wanted to continue to politely refuse, but she probably felt too fatigued.
"I was planning to stand a while under this tree for some shade and rest. I am sure that will be enough. But thank you for the offer."
"Nonsense, nonsense." He stepped closer to her, which startled her. Then he gently took her arm. "If you are to rest under a tree, you might as well come in and sit down and have a cold drink."
With his other hand, he picked up her rather heavy basket and then took her to the front door.

Fanny was mortified by his forward behaviour. But she was feeling so very tired, she didn't have the energy to politely protest. So without further struggle she let him guide her indoors.

She hadn't been inside the parsonage since her uncle had died and her aunt Norris had vacated the place. The furnishings looked completely different, but somehow she liked it. Her aunt's decorating was always a bit bare and would make her rooms cold and impersonal. Mrs Grant had made the house a real home, as far as Fanny could see.

She was led into the parlour where Mr Crawford sat her onto a sofa.
"Sophie," he said. "I saw Miss Price outside and she is fatigued from the warm weather. Would you be so kind as to offer her a cool drink so she can rest and regain strength?"
Mrs Grant and Miss Crawford looked surprised to see her, but the former, without delay, summoned a servant to get the drink. Then she said: "Miss Price! It is good to meet you! And I'm glad my brother brought you in. You do look tired. It is rather warm to walk, is it not?"

Fanny hardly had time to respond, for she continued: "You must take your time and rest, before you continue to the great house. In fact, it might be better if my brother conveyed you home in his curricle, don't you think so Henry?" Her attention went back to her brother, who looked all too happy with this suggestion. Again, before Fanny could protest, he replied: "An excellent idea sister. I will order the curricle to be readied. I shall safely bring you home, Miss Price."

Now Fanny could not stay quiet. "Please, Mr Crawford. It is not necessary I assure you. I thank you for your hospitality and I believe after this little time of rest I will be perfectly able to continue on foot."

Now his eyes twinkled. "Miss Price, just now outside, you told me you must hurry to be back in time. This rest will delay you and therefore you must use my offer of a lift, since my horse pulls my curricle faster than you can walk. This way it will save you time and give you some more time to rest." He said all this in a slightly teasing tone. She did not like it, but had to admit that he was right.
She nodded and then accepted the drink that was offered. Mr Crawford exited the room and came back five minutes later. Mrs Grant and Miss Crawford had sat down with her and asked her some questions. She knew there must be some conversation so she tried her best to answer. She was grateful however, when they started talking to each other so she could rest a bit.

When her drink was finished, she felt much better and let Mr Crawford guide her outside to his curricle. Before he could help her up however, she suddenly remembered the basket. She started to walk back to the house. "I must not forget the basket," she said, as explanation.
Mr Crawford nodded. "Let me help you up and then I will retrieve the basket for you."
He was back with it in an instant and handed it to her, before he set himself next to her in the curricle. After a wave to the two sisters, they were off.

"Well, this is much better isn't it, than walking about in this heat?" Henry said cheerfully.
"It is refreshing, with the breeze," was Miss Price's soft answer. She looked more rested.

He then said: "This horse doesn't get as much exercise as my riding horse. I can see he is excited to be going out again. I am afraid this little ride will not satisfy his energy though."
Miss Price gave a little smile. "He certainly seems to be pulling as if he is willing to ride all afternoon."
"Maybe you and your cousins could come with me for a ride someday with my bigger carriage. It would help to keep my horse exercised. A ride on my own I find rather dull I must say."
Her eyes got big. "I… don't know. Perhaps my cousins would like it very much."
"And what about you?" he asked. He didn't know if he was too forward.
He saw her looking wistful. "I… my aunt will need me. I do not think I would be able to go."
Then she turned her head so he couldn't see her expression.
They were rounding a corner so Henry had to pay attention to the riding.

All too soon the gates of the great house came in view and Miss Price started to fidget in her seat.
"Mr Crawford? Would you mind letting me out here? I can walk the last bit." She sounded nervous.
"Why? I can bring you as far as the front door," he said.

She then showed she had some spirit. "Sir, I am very grateful for your ride and I do feel much better for it. However, I do wish to walk the last bit." She then whispered, probably not meant for him to hear: "I don't want her to see it that I had a ride." It sounded sad and Henry suddenly understood.

Earlier on he had probably been right about his guess that she had been sent away on that errand because of him. Now, if Mrs Norris saw that none other than he himself had given her a ride, it would not make matters easier for her. He had seen the contemptuous looks of the woman at her niece.

He slowed down and came to a stop, just outside of the gates. He jumped out and then helped Miss Price down. She looked up at him gratefully.
"Thank you Mr Crawford, for the ride and for the rest at the parsonage."
He bowed and smiled. "It was my pleasure Miss Price." He handed her the basket and then, after a curtsy she walked towards the house.
He tried not to be too obvious when he followed her with his eyes until she came to a corner.
Then he got back up and turned around to go home.

This second encounter with Miss Fanny Price was even better than the first. He had seen that she was embarrassed at his attentions, but at least she had talked to him, and without others around to hear. He was glad he had been able to be of assistance to her. And my, she was so beautiful!

Yes, this day had gone remarkably well so far.

A.N. so what's your first thoughts on this story? It's un-beta'd so mistakes are mine. Also it's the first take, so I might change things on the way when the story progresses.