P&P FF

*fash (worry) **mo chride =my love

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

Previously:

"I cannot say I blame you." Mr. Darcy laughed and hugged his wife. However, we all have a good points, small as they may be." Mr. Darcy then turned around and left his wife standing by the window.

Elizabeth looked out watching an early knowing her husband was right, and really was thrilled she had married him. However, as she watched the light snow falling she could not help but wonder how her sister was doing and if she would ever see Mary again.

Mistyhills

CH. 24

A cold wind whipped around the empty fields, trying to penetrate the thick walls of the new Pedersen home. Emil had planned to move his family to Rockhaven, but after a discussion with Mr. Cameron, he decided on Mistyhills instead. Should McBean ever leave the highlands to pursue them, Emil had prepared several escape plans for the women. He wasn't one to shy away from a fight, but there was no need for his mother to take up arms when she had recently become bedridden due to weakness. Paul's hands were giving him trouble, and Emil had his doubts about the boy's ability to defend himself or others.

"Danne worr' 'bout us, mo chridhe, yer sister and I can handle a gun well enough if it comes ta that."

"I know ye can, but what would our kin say? What would they accuse us of? Isn't it bad enough that it's not safe for ye ta write, that I had ta arrange with de Craigs ta mail small keepsakes ta them, ones that could only be recognized by them afore we left for home? And now this?"

Mary was at a loss for words, so she simply wrapped her arms around Emil's waist as they stood in the parlor of their new home. The parlor walls, adorned by Mary and Margaret with floral wallpaper, mirrored the fields surrounding Mistyhills. Dominating one wall was a stone fireplace, its mantel displaying Emil's father's youthful keepsakes and the seashells his son had collected. A soft glow from a simple yet elegant crystal chandelier bathed the room in light.

Emil held her close and began to speak, "I'll have another talk with Roger Burg. The last time we spoke, he seemed keen on havin' me work with him in de shop. And I know a few locals who could use an extra hand with their sheep."

"What about de sea? I'm sure there are men who would want ye back on de water." Mary didn't see the point in fretting over her parents' opinions; they were far away in England and powerless to affect their current situation, so why provoke her captain with needless concerns?

"I wasn't plannin' on it, though I admit, durin' de nights I spent awa' in de hills, ye proved quite resilient. My absence wouldn't pose a problem. However, this would mean bein' away for longer than just a few nights or a week at a time."

Margaret was seated on a plush sofa upholstered in rich green velvet, and her son occupied one of two armchairs adorned with a tartan pattern from their ancestors. They, like Mary, reassured Emil that there was no need for concern over his wife.

"Ye danne need ta worr' about yer wife. She's sharp, literate, and no man is goin' ta deceive us out of our home. Mary faced down those townsmen, as serene as a lake at dawn, without even needing to raise her voice. She spoke her mind, and they shivered like mast on one of yer boats in a storm. You'd think she wielded a whip, the way they cowered. No, it wasn't her who shook—it was them."

A fire crackled in the hearth as Emil excused himself to check on his mother. Her room was modest, featuring a featherbed and a well-crafted yet affordable dresser, a surprise gift from the Craigs, against the wall. Emil pulled up a chair beside his mother's bed and sat down. "I'm considerin' going ta sea. But I'm concerned about McBean."

"Do ye think he would leave de highlands?"

"He has never made a move to leave before," Emil mused.

"Go be with yer Mary," his mother urged, patting his hand gently. "And then ye set sail come that time of year. We may not meet again in this life when ye make that departure, I reckon. But now, ye need to be with yer wife."

Emil knew better than to argue. He stood, leaned over, and kissed her cheek. Rising, he made his way out, intending to take Mary to their room for a private conversation. However, finding that his sister and Paul had retired to their rooms, he instead sat Mary down on the sofa. They might have gone outside, but it had begun to snow. It wasn't much, but with no pressing need to brave the weather, they remained indoors.

"I must confess, I have no desire to tend sheep. And I'd work in a shop if I thought bein' at sea was a bad idea, or if the men were against me," Emil confided. Mary had noticed the men in town, those who had sailed with Emil before. Their eyes had sparkled with recognition upon seeing their captain, and their voices had risen, calling for his return to the sea.

"It's not as if ye dinnae warn my Da and me. You did say that if not fer yer sisters and mother, de sheep would never have won out over de sea," Mary recalled, having adopted Emil's way of referring to her father by using the term Da. Yes, the lady was most likely to revert back to 'father' if she returned to England, but for now, she maintained Emil's vernacular. "I knew that sooner or later, ye'd return ta waves. I'm here fer Margaret and de others. I only ask… can yeu jest wait until after winter?" she asked, biting her lip unconsciously.

"There's barely a week of good sailing left this time of year. I'd be better off waitin' until after earl' March an'wa'." Emil replied, drawing her close with a gentle pull. He spoke softly, mindful of Paul's bedroom door ajar nearby. "We need to decide on a safe haven for ye and the famil', should McBean decide to come after ye. Somewhere he'd never think to look."

Mary opened her mouth to respond but stopped short, a sudden realization dawning on her.

"What is it, Mary? What did you just see?" Emil inquired, concern etching his features.

"I saw nothin'; however, I know where we should run to if de need arises. And I know who ye need to find at the nearest port before travelin' ta see," she said, a plan forming in her mind.

"Who?" Emil asked, taken aback by her certainty. When she revealed her thoughts, Emil's eyes widened in surprise, then a broad grin spread across his face. "Well, I can say one thing for certain… McBean would not likely suspect that place. And who to meet before travelin', that be only common sense." His smile then faded. "I just hope it doesn't come to that. The journey there would be perilous. And I'm not sure ye could persuade Margaret to cooperate."