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This evening would be Anne’s first dinner with the Crofts after their arrival at Kellynch hall. Anne was slightly apprehensive as this would be her first meeting with Fredricks sister but, on the hole, she was more excited at the prospect of varying and hopefully interesting company. As they made their way up to the main house Mary was trying to decide out loud if she thought the Crofts were worthy of living in clinch and Charles was contributing by commenting on the Admiral hunting skills from earlier that day. This continued tell they were shown into the drawing room where there were no Crofts. on Charles inquiry Louisa burst forth with an explanation.
“O it’s just awful the Admiral came earlier today and said that Mrs Crofts brother captain Wentworth ship was Captured by a left-over French frigate on the way to port. Although the ship was recovered along with most of the crew captain Wentworth is lost”. Henrietta now broke in.
“With such dreadful news as her brother’s death it no wonder Mrs croft is taken ill and they are unable to come to dinner the poor lady”. it was then Anne hit the floor. After a large amount of noise and confusion in which Mary also took ill, Anne woke up and began to recover before any of the party could decide on what course of action to take.
“Anne, can we get you anything how do you feel”, Charles anxiously enquired. Anna on looking round the room burst into hysterical tears. This cased even more panic and confusion as even as a child Anne was never one to lose her composure. It was diced that Anne was indeed very ill and when she had recovered enough to talk Anne requested to go home to bed; a request which was quickly complied with.
Anne was in agony she had grown used to melancholy but that was nothing to how she felt now, if she thought she would be in pain when he married it was nothing to this. She cried all night long and into the morning. Anne made every attempt to rally told herself she had no right no reason to be upset she had broken the engagement they were good as strangers but, noting worked. Even if she hadn’t seen him, she had known he was alive and well and hopefully happy and now he was gone.
By dinner she had manged to internalize her grief enough to sit at the table. Not enough to attend to the conversation or eat but enough to sit in silence. Marry complained about her inactiveness and Charles ask after her health but neither could engage her in conversation as all her efforts went to containing her tears.
The next day Anne woke after little sleep but determined to appear as if nothing was wrong. She paid special attention to her nephews and Marys requests with only the occasional bout of tears which she did her best to hide. The Musgrove’s called to see how she did, and she even manged to convince them that she did feel largely better, but quickly excused herself when the crofts were bought up in conversation.
By the end of the week Anne could appear as normal if quieter during the day though food had no taste and she struggled to attend conversations. The Monday after the incident they were again due for dinner at the grate house. Although Anne did not trust herself to maintain her composure, she could think of no-good excuse so trudged along behind Mary and Charles.
“Mary Anne we must remember not to mention Captain Wentworth as when I saw mouther yesterday, she said it remined her of my brother Dick and could still not bear to hear him spoken of”.
“Of course, not Charles I would not be so insensitive I am good at handling delicate conversations”. Was Marys affronted reply. This at least gave Anne some relief; she would not have to hear him spoken of.
They were again shown into the drawing room but this time there was an unknown gentlemen and lady assumed to be admiral croft and Mrs Croft, but anther gentleman seemed to be present.
“Frederic” Anne whispered she stopped walking. Then louder Fredric this time the others turned and stared, and Fredric’s eyes fixed on hers. Then Anne was running towards him. She through her arms round his neck and began to sob loudly. All the occupants in the room just stood there looking shocked. Fredric himself stood frozen. The women he had not seen for eight years and did not expect to be present was sobbing in his arms and so far from the calm indifferent creature he had expected. Mary was the first to come to her senses.
“Anne what an earth are you doing unhand the gentleman this instant”. She said in a sharp tone. At this the others sprang into action.
“I’m sorry captain Wentworth please don’t blame Anne she is usually very proper, but she has not been herself since last week and is ill”. Mrs Musgrove second Mary in a calm manner. Mrs Musgrove then went up and with a gentle voice attempted to remove Anne form the captain. “Come Anne why do you come and lie down, and I’ll get you some tea and cake you will feel better in no time I’m sure”. Anne now realising what she had down let go of the captain and in a broken voice began to apologise.
I’m sorry I don’t know I didn’t mean. Anne attempted to back away, but her leg fell out from under her, and poor Anne swooned. This finally provoked the Fredric to move as her lugged froward to support her before she hit the floor.
