| Subject: Pride : last chapter |
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rooster dawn
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Date Posted: 13:13:00 08/24/08 Sun
Title: Pride
Author: rooster dawn
Alternative Universe
Summary: Harm and Mac act out Pride and Prejudice
Disclaimer: JAG is property of Belisarius productions, no copyright infringement intended.
Pride & Prejudice is the property of Jane Austen
(first known as First Impressions)
: Warner Brothers 1940
: BBC 1979
: Arts and Entertainment Network/BBC co-production 1995
: Universal Studio 2005
no copyright infringement intended.
Please let me know what you think, it’s the only way I can write better stories for you.
Epilogue
30 June
Rosings
It had been a week since baby Mike was born. He had come a week early. It seemed that he was in a hurry to see the world which pleased Harriet. She was tired of carrying around the extra weight and little Mike abusing her insides.
Sarah, as promised, was there with Harriet when she gave birth. It was a happy day for all. Even Mr. Collins seemed to be happy as he waited on Harriet hand and foot. He didn’t seemed to be the fool anymore.
Lady Catherine had come to visit several times. She wanted to make sure Harriet was alright and was being taking care of properly. It had been a long time, but she remembered the effects of giving birth had on the mother. Harriet was like a daughter to her.
Sarah was surprised that Lady Catherine had invited them to Rosings for dinner. She had boycotted her wedding to Darcy last winter. She barely acknowledged her existence last spring when she and Darcy stopped in on their way back to Pemberly.
They had traveled for three months across Europe. Sarah had never seen so many wonderful sights. She was so happy. She wanted to make peace with Lady Catherine. She tried to reassure Lady Catherine that Darcy would visit more often now that he was married.
She believed in spending time with family. She also knew how lonely Lady Catherine was. She knew Lady Catherine loved Darcy like a son. She knew how much Lady Catherine enjoyed having company.
“I want to thank you Sarah for coming for a visit and staying here for the last two weeks. You have kept your promise of having Darcy visit more often. I can see that you make him very happy.” conceded Lady Catherine.
“I’m the lucky one. Darcy has made me very happy. We plan on staying for another two weeks. We hope that you will come and visit with us at Pemberly in the fall.” replied Sarah.
“I always loved Pemberly. It has been quite awhile since I last visited. Renee has always been a little frail to be traveling long distances, though she appears to be much healthier this year.” sighed Lady Catherine.
“I think the Colonel might have something to do with that Ma’am. She’s in love with him. He’s been here at Rosing much more than in the past. I understand that they are to be married.” replied Sarah.
“Yes, yes, Renee is very happy that Colonel Fitzwilliam has been staying here with us. They are talking about a spring wedding. She wants you to be her maid of honor.” conceded Lady Catherine.
10 March
Newcastle
Nine months later Mr. Turner and his regiment were sent to France to fight in the war against the French. It had left Mattie very lonely. She had nothing to occupy herself so she decided to write Sarah a letter.
Dear Sarah:
My Turner has been sent off to France to fight in that awful war. Don’t they know that he is married and has a wife to entertain. What if something were to happen to my Turner? What would I do?
I’m at my wit’s end here. I have nothing to do. There are no parties to attend. Most of the other wives have gone home to their families. Those that have chosen to remain here are old and don’t seem to want to have any fun.
I have written home to father about going home for a visit and staying until my Turner returns, but he doesn’t write back to me. I don’t know what to think. Please Sarah, will you talk to him for me.
Sincerely, your loving sister
Mattie Turner
Before Mattie heard back from Sarah she received a letter from the Army. Her husband, Mr. Turner, had been killed in action. Mattie was shocked to hear the awful news. What was she going to do?
He had been in France for many weeks before he was killed in action. It was reported that he had saved the lives of many men as he and a small platoon had held off the French while the rest of his company retreated. He died a hero.
With her husband dead Mattie decided that there was no reason anymore for her to stay there in Newcastle. It was time to return home to her family home in Hertfordshire, to Longbourn.
She went to the bank to withdraw her money. She was shocked to find that the account had only a few schillings left in it. She didn’t have enough money to get herself home. She wrote a letter to her father asking him to come and get her.
17 March
Longbourn
A week later Mr. Mackenzie received the letter from his daughter Mattie. He was kind of surprised to see one from her. She only wrote a letter when she wanted something.
Dear Papa:
I am writing this letter to you to let you know that my husband Mr. Turner was killed in action last week in the great war between England and France. He died saving the lives of many men in his company. Since he will not be returning here to Newcastle I have decided I want to come home.
Unfortunately I have no money to purchase passage on a carriage. I miss all of you very much and hope that you will be kind enough to come and get me or send me some money so I can arrange for a trip home.
I love you Papa.
