Jane Austen – Mansfield Park

William Price

The Dancing Monkeys by Ione

'William's brows lifted, reminding Crawford that, despite his younger age, Lieutenant Price had seen far more of the world, and a rougher world, than had Henry Crawford. "He's old in sin. Old in sin." Then William said diffidently, "I don't quite understand what happened—that is, I am conscious of how much I owe you, sir, for your—yes, I can see you do not want to be reminded, but hang it all, what I'm trying to say is, if you wish, I can take you by one ten times better, and for half the cost."' By the magic of plot devicium, Henry winds up aboard the Laconia for his sins. Observing that 'Henry had always matched his tone to his company', Ione makes this unlikely crossover work beautifully, and the novelette is packed with delicious historical details as well as cameos from both sources. And the penultimate line really packs a punch

[Added 16/01/2019; Drama; 6000-20,000; Jane Austen – Mansfield Park; Characters: Henry Crawford, William Price, Sam Price, Frederick Wentworth (Persuasion), James Benwick (Persuasion), Dick Musgrove (Persuasion), OCs; Crossover]