Pirates and Prejudice

by Louise, Kara

  “If only your cousin had been a more sensible man.”

  Mr. Bennet laughed. “Yes, if only. I cannot think of one sensible man in my family. Not that I know them all, mind you.”

  They rode a bit longer in silence. Elizabeth had never once thought about what might have been different had Mr. Collins been handsome and sensible. She may have been more than pleased to accept his offer of marriage.

  She glanced at her father and wondered of his thoughts. Did he regret not having a son or not putting away a good sum of money as a handsome dowry for his five daughters? She never really saw him worry. She imagined her mother did enough worrying for the two of them.

  “Well, Lizzy, there were no stormy seas or pirates,” he said after a while, conveniently changing the subject. “Will not your mother be most disappointed?”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I believe, Father, that the journey was so calm, that even Jane would have managed nicely.”

  “Ah, yes! She just may have,” he answered. “But then, there is always the journey home.”

  *~*~*

  They reached the top of the hill and looked out over the vast ocean and rocky beaches on one side, and heather-filled fields on the other. Wisps of clouds were strung across a deep blue sky, seemingly content to remain where they were and enjoy the view below. Elizabeth did not think she had ever seen anything so beautiful.

  The carriage slowed down, and both Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth looked out the window. “Ah! I believe we have arrived.” Mr. Bennet took in a deep breath. “Are you ready, my child?”

  “I believe I am; but are you, Papa?”

  Mr. Bennet tightened his fists and rubbed his thumbs and fingers together. “Yes, Lizzy. The only other alternative is to turn around and return home, and I will not do that.”

  The carriage door opened, and the two stepped out. Someone must have been watching for them, for as soon as they had taken a few steps towards the house, two young men hurried out, followed by a tall gentleman.

  Elizabeth smiled as she realized it was her uncle and his twin sons. As her father extended his hand to his sister’s husband, Elizabeth watched, eager for a sign in his features of the condition of his wife. As she watched them converse, she felt someone take her hand. She turned to see a young lady smiling at her.

  “Melanie!” Elizabeth said, grasping her hands. “I would recognize you anywhere, even though it has been almost ten years!”

  “And I you!” Melanie replied. “I am so glad you have come.”

  “I am, as well, but pray tell me, how is your mother?”

  “Only fair. She is inside. She does not get around easily, never goes outside, and stays either in her room or in the western sitting room.” Melanie bit her lip and squeezed Elizabeth’s hands. “We do as much as we can to make things easy for her.” A tear slid down her face.

  “I am so sorry, Melanie. I know my father cares deeply for her.”

  “And she feels the same towards him. Her spirits have been so improved since hearing that he was coming!”

  Elizabeth greeted her uncle, Henry Clower, and noticed the fatigue in his eyes. She felt the grief that was reflected on his face. She then greeted Melanie’s brothers, Martin and Adam, who were four years younger than she was. Elizabeth remembered them as being quite young when she saw them last, and now they were turning into very nice looking young men.

  They walked into the house, Elizabeth keeping an eye on her father in case he needed her at his side.

  They were immediately ushered into the sitting room, where they saw a small, frail woman sitting in a chair. She had been watching for them and came to her feet when they walked in.

  Mr. Bennet walked towards his sister with his arms outstretched.

  “Viola!”

  She embraced him as tears trailed down her face. Elizabeth marvelled at how much the two resembled each other. She had not recollected that when they visited all those years ago.

  “Now, you must sit down!” Mr. Bennet admonished her.

  “I am not that much of an invalid, Brother!” She looked up into his face as if to etch his features in her mind for all eternity. “You look exactly as I remembered!”

  “Ha!” laughed Mr. Bennet. “And you were always the tease!”

  She turned to Elizabeth. “And my lovely niece! Elizabeth, how good of you to come. I know you and Melanie will enjoy each other’s company.”

  Viola coughed into a handkerchief and waved at the chair. “I think I will sit down now.” She lowered herself into the chair and took a few sips of water from a glass on the table next to her.

  She looked at her husband with an almost apologetic smile. “Henry, will you please make the introductions?”

