Free Pirates and Prejudice by Kara Louise Page B

She did not want to live
anywhere but here. 
    When they were
walking down the hill, they encountered Mr. Bennet about halfway down. He was
sitting on a bench reading.
    “Papa! You have
found a most pleasing spot to read!” Elizabeth turned to look out at the sea.
“Lovely view, is it not?”
    Mr. Bennet
closed his book and looked out. “Yes, it is, and now I wish even more that we
had come here before. I think your mother would have enjoyed it when she was
younger.”
    Elizabeth looked
at him in surprise. “Truly?”
    “Well, she would
probably not have ventured out on a walk up here, but I daresay she would have
enjoyed the weather and a little sea bathing. You know how she always talks
about that!”
    Elizabeth
laughed and kissed him on the cheek. “I believe you are correct, Papa.”
    *~*~*
    The following
morning, when Elizabeth woke up, she gave Melanie a gentle shake to awaken her,
and the two met David just before sunrise. They ascended the hill in silence.
Melanie walked slower than her cousins and bade them go on ahead, assuring them
she would catch up with them at the lookout. Elizabeth knew she was probably
tired, but wondered if part of it was to allow Elizabeth some time alone with
David. As they walked ahead, he did not offer his arm to Elizabeth, but he did
take hers a few times to help her up small inclines.
    When they
reached the lookout, the first fragments of light and colour were beginning to
fill the skies. Elizabeth sat down on the bench, and David sat beside her. They
both looked down the trail and could see Melanie slowly making her way up.
     “I was
actually surprised you were able to wake Melanie this morning. She and I came
up here once to see the sunrise.” He let out a laugh. “It was in the autumn so
it was not nearly as early as it is now!”
    Elizabeth
laughed softly. “It took me several attempts to waken her. I fear she does not
like the mornings.”
    “No. That is the
only thing about us that is different. Except, of course, where we live.”
    “You care for
her deeply; I can tell.”
    David nodded.
“Since I was very young.” He glanced towards Melanie as she drew a little
closer. “But she has made up her mind.” He clasped his hands together and
turned back at Elizabeth with a pointed look. “I think I have finally realized
we shall always be just friends.”
    He called out to
Melanie, “You have almost made it! Come! The show is about to begin!”
     
    *~*~*
    Elizabeth and her
father enjoyed touring the island the next few days. They began by going down
to the beach, where Elizabeth bravely removed her shoes and stockings and ran
along the shore in her bare feet.
    The following
day Mr. Bennet wished to visit some of the historical sites. They walked across
the ruins of Star Castle, which was built in 1593 during the reign of Queen
Elizabeth. They also went to Harry's Walls, the remains of an unfinished
artillery castle begun in 1551. It was left unfinished because the site was
eventually found to be unsuitable.
    Two days before
Elizabeth and her father were to leave, Melanie, David, and his mother, Jenny,
joined Elizabeth as they visited Hugh Town. This was the main town and port on
St. Mary’s which all ships sail in and out of. Now that she was at her leisure,
she was able to take pleasure in the amenities of the small town. They walked
along the winding streets lined with stone houses, pausing to shop at beckoning
stores, and then stopping at an inn near the dock for tea and cake.
    At one point in
the outing, Elizabeth found herself alone with David’s mother. She came
alongside Elizabeth and took her arm.
    “I hope you know
how much David is enjoying getting to know another cousin,” she said. “He and
Melanie have always had a special bond, but she has made it clear to him that
she only views him as a friend.”
    “Yes,” Elizabeth
said. “She informed me of that.”
    Jenny patted
Elizabeth’s hand. “I can see that you are a lot like Melanie, and David