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Chapter Six

Posted on 2009-01-07

To do him credit, Charles Musgrove looked for other solutions first. His preferred course of action would be not to ask anybody to help Mary out, but in case she was going to be very insistent, he asked his sisters.

"Help Mary? With what?" Henrietta looked puzzled, as if she had no knowledge of either her nephew's fall or Mary's character.

Charles did not think he should have to explain very much. "I should like it if you and Louisa could spend the day at the Cottage tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" His sister looked almost desperate. "Charles, you know we are always willing to help, but not tomorrow."

"What could be more important than little Charles?" He was going shooting with Captain Wentworth himself, but he was a man. He did not have to stay home for little Charles and Mary would only argue with him if he stayed home for her. He would be in the way and she would find fault with everything he did. No, thank you.

"We have other plans."

"Mary did too, I am sure!" he exclaimed. He could already imagine her saying so. If he did not find anyone to keep her entertained, she would want him to give up his plans so they would be equal.

"Well, we are not Charles' mother," Louisa said a little sharply. "We do not have to change our plans because he is hurt." Henrietta and she had, of course, planned to see as much of the shooting as they could. Being stuck at the Cottage tending to little Charles or to Mary was no fun in comparison. They might have done it in other circumstances, but not tomorrow.

When he got home, Charles first held an almost endless discussion with Mary, which resulted in her exactly suggesting what his mother had suggested as well: she would write to Bath and beg her mother or sister to come. She was too affected by the child's injury to feel well and she really needed the help.

Frederick enjoyed the unpretentious company of the Musgroves. Going shooting with Musgrove was furthermore a nice way to spend the morning. His sister and the admiral were usually out of doors together, but not in such a way as to make it enjoyable for a third person to join them. As long as he did not dine out too often, they would not say anything, he believed. They were all too happy he could amuse himself.

And amuse himself he did. He was completely immersing himself in country life, shooting birds and giggling girls and all. It was all new to him and he enjoyed it. Edward had not shot and Edward had never been pursued by girls either, let alone girls who admired his every move. That summer they had met young ladies indoors and at gatherings of a more serious nature, which were indistinguishable from parties in town, and he had not got such a good taste of true country life as now.

He needed not have worried about meeting Mrs Charles Musgrove. She pretended she had never seen him before. This puzzled him for a short while, until he realised why. There was no glory in having known someone who had had neither fortune nor connections. She would not think so. The Musgroves emphasised a connection that had not really been there, but Elliots were different. They would even ignore connections that had once existed.

Cynically he thought that she had no qualms about the current acquaintance. He was rich, of course, and successful. He was worth knowing and speaking of. How things changed. In fact, Mary Elliot reacted precisely how he had sometimes imagined Anne Elliot to react. He had always derived some bitter satisfaction from smugly spurning her advances in his imagination, but he could not do so with Mary Elliot now. The others would wonder if he behaved differently towards her and he did not want to reveal any particulars of the year '06 that had to do with Anne.

If Lady Elliot came here, that might change. There was a possibility that Mrs Charles Musgrove really did not remember him -- she had been fourteen or fifteen at the time -- but Lady Elliot certainly would. She had known about the engagement.

What would she do? Would she ignore him? Pretend she had never known him? Be nice to him?

Lady Elliot opened her letter and frowned in concern as soon as she had read a few lines. "Little Charles had a fall and he is seriously injured."

"Hurt his finger," said Sir Walter without looking up from his breakfast.

"Mary asks me to come."

"What nonsense."

"I must go. Charles is my grandchild. He is hurt." She had to see if he was all right. Mary sounded as if she needed assistance.

"Did he hurt his finger? Or perhaps Charlie hurting his finger is not as serious as Mary hurting her finger."

"It does not say what he hurt. How could you be so insensitive? She writes he is seriously injured."

"It is Mary writing. She was not happy when you left, so she is trying everything in her power to get you back." He understood, doing everything in his power to keep her here -- but his cause was more noble. He was married to her and Mary could not have any pressing reasons to want her mother. "Does she have a party to go to?"

Lady Elliot stared, speechless.

Anne leant sideways and gently pulled the letter out of her mother's hand. She began to read. Although she understood her mother's alarm -- Mary spoke of a grave injury and everyone's being very upset -- she was inclined to agree with her father. There was not enough information about the precise nature of the injury. If Mary withheld any information it was usually for some purpose.

Sir Walter did not wait for her opinion. "I forbid you to go, Elizabeth."

"You forbid me to go?" Lady Elliot was astonished.

"It is not necessary. Why you? You are in Bath. The child has another grandmother living next door, not to mention several aunts and a nursery maid."

She was aware of that. "But --"

"If you want to make sure there is nothing wrong with Charlie, send Anne."

"I will not send Anne! She would never allow Anne to leave."

"Mama!" Anne protested half laughingly. "I can stand up for myself." Mary might not want her to leave, but if there was no real reason to stay, Mary would not be able to keep her there.

"You would like to be useful and it is easier done there than here," Lady Elliot pointed out. "No, I must go. If Mary begged you to stay, you would. She cannot do that to me, because I can be heartless. Can I not, Walter?"

He looked doubtful.

"I can go," Anne offered. She did not want to cause any disagreement between her parents. They had been getting along much better in recent months. Although they had never had any serious disagreements, her mother had often been frustrated, yet the last time Anne had seen that was long ago.

Besides, in the last few days she had begun to think herself in the way. Her parents had embraced in the drawing room. This had been quite disturbing and they had not even seemed to understand that she thought so. Her father had told her to sit in another room when she had spoken to them and her mother had merely looked understanding, but she had said nothing. It was all very strange.

Anne understood her father's wish to keep her mother here and she really did not want to be in their way when they had a better understanding. She also understood her mother's wish to keep her here. There were two reasons for that. There were more potential husbands in Bath -- but they could wait -- and Mary might make too much use of her. However, Anne had always believed she was one of the few people who knew exactly when Mary was exaggerating and consequently she could easily leave.

"Yes, of course you can go, Anne," said Sir Walter.

"Absolutely not," Lady Elliot said decidedly. "But let us compromise. I shall go. If I am not back in two days, you may send Anne and I shall come home."

"Two days!" Sir Walter exclaimed. "Am I to do without you for two days?"

"Oh, think how happy you will be when I come back."

"I wondered about Lady Elliot," Frederick said to his sister. "I have heard such different accounts of her." That was a lie. The Musgroves had spoken of her as a very good woman, elegant and handsome. It did not fit with his idea of her as proud and overbearing. If she was going to come here, he would like to be prepared.

"I only met her briefly," Mrs Croft replied. "But she struck me as a sensible person. Her husband less so."

"He did not understand my jokes, but there was no harm in him," said the admiral.

"What had you heard?" Mrs Croft inquired of her brother.

"That she was proud and disagreeable. Others said the opposite."

"I never saw anything proud and disagreeable in her," said his sister. "She was perfectly amiable and so was her daughter."

Frederick stiffened. "Mrs Musgrove?"

"No, another one. She was called Miss Elliot, naturally. A sweet girl. She understood the admiral's jokes, I noticed."

"Did she?" The admiral looked pleased. "I hardly remember her, but if she understood my jokes, I shall make a better effort. I do like girls who understand my jokes. Take my advice, Frederick. Find yourself a girl who understands your jokes too. It will serve you better in the long run than a pretty one."

Mrs Croft cleared her throat.

"The best is, of course, to have a pretty girl who understands your jokes," the admiral saved himself graciously.

There were pretty girls who laughed at his jokes, Frederick mused, but he was not certain they understood all of them. And who was Miss Elliot?

Lady Elliot had packed as soon as she could, before Sir Walter could protest too much. He had grudgingly agreed to the plan, but he might change his mind. She had taken the carriage and Anne and he were forced to do everything on foot. She did not think that was bad for them. It was only for a few days.

He did not yet think it a problem. He suggested a visit to the Pump Room to his daughter and she assented. For half an hour they were alone and mostly silent as they observed other people. Then an acquaintance of Sir Walter's joined them with his son. Anne had never met the son, who seemed to be a pleasant young man a few years her junior.

Mr Iverton spoke to her and asked her about Bath. It appeared he had just arrived and he was very interested in the entertainments currently available and some of his acquaintances whom Miss Elliot might know.

Unfortunately she had to disappoint him when it came to telling him who were in town, because she had never heard of any of the people he mentioned. She had every reason to think they belonged to a younger and wilder set. As for the entertainments, he was interested in the one play her mother and she had not wanted to see.

All in all she was not sorry when her father wanted to leave. She had spent some time talking to Mr Iverton, but that was enough. He was not the usual type she had spoken of to her mother, however, and she could smile at that.

"Did you like him?" Sir Walter inquired when they walked home.

"Must I be married before the spring?" Anne wondered. There had been other young gentlemen in the past week and she was pretty sure her mother had been interested in her opinion, but her mother had never asked. Her father was not as subtle as her mother. A subtle answer might be wasted on him.

"Oh, not on my account," he said generously. "But your mother thinks you should take an interest. Do you? How old are you?"

"Twenty-seven," Anne said in indignation. He ought to know.

