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CHAPTER 3
Lt. Price retired
to his cabin on the Laconia. It had been a busy day. With
the successful replacement of the damaged fore topgallant mast,
the Captain had ordered that the ship be warped out of dock and
into the downs of the harbor. Unfortunately, the wind was against
them, nearly offsetting the current of the tide. There was nothing
for it but to row the ship out - the Captain's barge and the
smaller gigs were manned - the cable run out - and the long laborious
job of hauling a warship with oars and men's backs began. The
crews were replaced every hour, but it still took most of the
day - the last crews nearly collapsing at their stations. Finally
the call to "drop anchor" was made and the crew could
rest with an extra ration of beer.
It was only now
that William could relax and read the letter he had received
that day. The return "Dorsetshire", which sent
a wave of warmth through the sailor. Carefully and delicately
he opened the message. As expected it was from Mrs. Dashwood,
and was full of local news and gossip. As much as he enjoyed
the lady's friendship, he read with urgency until his eyes fell
on the following lines:
We are all saddened
by the departure of Colonel Brandon to London. He says it is
for a short time, but we can not help but worry - the world is
having its troubles again and we fear for all of our heroes in
uniform. Margaret this very day asked whether the fleet might
be called back into action and she searched thoroughly in her
atlas to find the closest French port to Bermuda…
William sat back.
The letter confirmed that Margaret Dashwood was thinking of him.
His hand stole to the chain around his neck. Attached to it was
a locket - inside was a treasure…
Spring 1814
Lt. William Price
leaned his head out of the coach to Northampton, looking for
the first glimpse of Mansfield. It was a fine spring day - not
too cool - and William was on a month's liberty. He had been
worried when he was paid off with the peace, but thanks to an
unexpected patron, Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, Price was made
Commander of a small patrol boat. It was a little thing, suitable
only for helping the odd fishing boat - but it was a command!
He would be called Captain and wear two epaulettes (plain ones,
to be sure). He was to report June 1 to Lyme.
Until then he was
free as a bird and ready to fall in love. But first he had to
pay his respects to his sister. Ah, dear Fanny! Was any man blessed
with a more loving, faithful sister? Who could not love Mrs.
Bertram? William smiled to himself. It certainly took Edmund
long enough to know himself, but that is in the past. He loves
Fanny and Fanny loves him - and that is the way it should be.
Not long afterwards
the carriage pulled up in front of Mansfield Parsonage. It was
larger than most - Sir Thomas had seen to its improvement when
the Reverend Mr. Norris married Lady Bertram's sister, and since
his death it had been a most desirable living. Waiting outside
were a beaming Reverend and Mrs. Bertram.
"Fanny! Edmund!
Hello!" cried William as he alighted from the coach. Fanny
could say nothing - instead she dashed to her brother and embraced
him in tears.
Edmund approached
with a grin on his face. "Go on, William, greet your sister.
I shall take care of your baggage." Fanny's only response
was to redouble both her tears and grip.
No little time later
the party was sitting in the rose garden, Fanny's pride and joy
- that is, after little Adam: three years old and full of mischief.
"Adam, Adam! Have a care, dear - roses aren't for eating,
you know!"
At that moment two
riders came from around the house. "Now Fanny - boys will
be boys, you know," called out the proud grandfather. With
Sir Thomas Bertram was his son, heir and now able assistant,
Tom. "How's my little man, eh?" called out Sir Thomas.
"G'ampa!"
screeched the lad as he dashed towards the horses.
Normally this would
be a worrisome development, except that Sir Thomas anticipated
his grandson's reaction and had already dismounted. To the child's
delight he picked him up and twirled him about.
"William! Welcome
to Mansfield - it's good to see you," said Tom as he reached
down for his cousin's hand.
"Thankee, Tom.
What a beautiful mare."
"Isn't she?
Got her last fall - she'll jump three rails without breathing
hard. You must ride her while you're here. How long are you here
for?"
"Three weeks;
that is if Edmund don't throw me out first!"
"William! You
know very well Fanny would have my hide if you don't remain for
one month altogether."
"She would,
too. She's changed, William - mind your 'P's' and 'Q's',"
Tom smirked.
