Captain Wentworth's Persuasion

by Regina Jeffers

  Frederick had to know.“How dangerous is this?”

  Wallingford smiled again. “Not dangerous at all in comparison with the work you have been doing for the Crown until quite recently.”

  “Honesty, please, Lord Wallington!” Frederick demanded.

  Wallingford’s genial nature allowed him to easily gain a person’s trust; secretly, he admired Frederick for not capitulating to his charm. “Anytime, Admiral, a man faces those who wish to overthrow our government or who wish to defraud businesses, there is danger. But you will not be fighting in hand-to-hand combat; you will be facing down some of the most manipulative people in our realm.You need to depend heavily on your intuition to recognize those who are scheming.We have others in place to capture those involved or to help a person escape.What we do not have is a manager—a captain.We strongly believe you are the man for that job.”

  “What if I refuse?” Frederick asked.

  Wallingford picked up his papers. “Then you go on with your life; you draw your half pay until the country calls you to service again.You tell Mrs.Wentworth the Prince took back what he gave you in a drunken stupor.”

  Frederick retorted, “So if I want the title and the estate for Anne, then I do what is asked of me.”

  “That pretty much sums up the situation. So, what will it be,Admiral Wentworth?”Wallingford gave him another charming smile.

  Frederick sat back, contemplating the situation. He was silent for nearly five minutes—so long Wallingford’s practiced confidence took a hit.“May I see the papers you brought?” Frederick finally said.

  “Let us move to the desk, Admiral. We may spread out the map of your new property. It has renovated stables and barns and even a system in place for indoor running water. It is very close to the shoreline. Have I mentioned that before?”

  “No, Lord Wallingford, you did not.” Frederick had made his decision. He would do what he had to do for Anne to have what she deserved.

  As Wallingford spread out the map on the desk, he added,“You may not, Wentworth, tell anyone of your arrangement. Not Admiral Croft—and, especially, not Mrs. Wentworth. I will serve as your contact. You will report to me in most of your endeavors; I will apprise you of what you will need to know.”

  “I am at your service, Lord Wallingford.”

  “Wentworth, we will get along splendidly.” He spread out the rolled paper and began to point to the topographical elements of interest on the map.“The parkland drops down to the sea at this point.”

  After being sequestered for nearly an hour, reviewing the legal papers involving the Prince’s gift and Frederick’s service to the Crown, he straightened upon hearing Anne return to the house. “I believe I hear Mrs. Wentworth; my sister, Mrs. Croft; and my brother’s wife, Christine Wentworth. I will introduce you to my wife. If we are to be acquaintances, Mrs. Wentworth should become familiar to you.”

  Wallingford began gathering his papers.“That will not be necessary, Lord Orland.”

  Before Frederick could respond with the obvious question of “Why not?” Anne lightly tapped on the door and entered without waiting for her husband’s bidding. “Frederick,” she began, but then froze. She had not expected him to be with someone else.“I apologize; I did not realize you entertained company.”

  Frederick crossed the room as she spoke and took up a position in front of her. “No, my Dear, I am happy you came in when you did; I would like for you to meet someone.” He placed her hand on his arm to walk her toward the desk.Wallingford still had his back to them, gathering the last of the papers dealing with Frederick’s service to the government. “This, Anne, is Lord Wallingford; he brought the papers from the Prince regarding the estate.We were just going over them.”

  Wallingford straightened and slowly turned, the usual charming smile plastered on his face. “Hello,Anne,” he said casually.

  She gasped. “Marcus? “It is you! Marcus Lansing! You assumed your father’s title?” She left Frederick looking shocked and offered Wallingford a quick embrace.

  Annoyance laced Frederick’s next words. “I was unaware,Wallingford, that you were familiar with Mrs.Wentworth.”

  Anne explained,“Marcus attended a boys’ boarding school outside Bath before going off to the university. The girls’ school I attended often joined Marcus’s school at dances. Plus, our fathers were classmates at Cambridge, we would occasionally visit his family.”

  “I see,” said Frederick. Why did I trust Wallingford to tell me the whole truth? It was a lesson he would not forget.