"I had two daughters when I was your age."

"Those were different times." That was such a useful rebuttal, but she was aware that it was meaningless.

"If you have no interest in the matter, I need not speak to men with unmarried sons."

"Perhaps unmarried young men without fathers are more suited to my age," Anne suggested. She wanted to laugh at the idea that he was seeking out men with unmarried sons, but she did not believe it well enough to do so.

"Well, I cannot go walking around with a son-in-law who makes me look old," he reasoned. "If he were forty, people would assume I was sixty-five at least."

"Between twenty-five and thirty-five?"

Sir Walter winced at the idea of thirty-five. "Perhaps a little lower?"

"But people would not instantly assume your daughter to be the same age as her husband. I am sure that if they were to see you with a son-in-law of forty, they would simply assume me to have an old husband."

"Your idea that forty is old is equally mortifying," he shuddered. "Let us speak of it no more, but I beg you to have some consideration for me before you fall in love with some fellow."

Chapter Seven

Posted on 2009-01-11

Lady Elliot arrived at Uppercross just when the darkness was falling. Mary embraced her. "I am so glad you came, Mama! I have been so worried about everything and little Charles has been so unwell that I really did not know what to do with myself."

The servants who had let her in had not been affected by any gloom, little Walter ran around unchecked as if nothing was wrong and consequently Lady Elliot wondered if the situation truly warranted such distress. "What is wrong with him precisely?"

"His collar bone was dislocated," Mary sniffed. "He was in such pain and Charles -- Charles simply went to dine at the large house because he wanted to meet Captain Wentworth!"

Lady Elliot stood still for a few seconds. So he had come to visit his sister. But she should not think of him now. Little Charles was injured. "Collar bone? But is it set now?"

"Oh yes, it broke my heart to hear him cry so! But Charles went away. I cannot believe he left me alone because he wanted to go to a dinner party."

Lady Elliot could not ignore that Sir Walter had said Mary had wanted to go to a party. He had got the party bit right. It was quite astonishing.

"I have not seen a soul all day," Mary complained. "Of course all the Musgroves came by at first, but as soon as it was clear that little Charles was not dying, I never saw them again. They all had more important things to do."

"Is he doing better?"

"Yes, but -- no."

"Let me have a look at him," her mother decided. It did not sound as grave as Mary had sketched in writing. It might be possible to return to Bath in two days, which would please Walter.

The next morning brought Mrs Croft to Uppercross Cottage. She had brought a gift for the invalid and she was surprised to find Lady Elliot there. The latter was indeed there all by herself, for Mary had gone to bed and Jemima had taken little Walter for a walk at his grandmother's request. Walter had thought his grandmother had come to play with him and he would not be quiet. He had been rather a nuisance.

"I heard he had a fall, the poor little boy, and he must be without anything to do," Mrs Croft said. "I have brought him a game he can play with one hand when he is sufficiently recovered to sit up. I am afraid it may not yet be of much use to him now."

Lady Elliot thanked her. "I am sure he will be well enough for games by the time he can sit up. At present he only wants to lie in my lap. I am glad he is sleeping." She led her visitor into another room where they might talk without waking the child.

"Did you come from Bath to tend to him?" asked Mrs Croft.

Lady Elliot nodded. "Mary wrote. It is not as serious as she led me to think, so I shall probably return on the morrow. I shall have given Mary some advice and she will hopefully feel a little better."

"Is she unwell too?"

Her mother sighed. When Mary returned it would be clear that there was very little wrong with her, yet she would claim all kinds of pains and aches. She felt she had to make some excuse for her daughter. "Yes, she is. This is merely my supposition, so I beg you not to tell anyone. I suspect that she is expecting. She always has so many complaints when she is, while she is in good health otherwise. I cannot help but think it must be this. Little Walter is two, after all, and Charles nearly four."

"Complaints?"

"Tired, unwell, irritable..."

Mrs Croft stared. "Oh. Is that normal?"

"I cannot say. I am -- I was tired, but not much more."

"I am -- I should not be much more either," Mrs Croft said cautiously. "But I have often heard different stories and I do wonder what is normal."

Frederick had not minded going shooting another time in another part of the Musgrove estate. He had had breakfast at the big house with Charles Musgrove, his father and his sisters, who had been up remarkably early. That this early activity was all for him had not struck him until the girls went outside with them.

They had no guns, but they looked willing enough to carry his if he let them -- which he did not. They were just as excited and in the way as the dogs and he was glad when the elder Musgrove sent them home at a certain point. No doubt they would be waiting at that exact point when they came back.

His shooting skills were rustier than the Musgroves', of whom the younger almost lived with a gun in his hand -- sports were his life. While it was amusing to take part in, Frederick did not think he could ever be the same. It was not bred into him. On a large estate he supposed it would be, but he would not be able to afford even this sort of estate himself. Even leasing it was a little beyond his means, he suspected.

His brother would have a humbler house. He would soon see it. As soon he grew bored with this place he would travel to Shropshire. In his absence Edward had married and he had yet to meet Edward's wife. She was supposedly all that was good and charming, but while it had been amusing to read his brother's effusions, he hardly expected his new sister-in-law to be extraordinary. He did not think Edward had either a taste or any attraction for extraordinary women.

But perhaps their tastes did not differ too much. Edward could have liked Anne as well. Frederick scowled when he was made to think of her again. It was already the second time that day, for Charles Musgrove had explained that Lady Elliot had come to look after his son. Frederick would like any Elliots to remain in Bath and he was glad only one of them had come, even if he was still not certain whether the Miss Elliot his sister had mentioned was Anne.

"I understand Mr Musgrove is shooting with my brother, as they were yesterday," said Mrs Croft when they had covered the interesting subject of pregnancy.

"I heard." Lady Elliot forced a smile. She had had to listen to Mary's complaints about that all morning, but she had not seen Charles at all herself today. She had seen him briefly last night and this morning it turned out he had had plans for the day and that he had already left. Given Mary's nerves and the little boy's waking frequently during the night she could not really blame him, but it was a difficult situation for her to solve. "I have not seen the other Musgroves at all today. Are they all shooting?"

"The girls," Mrs Croft said a little flatly. "They have taken a sudden interest in shooting, I understand. At least, I imagine it is sudden. I have never heard of two girls that age thinking that going everywhere with their brother is the height of fun. I blame my brother for it."

Lady Elliot thought that was plausible. Mary had told her all about Captain Wentworth -- how rich, handsome and charming he was -- and she had listened quietly. She had not asked Mary if she remembered him, because evidently Mary did not, nor had she told her about Anne and how they had known him eight years before. But she could see some attraction for the Musgrove girls.

"You do not know my brother, I think," said Mrs Croft.

Lady Elliot hesitated, but she could not lie. "I do. Did."

"Ohhhh?" was the other lady's reaction and she was evidently very much surprised. "When?"

"When he lived with his brother."

"Why did nobody tell me that? Frederick only mentioned a brief visit to our brother Edward, but he never said he had met the Elliots too, which he should have, because we are living in their house!" Mrs Croft looked puzzled. "Did something happen? I cannot imagine why else he would not tell me."

Lady Elliot felt she had gone too far to turn back. Mrs Croft was too sharp. She might even guess if she was not told, for what else could have transpired between Captain Wentworth and the Elliots? A young man and a family of young girls? "This, too, must remain between us."

"Naturally," Mrs Croft assured her. "Unless you mean I cannot tell the admiral either? I am afraid that would be a promise I could not make. I tell him almost everything."

"How discreet is he?"

"As discreet as I tell him to be, but I should understand if you do not wish to take the risk."

Lady Elliot decided to take the risk. She liked Mrs Croft and they had already spoken of delicate subjects to their mutual satisfaction. "Your brother was once engaged to my daughter."

Mrs Croft was completely amazed.

"Not my daughter Mary," Lady Elliot continued. "But my daughter Anne. I advised her to break it off. He had nothing." She looked a little concerned. It sounded so harsh.

When Mrs Croft had recovered she could contemplate that very seriously. "That explains why he asked about the family and not the house when we told him we were going to live here. This struck me as odd, but I could not explain it."

"I am afraid I would not believe Anne -- she said he would be rich and successful, because he had said so. It seems to have come true, but at the time..." She was telling his sister and his sister might resent her for the interference. She could defend herself, but that might not matter to everybody.

"At the time you could not know and I do suppose there was a time when he had nothing indeed." Mrs Croft looked thoughtful. "Is your daughter the lovely young lady I saw when we first saw Kellynch Hall?"

"Yes, it is. He never came back." It might vindicate her decision. She hoped it did. He had not come back, so his affection had not been lasting.

"I do not think it would be in his character to do so. Interesting."

"Interesting?" Lady Elliot was not sure what sort of reaction she had expected, but it was not that.

"He is very stubborn and proud. That he never came back does not mean...oh no, it does not mean anything."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, now I understand why he asked me for my opinion of you." Mrs Croft was still thoughtful. "It was not long ago. Perhaps he had heard you were coming. By the way, your daughter is not married?"

"No," Lady Elliot replied sadly.

"Do you regret your advice?"

