by C. P. Odom
“Ah. We ended slavery in England a few years ago, thank goodness.”
“Thank goodness indeed since the American Civil War was really a vicious war, as all civil wars are. We had more than six hundred thousand dead before it was over.”
“So many?” Darcy said, looking shocked to his core. “And you thought that was the world where you might belong?”
“Who knows? As I said, much of what’s happened to me is as mysterious to me as it is to you.”
It looks like treating my appearance here as though it were simple time travel is the best choice, McDunn thought. The two-century jump is true, and it explains everything completely without trying to explain the fanciful concept of a world where fictional characters live and breathe. I still wonder if the rest of Austen’s cast of characters are here and will make their appearance.
“There’s one additional point I want to reemphasize, and that’s the impossibility of explaining how I came here as some type of magic or sorcery. I’m an engineer. I simply do not believe in magic. But I am also a life-long Christian, and I’m convinced that any inexplicable events in the real world are either the working of advanced technology, as I explained earlier, or of Divine influence. Divine work is how the priest, Kaswallon, explained the working of the Siege. I may have been a bit fogged out by the morphine I took for my pain, but I clearly remember him explicitly saying that the Siege was the work of the Divinity—a tool of God. It was a relic from the time of Arthur Pendragon when all of Camelot had been Christian in belief as inherited from the Romans who had colonized and then abandoned Britain. Remember, many of the Roman legionnaires took their retirement in Britain rather than return to the Empire. They considered Roman Britain their home, and their descendants were to be found among the knights and soldiers of Arthur.”
McDunn paused and then said forcefully, “It’s the only thing that can explain the unexplainable.”
He paused again, looking at each of the three who stared at him silently. “I think I’ve given you enough information to overwhelm you. I know it is since it’s overwhelming to me, and I lived through it! And since I also know intellectual jolts this staggering take some time to digest, I think it would be best to leave these matters as they are for the moment and let you think over what I’ve told you. We can pick up the conversation later, and we might even have a shooting demonstration tomorrow.”
“Please!” Fitzwilliam said eagerly, returning McDunn’s pistol along with the magazine and the loose cartridge.
“I have other things to show you that will also be interesting—and explanatory.”
Perhaps emboldened by being involved in such an adult conversation, Georgiana turned to McDunn. “Does your name imply your family came from Scotland, Major?”
“I have no idea, Miss Darcy. No one in my family talked much about where we came from. When Kaswallon said I was of Cornish descent, all I really knew was something my grandmother once said about her and my grandfather being Cornish. But that’s all I know. Ancestry wasn’t of much interest in my family. My personal opinion is my ancestors got out of Europe just a hop, skip, and jump ahead of the authorities and the gallows.”
Georgiana giggled again. “Oh, I see you enjoy a good jest, Major!”
“Well, we do know where Major McDunn hails from, Georgiana,” Darcy said, his face deadpan. “Though our accents are similar, I detect the characteristics of his southern climes in the speech of our formerly colonial cousin.”
“Do not make sport of your guest, William,” Georgiana said in McDunn’s defense. “I think his accent is most charming.”
“You have to be patient while waiting for a South Carolinian to finish his sentences, sir,” McDunn said, giving Darcy a grin. “Yes, I know that’s what the folks up north say of us, but I’m used to it. I take no offence at your brother making sport. At least he has a sense of humor—even if it is a common one.”
Georgiana laughed aloud and clapped her hands. “At last, a friend as quick-witted as you, brother! He will be a good companion for both of you! You, William, are used to being much more intelligent than your usual friends. And you, Richard, are used to intimidating others because you are so big and broad. But you cannot overawe the major!”
Fitzwilliam looked up from his intent examination of McDunn’s pistol while Darcy only smiled at his sister’s teasing. “It is probably time for you to retire, Georgiana. We will talk to the major tomorrow afternoon, I think.”
Georgiana clearly didn’t wish to go, but Darcy smiled at her gently. “Richard and I are just going to have another brandy before we go upstairs ourselves.”
“Oh, very well,” she agreed reluctantly.
“And with your permission, I’ll accompany her since I’m looking forward to a night’s sleep in a bed rather than a hole in the ground,” McDunn said. “However, if I may, I’d like a refill of your scotch whiskey before I go.”
Darcy was quick to agree, and as his sister and McDunn left the room, Georgiana continued asking him questions. Darcy and Fitzwilliam looked at each other and smiled before refilling their glasses.
When McDunn finally managed to convince Georgiana to allow him to seek his own room, he found Jennings waiting as though some signal had announced his coming. He allowed his temporary valet to assist him in undressing and putting on the knee-length nightshirt that appeared to be fashionable bedtime attire for gentlemen. McDunn thought it scratchy and uncomfortable, but he said nothing until after Jennings informed him to ring when he arose in the morning and departed.
McDunn immediately removed the uncomfortable garment and sat down with his glass to do some thinking. The first thing he did was to retrieve the three tablets from his pack and open them. He still had no idea how his pack had come to be on his shoulders, but he was extremely happy it arrived with him.
