Fun Friday: Another Ransome Spin-Off Story Idea

James Yates = Arthur Darvill
Eleanor Ransome = Karen Gillan (adjusted for hair/eye color)

Cordelia Pembroke Eckley-Hibbit = Holliday Grainger
Edward William Ransome = Tom Mison
Clara Eckley-Hibbitt = Catherine Steadman

Charles Lott Cochrane = Chris Hemsworth
Olivia Ahern = Elsa Pataky

Michael Witherington = Michiel Huisman
The Lady Marianne Yates = Sophie Turner

Kit didn’t mean to stay in Jamaica for four years. In fact, she was certain a year would be long enough. However, occasional sightings of her stalker by the Bow Street Runners her parents hired over the next few years was enough for her to decide to stay put. And then, after a couple of years, she didn’t want to leave. She’d become part of the Ransome family, with her same-age cousin, Eleanor, who quickly became her closest friend and confidante. She even accompanied Eleanor to Philadelphia when Eleanor ran away to escape an arranged marriage. (See Her Independent Heart.) When Eleanor eventually fell in love with James Yates and agreed to marry him, the three returned to Jamaica for the wedding preparations to commence.

When her parents and siblings arrived in Jamaica, Kit learned that the last the detective had been able to track down about her attacker was that he’d been arrested and executed for a crime in the north part of the country. It was now safe for her to return to England. Kit was glad to hear this, since Eleanor had asked her to go with her, since she’d know no one else in Portsmouth when she returned with James.
[End Backstory]

Witherington House in Portsmouth is large enough that Kit has the entire third floor of guest rooms to herself, which alleviates any awkwardness of living with newlyweds. It’s a bit of a culture shock to return to England after so many years away. So much so that she’s almost physically ill at the idea of once again “debuting” into society. But, as her mother, sisters, and Eleanor remind her, at least it’s Portsmouth and not London. To ease the way into society for both of them, Eleanor enlists Kit’s help to plan a “small” card party at Witherington House, at which most of Kit’s family will be in attendance.

The evening goes fine, which helps Kit to set aside some of her anxiety—enough that she accepts an invitation to a ball a few nights later at the lavish home of the Dowager Countess Dalrymple (who was at the dinner) in order to be re-introduced to society. Lady Dalrymple’s guest list is always diverse and wide-ranging–from other aristocrats to many naval officers and genteel but solidly middle-class families like Kit’s. After dancing with James Yates and a few friends of her brothers’, Kit has finally started breathing easier and enjoying herself . . . Until she excuses herself to the ladies’ refreshing room after a couple of hours and finds herself alone and face-to-face with him. Although he doesn’t attempt to touch her, he is menacing and threatening, promising her that either he will have her or no one will.

Philip Grantly = Oliver Jackson-Cohen

When her attendance at social events doesn’t draw the man out, Kit comes up with a drastic plan. She and Philip will pretend to become engaged, with banns read, an announcement in the newspaper, and a ball in their honor held at Witherington House. The ruse indeed draws him out. He sets fire to Kit’s bedroom as he makes his escape. The fire is put out without too much damage, but it’s decided that Kit is no longer safe in the city. However, they still must draw him out somehow.

It’s decided that Colin and Susan Yates, Earl and Countess Childers, will host a house party at their sprawling Hampshire estate. (Colin says that the stalker would be doing him a favor if he burned it to the ground, as the upkeep on the oft-remodeled Tudor manor costs far too much.)

A week passes with no hint of the stalker. It’s decided that the only way to get him to make another attempt is for the men, including Philip, to very publicly put it out that they’re leaving to spend three days at Colin’s hunting lodge half a day’s ride from the main house.