P&P FF

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

Previously:

Even if McBean's up to no good, ye need to come in an' have a wee bite an' some shuteye afore anythin' else.

Emil and Mary did not argue. They both went in and ate a meal before laying down, with Mary wondering how her parents were doing.

Counsel with Cameron

CH. 22

"I've never seen a woman fall asleep so quickly in all my life."

"She's been through more up here than she ever did back in England. And yer sister must not have slept much, what with bein' in a carriage on these 'fine' highland roads." Neither one spoke of the little one lost by Mary. First, she was not the first for it to happen it and, second, it would only hurt Emil and Mary's feelings so why bother.

Later, after Emil and Mary got up, they left their home and headed to the Camerons'.

The captain had a gun on his hip and another in his hand; he had Mary keep one in her dress pocket, her hand ready to draw and fire if needed. They didn't want any trouble, but he wasn't about to be caught off guard. Thankfully, no attackers showed up as they rounded a corner and saw the Cameron's place.

Smoke was rising from Mr. Cameron's two-story Scottish home, tucked against a mountain and surrounded by trees and brush. The Cameron's animals were kept further down the road. Across from their home was an empty field, soon to be filled with grazing creatures. Mr. Cameron, after tending to his animals, was hauling water to his sick wife when he saw the captain and Mary approaching.

"I'm relieved ta hear de rumors I've been hearin' aren't true."

"What rumors?"

"People be sayin; that Mary plotted ta have ye done in ta get yer lands. Danna worr', I didn't believe a word of it. Yer wife's too kind-hearted fer such things."

"Then why do ye look so glum? Why de long face?"

"We need ta talk, but first, I have ta take care of my wife. Please, stay outside; I wouldn't want you to catch what she's down with."

The captain sat on a bench, pulling Mary close next to him. He thought about what the old man had said, about Mary's dreams, and he hugged her closer. "If it weren't for yer dream, I'd be dead by now, and my mother, sister, and nephew would be left with nothin'. McBean's family never have liked my mother... they did not approve of her marryin' a Dane, there's no doubt about it."

A dog barked, and cattle were herded into the pasture. Men's voices echoed in the distance. They ignored the Cameron home perched above the pasture as the captain kept talking.

"I don't mean to bad-mouth yer sisters, but honestl' ... if I'm readin' ye right, I think yer eldest sister wouldn't have ee heart fer this kind of life I lead. She is too quiet, ta gentle and ta soft-hearted. Men like McBean would break her in a heartbeat. And yer second sister- while she may not break mentally ta men like McBean, I can only picture us at odds and swingin' fists at each other all the time. And her with my sister? There is no way those two would get alon' fer any great length of time. My sister needs a quieter, yet powerful, strength."

"Ye might be right about Elizabeth, and as lovely as Jane is, na, I canne see her takin' ta these hills at all. And ye, yer mouth...is quiet satirical at times. I think, unintentional as it might be, me sister, Lizzie might start treatin' ye like her Da and ye would be tempte to fly yer fist fer it would remimd ye of yer men."

Emil smiled, Mary's ability to hear, and speak, a dialect which matched his own and that of those around here, made it that many didn't even believe McBean when he insisted she was English. Maybe that's why they weren't having more trouble than they were. The sound of a door closing behind them made them turn their heads.

"I've been thinkin' 'bout yer situation. We all know Michael's as tied ta de land far more than ye are ye be a man of de sea, and we know McBean's got it out fer ye. And as much as ye and I danne like it, he's been around these parts longer than ye."

"What are ye gettin' at? Ye want me ta just pack up and leave? That would jest make it seem like McBean's right."

"Na, not about leavin' Scotland, but yeah, 'bout leavin' these hills. Head down ta de foothills, closer ta a town like Rockhaven."

"And why's that? How would that help anythin'?"

"Well, for one thin', it would spread de word that yer stayin' in Scotland; showin' people ye wouldn't run off ta England even if yer not on this land, contrary ta what McBean's been claimin'. Plus, ye'd still have a shot at other work, evn back to yer ships and... if thin's get rough and McBean goes after de women when ye weren't home , they'd have more ways ta escape, less chance of bein' cornered by that scoundrel."

Emil had to admit the man had some solid points. Michael, his cousin, was a good guy who had stood by them despite McBean. He was a hard worker, and his family would look after the land.

"If we go, do ye think it'd be smart fer Mary ta write to her family if we do that? I haven't let her, for fear of givin' people de wrong idea."

"Normally, I'd say she could write all she wants. But with McBean acting all strange towards ye – and I think it's old grudges his family holds against yer dad for marrying yer mom – I'd say hold off on lettin' yer wife write. Better find a way ta let them know she's not in de hills anymore; still in Scotland and still alive. If you can, send it through yer uncle. I've got a feeling McBean's less likely ta mess with Jack's stuff."

Emil agreed to tell Michael he could take over the land. "We'll get our stuff together and head out as soon as Michael gets here. I'll talk to my mom and sister, and along with Mary, they can choose which town they'd like to settle in. As for me, I'll be looking at a few different options."

Emil and Mary made their way back, just as cautious, if not more, than when they left their home. And it was a good thing because they spotted McBean's men gathered in the woods not far from the front of their house; so they slipped in the back. They were so quiet that they would have surprised Margaret – if she hadn't caught sight of them through the window whereby she sat – McBean didn't have time to hide his surprise.

"Is there a problem, McBean? Were your guys supposed to have another chat with me before anything else?"

"What are you talking about? I don't have any men."

"I'd take a look outside, those guys are always with you."

"I had no idea they were out there. I just came by to check on your mother and sister while you were away."

"Well, as you can see, I'm doing just fine. But yeah, I've got some business in Rockhaven and the family will be coming with me. So, if you need anything, you'll have to talk to Michael."

Mr. McBean wished them well when he heard the business included moving to a town closer to the foothills, still very much in Scotland. His well-wishes seemed sincere only to himself, as there was a cold edge to his voice.