Your loving daughter
Mattie
Mr. Mackenzie looked at the letter with a stun look. Of all the mitigating gall, she wanted to come home. Longbourn wasn’t her home anymore.
She had decided last year that she was old enough to get married without asking permission. Well then she was old enough to take care of herself. She had been given a large enough dowry when she got married, that of ten thousand pounds.
What she had done with her dowry wasn’t any of his concern. She would have to find her own way in life with no help from him. She wasn’t his responsibility anymore.
He sent a letter back to her telling her that she was on her own. If she was old enough to get married, then she was old enough to take care of herself. He would not be sending her any money nor would he be coming or sending anyone to retrieve her. She was on her own.
24 March
Newcastle
Mattie was surprised and quite disappointed when she read her father’s letter. She had always thought that her father would be there for her in her times of need. What was she to do? She decided to write another letter to her sister Sarah.
Dear Sarah:
I am writing to you to ask you for your help. Not long ago my Turner was sent to France with his regiment to fight in the great war. After a few weeks of fighting I was notified that he had been killed.
I wrote to Papa asking him if I could come home. He told me no. I have no money Sarah. I don’t know what my Turner did with the money I received as a dowry. I don’t know what to do Sarah, can you help me?
Your loving sister;
Mattie Mackenzie Turner
27 March
Longbourn
Sarah was away from Pemberly. She was visiting with Jordan. Darcy needed to go to town for a week to conduct some business. Jack had gone along with him to conduct some business of his own.
Sarah thought this would be a good time to visit with her family. She didn’t get to see them very often since she was living so far away. She took every opportunity to visit with them.
Sarah read the letter from Mattie over again. She didn’t know what to think. Her sister was in need of help, why hadn’t Papa gone and gotten her or at the very least sent Hill to get her? She didn’t understand. She showed the letter to Darcy when he returned.
“We need to do something. Can you send someone to get her?” Sarah asked Darcy.
“I’ll send Higgins to get her. Do you want me to take you to Longbourn to talk with your father?” asked Harm.
“Yes, thank you. I just don’t understand why he won’t do anything. I thought he loved her.” wailed Sarah.
“I’m sure he does Sarah, but you know as well as I do that he wasn’t very happy with her when she ran off last year and married Turner. She was much too young to be getting married. Turner should have asked your father and gotten his permission to marry her.
They should have been on the up and up with everyone. Turner should have made sure that she was taken care of before he left. Then again maybe he did, but Mattie didn’t do what she was suppose to do.” replied Harm.
“While you are talking with your father I will return to town and see what I can find out. I know he didn’t spend all the money or gamble it away. I was in constant contact with his CO.
He told me Turner was a model officer while he was in Newcastle. He didn’t gambled and was a good husband to your sister. Maybe he transferred the money to an account at the bank in town before he left.
It would have been the prudent thing to do before he left. I doubt that your sister would have been able to handle their affairs after he died.” offered Harm.
Later that day Sarah and Jordan arrived at Longbourn while Darcy continued on to town. Her family was quite happy to see her. It had been three months since they were all together last.
“Papa, why haven’t you gone to Newcastle and gotten Mattie?” asked Sarah angrily.
“What’s wrong with my baby girl?” screeched Mrs. Mackenzie. This was the first time she was hearing of this.
“Her husband died in the war a couple of weeks ago. She has no money to come home. Papa won’t go and get her.” replied Sarah.
“That’s right, I won’t. She thought she was too old to ask me for permission to run off and get married. By geezers, then she’s old enough to take care of herself.” confirmed Mr. Mackenzie.
“But Papa, she’s all alone. She needs our help. She’s our sister. Please Papa.” pleaded Jordan.
“No, I won’t. I won’t have it. You can help her if you want you, both have the means to help her, but I won’t have any part of it. I won’t have her living here. She made her choice when she married that no good SOB.” replied Mr. Mackenzie as he walked out of the room to his library.
“What are we going to do?” wailed Jordan.
“I asked Darcy if he would send someone to Newcastle to get Mattie and bring her back to Pemberly if Papa decided not to do anything. He’s in town now trying to find out if Turner transferred the money to a bank in town.” replied Sarah.
31 March
Netherfield
A few days later Mattie arrived at Netherfield. Darcy’s man Higgins had gone to Newcastle to get her. It was a long trip and Mattie was happy to be back in Hertfordshire with her family.
She wondered why Higgins hadn’t take her to Longbourn, the family home. She was happy to see her sisters again. She had missed them so much.
“My baby is home!” cried Mrs. Mackenzie.
“Hi Mama, where’s Papa?” asked Mattie.
“He’s at home Mattie. He still unhappy with you.” replied Mrs. Mackenzie.
“But why Mama?” asked Mattie.
“Because you ran off and got married last year without thinking about the repercussions. You thought you were too old to ask him for his permission to get married. If so then you should be able handle your finances and take care of yourself.” replied Mrs. Mackenzie.
