| Subject: Pride : part 20 |
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rooster
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Date Posted: 14:34:54 02/11/08 Mon
Alternative Universe
Summary: Harm and Mac act out Pride and Prejudice
Disclaimer: see prologue
Author's note: went to post yesterday, but the site XZbtyhWk. Some answers, some adjustments, some realizations, and a father daughter moment(not in the movie)
part twenty
Thursday
5 August
Longbourn
The Mackenzie girls were waiting as patiently as possible for news of their sister Mattie from their uncle, Mr. Burnett. They hoped that nothing bad had happen to Mattie and that Mr. Turner had done the right thing and married their sister.
It had been almost a week since Mattie had run away. They feared the worse as time passed. Where was she? Why hadn't she been in contact with the Burnetts? They couldn't understand why Mattie hadn't stop in and seen them.
If they truly were going to get married, why were they hiding in town? Were they afraid of what Mr. Mackenzie would say? Were they afraid he wouldn't let them get married? Why hadn't they kept in contact?
They tried to keep themselves busy, but no amount of work could take their minds off their sister. Why hadn't she been in contact? She had left a letter with Mrs. Foster when she left Brighton.
Sarah and Jordan were cutting some flowers in the garden to display on the different tables throughout the house when Mrs. Hill came up to them.
"What is it Hill?" asked Jordan.
"I come to ask about the letter." replied Hill.
"What letter?" asked Sarah.
"The letter from Mr. Burnett that was delivered to the Mr. Mackenzie a half hour ago." replied Hill.
Sarah and Jordan dropped their things and went looking for their father. Surely he must have read the letter by now. They looked in the house, his library, and then to his favorite spot by the lake. They saw him pacing back and forth.
"What is it Papa? What did uncle have to say?" asked Jordan.
"He's found your sister and Mr. Turner." replied Mr. Mackenzie.
"Are they married?" asked Sarah.
"You can read the letter." replied Mr. Mackenzie as he handed the letter to Sarah.
"He found Mattie and she is safe. They aren't married yet, but they soon will be if father agrees to pay Mr. Turner one hundred pounds a year." read Sarah.
"Is this true Papa? You're going to agree aren't you?" asked Jordan.
"Yes, yes, I must. It's a small price. Mattie spends almost that amount as it is. I'll hardly be much worse off." replied Mr. Mackenzie.
"It says here that Mr. Turner is to resign his commission from the militia and accept a commission with the regulars. How can Mr. Turner accept only one hundred pounds a year?" asked Sarah.
"I'm sure your uncle must have paid out a large sum as a dowry for your sister, which I'm not sure how I can repay." replied Mr. Mackenzie.
"How much do you think he had to pay?" asked Jordan. She was a bit confused about everything.
"He must have paid Mr. Turner at least ten thousand pounds." replied Sarah. She knew his history of going after women of small fortunes.
Friday
6 August
Longbourn
Mr. Makenzie spent most of Thursday afternoon and Friday morning going to the different creditors in Meryton to pay off Mr. Turner's debts. They weren't as bad as he thought they would be.
When he was finished he retired to his library to relax and have a talk with Sarah. He hadn't seen her in nearly four weeks between her trip with the Burnetts and the week he spent in town looking for his wayward daughter.
"I'm sorry that I haven't been able to spend any time with you Sarah. This thing with Mattie has been very upsetting to your mother and me. How was your trip? Your aunt told me you made it to Pemberly." smiled Mr. Mackenzie.
Sarah wondered what her aunt and uncle had told him. She could sense her father was in a playful mood to tease her. Mr. Darcy was a popular subject with him. Her aunt had noticed her with Mr. Darcy and wanted to talk to her about Mr. Darcy.
She had tried to keep her answers to her aunt's inquiries to a vague manner. She didn't want her aunt to know how she really felt about Mr. Darcy, but she suspected her aunt knew anyway. If she had talked to her father, how would she be able to deny any involvement with Mr. Darcy.
"It was a very pleasant trip Papa. We saw many beautiful manors and scenic vistas." replied Sarah not wanting to volunteer any information.
"I'm sorry it had to be cut short. Maybe Mr. Darcy will invite you to visit Pemberly again." smiled Mr. Mackenzie. It felt good to smile again.
"He wasn't supposed to be there. Aunt Marie wanted to see it. She said he wouldn't be there." wailed Sarah.
"It's okay to see him Sarah. No one is saying you have to marry him, but you have become part of his circle of friends Sarah. You've seen him here, in Kent, and now in his own environment at Pemberly.
It is okay to like him Sarah. It's okay to like the attention he gives you." smiled Mr. Mackenzie.