"Thomas Bertram!"
scolded the mistress of the house. "How dare you say such
things! I have a good mind to…"
Tom laughed. "See
what I mean, cousin? Well, excuse me; but I've an appointment
with the steward. Coming or staying, Father?"
Sir Thomas looked
up from his squirming burden. "You go on. Tom. I'll see
you at the house."
"Very well.
See you tomorrow, William! Edmund…Fanny…Master Adam…"
With that, Tom spurred his horse on.
"Ah, William,"
the master of Mansfield Park finally greeted his nephew after
Fanny had retrieved Adam. "Well met. You are looking fine.
Glad to see the Navy hasn't banged you about too much. Why, I
expected you had lost an arm or two, or at least an eye…"
"Father! Please…that
is not at all funny…" It had been a wedding day request
that Fanny refer to Sir Thomas as "Father", and it
had taken only two years to finally become comfortable to the
lady.
"Oh, Fanny,
you do go on. Anyway, my boy, the service agrees with you. What's
this about a command Edmund tells me?"
"Just a small
patrol boat, sir; hardly enough to spit at…"
"Ha! Getting
any command these days is something. Allow me to give you the
joy of your first command, Captain."
"Thank you,
uncle."
"Your family…in
good health, I trust?"
"Yes sir, thank
you, sir."
"Good. Your
sister Susan doesn't write home as often as she should, but…oh
well, Lady Bertram does keep her occupied." Susan Price
had taken her sister's place as companion to the Mistress of
Mansfield Park. "All set up here at the parsonage?"
"William's
room has been ready this fortnight, it seems," said Edmund.
"Husband…don't
you start…" warned his wife.
Everyone, including
Fanny, enjoyed a laugh. Then Sir Thomas sobered up. "I must
beg your pardon William that we don't have you up at Mansfield
Park…"
"Oh, think
nothing of it, sir! I shall be happy to be here with my sister
and brother…and Master Adam."
"I know, I
know…I just wanted you to know if things were different….
The Yateses are expected. And we have other guests even now.
Do you know the Widow Mrs. Dashwood?" William answered in
the negative. "Well, she's the widow of Mr. Dashwood of
Norland. Fine man, Dashwood…died too young…shame, that…
Well, she's here with one of her daughters, Miss Margaret Dashwood.
Pretty young thing. You'll meet them tomorrow at dinner."
"I shall look
forward to it, uncle."
Sir Thomas looked
into the distance, as if remembering. "Shame about the Dashwood
ladies. Seems that Norland was left to the son of the first wife
- John Dashwood. Know him?"
"No sir."
"Believe me,
you wouldn't want to. Threw his step-mother out - her and his
three step-sisters! How do you like that, sir? No, of course
you wouldn't. Fortunately, Sir John Middleton took pity on them
- set up a nice little cottage for them in Dorestshire, near
Delaford. Turned out pretty well, in the long run. The eldest
married a vicar who has the living at Delaford - comes from a
prominent family too."
"You know,
William - The Reverend and Mrs. Edward Ferrars," said Fanny.
"Oh, yes…fine
gentleman…"
"That he is…Well,
the middle girl did best of all. She caught the eye of Colonel
Brandon - now there's a top-notch man for you - and now she's
installed as Mistress of Delaford Manor. So, I guess the best
revenge is living well, eh?"
"Yes, sir."
"Still…"
Sir Thomas continued, "I wish I had known about the Dashwood
ladies' plight. Dashwood was a friend, and it sits ill with me
that I was not able to be of some use to his widow and family…"
What no one in the
assemblage knew was that the events just relayed had taken place
while Sir Thomas had been out of the country touring his plantations
in the West Indies. A letter had been sent to Mansfield and had
been read, but not by Sir Thomas. Mrs. Norris has taken upon
herself to open the correspondence. She had felt some small pity
for the widow, to be sure, but she had been more concerned over
the expense such aid would entail. Was it not a father's first
duty to see to his family? Mrs. Norris had not been willing to
chance that some strangers might reduce what properly belonged
to the Bertram children. To each his own! Mrs. Norris had consigned
the letter to the library fire and never had she lost a moment's
sleep over the deed.
