Tom Bertram notices his cousin in the days and weeks following his sister's disgrace. *********** They Walked In The Aftermath In the aftermath of Mary Crawford’s final visit to Mansfield Park, Tom Bertram watched as his cousin Fanny grew away from his brother Edmund. True, she was there to offer comfort in the fullness of his grief, as she always was. Comfort was something that Fanny did well and she had always been closest to Edmund. If he was honest with himself, in hindsight Tom suspected that she loved Edmund and had done so since before her womanhood caused her to comprehend it. As time passed, however, Tom start to see discomfort written across Fanny’s face in Edmund’s company. Discomfort that grew into frustration as Edmund wallowed in his contemplation of what he considered were the evils that society had worked on the woman he loved. Tom thought that, had she given her honest opinion, Fanny would call it a failure of Miss Crawford’s morals and character, rather than evils imposed by society. In his newly sobered mind, Tom considered that he probably agreed with Fanny. Edmund’s duties at Thornton Lacey did keep him away, but he came to Mansfield often, driven by the depressive spectre of his own company. As Tom grew stronger he used his improved health to shield Fanny from this visits when he could, asking her to accompany him on constitutional walks through the gardens in fine weather, and asking her to read to him when they were trapped in doors. Before long, Edmund noticed that his patient listener had been diverted and confronted Tom. “What are you playing at, Tom? You have never paid Fanny the slightest thought in the past.” Tom kept his face calm. “Indeed, that was my mistake. I see the worth of our young cousin more clearly now. Her gentle nature soothes my troubled mind when memories of my misbehavior intrude and her advice on my current and future pursuits is sound and very welcome.” Edmund frowned. “That is true. But I see so little of her lately. You have monopolized her time.” “Your home is in Thornton Lacey and Fanny’s is here, at Mansfield. It is only natural that her focus is here and that her concerns are starting to diverge from yours. You’re responsibilities and priorities have changed.” Edmund was clearly not satisfied, but he could not deny Tom’s logic and so left with a still somewhat disconcerted expression. What Tom had carefully hidden during that conversation were his own developing feelings. He could see why Mr Crawford had been drawn to Fanny once the more dominant personalities of Maria and Julia were no longer in residence. Her goodness, her sweetness and the steadiness of her character were captivating. It made him more disgusted with Crawford than ever, knowing that he had thrown away such possibilities. He did suspect that Crawford would never have succeeded. Fanny’s opinion of his character was too low, that was clear. Tom was not sure that he was worthy of Fanny. He hoped that, in essentials, he was a stronger character than Crawford and he was determined to improve himself. He would at least try and be worthy of her. Perhaps one day he could engage her affections. He had hope, small though that it was. He smiled to himself and went in search of Fanny. The sun was breaking through the clouds. Perhaps she wished to walk today. The End ************ I've made a couple of attempts at writing Tom/Fanny stories but have never managed to finish anything until this story bubbled out of me today. It's my first time posting here, though I've been lurking for years. I hope people enjoy it. EC Mattonhttps://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,115989#msg-115989Fri, 01 May 2026 12:19:50 +0100 Phorum 5.2.22 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,118142#msg-118142 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,118142#msg-118142 Marilyn G Derbyshire Writers' GuildSat, 19 Sep 2015 21:33:23 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116089#msg-116089 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116089#msg-116089 ShannaG Derbyshire Writers' GuildWed, 06 May 2015 17:37:37 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116070#msg-116070 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116070#msg-116070
Thanks for posting. I'll have to watch for your name for future MP stories. It's always nice for a change.]]> Meg E Derbyshire Writers' GuildTue, 05 May 2015 19:50:25 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116063#msg-116063 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116063#msg-116063 Lucy J. Derbyshire Writers' GuildTue, 05 May 2015 04:16:15 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116036#msg-116036 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116036#msg-116036
I feel you need to show how Tom Bertram's character changes as he reflects upon his former behavior. Austen writes that illness made him more thoughtful. What did he learned as he mused upon the man he had been and the man he would like to become?

Here are some past events that might trouble a more thoughtful and set him trying to figure out amends:

As a teenage boy, he gave the prepubescent Fanny essentially the same off-hand casual gift all the time. What if the adult Tom gives a Fanny a gift that shows he now understands her heart better? She is touched and starts to see him in a different light, not just the cousin whom her good heart would always insist she care for, but as a man who stirs her?