"He was so different at Pemberly Papa. He was such a generous host. He even went fishing with Uncle Edward." replied Sarah.
"Did you like it there?" asked Mr. Mackenzie. Mrs. Burnett had told him all about how much Sarah liked Pemberly. She even hinted that Sarah might be in love with Mr. Darcy.
"Pemberly was very beautiful. I have never seen a more beautiful place in the world." sighed Sarah.
"Sounds like you may have found someone to love and married." smiled Mr. Mackenzie.
"Papa!"
"What? Your aunt told me that he is well respected and loved in Derbyshire. He is good looking and quite rich. You'll never want for anything. It's just as easy to love a prideful rich man as any other man." smiled Mr. Mackenzie.
"Papa!"
Comings and goings
Wednesday
11 August
Longbourn
A few days later Mattie arrived home with Mr. Turner. He had resigned his commission with the militia and with the help of Mr. Darcy, he had received a commission in the regular army.
Though he wasn't exactly please with the idea of being in the regulars, it did wipe out all the debts he had accrued over the last couple of years for which he was grateful.
The unfortunate part as far as he was concerned was, now he would be a part of an organization that would required much stricter discipline on his part. If he screwed up now, they would throw his butt in the brig for twenty years, not escort him gently out of the service.
He was also married to a young woman, a child to be more precise. While he love the exuberance of young women, it could be quite trying when it was twenty four seven. They seemed incapable at times of entertaining themselves. Mattie was no exception.
Mattie was excited when she arrived back home. She was the first of the five Mackenzie girls to be married. The fact she was the youngest and the first to marry made her feel very special and self important.
She was totally unaware that what she had done had cause such great anxiety and turmoil for the rest of her family. She didn't realize that her actions had placed a black mark on the family fortunes for her sisters, and they wouldn't be held in as high esteem as before.
All she knew was she was happy. She was married to an officer, her Turner. What more could she want in life? She didn't understand that her life would be forever changed. She wouldn't be living with her sisters anymore.
She would be living very far away from her home and family with a man she hardly knew. If things didn't go well, there would be no one there to rescue her. She didn't realize her life wasn't going to be about going to parties every night.
There wouldn't be any more flirtation with the officers. There could only be one man in her life now. She didn't realize that she was going to be lonely and that Mr. Turner didn't really want to be married.
As for Chloe, she had thought what had happened to Mattie was wonderful. She had gotten her officer. Unfortunately for her, her father's thinking was not the same as hers. Since her way of thinking was similar to Mattie's, it was in need of some major realignment.
Since Mattie was married and would not be returning to live at Longbourn, Chloe would be doing Mattie's morning chores in addition to her own. After breakfast Jennifer would read to her from Fordyce's Sermons for one hour each day.
This would continue until she was able to demonstrate to him that she understood the contents of the sermons. He loved listening to Jennifer as she read. She had an amazingly beautiful voice. She was maturing quickly, if only she would stop singing.
Chloe would not be allowed to go to Meryton unescorted anymore. She was not allowed to go anywhere where there were officers.
She would not be allowed to attend any Assembly Balls until she first learned how to conduct herself properly like a young lady. There would be no more running about half cock. There would be no consumption of any alcohol.
Jordan and Sarah would see to her training in this matter since Mr. Mackenzie doubted that his wife was capable of teaching her the proper conduct for a lady in high society.
Friday
20 August
Longbourn
The Mackenzies were sharing a last meal together with Mattie and Mr. Turner before they left for New Castle in the north. There was a buzz around the table as several conversations were going on at once.
Mattie was quite happy to be leaving to start her new life with Mr. Turner. During the meal she would sneak a sip of wine from Sarah's glass. This made her happier, but it also made her ditzy and caused her to have a loose tongue.
She was talking with Sarah about the day leading up to her wedding when she blurted out a secret she wasn't supposed to tell to anyone. But she didn't care because she was happy.
"Aunt Marie was such a pain. All she wanted to do was lecture me about getting married and the duties of a wife thereafter. I tried to tune her out as much as possible. I didn't care anything about what she was saying.
I was just worried about who was going to give me away. Uncle Edward was busy running off to do business. I didn't think he was going to be there to give me away, but I finally realized, I didn't need to worry.
Mr. Darcy was there, he would have given me away and be the best man for my Turner. Though I don't know why he was there. I thought Mr. Darcy and my Turner didn't get along." smiled Mattie.
"Mr. Darcy was there?" inquired Sarah.
She began to wonder what it all meant. Was there a possibility after all that she hadn't lost his respect? Could they still be together? Was it possible that she might see him again?