Sir Thomas shook
his head. "Ah, well…water under the bridge. I am very
happy to see you, William. I'll expect you up at the manor house;
that is, as much as Fanny can spare you."
"Oh, Father…I
shan't share him an instant…" Fanny declared as she
hugged her brother.
Sir Thomas gave
Fanny a kiss upon the forehead. "Don't be a stranger, my
dear. Or you either, son," he said to Edmund. He climbed
back up on his mount. "Goodbye grandson," he waved
as he rode away.
The next day William
walked up to the manor house, turning down the offered mount
from Edmund. A fresh day, William paid no mind to the distance
and made good time, but was rather parched by the time he greeted
the housekeeper. "Oh, Mr. Price, you just go into the library
and I'll get you a nice glass of lemonade," she said.
Taking her advice,
he entered the library when a strange noise caught his attention.
"Hello?" he called, but it seemed he was alone. He
had just began to investigate when the promised lemonade arrived.
"How is that,
sir?" At his approving nod, the housekeeper continued. "Lady
Bertram is upstairs - she is indisposed this morning. Miss Susan
will join you as soon as we can get someone to relieve her. Mrs.
Dashwood is in her room. I don't know where the young miss is.
Sir Thomas and Mr. Bertram are in the fields 'till lunch."
"Thank you.
I will just occupy myself with these wonderful books until my
sister can be spared."
"Very good,
sir,"
Glass in hand William
began perusing Sir Thomas' collection. He saw with approval that
most of the books had obviously been read; some many times. William
could not abide the practice of collecting books for show - it
smacked of colossal waste. Being on a ship in the middle of the
ocean many times with only two books to his name had given William
an intense hunger for reading. Where to start? He wondered. History?
The classics? Poetry - no. Hello…what's this?
On the floor by
his feet was a rather large, certainly expensive atlas, open
to a map of the Mediterranean. What is that doing here? Did
it fall from its place…was that the sound I heard? But no…there
is no place for it in these shelves…He turned. Yes…it
came from across the room. Who would be so thoughtless as to
leave such a book on the floor? As he looked hard at the
atlas he noticed a table nearby, the cloth almost touching the
floor. Is it moving? Is there an animal underneath? One of
my aunt's pug dogs?
Just as be begun
to bend down to look, the door flew open to a "WILLIAM!
YOU ARE HERE AT LAST!"
He straightened
up just in time to catch his sister Susan. "Hello, my love!
My, how you have grown!"
"Oh, William,
you say the sweetest things!" The two spent no little time
getting reacquainted. Finally on the couch, after discussing
almost everything else under the sun, Susan asked, "Have
you met the Dashwoods yet, brother?"
"No, I just
arrived, you know. I have seen no one in the house but you."
"Well, they
are very nice. Mrs. Dashwood is a great favorite of my aunt,
so I am allowed more free time now they are here."
"Have you met
them before?"
"No, not until
last week. Wait until you meet Miss Dashwood…"
"Indeed? And
what is so special about Miss Dashwood?"
"Watch your
tongue, brother, or I shan't tell you. She is very nice and very
pretty…"
"And very boring,
I'll wager."
"William! Margaret
is my friend and I shall hear nothing against her!"
William smiled.
"If she is your friend, my love, then I will certainly say
nothing against her."
"Very wise.
She is very kind and well spoken. She is not yet eighteen, but
she is prodigiously well read. Very good manners. She has the
strangest interests, though…"
"Oh? And what
is that?"
Susan lowered her
voice. "Geography - she loves geography. Why, when she saw
Sir Thomas' large atlas…"
William almost whirled
around at the statement, but caught himself.
"…she
was beside herself with curiosity. I have found her no less than
three times this week lying on the floor, turning the pages,
looking from map to map…"
William fought the
grin that threatened to cover his face.
"…happy
as a doodlebug…Why, look…there's the atlas now…"
"Oh?"
"What's it
doing on the floor? Miss Dashwood is ever so careful to return
it to its place…"
William thought
fast. "Oh…never mind, love…I was just looking
at it myself…wonderful book…"
"You, brother?
I would think you would be tired of maps being at sea all the
time."
"Oh no…nothing
gives me greater joy."