Fanny's first loyalty has always been to Edmund because he made her his friend/student, and took her education in hand, while Tom mostly ignored her. Perhaps Tom and Fanny could have a discussion about that? There comes a time to leave off with childish things, to become a woman in your own right rather than in someone else's image. Fanny could come to believe she might be the woman with Tom that she could never be with Edmund.

As a young blade about London, and the eldest son, Tom overspent and put his father into a bind. The only way it could be corrected was to slice the inheritance that would have been Edmund's. Sir Thomas chose to sell a living (a clergical appointment) in order to raise funds to pay off Tom's debt. The appointee would own the living until he died or resigned it willingly. The loss to Edmund in future income could have have been quite severe as he waited for that living to come back into the possession of his family so that it could be given to him.Tom tried to excuse himself at the time that appointee at the Mansfield Park living, Dr. Grant, was fat and would no doubt quickly kill himself overeating. This was another casually cruel assumption by Tom, and a better Tom would have to recognize this. I am not sure of what scene(s) would take place but Tom's seeing his error in this would mark further heightening of his character.

In canon, Tom was the one who pushed for the also ill-conceived theatricals, shrugging off what his father would think. He knew his father would not like it and, hence, he was shaking in his shoes when Sir Thomas returned home unexpectedly. It is clear in canon, however, that Sir Thomas knew his sons well enough to expect it should have been Edmund who stopped the foolishness. He knew that although Tom was the eldest, he was also the screw-up who could always be expected to do the wrong thing. Tom needs to reflect upon his disobedience and failings as a son, particularly the eldest son. He should be shepherding his siblings rather than merrily leading them astray and hoping they can "get away with it" before Daddy comes home.

Also, although Tom was the scion who would inherit the family title and money, the ambitious and cynical Mary Crawford chose to pass him up and to seek Edmund instead. Her choice tells you something about the two men. Mary Crawford was not a good woman or a particularly wise one, but she was smart. (Losing Edmund might even have made her wiser.) The point is that this smart and cynical woman saw Tom as a second choice at best, if even that. That is more evidence that Tom needs to make himself into a better man, someone to be depended upon, someone who can lead a family to prosperity and maintain solidity.

Finally, a romance between Tom and Fanny cannot be solely based upon our anger as readers at Edmund for being slow in recognizing that Mary Crawford was not the woman, or even "a" woman, he should be consorting with. We cannot make Tom good by simply acknowledging Edmund has flaws. I don't think that a story in which Tom and Fanny get together should trash Edmund because I think would always care for him, even if another man managed to steal her heart.

Again, I hope these thoughts, or, at least some of them(!) are helpful, and I hope you will write more.]]> Adelaide Derbyshire Writers' GuildSun, 03 May 2015 17:39:12 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116027#msg-116027 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116027#msg-116027 Agnes Beatrix Derbyshire Writers' GuildSat, 02 May 2015 20:01:58 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116025#msg-116025 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116025#msg-116025I'd love to see this continued to see if Tom succeedes or if Fanny's feeling for Edmund are still what they were.]]> Lisette Derbyshire Writers' GuildSat, 02 May 2015 19:08:51 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116009#msg-116009 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116009#msg-116009 Victoria Lisa Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 01 May 2015 22:15:48 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116008#msg-116008 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116008#msg-116008
Tom's personality has undergone a significant change at the end of MP. His illness and disillusionment with the society of his fair-weather friends have contributed to a new maturity and insight. On the other hand, how has Edmund really changed? He's the same person he was in the beginning...except he's been disappointed in love. Except for being stunned that the beguilling, superficial Mary in no way shares ANY of his values..how has he changed in character? Fanny has suffered through his blind crush and found his blindness to Mary's obvious character flaws to be rather appalling. She let that slide because she loved him.