Perhaps Kaswallon really is a magician, he thought as he opened his enlisted-issue military tablet and powered it up. It had been months since he’d even had the thing out of his pack, and he was a little worried whether it had enough battery charge to start up. He breathed a sigh of relief as it finished going through its brief startup-check and came to life. He quickly powered it down and verified the other tablets were equally functional before picking up his glass of what passed for Scotch.
As fantastic as all this is, McDunn thought, I’m unbelievably lucky to be alive and well. And even if this world is some kind of clone derived from Austen, I’m even luckier to find myself rescued by Darcy and his cousin—especially since Darcy has turned out to be even more intelligent and open-minded than Austen portrayed him.
Most people wouldn’t have listened to me no matter what bona fides I was able to present. They’d have simply dug in their heels and reacted with their emotions rather than their intelligence. I’m unbelievably fortunate that Darcy granted me—provisionally at least—a status more or less equivalent to that of a gentleman. Adjusting to this class-conscious society is going to take time and flexibility on my part, however.
He remembered Austen’s description of Darcy’s obtuseness with respect to Elizabeth Bennet—from not realizing how he had offended her to his disastrous proposal, driven by his wildly mistaken belief that she had discerned his interest and was waiting for him to express it openly.
Yet, the Darcy I met today made a rather quick decision to trust me, at least enough to listen to me, which gave me the opportunity to show him evidence to back up my story. I have no idea how things are going to turn out, but whatever happens, things should be both more interesting as well as more pleasant. At least nobody’s shooting at me. That’s gotta be worth something!
Chapter 4
The next time you check your moves in the mirror and reflect on how special you are, consider that somewhere in this universe or in another parallel universe, your double might be doing the same. This would be the ultimate Copernican Revolution. Not only are
we not special, we could be infinitely ordinary.
—Seth Shostak, American astronomer
Wednesday, October 11, 1809
Pemberley, Derbyshire
When Darcy came down to the breakfast room the following morning, he found McDunn and Fitzwilliam drinking coffee while Georgiana had just begun her meal. McDunn started to rise, but Darcy waved him back to his seat.
“Despite our manners being different than in your country,” Darcy said mildly, “it is not necessary to rise when your host comes down for a simple family breakfast. Look at Richard, for example.”
“It is this leg, you see,” Fitzwilliam said, slapping his right thigh.
“I thought it was your other leg that needed healing!” Georgiana said.
“That too,” Fitzwilliam said, raising his cup. “The cavalry is quite dangerous, you know.”
Georgiana could not restrain a smile at her cousin’s usual imperturbability before she turned to her brother. “Perhaps the major is just being cautious. At school, they are very strict about proper manners at all times, even in informal family situations.”
Darcy gave a sniff of derision as he sat down. “I am beginning to wonder about that school. Too fashionable,” he said, and Georgiana smiled again as she resumed eating.
“I hope standards of dress might be relaxed for unexpected visitors,” McDunn said, gesturing at his newly washed and mended marine battledress. “My wardrobe is a bit limited at the moment, especially since I preferred to dress myself this morning—though I did allow Jennings to wield his razor again. He’s a wizard with his blade.”
“Major McDunn has told me about his home and how different things are there,” Georgiana said. “Did you know that women’s fashions are quite different in his country? He would not describe them in detail, but he said I would find them quite scandalous!”
Darcy looked at his guest quizzically, and McDunn shrugged. “We didn’t discuss anything significant and nothing at all when the servants were present. Your sister and the colonel both made sure of that.”
Darcy gave a nod at hearing this. “Our staff are faithful and very loyal, but servants do talk among themselves. Many families ignore their presence during private discussions and then wonder how scandal comes to embroil them.”
“And you would not believe the size of the breakfast Major McDunn ate, William!” Georgiana said. “Richard said it was more than twice the size of his, and the major even had more!”
“Even after last night’s dinner, I was simply ravenous,” McDunn said in explanation. “Your cook is excellent, as is your coffee. I haven’t had coffee—real coffee—for months.”
Georgiana lowered her face toward her plate to keep her raging curiosity from showing. She had so many questions! And most of them could not be discussed at the breakfast table. She had to be patient, but it was difficult. She was wildly curious about this extraordinary stranger and his breathtaking tale. And he had promised further explanations that she was sure would lead to even more thrilling accounts!
She glanced at her brother as she ate, surprised but pleased at his ease with the mysterious major. Georgiana was used to her brother’s reserve with people outside the family, but he seemed to have set it aside on this occasion for reasons she could not discern. Perhaps it was something only men could know, and if so, she wondered whether even they could explain it.
Her mind kept returning to the vague references the major had made.
Just what does he mean about the scandalous nature of women’s fashions? she thought. I would definitely like to know more.
Since her eyes were lowered, Georgiana had no idea that the men read her barely suppressed inquisitiveness with the knowledgeable eyes of older brothers and exchanged smiles of amused tolerance at the foibles of female siblings.
***
“…afterwards, Richard and I shall be taking a ride,” Darcy said in the privacy of his study. “Would you care to join us?”
