Author’s note: As in my previous two stories, I’m a short story type, but I actually went a bit longer here! I think of Admiral Croft as being someone who speaks what he thinks. As well, inspired by Susan K. and Laura Louise’s “Lust Suffers Not at All and Is Instantly Gratified” I wanted to do Persuasion in a hurry, but not as much of a hurry as they did. Blurb: At Uppercross, Admiral Croft asks Anne if she desires to dance. These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne, while her fingers were mechanically at work, proceeding for half an hour together, equally without error, and without consciousness. Once she felt that he was looking at herself, observing her altered features, perhaps, trying to trace in them the ruins of the face which had once charmed him; and once she knew that he must have spoken of her: she was hardly aware of it till she heard the answer; but then she was sure of his having asked his partner whether Miss Elliot never danced? The answer was, "Oh! no, never; she has quite given up dancing. She had rather play. She is never tired of playing." -Persuasion, Chapter 9 ______________________________________________________________________________ As a set ended, suddenly Admiral Croft exclaimed, “Miss Anne, do you not wish to dance this evening?” Anne could not reply, such was her astonishment. Indeed, the room was silent. Admiral Croft, though, was persistent. “Surely Miss Anne, another lady could play if you desire to dance?” Anne, still shocked, could only make out, “Admiral, you are too kind,” before one of Charles Hayter’s brothers asked to dance with her. Henrietta offered to play. Charles Hayter escorted her to the pianoforte and took a seat beside her. As the dance progressed she tried her best to converse with her partner, but she could feel Captain Wentworth’s eyes upon her as he sat upon a nearby sofa. The set ended and Admiral Croft asked Anne for the next, while Sophy decided to rest. Captain Wentworth, meanwhile, danced with Mary. Anne and Admiral Croft’s set was filled with conversation about the Admiral’s travels, greatly encouraged by Anne, whom the Admiral was stunned to find had knowledge of the Navy he would not have expected from a sheltered Baronet’s daughter. As the set ended, Admiral Croft bowed and Anne curtseyed. Louisa cried, “Anne, surely you have enjoyed yourself dancing tonight, but we cannot do without you at the pianoforte.” Once again, the room was silent. Captain Wentworth suddenly appeared by Anne’s side, bowed, and offered his hand. “May I have the next dance?” Mrs. Musgrove offered to play while Charles Hayter took Henrietta’s hand and asked her to dance. Anne, nearly overcome, gave her hand to Captain Wentworth. Louisa, meanwhile, was obliged to rest. Anne and the Captain danced in silence, but to Anne every touch was filled with more emotion than even the greatest poets could express. He looked at her with an expression she could not place. She was grateful she knew the steps because all she wanted was to take him in and know that he was hers for just this brief time. And then, it was over. The evening was over. The Crofts announced that they should return to Kellynch. Captain Wentworth thanked the Musgroves for their hospitality, bowed, and was gone. Soon after, Charles, Mary, and Anne left. The next day, Captain Wentworth called at Uppercross Cottage to ask about the health of Little Charles. Upon being reassured by Mary that he was healing well, he inquired as to the health of her and her sister after the late evening before. “We are both well,” Mary replied. “I am glad to hear it. I have a message from the Admiral for Miss Anne.” “I believe she is in the garden if you wish to speak to her.” Anne sat on a bench in the garden, reflecting. Her conflicted mind had kept her up most of the night and was still in the midst of battle even then. She heard footsteps, and then saw him. Startled, she stood up. Captain Wentworth stopped, collected himself, and bowed. “Miss Elliot.” She curtseyed. He stood, looking at the robin in a nearby tree. Moments passed, feeling like an eternity. Suddenly, he spoke. “Admiral Croft wished you to know how much he enjoyed your conversation last night. ‘Only a Navy wife would know as much as she’, he said. All the way to Kellynch he speculated as to how you would know.” Anne could not reply. Captain Wentworth looked askance. “He did not guess correctly.” Anne gathered up what little courage she had. “I had an excellent instructor.” His head snapped towards her. Trembling, she continued, “An instructor who entertained the foolish questions of an ignorant girl and answered them without mockery. An instructor who spoke from experience, reflected in his accomplishments.” She paused. “An instructor whose lessons I have missed these past eight years after I broke his heart, and mine.” The air was heavy with silence. He stood still. She could not bear it. “I would like to learn again, if he was willing to instruct me.” She sat back down on the bench, head bowed, hands clasped in front of her, shocked at her own forwardness. His hand covered hers, and she looked at his face as he kneeled before her. “The honor would be mine.”https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119320#msg-119320Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:33:42 +0100 Phorum 5.2.22 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,120545#msg-120545 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,120545#msg-120545 Debra Mc Derbyshire Writers' GuildSun, 13 Mar 2016 21:19:33 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119455#msg-119455 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119455#msg-119455 ShannaG Derbyshire Writers' GuildThu, 14 Jan 2016 21:37:39 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119433#msg-119433 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119433#msg-119433 Meg E Derbyshire Writers' GuildThu, 14 Jan 2016 04:42:30 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119409#msg-119409 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119409#msg-119409 Cathy Allen Derbyshire Writers' GuildTue, 12 Jan 2016 19:37:09 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119383#msg-119383 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119383#msg-119383
And maybe I'll try to figure out exactly what the Admiral said to Captain Wentworth, since Lise is curious.]]> cpauline Derbyshire Writers' GuildTue, 12 Jan 2016 02:35:04 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119382#msg-119382 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119382#msg-119382 cpauline Derbyshire Writers' GuildTue, 12 Jan 2016 02:33:24 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119381#msg-119381 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119381#msg-119381
As to why it was Louisa who made the comment: Recall the importance of the "long walk" in Persuasion in terms of lining up Captain Wentworth for Louisa. "Cleared the decks," so to speak.

