Frederick thought, This lady wants to know the latest gossip. He paused before answering. “The Musgroves are a wealthy family in Somerset.Their son once served under me, but Richard Musgrove passed away several years ago.”
“Ah, so they have no title?” Lady Amelia asked disdainfully.
Frederick could not resist, having felt the sting of such judgments before. “Perhaps I should withdraw.You should not be seen in my company, Lady Amelia. Like the Musgroves, I am among the untitled.”
“Oh, Captain,” she said and giggled,“I meant no offense.”
“None taken,” he muttered, but the lady’s words so incensed him that when his party stepped into Molland’s, and he found the one person in the world he most wanted to see, every word he had planned to say upon finding Anne Elliot flew out of his mind. He stood there transfixed, feeling himself turn quite red. God! She was more beautiful than he remembered, and it was all he could do not to shout for joy at being in her presence once again. Obviously equally struck by seeing him, Anne took a slight step back, and Frederick, automatically reached out to steady her. Just touching her sent a shock through him. All the overpowering, blinding, bewildering, first effects of strong surprise were over for her, but Frederick still could not conquer his sensibilities. It was agitation, pain, pleasure, a something between delight and misery.
“Miss—Miss Anne!” he stammered.
Still a bit confused by the sight of him,Anne managed to curtsy. “Captain Wentworth.”A smile turned up the corners of her mouth as Frederick searched her face.
“Miss Anne,” Lady Susan interrupted their conversation, “it is pleasant to see you again. May I inquire as to the health of the rest of your family?”
“My father is well, thank you, Lady Susan.” Then Anne gestured toward one of the tables.“My sister and her companion, Mrs. Clay, as you see, are with me. We took refuge from the rainy weather.” Lady Susan and Elizabeth acknowledged each other with a nod.
“I assume with your cousin Lady Dalrymple’s patronage of the arts, your family will be in attendance for Madame Tresurré’s premiere concert performance?”
Anne shifted her weight.“My family shall attend.”
“Then we shall see you there.” Lady Susan and her cousins started to move away, and, after a nervous bow, Frederick followed suit. He neared the table Harding had located for them before he realized he just walked away from Anne—the one thing he swore he would never do again. For nearly two months he prayed daily for the opportunity to rekindle Anne’s desire for him, and he just walked past her to sit with Lady Amelia, a woman who not three minutes ago made him so angry he reacted in a very non-gentlemanlike manner.“Excuse me,” he said to his group and went back to where Anne still stood, looking out at the street.
“Miss Anne,” he spoke softly as he stepped up beside her,“I am happy to see you well.”
“Thank you, Captain, and are you well? I understand from the Admiral that you were with your bother in Shropshire?”
“I could do little in Lyme to help the situation, so I took the opportunity to visit with Edward and his new wife. He took a living with Lord Calderson and is very productive.” Frederick barely noted his own words; he simply wanted to be there in her presence and to look into Anne’s eyes.
Anne lifted her chin to engage his stare. “Then Mr. Wentworth has his own congregation? I am ashamed to say I lost track of him after he left the country. It gives me pleasure to know he is doing well.”
“His story is even better than that. Edward and his wife, Christine, will welcome their first child in mid-summer.”
“Indeed!” Her eyes sparkled. “Your brother is blessed to find such happiness at last. Please convey my best wishes to both Edward and Mrs.Wentworth.”
Emboldened, Frederick said, “I would be pleased to do so. I have not asked of your own family, Miss Anne.Are they in health?”
Anne motioned toward where Elizabeth sat. “My family does well in Bath, Sir.”
Frederick caught Elizabeth Elliot’s eye and nodded, but the woman turned away with unalterable coldness. Momentarily stunned by her casual cruelty, Frederick pretended to be indifferent to the social cut, saying, “I was—I was concerned—concerned for how the situation at Lyme affected you.” He gazed into her eyes.
“I knew agitation for several hours when Louisa first suffered her injury, but I cannot compare my angst with what you endured,” she said softly.