  There were several other people in the room. Elizabeth looked around, not recognizing anyone, but noticing a young man standing across the room whose eyes rested on her.

  “I believe, Edmund, that you remember your cousin, Jenny Adams?”

  Mr. Bennet nodded. “Certainly! It is because of her that the two of you met!”

  “Hello, Edmund. And do you remember my husband, Calvin? I believe you met several years ago.”

  “Calvin and Jenny have been so kind as to come,” Viola said. “Our two families have spent a good deal of time together over the years.”

  Mr. Bennet extended his hand. “It is good to see you again, Adams. It has been many years, but I do recollect when you and Jenny passed through Hertfordshire. That was over twenty years ago, before any of our girls were born.”

  “Indeed, it was!” Mr. Adams exclaimed. “And our David was barely walking around!”

  Mr. Adams waved his son over. “David, this is your mother’s cousin, Edmund Bennet, and his daughter, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

  The young man, whom Elizabeth had noticed earlier, smiled, stepped forward, and extended his hand to Mr. Bennet. “It is a pleasure, sir.” He turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, if I had known I had such a lovely cousin in Hertfordshire, I would certainly have gone out of my way to pay a call.”

  Elizabeth was flattered. “You are very kind, Mr. Adams. I would have liked that very much, and I have four sisters who certainly would have enjoyed it, as well.”

  “Please, Miss Bennet. We are cousins. You must call me David.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “And you must call me Elizabeth.” Elizabeth felt a blush warm her cheeks, and she turned away. His manners were certainly amiable; he had an intelligent look, a ready smile, and was tall and rather handsome. His family seemed warm and open. Elizabeth bit her lip as she considered that her father may have a sensible – and rather suitable – relative after all.

  Chapter 6

  After four days of loathsome preparation for his role as a pirate, Darcy grudgingly donned the wardrobe that he had earlier refused to wear. He walked to the mirror and looked in dismay at his reflection. The clothes he saw on his person were suited for the most flamboyant pirate, definitely not for him. He grumbled as he beheld the loose white shirt with billowing sleeves, the bright red sash about his waist, a double breasted jacket with large gold buttons, and boots with garish bronze buckles. His hair now hung in loose coils that peered from beneath the tri-corn hat and almost touched his shoulders. His beard and moustache were nearly as thick as his hair, but fortunately, not as curly. Despite the warmth of the day, he was tempted to don his oilskin coat just to conceal his ridiculous appearance.

  Before venturing out to be seen by anyone in this outlandish garb, he sat down at the desk. It had been far too long since he last penned a letter to his sister. He was uncertain what he should say to her, but he knew it must be written before they set out for the ship.

  He dipped the quill in the inkwell and put it to the paper. Usually the words flowed as easily as the ink flowed from the pen, but this day they did not. He knew any hint as to what he was about to do would worry Georgiana.

  He perused the letter once he had finished it.

  My Dearest Georgiana,

  I hope you are findi
ng great enjoyment in your summer stay at Pemberley thus far. I trust you have been able to pull yourself away from practising on the pianoforte to enjoy some walks about the grounds with Mrs. Annesley and have had the opportunity to visit with some of your friends.

  Regretfully, it shall likely be another few weeks before I return. I have been visiting with acquaintances just outside of London and shall return to my town home in a little over a week to meet with my steward to discuss some matters. I shall then return to Pemberley as quickly as possible once my business is complete.

  I hope, dear sister, that you will forgive me for such neglect. I shall be home shortly and will explain fully what has been taking up so much of my time. I greatly look forward to our reunion.

  Until then,

  Your loving brother

  He read it several times, hoping he had not written anything that would alarm his sister. She knew him so well, and he hoped any indication of his former state of mind or his present circumstances would not find its way to her. Once satisfied, he folded the missive, sealed it with wax, and addressed it to Pemberley, Derbyshire.

  Darcy picked up the one last piece of his pirate’s wardrobe: a thick gold chain from which hung a large ruby surrounded by gold nuggets. He twirled the chain around his fingers a few times, and then clasped it tightly. He refused to slip this around his neck.