McDunn looked blankly at him for a brief moment before comprehension bloomed in his eyes. “On a horse, you mean,” he said, and Darcy gave a nod.
“Sorry, but you caught me by surprise,” McDunn said. “It’s just that there were very few horses in my home town, and they cost a fortune to maintain. So, I’ve never even been on a horse, much less learned how to ride.”
“I would be happy to provide instruction,” Fitzwilliam said quickly. “You did mention there were many things you need to learn. Riding is certainly one of the first things, I would think.”
“If I may, could I reserve that for another day, Colonel? What I really want is to take a nice, long run and work some of the kinks out of my muscles.”
“A run?” Darcy asked blankly. His sister, who had been invited to join them, was equally confused.
“Yeah, about three miles or so if I’m not too out of shape to make it that far.”
He smiled at the surprised looks he saw. “That’s another difference between my military and yours. Physical training was part of life in the Corps. We learned through bitter experience that if we had to go against a really tough enemy, we had to be just as tough. And that meant we trained, trained, trained.”
“That sounds like Richard describing a day in camp,” Georgiana said with dawning comprehension. “The officers and men train all day, most of it on horseback.”
McDunn nodded, looking at Fitzwilliam. “That sounds about right. Different than how we did it, but the same rationale. If you don’t work hard, you die easily.”
Seeing the uncomfortable looks on the faces of Darcy and Georgiana, he shrugged. “Sorry to be blunt, but war is so brutal, I may unconsciously say things that will be shockingly inappropriate in a setting like this. Sorry.”
“Do not apologize, Major,” Fitzwilliam said. “I understand perfectly. I have even been guilty of saying similar things in the past.”
“I’ll try to watch it, though. I know I’m a bit uncivilized at the moment, but I’ll work on it.”
As Darcy and Fitzwilliam discussed where to ride, McDunn regarded Georgiana in a more troubled manner.
It’s going to be difficult to remain an impartial observer when I already like everyone so much, especially this young girl. After just one day, I don’t think I could stand aside and let Wickham talk her into eloping from Ramsgate. I’m already invested here. Damn!
***
Darcy and Fitzwilliam’s horses cantered up to the stables just as McDunn made the last turn toward the same destination, his run a rapid, ground-eating stride. Darcy was more than a little surprised to see Georgiana waiting for him along with several of his household staff. All of them were staring in frank astonishment at Darcy’s guest who wore his marine trousers, boots, and a simple green shirt. The morning was cool and brisk, so he was not sweating as profusely as he would on a summer day. Still, parts of his shirt were dark with moisture, and drops of sweat rolled down his face. But he was breathing easily as he slowed to a trot and then a walk.
“I hadn’t planned to do my exercising to an audience,” McDunn said as the two men dismounted.
He looked closer at the horses as a pair of stable boys took the reins. “Speaking as a city-raised guy, those look like beautiful horses, Mr. Darcy. Of course, I know little of them, but they seem impressive to my eyes.”
“Marlborough is a fine animal, possibly the best horse I have ever owned. Quite spirited, though. He seems to respond well only to me.”
“Unfortunately, I had to pick from what was left,” Fitzwilliam said, “but what else can a poor, younger son expect?”
“You are simply making excuses for not overtaking me on that last turn for home,” Darcy said. “But come. Let us get away from the audience as you called them. I can see my sister has a thousand questions she can barely contain.”
“Are you well, Major McDunn?” Georg
iana asked as soon as the four of them were out of earshot of the others. Concern was plain to see on her forthright face.
“Certainly, Miss Darcy. Why do you ask? Do I look unwell?”
“But you are so…so…”
“I’ve been sweating, you mean,” McDunn said with a smile. “It’s what happens when you run. It’s how we kept ourselves prepared. If the bad guys were tough, we had to be tougher. It’s like what you said about a day in Colonel Fitzwilliam’s camp. The only difference is that I was a ground-pounder, so we didn’t ride. We ran.”
Seeing the looks of confusion, McDunn realized what he had said and smiled ruefully. “A ‘ground-pounder’ is an infantryman, Miss Darcy. We walked instead of rode, which is why you find me with damp clothing. I intended to have one of your brother’s men dump a bucket or two of water over me before I changed into my borrowed clothing, but everyone arrived before that happened.”
McDunn had a twinkle in his eye as he said to Georgiana, “Despite the fact that your brother is treating me like a gentleman, you must always remember I’m a mere colonial.”
“Now stop that!” Georgiana said. “I think you are a gentleman, sir, at least in the qualities that matter. You look so…so dangerous—almost sinister in fact. Yet, I feel very safe in your presence, and I am convinced that, somehow, you would protect me to your dying breath!”
McDunn stopped abruptly, looking at Georgiana intently before shifting his eyes to her brother. His voice had a tender quality when he finally spoke.
“I…I’m honored by your sentiment, Miss Darcy, and that is the God’s honest truth. My own sisters—may God rest their innocent souls—were dead months before our last battle, but I believe they are nodding their approval in Heaven because you have paid me such a profound compliment.”