“Where am I going to stay then?” asked Mattie.
“That has yet to be determine. It all depends upon whether or not Mr. Darcy finds out what Mr. Turner did with your money. If he finds it, you can get a place in Meryton if that is what you want. Otherwise you might have to live with Jordan or Sarah.” moaned Mrs. Mackenzie.
She didn’t like the idea that her little girl wouldn’t be coming home to live with her family. Mr. Mackenzie had put his foot down and wouldn’t be changing his mind.
Later that afternoon Darcy arrived at Netherfield. He had spent a couple of days checking out the banks and other institutions that Turner might have put Mattie’s money. It took awhile, but he finally found the money.
He took the money out of the account in the form of a bank draft and close the account. He brought it with him to Netherfield. He didn’t know what Mattie’s plans for the future were. He didn’t want to take any action until he talked it over with her family.
“Did you find out what Mr. Turner did with Mattie’s dowry?” asked Sarah.
“I did Sarah. I talk to the owner of the credit union. He told me that Turner transferred the money to his credit union because he was going to France to fight in the war. He thought Mattie would be moving south to join her family.
He didn’t think his wife was old enough or mature enough to handle the transaction. He wanted to make sure she was taken care of.” replied Harm.
“That was nice of him. I’m surprised that he didn’t run off with it.” Sarah commented sarcastically.
“He was in the regulars. One can’t just take off like they do in the militia. Besides I know his Commanding Officer. He promised me that he would keep a very close eye on him.” explained Harm.
“So what now? What are we going to do?” asked Sarah.
“I think it’s up to her family to decide what to do. She’s much too young to be on her own. She has proven that over the past year. I think your father should make the final decision.” offered Harm.
“He doesn’t want to see her. He doesn’t want her living at Longbourn.” moaned Sarah.
“He’s just angry with her Sarah. We both know that he loves her and only wants what’s best for her. I’ll talk to him. Every thing will be all right Sarah.” sighed Harm.
“She can stay with us if need be?” queried Sarah.
“If that is your desire, but I’m sure that won’t be necessary. I’m sure your father will allow her to stay at Netherfield or in Meryton close to her family and friends. Your mother will want her close by.” smiled Darcy
2 April
Longbourn
Darcy went to Longbourn to talk with Mr. Mackenzie. He was sure that he could convince him to see his daughter and not let her be an outcast to her family. He was a reasonable man. He knew his family would want their sister to be with them.
“Sir, I have come to talk to you about your daughter. She wishes to come home.” Darcy announced his purpose for the visit.
“She ran away and got married. She thought she was too old to get her parents permission. She’s not welcome back here.” replied Mr. Mackenzie.
“I have found her dowry Sir.” Darcy informed him as he gave Mr. Mackenzie the bank note.
“This changes nothing Mr. Darcy. She left, Jordan and Sarah are married. Jennifer and Chloe are happy and behaving as two fine young ladies. I will not have that disrupted. They are receiving more attention from their mother and life around here is more peaceful.” answered Mr. Mackenzie.
“So what do you want Mr. Mackenzie? Where would you like her to live?” asked Darcy.
“Doesn’t matter to me. I told you before, she doesn’t need my permission to live wherever she wants.” replied Mr. Mackenzie.
“Papa, she much too young to live by herself. You know that. She’ll only get into trouble Papa living by herself. Think about Jennifer and Chloe’s reputation. They will be guilty by association.” argued Sarah.
“She’s not my responsibility anymore. When Mr. Darcy gave her a dowry when she married Mr. Turner he accepted responsibility for her. It’s up to him to make arrangements for her well being.
If you both think she’s too young to live by herself then you and your sister will have to decide who will take her in. Though I believe your mother would prefer that she live at Netherfield with your sister.
She could visit her often and Mattie would still be near her friends and family.” conceded Mr. Mackenzie.
5 April
Netherfield
Darcy and Sarah went back to Netherfield to talk with Jordan and Jack. They had a conversation about the possible living arrangements for Mattie. It was agreed that if Mattie so chose, she would live at Netherfield to be close to her family and friends.
Of course if she wanted to, it would have been okay if she wanted to live at Pemberly with Sarah and Darcy. They then went to Mattie to tell her, her options.
At first she was upset that they hadn’t talked to her. She didn’t like the fact that they were treating her like a child like the Burnetts had done last year. They assured her that wasn’t the case.
They wanted to give her choices. They didn’t want her to make a choice and then be disappointed if that choice couldn’t be realized. One such choice was going back home to Longbourn. Their father had decided that wasn’t an option.
After hearing what her options were and giving each option much thought, she decided to stay at Netherfield with Jordan. She wanted to be close to her family. She had missed them when she was away. She also held out hope that in time her father would welcome her home if she showed the proper contrition.
The End
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