"No, but I wish she had met somebody after that. She is not interested in anyone in Bath either. Sir Walter wanted her to go to Mary instead of me, but I thought she had better stay in Bath, because she has been here all her life and that came to nothing. I must sound desperate to marry her off," she realised. "But I am not. I merely want to give her the chance."

"How did your daughter take the broken engagement?"

"Not well, but she would not speak of it. I do not know if I should leave and send Anne in my stead, if he is here, but it is what Mary would ask for. I do no want to expose Anne to someone who might hate her and for the whole history to come out. Nobody knows now. I do not think I could send her to find out he hates her. She can do nothing." Lady Elliot could only imagine her daughter in pain.

"I take it Miss Elliot is not the sort to force herself onto him now that he is wealthy?" There was a smile around Mrs Croft's mouth. She had known the sort and if Frederick had spent more time around women he would too.

"Not at all."

"And you are not the sort of mama who would force her daughter onto him now that he is wealthy?"

If she did not suspect Mrs Croft was not entirely serious, Lady Elliot might have been offended. "I hope not, although I should still discourage her if he were now crippled, blind and poor. I cannot overlook the matter of his wealth entirely, but I hope I am not without scruples."

"I do not know Miss Elliot well enough. I do not even know my brother well enough to predict his reaction should she come here. We have been apart for many years. I could not predict very much based on our short re-acquaintance." She smiled. "You must come to dinner this evening. You will meet him and we shall take our bearings anew."

"But --"

"Mrs Musgrove can watch her own child this evening, I am sure."

"That was not..."

"He can be civil," Mrs Croft assured her. "Or are you opposed to him still?"

"Oh, I do not know. I have come to wish that he had returned some day, because Anne was clearly not happy that he did not. I think I should have been able to compromise on some points." She looked doubtful. "But it is very difficult, because I have never dared to ask and she has never spoken to me about it."

"I see, but I also see why he could not return. I do not know if he ever wanted to, but that is why you are coming to dinner. Just as you would like your daughter to marry someone, I should like my brother not to marry...certain girls."

It was as he had expected. The girls were waiting for them where they had left them, but as soon as the shooting party was perceived, the girls broke into a run. "Did you shoot anything?" they asked in spite of the birds hanging over their father's shoulders.

"Did you shoot anything, Captain?" was the next question.

"No, I did not. I am a bad shot," Frederick said politely. He was in fact a decent shot, but he had left the birds to the owners of the land. Something must remain for them to shoot tomorrow or another time. It did not apply here that he received the greatest share of the spoils. That honour was Mr Musgrove's.

He went in for a drink with them, the girls chattering away beside him. They were pleasant enough, but they knew no reserve when it came to him. Sometimes he wondered if he should like one best, but he did not know which one.

Henrietta was the quieter and Louisa the livelier one. Both characters had their charms. One was not significantly prettier or more informed than the other, but he sensed that Louisa was the leader of the two. It was a trait he felt he should value. Neither, however, approached his idea of an ideal woman, but he enjoyed his time well enough.

When he got home, his sister informed him that Lady Elliot was coming to dinner.

Chapter Eight

Posted on 2009-01-14

It was a considerable dilemma. Frederick could not express his displeasure with his sister's decision to invite Lady Elliot because he was not supposed to know her, yet he could not really hide his reaction. He looked displeased, but he could no longer make other plans. "Why?" was all he asked.

"Why not?"

He sensed that this was the only answer he was going to have, so he gave up. He would have to suffer the visit and try to stay civil. Hopefully the lady was more interested in his sister than in him and she would be equally distant but civil and give nothing away. His sister would be all too interested in the past.

Mrs Croft was more detailed to the admiral, although she had at first doubted whether she should tell him about Frederick's engagement. He might reveal some knowledge of that in an unguarded moment and cause a scene, but at long last she had decided to confide in him.

"Let me make sense of this," said the admiral. "You are inviting Lady Elliot so Frederick may remember that her daughter once jilted him?"

It was not as simple and cruel as that. "No. I am inviting Lady Elliot so she may see what has become of him. After she has seen that, she and I shall discuss his reaction."

"You will consciously give him pain." He was surprised. It was not like her to do such a thing. She was an affectionate wife and sister, and all that was good applied to her.

"I should like to know why he never told us he knew the Elliots."

The admiral was sure Frederick had had a good reason for that and he saw no reason to interfere. "You do not respect his wish not to speak of the episode." Perhaps sisters were offended if they were not apprised of every painful incident in a man's life. He did not know; he had no sisters.

"He does not have to speak of it. My dear, you cannot seriously think that he never thought of that period after receiving our invitation and that my suddenly confronting him with Lady Elliot is going to be a painful shock. No, I will not believe it. Our first mentioning this house might have been a shock, but after that..." Her voice trailed off meaningfully.

Frederick would not need her prompting. That he had kept some things from them was indication enough of his having thought about it. The most acute feelings would have passed. She did not think he would regard Lady Elliot too highly, provided he knew of her advice to her daughter. There might be a revival of his dislike if he saw her, but she trusted that he was too well-mannered to act upon it.

"Precisely what is your aim?"

"I believe Lady Elliot regrets the advice she had to give. She regrets that it was necessary, I mean. She would do it again if the circumstances were repeated, but circumstances have changed."

She had thought about Lady Elliot's interference, but she could not find fault with it. The couple had been young and perhaps not very realistic in their expectations. Had Frederick even considered there might be children? There might have been a child or two, or more, before there was money.

Frederick would not be the first man who underestimated the time and money required to take care of a family. Miss Elliot would have been worse off than her sister, for her husband would be at sea for months or years and not home at the end of the day. She might even have been worse off than her mother. Sir Walter might have debts, but he was still able to rent out his home and live comfortably in Bath. One who had nothing could not live off less.

Admiral Croft was still not persuaded of the good of the plan. "Indeed, they may have, but the two people in question are not being consulted. Your brother's coming here points to his having put that episode behind him once and for all. I hardly think he is going to reconsider a girl who once jilted him. He has his pride." Even he had his pride. If Sophia had jilted him, even he would not have asked her a second time. Only a fool would and Frederick was not much of a fool.

"Exactly." Frederick's pride clouded the issue, as far as Mrs Croft was concerned. It gave them no good idea of how he had felt and of how he was still feeling.

"It makes no sense to me," said the admiral. "But I shall be silent. You will arrange the business just as you like, as usual."

Lady Elliot had had some trouble persuading Mary as to the necessity of her visit to the Crofts. Her daughter's objections had made her slightly indignant, for she had come to help her daughter and not play her servant. Mary had pouted when she told her so, but she had submitted and even offered her apologies.

She had considered asking Mary whether she was expecting another child, but then she had decided against it. It was something that had best remain a secret to Mary for as long as possible, for knowing it would increase any symptoms she might have. Instead of feeling reassured by knowing the cause of her complaints, Mary would feel justified in exaggerating them and asking for sympathy and consideration at every turn.

Lady Elliot had gone so far as to give Charles a hint of what might be ailing his wife and to suggest that he spend more time at home, but he had not looked very willing to take her advice. If two children were almost too much for Mary, three would certainly be. It was not her place to say that certain actions had certain consequences and that he was responsible, but she might have to suggest it to Mrs Musgrove.

She was very happy when the Crofts' carriage came for her and she could leave the difficulties of the Cottage household behind her. It was very considerate of Mrs Croft to send their carriage and not really necessary, because her own had come from Bath with her and her coachman and his horses had been idle all this while.

It made her wonder about Sir Walter and Anne, who had to do everything on foot while she was away. Anne would not mind, but Walter might worry about his shoes. She hoped Anne would talk some sense into her father. It was not bad for the two of them to be forced into each other's company. Walter had always preferred Lizzy and Anne had always been her mother's girl.

Being let out of the carriage and into her former home did not affect her as much as she had feared. Other people were living here now and she had another home herself. She had accepted the change.

Mrs Croft greeted her very warmly and completely without any conspiratorial air. The admiral was very civil and said he hoped it did not make her uncomfortable to dine here and to see others in her former place. She smiled and assured him it would not, although she had not given any thought to the seating at dinner. "It was my own suggestion to leave."

It was either by design or a coincidence that Captain Wentworth was not yet present. She was not nervous; she had met more formidable personages in the past than a mere young man, naval hero or not. She did not know what it was that he did at sea and consequently she could not be impressed.

"You may find we have made some small changes," the admiral apologised. "I hope you will not mind them."

She smiled. "You need not worry. Before my eldest daughter married, our house was in a state of perpetual alteration. She thought it was quite boring and unfashionable to have the house look the same every week."

He looked relieved. He drew closer to her and addressed her in a low voice. "I am curious. He does not know that we know. He does not know that you know that we know. If you acknowledge the prior acquaintance, he will think we are going to question him, but if you do not acknowledge it..."

"I do not care if you question him," Lady Elliot said in a voice that was not as low. She did not want to exclude Mrs Croft from this conversation. He was talking so familiarly. "I have no idea whether your questions are something to be afraid of. Furthermore, I cannot know whether he told you. Why should I assume he did not?"

