by Meg Osborne
“You know how she struggles with the two boys, Elizabeth,” Anne began.
“And, dear, recall how much of your time will be taken up with planning the wedding. I shall scarcely get to see you myself, and, forgive me, Miss Anne, but I do not wish to share you any more than I must.”
This was a calculated compliment, and Anne marvelled at its effects. Almost immediately, Elizabeth’s rage had vanished, and she was well-equipped to be generous.
“Mr Elliot is right, of course,” Elizabeth said, at length. “If you are set on returning to Uppercross, I do not suppose we can do much to persuade you to stay.” Her tone of voice betrayed no intention to try, but Anne did not comment on it.
“And you will return to Somerset, once you are married, will you not?” Anne asked. “We might see each other again very soon.”
Sir Walter was the only mind that remained in need of persuading, but fortunately that was no great task. If Anne’s absenting herself to Uppercross to settle Mary’s nerves would prevent him from having to uproot his comfortable position as the very epicentre of Bath’s society, he would not oppose it.
And so, it was very soon after that that Anne found herself making the trip back to Somerset with far more anxious excitement than she had ever felt at leaving it. That had never been her preference, although it offered her a way out, and the chance to avoid seeing Frederick’s sister. Now, she was returning and would see Frederick himself. But, this time, the spectre of the past did not upset her. She slipped her hand into her reticule, and her fingers found a folded letter from Mary which had summoned her thence. She did not need to lift it out and read it, for she had already committed the whole to memory. It was Mary’s letter, through and through, full of thinly veiled barbs at both Elizabeth and Anne for deserting her in her hour of need, penned in Mary’s inimitable self-pitying style. But there were a couple of lines, just before the note’s close, that spoke directly to Anne. “Captain Wentworth, he is Mrs Croft’s brother, you know, and a very interesting gentleman, has asked specifically to be remembered to you, although I cannot imagine why. He bid me mention music and explains that Louisa has been telling him of your skill on the piano, which he hopes to witness first-hand when you arrive. I do not see why Louisa must always seek to praise everyone else's skill above my own, for you know I am quite as talented as you, Anne. Still, as Captain Wentworth has offered to take my letter to the post himself, I feel I must do as he asks....” Anne smiled. She could not arrive at Uppercross soon enough.
Also by Meg Osborne
A Convenient Marriage
A Convenient Marriage Volume 1
Longbourn's Lark: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Three Weeks in Kent: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Suitably Wed: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
A Visit to Scotland: A Pride and Prejudice Variaton
The Consequence of Haste: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
A Surprise Engagement: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Fate and Fortune
Too Fond of Stars: A Persuasion Variation
A Temporary Peace: A Persuasion Variation
Pathway to Pemberley
The Collins Conundrum
The Wickham Wager
The Darcy Decision
Three Sisters from Hertfordshire
A Trip to Pemberley
An Assembly in Bath
An Escape from London
Standalone
After the Letter: A Persuasion Continuation
Half the Sum of Attraction: A Persuasion Prequel
A Very Merry Masquerade: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella
The Other Elizabeth Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella
In Netherfield Library and Other Stories
Mr Darcy's Christmas Carol: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Such Peculiar Providence
A Chance at Happiness
The Colonel's Cousin: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Captain Wentworth's Christmas Wish
Watch for more at Meg Osborne’s site.
About the Author
Meg Osborne is an avid reader, tea drinker and unrepentant history nerd. She writes sweet historical romance stories and Jane Austen fanfiction, and can usually be found knitting, dreaming up new stories, or on twitter @megoswrites
Read more at Meg Osborne’s site.