“I am deeply sorry to be a part of any affliction Miss Musgrove met that day. I, foolishly, in my pride and conceit, paid her too much attention; she, obviously, misinterpreted the extent of my interest. Miss Musgrove’s desire to act impulsively—to act in an independent manner—led to her accident, but it was I who often encouraged her free spirit,” he said somberly. He looked down at the floor and took a deep breath. Looking up at Anne, he said,“And I am pleased that Miss Musgrove has now found happiness with Captain Benwick and he with her. He has known grief at its lowest depth, and if Louisa Musgrove gives him a new focus in life, then things have worked out better than any one of us could have imagined.”
“I wondered if the change would affect your relationship with Captain Benwick. I hoped you would not feel ill used by your friend. I should be very sorry that such a friendship as has subsisted between you and Captain Benwick should be destroyed, or even wounded, by a circumstance of this sort.”
Frederick smiled and shook his head.“Miss Musgrove is a pleasant companion, and any man would be blessed to have her in his life, but I believe she chose the man who is best for her. She is an affectionate, outgoing girl, and her warm heart will heal James Benwick, as is proper.”
A servant in Dalrymple livery interrupted their exchange. “The Lady Dalrymple’s coach for the Misses Elliot,” he called in a clear voice.
Elizabeth Elliot haughtily stood. Meanwhile, her companion scrambled to retrieve their packages. Seeing Elizabeth and the woman exit, Frederick offered Anne his arm:“May I escort you to your carriage?”
Anne dropped her eyes in embarrassment. “I am much obliged to you, but I am not going with them.The carriage would not accommodate so many. I walk.” She added quickly,“I prefer walking.”
Frederick realized that nothing had changed for Anne; her family still treated her worse than they would treat a poor relative. He looked out the window and exclaimed,“But it rains!”
“Oh, very little. Nothing that I regard,” she assured him.
After a moment’s pause he said,“Though I came only yesterday, I have equipped myself properly for Bath already, you see.” Frederick pointed to a new umbrella.“I wish you would make use of it, if you are determined to walk; though, I think, it would be more prudent to let me get you a chair.”
“Please, no, Captain. I am much obliged for your kindness, but I need no cover from the elements, and the rain will come to nothing.” Looking away, she added, “I am only waiting for my cousin, Mr. Elliot. He will be here in a moment, I am sure.”
Just then, Mr. Elliot walked in. Frederick recollected him perfectly. There was no difference between him and the man who stood on the steps at Lyme, admiring Anne as she passed, except in the air and look and manner of the privileged relation and friend. He came in with eagerness, appeared to see and think only of her, apologized for his stay, was grieved to have kept her waiting, and anxious to get her away without further loss of time, and before they walked off together, her arm under his, Anne sent Frederick a gentle and embarrassed glance, and a “good morning to you.”
Frederick stood frozen for a few moments, confused by how quickly Mr. Elliot had whisked Anne away. He returned to his party and reluctantly joined them as they watched Anne and Mr. Elliot make their way across the busy street. As soon as they were out of sight, the ladies of his party began talking of them.“Mr. Elliot does not dislike his cousin, I fancy?” Lady Caroline said dreamily.
Lady Susan leaned across the table as if to share a prime piece of gossip. “Oh! No, that is clear enough. One can
guess what will happen there.” A shiver shot up Frederick’s spine. “He is always with them—half lives in the family, I believe. What a very good-looking man!” Frederick’s breath became shallow.
“Yes, and Miss Atkinson, who dined with him once at the Wallises, says he is the most agreeable man she ever was in company with.” Lady Amelia motioned for the wait staff to bring another pot of tea to the table. She poured a cup for Frederick and refreshed the others’ cups before adding, “She is pretty, I think; Anne Elliot—very pretty, when one comes to look at her.” Lady Amelia shot Frederick a knowing glance, but he barely registered the words she spoke.“Of course, it is not the fashion to say so, but I confess I admire her more than her sister.”
“Oh! So do I,” Caroline declared vehemently.
Lady Susan giggled, enjoying the idle talk on a rainy afternoon. “And so do I. No comparison.” Then she began to tease her cousin, “But the men are all wild after Miss Elizabeth Elliot. Anne is too delicate for them. Is that not right, Buford?”
