Section I,Next Section
Part 1
Posted on Friday, 1 January 1999
Here is a little story we've written for the greater good of Henry Crawford. Our thanks to Annie for such a good idea in her earlier story "Trapped at Netherfield" that we've put to our own use here. The humble authors would also like to dedicate this story to Xenia, for her many good Crawfordite stories-may everyone enjoy!
In the era of the 1990s, there is little opportunity for a young girl to reach the status of Heroine-at least, so it seemed to Melissa Carrington. She was an intelligent girl of some wit and understanding-enough understanding to realize that if she wanted to read interesting books, she should most definitely read Jane Austen.
Jane Austen was her favorite author, and most definitely the creator of her favorite heroines. She always longed to be able to have the liveliness of Lizzie, the cunning of Emma, the good-naturedness of Anne, the depth of Elinor, and the good humor of Catherine. But most of all, she longed to have the strength of Fanny Price. Mansfield Park, somehow, had managed to become her favorite Jane Austen story, and she loved nothing better than to go to her favorite website, The Republic of Pemberley, and talk with her friends about how underrated the book was and what she'd have done if she was Fanny. "I would have beaten up Maria and Julia, and I would have bashed Tom in the forehead and I would have run away to Gretna with Henry Crawford myself, after having killed Pug and stolen Lady Bertram's sewing," she would boast to her fellow Crawfordites.
Obviously, she was a Crawfordite. She had read the book and enjoyed the characters, but none more than Henry Crawford. She was convinced that Crawford was the true hero of Mansfield, and she loved to be able to find people who agreed with her in this belief. It just so happened that at this moment in time that our story begins, she was rereading the book, thinking of how wonderful her darling Henry was.
She sighed as she reached the final chapter, flipping pages and only reading certain bits, being careful to avoid any mention of Edmund Bertram and Fanny in romantic bliss. When she reached the part that began "Henry Crawford, ruined by early independence and bad domestic example, indulged in the freaks of a cold-blooded vanity a little too long," her interest began to pick up, and she sighed once again at the tragedy of such a good man going bad.
"If only I could be in the book . . . I would make sure Fanny and Henry got together!" she sighed. Looking at the clock, she noted the lateness of the hour and with a yawn, eventually drifted off to sleep, a copy of Cecilia in her hand.
Suddenly, she was shaken, and she opened her eyes. They widened in shock: she rubbed her eyes, and looked again! No, nothing was different the second look: she was in a carriage that was jolting about, that was all!
She looked down, noticing that she was holding a copy of Cecilia in her hands still, but she was not in her nightgown. She was in a long dress of the Regency style; a speckled muslin that seemed a bit worn, but appropriate for travel. Looking about the dark carriage, she noticed a young man in fashionable clothes sitting across from her. He had dark hair and was rather plain looking, but had a nice smile on his face as he looked at her.
"Just a little while longer, Mary, and we will arrive at Mrs. Grant's parsonage. I cannot wait to see what kind of a man her Dr. Grant is-I remember him somewhat, and I hope my suspicions will be correct. But remember what I told you; I will not stay beyond a week. I have several girls pining for my arrival in Bath, and I cannot disappoint them, of course." His grin was that of a charming little boy, but it was not the smile that made her mouth drop open.
"Henry?" she said, amazed. Was this a weird dream? or was she sitting in a carriage with Henry Crawford?? She pinched herself to see if she was dreaming. She winced slightly; no, the pinch proved it. It was real, and she was on her way to making her grand entrance into her favorite book as one of its main characters!
Yes, it was real, and not just some passing reverie to soon be ended by an alarm clock, or a daydream only to be interrupted by the call of a spiteful teacher. After the initial shock of discovering herself thrown back into another era as a fictional character, Melissa was a little surprised to feel the carriage continue to shake beneath her in the realest of fashions, to see the clean English fields roll past her window, and probably most of all, to observe her very real traveling companion across from her, who was amused at her exclamation.
"And does my sister grow modest?" he laughed, "when I know you have been brooding the whole way about leaving your Mr. Hill! It is good it is only a week; I am sure that I will even miss the old dowagers at the pump room by the time a few days are over at the parsonage. Do you know how hard it will be to stay in the country after London and Bath? From what I hear, they are all provincials. No doubt we will be experts at milking cows and growing crops by the time we are back in Bath."
"Provincials?" Melissa, still dazed, finally managed to gain enough composure to listen and to speak. "Oh! they are not provincials, Henry! There are very grand people in their parish-some I think you would rather like," she said with a smile. Melissa found that she was sounding like Mary Crawford already.
Henry replied with a sort of muffled laugh.
"Well it is good you want to go, though a quarter of an hour ago you were as cynical about it as I am. How do you know I will like them? Did Mrs. Grant mention anything?"
"No, nothing at all. I've never spoken with her. . .since winter. I just know!"
"Well! Perhaps you need more sleep, Mary, or else Mrs. Grant will wonder how her sister grew to be so strange!" He said this with a playful smile, to which she answered with a fluster that maybe a little rest would be a good idea.
But sleep did not come to her as she settled her head against the seat and the window pane (uncomfortable things these carriages were! Hopefully this was not the celebrated Barouche!). Why could not I have been Fanny? she asked herself as she turned her gaze from the landscapes to Henry. Here I get a chance to be in my favorite book, with my favorite hero, and I end up as his sister! Certainly this was not the role she would play in her daydreams. She sighed to think how she could have changed the ending of the book if she had been Fanny; what a shock that lovely Gretna ending would give to all of the Republic of Pemberley's too-many Bertramites! Oh, it would be wonderful to change the last chapters of Mansfield Park to what they should have been when they were written almost two-hundred years ago. But what could she do as Mary Crawford? Would Fanny ever listen to her? Perhaps so, if she could make sure that everything began well . . .
"What are you laughing about?" asked Henry, smiling. "Does the parsonage seem that small to you?"
Melissa looked out to see that they had arrived at the house, a quaint little building surrounded by small trees, but she just as quickly glanced back at Henry.
"Was I laughing?" she asked with a cool toss of her head as she put on her gloves. "I hadn't noticed!" She did not care if she seemed crazy now, and eyed Henry with a determined smile: Dearest brother! she thought, I hope you are prepared for what is about to happen. This time the book will end well; I will make sure of that! And with a laugh, she hopped down the carriage step.
"Mrs. Grant!" she exclaimed, falling easily into the arms of her sister. She took a look at Mrs. Grant, and discovered she did not rather look like the woman from the movie, as Henry was much more handsome than Robert Burbage. Mrs. Grant was not black and plain at all-she was much more pale and fair, although more like mousy. Still, it did not take away that she seemed a very cheery person, and Melissa was disposed to like her.
She took a look at Dr. Grant, and nearly laughed. He was a fairly portly man with crumbs on his jacket front-obviously, he seemed to have just emerged from the dining room.
"Come in, come in!" motioned Dr. Grant genially, "We were just sitting down to tea! you must be weak and famished from your long journey!"
Melissa nodded earnestly in agreement with the good doctor and glanced over at Henry, who gave her a sly wink that nearly made her burst out into laughter. Forcing herself not to laugh, she quickly made her way into the house, where she sat down in the parlor next to Mrs. Grant.
Mrs. Grant quickly took her place and began to do the honors of presiding, while Melissa watched carefully. She knew that many times a girl would coze over a cup of tea with friends, and she personally had never drank any before in her life, much less poured. She watched as Mrs. Grant offered first to Henry, then looked to herself as she poured.
