P&P FF

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

*Grasshaven..as far as I know another town of my making

Previously:

However, any of that reflective scene was ignored and Michael and his wife got some much needed sleep for the energy needed for any run the next day would not be of a small amount.

Even Keel

Ch. 27

Winter had relinquished its hold on the modest Scottish estate, leaving behind only the upheaval of Emil's mother's passing. Margaret's remarriage and move to the highlands, far from the McBeans, was a quieter shift in the family's dynamics.

Mary and Emil strolled hand in hand through the awakening gardens, the early March air crisp and filled with the promise of spring. Emil, clad in the dignified uniform of a sea merchant captain, savored this time at home that he knew would be fleeting. Their conversation meandered not towards Margaret's new life but lingered on his mother.

"It's not as if her passin' twas unexpected," Emil shook his head, a wistful tone in his voice. "We all knew her health was on leadin' her this way; Mother was no spring chicken."

Widow Pedersen's funeral had been a private affair, her last wish to keep it from public eyes. Thus, only Emil, Mary, Margaret, and Paul had borne witness. The neighbors, detached from the Pedersens' sorrows, took no umbrage, preoccupied with their own hearths.

"Ye think Mother wanted her passin' kept quiet because of why we moved ta de outskirts of Mistyhills? Just de same as yer sister kept her weddin' to handfastin'" Mary queried, seeking confirmation.

"That's what I'm thinkin'," Emil affirmed, his gaze drifting to the mantel where her Christmas present rested—a silent sentinel of their shared secret. He turned, his eyes sweeping over the pasture that bordered their estate. "I've felt as if I'm livin' in an even keel these past months, yet now I'm torn between stayin' or settin' sail once more."

"Why?" Mary's playful slap was light, her tone teasing. "Ye barged into my father's home, demandin' a wife who could stand her ground and helm de household in yer absence, be it in de hills or at sea. Are ye doubtin' me now after yer stint fishin' de shorelines?" Her eyes twinkling the whole time she spoke

"Of course not," Emil assured, wrapping his arms around her waist. "It's just… those damn dreams resurfacin'. They're nonsensical. And fleein' to yer father's kin, as expected, would be futile. I haven't put ye in danger; it's that man, McBean, whom I can't prove is a threat. The courts won't accept dreams as evidence. Runnin' to Elizabeth, as you promised yer father—if his demise were to come now—would be pointless if someon were to send word of it."

"We've already discussed that, remember?"

"Aye, we did at that." Emil paused, bending to kiss her head tenderly. "Promise me, point that compass towards the window for a hasty retreat—as if you had no time for a proper departure—and towards the door if you had time to gather your things. Least I'd have an idea what kind of danger you were in. How fast I'd have to move myself."

"I promise," Mary assured him. "Now, why are you headin' all the way to Bristol to set sail and not Grasshaven? It's much closer, practically just down the road, surely your crew could meet you there."

As they walked, the gardens of their estate, still slumbering from winter's touch Emil gave his reply. His voice was soft and only Mary heard as their stroll took them past hedges that stretched out before them, along with flowers which acted as a canvas waiting to burst into multiple colors.

The adjacent estate's pastures, a patchwork of green and brown, hinted at the life that would soon return with the spring. In the distance, the rolling foothills stood as silent guardians, their presence a constant reminder of the rugged beauty of Scotland—a beauty that Emil, despite his seafaring heart, had come to cherish.

"So, you see, Bristol simply is a bigger port. It brings in more larger size shipments. In spite of what McBean claims about the highland clans, I am convinced he is benefitin' from English trade as much as I am. Maybe, even more." Emil then brought up the subject of the old guards. "Why did you let them go while I was out fishin'?"

"Why do ye think?"

"What did ye see?"

"It wasn't what I saw this time, it's what I heard… with my own ears when they thought I wasn't listenin'." When Mary informed Emil what the so-called 'gentlemen' had said, the captain about blew his lid.