Buford Harding cleared his throat before offering up a defense. “Miss Elizabeth Elliot has a certain charm. In her own way, she is attractive.Would you not say so,Wentworth?”
“Hmm? I am sorry, Harding, I missed what you said last.”
“I just commented on how Miss Elliot possesses a certain charm.”
“Oh, I think,” his oldest sister put aside her brother’s opinions, “from what we have observed in the past few minutes, Captain Wentworth would barely look at Elizabeth Elliot.”
“Oh, really?” Lady Susan encouraged tauntingly. “Whom do you prefer, Captain—Elizabeth Elliot or Anne Elliot?”
A thousand thoughts rushed through him. How could he stop the rumors these three would gladly carry forth? He spoke slowly. “I have known the Elliot family for many years—from before the time I received my first ship. My older brother began his clerical career in Somerset, and, at present, my sister and Admiral Croft are letting the Elliots’ estate. Our families are not intimate, but we have a long-standing acquaintance—nearly a decade. Miss Anne is the most agreeable of the three Elliot daughters, if that is of what you speak, Lady Susan.”
“Three?” Lady Amelia interrupted. “I understood there were only the two.”
Frederick smiled.“Oh, no,” he said, savoring the moment.“The youngest sister, Mary, is now Mrs. Charles Musgrove—the same Musgrove family into which Captain Benwick will marry. Her husband will inherit the Musgrove estate at his father’s passing.The younger Musgroves reside less than three miles from Kellynch Hall. In fact, I spent much of October and November in the company of all the Musgroves and Miss Anne. Mrs. Charles suffers from a number of maladies, and Miss Anne tended her sister. I became a regular guest of the Musgroves because their son Dick served under me before his passing.”
“So you know the family well,” Lady Amelia questioned. She looked a trifle deflated.
“I traveled to Lyme with the Musgroves and Miss Anne for a day trip in late November, so that they might meet my old friends Captain Harville and his family. It was on that trip that Captain Benwick, who had taken up temporary residence with the Harvilles, first met Louisa Musgrove. Miss Anne and I were just now discussing the happy news of Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove’s engagement.”
Buford Harding reprimanded his family. “I am afraid, Captain Wentworth, that my sisters have vivid imaginations. I apologize if they pried into your personal affairs. It appears Bath does not offer them enough distractions to entertain them sufficiently.”
“It is of no consequence, Harding. I am not ashamed of my admiration for Anne Elliot, nor would I ever speak poorly of her.” Frederick pretended a calm he did not feel. He sipped his tea before changing the subject. “What will you do now, Lieutenant, with Napoleon on Elba? Will you stay with the service or seek a buy out?”
Frederick sat back and feigned an interest in Harding’s schemes for bettering himself. He satisfactorily stifled the prattle of three mildly vicious young ladies—protecting Anne’s reputation. Nearly thirty minutes later, he excused himself, claiming a prior engagement with Admiral Croft. He wanted nothing more than to escape to his room at Sophia’s residence and regroup.Winning Anne Elliot would be his greatest reward—what did he care if he had to move a few mountains in order to do so? Frederick was up to the task—all he needed was a way of seeing her again—a way to be in Anne’s company. He would leave the rest to fate.
CHAPTER 14
In secret we met—
In silence I grieve,
That thy heart could forget,
Thy spirit deceive.
If I should meet thee
After long years,
How should I greet thee?
With silence and tears.
—Lord Byron,“When We Two Parted”
Frederick spent a restless night, but in the morning he left Sophia’s house on Gay Street with a new resolve. He hated that Mr. Elliot had made inroads with Anne while he languished in Shrewsbury, but Anne was not promised to the man, so Frederick still had a chance. Plus, he thought it positive that she risked her family’s censure by speaking to him—to actually leave her table and seek him out for private conversation. Likely, she had spotted him prior to his entrance with the Hardings and stood near the door, waiting to talk to him.