"Cream or sugar?"
She paused, not sure of what to take. What would Mary drink? she wondered fruitlessly. Luckily, Henry interjected for her.
"My dear sister, Mary usually has some milk with it."
Mrs. Grant obligingly poured a little in, and handed the cup to her. Melissa took it, her hands shaking. She quickly forced out her nervousness, and put the betraying saucer down. She took a sip of the drink, and nearly spit it out as promptly.
Ewwww! How could people drink this stuff?? she wondered for a moment, but quickly schooled her features into complacence.
"Did you both have a good journey?" Mrs. Grant murmured, pouring more tea for the Doctor.
"Mmm . . . yes," said Melissa, hoping this answer would fill in enough. She tried to remember what happened at this point in the book . . . Ah, yes! Mrs. Grant should tell us about her matrimony schemes. She quickly put the cup down, glad to be rid of it. "My dear sister, I must ask you a question. Since your home is so cozy, I must warn you that I anticipate staying quite a while. During this time, what do you have planned for our entertainment?"
Mrs. Grant nearly wriggled like an eager spaniel in her seat, happy to be asked about her plans. "Mary, I am excessively happy you have asked me that. I admit I have made schemes for you. You are so pretty and both of you so clever that I should like to have you about, and I have shamelessly contrived plans to bring your ultimate stay here of enduring length. The object is matrimony."
Melissa laughed, a coy look at Henry. "I am quite happy to hear your plans for us. I am properly inclined to matrimony and would like everyone married as soon as possible, if it can be done to advantage, but what about Henry? What shall be done for Henry? He is the most horrid flirt imaginable!-I should not like to see any honest girl at his mercy."
"Then it is quite a pity that you are at my mercy, my dear Mary," he said with a mock-serious face, shaking his head over her hard fate. "But really, I think Mrs. Grant will be more kinder than you. I am of a cautious temper, and unwilling to risk my happiness in a hurry. Nobody can think more highly of the matrimonial state than myself. I consider the blessings of a wife as most justly described in those discreet lines of the poet, 'Heaven's last best gift.'"
Melissa smiled. "Well, Mrs. Grant, I think he speaks well enough for himself-see how he dwells on that word, and how he cannot keep himself from smiling. But we shall teach him good sense well enough-I should like to hear your plans for him in any case."
"Well," began Mrs. Grant after quickly collecting the dishes from the table, "not only do I want to see you both married, I want to make sure that you marry someone here, so I can always have my dear brother and sister near me. I should dearly love to settle you both in this country."
"Ah, I do not know if you will achieve that," said Melissa. "We cannot even manage to settle Henry in London, and I have already heard his opinions on the low aspects of country life." Here she glanced at Henry, but smiled when she saw him laughingly drag his hands through his hair with an air of exasperation. "Still," Melissa sighed, "all that English abilities can do, has been tried already."
"Is this true, my dear brother? I cannot believe this of you! Then you do not like the country?"
"Indeed, I do!" protested Henry. "I like it very much; I must admit that I did not expect that I would, but I really do. You may remember that I am interested in general improvements-architecture, landscapes, and the like-and I was very impressed with the estates here-particularly one very close to here: a large house, white stone, windows of great size. . ."
"Oh! that is what I was speaking of!-Mansfield Park, the seat of the Bertrams (you may have heard of Sir Thomas Bertram, Baronet?). They are a very respected family, and therefore, Henry, I have decided that you shall marry the youngest Miss Bertram, a nice, handsome, good-humored, accomplished girl, who will make you very happy."
Henry's expressed gratitude for this scheme, Melissa sensed, was only an agreeable way of waving the subject aside. However, Melissa felt any talk of the Miss Bertrams rather an ill-omen, and soon turned the topic of the conversation to better fit her own plan:
"I have heard of your Bertrams, sister; I believe they were in London, though I never saw them. If I have it right, there are two daughters of Sir Thomas' along with a niece, a Miss Price?"
"Yes! then you know about them already?"
"I do," Melissa assented, "but I do not know many particulars on Miss Price. Describe her, pray . . ."
With a surprised laugh, Henry shot her a look that let her know that he knew what she was about, and shaking his head over the trials of being associated with meddlesome women, rested it on his arms upon the table. But he still looked up and attended to Mrs. Grant.
"Miss Price?" she said. "She is a very nice girl, to be sure, but there is not much to her."
"Is she pretty?" Melissa cautiously asked. Henry sighed and pretended not to hear.
"Yes, I would say that she is pretty. Fanny is of a sweet temper, but there are no great accomplishments to her name that I know of. And she is but a poor dependent. But I suppose that she will make a very good wife for a farmer, or a parson."
"And not for me," laughed Henry. He rose from his chair and affectionately patted Melissa's curls. "Dearest Mary, you would marry me to any woman you could find! I think I will go unpack before you come up with any more schemes."
"And now for you, dear Mary!" Mrs. Grant said once they were alone. "I have been very busy preparing for this long before you arrived. You do not think that my plans do not extend to you?"
"You mean . . . marriage plans?"
"I was thinking of no other!" gleefully admitted Mrs. Grant. She went on to tell Melissa that there was a young Mr. Bertram-well, two, really, but the elder was the one she had in mind; he was of more consequence-but that Mr. Tom Bertram would eventually inherit the estate and the title after the current Sir Thomas' death. "And he is a most agreeable young man," she added, "-very pleasant, good-humored, and handsome too, though probably not so much as the younger, Edmund. But Tom will be the better match for you. Your personality would most likely go best with his; Edmund is a little mild."
He sure is, thought Melissa, who was glad to be discouraged of any plans concerning Edmund Bertram, even though she knew that Mrs. Grant proposed the same thing to Mary Crawford in the book. In her eagerness to pair Fanny Price with Henry Crawford, Melissa had completely forgotten about the equally plausible match between Edmund and Mary. But surely that was Mary's doing, she thought to calm herself. Mary flirted with him enough to make the odious man in love with her for a time. I could never do that! No, unless she was driven to straits, Melissa would not encourage Edmund, though perhaps a little conversation with Tom would not be such a disagreeable task. There would be a suitable reason for it, too; it would be done to please her sister, of course.
"Then when will I be able to see your Mr. Bertram?" she asked with a smile.
"Tomorrow, if possible. Dear sister, you are most obliging . . ."
"I will not promise anything," Melissa laughed, "but I see no harm in a visit; certainly we must get Henry acquainted with the ladies of the house before it is too late!"
They both began to laugh, but Melissa was already thinking ahead. Her time spent in analyzing every facet of Henry Crawford's character had given her insight: if he were to get within 5 feet of those Bertram girls, 2 things would result. First, he would be motivated to stay at Mansfield for a while, which would be perfect for her schemes, but secondly, he would also be extremely motivated to flirt with Maria and Julia, which would be very bad. She knew that the one must be invited without incurring the other-but how to do it? She thought about the problem for a while, then remembered that Miss Price would probably be at the Park for her to meet as well. If she could become friends with Fanny, then it would be all the easier to make Fanny realize what a darling Henry was! She smiled, resolving at the party to do several things: one, avoid Edmund. Two, make friends with Fanny. Three, keep Henry from those nasty witches! She smiled happily, then began to relax. That night, she had happy dreams filled with Fanny and Henry getting married.