"Hmmm…well
I suppose so; though my other brothers don't report such interest!"
"And which
of your other brothers is a Commander?"
"Don't let
it go to your head, William." Suddenly a bell was heard.
"Oh…my aunt needs me. Are you staying for lunch?"
"No, but I
shall be back for dinner."
"Let me put
the book back up…"
"No! Uhh…I
will see to it, Susan. Give us a kiss and I will see you tonight."
A few moments later she swept out of the room. Facing the door,
William said in a low voice, "You can come out now, Miss
Dashwood."
There was a bustle
and a groan behind him. "You may turn around now, I suppose,"
came a young lady's voice.
William turned and
saw the loveliest face he had ever beheld. Miss Dashwood was
of medium height with a fair complexion. Her large brown eyes
and heart-shaped face were framed with chocolate brown curls.
Her modest dress still hinted at a well-developed body. William
Price was lost in a moment.
Finally he regained
his voice. "Forgive me, Miss Dashwood… I could not
get my sister out of the room once I realized you were here…were
you very uncomfortable?"
"No…"
she said with a sharp tone to her voice. "I have some experience
of being under tables…"
"I beg you
pardon?"
"Oh, never
mind. When did you realize I was here?"
"When Susan
spoke of the atlas…"
"Oh! I thought…"
She paused and blushed. "Forgive me, Mr. Price. I thought
you were toying with me…I thought you knew where I was from
the first…"
"No…I
assure you…"
The lady smiled.
"Then you are a gallant gentleman. Since the door is open,
may we start again?"
William bowed. "Lieutenant
William Price, Royal Navy, at your service."
The girl made her
curtsy. "Miss Margaret Dashwood of Barton Cottage."
"I am sorry
to have startled you. I am sure it is my fault you took refuge
under the table."
"Well, yes…but
I thought you were your uncle and I thought he would just be
a moment…I was lying on the floor, you see…it was silly,
I must admit…"
"Oh, no…it
was perfectly understandable. I understand you are friends with
my sister, Susan."
Margaret blushed.
"She is too kind…you must not believe half of what
she told you…"
William grinned.
Before he could stop himself he blurted, "Miss Dashwood,
I am a good brother...I am prepared to believe anything my sister
says about you." His first clue that he might have gone
too far was when Margaret's eyes went wide. Fool! How could
I say such a thing? I have embarrassed her! "Oh…Miss
Dashwood…I must beg your forgiveness again… I have
embarrassed you…I did not mean… I am so sorry…"
She looked at him
with a strange expression. "Mr. Price…I must ask you…what
is it you did not mean?"
William turned positively
red. "I…uhhh…I mean…" The lady waited
expectantly. "I did not mean to…to embarrass you."
It was the lady's
turn to blush, but she smiled a little too. "Mr. Price,
I think its time we removed ourselves to a more public place,
do not you?"
Over the weeks that
followed, William and Miss Dashwood would walk in the mornings
though the gardens of Mansfield Park. They were always accompanied,
usually by Susan but sometimes by Mrs. Dashwood or Fanny or Mrs.
Julia Yates, who returned to her ancestral home for a visit with
her husband, the Hon. John Yates. William could not dislike the
fellowship offered by his sisters or the other ladies - they
were all very pleasant - and he knew he should not be alone with
Miss Dashwood, but the desire for private time with Margaret
(as he always thought of her) was ever present and growing. He
knew he was in danger, and that his consistent attentions to
the young lady would soon reach a point where he must either
declare or distance himself.
Neither choice held
much attraction. For the former, while he greatly esteemed -
nay, loved - Margaret Dashwood, he was but a poor naval lieutenant
just made (temporary) Commander. His income, a bit more than
eight pounds per month, could not provide the kind of life to
which a gentleman's daughter was accustomed. He had a bit of
money set aside, but the Funds provided only another five pounds
monthly (and that only should he withdraw it, rather than allow
it to turn over). Less than £175 per annum (assuming he
remained employed) - for such a lady - it was preposterous.