Anne continued to apologies as she tried to stand up right on her own but was unable to support her weight.
“O dear poor Anne she usually has such a strong constitution” Mrs Musgrove said calling Charles. Charles come and take Anne to a guest room to lie down.
Fredric reluctantly handed Anne over to Charles who supported her out the room. by this time, she was regaining her senses and only required an arm for support. They were followed by Mary Louisa Henrietta and Mrs mangrove. The later three offering remedies while Mary complained that Anne was not as ill as she looked and her only symptoms where due to a decreased appetite.
Mrs Croft seeing her brother had been quite affected by what had passed spoke “perhaps it is best if we take are leave now so you can focus on caring for the invalid” The admiral seconded his wife.
“Of course, we shall call tomorrow to see how the poor young lady does”.
“There is no need I’m sure Anne will recover quickly she is rarely ill and after a short lie down she may even join us for dinner” Mr Musgrove replied.
However, the crofts determinedly though politely declined staying for diner and headed back to Kellynch. The carriage ride home was tense Sophie was attempting to stare Fredric down while he her avoided her eye. The Admiral oblivious was speaking about poor Miss Elliot’s condition.
“The poor girl she did look quite ill but what I can’t understand how she knew your name”. Frederick was forced to reply.
“Arr well I did meet her before when I stayed with Edward when he was curate of Monkford here a few years ago”.
“Still peculiar for he to use your first name though”. Fredric just reponed with a none committed noise. the admiral continued unperturbed. “Well, we shall go and enquire after the girl tomorrow”.
Frederick remained quiet for the rest of the ride lost in his thoughts. Why had Anne been so emotional. Even when she broke the engagement, she struggled to hold back her tears and mostly succeeded. Tonight, there had been an absolute deluge and his coat was still damp as a result. Then it hit him she must have thought he had died the miss Musgrove’s said has much when he had arrived there first explanations on his introduction was, we thought you were dead captain. Well at least she carried if he lived or died. This passionate response to his survival could not but soften some of his resentment towards her. To see such emotion from Anne Elliot who was always so good at hiding it. Could she still love him did she regrate breaking the engagement? He resoled to find out her feelings at his earliest opportunity; he would call with the Admiral the next day. As to his own feelings he dared not examine them.
After being Escorted to the closest gest room Anne was glad to sit down on the bed.
“Anne is there anything we can get you Mrs Musgrove inquired gently”.
Anne who was unsure what she was feeling at the moment replied with “No thank you I am quite recovered. I think all I need is some quite rest you all head to dinner I will be fine” the others seeing she was looking much better agreed. Mary saying as she left the room.
“Honestly, Anne causing such a seen. You had best apologise the next time you see Captain Wentworth. If you do not recover soon, we shall have to send you to bath with father as my delicate constitution cannot cope with your outbursts”.
Finally left to her solitary reflection Anne felt lighter than she had since before the news of his death. It was obvious he no longer cared for her has he had not held her back and seemed disgusted by her out bust. This should leave her very embarrassed but the joy of finding him alive overpowered every other emotion and as long as he was happy and healthy, she felt that nothing could again faze her. She resoled to stay out of his way and enjoy her time in a close enough proximity to see him while she could.
After the family had dined, Anne having her dinner on a tray in her gest room and eating the whole thing for the first time since last week Anne was well able to return to the cottage and even Marys continuous reprimands for her earlier behaviour could not dampen her spirts.
The next morning Frederic studiously avoided his siter and after grabbing a quick early breakfast set out to ride tell the appropriate time for calls. after spending most of the night thinking about Anne he decided that he could not be sure if she really was not ill and had only acted as if she cared in a fever induced haze. So, at the hour for making calls he went to the grate house to gather intelligence. He was not disappointed both the young lady’s where at home and eager to speak to the dashing young captain on enquiring as to Anne’s health the evening before Louisa eagerly replied.
“Well, captain by the end of the evening she was in good health she ate all her dinner and walked home with Mary, and Charles I think she is completely healed”.
“That is great news I am glad she has recovered how long has she been ill” this time Henrietta jumped to answer.
“It all stated last Monday the day the Admiral and Mrs Croft where to come to dinner just as they arrived, and we were explaining how they were not present and Anne fainted then when she woke up she bust in to hysterics”.