Part 2
Posted on Sunday, 17 January 1999
The next day, she awoke, smiling as she realized that she was still in Mansfield. I remember Annie's story, she mused, and I don't want to leave before I've even started! She quickly dressed and readied herself for the day with the help of a maid, and brushed her hair carefully, excited and unsure of what the day might bring.
When all ready, she looked in the small mirror with satisfaction. Melissa was not used to having so dark a complexion and hair so black, and was quite happy to have found Mary's bags filled with the current fashions of London. Though she was determined to avoid the youngest Mr. Bertram, Melissa still wished to please, and she knew that she could do nothing but in her dark red dress and bonnet with the scarlet plumes fitted over her dusky curls.
Henry was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs.
"There you are! Our sister will not be able to go with us today-baking keeps her, I think. I suppose that we must visit this marriage market with only our own judgment to guide us."
"Marriage market?" she asked with a laugh.
"Yes; is that not essentially what it is?"
"I am shocked, you odious boy!" Melissa cried, finding it hard to remain serious. Henry smiled and cordially offered her his arm, as they had decided to walk. Melissa, naturally, could not refuse (was this not every girl Crawfordite's dream?). As she slipped her arm through his, he took her hand and held it to the light of the sun.
"A new ring?" Henry asked, observing the strange, gleaming thing on her smallest finger. Melissa looked at it too, her eyes widening at the jewelry that would have looked far too modern for even the early twentieth century. Why is it still here? she wondered; why didn't I notice?
"Why, yes," she answered aloud. "How observant you are, Henry!"
"It is one of my greatest virtues."
"It is one of your only virtues," Melissa smiled.
Henry laughed. "Indeed, you are too hard, Mary!" And the subject of the ring was dropped. They continued to laugh and joke during the rest of the walk, and Melissa contrived to throw the ring from her finger before they reached the door.
Mansfield Park loomed ahead of them like a great, consequential palace. Melissa was very surprised at the grandeur of the building, but tried to swallow her nervousness. Mary Crawford would have thought nothing of it.
The maid let them in and showed them into a large hall, complete with high ceilings and gold trim. Melissa stood admiring it until she heard murmuring from the entrance, and saw a group of light-haired young people walk in. The first to catch her eye were the young men, blonde and handsome, though rather sulky in their countenances. Henry had already walked over to the two girls.
"We are visiting your neighbors, the Grants-I am Mrs. Grant's brother, Henry Crawford," he said with a bow, "and this is my sister Mary."
Melissa smiled, and repeating the actions of the two young ladies, offered her hand to the gentlemen.
"Pleased, Miss Crawford," said the youngest, gravely. "My name is Edmund; these are my sisters Maria and Julia, and my brother Tom."
Tom gave her a rather weak smile-dangerously close to a smirk-and bowed. Melissa was amused at this stiff action; where was the agreeable, reckless man she had read about? She shrugged her shoulders and sighed.
To her great annoyance, Edmund stood by her still.
"I had heard from Dr. Grant that you and your brother were coming," he said in his calm, unsmiling manner. "We are always in want of company here, so I thought the news very welcome indeed. It seems that our party grows smaller all the time, for my father-as you may know-is away, and my sister Maria is to be married shortly."
"How pleasant! Then I must speak with her!" cried Melissa. She quickly moved away from Edmund to the small group consisting of Henry and the Miss Bertrams, interrupting their laughter at the former's humorous story.
"Miss Bertram!" she said happily, "your brother informs me that you are to be married! You must tell me all about it, and with help from Miss Julia, too, of course!"
"Forgive my sister," Henry laughed, addressing the Miss Bertrams, "but she is a little too interested in anything that concerns marriage. Dear Mary, cannot you talk with them another time? We will have many more days, for I have now decided to stay beyond a week."
Melissa nervously laughed and went to sit down. Things were not going as she had planned. What else could she try? She would have to talk with Fanny, but where was she?
Edmund came to her side again, but instead of uttering a greater sigh, she got up from her chair with a smile.
"Mr. Bertram, could you kindly tell me where your mother is? I must compliment her on these exquisite . . . curtain tassels."
With a little surprise, Edmund guided her to an adjoining room, where Melissa knew Fanny would be located.
As she walked in the room, she saw a sleeping lady sitting upon the couch, a piece of sewing and a little pug dog on her lap and a bit of drool coming out of the edge of her mouth-obviously Lady Bertram-an another lady sitting in with sewing but more active, (Mrs. Norris!) and a young lady in a sprigged muslin who was bent over a piece of needlework. She smiled as she saw her . . . Fanny Price!
Edmund, who stood behind her somewhat stiffly, said quietly, "Fanny," and the girl immediately turned around to look over.
"Yes, cousin Edmund?"
"This is Miss Crawford, Fanny. She is the sister of Mrs. Grant. Miss Crawford, my mother Lady Bertram appears to be asleep, but I shall have the greatest pleasure introducing you to my cousin, Miss Price, and my aunt, Mrs. Norris."
"Miss Price, Mrs. Norris, it is a pleasure," Melissa said, curtseying gently with a warm smile on her face.
Fanny curtsied as well. "A pleasure, Miss Crawford." She looked up at Melissa, and a shy smile came over her face that brightened it, making the soft gray eyes sparkle. Melissa smiled widely-Will Henry be able to prefer the vulgarly colored Julia or the washed-out Maria to the gentle Fanny? I will make sure to point out her perfections well.
"It is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Crawford. I am sure dear Lady Bertram would extend to you her warmest greetings as well. Fanny, please stop shying so! It puts one quite out of patience-now, work on your sewing. You must excuse my niece, Miss Crawford, but she is inclined to laziness. She often will go walking alone, when she could have as good a walk to my house and could make herself useful-but she can spirited, and willful."
"I see-Miss Price, you have been an inmate here long? Mansfield is so filled with beauties, I do not know what to say. It must be easy to get used to such scenery around you."
"I have always thought Mansfield particularly lovely, Miss Crawford," said Fanny sweetly, taking her seat again. Melissa took one across from her, and to her dismay she noticed Edmund sitting next to her.
"I notice that you have some very fine walks about, Miss Price. I wondered if you would be able to show them to me some time-I usually reside in town, and so see little countryside, and none so beautiful as this."
"I would be happy to take you along some time, Miss Crawford," was Fanny's complacent answer.
Melissa was starting to get annoyed. She wanted to talk to Fanny alone, but Edmund showed no disposition to leave.
"Would you be able to show me them now, Miss Price? I admit I have a great inclination to stretch my legs, so you must forgive my impertinence in forcing myself upon you. Selfishness must always be forgiven you know, because there is no hope of a cure."
Melissa smiled in satisfaction as Fanny's face lighted up in a smile. "If Aunt Norris or cousin Edmund will sit here with Aunt Bertram, I should be delighted to show you several of our better groves."
"Why, of course, Miss Crawford! I can stay with Lady Bertram, and there is now need for such fuss! Go, child and fetch your shawl! Edmund and I will stay here, will we not, Edmund?"
Yes! Please do! thought Melissa happily, and was pleased when Edmund nodded. "If I can give you delight, Fanny, I will," he said seriously, and bowed to herself.
"It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Crawford."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Bertram. A delight, Mrs. Norris," said Melissa happily. She smiled at him-but not enough to encourage him! She waited as Fanny found her pelisse and her bonnet, and took her arm happily.
Fanny took her around to an orchard, joining in any praise of it with a smile-Yes, indeed the grounds were lovely; her uncle was so very good at hiring the gardeners, and the gardeners did manage to make the roses particularly sweet this year. Fanny, with lowered eyes, talked of everything with sincere praise, winning Melissa's liking immediately. How can so many people at The Republic of Pemberley hate this shy, simple girl?