  When he stepped out of his room, carrying both the letter and the ruby, he came upon Evans.

  “Whoa! I ken’t believe me eyes! It’s Lockerly fer sure!”

  Darcy held out his letter. “Ev… Ellis, would you be so kind as to have this letter mailed?”

  Evans leaned in towards Darcy. “Would I what?”

  Darcy closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. “Would ye see that this ’ere letter be mailed?”

  Evans took it from Darcy. “O’ course.”

  “One more thing, Ellis.” He held out the ruby, dangling from the heavy gold chain. “You really expect me to wear this? I could never wear something this pretentious!”

  “I’m sorry?” Evans replied. “What was that ye said? I cuddunt quite unnerstand ye with those big words ye use.”

  Darcy let out a huff. “I can’t wear this! I could never wear somethin’ as appallin’ as this!”

  “That is much better, Lockerly. Yer speech ’as so much improved. But, aye, ye must, for you, Lockerly, are known for wearin’ precious jewels that you have seized!”

  Their eyes locked in a gaze, and Darcy tugged at his beard. “I fear Lockerly is bein’ a bit more cautious about the jewels he used to flaunt until he knows he ken trust ’is crew. He will not be wearin’ it.” He held out his hand, and Evans took the jewelled chain from him.

  Evans chuckled and shook his head. “If ye insist.”

  *~*~*

  Darcy, Evans, and Lindel set out soon after to meet up with Foster. Evans and Lindel had also dressed in their pirating attire. Unlike Darcy, however, they wore the same tattered clothes they had worn the first day he met them, but added loose caps that drooped over their forehead. Darcy wished that Lockerly did not dress so outrageously. While he might wear something like this to a masquerade ball, he felt completely ridiculous walking about in such attire! He had earlier hoped no one would recognize him when he walked the streets of London in such an appalling state; now he desired that to an even greater degree.

  In addition to the way he was now dressed, Darcy was expected to continually display the most shocking manners, talk like the lowliest of miscreants, and master a walk that included a lowering of his right shoulder, a long stride, and resting his hand lightly on his sword, sheathed in a leather baldric which hung from his shoulder. He absolutely refused, however, to limp!

  Evans leaned towards him. “Lockerly, ye ’ave proven yerself quite well in acquirin’ da style an’ manners of a pirate, but ye ’ave one fault!”

  Darcy looked up. “An’ what is that?”

  The two men looked at each other, and Evans continued. “When ye find yerself in a situation in which ye feel uncomfortable or surprised, ye forget everythin’ we have worked so hard to teach ye! Ye say everythin’ the wrong way.”

  Darcy kept his eyes on Evans, but all he could see was the anger in Elizabeth’s face as he stumbled over his words in his disastrous proposal. He had taken the time beforehand to think about what he wanted to convey to her and how to express his love. When he actually had begun talking, however, it had proven to be more difficult than he had imagined, and nothing seemed to come out right! When she had refused him, his shock at her response made his ability to speak even more of a challenge.

  As he focused back on Evans, he nodded. “We can only hope, then, that nothin’ will ’appen that will throw me back to me ol’ ways!”

  “Aye,” Lindel agreed with a laugh. “We ken only hope.”

  Evans and Lindel had received word from Foster that the ship was ready for them. He hoped they were ready, as well. The ship was docked in a rather remote bay along the English Channel. It was nearer to Brighton than London, as Foster hoped Lockerly was still in the vicinity.

  It took about four hours to make the journey. As the carriage turned off onto a secluded road, Darcy saw the masts of a sailing ship moored at a small inland dock. They could not see the English Channel at all, as it was hidden by large trees.

  When Evans and Lindel saw the ship, they each let out a surprised gasp.

  “He got it!” Lindel said.

  “Got what?” Darcy said. “What is it?”

  “He actually got Lockerly’s ship. ’Tis the Devil’s Seamaiden, it is.”

  Darcy looked back at the ship, a feeling of dread rising within him.