"Aye," replied the admiral. "It is a cruel game you ladies play. One wants to give him pain, the other wants to make him fear my questions. I do not know what is worse."

"My dear," Mrs Croft told him. "I hope you are not considering supporting him to add a little spice to our dinner."

"You should not give me such excellent ideas, Sophy."

Sir Walter found he did not know what to do with himself when his wife was not there. Apparently half his day was always planned by her, because he suddenly found himself bored and unable to think of anything to do. He had turned to Anne, but she was too hesitant to make any suggestions, not being his wife.

They were seated on a bench in Bath in the fine October weather together and Sir Walter was occupied in observing everyone who passed and commenting on their appearance.

Anne stirred uneasily at an undeservedly favourable judgement. "But it may be a stupid person."

"That is of no importance to me if I am only looking," her father reasoned.

"But is it fair to Mama?"

He did not see why it was not. "I told her before she left that she looked very well. You make no sense, Anne, because you told me it was inappropriate behaviour."

Anne blushed. It had looked like embracing to her, not like talking. "Well, I did not know what you were doing precisely."

"Precisely. Oh good grief, what is that? Why do they let such a woman still out of the house?" he exclaimed when a heavily pregnant woman approached.

Anne could not say.

"They should start keeping her in when..." He measured her with his eyes and decided on a size that was still appropriate. "...when it is much less. Oh lord! Your mother is expecting."

His daughter was astonished at this sudden exclamation. "I beg your pardon, Papa?"

"When I imagined that woman's growth much less, I arrived at your mother's size." He looked shocked.

"My mother's size?"

"Your mother has been growing in odd places. It bothered me slightly. Although she retained her elegance, her figure is lost. I noticed," he said defensively, when she gave him a very odd look.

She was not surprised he had noticed such a thing, but all the more that such a thing was there to be noticed. "But it cannot be for that reason."

"Why not?"

"The way you arrive at your conclusion seems to me very odd." He looked at another woman and decided his wife was expecting. It could not be.

"Yes, it is very odd," Sir Walter agreed. "But I am convinced I am right."

"But Mama is forty-eight!"

"Is she? Does that matter? I know what I saw. What do I do now? Should we go to Uppercross?"

"What for? I am sure you are wrong, Papa," Anne said with a shake of her head. "What are we to do at Uppercross? What would Mama say?"

"It may be a boy." At this thought Sir Walter, who had been ready to jump off the bench a moment ago, sat absolutely still. "A boy."

"Papa, please do not let your fantasies run away with you," Anne pleaded. "It is about twenty years too late for a boy. Mrs Musgrove is not yet forty-eight and she stopped having children years ago."

"My dear girl, Mrs Musgrove stopped being attractive years ago. I am sure the two are related."

"Even the less fortunate in appearance have children," she pointed out helplessly.

"With each other, because they have no choice. Anne, stop being clever. I know more about this subject than you do. Do you not prefer handsome men over ugly ones yourself?"

"I do, but -- oh, this is no use. I beg you not to get carried away. It is very likely nothing. You would mortify Mama with your suspicions." She imagined him confronting her mother with his wild suspicions and her mother telling him they were wrong. There would be mortification all around. It must be avoided at all cost.

"I think it would mortify Lizzy rather more," Sir Walter mused. "I should regret that. I do not see how I could avoid it, however. They have written again, but I am under strict orders from your mother not to invite them. She has stuck a reminder on my mirror of how much Lizzy's last visit has cost me and how many of my luxuries I should have to give up if she came again. That is, the ones I was allowed to keep, for she forced me to give up many already."

Anne suppressed a smile. It was a matter of great seriousness to her father -- and to her mother too. It would not do to be amused at her mother's ingeniousness. She was glad, however, that her father was willing to read the reminder and to make some effort to obey her mother's orders.

"I shall have to write we have no room for them," he said. "Although I am sure your mother has written them this before, for they write of sending you to Lady Russell's. I am considering sending them to Lady Russell's, for I am sure Lady Russell does not use all of her rooms. No husband, no children, no lovers."

"But Lady Russell is not coming to Bath until the new year."

"But what do we do? Do we go to Uppercross?" Sir Walter had thought it a good plan a few moments ago, but his daughter's reservations had made him doubt.

"No, no. When Mama returns you can discreetly study her again, but I beg you to wait for her to broach the subject." And Anne believed her mother would not do so.

"That would make me look rather stupid," Sir Walter said with a dissatisfied frown. "She wants me to read her mind. Reading her body is not reading her mind? But I shall think about it. The pleasant thing is that you would have to come with me if I decide to go. I could not possibly leave you here all by yourself -- oh lord, the parties! No, it would not do."

Chapter Nine

Posted on 2009-01-19

Lady Elliot did not know what to expect, but Admiral Croft assured her he was harmless. He certainly did not appear dangerous and she was almost completely at ease by the time Captain Wentworth came in.

She had no clear recollection of his appearance and so she found him surprisingly handsome. Any youngish newcomer to the neighbourhood would be deemed handsome and she had not been inclined to believe Mary completely, but none of the praise had been an exaggeration.

There was a pang of regret on Anne's behalf. There was no sign of the weathered, crippled and poor sailor she had feared for eight years ago. She could imagine Anne beside him -- in appearance only, of course. Anne deserved and needed a man with more than money alone.

Captain Wentworth was very civil. He was also cold, as if to make it very clear that while Anne had rejected him eight years ago, he would reject her and her family now. Lady Elliot was familiar with cold civility; it reminded her of Sir Walter when he was dealing with persons beneath his notice. It was, however, never directed at her.

The tables had turned. Captain Wentworth, due to all he had accomplished, was the one who had his pick of marriage partners now, not Anne. She hardly had the kind of money to make anyone overlook that she was already twenty-seven.

Of this Lady Elliot was acutely aware, although she was reassured by the idea that he might not be. It might all be in her mind. He might be perfectly indifferent to the Elliots by now. They, like his affections, had been a fleeting moment in his life. She did not know what she preferred. Indifference would be easier for herself, but for Anne's sake she did not like it. She could not like that Anne had meant so little to him. Anne deserved to be remembered.

It struck her that she was not quite fair, wishing for Anne's good qualities to be openly acknowledged by a man who had been rejected by her. He would be an inhumanly excellent man if he could do so without bitterness and she could not expect that of him.

The more he had understood of Anne, the greater the loss of her would be felt and the less likely he would be to speak of her. Unfortunately he was also unlikely to speak of her if he had forgotten her. Lady Elliot began to understand more of Mrs Croft's purpose, but she wished the latter would continue to take the lead.

Asking him about his brother, which she could otherwise have done, made no sense if she had already spoken at length to their sister.

Frederick had been unable to imagine in advance how to meet Lady Elliot. He rarely felt unsure of himself and he was not unsure now. He let his conduct depend on Lady Elliot's behaviour.

She was not as formidable as he remembered and more human. While she was younger than he would have expected, she was hardly the icy perfection of his memory and she was certainly not well-mannered enough to keep a conversation going. At least he could show her he was better.

"I hope you and your family are settled well in Bath," he said, but not so encouragingly as to invite a lengthy answer. He did not care about her family, whoever were a part of it. Belatedly he realised his words might be construed as glee about their financial situation and that assumption might not be so very wrong -- he had, when he had first heard of it, had a few unkind thoughts.

"Yes, thank you. It answers almost exactly to Sir Walter's wishes."

He cared nothing for Sir Walter's wishes and he was silent. But Lady Elliot remembered him. That was clear. He was glad she did not acknowledge the acquaintance in front of his sister and brother, but he had seen the recognition and discomfort in her eyes.

"How will Sir Walter be doing on his own?" asked Admiral Croft, who was used to having his wife with him everywhere. Men who were doing without their wives deserved his sympathy.

"He did not like my departure at all, I am afraid," Lady Elliot replied. "Which is why I am not staying at Uppercross for long."

"At least your other daughter is with him. Could he not have sent her?" The admiral thought that was what he would have done in the man's stead. After all, the daughter was old enough to be sent out on her own. That would have left the wife with her husband, where she belonged.

She was amused. "That is exactly what he wanted to do. I would not allow it, however."

Frederick told himself he was not interested in that other daughter. He had heard of her before and he did not care to know what her first name was. That he did not yet know was his own fault. From the Musgroves he had gleaned very little about the Elliots and he had not pressed them for information, although they would have been most eager to enlighten him. But he did not care.

"And how is the little boy?" inquired the admiral.

"He will continue to need close attention, but it is nothing his mother cannot provide." Lady Elliot had to tell herself that, although she did not really believe Mary would be very capable. "Once he is recovered from his shock and most of the pain, he will be very bored unless he is entertained. With such a large family of aunts and uncles nearby, I -- well, Sir Walter would not really like my staying here."

"Quite right," Mrs Croft nodded. "There are so many relatives nearby."

"And I have so much to do. There are so many people to keep an eye on in my family that I do not quite know whom to choose," Lady Elliot sighed. Perhaps she should start trusting them, but in some cases that was difficult. "They could all do with my help."

Frederick turned away to hide his scowl. Did she call her interference helping?

"Your other daughter struck me as a competent young woman," Mrs Croft said encouragingly. "I am sure she needs no looking after."