But now, you've created a wonderful situation where Edmund has sunk in Fanny's opinion, while Tom could very well rise. What fun!]]> Victoria Lisa Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 01 May 2015 21:59:24 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116006#msg-116006 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116006#msg-116006 Amy A-NW Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 01 May 2015 20:14:08 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116001#msg-116001 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,116001#msg-116001 Ratna Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 01 May 2015 17:26:03 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,115991#msg-115991 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,115991#msg-115991
I suspect that this particular story will stay as it is. Perhaps I will take another look at my other attempts and see if I can manage something longer. We'll see where the muse takes me. I am glad that you enjoyed it though. :)

EC Matton]]> EC Matton Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 01 May 2015 12:34:48 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,115990#msg-115990 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,115990#msg-115990
You've just started! How about 3-4 more chapters? One from her POV, showing how she appreciates having her opinion truly heard and how she observes Tom taking her advice seriously and trying to improve himself? (It would be flattering for any person, knowing that they have so much influence over another.) Some quiet nights playing cards and discussing freely everything under the weather? And starting to realize that being indispensable for one's happiness trumps being the consolation prize? (I am not against Edmund/Fanny, but JA left too much for my imagination to not see their story as the "good enough" couple. I always want to be convinced that Fanny found a person that fully appreciates her and Crawford could not be that one as one little wiggling finger of Maria made him focus on his hormones and forget Fanny.) And then a conclusion where Fanny is truly happy in her marriage, while Edmund starts realizing that he should have focused on her and not Miss C and finally maturing a bit in this respect and eventually finding a truly amiable woman to learn what true love is? Just 3-4 chapters of goodness and some character growth for all three :)

(And as I'm on a demands-mode, let me also demand that you deliver in less than 2 weeks. I'm then due! :-p )]]> Maria V Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 01 May 2015 12:30:09 +0100 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,115989#msg-115989 https://dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,115989,115989#msg-115989
***********

They Walked In The Aftermath

In the aftermath of Mary Crawford’s final visit to Mansfield Park, Tom Bertram watched as his cousin Fanny grew away from his brother Edmund.

True, she was there to offer comfort in the fullness of his grief, as she always was. Comfort was something that Fanny did well and she had always been closest to Edmund. If he was honest with himself, in hindsight Tom suspected that she loved Edmund and had done so since before her womanhood caused her to comprehend it.

As time passed, however, Tom start to see discomfort written across Fanny’s face in Edmund’s company. Discomfort that grew into frustration as Edmund wallowed in his contemplation of what he considered were the evils that society had worked on the woman he loved. Tom thought that, had she given her honest opinion, Fanny would call it a failure of Miss Crawford’s morals and character, rather than evils imposed by society. In his newly sobered mind, Tom considered that he probably agreed with Fanny.

Edmund’s duties at Thornton Lacey did keep him away, but he came to Mansfield often, driven by the depressive spectre of his own company. As Tom grew stronger he used his improved health to shield Fanny from this visits when he could, asking her to accompany him on constitutional walks through the gardens in fine weather, and asking her to read to him when they were trapped in doors.

Before long, Edmund noticed that his patient listener had been diverted and confronted Tom.

“What are you playing at, Tom? You have never paid Fanny the slightest thought in the past.”

Tom kept his face calm. “Indeed, that was my mistake. I see the worth of our young cousin more clearly now. Her gentle nature soothes my troubled mind when memories of my misbehavior intrude and her advice on my current and future pursuits is sound and very welcome.”

Edmund frowned. “That is true. But I see so little of her lately. You have monopolized her time.”

“Your home is in Thornton Lacey and Fanny’s is here, at Mansfield. It is only natural that her focus is here and that her concerns are starting to diverge from yours. You’re responsibilities and priorities have changed.”

Edmund was clearly not satisfied, but he could not deny Tom’s logic and so left with a still somewhat disconcerted expression.

What Tom had carefully hidden during that conversation were his own developing feelings. He could see why Mr Crawford had been drawn to Fanny once the more dominant personalities of Maria and Julia were no longer in residence. Her goodness, her sweetness and the steadiness of her character were captivating. It made him more disgusted with Crawford than ever, knowing that he had thrown away such possibilities. He did suspect that Crawford would never have succeeded. Fanny’s opinion of his character was too low, that was clear.

Tom was not sure that he was worthy of Fanny. He hoped that, in essentials, he was a stronger character than Crawford and he was determined to improve himself. He would at least try and be worthy of her. Perhaps one day he could engage her affections. He had hope, small though that it was.

He smiled to himself and went in search of Fanny. The sun was breaking through the clouds. Perhaps she wished to walk today.

The End
************

I've made a couple of attempts at writing Tom/Fanny stories but have never managed to finish anything until this story bubbled out of me today. It's my first time posting here, though I've been lurking for years. I hope people enjoy it.
EC Matton]]> EC Matton Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 01 May 2015 11:53:48 +0100