However, his heart
rebelled at the latter choice. William had never before met a
woman who so suited him. She was very pretty, to be sure, and
she seemed to enjoy his company. What enthralled him was that
their minds seemed so well attuned. The two spent hours discussing
the far edges of the world. She was an enthusiastic audience
whenever he related the details of his adventures and, he could
listen for the rest of his life to her concise, often humorous
observations. He knew he should give her up, but he feared that
should he do so he would never be whole again. Therefore, he
did what most men in his situation would do - he enjoyed the
lady's company, putting off the inevitable.
It was during his
third week at Mansfield that William found himself walking in
the hedge garden in search of Miss Dashwood. Master Adam at the
Parsonage had demanded much of his uncle's attention that morning
and he was behind his time. He had not been in the place long
when he heard a woman exclaim in distress. Quickening his steps
he soon beheld Mrs. Yates sitting on a bench with a cross expression
on her face, a letter opened beside her. She was not his intended
prey but a gentleman he must be.
"Cousin Julia,
I hope I do not disturb you," he said as he approached her,
tipping his hat.
"William!"
she exclaimed. "No…while I was not expecting anyone,
it does not follow that your company is unwelcome." She
smiled and made room for him on the bench. "It is just as
well - we have not had much time to talk, you and I. May I say
again how well you look? I am so glad of this chance to deepen
our acquaintance, and John joins me in this sentiment."
"You are very
kind, cousin. Allow me to thank you for your kind attentions
to my sisters Fanny and Susan."
"Oh - there
is no need for thanks there, William! It is we Bertrams who owe
you Prices our thanks, and gratitude too."
"Oh, this is
too much, Julia…"
"Is it too
much to speak the truth? Why this letter is proof enough…"
She lowered her voice. "It is from my Aunt Norris."
William became uncomfortable.
Mrs. Norris, one of the three Ward sisters, had removed to whatever
household Sir Thomas had set up for his wayward eldest daughter,
Maria. Before then, the childless widow of The Reverend Mr. Norris
had resided at Mansfield, applying all of her unhealthy maternal
instincts into spoiling the children of her noble sister Maria
Ward Bertarm (Lady Bertram). Apparently her familial affections
were limited in scope - she despised the children of her younger
sister, Mrs. Frances Ward Price. "What does my aunt have
to say, Julia?" asked the sailor.
"I cannot tell
- I refuse to read it. I have not read a letter from my aunt
these four years."
William was astonished.
"Indeed?"
She gave him a slight
smile. "I do not have to read it. Before I gave up all correspondence
with her, all she wrote about was how ill-used her 'Dear Maria'
was - oh, I could just scream!" She shook her head. "Thoughtless
Maria! Heartless Aunt Norris! Will I never be free from them?"
Julia paused, gathering her emotions. "John saw how unhappy
the letters were making me and suggested that I not read them.
How wise of him! At home these poisonous messages are easily
avoided - John receives the mail and intercepts and burns these
foul communications!"
"You speak
strongly, cousin."
"Yes, I do…I
do hope I do not offend…but it is because of them my happiness,
and the happiness of all here was endangered!"
"May I be of
service?'
"Forgive me,
but may I ask a small thing? Please take that letter away and
destroy it. I admit I have not the will to do so and not read."
William took the
letter and placed it in his pocket. "It shall be done directly."
"Oh, thank
you, William. You do me a great favor." She grasped William's
hand. "Have I told you how much I am happy to have Fanny
as my sister, and thereby you as my brother?"
"As for me,
I thank you. It is a joy to know you think so of Fanny, for I
value her very highly."
Julia smiled. "As
does Father - she is the daughter he has always wanted."
At William's alarmed look she continued. "Do not be distressed
- I feel no envy. She is a good teacher - she shows me how I
should honor my family; and I have grown to love her too. Dear
Fanny - who could not love her? No one with a heart, I dare say.
Shall I tell you about Mansfield, cousin?"
"If it would
comfort you, Julia; I am all attention."
"Thank you.
I usually confess these thoughts to John or Edmund - Lord; they
must be weary of me by now! Mansfield Park is a lovely house,
but for most of my life it was not a happy home. Father was always
busy, Mother was…well, Mother. And Aunt Norris was left
to shower us with bad advice. No wonder we grew to be as thoughtless
as we did. Only Edmund escaped our idleness…he and Fanny."
She bowed her head.