"Not much," Lady Elliot agreed. She wished they could move to other topics, but the presence of Captain Wentworth prevented her from thinking of any and she was sure Mrs Croft was mentioning Anne on purpose.

"But I quite understand you, madam. When the admiral was stationed overseas I was very concerned about my brothers getting into scrapes -- I had no children to occupy me in that manner." She directed an arch look at her brother.

"Did your brother not strike you as a competent young man?" he responded. He liked competent young women, but he did not like the fact there was one in the Elliot family. It was one his sister had met, too. It might even be one he had met. But he did not care.

"Oh, now you are," she readily admitted. "But when you were young you could have benefited from my guidance."

"I do not much approve of the guidance of...older people," Frederick said stiffly. He could not believe she knew anything. This must be an accidental comment, but he must be on his guard in case it was not.

"If one loves them and one is at hand, one cannot simply stand by while they ruin their lives." Mrs Croft was cheerful, yet quietly persuasive. "I would have done you that favour had you been near when you did something stupid -- which I readily believe you never did -- and I worried about you when you were not near."

He softened. "Thank you, Sophia. I know you mean well." He could not avoid the emphasis. Her guidance would have nothing to do with conceit and pride.

Lady Elliot felt uncomfortable. She hoped they could find some innocent subject to speak about, or else she was not going to enjoy dinner here at all. The evening seemed interminable.

Anne had not yet managed to persuade her father to remain in Bath. He still spoke of travelling to Uppercross in the morning to confront her mother with his suspicions -- and she still believed they were completely unfounded. He based them on what he remembered of her mother's shape after seeing someone else. "But I never noticed anything about her shape."

"Anne, do not venture into improper territory," Sir Walter warned. "Because you will want to know how I did and then you will tell me it was highly improper of me."

"No, Papa," Anne said with a blush. "I only wish for your suspicions to originate in something irrefutable."

"Shape!"

Anne looked helpless. To him it might be irrefutable, but she hardly agreed. "I beg you to reconsider going there in the morning. You would scare Mama out of her wits. And think of Mary! What would Mary say?"

"I do not have to explain myself to Mary," said he. "I should come to speak to my wife and it is nobody else's business what I should be saying to her. You only know because I did not guard my tongue in your presence."

"But you cannot go there and tell Mama she is expecting."

"Why not?"

"Think of her reaction!"

"If she does not know, she will be only too glad that I am informing her. If she does know, she will be only too glad that she no longer has to take the trouble to inform me." Sir Walter saw his having made the discovery as something in his favour. Elizabeth had wanted him to notice things about her and now he had. She could only approve.

Anne went to bed. Her father's unshakeable faith in his own goodness was too distressing. If he was still set on going, she would find out in the morning. He did not want to leave her behind, after all. If he was set on going, she would like to be there to see her mother's reaction and to explain how she had not been able to dissuade him.

But although she did not believe her father for a second, she could not help but wonder what would happen if he was right.

Lady Elliot had been led into the dining room by the admiral. She had sat down and tried not to study Captain Wentworth too much. That was difficult, given that he was seated directly opposite her. It occurred to her that if she was feeling so much in his presence, her poor Anne would be absolutely wretched.

She wondered if she was ever going to arrive at any sort of different opinion on him. He clearly did not like the guidance of his elders and believed himself not to be in need of any guidance whatsoever. He had been like that eight years ago and he appeared unchanged. That he understood his sister's wish to look out for him had been surprising, but that only she was allowed to do so was not.

"My other brother was married while we were overseas," Mrs Croft spoke, addressing Lady Elliot. "And he chose his wife completely without my input."

Lady Elliot tried to smile. "Did he do well?"

"Oh, he did. He took quite long, but he made a good choice. He has a living in Shropshire now."

She had no idea how many brothers Mrs Croft had, but she knew of at least two and one had been a curate. This must be the same one. Captain Wentworth had been living with him, a serious and quiet young man, but that was all she remembered. "That was fortunate. I hope he did not have to wait too long. Having a living of his own must be a great improvement."

"Indeed it is. He has had this one for a few years now and he was very lucky to get it."

"I am glad to hear it. It sometimes takes so long for young men to get a decent living. One of my brothers has a friend who only got one last year. He is long past forty." Her own brother had had better connections, but saying so might not be a wise thing.

"Indeed," Mrs Croft agreed. "I am glad Edward was able to marry before he is forty. I do not like it when men get wives half their age, especially not if they are brothers of mine."

"Why?" Captain Wentworth asked rebelliously. "How could it affect you?"

"They would be sisters of mine. I should prefer to meet them on a level of equality."

"Perhaps you should meet your brothers on a level of equality first, instead of treating them like little boys," he said with a meaningful nod, but he took care to smile. She was not so bad. He certainly understood her wish for more women in the family. She had never had any sisters at all and Sophia being Sophia, she would prefer useful ones. Girls of fifteen would not be useful to her.

"He has got you there, Sophia," the admiral laughed. "But she will soon be too busy for you, Frederick. What about your sons-in-law, Lady Elliot? Are they young?"

"Yes, both of them are much younger than I am."

"And how many daughters do you have?"

"I have three. Lizzy is in London, Anne in Bath and Mary is at Uppercross." There, she had done it. She had mentioned Anne. She looked at Captain Wentworth, but while he briefly raised his eyes to her, he did nothing else.

No, he did nothing else, but it was difficult. So Anne was in Bath. He knew the one in Bath was the unmarried one; people had spoken of Miss Elliot as having moved to Bath with her parents. That she had not married was surprising. Her parents ought to have found her a suitable party and she ought to have done as they wished, and married. But he did not care.

He was long past caring about Anne Elliot. She had wounded him, broken his heart, but he had healed and he could not be wounded again. He felt a certain relief that his curiosity about her was satisfied. He knew what had become of her and that was that. She was in Bath and she would remain there.

He could not like Lady Elliot, as she had once been absolutely decided against him for no reason at all, but he could not be uncivil to a friend of his sister's, certainly not in his sister's house and her friend's old house.

He wished he could make some polite inquiry about Miss Elliot that proved he was completely indifferent, but he found it impossible. Not because he was not indifferent, but because his imagination failed him. Sometimes it did. He listened as the Crofts told Lady Elliot about their life in the East Indies. Nothing was required of him there.

Chapter Ten

Posted on 2009-01-28

When Lady Elliot retired with Mrs Croft, she was no closer to knowing very much about Captain Wentworth's feelings. She hoped his sister had fared better, but she would not understand how. Captain Wentworth had hardly contributed to the conversation about the East Indies.

"My dear Lady Elliot," said Mrs Croft after they had left the room. "I was happy to see you become a little more at ease after a while. I was beginning to feel a little guilty."

"I wonder about your plan. How can you have found out anything at all?"

"We do not have much time. The admiral does not like lingering in the dining room," Mrs Croft warned. "I have found out that Frederick is not comfortable with talk about your daughters, nor with people deciding things for him. And he said very little himself. He is generally talkative."

"What does it mean?"

Mrs Croft looked reflective. "It could be that he had simply nothing to say, but on the subject of wars and sailing he generally does. He has interesting stories to tell and observations to make, but he hardly opened his mouth tonight. Even when I spoke a blatant untruth he did not correct me. My husband did not miss it. You might have seen his face."

"I did not catch you speaking any untruths, blatant or not, but you were speaking of subjects of which I know nothing," Lady Elliot smiled. Mrs Croft had frequently looked at her brother, but that had not struck her as especially odd.

"Frederick did not ask you how his former acquaintance Miss Elliot was doing." An indifferent man might have done so, to prove he was indifferent.

"No, but not many men would," Lady Elliot thought. She certainly did not think someone who had not taken his rejection lightly then would take it lightly now. "I was surprised he spoke to me at all. He did not like interference then and he does not like it now. I wonder if he blames me more than he blames Anne."

"That is an interesting question. I gave him a few examples of why a sensible woman would interfere in a relative's life. Did you notice?"

"I did. Perhaps that will make him think, although nobody who was proven right ever admits he could have been wrong. He believed he would be rich and successful and he was. That is at least what Mary told me. I am no good judge of naval matters." She had heard Mary's tales, but the captain had added nothing himself.

"Oh, I see your point," Mrs Croft exclaimed. "You are quite right. Perhaps your lack of trust was even more offensive because you were no good judge of naval matters? But madam, you were a good judge of financial and household matters and those were important to your daughter."

Lady Elliot felt affected by such support. She was relieved that Mrs Croft was not taking her brother's side alone. "Thank you."

"A girl cannot live on promises of money alone. By now he might have seen examples of men who failed. There are more men who fail than men who succeed at making a fortune."

"What good would it do Anne if he understood?"

"It has to start with that. We are not forcing them to marry, madam. We are not forcing them to anything. My brother has some very strange ideas about a potential wife. His bitterness would explain them. Some understanding might change them. He talks as if it does not matter much to him what she is like. It should be the only thing!"

"Perhaps it used to be, but then money turned out to be more important?" Lady Elliot suggested. It might not be so easy to accept if his sister told him so, for he had once experienced it. "A woman's character is important only to men who have money."