"I spend a lot of my time here with my aunt," Fanny said, pointing to the small garden with the benches.
"But don't you ever go anywhere?" asked Melissa. "Surely you must visit?"
"Oh, no!" cried Fanny. "I cannot do that."
"Why not?"
Fanny hesitated. "I am too young, I think-and my cousins Maria and Julia go more than I do. But I don't mind!"
"I fear you are better than I am, Miss Price," Melissa smiled, "-I should be quite angry."
"No, I don't mind," repeated Fanny quietly. "I am sure I would not like it anyway."
"But you do not know that for sure!"
"No, but I am happy enough here. Everyone is so kind to me-especially dear cousin Edmund."
Melissa could not repress a groan. Poor girl! she thought. How like a fairytale! She is held back by her wicked step-sisters, and is wishing for her prince; only she thinks he is Edmund! But I will change that soon enough.
"Well then," Melissa said with a smile, "will you mind if I visit you? Now that I have heard that we will be here for over a week, I will be in great need of a friend-that is, if I may call you my friend?"
"Yes, Miss Crawford," happily smiled Fanny, "yes, of course!"
Before she could leave for the present, though, Melissa would ask one more thing of her new friend-if she was not too presumptuous as it was. Would Fanny consent to seeing her dear, charming brother? Fanny nervously glanced up at her and hesitated.
"It is only that Henry and I are very close, and we always make sure to introduce our new friends to each other." Melissa paused. "Do you have a brother, Miss Price? Ah, you do! Then surely you must know these sisterly feelings I describe?"
"Yes, yes. I am sorry, Miss Crawford! Indeed, I should be delighted to meet your brother."
The sun was setting as they walked in, but Henry was still talking with the Miss Bertrams. I should not have let this happen, Melissa sighed. Maria and Julia, however, had already taken to not liking Mr. Crawford's domineering sister, and walked away as soon as they saw her come in.
"Now, my dear," Melissa whispered to Fanny, helping her take off her bonnet without upsetting the smooth, brown hair, "you need not be nervous, for my brother is very good-rather like your brother, I would imagine."
"Like William," said Fanny with a smile. Melissa laughed and brought her over to Henry.
"Dear Henry!" cried Melissa when he turned to them. "I would like to introduce you to my new friend, Miss Price, who, I am convinced, is the sweetest girl in Northamptonshire!"
"No," blushed Fanny, "Indeed you exaggerate, dear Miss Crawford."
Henry took Fanny's hand with a smile. "On the contrary, Miss Price; my sister may have many faults, but her ability to compliment is not one of them. I will believe anything she tells me!"
Melissa shot him a thankful smile and quietly walked away from the pair, looking for a place to sit and for someone to talk to. She saw Edmund and Tom sitting on opposite ends of the room, and her decision was not difficult.
Obviously, she went to sit next to the next Sir Thomas. He stood up, looking at her. She sat down easily in a chair, and stretched out her legs. "I didn't realize how long your walks were! You have beautiful scenery here at Mansfield, Mr. Bertram."
He looked at her carefully, as if trying to recognize her. "Yes . . ." he said hesitantly.
"Oh!" she said, realizing she had not been introduced to him. "I am a sister of Mrs. Grant at the parsonage-I am Miss Crawford."
"Miss Crawford!" he said, brightening.
"You have heard of me, I presume?-but then, I recall we met once at my uncle's home in London," she said carefully. Gosh, I hope he doesn't want to talk about it!
"Ah, yes . . . I remember," he said quietly.
She gave him a look out of the corner of her eye. Wasn't Tom a lot more lively?
Edmund suddenly came over and sat with them. "Miss Crawford, I hope you enjoyed your walk."
"Oh, yes . . . Mansfield is very beautiful, and your cousin is a very good girl."
He brightened. "Yes, Fanny is wonderful. I am so glad you enjoyed her company; I thought you would take to my sisters more though."
"Oh . . ." She hesitated. She knew she couldn't say her opinion of the Bertram girls, but what could she say. "Your sisters seem very pleasant girls, but Miss Price is very refreshing. I enjoyed our walk very much."
"Northampton is wonderful, especially our surroundings. If you can ride a horse, I should recommend a ride around the countryside."
Melissa's mind began to turn. This plan had many advantages. She could get Henry and Fanny together, but she would have to put up with Edmund . . . Sacrifices must be made, Melissa: Henry and Fanny are the first objective. She gave him a smile. "I should like that very much, Mr. Edmund, but sadly I cannot ride a horse. If either you or your brother might be willing to teach me, I should enjoy it very much."
Edmund smiled brightly. "I should enjoy that very much, Miss Crawford." She looked at him carefully. She understood how Fanny could care for him very much; he was quite attractive and very nice, obviously intelligent, but she looked over at Henry, who was apparently enjoying himself with Fanny-how could anyone compare the two? she wondered.
It was not long afterwards that the Crawfords took their leave of the residents of the Park, and Melissa and Henry were free to speak of their impressions of the company.
Part 3
Posted on Sunday, 24 January 1999
"And what did you think of them, Henry?"
"I like the Miss Bertrams exceedingly, sister; they are some of the most elegant, agreeable girls I have ever met."
"Do you really think so?" asked Melissa, trying to keep back a frown. "I thought they both were so very like the usual girls in London-a kind of painted finery about them that I know I have seen at least fifty times before at every social gathering in town."
Henry laughed. "And is there anything wrong with London girls? You cannot say too much without condemning yourself, you know."
"I know, I know," said Melissa, angrily grabbing a low branch of the tree they were walking under and recklessly scattering the leaves. "But as a girl, I can see through other girls' charms-not what makes them charming; only men can see that-but I can see what she does and what she is looking for. We can see through each other's arts and calculations, and it seems that the young ladies of London usually have the most-and often identical. Surely you, who know so many girls, get tired of them. Don't they all seem the same to you after awhile?"
"Mary, I must tell you that you need not be jealous of the Miss Bertrams," laughed Henry. "Their brothers should keep you well enough for the time, and I will keep them away from any other man that might come." Henry, apparently, thought the whole thing a joke, only frustrating Melissa all the more.
"What do you think of Miss Price?" she asked abruptly. "You seemed to enjoy your conversation with her well enough."
"Ye. . .s," Henry said, lifting his eyebrows in surprise. "She is a very nice girl-more charming than most girls just out of the schoolroom, I suppose. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason in particular," Melissa said, nonchalantly fingering her gloves. "I only thought that she might prove a sufficient rival for the Miss Bertrams."
"Dear sister, are you serious?" laughed Henry. "Do you mean that? Perhaps in an ordinary circumstance she would, but you and Mrs. Grant speak of marriage. I do not consider myself a mercenary man, but a marriage between a man of even small society and a poor, penniless girl would be almost impossible. You know that, of course."
"Of course! For a wealthy woman it would be ruinous, but I am all for the man's marrying for love. The more poor the girl is, the more romantic the match!"
"Still," said Henry with his charming smile, "even if I do suppose to marry, (and if I do, it will certainly be for love) I do not think that the lady will be Miss Price. Men like me generally do not marry saints-not matter how winning their gray eyes are."
Melissa, put into dejection by the speech, raised her own eyes at the last part. He noticed! No, it won't be so hard. He is only used to his London way of thinking, as Fanny is too much influenced by the Bertrams.