  “I was a gangly boy with two left feet.Your wife, Lord Orland, took pity on me and my inability to keep time to the music.”Wallingford smiled pleasantly at Anne. “She has always had a kind heart.”

  As if he needed to stake his claim to her, Frederick took Anne’s hand and brought the back of it to his lips. “My wife’s heart is the kindest of them all; I am blessed to have her regard.”

  “Oh, Frederick,” she protested half-heartedly. Then Anne focused on something else her former friend said.“Did Marcus say Lord Orland?”

  “I did, Mrs.Wentworth.” Wallingford gestured to the open map. “I was showing your husband the property.Would you like to see for yourself?”

  “Certainly, if you would not mind.” She made her way to the desk.“Is our new estate close to yours, Marcus?” Anne asked as she leaned over the paper to analyze it.

  “Your estate, Wallingford?” Frederick tried to sound casual, but he seethed with anger at how much the man had withheld.

  Marcus Lansing pointed to the shoreline so Anne might see for herself where the property lay before he answered. “You recall, Wentworth, that I mentioned two others in Dorset would outrank you in title and size of their estates.”

  Frederick responded warily,“Yes.”

  “I would be one of those two.” Wallingford said softly as he pointed out the location of the house in relationship to the parkland for Anne’s inspection. “My estate borders Somerset on the other side of the county. As you are now both Wentworth and Orland, I am both Marcus Lansing and Wallingford.”

  “And would you be number one or number two on the list?”

  “Marcus is an earl,” Anne interrupted. “As was his father before him.”

  “An earl?” Frederick said.“Is there a Countess Wallingford?”

  Marcus laughed. “Sadly, no. I was in service to our Prince until recently. Dorset has an extensive coastline, and the government needed me to help in Lyme and Bath and Swanage. So unfortunately, I neglected my private life. Maybe Mrs. Wentworth will have a soft heart and introduce me to someone as kind as she.”

  Anne’s eyes sparkled. She patted Wallingford’s hand as she said, “I will keep an eye out for someone special.” Then she turned to Frederick.“You will assume the title you are being offered?”

  “I told Lord Wallingford I would.” Frederick looked at the man sharply while he continued to address Anne. “Unless you have an objection, my Dear?”

  “Oh, no, Frederick; it looks wonderful. May we visit the property one day next week?”Anne rushed to his side again; she looked up at him with those doe-like eyes, which mesmerized him years ago.

  Frederick turned to his wife. “Of course, my Love,” he agreed. Then he turned to the Prince’s representative. “Welcome your newest neighbors, Wallingford.” Frederick shook the man’s hand, and Anne hugged Wallingford again and kissed him on the cheek.

  Wallingford looked very pleased with Frederick’s decision. “Your Prince will be most gratified by the news.”

  Although Wallingford offered to escort them on their visit to their new property, Frederick and Anne wanted to see the area for themselves first. Lyme and Bath and even Plymouth outlined the county, but he was as unfamiliar with this part of England as she was.

  “It is beautiful, Frederick.” Anne clutched his hand as they stood looking out over the bay from one of the highest vantage points above Swanage.They had traveled through hay meadows and wooded areas and the countryside; n
ow, they stood braced against the wind, looking out over a coastal cliff and limestone outcroppings.

  Frederick had rented a coach, and they spent the past few days visiting the sights about the county. They had spent much of this day exploring the ruins of Corfe Castle, a medieval castle, which, according to their tour guide, had come to prominence during the time of William the Conqueror.The tour guide had been a font of information, informing them that the castle had been a royal residence during the medieval period; King Edward II had been imprisoned there; and King John had kept his crown jewels there. Henry VII had given the castle to his mother, but Henry VIII reclaimed it when he came to the throne. His daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, had sold the castle to one of her favorite courtiers, Sir Christopher Hatton, who fortified it during England’s defense against the Spanish Armada, a fact which had greatly impressed Frederick.The tour guide had gone on to say that Sir John Bankes, the Lord Chief Justice to Charles I, had owned it during the Civil War in the mid-1600s, but the Parliamentary forces had left it in ruins. Now it stood in mute testament to the violence of English history. At the bottom of the hill leading to the shell, picturesque stone houses peppered the village, where Anne had purchased gifts in the local shops for the Admiral and Sophia.