They had gotten much closer at Pemberly during the few days she was there. There was a much better understanding between them. She liked the side of him that she saw at Pemberly.
He had been such a gracious host and gentleman. He had welcomed her family into his home and had introduced her to his sister. He was becoming the type of man she could fall in love with.
Why was it that he made sure Mr. Turner married her sister? He was under no obligation to do so. Did he do it for her? Jordan would have thought so if she knew. Maybe there was hope afterall that she might see him again.
"I wasn't suppose to tell you he was there. It was supposed to be a secret." laughed Mattie as her head began to spin from drinking too much wine so quickly.
Tuesday
1 September
Netherfield Park
Jack was very nervous. For the first time in nine months there was hope that he could be with Ms Jordan. He had finally had a long talk with Darcy a week ago when he got back to town.
Darcy had told him he had made a mistake about advising him about not seeing Ms Mackenzie. Darcy admitted that it wasn't his place to tell him who he should or shouldn't see. If he thought Ms Mackenzie was the woman for him then he should see her.
He was please that Darcy had taken back his objections. His sisters however were another story. They still didn't think he should be involved with Ms Mackenzie because of her family. They thought her family to be uncouth and socially inept. They were beneath their social standing.
They pointed out that Ms Mackenzie's family was of the professional class, it was hardly worthwhile marrying into their family. Jack had to point out to his sisters that they too were from the professional class.
They happened to have been more fortunate than Ms Mackenzie's family, the Burnetts and the Phillips. If anything marrying into the Mackenzie family would move them up in social status. Mr. Mackenzie was afterall of the Gentry class, the same as Mr. Darcy.
"But they're socially inept." whined Allison.
"I'll admit their conduct could have been better at the ball that I hosted, but I've also seen them in their own environment. They are good honest people. Mrs. Mackenzie has always been a very gracious host whenever I have visited Longbourn in the past." replied Mr. Keeter.
"That's only because she wants you to marry her daughter Ms Jordan." argued Allison.
"Very true, but I also know you have said you liked Ms Jordan. Besides I like Mrs. Mackenzie. She is a lovely lady with many good stories to tell. She loves her children and has instilled that same love into Ms Jordan.
I love her and she'll make a good wife. And if she will forgive me for my incomprehensible behavior these last nine months, I'm going to ask her to marry me. I will not hear any more about it Allison, I've made up my mind." he told her.
Allison wasn't very happy with this turn of events. She liked living in town. She had many friends in town. While she like Netherfield manor itself, she didn't like the Meryton community. There were very few people she envisioned herself socializing with.
Jack used the excuse that it was hunting season to return to Netherfield. He would get the lay of the land and find out more about Ms Jordan. If there was one thing he was sure of any information he needed could be had in Meryton.
Saturday
5 September
Longbourn
After a few days of hunting quail with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Boone, Jack got up the courage to visit Longbourn. He managed to convince Darcy to go along with him though Harm didn't need any convincing.
Darcy had wondered why it had taken Jack so long to decide to visit Ms Mackenzie. Darcy wanted to go to Longbourn too. It had been almost two month since he had last seen Ms Sarah.
He was still in love with her. If anything that love had grown even stronger when she was at Pemberly. He had seen a change in her too. He could see that her feelings were different, but how different were they?
Did she still resent his interference with her sister's life? If he corrected that mistake would she allow herself to love him? If he brought Jack with him to Longbourn, would it matter?
She had been right about one thing, his behavior had been sorely lacking any social etiquette while he was at Netherfield, Meryton, and Rosings.
He had to admit that making an effort to be more of a gentleman and being more sociable in general had indeed made things much easier between them at Pemberly. The time they spent together had been better than he had dared hope.
The more responsive he was to her, the more it allowed her to relax. Her beautiful and wonderful personality took over and she was quite comfortable with him. Conversations weren't force, but natural.
His cousin had been correct. That given time Ms Sarah's feelings towards him would change. All women wanted to be loved. He had told her he loved her. She had had the time to process that and was more than receptive to his attention.
It had been a wonderful day. She had been skittish at first, not that he blamed her. They hadn't separated under the best of circumstances. He was happy though that she had welcomed his attentions when he showed her family the proper respect that a gentleman should.
During their trip from Netherfield to Longbourn Jack rehearsed what he was going to say to the Mackenzies and to Ms Jordan. He wanted to apologize for leaving when he did and for not staying in touch with her.
He wanted to apologize to her for not telling her that he wouldn't be returning to Netherfield. He had been raised better than that. It wasn't a gentleman like thing to do.
Darcy told him not to worry. He knew from Ms Sarah that Ms Mackenzie was still in loved with him and thought about him everyday. He was sure that if Jack showed the proper remorse, she would probably accept him back into her life.