“Yes”, chipped in Louisa “Anne is never one to lose her composure as long as we have known her, but I am sure she is better now, Anne has a very good constitution”. impatient to change the subject to one more interesting to her she continued. “how many different ships have you been in command of captain”.
Anne woke unsure if she had dreamed yesterday evening and hurried down to breakfast to determine the truth. Marry was seated as she came in and on seeing her spoke up.
“I hope you are better now Anne; we cannot have you embarrassing us again today when the crofts call. I am not feeling well myself and am not well enough to look after you, besides that Charles has gone shooting”.
“Do not worry Mary I feel much better, and I will be sure to apologise to captain Wentworth as soon as I see him next”. Anne tried to keep her face neutral as the joy and relief spread through her whole body, he was alive and well. she deflated a bit when she remembered her outburst and his reaction but promised herself, she would meet him with composure. Mary enjoying felling morally superior continued.
“Yes, quite as you should I’m sure they will forgive you for being ill through my illness which are much worse than yours never case me to behave in such an unbecoming manner”. after pausing she continued. “But I suppose illness show themselves in different ways”. Anne with year of experience handling Mary brightly replied.
“Yes, you are right how can I help you today. What is the nature of your illness”? With this comment marry was happy to focus on detailing her own aliments. Leaving Anne free for her breakfast. After breakfast they received a call from the admiral Croft.
“I hope you are feeling better miss Eliot you certainly look it” Anne blushing apologised for her behaviour the previous evening. “Think nothing of it Miss Elliot no man can complain at having a beautiful women in his arms”. Anne turned bright red and Mary locked horrified. The admiral quickly continued in a guilty tone realising that may have not been an appropriate thing to say. well, any way I’m glad you are feeling better.
Mary inquired as to the sudden appearance of captain Wentworth. “Well, there is a story behind that. I could barely believe it my self when Fredric told us. It seems they had a run in with a French ship that did not yet know they had lost the battle the captain argued with Fredric but eventually agreed to confirming the truth of it from another vessel. so, they started to head in the direction of some of the other members of the French fleet but the French captain, quite a stupide man he sounds insisted that north was the wrong direction. Had a faulty compass I wager, even the French must have some navigational skills”.
“But what happened” Mary said eagerly.
“Well, this led to an argument. The long shot of it was some other French ships turned up while they were arguing, and Frederic refused to go the wrong direction. So, they stuck him in a long boat and told him if he was so sure of his navigation skills, he could make his own way to England”.
“Goodness and he made it all the way back”. Mary was clearly enjoying the excitement of the story while Anne sat pail faced and grim imagining all the dangers which could have befallen him.
“Yes, took him a while which is why they assumed him dead when his ship got back without him. When he got back to England and found out he road straight to tell poor Sophie he was alive”.
“Well, I am glad Charles does not do anything so frightening for I’m sure the stress would quite do me in”.
“Yes, poor Sophie was quite inconsolable for the first day or to speaking of which I should go and check on her she diced to stay home to rest this morning” and with that the admiral took his leave. Fortunately for Anne the Miss Musgrove’s called shortly after words to brag about their visit from captain Wentworth which distracted Mary enough for Anne to go to her room and attempt to process what the admiral had said.
She had known of course that the navy was a dangerous profession but just the thought that he could well have died. She resolved to be even more thankful for his life and try her best not to embarrass him any more by acting overly familiar. It hurt that he did not even accompany the admiral to see if she was well and had instead gone to the grate house but if he wanted to avoid her, she would do her best to let him. a few tears fell but, by the time Louisa and Henrietta left she felt ready to face Fredric with every appearance of clam indifference.
After a long call as the manner house (it took longer than expected to extract himself form the Musgrove girls) Fredric remounted his horse and set off to think. It seemed Anne really had reacted due to his supposed death then reappearance. So, she did care about his wellbeing but how much did she care was it just the affection for someone once known or was it deeper was it thought of losing one you loved and then seeing them alive. He thought he knew the answer, but if she loved him that much why had she broken the engagement. why did he care huffing he turned his horse in the direction of Kellynch to put the incident out his mind why should he care if she cared?
Walking in the entrance hall he diced the best place to distract his mind would be the library and set out to find a book. however, he had forgotten one detail.