"Perhaps you are right, Henry," she said with a false sigh of resignation. "Miss Price is good; she is too virtuous to give way to any amount of charm. You are better with Maria and Julia, I think. And anyone can tell that Fanny is in love with Mr. Edmund."
"Edmund! She is in love with that boy?"
"Oh! yes!" Melissa laughed. "Miss Price is devoted to that 'boy,' as you call him, though he is really quite handsome."
Henry, with a smile, shook his head as he held the front door of the parsonage open for her.
"And when will you be visiting Mansfield Park next?" he asked.
"Tomorrow afternoon-the boy is to teach me how to ride a horse."
"Then I will accompany you there," Henry said. Instead of walking into the dining room, he turned to go upstairs before Melissa could ask any questions. She only watched him and laughed, for the first time completely assured of her plan.
"And how was your visit? Did you enjoy meeting the Bertrams?" was the first words out of Mrs. Grant's mouth the moment they arrived back from Mansfield.
"I like your Miss Bertrams exceedingly, sister," answered Henry. "They are pleasant, agreeable girls, and Miss Price was very kind as well."
"But you like Julia best?" was her next question.
Henry stopped to consider for a moment. "I am not sure . . . but when I talk with you, Mrs. Grant, I am sure I like Julia best."
"And when you talk with me?" asked Melissa suspiciously.
"Then I am sure I like Miss Price the best of them all!"
Mrs. Grant shook her head. "I shall not talk to you, Henry, but I know you will like Julia best at last."
"Do not I tell you, I like her best at first?" said Henry innocently.
Melissa laughed, and Mrs. Grant looked at her with a shake of the head. "Mary, how shall we manage him?" she asked.
"We must leave him to himself, I believe. Talking does no good. He will be taken in at last," she said playfully, with a measured look at Henry.
"I would not have him duped!" said Mrs. Grant, alarmed.
"Let him stand his chance and be taken in," said Melissa with a shrug. "It will do just as well. Everybody is taken in at some period or other."
Mrs. Grant sighed. "Not always in marriage, my dear sister."
Melissa thought for a moment. "I agree; not always in marriage are people taken in, but it is such a maneuvering business, with everyone out for what they can get with sparing the least on their part, people are often taken in. Henry could use a good taking in-it might make him far less sure of himself, which would do just as well as anything else to improve him."
Henry looked shocked. "Am I so overly-confident?"
Melissa smiled. "You do have a certain amount of vanity, my dear brother, that I would say can be quite . . . noticeable at times."
"Really, I don't know what you are saying," Henry laughed as he walked around the room. "I am one of the few modest men I know! And you have to admit that I'm getting better."
Mrs. Grant sadly looked at Melissa, who was laughing.
"No, he may speak truth, sister," Melissa said. "He's getting better all the time! I know that he has never doubted his own charm before, but I believe he now is actually considering Mr. Edmund Bertram a rival."
Henry laughed. "Edmund the minister? A rival for what? The only thing I'd fear concerning him would be to have to sit through one of his sermons."
"I cannot believe you! You will shock your sister, I am sure," cried Mrs. Grant, who could not stifle her laughter despite herself.
"Mary is used to me," said Henry, meeting Melissa's smile. "Nor would she be shocked to know that I think her Mr. Bertrams the greatest dullards alive."
But Mrs. Grant would not hear that; Edmund might be a little grave, to be sure, but Tom . . . "What did you think of Tom, Mary?"
"Well," Melissa said, her smile fading, "I must admit that he was not quite what I expected him to be. I imagined that he would be more agreeable."
"Well perhaps he was ill," said Mrs. Grant sensibly, not ready to give up her own plans. "Not all young men can be constantly charming like our dear brother is. Henry, I am sure that Miss Julia is already in love with you?"
"If I were to agree to that," laughed Henry, "I should only have more charges of vanity thrown at me. No," he said, addressing Melissa with a false air of humility, "I am sure that Miss Bertram could never fall in love with me, and neither could Miss Price, before you ask."
"I was not asking!" exclaimed Melissa with a laugh. "Did I not mention that her heart is already taken? Now you should be retiring, dear boy, if you want to accompany me to Mansfield Park tomorrow, for I would like to go as early as possible!"
Henry tried to look penitent and dutiful, while only succeeding in looking pitiful. "Yes, ma'am!" he said in his most servile manner. He then bowed gallantly and marched out of the room with his shoulders sagging, looking like a very downtrodden man. Melissa managed to keep a straight face as she said farewell to her sister, but had to muffle her laughter in a pillow once in her room, so loud was her mirth.
She finally laid back on her bed, her face red and covered in a wide smile. Oh! Fanny is the luckiest girl in the world to get such a man as Henry! How charming! how amusing! No wonder Maria lost her heart (or how much heart she had) to him! She started giggling with glee, but eventually relaxed to sleep.
Part 4
Posted on Monday, 15 February 1999
When she woke up the next day, she immediately looked out the window-the weather was fine, and so she smilingly got out of bed and proceeded to dress in a very fetching habit of red.
She went downstairs and found Henry dining, also dressed very nicely in riding gear.
"You see I am an obedient boy," he said with a youthful smile. "I was up and dressed by seven."
"Well, very nice," observed Melissa, remarking to herself how fine a figure Henry made in his handsome attire. "You must have some object in mind?"
Henry laughed. "How blunt you are, Mary!" But he did not answer.
Melissa smiled when she saw only Edmund and Fanny at the Mansfield stables. Edmund was talking to his cousin, who would occasionally pull her shawl closer about her shoulders whenever the breeze blew, though it was not cold. She smiled when she noticed Melissa, but took a step back at the sight of Henry.
"My dear Miss Price!" Melissa greeted her. "How lovely you look today!"
Fanny smiled again and shook her head. "No, Miss Crawford, you are too kind. My cousin has told me that you wish to borrow my horse, and I want to tell you that it is perfectly fine with me."
"Thank you, dear!"
Edmund took Melissa's arm as he led them to the stalls.
"Yes, Fanny was most agreeable to offer her horse. It is a shame that we have not enough horses suitable for ladies to ride. There would be if my sisters' horses were here, but I am afraid that Maria and Julia are already out riding." Here he suspiciously glanced at Henry. "But," he continued, with his original train of thought, "there are more than enough horses for men to ride, but only one for a lady. It is a shame, for it would have been nice for all four of us to ride."
"Where is the difficulty?" Henry asked casually. "Miss Price can share a horse with me-she could sit in front of me comfortably enough, I imagine."
Melissa's eyes widened and she was forced to turn her head to hide her laughter. She knew that Henry was joking, but she shot him an admonishing smile that said, "You naughty, naughty boy! These are not the people you make jokes around!"
Fanny blushed and looked so nervous that Edmund, with his instinctive concern, stepped over and patted her on the back. Not being one for humor, he merely glared at Henry and excused himself to fetch the saddles.
"Dear Miss Price," said Melissa once Edmund was gone, "you do not need to worry, for my brother was only jesting-weren't you, Henry?"
"Of course," smiled Henry, bowing to Fanny. "I beg your pardon, Miss Price; naturally I did not mean that (though would it have been such a worrisome thing if I had?)" he asked Melissa in an undertone.
She laughed, and was glad to see that Fanny understood now, and was more comfortable around Henry. Well, she certainly is not like other girls! Melissa thought. Henry will have to watch himself.
Soon Edmund came back with two saddles, clearly implicating that Miss Crawford's brother was not to join their riding party.
