It will come as no surprise to those who have been readers of my stories for a while that I do not just write Austen-inspired stories that reimagine Austen characters in new places and situations. I do write those kinds of stories, but I also like to develop my own characters to insert into Austen-inspired stories and, of course, to populate my own original stories.
My Other Pens series is one that combines a few of Austen’s characters, as reimagined to some extent by me, and many original characters. This is a series where we step off of the last page of Mansfield Park and into Henry Crawford’s world as it continues past Austen’s novel.
Did you know?
The Other Pens series title comes from the first line of the final chapter of Mansfield Park:
Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery. I quit such odious subjects as soon as I can, impatient to restore everybody, not greatly in fault themselves, to tolerable comfort, and to have done with all the rest.
Over the next few Wednesday posts, I am going to introduce you to some of my original character creations and maybe a few of the reimagined Jane Austen ones, too. We’re starting, as you might have guessed, with the characters found in book one of my Other Pens series.
So, without further too much ado, it is my pleasure to introduce to you the hero and heroine of Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy – Mr. Henry Crawford and Miss Constance Linton.
There are other original characters in this story – lots of them (like Mr. Trefor Linton and Mrs. Kendrick, aka Aunt Gwladys) – but we’ll start with the two who are most important to this happily ever after tale.
The following excerpt is found at the end of chapter one of Henry and Constance’s story and serves as a meet-cute of sorts for two people who have known each other for years. (You should notice who it is that brings them together, not that he ever thought in doing so that he’d be starting something that will eventually end in marriage.)
“Mr. Crawford,” Aunt Gwladys gave a nod of her head in greeting while her features spoke of her hesitance in doing so.
“Mrs. Kendrick, Miss Linton.” Henry bowed and smiled. “It is a pleasure to see you. You are both looking fetching tonight ─ quite the brightest jewels at the ball.” He took the hand that Aunt Gwladys had offered him and gave it a kiss.
“Your silver tongue will not work with me, young man. I know your sort.” Her tone was stern despite the small smile that played at her mouth in response to his flattery. “And your lifted brows and raised chin will not scold me into being civil,” she said to Linton while tapping her cheek with her fan, indicating that he should kiss it.
Linton obliged. “Tonight shall be trying enough for Crawford. There is no need of increasing his discomfort,” he said softly.
“Consequences are consequences,” Aunt Gwladys retorted.
“You are correct, of course, but they are not for you to award or laud,” her nephew responded.
Henry pulled at his sleeves and attempted to keep a smile on his lips. How many times had he had to plaster such a look of nonchalance on his face over the last year? “Linton will not allow me to leave until I have danced,” he explained.
“You were leaving just after you arrived?” Constance asked in surprise.
Henry shrugged. “I might have found the card room for a while before making my exit, but yes. I am uncertain I am prepared for the close, and may I say just, examination, I appear to be receiving.”
“Surely, you knew it would be thus?” Constance snapped her mouth shut and smiled sheepishly at her brother, who had cleared his throat rather loudly at her comment.
“I expected as much,” said Henry. “However, I had hoped some of my infamy had faded.”
“There are likely many gentlemen in the card room whose only interest in your past activities is to place a bet on if they are likely to be repeated,” said Aunt Gwladys. “The ladies tend to be longer in coming to terms with the idea of accepting a gentleman back into society who has shown disdain for the solemnity of marriage. They fear you will be unfaithful as a husband, you see. However, you are not without your particular charms.” Her lips curled into a smile. “Pin money and an estate with ample carriages and servants, as well as a townhouse and fine gowns, are very alluring to some young ladies.”
“Crawford is a changed man, are you not?” Linton turned to Henry. “Henry here has learned the value of a good woman, and that is precisely what he seeks ─ not some fortune hunter.” Linton waved his hand as if brushing away some disgusting bit of dirt.
“I am trying to be,” Henry replied as the musicians began to play something recognizable rather than just the few notes of tuning they had been playing for some minutes.
“I have assured Crawford that you would be happy to partner him for the first dance if Aunt Gwladys has not harpooned someone else for you.”
Constance’s mouth dropped open at the audacity of such a statement. “I can assure you that I would have garnered several names on my card had I wished to do so. I do not need them to be harpooned.”
Henry bit back a smile at the way Linton’s sister crossed her arms and glared at her brother. He had seen them nearly come to blows before over some careless comment that Linton had made and to which Constance had taken exception. It did not matter that she was half the size of her larger and older brother. While others might find the man intimidating, his sister did not. There was no denying the fiery blood of the Kendrick family ran in the lady’s veins. In fact, she seemed to have received all of her own on that account, as well as a portion of her more relaxed brother’s.
“She would have secured many a partner, had she not been doing a valiant job of avoiding the majority of them,” muttered her aunt.
“Then, am I in luck?” Henry asked with a bright smile for Constance. “May I have the pleasure of enduring the stares of the masses with such a lovely partner to hold my attention?”
Though she knew him to be a charmer, Constance had to admit, as she accepted his offer and his arm, that Mr. Crawford’s words were very pretty and did make a lady feel a particular happiness that crept unbidden to her cheeks.
And just for fun with this post, I thought I’d include this video of a cotillion called “Love and Friendship” since the title seemed appropriate for Henry and Constance.