“There you are Fredric I have been hoping to run in to you”. He knew the tone of his older siter well. she had not been hoping she had been waiting and wanted answers about last night. Avoidance would do no good she would only become more determined aiming for a tone of ignorance he playfully answered.
“Well Sophie I am staying in your house, so we were bond to run in to each other sooner or later what did you want”.
“We have not had chance to really talk since you arrived come have tea with me”.
“Of course, I always have time for my sister”.
She led him into the small drawing room as Fredric weighed his options. He could claim ignorance but in the long run it would do him no good. he would do better to be honest after all he had nothing to feel guilty for. They sat down and she went straight for the attack.
“So, Fredric how do you know miss Anne Eliot”.
“We meet in the year 1806 when Edward had the curacy here, I asked her to marry me and she said yes then broke off the engagement after being persuaded by her god mouther Lady Russell”.
Sophie taken aback by that blunt answer was silent for a few seconds.
“I suppose that explains her reaction at dinner yesterday she is clearly still very fond of you have you never thought of renewing acquaintance”.
“She broke it off not I he” stated angrily.
Sophie began again in a calming tone “You did not have the resources to marry then as you do now. if I had known I would have advised against marring myself, where would you have put her if your first ship was unsuitable or you had a child.”
“If she wanted to marry me later, we could have stayed engaged”.
“I would still talk to her if I were you, she seems a nice girl and from what I have hear from the Kellynch tenants she is very charitable and all ways ready to lend assistance. Fredric sighed in defeat.
“If she talks to me, I will talk back”.
“Good, we have been invited for dinner again tonight and I will expect you ready to leave at 5 o’clock”. without giving him time to argue Sophie left the room. this gave Fredric time to think. Sophie thought Anne loved him still and she acted like she did but how could she love him if she ended the engagement. Even if they could not have married; could they not have stayed engaged but then maybe she regretted her decision or had been convinced of some lie by Lady Russell He would just have to watch her tonight and see.
Anne arrived at the grate house determined to keep her composure and sat in tense suspense while the family chatted in the drawing room before the guests arrived. Finally, the moment came. In strowed Fredric with admiral and Mrs croft introductions were made and when it was Annes turn she took a deep breath and an extra deep curtsy and in a calm polite voice said.
“I apologise for my behaviour yesterday evening especially towards yourself Captain Wentworth”.
There she had done it and kept her voice level they all gave their assurance that she had caused no offence, but she could detect the annoyance in Fredricks tone which nearly broke her composure. Fortunately, Henrietta and Louisa pulled him away to ask more questions on the navy. Anne then sat down doing her best to keep her focus on Mrs Musgrove’s and Mary conversation on the clergyman’s new wife.
Fedrick was confused After the polite apology Anne sat quietly white all appearance of calm indifference. How had she changed so drastically; Gone was every appearance of feeling and in its palace a emotionless marble statue. How could anyone in love have so much self-presession. Fredric tried to answer he apology with politeness but may have come off slightly terse. He was felling resentful of her indifference when he himself had none he decided to test how far it would go.
He got his chance The Miss Musgrove’s grabbed his attention with their new navy list And began to pore over it to pore over it, with the professed view of finding out the ships that Captain Wentworth had commanded.
"Your first was the Asp, I remember; we will look for the Asp."
"You will not find her there. Quite worn out and broken up. I was the last man who commanded her. Hardly fit for service then. Reported fit for home service for a year or two, and so I was sent off to the West Indies."
The girls looked all amazement.
"The Admiralty," he continued, "entertain themselves now and then, with sending a few hundred men to sea, in a ship not fit to be employed. But they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands that may just as well go to the bottom as not, it is impossible for them to distinguish the very set who may be least missed." He cast a brief glace at Anne she had turned to look out the window, but her poster was stiff he could tell she was listening intently.
"Phoo! phoo!" cried the Admiral, "what stuff these young fellows talk! Never was a better sloop than the Asp in her day. For an old built sloop, you would not see her equal. Lucky fellow to get her! He knows there must have been twenty better men than himself applying for her at the same time. Lucky fellow to get anything so soon, with no more interest than his."
"I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you;" replied Captain Wentworth, seriously. "I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can desire. It was a great object with me at that time to be at sea; a very great object, I wanted to be doing something."