Henry was glad of it, and in his carefree manner, offered to accompany Miss Price to the house.
Miss Price smiled shyly at him, and took his offered arm. "Thank you very much, Mr. Crawford."
He gave her a warm smile and took her along, to the delight of Melissa. However, when she glanced back at Mr. Bertram, she was less sanguine. His eyes were on Fanny, and his look was suspicious. What possibly could he have against Henry at this point? He can't be in love with Fanny, can he?
He then turned to look at her, and smiled. "Shall we be along, then?" he asked, gesturing to the groom behind them who had saddled the horses for them. He helped her upon her beast, and jumped upon his own. Melissa had ridden a horse before when on a trip with her family, but it had been long ago, and with Edmund Bertram by her side, she was a bit nervous.
As they rode along, they held a conversation, interrupted every now and then by pointers from Edmund. She struggled to obey his commands, and managed success enough to begin to cautiously engage him in conversation about the events and looks shared she had observed previously.
"Mr. Bertram, I perceive that you are very protective of your cousin-but you need not worry. Henry is a very good sort of man, and would not harm Miss Price for the world."
"Hmm . . ." said Edmund cautiously. "I am sure that he is not wild, but I worry about Fanny. She is a particular friend of mine, and I should not usually imagine such a man as your brother would be interested in such a girl as her." He quickly changed the subject, saying, "You are pulling too firmly upon its mouth. You need not pull on the reins so hard to control it."
She quickly slackened the reins, and gave him a measured look. "People are not always as they may be perceived. Henry may seem one way to many, yet can be something completely different to others. Miss Price, I would venture to say, is possessed of many sterling qualities, and any man who sees them cannot fail to appreciate them." She looked carefully at him once more, straight into his eyes. "You appreciate her qualities exceptionally above measure, I perceive."
His eyes widened in surprise, and he looked down, nearly blushing. "Oh, no! Pray, do not imagine such a thing-Fanny is a very sweet girl, but I have never thought-not that! I would wish for a wife with some liveliness; Fanny is a sister to me, but nothing more." His eye penetrated hers searchingly, and it was her turn to nearly blush as his speech got more and more confused and yet his thoughts more and more clear.
"Well, I have always hoped Henry, when he would settle down, would choose a wife of steady principal and of good manners. I think Miss Price would do quite nicely for him; although not the exact girl one would imagine to fix such a one as Henry, I should not be at all surprised if something should go through on their part. If anything should carry out in that quarter, you may sleep easy, Mr. Bertram, I assure you."
He smiled at her. "I am glad to know that. Any reassurance on your part will always ease my conscience."
She looked away shyly. Edmund Bertram was oddly protective of Fanny in such a way as that worried her he might be already inclined to her, but yet his words to her convinced her she should be more on her guard, as she did not want to make the man in love with her at all!
As she was agitated and he was silent, the rest of their ride was undisturbed by any discourse. When they arrived at the stable later, she dismounted with Mr. Bertram's help, quickly backing away from his arms once she was down. She took his arm as he offered it, and walked quietly along with him for a while before she resolved to talk with him.
"I believe I heard mention that your brother Mr. Bertram is leaving soon to race horses at Basingstoke?"
Edmund's eyebrow went up, and his face became inscrutable. "I believe at some future point he means to travel there, yes. Are you very interested in horse-racing, Miss Crawford?" he asked, with a hint of jealousy in his voice.
She laughed playfully, hoping she was not doing any harm. "Not at all, Mr. Bertram, but I believe we must have some conversation! I have also heard reports that your sister Maria's fiancé will visit the house at some point; I should like to meet the famous Mr. Rushworth that I have heard her mention."
Edmund almost nearly groaned had he not caught himself in time; a circumstance that nearly made her laugh. "He is a very . . . good sort of fellow, I am sure," he said diplomatically.
She could not restrain her laughter upon this. "So I am told by my sister, and by everyone I hear remark upon him. But he has 12,000 a year, I understand, and so I am sure he must be above reproach."
Edmund gave her such a look that communicated how perfectly they were in charity together. She smiled warmly at him, finding a pleasure in how well they understood each other: a smile he returned in full. Their walk to the house was soon ended, with warm thanks on both sides and further invitations for more rides together.
"Perhaps my brother can secure a horse for me, and then we four can all ride together!" she suggested brightly.
"It would be a great pleasure, Miss Crawford," he said cordially, and bowed elegantly to her before they reentered the house.
Part 5
Posted on Saturday, 20 February 1999
They silently walked into the room where Melissa had first seen Fanny Price and Lady Bertram (indeed, had she ever seen the latter anywhere else?). It was gayer this time, though, with the sounds of conversation, and the fire built up enough to the standards of entertaining a guest-and a possible marriage prospect for the youngest daughter of the house at that. But Henry Crawford was not with Julia, who, along with Miss Bertram, was still away. Melissa was glad to see Henry talking to Fanny; was rather surprised to see Miss Price laughing over her embroidery.
"Oh, Miss Crawford," said Lady Bertram from her couch, "I did not know that your brother is so good-humored. It is really quite shocking-he is making me and Fanny laugh so. Edmund, come, do come."
Edmund obediently went over to his mother to help her fix a broken pair of scissors. He is thoughtful-I will allow that much for him, thought Melissa. She untied her red bonnet and smiled at Henry. What a dear he is, but I can't sit by him; it would defeat my purpose. She looked around the room and happily saw Tom sitting on a couch, his knees gathered and his eyes focused on Henry and Fanny. When he saw Melissa coming, he seemed to remember himself, and took his feet down, making room for her.
"Miss Crawford, I am glad to see you! Here, pray sit down."
Melissa thanked him and welcomed his grin with a sigh of relief-This is the Tom Bertram I know.
"I could not help but notice your brother and Fanny," Tom said quietly. "They seem to be enjoying each other's company."
"Really? I am glad to hear that!"
"Are you?" Tom asked after a moment of hesitation. "I do not mean to be presumptuous, but I thought that you would rather have him enjoy the company of, say, Julia or Maria."
"Oh, no!" cried Melissa. She blushed at her own impulsive answer soon after, remembering that this was the Miss Bertrams' brother. "I mean that I am always glad to hear when Henry is enjoying himself-no matter who it is with, though I do think Miss Price a most charming girl."
"Indeed, she is," answered Tom in a tone so convinced that it worried Melissa-Don't tell me that now he is in love with her!
"Your brother tells me that you are to go to the races," she said.
"Races?"
"In Basingstoke. . ."
He looked confused.
"Ah, the races. I had forgotten." Tom smiled to hide his embarrassment, and turned his face towards Fanny and Henry. "Yes, I was planning to go, but I don't believe that I will now."
Melissa nodded and fell to thought. She could not understand Tom Bertram. Though he was friendlier this time, his conversation was still reserved and even suspicious. Melissa followed his stare towards his cousin and Henry Crawford.
"Edmund is with them now," murmured Tom. "How do you like my brother, Miss Crawford? I have heard him do nothing but praise you."
"Oh, really?" asked Melissa, blushing. "Mr. Edmund is very good. I had a most enjoyable time with him today."
"Yes, well he is with your brother and Fanny right now," Tom repeated. "I believe that Edmund may be waiting for you."