In my story, the "deck clearing" attempt failed.]]> cpauline Derbyshire Writers' GuildTue, 12 Jan 2016 02:32:30 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119367#msg-119367 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119367#msg-119367 SandyL Derbyshire Writers' GuildSun, 10 Jan 2016 06:06:11 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119365#msg-119365 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119365#msg-119365Thank you for the charming little story.
I have always loved Captain Wentworth just a little bit more than I have loved Mr. Darcy.]]> Lucy J. Derbyshire Writers' GuildSun, 10 Jan 2016 03:44:02 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119350#msg-119350 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119350#msg-119350 Sandy W Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 08 Jan 2016 17:46:57 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119341#msg-119341 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119341#msg-119341
Your Frederick and Anne are just the right amount of hesitant and familiar.

And I agree that there are not enough Persuasion stories around.]]> Susan Kaye Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 08 Jan 2016 07:07:46 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119340#msg-119340 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119340#msg-119340 ClaireM Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 08 Jan 2016 04:28:24 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119338#msg-119338 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119338#msg-119338 Shannon K Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 08 Jan 2016 02:03:53 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119337#msg-119337 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119337#msg-119337 Amy I. Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 08 Jan 2016 01:25:36 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119335#msg-119335 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119335#msg-119335 cpauline Derbyshire Writers' GuildFri, 08 Jan 2016 00:40:46 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119334#msg-119334 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119334#msg-119334
You captured everyone's personality beautifully. Louisa was slightly over the top. I had to look twice to make sure it wasn't Mary insisting that Anne had to return to the piano.

Thank you for this gem!]]> June G Derbyshire Writers' GuildThu, 07 Jan 2016 23:51:48 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119332#msg-119332 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119332#msg-119332
I wonder what he literally said to the captain.]]> Lise Derbyshire Writers' GuildThu, 07 Jan 2016 20:22:33 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119331#msg-119331 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119331#msg-119331 ShannaG Derbyshire Writers' GuildThu, 07 Jan 2016 18:33:54 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119328#msg-119328 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119328#msg-119328 Karentea Derbyshire Writers' GuildThu, 07 Jan 2016 16:48:23 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119324#msg-119324 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119324#msg-119324 Kakcal Derbyshire Writers' GuildThu, 07 Jan 2016 10:54:08 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119323#msg-119323 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119323#msg-119323 Tasha Derbyshire Writers' GuildThu, 07 Jan 2016 09:54:04 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119322#msg-119322 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119322#msg-119322Persuasion-inspired stories in the JAFF world. This one was most enjoyable.

JIM]]> Jim D. Derbyshire Writers' GuildThu, 07 Jan 2016 09:22:40 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119320#msg-119320 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?5,119320,119320#msg-119320
Blurb: At Uppercross, Admiral Croft asks Anne if she desires to dance.