"That is very clever of you! Yes. But he did not mention money now. He mentioned age. Oh, it was so vexing. The first girl who smiles may have him. I could not believe it. Even the admiral was not so simple, although he may mislead you in that regard."

Lady Elliot agreed that it was very vexing. "I should not like it if Anne said such a thing -- the first man who smiled at her!"

Mrs Croft began to say something, but she was interrupted by the entrance of the gentlemen. "There they are already," she whispered with regret. "But it was the purpose of your visit, I suppose. For private conversations we should meet during the day. If you are to go back to Bath, I shall have to come to see you there. I have not found any other ladies nearby in very comparable situations."

Lady Elliot could not think of any either.

"My dear," Mrs Croft said to the admiral. "Were you so bored without me?"

He only smiled at that.

"I was thinking that now that we are settled, I could do with a few more clothes."

The admiral looked surprised.

Lady Elliot had gone back to Uppercross with Mrs Croft's promise that she would come to Bath one of these days. It had surprised the admiral that she might want new clothes, but he was not the sort of man to object to accompanying his wife. Lady Elliot did not doubt that Mrs Croft would soon come, even if her need for new clothing might not be as urgent as she had said.

At Uppercross she found everyone in bed except for the servant who let her in. She wondered if Charles was going to be out when she woke. If so, she could not tell him she was leaving. She had become more and more convinced that she must leave. Mary would not like it, but Mary would never learn to take care of her own family if she always helped her.

The boy required attention, but so did Sir Walter. He would be seriously out of sorts if she did not return tomorrow. He was not injured, but only a wife could give him the attention and supervision he required. Anne could not. He might not even speak to Anne much, although she hoped he did.

Walter had never taken much notice of Anne because she had never put herself forward. Perhaps when there was no one else he would give her some more attention.

Anne had taken a philosophical stance on the matter, since she could not change her father's mind. She would go with him if he insisted, but she would be in the background, observing. Her mother's reaction worried her a little still, but she had told herself that her mother had known her father for a long time and that she was probably beyond being surprised.

In the morning, however, it had occurred to Sir Walter that Lady Elliot had taken the carriage to Uppercross and that he would have to hire one if he wished to travel that way. This was impossible. He imagined arriving there in a carriage that did not bear his arms, or worse, by post, and he shuddered.

"I have changed my mind," he said to Anne. "We have no carriage."

In her consternation about her mother's reaction she had completely forgotten to think of that. She blushed ashamedly, since usually such things occurred to her first. "True."

"I could not travel by post."

"No," she agreed.

"Besides, if your mother is coming home today, we might pass each other on the road without knowing it."

"True. So we are staying here?"

"Yes, we are. I have no choice."

She was relieved. It only postponed the confrontation, naturally, but at least no others would be privy to her father's odd suspicions. That had worried her rather more than her mother's reaction. What would others have thought about Sir Walter's travelling to Uppercross? Even if they did not hear the true reason they would invent one and people rarely invented sensible things.

Contrary to what her mother was thinking, Anne was in fact wishing Sir Walter was giving her less attention by now. He really could not amuse himself. He did not read and he was wholly dependent on others to entertain him. When there were no visitors, which thankfully there sometimes were, this task fell to Anne. They walked several times a day and she was even forced to play cards with him. She did not much like playing cards, but it was not going to be for the rest of her life.

Nevertheless, Anne was very glad when her mother came home. She was curious what her father would say and she was loath to leave them, in spite of his behaving rather improperly and her mother's allowing it.

"There, I knew there was nothing wrong with the child," Sir Walter said in satisfaction.

"He was in quite some pain, but he was not dying." Lady Elliot wished he showed some more concern for his grandson. He could not know Charles' precise condition.

"Nothing Mary could not tend to herself." He had always known it and he nodded confidently.

"I knew you would think so, so I came back."

"That was very obliging of you, Elizabeth." He squeezed her hand.

"I do feel a little sorry for Mary for abandoning her so cruelly." She was not entirely comfortable with her decision to leave. It had been selfish of her.

Sir Walter looked uncomprehending. "But not for me?"

"Oh yes, for you too. There are rather too many people who need my attention. I am glad I do not have twelve children."

"Oh." Here Sir Walter looked a bit uncertain. "Indeed, but -- well, I am of the opinion that as soon as they are married they need to fend for themselves. I wrote as much to Lizzy -- that there are perfectly good inns within their budget -- not ours, mark my words here -- in Bath and that we shall not send Anne somewhere by post in search of Lady Russell."

"Why in search?"

"Because we do not know where she is."

"I do know where she is and so should you, for she left her itinerary so we might write. She is in Cornwall at the moment," Lady Elliot replied. "But you are quite right that we shall not send Anne to Cornwall by post."

Anne had been fidgeting throughout, not because she believed she might be sent away by post, but because her father had still not broached the subject of her mother's supposed condition. She had furtively been studying her mother, but she had seen nothing amiss. Certainly, there was some fat in the abdominal region, although it was well obscured by her mother's excellent posture, but this was nothing odd for a lady her age and Anne could not tell whether it had been there before or not.

"Certainly not," said Sir Walter. "Cornwall. Who lives there?"

Anne counted on her fingers the number of months that had passed since her parents had behaved oddly.

Sir Walter counted with her. "Half a dozen people, no more."

"Walter, do not be silly," Lady Elliot chided. "What did Lizzy write?"

"She wanted to come and did not see our not having any room for her as a good reason to stay away. We were to make room by sending Anne away. How Anne could make room for three people, I do not know."

"And you wrote back to her saying it was impossible?"

"I did."

"That is very good of you." Lady Elliot felt she was a terrible mother, leaving one daughter alone with a sick child and not wanting another daughter in her house. It was difficult for her to be so cold-hearted, but it needed to be done.

"I am going to the library," announced Anne, who had not been allowed to go there by her father while she was alone with him. He thought the library a shabby place, designed for people who could not afford to buy books. She was still curious what he was going to say to her mother, but he did not seem to want to do it in her presence. She might as well get herself some new books.

"What did you think of Lady Elliot?" Mrs Croft asked her brother.

Captain Wentworth sighed. He had asked himself that same question, but he had not liked the answer. The woman had not been as bad as he had hoped. There was still the matter of her having arranged her daughter's life, but her current manner and attitude had not at all been reprehensible. "Why should I think anything at all of her? Will you ask me that about any acquaintance of yours?"

"I am asking you because a few days ago you wanted to know what she was like," she reminded him.

He never should have asked her that. "Oh."

"She was not proud, was she?"

"I do not know. She did not speak much."

"Neither did you. You said less. Are you proud and haughty?"

He did not think he was. "I should not call her excellent, however."

"Why, no. She is quite a bit too old to be considered excellent in your book," Mrs Croft smiled. "But she is an amiable and sensible woman. I wonder that you never met her while you lived with Edward. She certainly met him."

"She was quite a bit too old for that then as well," Frederick could say. "Edward is older than I am, as you know. I may have met her. I do not recall. Did she speak to you of Edward?" If she had spoken of meeting Edward, she might have said more. She could have said more; his sister's comments could be interpreted in that light. He was curious, but he was too proud to ask.

"Only a little. Are you not off to Uppercross today?"

"No." It was raining. His wish to stay home had nothing to do with Lady Elliot's being at Uppercross. It was simply a good day to stay in and he expected his sister would do the same.

Chapter Eleven

Posted on 2009-01-31

"I have something to tell you," Sir Walter announced when Anne had gone to the library. "It may shock you. Anne thought it would. I have to say I was very shocked myself when I first thought of it."

"Oh dear, Walter. Are you thinking of dismissing Phillips?" This was what occurred to her first and Lady Elliot did not know what else it could be. She could understand Walter had been shocked by his own idea to dismiss his valet.

"Dismissing Phillips?" He was astonished. "Why should I?"

"You have a sort of look about you that seems to say I should really like your news. In that light I can only think of dismissing Phillips."

"But why? Never mind," he said hurriedly. "You do not like Phillips, I know, although he does his work well. You may like my news as well as you would like news about Phillips."

"You make me curious." She folded her hands and awaited his next words.

"You seem to have grown fatter."

Lady Elliot stared. Her mouth opened and remained that way for a few seconds. Then she closed it again and spoke very thoughtfully. "Ah, you noticed. I thought you might. The absence of my usual stays and all. But Walter, it does not do to tell me I may like this news and then to tell me I have grown fatter. Why should I like such a thing?"

"You know the cause."

She frowned a little. "Indeed I do."

Sir Walter was no longer as certain as he had been to Anne. Suddenly it occurred to him that it had been very presumptuous of him to think there could only be one cause. At his wife's age it might not be the most logical thing, although she looked no different from ten years ago -- but nothing had happened ten years ago either. He bit his lip. "We are young-looking, are we not?"

"It never matters whether a man looks young," Lady Elliot replied. "But you are very young-looking indeed." She did not mention the grey stubble before he shaved, which she had noticed only after she had begun to share a room with him. Before then Phillips always made sure to remove all traces of grey. Without grey hairs Sir Walter looked forty-five at most, but perhaps he would like forty best. It was best not to make any pronouncements on that subject so as not to disappoint him.

