Beginning, Previous Section, Section III
Jump to new as of August 3, 2000
Jump to new as of August 7, 2000
Anne parked her car and walked the few steps to the outdoor cafe where she was meeting Frederick. As she walked down the sidewalk, several men stopped and gave her a second look. As is the case with most people in love, Anne was positively radiant. She didn't even notice the men staring at her. Her eyes were in search of the one person who mattered.
Frederick had arrived before her and arranged with the management to have a private lunch in the garden so his "adoring" fans wouldn't bother them. Anne entered the cafe and was escorted to the table.
Frederick stood up when he saw her and as soon as she was close enough, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her ardently. He released her, finally, and they sat down.
"How was your morning?" he asked as he reached for her hand across the table.
"Long," she said with a smile and squeezed his hand. "Although," she said with sly grin as she looked over her menu, "yours was not the only lunch invitation I received for today."
"And what did Emelia say when you told her you were having lunch with?"
"Oh it wasn't Emelia who invited me."
Frederick looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"William Walter stopped by to beg my company."
Frederick's face clouded over and his smile disappeared.
Anne instantly realized that William was not a subject to be joked about. "I'm sorry, " she said softly, "You have no reason to worry about him. He was never anything to me."
Frederick sighed. "I'm sorry. Just the thought of you with that man makes my skin crawl."
"Mine, too," she said with a shudder.
The waitress interrupted them. After placing their order, their conversation turned towards their past.
"I can't believe that I was so weak," said Anne regretfully.
"No," said Frederick. "Not weak. You were only trying to please those you respected."
"But at what cost? The only man I ever loved? The only person who could ever make me happy?" She shook her head. "Say what you will but I was still weak."
Frederick was thoughtful for a moment. "Anne, what if I had tried to contact you after... if I had asked you again. Would you have married me then?
"Would I!"
Frederick was gratified by her enthusiastic response. "What a fool I was. Full of pride and resentment."
"Frederick, I'm sorry to ask this but I must know. Did you ever love Louisa Musgrove?"
Frederick took her hand again. "No. I was flattered by her attention." He looked away. "And I was angry with you. I wanted to show you that I had moved on. That you no longer mattered to me." He looked back at her. "But the more I tried to forget you, the stronger I felt for you. You hadn't changed at all, you were still my Anne. Then Louisa had her accident and I found that everyone, the press, the Musgroves and even Louisa, believed that I would marry her. I felt trapped. Not knowing if Louisa would ever walk again, I didn't see how I could break off what she believed we had."
"It must have come as a great surprise when she broke it off with you."
He smiled. "Yes. But it was the most welcome news I had heard in a long time. My first thought was to come to Nashville and see if you still cared for me, even a little." He paused. "I remember the first time I saw you, in that coffee shop. I must have seemed like a schoolboy. I know I felt like one."
Anne giggled. "I didn't actually notice, I was trying not to act like a silly adolescent."
"And when that Walter fellow showed up, I wanted to strangle him." He looked at her intently. "You didn't hear the conversation I heard after the two of you left. There were two women in the shop talking about how all of Nashville had the two of you engaged and practically married. When I heard that I almost left town."
Anne reached up and brushed his cheek with her hand. "I'm very glad you didn't."
He took her hand and kissed. "Fortunately, I decided to be stubborn and not leave until I heard you telling me to do so."
"I said it once eight years ago" she said softly, "but those words will never pass my lips again."
The waitress interrupted them once more with their meal. They ate in silence for several minutes. Both happy just to be together.
After a while, Frederick began with, "So, how shall we announce our engagement to the world?"
With a mischievous little smile, Anne said, "What engagement?"
Frederick looked up suddenly.
Anne tried not to laugh as she said, "I haven't heard a proposal."
Frederick caught on to her game. He put down his fork and laid his napkin on the table. Anne looked surprised when he stood up and stepped to her side of the table. He knelt down on one knee and claimed her hand. In a voice full of love and happiness, he looked into her eyes and said, "Miss Anne Elliot, will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?"
In a voice as full as his, she said simply, "Oh, yes."