These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne, while her fingers were mechanically at work, proceeding for half an hour together, equally without error, and without consciousness. Once she felt that he was looking at herself, observing her altered features, perhaps, trying to trace in them the ruins of the face which had once charmed him; and once she knew that he must have spoken of her: she was hardly aware of it till she heard the answer; but then she was sure of his having asked his partner whether Miss Elliot never danced? The answer was, "Oh! no, never; she has quite given up dancing. She had rather play. She is never tired of playing."

-Persuasion, Chapter 9
______________________________________________________________________________

As a set ended, suddenly Admiral Croft exclaimed, “Miss Anne, do you not wish to dance this evening?”

Anne could not reply, such was her astonishment. Indeed, the room was silent. Admiral Croft, though, was persistent. “Surely Miss Anne, another lady could play if you desire to dance?”

Anne, still shocked, could only make out, “Admiral, you are too kind,” before one of Charles Hayter’s brothers asked to dance with her. Henrietta offered to play. Charles Hayter escorted her to the pianoforte and took a seat beside her.

As the dance progressed she tried her best to converse with her partner, but she could feel Captain Wentworth’s eyes upon her as he sat upon a nearby sofa.

The set ended and Admiral Croft asked Anne for the next, while Sophy decided to rest. Captain Wentworth, meanwhile, danced with Mary.

Anne and Admiral Croft’s set was filled with conversation about the Admiral’s travels, greatly encouraged by Anne, whom the Admiral was stunned to find had knowledge of the Navy he would not have expected from a sheltered Baronet’s daughter.

As the set ended, Admiral Croft bowed and Anne curtseyed. Louisa cried, “Anne, surely you have enjoyed yourself dancing tonight, but we cannot do without you at the pianoforte.”

Once again, the room was silent.

Captain Wentworth suddenly appeared by Anne’s side, bowed, and offered his hand. “May I have the next dance?”

Mrs. Musgrove offered to play while Charles Hayter took Henrietta’s hand and asked her to dance. Anne, nearly overcome, gave her hand to Captain Wentworth. Louisa, meanwhile, was obliged to rest.

Anne and the Captain danced in silence, but to Anne every touch was filled with more emotion than even the greatest poets could express. He looked at her with an expression she could not place. She was grateful she knew the steps because all she wanted was to take him in and know that he was hers for just this brief time.

And then, it was over. The evening was over. The Crofts announced that they should return to Kellynch.

Captain Wentworth thanked the Musgroves for their hospitality, bowed, and was gone.

Soon after, Charles, Mary, and Anne left.



The next day, Captain Wentworth called at Uppercross Cottage to ask about the health of Little Charles. Upon being reassured by Mary that he was healing well, he inquired as to the health of her and her sister after the late evening before.

“We are both well,” Mary replied.

“I am glad to hear it. I have a message from the Admiral for Miss Anne.”

“I believe she is in the garden if you wish to speak to her.”

Anne sat on a bench in the garden, reflecting. Her conflicted mind had kept her up most of the night and was still in the midst of battle even then.

She heard footsteps, and then saw him. Startled, she stood up.

Captain Wentworth stopped, collected himself, and bowed. “Miss Elliot.”

She curtseyed.

He stood, looking at the robin in a nearby tree. Moments passed, feeling like an eternity. Suddenly, he spoke.

“Admiral Croft wished you to know how much he enjoyed your conversation last night. ‘Only a Navy wife would know as much as she’, he said. All the way to Kellynch he speculated as to how you would know.”

Anne could not reply.

Captain Wentworth looked askance. “He did not guess correctly.”

Anne gathered up what little courage she had. “I had an excellent instructor.”

His head snapped towards her.

Trembling, she continued, “An instructor who entertained the foolish questions of an ignorant girl and answered them without mockery. An instructor who spoke from experience, reflected in his accomplishments.”

She paused. “An instructor whose lessons I have missed these past eight years after I broke his heart, and mine.”

The air was heavy with silence. He stood still.

She could not bear it.

“I would like to learn again, if he was willing to instruct me.”

She sat back down on the bench, head bowed, hands clasped in front of her, shocked at her own forwardness.

His hand covered hers, and she looked at his face as he kneeled before her. “The honor would be mine.”]]> cpauline Derbyshire Writers' GuildThu, 07 Jan 2016 04:39:16 +0000