"I was not as kind to Fanny as I should have been when she
first came to us, nor for many years after. It was not intentional,
mind you, we just…forgot her. I fear she was more servant
than family…Aunt Norris saw to that, I now see. But I should
have been better. I should have seen Fanny for who she is: good,
kind and wise. She alone saw the Crawfords for who they were!
All the rest of us were blind as bats! And when…Maria…oh…"
she broke down.
William handed Julia
his handkerchief. He remembered how shocked he had been when
he had heard that his cousin Maria had abandoned her husband,
Mr. James Rushworth of Sotherton Court, for the protection of
Mr. Henry Crawford. The scandal and subsequent divorce had been
the talk of London society for some time. It had not been long
before Crawford grew tried of his paramour and Maria had been
left on her own. Sir Thomas had set up a household for her in
a far-away country town but had refused her admittance to Mansfield
Park. Mrs. Norris had railed at his Lordship's determination
- somehow she had blamed Fanny for the disaster, for Fanny's
refusal to marry Henry Crawford when asked had caused Maria's
folly in her mind - and had flown to her beloved Maria's side.
It was there the family expected they would punish each other
in mutual unhappiness.
Finally Julia regained
control. "Forgive me my outburst, but Maria's actions could
have ruined us all! If John had not taken pity on me - oh, loving
generous man! I am sure I would have never married else. And
with my aunt gone, it was as if a cloud was lifted from Mansfield
and the sun shown through - and that sun was Fanny! Father is
so much happier now. He has helped John immensely - the estate
is in far better condition than ever. Tom is now what he ought
to be; he is such a comfort to Father. And Edmund - ha, there
is a love match. He is not so gloomy now, is he? And a baby -
Father quite dotes on Adam, does he not? He will be the heir,
should Tom not marry. Would that not be a good joke - oh, how
Aunt Norris will rail about that! If only John and I would be
so blessed…" They had lost two children to miscarriages.
"Ah…'tis God's will. Anyway, Mansfield is the happiest
home imaginable - it is full of love. And it is all because of
the Prices: Fanny, Susan and you."
"Say no more,
cousin and sister. I am happy things are as they should be."
"Well, maybe…"
she said with a gleam in her eye. "Fanny has been rewarded.
And Susan has lessons every day from the best of tutors. How
shall we reward you? Hmmm…."
A small frown creased
William's brow. "Julia…?"
"I know - we
shall just have to get you married!"
"Julia!"
"But to whom…?
Has to be someone here…who is available…?" She
was smirking now.
William jumped to
his feet. "Julia, please…"
"Oh, don't
go all missish on me…I know you admire the lady…"
"Julia…"
William pleaded again. What if Margaret should hear?
"And I know
she admires you, too…"
What? "I do not understand your meaning,
cousin."
"'I do not
understand your meaning, cousin'. Bah! A likely story! You have
been paying decided attention to Miss Dashwood for three weeks!
Do not take me for a simpleton! Look me in the eye and say you
do not admire her!"
Trapped, William
could say nothing but the truth. "Miss Dashwood is a very
lovely lady - who would not admire her? But I am afraid you read
too much into the situation…"
"And how is
that?"
William had been
struggling with his thoughts and feelings for three weeks with
no counselor to comfort him - he did not feel he could confess
his desires to Fanny. The temptation to share his burden was
too great. "It is useless! What can I - a poor lieutenant
- be to her? It is impossible!"
"What do you
mean, William? Do you speak of money?"
"Yes, of course!
I cannot afford to marry - especially a gentleman's daughter
such as Miss Dashwood."
"Do you like
her?"
William looked down.
"I like her very well, indeed."
Julia looked at
him with a puzzled expression. "But nothing is easier! Father
would help..."
"NO! Julia,
please understand…Sir Thomas has been so very kind to my
family - too kind already to me. But I cannot be a man and keep
taking his charity. I must make my own way in the world."
Julia was puzzled
- her husband certainly did not shirk from accepting any aid
he could from his father-in-law. Perhaps it is a Naval thing.
"Well, if you are so set upon it… For my part it seems
unnecessary, but I shall say no more on the subject. She is young
- not quite eighteen…"
"I know…"
"Young enough
to wait…"
"Julia!"