Much to the delight of the restaurant staff, Frederick swept her up into his arms and kissed her passionately.
The rest of their lunch was forgotten. They sat together holding hands and looking into each others eyes. When they parted Anne reminded him that they still hadn't decided how to announce their engagement.
He looked deeply into her eyes and simply said, "I'll take care of everything."
Anne dressed with special care. She didn't want Frederick to see anyone but her tonight. She knew that Elizabeth would be trying to capture his attention. Anne also knew that William Walter would be trying to capture her. She shuddered as she thought of him always trying to touch her. She quickly pushed the thought out of her mind and took one last look at herself in the full-length mirror. She had chosen a dress of simple style. It was a dusty blue color with a scoop neck and fitted bodice. The skirt flared out slightly and came to just below her knees. She wore black paten leather pumps and carried a small matching purse. She had curled her hair then gathered it up and back so that the curls were in a mass at the back of her head. She left a few tendrils loose. Her makeup was light and natural. To finish everything off, she was wearing the sapphire necklace and earrings her mother had given her. Actually, they had been a gift from both her parents, but Anne knew that her mother had picked them out.
"Anne, are you coming? We're going to be late!" Elizabeth hollered up to her.
Anne sighed at herself in the mirror and walked out of the room. Her father, sister and Penny were waiting by the door. Anne had to admit that her father looked very nice in his tuxedo. It reminded her of the parties her parents had gone to years ago. Even Penny was dressed nicely. Elizabeth, on the other hand, had chosen a dress that would get her plenty of attention. The dress was neon pink. One shoulder was bared, while a sleeve covered the other. The skirt (actually second skin would be closer) stopped half way down her thigh. Her hair had been piled up onto her head. Large rhinestone earrings and neon pink spike heels completed the ensemble.
Anne decided not to comment on her sister's appearance. Elizabeth turned in a huff and headed out of the door. Penny followed without a word. Strangely, Walter offered Anne his arm as they walked toward the door.
"You know, Anne, in that outfit, you look strikingly like your mother."
"Thank you, Father," was all Anne could say.
"She was a beautiful woman," he continued, "inside and out."
"Yes she was," Anne felt her eyes tear up, "I miss her very much."
"So do I," said Walter. He handed Anne into the limousine and got in behind her.
Anne was surprised by her father's sudden nostalgia. The moment was lost, however when they reached the Plaza Garden. The limousine pulled up and they were all at once enveloped into the glizt and glamour.
As soon as she was into the ballroom, Anne began searching the room for Frederick. He hadn't arrived yet so Anne found an inconspicuous place from which she could watch for his arrival.
Shortly after they arrived, Victoria Dalrymple, Cartaret and her fiancée arrived. Anne watched as Elizabeth gushed all over them and then directed them to stand in a receiving line. Several other people had arrived before Anne saw anyone she knew. Finally, Mary and Charles, followed by Mrs. Musgrove and Henrietta walked into the room. Anne smiled and waved but remained where she was. Charles rolled his eyes in her direction with a big grin.
Soon after their arrival, Anne was happy to see the Crofts enter. George was decked out in his finest cowboy regalia and Sophy looked enchanting in a somewhat less outlandish western style dress. When they saw her, they both came over.
"Anne," exclaimed Sophy, as she hugged her. "So wonderful to see you."
Anne returned the hug. "I'm glad you two could be here. I was afraid I wouldn't want to talk to anyone."
George laughed. "There certainly is a lot of Nashville society crammed into this room. I wonder if..."
"Now, George," interrupted Sophy, "you promised you'd behave this evening."
Anne was about to join in the laughter, when her eyes were drawn to the entryway. Frederick, and Richard were entering the room.
She watched Frederick greet her father and Elizabeth. He was being very charming, but Anne could tell he wasn't enjoying Elizabeth's fawning. After a few more minutes, he made his way through the receiving line and over to her.
"Good evening, Miss Elliot," he said with a warm smile.
"Good evening, Mr. Wentworth," she returned.
"Frederick," exclaimed George with a slap on the back. "What's with this formality?"
"Just trying to adapt to the evening," Frederick replied. He turned toward his sister. "Is he behaving?"
