Free Pirates and Prejudice by Kara Louise

might just do
that, but not today. He will be long gone before I am ready, and chances are
good I would not find him, or heaven forbid, get lost!” She turned back to
Melanie and smiled when she saw that her cousin had quickly fallen back asleep.
    Elizabeth went
downstairs a little later and found her aunt and father visiting in the sitting
room.
    “Ah, come in,
Elizabeth,” Viola said. “I see that you take after the Bennet side of the
family and know the pleasure of rising early.”
    “Of my five
daughters, she is the only one that does,” affirmed Mr. Bennet.
    “Good morning,
Papa. Good morning, Aunt Viola. How are you feeling this morning?”
    “Tired, as
usual. But I am very happy. I have some of my favourite people here, and that gladdens
my heart.” She took Mr. Bennet’s hand and gave it a quick, frail squeeze. “If I
had more strength, I would take you out on a walk about the grounds and up to
the top of the hill. There is a view from there of the ocean on almost all four
sides of our little island.” She coughed into her handkerchief, and it took a
while to catch her breath.
    An expression of
concern flooded Mr. Bennet’s face.
    She waved her
other hand through the air. “I am… all right. Just need… a moment.” After a few
minutes she said, “I shall ask Melanie to show you both around. She and David
know almost every inch of this island.”
    “I should like
that very much,” Elizabeth said.
    Mr. Bennet
winked at Elizabeth and then turned back to his sister. “I should not wish to
intrude on the young people, nor would I be able to keep up with them. I should
very much like to just stay here and visit with you.”
    Viola shook her
head. “Nonsense! I know you, Brother, and very soon all the people in this
household shall compel you to flee from its midst.”
    Elizabeth
laughed, knowing her aunt was probably correct.
    “Well, if that
proves to be true, I shall be content to take my book and find a spot nearby to
read in solitude.”
    Viola nodded her
head. “Yes, you always were the reader. There is a bench about half-way up the
hill that has a view of the ocean to the east. You shall find it an easy walk
and a splendid place to get away from all the folly that goes on here.”
    As they
continued to chat, more of the family came downstairs and joined them. The aroma
from breakfast being prepared grew stronger, and Elizabeth found herself
greatly looking forward to eating.
    David came in
after a while, looking refreshed from his walk. “Good morning, everybody! Did
anyone see the sunrise this morning?”
    “Yes!” Elizabeth
said. “I saw it from Melanie’s window. It was a beautiful sight.”
    “It is one thing
I have always enjoyed seeing when we come here. But there is nothing finer than
to view it from the top of the hill on a clear, sunny morning with only a
slight breeze.”
    Viola waved her
handkerchief in the air. “Yes! You and Melanie must take Elizabeth to see the
view at the top of the hill.”
    He turned to
Elizabeth and grinned. “That is a splendid idea. We can have a picnic up there
today, and perhaps we can walk up to see the sunrise tomorrow morning?” He gave
his head a toss. “I am not certain Melanie will want to go. She enjoys her
morning sleep too much.”
    “I enjoy what?”
Melanie said as she came in. “What are you saying about me?” She walked up to
David and poked him in the ribs. “I hope it is nothing unkind, for if it is, I
shall be forced to tell Elizabeth about all the pranks you used to play on me
when we were younger!”
    He abruptly
turned to Melanie, bracing his hands on his hips. With a smile he said, “You
would not dare!”
    “Tell me what
you were saying about me!”
    David gave her a
deep bow. “As you wish! I merely said that you enjoy your morning sleep. Do you
think you might join Elizabeth and me on a walk tomorrow morning to view the
sunrise?”
    “Only if
Elizabeth is able to wake me up.” Melanie walked over to her mother and