"I will say
no more! I think I shall go inside now, brother. Enjoy your walk."
She rose and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for
your service."
"Julia,"
he begged, "You won't say anything…about…"
"My lips are
sealed." Wait until Fanny hears about this! With
that she walked down the path.
William sat on the
bench considering all that had been said. He hoped rather than
believed that Julia would keep his secret. He rose and began
walking in the opposite direction. He had gone but a few steps
when he heard a step on a path close by. Peering through a hole
in the hedge he saw the back of Miss Dashwood as she walked quickly
towards the house.
Good Lord! Had
she overheard?
The next day William
could not go on his accustomed walk, as he had agreed to go shooting
with the men of Mansfield. It was a prosperous outing - William
bagged his share of the birds - and all walked back to the main
house in good spirits.
As they approached
they noted that Fanny and Julia were entertaining Mrs. and Miss
Dashwood in the rose garden. As Tom and John bragged of their
prowess with their shooting (Tom has bested Yates by one bird)
William shyly grew near Miss Dashwood. "Good day, Miss Dashwood.
I am sorry I could not take the gardens with you today. You see
how I was spoken for."
The lady seemed
very nervous - her eyes were very wide. "Thank you, Lt.
Price. I hope your hunt was profitable?"
Before William could
respond, Tom broke in. "Profitable, Miss Dashwood? Oh, my
yes. Such good shooting I have not had in some time. And my cousin
did the Navy proud, I can assure you. Ha, ha! He did not tell
me that shooting cannons at the Frogs was such good practice
for bird hunting!"
"Yes,"
replied Miss Dashwood in a slightly low voice. "I imagine
Lt. Price can achieve anything his heart desires, should he put
his mind to it." The shade from her large-brimmed hat almost
hid the blush that covered her cheeks.
Lt. Price could
say nothing - but his heart sang.
The remainder of
his days at Mansfield had passed pleasurably. Each day he had
walked with Miss Dashwood and some of his relations - sometimes
in the woods or fields, but mostly in the vast gardens. William
began to note that their chaperones invariably outstripped them
or lagged behind, so the two had found themselves quite alone
for large portions of their strolls. He and Margaret fell into
easy conversation about Dorsetshire or Mansfield or some of the
places the gentleman had seen in his profession. Neither had
talked of anything of importance - it had been the presence of
the other that was sought. The daily walk had been the highlight
of William's day.
Soon, all things
must end, and before either had been ready the day had come for
their last walk. On the morrow Lt. Price would have leave to
take up his command in Lyme. This walk had been different - the
easy conversation gone, unsettlement filled the air. Sure enough,
Mr. and Mrs. Yates had stopped along the way, for the stated
intention of more closely observing a lily.
William had been
miserable. He was leaving the next day, but did not know what
to say to Margaret. He could not write to her - that would be
highly improper with no understanding between them. Would he
ever see her again? Would she want to see him? Since her bold
complement William had received no other encouragement from the
lady. Had he read too much into her?
It had been the
lady who broke the uncomfortable silence. "I understand
you are to leave us tomorrow," she had said.
"Yes; I am
to Lyme to take up my first command."
"Does that
mean you are a captain?"
"I shall be
called thus, but my rank will only be Commander."
"I don't understand
- how is it you shall be called something you are not?"
He had smiled. "'Tis
the custom of the Navy, Miss Dashwood. All who are in charge
of a vessel are called 'Captain'; but that does not make him
a Post-Captain, which is the actual rank of one who may be given
a post-ship - a frigate or ship-of-the-line."
"It is confusing,
I must say."
"I cannot disagree
with you. When do you return to Dorsetshire?"
"We leave a
week Tuesday."
"Traveling
must be enjoyable, but I am sure that you look forward to home."
The lady looked
away. "Dorsetshire is not my home - it is only where I live."
Recalling Sir Thomas'
tale of the Dashwood's plight, William could only murmur, "I
understand."
"It is quite
all right; I have learned that one place is like another. It
is why I long to travel. I shall make the world my home."
Is she trying
to tell me something again?
his heart had asked. Before he could think further, he saw that
Margaret looking at a rose on a bush near them. "Do you
fancy that rose, Miss Dashwood?"