Sophy smiled and wagged her hand in the air.
Anne was content to stand and be a part of their family circle. She liked the easy manner they had with each other and the way they always laughed. Most especially, she liked the way that they drew her in and made her part of their circle.
The next few hours passed quickly. Anne and Frederick weren't able to find a chance to be alone, but as much as possible they placed themselves in the same group of people. Anne spent the rest of her time avoiding or escaping William Walter.
She was standing with Charles, Mary and Frederick. They were in the midst of a playful competition between Charles and Frederick , when William suddenly appeared next to her.
"Anne, darling, there you are." He kissed her cheek and slipped his arm around her possessively.
Anne immediately felt the air around them chill.
William nodded toward Frederick. "Wentworth."
"Walter," Frederick replied icily.
Conversation seemed stalled. Anne was trying unsuccessfully to disengage herself from William. Frederick was trying desperately to stop himself from disengaging William's limbs from his body.
Finally, Elizabeth was calling for everyone's attention at the front of the room. As they all turned towards her, Anne caught Frederick's eye. He winked and smiled slightly. She returned his smile before forcing herself to look at her sister.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sure that you'll all join me in wishing Cartaret and Miguel many happy years of wedded bliss!"
Everyone clapped politely for the couple standing near Elizabeth.
"We have a very special treat for the happy couple and I'm sure all of you will enjoy it as well." Elizabeth paused for effect. "I have persuaded one of our guests to set the mood for this evening by offering an early wedding present." She looked around the room dramatically. "Frederick, where are you?" She finally located him in the crowd. She walked over to him, slipped her arm through his and escorted him over to the band. "My good friend, Frederick Wentworth has consented to favor us with a song."
The crowd clapped enthusiastically as Frederick picked up a guitar and settled onto a stool. There was a second empty stool next to him.
William leaned closer to Anne. "I've been trying to get you to myself all night, but every time I try, that two-bit singer is monopolizing you. So I got Elizabeth to talk him into singing. Now we can slip out and I can ask you what I've been trying to ask you all night."
It took everything Anne had not to laugh in his face, but she kept her composure and simply said, "I can't leave. It would be an insult to Cartaret."
"But..." William trailed off as Frederick spoke.
"Thank you all very much. May I first add my congratulations." He looked towards Cartaret and her fiancée. "No matter what else happens, always make each other happy." The coupled nodded their thanks, then kissed. Frederick turned back to the crowd. "The song I'd like to sing is from a few years back. It's a song about love. The simple love of a man and a woman. It's about the only way love should be. But it's a duet and I'm afraid that my old singing buddy Richard just isn't going to cut it so I'd like to ask a very special lady to join me and help me out." He paused here as he adjusted his guitar.
Elizabeth had inched her as close to him as she could with out being completely obvious. She was smoothing out her skirt and patted her hair. Anne started getting sick to her stomach. Frederick finished with the guitar and looked up.
"She's kind of shy, so you'll have to help me encourage her." He looked right at Anne. "Anne, come on up here."
The reaction of the room ranged from shock to joy. Elizabeth's face fell to the soles of her four inch heels. Sophy and George looked surprised. Richard and Charles clapped and whistled. Mary didn't know what to do. William Walter seethed with anger and Walter Elliot was heard to say, "Anne? Whatever for?"
Before Anne knew what happened, Richard and Charles had propelled her to the front of the room. Frederick stood and directed her to sit on the empty stool.
She smiled at him and said through her teeth, "I'll get you for this."
He leaned close and said, "I told you I'd come up with some way to announce our engagement."
"Frederick, you wouldn't. Don't spoil Cartaret and Miguel's night."
"Spoil it? It was their idea."
Anne looked over at the couple. Cartaret flashed Anne a big smile and nodded enthusiastically.
Anne gave up.
Frederick sat back down and began to play.