"Indeed. Then I must go speak to him." Surprised and angry, she walked away without even looking back at him. Even while going to the parsonage with Henry, Melissa could not focus on anything but Tom Bertram's strange behavior and his rude way of getting her to leave him. Then was Tom in love with Fanny? Melissa would never have thought it possible, but surely his habit of always keeping his eyes upon the girl and trying to keep Edmund away from her pointed to nothing more obvious. But there are other ways of winning her affection. The man is using me as a ploy to separate his brother from Fanny-Tom is jealous of Edmund! Doesn't he consider a woman's feelings? Now I have two men to keep Fanny from.
"Mary, you are quiet. Are you busy making up more marriage plans for me?"
Melissa turned her head and looked at Henry, at his dark hair and eyes and nice smile. The Mr. Bertrams are nothing compared to him. Even their handsome faces put together cannot equal his.
"More marriage plans?" she asked with a laugh. "I am afraid that one is enough, dear."
But she sighed to herself over the strange turns the novel was taking, and over the disagreeable changes happening that Jane Austen certainly never would have included in her book.
However, her reverie was interrupted by a question directed to her by Edmund. "You have been making marriage plans for your brother?"
She smiled. "Yes-do not all women? Do not you make marriage plans for your sisters? Everyone idly speculates over whom might be a good spouse for their family, but 'tis nothing more than idle thoughts."
Henry gave her a look, but said nothing. He turned back to Fanny and asked her, "Do you have sisters?"
"I have several sisters, but I have not seen them since I was a little girl."
"Do not you find sisters to be rather troublesome?" he asked her.
Melissa laughed. "Please, Miss Price, I would beg you not to respond. Sisters such as we should band together. Brothers are much more troublesome creatures than any sister could be-do not you agree, Miss Price?"
Henry laughed. "Now that is hardly fair, Mary! I believe that Miss Price, however, is much more just and realizes how hard brothers try to please their sisters. However, we should let Miss Price answer for herself . . ."
They all looked to her, and she smiled. "I should say that brothers are capable of being the kindest creatures, as sisters are also capable of being. Everyone is human, and is good at times as well as not so good."
"No answer could be more just! Well done, Miss Price!" cried Melissa with a smile. "Are you pleased, Henry?" she asked.
"Any opinion of Miss Price's must please, as it has the advantage of always being right," he said with a smile, making Fanny blush.
However, this was too much for Tom, who had continued to silently observe the conversation. He came over and sat down next to Edmund, and looked ready to give Henry some threatening looks when Melissa decided she had to distract Mr. Bertram.
"Miss Price, I look over at the pianoforte and must ask-do you play? or sing?"
She shook her head. "I never learnt how. Do you?"
She nodded. "Yes; I play the harp some, although am more proficient on the pianoforte, and sing a little."
Henry turned at this. "I did not know you played the pianoforte!" he said, surprised.
Melissa nearly blushed. She did play the piano, but Mary Crawford did not, obviously. "Oh, I learned years ago, but have not practiced for some while. You forget, brother."
He looked confused, but said nothing.
Tom appeared to be the only one that noticed the expression cross Crawford's face, and was quick to pick up on it. "Would you play the piano for us a little then, Miss Crawford?"
"If you should like to hear me, I should be delighted."
She sat down at the piano, and looked around for sheet music. She was not very good at sight-reading, but was adequate.
"I am sorry, Miss Crawford, but we have no sheet-music available," said Tom somewhat maliciously. "You shall have to play from memory," he said.
She then realized that she was in a bit of a fix. The only pieces she was at all good at were pieces that were hardly classical-she was mostly proficient with show tunes! She considered for a moment, then decided to play one for them-they wouldn't know what it was, anyway! She then began to play "Think of Me," figuring it had enough of an operatic sound that it might pass for classical. She looked at the faces of those listening. They all seemed to enjoy it-Tom had a puzzled look on his face, which equally confused her, but she said nothing.
They all obediently clapped for her when she finished, and Fanny smiled. "Miss Crawford, that was very pretty! Where did that come from?"
"Oh, I don't think you would know the composer-very little know by most people," she quickly said.
"Yes," agreed Tom; "I don't believe that my cousin would know, or has heard the music before. I am sure that no one in this family has heard it, for we are not accustomed to hearing such new music."
Melissa hurriedly looked up at him and started aimlessly striking the keys to hide her nervousness. Edmund, however, went to her side and glared at his brother.
"Indeed, Tom, I am much better acquainted with what is new in music than you may think. You forget that I saw many operas when I was at Oxford. No doubt you will have Miss Crawford imagining that we are only familiar with old country songs and ballads," he ended, turning to Melissa with a smile.
"No, no, I never thought such a thing!" she exclaimed with a laugh, relieved that it had been a misunderstanding on her part, and chiding herself for her unnatural nervousness. "Then have you heard the song I just played?"
Edmund hesitated. "I must have; I am sure I have. Yes, now I do recall having heard it played by a string quartet at Oxford."
Tom shook his head and walked to the other side of the room. Melissa, who could not stifle her laughter, was rather glad to be rid of his disagreeable presence.
"Well, I have never heard the song," admitted Henry with a smile, "but I am inclined to take Miss Price's opinion that it is 'very pretty,' as I shall always take her opinion in future."
Fanny blushed. "Oh! no, Mr. Crawford; we have all a better guide in ourselves, I am sure," she murmured, but it was apparent from her smile that the resolution pleased her.
Edmund observed this with a frown. He glanced down at the pianoforte, where Melissa was happily playing little melodies as she watched Henry and Fanny.
"You are quite accomplished, Miss Crawford," said Edmund kindly. "Would you mind favoring us with another song?"
"I had not anticipated a concert," she laughed, looking over at Tom. "I fear that I am too much out of practice to play anything more."
But Edmund insisted, and it was soon agreed upon that she would play after the dinner they were to hold for the arrival of Miss Bertram's fiancé at Mansfield Park.
Part 6 Posted on Wednesday, 24 February 1999
When the day arrived, however, Melissa was not hard at work exercising her fingers; rather, her mind was at work, trying to find ways to bring not herself to advantage, but Fanny Price. Though Henry had acted charmingly with Miss Price at their previous gathering, and had seemed to enjoy himself with her, Melissa knew that all could be forgotten once Maria and Julia were with him, as they were going to be this evening. Fanny needed to stand out at this dinner, instead of sitting quietly and unnoticed and quoting Cowper as she had done in the novel. So in the afternoon, Melissa set off for Mansfield Park early to help Fanny get ready.
She was glad that neither Edmund nor his brother was in the main rooms of the house when the servant let her in. Only Lady Bertram was there, and she, without suspecting anything at all, told her where to go and how to get to her dear Fanny's room.
After climbing many stairs and finding her way through various hallways, Melissa finally saw Fanny's room, with the door opened. It was just as she expected it to be, modest and neat, but Melissa was quite amazed to see Tom sitting with Fanny. Once he saw Melissa, he immediately stood up.
"Miss Crawford," he said, gravely acknowledging her presence. She did so likewise, as cold as he, and they treated each other to a mutual glare before Tom lifted his head and walked quickly out of the room.
"Miss Price," said Melissa, trying to keep her surprise under check, "I have come to help you prepare for this evening, if I may?"
"Certainly," smiled Fanny, showing her to the chair Tom had just left. "I thank you, Miss Crawford."
Melissa sat down, and noticed a little brown box at the table. Fanny took it up and opened it.
"Would you care to see what my good cousin has just given me? A pearl necklace, and a ribbon to go with my dress I am wearing to dinner tonight. He traveled all the way to C**** for it; was not that kind of him?"
