Guest Character: Captain Russell Avery from To Capture a Captain

Good morning y'all! Today I have a special guess with me today and he has so graciously graced us with his appearance. Let me introduce y'all to Captain Russell Avery.

Good morning, Captain Avery! Would it be all right with you if I called you Russ? 

Hello, Melody. My friends and family call me Russ. So, I’m hoping you mean to be friendly.

What are you talking about I’m always friendly? I just wanted to have permission to call you Russ. I wouldn’t want to step on any toes. Plus, it’s a lot easier than saying Captain Avery.

I suppose it’s all right then.

As you well know, Russ, I'm not your biggest fan and just wondering if you are still a little worried about this interview?

Well, Melody, most women do like me, so it’s a little off putting to deal with one who isn’t my biggest fan. But I’m sure I’ll survive.

*Snickers* I’m so glad you will survive. I’m truly hoping that we might be the best of friends (maybe a little more friendly than before).

I hope so too.

My first question is how did you like the review?

Well, the review was nice. I’m glad you’re a big fan of Bridget’s as I’m a big fan of hers myself. I do wish you liked me more, however. I’m not really a bad sort. I know you wish more men were like my brother Tristan, and sometimes I wish I were as noble as he is too. But at the end of the day, Melody, I am the man I am.

Let me clear up the air on this account. I actually do not mind rakes. They tend to be my favorite heroes. However, I just didn’t like how you treated Phoebe. Not everyone can be noble and that’s alright.

I have come to see that my treatment of Phoebe wasn’t what it should have been. Not to excuse my behavior, but perhaps to help you understand my state of mind after returning from Waterloo… There were a few times I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it home during that last campaign.

But I did.

And then I had a fiancée waiting for me, but I knew I didn’t love her. There wasn’t a thing I could do about the situation, however. Only she could cry off. It wasn’t a luxury I had. I suppose part of me hoped Phoebe would break our engagement and I’d be free, but the other part of me wanted to ignore the fact that the future I now had, the second chance I had at life, would never make me happy.

I guess I can understand (not really, but leave at that).

I love that I’m not the only one who isn’t your biggest fan either, is there any hope that you and Felicity Pierce will ever be friends?

(HE SNORTS.) Felicity Pierce is a sharp-tongued harridan. How my sister can adore her is a mystery. Will I ever be friendly with Felicity Pierce? I can’t ever see that happening, honestly. The chit is just as stubborn as I am.

That’s too bad. I kind of like her, but she can be a tad bit silly.

Irritating might be a better word.

I guess we will have to disagree on this account.

Anyways, can you explain why you were so angry with Tristan & Phoebe?

I am trying to put all of this behind me, but I’ll try to explain the situation from my viewpoint. I returned from war and did what was expected of men in my class. I met a pretty girl. She was well connected. I asked her to marry me. Did I love Phoebe Greywood? No. But I rubbed along well with her. She was charming and good-natured. We weren’t a love match, however. Most marriages in the ton aren’t. Most marriages are the combining of two families, of power and property. Phoebe was a good choice for me. 

I had no idea my brother was in love with her.  Tristan never said a word, I swear it.

So to have my fiancée stolen from me was a blow to my ego, but to have her stolen away by my own brother was the worst sort of betrayal. Had the roles been reversed, I would never have betrayed him. I still wouldn’t.

So why was I angry with Tristan and Phoebe? My brother’s betrayal was the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced.

I’m sorry that you had to experience that. However, you could have treated Phoebe a little better and the situation would have turned out differently.

I could have ended up married to her, and still I would have lost my brother.

True.

So, have you reformed your rakish tendency since meeting Miss Kelly?

Since meeting Bridget, I haven’t had the desire to spend time with any other female, if that’s what you’re asking. She is kind and forgiving and I think I’d be lost without her.

I must say that is the sweetest thing you have said about any girl and I hope for happiness for the both of you.

We do appreciate that, thank you.

I’m not going to lie that it tickled me pink when I read your little problem. I hope that it has been all cleared up.

Thank you for your concern. That is very kind of you to care. My little problem is a thing of the past. Falling in love with the right woman can cure a great many things.

See I can be caring, even to my least favorite people. I must say that I’m liking you a little more.

That is a relief. 

So, did Ava share some of the things I said about you on Twitter?

I think Ms. Stone has shielded me from some of the things you’ve said. There’s no reason for her to do so, however. I’ve faced down approaching armies and lived to tell the tale. I can handle a little criticism.

LOL! I have said some pretty harsh things.

In my honest opinion I think you would have crushed Phoebe’s spirit and you guys wouldn’t have been a good match. So has your pride recovered from the incident?

My pride was wounded. No man likes to be made a fool of. I was more hurt by Tristan than Phoebe, to be honest. I wish my brother – who I have always been extremely close to – had been honest with me from the beginning. I would have wanted Tristan’s happiness, and I would hope – between the two of us – we could have come up with a solution that didn’t involve deception, anger, or an early morning dash to the Scottish border. I wish he could have trusted me more. It was the realization that he didn’t do so that hurt the most.

I guess I can handle that answer.

I will be honest you have risen a notch in my book and the only reason is because of Miss Kelly. So, what is so special about Miss Kelly?

Bridget. (HE CAN’T KEEP FROM SMILING) She’s everything I never knew I wanted. She is happiness, honesty and sunshine all rolled together. She has the kindest heart and sweetest disposition. And her capacity for love and forgiveness are awe-inspiring.

That is so sweet. I love sappy answers like that.

Has everything been patched up between you and Tristan?

For the most part, Tristan and I are fine. Some damage was done to our relationship, but it’s important to both of us that we find our way back to each other. You have to realize Tristan is not just my brother, he’s my brother-in-arms. We were raised together, but we also fought side-by-side together for years. Our bond was stronger than most brothers’. But again, Bridget, my sweet Bridget, is responsible for my reconciliation with Tris. And Phoebe has helped bridge the gap between us as well. So, while there is a little awkwardness – and, really, how could there not be? – we are doing much better now than we were several months ago.

I’m so glad that you guys are patching things up. I hope that things will be back to normal one day.

Thank you, Russ, for coming today, I really appreciate you being here. I like you a little more today. I think part of it has to do that you came to visit. Would you be willing to answer any questions my fellow followers may have?

Of course! I’ll be happy to answer anything anyone would like to know. And thank you, Melody, for having me here today.

It has been a pleasure.

I'm so excited that Russ has been willing to answer any questions you guys may have. I would love to see some questions you might have for him, so please ask him.