"Let me get to the point."

"That would be nice," she agreed.

"I was thinking your increase in figure was related to our increase in...er...how does one call it?"

Lady Elliot gave him an angelic look. "One does not call it anything, Walter. One simply goes about it. If that is what you mean."

He looked a little flustered. "Well...er...I have gone about it a little more frequently, with your permission and without approaching impropriety, I hope, but I received the impression that you did not mind it."

"I never did, not even when you were no good at it."

This startled Sir Walter. "No good at it?"

"Less good at it," she amended. "You are even better now, as you wish. I had been wondering how to break the news to you. I am sure it is highly improper at my age and you would not like anybody to know. On the other hand, it could be seen as a sign of virility."

He pondered that.

"On your part," she continued. "But while it has been going well, I have my age to think of. It may not continue to go well. I may not survive it."

At Kellynch Frederick sat alone with Admiral Croft. This was a rare occasion, but he did not question it. It gave him the opportunity to speak of some things he would not speak about in Sophia's presence, but he did not know where to start.

The admiral was fixing a writing desk that had suffered from Frederick's using it, although he did not quite understand how. "What did you do to this thing?"

"I tried to open it, but it would not give."

"Probably because it was locked," the admiral muttered. "This is elegant furniture, Frederick, not practical or logical. There is a very decorous lock with a dainty little key hidden here. Applying brute force works, but --"

"Hidden." That said it all. How could he know there was a lock if it was hidden?

"There are sturdier desks in just about every room. Why did you want this one?"

"I wanted to see what was inside." There had been some paper, a few pens, ink and assorted scraps of metal like pins and hooks. It had been rather disappointing, for the paper had been blank. Precisely what he had been looking for he did not even know and he did not want to ask himself the question.

"I hope your curiosity was satisfied, but I doubt the Elliots left anything of value in here. A bag of gold coins, eh! I wonder what Mr Shepherd would say if he heard the furniture suffers even where there are no children yet."

"Yet? Have you got plans?" Frederick asked idly.

"I do."

"Are you going to adopt some orphans?" He could imagine them doing so now that they were settled. Sophia would like someone to look after. It was a pretty good idea.

"Orphans?"

"Where else would you get children?"

"You will see when it gets here," said the admiral, continuing to work calmly. He unscrewed the lock. It would have been easier to let Frederick tear it out, but Sir Walter might not like any more damage.

"It? Your are starting out with one only? Why not several?"

"We have got you already."

"Perhaps I ought to do so," Frederick mused. It was a pretty good idea. "No wife is required."

"Have you got trouble finding a wife?"

"Oh, not trouble," he hastened to say. He never had any trouble doing anything. "It simply seems quicker to me than courting, marrying and waiting for children to appear and then for them to grow up to a talkative age." He had imagined coming ashore and settling down with a wife and a few children, but this turned out to take rather more time than he had imagined. Perhaps he was impatient.

"Yes, it is quicker. I suppose it was also quicker to break this writing desk than to look for a latch or a lock." The admiral had managed to take out the lock and he examined it.

"I am not used to such breakable stuff. If you wish I could take it to a locksmith."

Admiral Croft dropped it in Frederick's hand. "Her Ladyship's being Sophia's new friend and all..."

"Why is she?"

"Why? Oh, you know Sophia."

"Indeed I do, but I do not understand why Lady Elliot is her new friend."

"They have some things in common, though not similar husbands, and I believe Sophy was a little concerned about the lady's being used by her family."

"Used?" Frederick had never heard anything more ridiculous. Lady Elliot was the last person on earth who would allow herself to be used.

"Of course. She was summoned to Uppercross under false pretences. The little boy is injured, but his condition hardly requires his grandmother coming from Bath. Sophy visited her there and the parents of the boy were conveniently absent."

"More likely she sent them away."

"No, no. Sophy would know. No, they thought that Lady Elliot's presence would allow them to continue their lives without concerning themselves about the boy, but your sister would not have it, hence her invitation. You know she does not like unfairness."

Frederick believed that if she really did not like unfairness, she would be very much decided against Lady Elliot if she heard the truth. It had been unfair of Lady Elliot to persuade her daughter against him, after all. He had done nothing to deserve such distrust. Not even Sophia could condone her new friend's actions.

But he said nothing. It would make him uncomfortable to speak of it and he was not sure the admiral was going to be on his side. The man would find some way to render Sophia and any of her friends blameless, because it did not occur to him that Sophia could be less than perfect in any way.

Anne had walked to the library and back. She had brought an umbrella, for which she was glad. It prevented acquaintances from offering to walk with her, which they might have done otherwise. She had caught the eye of a young gentleman she had met a few times at parties, but while she had greeted him very politely, she had not stopped to talk.

She wanted to have time to herself to think. Her mother had been to Uppercross. Although she had not stayed away long, she might have heard something through the Crofts about Captain Wentworth. This was a thought that had occurred to her in the library when she overheard someone speak of a captain and all thoughts about her father's conversation with her mother were pushed aside.

Would he go to Kellynch? Would he meet everyone there? Alone, or with his family? She had no reason to believe him married, but he might well take such a step in the future. He had a handsome fortune and a good age for it. Why should he not choose to marry? She would understand him, but she found she could not be indifferent. He deserved happiness, but hers would be blighted forever. Neither here nor anywhere else had she seen anyone who could compare to Frederick Wentworth. It was unlikely that she would meet such a man soon.

Anne was a little gloomy when she came home, despite the prospects of some new books and the opportunity to read them now that her mother was back to keep her father company. She arrived at the same time as a man who looked like an apothecary, which puzzled her, but as he was taken up to her parents' chambers, she could not follow.

Instead, she sat in her sitting room and began one of her books. Her curiosity could not fail to distract her and she made little progress. After she had started anew several times, her mother came to see her.

"This is awful," Lady Elliot began.

"What is, Mama?"

"Your father sent for Mr Gurney against my will and Mr Gurney examined me and, to cut a long story short, he ordered bed rest. I have no intention of doing as he says."

Anne laid down her book. "Bed rest? Why?"

"How am I to tell you? What did your father tell you?"

"He had some suspicions," Anne said very cautiously. "Which I thought were too far-fetched. I hope he did not share them with Mr Gurney."

"He did, of course, and Mr Gurney reacted with absolute idiocy." Lady Elliot looked indignant. "Instead of listening to me and basing his advice on that, he ordered bed rest -- as if that will solve anything!"

"Mama, I am not sure I know enough particulars to make a comment. Forgive me for asking, but are you expecting or not? I am not sure I could believe Mr Gurney advising you bed rest if you told him you were not expecting."

"I could not tell him that. I tried to temper your father's enthusiasm by saying I might not survive, whereupon he sent for Mr Gurney. He thinks that if I stay in bed from now on, I stand a greater chance of delivering successfully and I am sure he was angling for a higher fee when he told your father I was expecting a boy."

Anne could hardly believe it. "It is true then?"

"There could be a child." That was all Lady Elliot was capable of predicting. Anything regarding her shape was pure nonsense and she had not believed Mr Gurney.

"But how?"

Her mother shrugged. "Pure luck. I have got further with this child than I have in the last twenty years, but the child after you did not live when it was born twenty-five years ago, so even carrying it to term does not mean a thing."

Anne looked alarmed.

"But do not be worried and do not tell me to lie down. It will not make a difference. I am determined to live as I always have. "

Chapter Twelve

Posted on 2009-02-04

Sir Walter was at once concerned and proud of himself. He was not naturally given to worrying and his wife was completely to blame for his current fears, for she kept saying there might be complications and she refused to change her behaviour. He had never questioned the matter of procreation and thus he had never wondered if by changing his habits he might increase their chances, but now that it had happened he was thrilled by the possibility of a son and very worried that anything should jeopardise that. No matter how often Lady Elliot cautioned him and even told him his debts would not disappear if a son was born, he kept being optimistic about that.

Anne was worried as well, but she soon accepted that her mother would not lie in bed all day, no matter what anyone ordered. As her mother said, she did not have to scrub floors and sitting and walking had never put anyone in danger. She said she had no complaints at all.

Anne knew rather more about conception and childbirth than she should, thanks to Mary, but her experience with women who were with child had heretofore been wholly with her sisters, of whom Mary suffered every complaint imaginable. Elizabeth had shared less, but it had nevertheless been clear that she did not enjoy the condition.

A week's observations showed that Lady Elliot was indeed not the opposite of Mary, saying she had no aches and troubles while secretly having them, and Anne was a little more reassured.

"Thank you for allowing me to be the best judge of my own condition, Anne," said Lady Elliot when Anne told her so. "You have no idea of my dilemma. I wanted your father to display more interest in me, but now that he does, it is too much. I cannot say anything to him, for he will rightly point out that it was my own wish. What will he say when there is no living boy? He looks forward to it too much."

Anne did not know. "Sometimes the most unlikely things do happen."

"Indeed they do. Mrs Croft is unexpectedly expecting as well," said her mother. "We have shared experiences."