"Very," agreed Melissa, suspiciously admiring the delicate pearls and silk ribbon. Tom Bertram would never do such a thing for a girl unless he was in love with her. She took her eyes from the necklace and said, "I had never imagined Mr. Bertram to be so thoughtful . . ."
"Neither had I," frankly admitted Fanny. "And he went so far to buy them! He told me that he wants his cousin to look fashionable among the fashionable guests."
"Well you certainly will," said Melissa, who took the statement of Tom's as a slight to herself. Still, she could not but be glad that Fanny would have ornaments to wear for the evening. "Now," she said happily, "you must show me what gown you are to wear with them, and you must tell me all about your impressions of certain people, for I confess that I have come to talk as well!"
"Of whom?" asked Fanny.
"Of Mr. Bertram, perhaps," said Melissa. She wondered greatly what Fanny thought of Tom.
"Cousin Tom? He has always had very light spirits, always has been very outgoing and impetuous at times, but he has seemed to change. He is quieter in the family; he sits with Lady Bertram and I: last night we even had a discussion over ever so many things!"
Melissa's brow creased over this. She worried that perhaps Tom could charm Fanny away from Henry. She had no opinion of the charms of either Mr. Bertram, but who knew? Tom had the advantage of always being around her, always able to approach her. However, she was determined that she would think of some way to distract Tom. But why would Tom want to court Fanny?
"Miss Crawford? Are you all right?" asked Fanny, concerned.
Melissa shook herself out of her reverie. "I am fine. I was merely thinking about tonight. I should like it if you could describe this Mr. Rushworth to me."
"Mr. Rushworth is . . . he is truly . . . he is a very good sort of man," Fanny replied, seemingly not sure how to put things.
Melissa smiled broadly. "Well, if so be it-! I have heard that several times used to describe him, so I must suppose that he is very much like."
Fanny merely demurely picked up her sewing, and began to stitch with diligence. After a while she murmured a question. "How long are you and your brother planning on staying here at Mansfield? I should very much dislike it if you were to leave."
"My brother and I have not fixed on any date where we would leave Mansfield, but I can assure you that we mean to stay for quite a while." Melissa's face remained mostly impassive, but mentally she was jumping for joy. She begins to like Henry! She would not like him to leave soon! It appears that Tom is nothing after all!
She soon took her leave of Mansfield, but did not so soon stop thinking of the residents there.
Tom's behavior, for one, she could not get out of her mind. The change had been noticed by Fanny too-had it anything to do with the arrival of the Crawfords? To Melissa it was apparent that it was Miss Crawford whom he disliked the most. Perhaps Mary had treated him ill when they had met before in London. Certainly this might give explanation for his reserve around her, but it did not account for his gallant attentions to Fanny Price.
She shrugged-Perhaps he does love her, but that should not be a problem for me. Fanny is so simple and modest that she will probably not even notice his attentions, and if she does, she will be so persuaded by his past actions that she will not receive them.
It was very assuring to be so calculating!
When she reached the parsonage, Melissa saw Henry walking under the orchard trees, and stopped to watch him. He was already dressed for the evening-looked quite well-but there was a cloud of consternation over his face; his quick pace and searching eyes gave Melissa the impression of one trying to make a decision. She soon stepped forward.
"Ah, Mary!" Henry said, his smile returning. He took off his hat and laughed. "So are you in the habit of watching me?" he asked playfully.
"Only when you look so handsome," smiled Melissa, "-as you must be well aware of. Dear brother, you already have the Miss Bertrams quite in love with you, and I have just heard. . ." She saw Henry eagerly glance at her from the corner of his eye. "But no," Melissa continued with a laugh, "I am a good friend and I do not reveal secrets."
Henry protested, but Melissa quickly went into the house and started laughing once safely in her room. Her mind was so busy that she could hardly concentrate on the wardrobe, but she finally managed to pick out a Grecian-style dress: green ivy upon white silk, edged with gold trim that matched her French fan. She was not used to this type of gown with such a long train, and found it necessary to practice walking around in front of the mirror, laughingly anticipating how she would lift her head and coldly offer her gloved hand to Tom once she saw him.
Soon there was a knock at the door. Melissa blushed as she opened it and saw Henry, but he did not seem to notice anything out of the ordinary.
"Are you almost ready, Mary?"
Melissa looked in the mirror and shook her head. "No; my hair still needs to be done. It might be a while."
"Then I will help you," said Henry, going over to sit by the dressing table.
Melissa could not help laughing at this boyish offer. "Dear Henry, did you really come to help me, or do you want to sit by me so that I can feed your vanity?"
"Really, Mary!" laughed Henry. "Did not I already tell you that I have no vanity? But I would not mind talking, if that is what you mean."
Melissa only laughed, going to sit in front of the mirror. She had already decided to wear her curls loosely held in a gold bandeau, imitating a style found in an issue of Le Beau Monde that was lying among Mary's clothes. This was the first time she was dressing her hair for an evening, since the other days she went out she could easily pin her curls up under a bonnet. But now she would have to arrange them more formally, which would be difficult, considering that she really didn't know how Regency ladies fixed their hair, though she had seen all the films of Jane Austen's books countless times. She set the fashion plate on the mirror and leaned forward closely to arrange her hair accordingly, but her vain efforts only frustrated her. Henry watched her attempts and laughed, shaking his head when Melissa's curls fell out of the loose headdress.
"Perhaps you do need my help; you see, I'm not so idle a fellow as you may think."
Melissa laughed. "Well then you may if you wish to so much." Henry stood behind her and started deftly bringing her hair through the gold fabric. Melissa watched him through the mirror with great amusement.
"I never knew that you were so accomplished at this!" she said with a smile.
"Neither did I," Henry laughed. "I suppose that I have looked at so many women that I have somehow gained knowledge to reproduce the ways they dress their hair-a lot like you and your new ability to play the pianoforte, I imagine," he ended with a teasing grin. Melissa blushed and tried to laugh it off. She was glad when Henry brought up a new subject.
"And what were we talking about earlier?-concerning the Miss Bertrams being in love with me? There was something else," he said with a sly smile, "about a secret from a close friend?"
Melissa shook her head. "Henry, you are incorrigible! I believe I said to you that I am a good friend, and that I do not reveal secrets. Besides, it would be paltry food for the vanity that you don't have."
Henry smiled, visibly holding back laughter. "I believe you are the incorrigible one, dear sister. You know that it is very cruel to hold some secret hidden in front of an honest man, and refuse to tell what that secret is!"
Melissa laughed. "Well, my dear brother, I never supposed you to be an honest man!"
This earned her a playful tug on one of her curls that made her shriek slightly. "Ouch! Not only dishonest, but also brutal! I never would have expected it of you, Henry!"
"Well, I believe you once said I was just like Lovelace, so I must suppose that you were already aware of my evil propensities," said Henry with a casual air. "However, this does not divert me from the point that you were about to say something outside, but stopped yourself."
Melissa laughed. "You are certainly single-minded in pursuing your desires."
Henry smiled slightly. "I do not think this is any new observation on your part, dear sister, or for that matter, on anyone else's." He skillfully finished the last bit, and turned her in her chair with a smile. "There-you are done."
Melissa rose and looked at it from all angles. "Really, Henry, you have quite a hidden talent! If you should ever lose all your money on the 'Change, I would advise you to seek a position as a lady's maid."
Henry laughed. "If ever I am reduced to seeking employment, I hope you will give me a recommendation!"
She burst out laughing. "Of course, of course, my dear Henry!"