"They what?!"

"Ye heard me de first time." Mary stopped walking and put her hand on her hips. "If I have to defend myself, I'll do it—but I shouldn't have to do it against my own guards. I have faithful servants now; I need no guards. We'll be doin' it on our own. My father's servants would have done it, so can ours." Mary then wrapped her arms around Emil's waist. "Now, we have a quarter of an hour before ye have to leave, let's enjoy the rest of our walk through the gardens not discussin' McBean or even our presents you'll be sendin' to my family."

A maid came out of the house just as the stroll was coming to a close. "Here is the project you commissioned my husband to make. We hope your friend it, we packaged it with great care."

"We appreciate it." Captain Pedersen took the box not mentioning the friend was actually Thomas Bennet. No, while he had vested all his servants thoroughly-and none of them appeared to hate the English- Emil kept his and Mary's agreement. No one was to know of anything being sent to the her family simply because his own relations in the hills were still acting oddly.

"Ye'd think by now, all that would have stopped." Mary had spoken one night as he'd returned from a fishing trip. "I wrote a letter ta yer Roger Burg as a test, like ye suggested."

"And?"

"Word came back from him; de letter had been tampered with."

"It has got to have been McBean's men, but why?"

"I think it's for personal reasons. My money's on de fact he doesn't like yer father was Dutch."

"'Tis an stupid thin' to hold against me. Only time I acted as if I was loyal ta de Dutch was ta save my crews lives; and none of them be holdin' it against me."

Mary showed no visible sign -other than a huge bear hug, a kiss, and a 'see you when you get back' was shown before her husband, put the box in a seperate, padded bag, and mounted his horse. It was only when he did that Mary turned around, refusing to see him ride away from their home.

Emil would meet up with a friend's coach further on down the road. The two men then would travel together to Bristol. They, in turn, would then store the man's carriage at a well-known carriage house. However, none of that was on Mary's mind as she went and stood in front of the fireplace that no longer had flames crackling in its hearth.

Reaching out she picked up the lady shaped compass and sighed. It had indeed been like living in an even keel when no dreams were coming. Now, for them to start back up. Maybe, she was wrong, but ...setting the compass back up. Mary did not have to think about which way to point it. However, she did not dwell on it for Jeanette, her housekeeper called to her from the top of the stairs and so Mary was soon up in her and Emil's room.

"I'm sorry to, Mrs. Pedersen, I know this is one of your favorite blankets." Jeannette McDowell was holding a folded blanket and had one very nervous young maid by her side. "But Miss Crane did not lock up the dog as she was supposed to and he ran through the laundry ara." The older maid opened up the blanket exposing a huge stain of oil substance that could not be removed.

Mary could not decide which she was more upset at; the stain, or the older maid's smirk as if waiting for Mrs. Pedersen to come down excessively harsh on the young maid who had probably not been working for more than a month in her whole life.

"I'll take it from here. You need to get back to the main floor." Mary took the blanket from Mrs. McDowell and waited 'til she was gone before looking at the young lady. "Did you lock the dog up?"

"I thought I had." Hannah was almost in tears. "Thing is Mrs..."

"Names Mary when Mrs. McDowell isn't around." Mary would have fired the lady only the woman did her job and there what been no real grounds to let the woman go, until recently. Too many things had started going missing, and everything pointed towards McDowell. And, just before the Pederson's and went for a stroll, some of their other workers had given them both statements that had only needed one more 'pull of the rope'; which is why she was now talking to Hannah alone.

"Thing is, Mrs. Mary..." Hannah whispered. "I know I did, but she's insistin' I didn't."

"I believe you. I was just hopin' someone could back you up for my own reasons."

"Gardener might have." Hannah's eyes lit up. "He was just outside the door."

"Go back to work, but tell Miss Julia, I said you are work with her." Mary went and talked to the gardener and within the hour Mrs. McDowell was let go.