"Is she?" Anne had only met her once, but she had seemed a nice woman. If she was not mistaken, her mother had only met her once too. "How did you come to talk about something so discreet? You were only at Uppercross for such a short time."

"She brought something for Charles. We started talking."

Anne rounded her lips. "Oh." She wondered if anything else had been discussed apart from their health.

"I dined at Kellynch last evening. I had heard he was back -- the Musgroves could speak of little else, despite the little I saw of them -- so I saw him."

He. She did not have to ask who he was, but she hardly recognised her own voice when she spoke. Not only was he back, but her mother had seen him. She had even dined in his company. "What happened?"

"Mrs Croft invited me and so I went. Would you like to know what became of him?"

Anne doubted. She did, but it was likely to give her pain.

"He made a fortune and he was reputedly charming, but I saw no evidence of those charming manners. He was very silent. It was my fault, of course. I do not expect him to like me. All things considered I thought he was rather civil."

Anne was surprised at this mild judgement. She had known about the fortune, or rather guessed at it from what had been written about his successes, and she remembered his charming manners. None of that was news to her. His silence was. It was possible that he had grown more steady and serious, although she had not thought him wanting in that regard. It was equally well possible that he had been silent because of her mother.

"We did not speak of the past."

"I do not think I should have liked that."

Sir Walter had not been able to keep Lizzy away. Stubborn as she was, she had travelled down from London with William and little Walter. If she had been expecting that her parents would send Anne away, she was sorely disappointed, for she was informed instantly when she arrived that she would have to find other lodgings. Perhaps she had thought they would not be so blunt if she presented them with a fait accompli, but they were.

Lady Elliot considered it being firm, not blunt. "We wrote this to you, Lizzy. We cannot have you here. The house is too small. Our budget is too small. You will have to pay for your own accommodation."

Lizzy looked taken aback. Even William managed to look surprised rather than embarrassed. It was clear that he had counted as much as Lizzy had on cooperation. Anne was mortified by it all and she tried to concentrate on little Walter, who had grown bigger since last time. He was a good little boy, which she was inclined to ascribe to the efforts of his nurse. Lady Elliot had found her, naturally.

Sir Walter merely nodded. He knew when he should not talk. It occurred to him that this was not the best moment to mention the child either.

"Do you mean you are turning me out of the house?" Lizzy demanded.

"No, I am not turning you out. We warned you in advance," Lady Elliot replied. Her cruelty distressed her, but she had no choice. "I do not know why you came in spite of that."

"You never warned me," said Lizzy indignantly, but at least her husband was so wise as to remain silent. He might be the heir and he did sometimes behave as though he were the eldest son, but he knew there was nothing to be won here.

Lady Elliot did not think there was any more to be said either, so she bent over little Walter.

Eventually the younger Elliots went to find a hotel. Anne could not help but feel that being allowed to stay had not endeared her to her sister, but they had never been very dear to each other. What Lizzy would not want to acknowledge was that Anne had no choice but to stay here.

Anne would not have minded being sent off to Lady Russell, as long as she would not feel too much like a parcel, for she liked Lady Russell. Her mother and she always spent much time with her. Lady Elliot always consulted Lady Russell when Sir Walter had no useful opinion, which he frequently did not. Lady Russell was a kind woman who had no children of her own. Anne considered her a second mother.

She thought she might have liked Cornwall too. Perhaps Lady Russell was staying on the coast. Anne felt she did not get enough opportunities to see the sea. She did not like the fashionable places and when they were at home, the nearest places were shut up and out of season. That did not matter to her -- she would actually prefer it -- but her father and sisters would not dream of going where they would not be seen.

The coast was not far off now either, but she had never heard any of the coastal towns mentioned as being worthy of Sir Walter Elliot's patronage. This probably meant they would not go. It might be cold and windy in November, but Anne would go for the scenery, if there was any.

Perhaps she could talk her mother into thinking the sea air was good for her. Anne did not see why it could not be.

"Your sister wants to go to Bath to look for orphans," Admiral Croft said to Captain Wentworth one day. November had come and Mrs Croft had felt rather snug in her clothes. She wanted to go to Bath to have some new ones fitted, but this was too straightforward for the admiral to mention. "Are you coming along?"

"She is not wasting any time, but why Bath?"

"There is no orphanage in Kellynch."

That was probably true, although Frederick could not say he had paid attention to the less fortunate in the village. There might not be an orphanage, but there could be orphans, for all he knew.

"Are you coming along?" The admiral was under strict orders from his wife not to leave Frederick here alone. He would be invited to Uppercross and when they returned they would find him married. Hardly any time was required for that. Girls could be quick and shrewd. While the admiral believed that, he was not so sure that Frederick would allow himself to be snared. Sophia saw things differently, of course.

"What am I to do there?"

"You could assist us in our search or you might simply be glad for a change of scenery. Life is pretty rustic here. A young fellow wants regular excitement."

That too was true. Life could be uneventful here. He had not come ashore always to remain in one place. He had the opportunity to travel where he liked and he should use it. It would indeed be frightfully rustic of him if he chose to stay home. "But --"

Frederick had nothing to do in Bath and the Elliots were there. It should not appear as if he had come to see them, yet he suspected that Sophia would call on them. Perhaps he could satisfy the admiral and Edward at the same time. "I shall go to Shropshire and accompany you as far as Bath."

"Edward will be pleased to see you."

More pleased than the Elliots, no doubt. Yes, this was a good plan. He could always come back if he grew bored in Shropshire. Edward was bound to be superbly rustic.

They had fixed on the Wednesday for going to Bath. The Crofts were to stay overnight and possibly longer, depending on how long it took to get an appointment with Lady Elliot's dressmaker. Mentioning Lady Elliot's name was sure to give Mrs Croft some privileges, but it might nevertheless take some time.

After taking some rooms, Sophia went out on her errand while the two men walked around town. Frederick had not really wanted to go, until he had told himself he was a coward. He was surprised, very surprised, when the first people he recognised in the streets were the Musgroves.

The Musgroves! In Bath! He did not understand how that could be. Of course he had told them about his trip, about the Bath part of it and if he recalled it correctly also about the Shropshire part, but they had never told him about a similar plan. It could not be some last-minute business, because there were too many of them. He counted five.

It did not cross his mind to hide, so he continued walking. They greeted him with too little surprise, which made him think they had come to Bath because of him. But why? He was going to Shropshire in a day or two, when Sophia returned to Kellynch.

"And what brought you all to Bath?" he inquired when they were standing in a little circle.

Louisa appointed herself as spokeswoman. "We thought it a good plan to renew our wardrobe as well."

They were busy doing that, of course, walking the streets in a group of five. Frederick nodded. He could see in Charles Musgrove's face that they were not out to buy clothes that moment. "How kind of the gentlemen to accompany you on such an errand."

"There are more fashions to be had in Bath," Louisa continued.

"I thought there was only one fashion to be followed."

"Which one?"

"The latest, of course."

"Oh yes!" she cried. "That is what I mean. We are after the latest fashion. It can only be had here. London is too far away."

Frederick wondered why it mattered such a great deal. If it could only be had here, nobody at home would know about it and nobody could fault them for not adhering to it. A moment later he wondered if they wanted to be leaders in their small society at home. They would be the first or even the only ones with such fashionable clothes.

They stood talking for another little while until the admiral grew bored.

Anne had accompanied her mother to Mme Tournier's shop to pick out a fabric. She had nothing to buy herself, but she had nothing else to do. They found Mrs Croft there, which pleased Lady Elliot tremendously.

"I went here directly, because we are not staying in town for long," Mrs Croft said in response to her greeting. "What a coincidence to see you here. They were most helpful when I mentioned you."

"I have been going here more regularly since moving to Bath," Lady Elliot said with a meaningful look. "I hope you are in good health still, Mrs Croft. You look well."

"I feel absolutely fine, although I am beginning to feel snug in my clothes. How are you?"

"I am feeling well, but I have some trouble persuading Sir Walter of it. Anne believes me now. Do you not, Anne?"

Anne smiled. She had been listening and observing Mrs Croft. The lady was indeed larger than the first time she had seen her, which had been almost three months ago. It was clear why she would need other gowns. "I take your word for it, Mama."

"But not well enough to let me go here alone. I am glad for your company and advice, though. Your taste is excellent."

Anne was also in on the secret and Lizzy was not. She was glad they had run into Mrs Croft here and not Lizzy. She smiled again.

"Has the admiral come with you?" Lady Elliot inquired. "You must come to dinner tomorrow."

"Yes, he is walking with my brother. This sort of thing is not for them. My brother is on his way to my other brother, though he may stay in Bath with us for a few days." Mrs Croft gave Anne a quick glance.

Anne blushed deeply. So Mrs Croft knew. There was no other explanation for that glance and the suddenly cautious tone. She could hardly breathe at the idea that her mother was asking him to dinner. He would not come. She was sure of it.

"Your brother is welcome too, of course."

"I should understand if Sir Walter has made other plans for the few days that we are here," Mrs Croft said even more cautiously. "But if he has no other plans..."

Lady Elliot understood the concern. "If you will give me your address, I can let you know later today. I am sure it will not be a problem."