  Swanage Bay, four and half miles southeast of the remains, offered their current view. “King Alfred fought a fierce naval battle against the Danes in this very bay in 877,” Frederick shared as he laid his arm lightly about her shoulder.“They say Ballard Cliff is very dangerous—the sea quite treacherous in those parts, although I do not know that firsthand, for I never dropped anchor in these waters.”

  “You know so much of the world,” she whispered near his ear as she willingly turned in his arms. “I feel so protected when I am with you.”

  “Do you, my Love?” he asked as he used his finger to tilt her chin upward where he might kiss her.

  Anne knew, instinctively, he still brooded over her recent meeting with Marcus Lansing; she would give him what he needed in terms of reassurance. She snaked her arms around his neck.“I never felt safe any place else; I never felt love any place else. Frederick, you are the only man I could ever love; you must know that.”

  “I do know,Anne, but I am conceited enough to want to hear it from your mouth.” He kissed her again.“What a deliciously beautiful mouth it is.” Frederick’s lips lingered over hers, running his tongue teasingly along her bottom lip and teeth. “I love drinking from your lips.”

  When he released her, she turned back to the view. “Fascinating!” Anne reveled in the feel of the wind on her face and in her hair while the sun warmed her. Suddenly, she stiffened in his arms. “Frederick, give me your hand.” Curious, he complied. She took his palm and placed it on her abdomen.“Feel.”

  A tiny foot kicked him. Or was it a miniature hand that punched him? He laughed with delight. The sensation spread through him. “Our child is strong!” he asserted. She laughed and nodded her agreement. “Our love grows within you; it is God’s work,” he whispered.

  “Indeed, my Husband.This baby will know a man of strength, but also a man of love.” She kissed his palm.

  “Come, Sweetling,” he said at last.“Tomorrow we see our new home. I sent word to the staff to expect us in the afternoon.”

  Frederick scooped Anne into his arms and carried her back to the carriage. “I do believe you have put on weight,” he said, pretending to stagger.

  She giggled.“You are carrying two people, my Husband.”Then Anne rested her head on his shoulder and lay comfortably in his arms as he approached the waiting coach. “Our child and our home—I was not certain this day would ever come.”

  “The day is here, sweet Anne; you will have everything you desire.”

  The parkland surrounding the house stretched out for a half mile before the road beside it dipped down to a wooden bridge crossing one of the many creeks leading to the River Stour.Then the road climbed once more toward the red brick house with elaborate gingerbread trim and rows and rows of windows facing the noonday sun. The sunlight danced on the window panes and turned the streaming rays to fractured colors of the rainbow.The house looked as though it belonged in a fairy tale.

  “Welcome to your home, my Love,” Frederick announced as the coach crossed the wide cobblestone path leading to the house’s entrance. Purple-clad servants hurried down the steps of the entrance to greet them.The coach’s steps were lowered, and Frederick climbed out to stand on his own property. He reached in and took Anne’s hand, guiding her to his side.“Viscountess Orland,” he spoke softly “your new house awaits.”

  “Marcus was right,” she whispered,“it looks sound.”

  “Hopefully,” he murmured close to her ear, “the rooms are not gutted.”

  A stately butler in black came forward. “Viscount Orland.Viscountess Orland.” He bowed and then gestured toward the house. “My name is Mr. Smythe; I am in charge of the household staff. If you will follow me, I will show you about the house.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Smythe.” Frederick acknowledged several of the other waiting staff with a nod of his head.“Lady Orland and I appreciate your attention to detail.” As they followed the man through the entrance, Frederick informed the man, “Today, we want simply to become familiar with the house and the immediate grounds.Tomorrow, I would like to speak with the steward. Is he available?”

  “I will send word, Lord Orland.” The butler paused before speaking, “May I say, Sir, we are happy to have a new viscount in residence; it has been nearly a year; Lord Orland, we understand you are a decorated military man.”

  “My husband is a Rear Admiral of the White,” Anne blurted out. “You may tell the staff their new master is a national hero—a man who served England for more than a decade.They have much of which to be proud.”