In addition, the situation at Lyme had not unduly distressed her. Anne knew a level of apprehension for Louisa’s recovery, but she also demonstrated a concern for him. She cared whether Louisa’s engagement destroyed a long-standing friendship.
Finally, when she had left yesterday, reluctance showed on Anne’s face. She wanted to remain with him.At least, that was what Frederick preferred to believe.
The only time Frederick saw Anne that day was on Pulteney Street. He spoke to some of the Admiral’s naval cronies before starting up the right-hand pavement, heading toward the main shopping district. “There she is,” he murmured. Anne sat in an upscale coach. Seeing her there, Frederick began walking in the same direction the coach traveled. Regularly, he turned his head to glance at her, while pretending to observe the busy street commerce. He wondered for a moment if he could wave down the coach—until he recognized Lady Russell’s livery. At first, he thought Lady Russell must have seen him also, her eyes being turned exactly in direction for him, of her being in short intently observing him, but he noted the woman pointing to one of the houses along his side of the street. Anne nodded to her godmother in response. Perversely, Frederick stepped to the street at the intersection, striking a pose of interest in the local architecture. He hoped Anne would see him clearly; he prayed she would recognize his smile of approval. Frederick stood his ground, seeking Anne’s face for as long as the coach remained in sight, then he turned once more toward Gay Street.
Unfortunately, Frederick did not see Anne anywhere—a day or two passed without producing anything. The theater and public rooms where he was in attendance were, obviously, not fashionable enough for the Elliots, whose evening amusements, according to the society pages, were solely in the elegant stupidity of private parties.
His encounter with Anne at Molland’s told Frederick where he would find her this evening, though. Despite the dumbfounding surprise of encountering her that day, he did recall Lady Susan asking specifically about a special concert scheduled for this very night. It was a concert for the benefit of a person patronized by Lady Dalrymple, one of the Elliots’ relatives. As he dressed, Frederick reasoned aloud,“The concert was really expected to be a good one, and I am very fond of music.” If he could only have a few minutes of conversation with her again, he fancied he should be satisfied; and as to the power of addressing her, he felt all over courage if the opportunity occurred.
Attired in his full dress uniform, Frederick took a deep breath and settled his nerves before the door opened for him, and he strode into the octagon-shaped room, to be met immediately by a vision of the Elliot family—Sir Walter, two of his daughters, and Miss Elliot’s companion—stationed by one of t
he fires. A satisfied smile crept across his face, and he slowed his pace, trying to figure out a way to approach them in order to speak specifically to Anne. He could pay his sister’s respects to the family. The Elliots would disdain his familiarity, but speaking to Anne was what was important. But a look of contempt from Miss Elizabeth Elliot made him question his choice, and he prepared only to bow and pass on.
To his pleasure, however, Anne, nearest to him, made yet a little advance and placed herself directly in his path. Despite the formidable father and sister in the background, Anne instantly spoke, “How do you do?”
Frederick touched her arm and led Anne out of the straight line to stand near her before responding. “Miss Anne, I am pleased to see you. I am well. May I assume that you are, too?”
“I am, Captain.” Looking furtively over her shoulder at her family’s glare, she said softly, “I was not sure you would remember my conversation with Lady Susan regarding the concert.”
Frederick felt a rush of happiness. “I believe I told you years ago, Miss Anne, there is little about you of which I take no note. Plus, you remember my fondness for great music.”
“It should be very entertaining, Captain,” she assured him. “Lady Dalrymple is a connoisseur of Italian opera.”
“Then I shall be most pleased, Miss Anne.” He smiled down at her. “I experienced many such performances in Mediterranean port cities; from tonight’s program, I noticed some with which I became familiar in Romola, Italy, in the region of Tuscany.”
“It sounds so beautiful! Romola. Do you not simply adore the sound of the word?” She laughed lightly before looking off wistfully. “At least, you were able to come unarmed for Bath’s weather. It is to be a star-lit evening.”
“My hand will seem empty,” he teased. Standing before her, Frederick had a full view of her family over Anne’s shoulder. “I assume that your family is in health,” he said when he could think of nothing else.
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