Jack was please to hear that. He had missed being with Ms Jordan. He had never met someone who made him feel the way she did. She was very special. She was the perfect woman for him and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
Longbourn
Meanwhile Mrs. Mackenzie was going off on another one of her tantrums as Sarah, Jordan, and Jennifer were either knitting or reading a book. They were trying to tune their mother out, but it was very difficult since she was screeching.
Mrs. Mackenzie was upset that Mr. Keeter hadn't visited Longbourn yet. It had been almost a week since he had returned to Netherfield. She had hoped Mr. Mackenzie would have gone to Netherfield to invite him to Longbourn, but he had refused to do so.
"What's the matter Mama?" asked Jennifer. She could never understand why her mother was always so hysterical. She wondered what exactly had set her mother off this time.
"Mr. Keeter has been at Netherfield for five days now. He hasn't come to visit once. I asked your father to call on him, but he said he wouldn't. He said calling on Mr. Keeter didn't do any good last year so he won't visit him again this year." whined Mrs. Mackenzie.
"Mama, Mr. Keeter has rented out Netherfield for a year. He should be able to stay in a manor he has rented without telling everyone what his plans are." moaned Sarah.
"Besides, I thought you didn't care what Mr. Keeter did. Isn't that what you told Mr. McGregor last week?"
"Don't you vex me Sarah. I get enough of that from your father. If you remember last year before Mr. Keeter left, I invited him here for dinner. It's an obligation I intend to keep." replied Mrs. Mackenzie.
"Mama, I'm sure Mr. Keeter is going to visit us soon. When I saw him six weeks ago he asked me how my family was. He then asked me about my sisters, all my sisters." hinted Sarah.
"You saw Mr. Keeter! Why didn't you tell me? Where did you see him Sarah?" screeched Mrs. Mackenzie. She wondered what had come over Sarah. Sarah used to tell her everything. Now it seemed Sarah was keeping secrets from her.
"I saw him at Pemberly. He and his sisters were the guests of Mr. Darcy." Sarah began to explain before her mother interrupted and began screeching again.
She wondered why she was telling her mother any of this, Sarah knew her mother wouldn't be able to understand. She didn't understand it herself. For even though there was a time she didn't like Mr. Darcy she always thought of him as a friend and craved his attention.
"You saw Mr. Darcy! That pompous arrogant judgmental bastard!" screeched Mrs. Mackenzie as she bounced about the room.
"Mama, please! Aunt Marie wanted to see Pemberly. She grew up only five miles from there. She said she had never seen Pemberly before. Mr. Darcy wasn't suppose to be there Mama. He was supposed to be away, visiting his friends.
If he had returned a few hours later we wouldn't have seen him. He was a very gracious host Mama. He went fishing with Uncle Edward. He invited us to dinner tree times while we were in Lampton. He has a beautiful sister a year older than Mattie." explained Sarah.
"I don't care anything about his sister, he slighted you Sarah. I can never forgive him for that." she replied.
"Mama, he has already made up for slighting me many times over. He danced with me at Lucas lodge. He danced with me all night at the Netherfield Ball. He put up with me staying at Netherfield for a week.
He has apologized to me several times for saying I was only tolerable. He didn't like Mr. Keeter trying to set me up with him. He likes to get to know people in his own way, at his own pace.
I saw him almost everyday at Hunsford while I was visiting Harriet. He really is a nice man Mama. He just makes a poor first impression. He finds it hard talking with people he doesn't know." explained Sarah.
"You saw him at Hunsford? Why didn't you tell me Sarah? No wonder why you were so melancholy for weeks after you returned home." whined Mrs. Mackenzie.
Exactly how many secrets was Sarah keeping from her? Why did Sarah keep on telling her that she didn't like Mr. Darcy when she kept on spending so much time with him?
"I didn't want to upset you Mama. I know you don't like him, but for some reason that I don't completely understand he seems to like being with me." replied Sarah hoping to calm her mother.
She didn't want to tell her mother the real reason why she had been sad, that Mr. Darcy had asked her to marry him. She was surprise that her mother didn't hear that Mr. Darcy liked her very much.
"Well if he comes to visit with Mr. Keeter I'll be nice to him." replied Mrs. Mackenzie. She wondered what had gotten into Sarah. She never liked Mr. Darcy before. What had happen to change her?
At that point Chloe came running into the house. She had seen two men riding up to the house. One of them she recognized as Mr. Keeter. The other one she wasn't quite sure who he was, but she knew he was a friend of Mr. Keeter.
"He's coming, he's coming!" shouted Chloe a little out of breath.
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