He could see Anne fidgeting out the corner of his eye but then she stilled and faced the room again her face back with the mask of calm. He would have to try harder.
"To be sure you did. What should a young fellow like you do ashore for half a year together? If a man has not a wife, he soon wants to be afloat again."
"But, Captain Wentworth," cried Louisa, "how vexed you must have been when you came to the Asp, to see what an old thing they had given you."
"I knew pretty well what she was before that day and She did all that I wanted. I knew she would. I knew that we should either go to the bottom together, or that she would be the making of me; and I never had two days of foul weather all the time I was at sea in her then when we returned We had not been six hours in the Sound, when a gale came on, which lasted four days and nights, and which would have done for poor old Asp in half the time”. Anne’s teacup was frozen in mid-air her face white. He delivered the final blow.
“Four-and-twenty hours later, and I should only have been a gallant Captain Wentworth, in a small paragraph at one corner of the newspapers; and being lost in only a sloop, nobody would have thought about me."
He finally got the reaction her had been seeking. The clash of Anne’s teacup on to her saucer startled the company in to silence. she stood visibly shacking but rather than upset she was angry.
“How can you say that no one would have thought of you. surely you saw how upset your friends became when they thought you dead. your sister and brother are they nobody”. Here he cast a guilty look at his sister and saw that she had indeed been affected. “They would have grieved and remembered you no matter your rank. Never make light of your life captain you are a fool if you think no one prayed for and wished for your safety. her voice started to waver her angry tone sadder. “And that even many men blow you in rank had many who would have missed them”.
After her outburst Anne struggling not to break down hastily curtsied with a small “you will excuse me” left the room closer to a run than a stately walk. This time Fredric was quicker to react jumping up and bowing.
“excuse me” he ran out after Anne.
It did not take long to find her clasped and sobbing on a bench a short walk from the door he approached cautiously feeling extremely guilty.
“Anne”. She began to cry even harder and hide her face in her arms.
He spoke with feeling “I’m sorry Anne that was wrong of me to say. I know that many would have mourned my death. I was just angry and resentful. I wanted a reaction from you to prove you cared, after your supposed indifference this evening”.
In an agitated tone Anne replied. “If I seemed indifferent it was only by extreme fortitude! I have worried for you every day since you have left. How can you not have known that? I have loved you with no hope except that you were safe and happy. My only consolation that lady Russell was right me giving you up did promote your career. did allow you happiness even at the cost of mine. Then last week I heard you had died it destroyed me”. she broke back to heavy sobbing.
Frederic sat next to her pulling her in to his arms “o Anne I may have been successful, but I was never truly happy I could never have been happy without you are forgetting that you have my heart as much as I have yours”.
Anne let him hold her and held him back as she sobbed into his chest. Frederic felling a mixture of elation and guilt continued to speak in a gentle tone. “Anne tell me that I am not too late would you accept me now. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant will you marry me”.
She pulled away her still streaked with tears but a smile on her face she could not speak but nodded he head.
“O Anne I should have returned when I had more money or stayed to convince you that we could wait to marry tell I could support you. I left you in anger”.
Anne shook her head.
“It was my fault more than yours I should have explained my reasons”. shaking her head again she smiled “It no longer matters the happiness I feel now makes every pain wroth it”. This of course prompted Fredric to act like a man violently in love.
The others in the drawing room sat in silence for a while after Fredric left tell Mary stood up and said in a haughty tone Admiral and Mrs Croft I apologise for my sister I assure you she is never usually this rude I will follow them immediately and insure she apologises for her disgraceful behaviour.
Who can be in doubt of what followed; At Marys screech Fredric and Anne brock apart cheeks glowing. the others having heard Mary all headed out looking various degrees of scandalised and shocked apart from Sophie who looked smug.
Eventually Frederic with a cheeky grin said, “will you not congratulate us Anne has agreed to marry me”.
After the explanation of being previously acquainted (though they did not admit the engagement) they all became reconciled to the match. Mary credited herself saying she had known that Anne’s illness was not real. Henrietta and Louisa after their initial disappointment both romanticised the story as better than any novel. Charles was glad Anne had a reason for refusing him. Lady Russell was just glad to see Anne married. Anne’s father and sister where glad to save some money. Anne and Frederick were incandescently happy.