I will pledge my heart to the love we share through the good and the bad times too,
I'll forsake my rest for your happiness 'til my death I will stand by youWith God as my witness this vow I will make
To have and to hold you no other to take
For rich or for poor under skies grey or blue
'til my death I will stand by youThere are wars and there are rumors of wars yet to come
Temptations we'll have to walk through
Though others may tremble I will not run
"Til my death I will stand by youI will put on the armor of faithfulness to fight for a heart that is true
'til the battle is won, I will not rest
'Til my death I will stand by you.With God as my witness this vow I will make
To have and to hold you no other to take
For rich or for poor under skies grey or blue
'til my death I will stand by you'Til the battle is won, I will not run
'Til my death I will stand by you(Battle Hymn of Love, Don Schlitz & Paul Overstreet)
(Not part of the story: I know it's corny but I couldn't help it!)
As the song ended, the crowd seemed caught up in the moment and it was a few moments before the applause began. Frederick and Anne couldn't take their eyes off one another. A person would have to be completely blind (or stupid) not to realize that they were in love with each other.
Before either of them knew it, the usually shy Cartaret had made her way up to the microphone.
She spoke softly, and the crowd quickly quieted in order to hear her. "Ladies and gentleman," she began, "Friends, I want to thank you so much for coming and sharing this happy time with Miquel and myself. Thanks to Elizabeth for arranging all of this."
Elizabeth had recovered enough to accept the applause and thanks with smiles. She started to step forward, but Cartaret continued.
"I also want to thank Frederick and Anne for that beautiful song. It would appear that they were made to sing together, don't you think?"
The crowd clapped heartily. Cartaret looked at Frederick and Anne. "Well," she said with a question, "are we going to hear more from you two?"
"Actually," said Frederick as he put his arm around Anne, "you're going to hear quite a bit from us. This afternoon, I asked Anne to be my wife and she has graciously said yes."
The crowd, after a few moments of stunned silence, broke into applause. George and Sophy, Richard, Charles and Mary all rushed forward to congratulate them.
At first, Elizabeth looked like she might cry, but soon remembered that William Walter was still available. She pasted a smile on her face and went in search of him.
Unfortunately for Elizabeth, William realized, as soon as Frederick and Anne started singing, that all his hopes were dashed. He moved through the crowd until he came to Penny. With a charming smile, he soon convinced her to accompany him on a walk and the two of them had left the party.
Walter Elliott stood shocked for several moments until people began to congratulate him on the alliance his daughter was making. He began to think of the advantage to himself and decided it was better to welcome the match than loose out on any benefits from his daughter marring one of the most famous country singers since...well, since himself.
Emelia held back from the others until most of the crowd around the couple had dispersed. She approached them with a serious expression. Frederick looked up, saw her coming and stiffened. Anne looked up and smiled slightly at her friend.
"Well, you certainly surprised us all."
"Emelia..." began Anne.
Emelia held up her hand. "I said surprised Anne, not disappointed. If this makes you happy, then I'm happy." She looked up at Frederick. "You take good care of my girl."
Frederick relaxed and smiled. "I promise, she'll never want for anything."
"I'll hold you to that." Emelia turned back to Anne and embraced her tightly.
Frederick and Anne finally escaped to a quiet corner of the ballroom.
"Well," said Frederick, "what kind of wedding would you like? A big splashy society wedding?"
"Absolutely not." She shook her head. "Actually, I was kind of thinking that the LeConte would be the perfect setting."
Frederick's face showed surprise and pleasure. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. I don't want anything fancy. Just our friends and family. Very simple."
Frederick put his arms around her and drew her close. "As long as it's you and me, I think that's perfect."
"It is you and me, Frederick, forever."
He smiled down at her, "I like the sound of that."
"So do I."
"Forever," he whispered then kissed her.
Through the grapevine, Elizabeth had heard that William Walter and Penny Shepherd-Clay had run off to New York together. They never married, and several months later, Penny returned to her father's house, alone and pregnant. William Walter wound up running a seedy country-western bar in a bad section of town.
Unknown to anyone, Frederick arranged to purchase Kellynch Farm. Walter and Elizabeth had no attachment to it, the money from the sale allowed them to pay off their debts and live comfortably among Nashville society.
So Anne returned to the home she loved with the man she loved. She and Frederick recorded songs and toured together, but they spent most of their time riding through the mountains, sitting by the streams and singing to each other by firelight.