P&P FF

"Captain's Concession: A Bennet's Destiny"

NOTE: while I did refuse to let a guest review go through because of what I felt were some personal attacks, I did go make some MINOR edits in ch. 6 (and I mean minor). However, they make a major shift in feel. It puts Mary on the same level as Jane and Elizabeth and not above them, which is how I meant to convey her in the first place; that part of the review I did appreciate)

Previously:

"All I know is...if it is with my power, our father will not go to debtor's prison over a bad investment he made attempting to save Longbourn due to a bad agriculture year that was affecting not only him, but other estates as well."

Jack Meets up with Emil

CH 7

The Hartford Inn was a modest establishment, its newly, redone sign, was swaying gently in the evening breeze. The facade, a patchwork of stone and wood, spoke of years weathering the elements and the comings and goings of countless travelers. As Emil entered, the warm glow from oil lamps cast a welcoming light across the low-beamed ceiling, and the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air.

Emil had planned on being in Meryton by nightfall. Alas, a broken carriage wheel and a coachman dying without warning had changed his plans. Hence, he had sent a post to his uncle, and Mr. Bennet, telling them both about the change of plans.

The inn's common room was not overly large, but it buzzed with the quiet murmur of patrons. The captain now sat at a table near the hearth where a fire crackled, its flames dancing merrily and casting a warm, flickering light. His dark blue coat, sturdy and well-made, was draped over the back of the chair on which the gentleman sat. His vest was a solid color with no flashy color or pattern. The buttons it sported were made of bone simply because they tended to last longer than others worn by younger, less-experienced sailors.

Emil's linen shirt was comfort and breathable. It had been great to wear while out at sea, and the man saw no reason to change just because his legs had taken him inland. Captain Pedersen only wore a cravat when necessary and, considering his uncle as a stickler for those stupid things, he had worn one. However, it was far looser than most land lovers. His trousers shouted they were made for the rigors of a rougher life than one which called for sitting around the table eating tea, biscuits, and other such items.

His tricorn hat sat on the bench next to him, an outline could be seen in an oversized pocket of his vest, and a ring with a seal could be seen on his left hand. Anyone who looked at him easily figured out this was one gentleman who lived, or had lived, most of his life upon open waters. It helped that his hair was longer than most inlanders and was tied back with a simple black ribbon.

"Dae ye no reckon a barber micht be foond noo that ye're inland?" Emil's uncle chimed in wi' his nephew.

"I dinnae think so, I'm fond o' ma beard an' locks. Bein' inland disnae mak a jot o' difference." Emil then ignored the subject of his hair. "So, hae ye made the acquaintance o' Mr. Bennet? Whit sort o' chiel does he seem tae ye?

"Aye, I went for a wee daunder afore yer post arrived. He wis tendin' tae his front gairdens. Mr…"

Emil and his uncle quit talking as the innkeeper, though a somewhat portly man with a jolly laugh, making his rounds, making sure his guests were well attended to stopped by their table to see if what he could get them.

"Bread and cheese shall suffice," said the captain speaking with an english dialect only because he had met this man before and, this man had no ear for the Scottish talk and would have been at loss as what to bring them. They waited to converse until the gentleman had departed.

"Noo, tae finish ma reply. Mr. Bennet seems tae be a richt affable chap. Yer letter has left him wi' a mixtur o' feelins." Jack leaned forrit. "I can mak' oot a few options tae which ye micht be referrin', ma lad. Ilka ane is honorable, in ma een. While some micht question the honor o' ane, I find them aw tae be sae, for I ken weel the sort o' gentleman ye hae grown intae."

There's a glint in yer een that hints ye've got somethin' in mind that ye reckon I should ken.

Jack reclined. "Neither he nor I are certain o' the proposal tae which ye refer, so ye must be telt o' the changes in their faimily dynamics o'er the past fifteen months since ye left England."

An' whit micht that be?

His twa eldest lasses are noo wed. Miss Jane Bennet tae a Mr. Charles Bingley, an' Miss Elizabeth Bennet tae a Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

The captain could not restrain his laughter, which erupted loudly and heartily. It was impolite, he knew, yet having met Mr. Darcy and his aunt, Lady Catherine, he could not contain his amusement.

"Would ye care tae share the humour?"

haein' met Mr. Darcy an' his auntie, I can but fathom Lady Catherine's look o' scornfu' dismay at a Bennet sae bold as tae wed intae her clan an' tak haud o' Pemberley.

"I beg yer pardon," Emil said, dabbing the tears from his cheeks. " haein' met Mr. Darcy an' his auntie, I can but fathom Lady Catherine's look o' scornfu' dismay at a Bennet sae bold as tae wed intae her clan an' tak haud o' Pemberley.

There's Mary, wha's nearhaun nineteen, an' her sister, Kitty, at seventeen. It appears their wee-est sister has gane an' acted daftly, an' tae mak a lang tale short, Mr. Darcy upheld the family's honour, an' noo she's wed tae a Mr. George Wickham. Ye'd be needin' tae hear the ins an' oots frae Mr. Bennet hissel'.

I hae nae need for them. I can deduce sic particulars; Mr. Wickham's repute is weel-kent, as is his wife's. I was just nae in the ken that she was his bairn." Emil questioned his uncle's opintion of Mrs. Bennet and her daughters at home.

Mrs. Bennet grapples wi' her nerves; the scuttlebutt in toon is she was awfy reckless till her youngest lassie's shenanigans. That seems tae hae been the turnin' point for her guidman tae change, an' he stairted tae pit his fit doon mair. Kitty is said tae hae gotten hersel' mair collected. But, it's Mary that's got the hail toon gabbin'.

Jack explained why Mr. Bennet's third daughter had become the subject of town gossip and Emil listened quietly. They then reflected on the reserved exchanges between the Bennets during Jack's visit.

They baith kent it wisnae the maitter ye broached in yer missive that brocht me tae their abode. I set their minds at ease, as he inquired straight oot, that I was merely takin' pleasure in a daunder an' haednae realised how close I was tae their dwellin'. An'…" He made a firm motion towards Emil. "Whate'er ye're mullin' ower, the notion o' debtor's jail shouldnae be entertainin' yer thoughts. For his dochter, Mary, is staunch in her resolve tae mak sure her faither disnae end up in the clink; it was plain as day in her leuk." Jack conveyed that he had glimpsed the bonnie lass as he was leavin'.

"Please, dear uncle," Emil leaned forward, emphasizing the word 'please'. "Dae ye truly think I'd hae traipsed aw this way just tae doom a man tae sic a fate? I could hae sent the bobbies for sic a task.

Later that evening, after their meal was concluded and his uncle had retired, Emil stepped outside. His uncle's parting reminder-out of earshot of others- echoed in his mind, resonant and insistent.

"I ken weel the several possibilities ye micht be hintin' at, ma lad. Whatever ye're plottin', debtor's jail cannae be part o' yer schemes. 'Cause his dochter, Mary, is set firm that her faither willnae be sent there; I could see it in her een, sense it in her stance."

Emil was cognizant of the only two real options available to the Bennets, acutely aware of those he himself had considered, and now, following the conversation with his uncle, felt an even greater urgency to engage in a personal dialogue with Mr. Bennet.