  “My wife,” he half laughed as he handed his outer coat to one of the waiting footmen,“is my staunchest admirer.”

  Mr. Smythe smiled, nodded his head, and indicated the foyer. “As one can see, the house is in good repair. Madam, would you like me to show you and Lord Orland the rooms?”

  “I hope it will not offend you, Mr. Smythe, but we would prefer to explore the house on our own. Please instruct the household staff to go about their regular duties.We are not here to censure—only to learn what our new home has to offer.”

  “Very well, Madam; I will have the luggage brought in and placed in the master chambers. If you or Lord Orland need anything, simply pull the cord.”With that, the butler disappeared, and several other servants scrambled to their stations.

  Frederick offered Anne his arm.“Are you ready, Mrs.Wentworth?”

  Anne gave him her most beguiling smile. “I prefer the name Wentworth to all the other names to which I have been addressed in my life.” She took his arm as they strolled into the room on their right, and they took their first look at what would be their abode for the rest of their lives.

  “It is the name you were born to share.” His breath caressed her cheek.“And this, Sweetling is the home we were born to share.”

  “Our child will inherit this estate, Frederick. It is our future; the Wentworth name will be a part of England’s history.Your dedication—your determination—created the opportunity for us to shape our identity. Let us make the Wentworth name stand for all that is best in English society.”

  He gently guided her into his embrace.“We will act with decorum, with compassion, with empathy, and with kindness.You, my Love, will be a model of English grace and womanhood. I will try to live up to your image of the man to whom you gave your heart.”

  “There is no one above you, my Husband; you are already the best man I have ever known.You deal with people honestly and honorably; that is a very rare quality.” She stroked the underside of his jawline with her fingertips. “Now, your child and I,” she teased him,“wish to see our new home. I need to set up a proper nursery. This is a very active child.” Anne gently touched her stomach. “I have the feeling he will be a handful, and I wil
l not have a chance to catch up if I procrastinate now.”

  “He?” Frederick asked with amusement.

  Anne turned to take his hand.“Or she.” Dropping his hand and taking a few steps away from him, she looked back over her shoulder and added,“Or they.”

  “No theys, Anne Wentworth,” he warned as he caught up with her. “One crew member at a time, do you hear me?’ But he beamed with happiness.“I love you, Mrs. Wentworth,” he said as he bent to kiss her lips.

  When they separated, Anne whispered, “Let us find the master bedroom.”

  He murmured huskily, “It probably would not be a good first impression if the servants found us sharing an intimate moment, would it?”

  “Probably not.” Anne took his hand. “Let us go and claim this house as our own.”

  CHAPTER 24

  And in Life’s noisiest hour,

  There whispers still the ceaseless Love of Thee,

  The heart’s Self-solace and soliloquy.

  —Samuel Taylor Coleridge,“The Presence of Love”

  Over the next two months, they established themselves in the community. Having been raised in Kellynch Hall, Anne understood the running of a household. And so she ran Hanson Hall with sensibleness, authority, and compassion. Frederick reflected that if Anne had been the oldest sister, instead of Elizabeth, Sir Walter might never have had to leave Kellynch Hall. Of course, that would have meant that Sophia and Benjamin would never have come to Somerset, and he would never have returned and found Anne. On that count, Frederick thanked his lucky stars to have a father as inept as Sir Walter.

  For his part, Frederick managed quite well on the land. Although he had spent most of his adult life on the sea, he understood hard work and how to command men without domination. He learned quickly in whom he could place his confidence in dealing with supplies—with materials—with construction. And Frederick judiciously placed men whom he knew he could trust in positions on the estate. He learned much from them. When Edward and Christine decided they would remain in Shropshire, he offered the living to Lieutenant Avendale, who jumped at the chance to be closer to his wife’s home of Bristol. Lieutenant Harwood joined his staff as an apprentice to the estate’s steward, Mr. Lawrence. The steward had informed Frederick the first day they met that he wished to pension out soon, and as Harwood’s father had held a similar position in West Sussex, his former lieutenant had some knowledge of the responsibilities involved.