"Oh yes - it
is lovely."
William had immediately
pulled his folding knife out of his pocket and with a quick flick
of his wrist had cut the stem free. As he had handed the flower
to Miss Dashwood their hands had touched - an electric charge
ran through him. He had looked into her eyes and saw them grown
large again - beautiful chocolate pools that threatened to pull
him in. William had been unable to move - to breathe - he could
only stare into her lovely face, framed by those bountiful curls.
An impulse had taken
over his body. "Miss Dashwood, may I ask a favor of you?"
"Yes, Mr. Price?"
"May I…if
it is not too much to ask…might I trouble you…for but
the smallest lock of your hair?" His world was one large
soft brown sea. Without a word, Miss Dashwood had turned and
lifted her hair up to him. With trembling fingers he had carefully
cut free a few precious strands. Folding his knife and putting
it away, he had removed his handkerchief and placed the lock
of hair in it. He had folded his treasure and returned the package
to his pocket.
When he had been
able to look at Margaret Dashwood again her eyes were not only
large but shining as well. For the first time he had noticed
her lips, moist and full of promise. All he had been able to
think about were those lips. Only with a supreme effort had he
been able to seize control.
"Thank you,
Miss Dashwood…that was very kind…"
"You are welcome,
Mr. Price." A pause. "You must get lonely aboard ship.
My mother asks if she may write to you - would that be welcome?"
"That is uncommonly
kind. I would be happy to receive a letter…from your mother…and
I shall write as well…"
"My mother
would enjoy that very much…as would I…"
The two, running
out of things to say, had only looked at each other, until the
noise of the approaching Yateses had brought them to their senses.
"Our party approaches, Miss Dashwood."
"So it seems.
Shall we return to the house?"
"As you wish."
The next day William
had stood before the carriage, wearing for the first time his
Commander's uniform, taking the farewells of the Bertrams, Yateses,
Dashwoods and his sister Susan. Even Lady Bertram had bestirred
herself to journey to the Parsonage to take leave of her nephew.
"My daughter
tells me you would not object if I write to you, Mr. Price,"
Mrs. Dashwood had told him.
"It would be
a pleasure to receive a letter from you ma'am - a great pleasure
indeed."
She had given him
her hand. "It would be a pleasure and a privilege, sir.
Safe journey."
Turning to Margaret,
William had only said, "It was a pleasure making your acquaintance,
Miss Dashwood. I hope we may meet again."
Once again her eyes
had grown large and deep. "I look forward to that, Mr. Price,
as I do to news of your continued success and advancement
in your profession. Godspeed, Captain Price."
William had blinked.
"T-thank you, but I…I am not a captain yet, nor am
I aboard my ship or taken command of her, Miss Dashwood. Customarily
I am not referred to as 'Captain' until then."
A small smile. "'Twas
practice, sir. Farewell - Captain."
In that instant
William had known that Margaret Dashwood had heard the whole
of the conversation between himself and Julia Yates. A clearer
sign could not be given: She would wait for him. Only
half his mind had been on the remainders of his farewells - until
Mrs. Yates had kissed her cousin and whispered, "Do you
like your reward, William?" Pulling back he had seen the
twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
He had smiled and
whispered back, "Very much."
"God bless
you, my love," cried Fanny. A few more kisses and handshakes
and he had been in the carriage, leaning halfway out, waving
to all, but looking only at a curly-haired girl with the most
beautiful brown eyes…
March 1815
Lt. William Price
sighed as he put the letter away, with all the others, and pulled
out his locket. When he had arrived in Lyme, before even reporting
to his command, he had visited the first jeweler he could find
and purchased a locket and chain to safeguard his treasure. For
almost a year, in all weathers, he had kept that little bit of
Margaret Dashwood against his breast.
When his command
was over and he was transferred back into the Laconia,
he reverted to his rank of Lieutenant and removed one epaulette
from his coat (commanders wore two, like captains). He had expected
it - few received promotion from peace-time work. Now, sailing
with Captain Wentworth again, he was doubly intent to show his
worth and earn his promotion - and, perhaps, the hand of the
owner of the curls next to his heart.
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