AU Pride and Prejudice
Fan Fiction
Blindsided
Previously
""Well, maybe, not that bad, but her actions have motivated my visit to you." He woud have continued on, only one of Mr. Bennet's servants knocked on the door with a message from a neighbor. Therefore, Thoms begged leave, promising to return as quickly as he could.
Blindsided
Ch. 2
Ivar had been so mentally distracted following Mr. Bennet into the library that he had failed to look around upon entering the room. His eyes had been solely focused on Mr. Bennet's well-made, solid-oak, well-polished desk in the center of the room. Now, however, he realized that three out of four walls had not only built-in bookshelves, but they were also full. There was not a single empty space. His friend had not changed in his love of books. If he were a gambling man, Ivar would put all his money on Thomas having read every last one of them.
Ignoring the books, Ivar sat down and plowed ahead. "First, you must know my father lived far longer than the majority of our fellow Englishmen, mainly due to his spending so much time out of England, living a far different lifestyle than those around us. He left Northern England after my mother died and married a foreigner. They had one child, named Emmaline. They lived in different cultures with far different customs than ours. Father brought them back ten years ago." Unable to sit still, he stood up and began pacing back and forth.
"What is wrong, Ivar? Many men marry a second time, often to ladies outside of England."
"Yes, I know." Ivar gave a guttural growl. "But not all have a son with a wife who hates their husband's sister so much that they are doing everything to push that lady out of the house. And who, much to my dismay, was the only one home when a lawyer swung by with a will I did not know my father had drawn up three years ago. And, no, I did not know he had drawn it up. I felt as if I had been blindsided."
"Which states?"
"I cannot tell you everything, for it was all too confusing. However, your name being in it, those events I mentioned, and us owing you a debt, I did comprehend."
"My name was in it? He thought he owed me a debt?"
"Yes, and the way he wanted it repaid does not go along with any English customs, social rules or laws; which is why the courts are willing to turn a blind eye to that part of the will if you do not wish to honor what is in it. However, sadly, the other part - which they did side with Matilda on - makes it so that Emmaline can no longer stay on our lands anymore. Only the children of my father's first wife are allowed on the land."
"How did your father want me repaid?"
Ivar grew uncomfortable. "He wished to give you Emmaline as a bride since your wife had passed away and my sister was not married. Legally, no one can make her honor that will as she is past the age of maturity. However, I know my sister; and I know the way her parents raised her, she will honor it without complaint and a smile on her face."
Thomas did not know what to say. It had been years since the events that Ivar had asked him about had occurred. He had doubted, at the time, that he would ever hear from any of the Gunnarsson men again. Now Ivar stood in his library telling him how his father had wished to repay a debt he thought he owed Mr. Bennet.
"If she needs a place to stay, why not just have her stay here as a daughter?"
"That would be a possibility, I admit. But she was not raised the majority of her life in England. Her ideas are not our own. Yes, they finally seemed to be changing here of late, until my father's will showed up. It changed everything."
"You fear she would take it personally if I said no?"
"Yes, I do." Ivar sighed. "I really do hope you could see your way to accept my father's will. You both have the same kind of humor, she loves reading, learning and - with all the travels my father and her mother did - Emmaline could open the whole world to you without you even having to leave Longbourn. She does not care for high society, or fancy balls, and if you did insist that my sister go for some reason, she would accept being chaperoned by someone of your choosing. Emmaline would understand if you did not wish to go yourself."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, yes, I am. I would put my foot down and insist that Emmaline stay, except that the stupid will. Matilda and the courts have made that not an option. I did get the courts to agree that she be allowed to stay until I could come talk to you. I …" He looked a bit sheepish. "Did get help from some friends of the upper class and …" taking out a folded piece of paper. "Got this for you. No, it has no real hold on you legally; you could easily toss it any fire you wanted and ignore it. I was hoping, however, that I could beg you to save my sister from poverty. I honestly do believe that you two would make a good match, and it would give you another chance of having an heir for Longbourn."
Thomas stood up and took the paper from Ivar, unfolded it and blinked more than once. It was a special license. "You really are serious? You think your sister, Miss Emmaline Gunnarsson and I would make a good match?" He then asked about any drawbacks. "She has to have some; everyone has flaws."
"For as much as she has traveled, she has a hard time mingling with strangers, and is quite timid. Though I will admit she can stand her ground if she believes it is important enough; I think my wife takes advantage of her timidness too much. Emmaline is far more comfortable in quiet, uncrowded places. Some would see that as a flaw. And, at times, she loses track of time if she is in her garden and needs someone to put their foot down and get her indoors. I think you could deal with those." Ivar once again pleaded with Mr. Bennet to accept what he was being asked to do.
"I know legally, I can do nothing to make you accept the responsibility I am asking of you, nor would I dream of attempting to force you into it. However, please, for my sister's sake, please accept her as your bride and take the chance of having a son with her. If you do not have any sons, the coins I have brought for her dowry can be well-invested for daughters. I am sure you have learned from life and would not make the mistakes of your younger days." He then asked if Mr. Bennet minded him going for a walk. "You could tell me when I get back and talk more if necessary."