  Evans slowly shook his head. “Lockerly ain’t gonna be happy if he hears ’bout this!”

  “But it might be the thing to bring him right to us!” Lindel added.

  When the carriage came to a halt, the men stepped out. Lindel took in a deep breath and said, “An’ so it begins!

  *~*~*

  Foster rushed over to greet the two men. Darcy barely recognized him. He had a good four-day growth of beard and was dressed much like Evans and Lindel, but in place of the loose cap, a bandana was tied about his head.

  “Well, if it ain’t Lockerly!” Foster smiled at Darcy, giving a nod to his clothes, and then turned to a small group of men, calling out, “’Tis Lockerly! Our Cap’n be finally here!”

  Darcy grimaced, took in a deep breath, and then stepped over to Foster, mimicking the walk he had perfected over the last few days. He patted the hilt of his sword with his right hand and asked, “Is this motley group of boys me crew?” A scowl seemed permanently etched on his face.

  Foster smiled and nodded. “A shoddier group of miscreants you’ll not see.”

  “Why does that not relieve my apprehensions?” Darcy asked softly.

  Foster waved his arm through the air. “No need to worry, though we do need a few more men. But tell me, before I introduce them to ye, ’ave my two men wiped clean every evidence of polite society from ye? I dun’t have to fear something proper inadvertently tumblin’ out, do I?”

  “’Tis my hope not to ’ave that ’appen!”

  “Good! Come then, Lockerly. I’ll take ye to yer new crew. They hold ye in the highest esteem. Yer reputation is known far an’ wide.”

  Darcy shot a menacing glare at Foster.

  As the group of four men walked towards the young men who had gathered in front of the ship, Foster whispered under his breath. “Remember, my name is Forrest, and these two are Ellis and Lansing.”

  “Yes, I’ll remember,” Darcy said.

  The four men walked up to the ship, gathering the men around them as they did.

  “Men!” Foster said, extending his arm towards Darcy. “Meet the illustr’ous Cap’n of the Devil’s Seamaiden! Lockerly ’as come!”

  Darcy stepped forward and eyed the men who eagerly formed a line and eyed him back. He stood taller than all of them. One hand patted his sword while the other rub
bed his bearded jaw.

  “I hope ye turn out to be better at sailin’ than ye are at dressin’!” Darcy bellowed as he glanced out over the men. He then waved a hand down his own clothing and said, “But ye have my respect, as ye must know that I am Lockerly an’ must appear to advantage over the lot of ye!”

  Foster, Evans, and Lindel chuckled softly, feeling quite proud of Darcy’s transformation.

  “I’ll have ye come up one at a time so as I ken meet ye!”

  He nodded his head towards Foster, Evans, and Lindel to join him, for his two companions needed introductions, as well.

  Darcy decided to take a somewhat aloof demeanour as Foster introduced him to each man. He wanted to personally scrutinize each one under the guise of feigned disinterest. It was not that he did not trust Foster, but he felt he might notice something that Foster perhaps had missed. If he suspected any of these men had violent tendencies or might know he was not Lockerly, he would dismiss the man.

  The men were all young. Foster had been right in his assessment about who would show up to join Lockerly’s crew. As he heard each man’s story, many were the same, coming from poor families and having no trade and no source of income.

  A scrawny young man, who looked not a day over eighteen, came and stood before the men.

  “Me name’s Michael Jenkins. I’m eighteen, the youngest of seven children. Me two older brothers work for me father in his milliner shop, but he can’t afford to hire me. He tol’ me to find meself work. So when I hears about this, I said to meself, I could do that!”

  He paused, as if unsure whether to say any more. Darcy casually nodded for him to continue.

  “I ken sew. If sails tear or if clothin’ needs fixin’, I ken do it.” The young man smiled weakly.

  “Good!” Darcy replied. “Yer prob’ly someone we ken use.”

  Edward Webber stepped forward and introduced himself. “I growed up in London. Me father passed on a cupla months ago. I need to help me ma out. I dun’t have no sailin’ experience, but I learn quickly and I ain’t afeard of nobody.”