So this is my first go at a regency piece of fan fiction. Please be gentle with me, and I apologise for any errors I may have made relating to the period in advance. As is the opinion of most people on here, I agree there are far too few Persuasion Stories out there. I have another one I am currently working on and hope to have up here asap. I have most of the chapters of this story worked out, so hope to have regular postings. As always please, please please review and let me know your thoughts. They are the best part! Enjoy.
Chapter One
With a singular lift of her eyes to his face, Captain Wentworth was rid of any trickles of doubt and fear remaining. She was with him. No matter what the outcome of this meeting, regardless of whether or not he gave them his blessing, they were free to be married and never be parted again. With even more purpose and self-confidence then when he had first spoken a few moments before requesting the presence of the Baronet privately, Wentworth followed the older gentleman into the library.
A quick glance around the so-called library proved to the Captain it was anything but. He could count on one hand the number of titles contained within and he assumed their presence was down to Anne's influence rather than her father's interest. As the silver haired gentleman went to stand behind a large oak desk and gestured for him to take the seat adjacent, Wentworth's eyes were drawn to a particular leather bound volume pride of place in the centre of the otherwise unoccupied surface; "The Baronetage". The Captain was acquainted with this particular piece of literature. He had seen it many times in the distant past. Sir Walter now seated, noticed the Captains gaze drift to the proof of his legacy and smiled proudly. "Now Captain, what can I do for you?"
Captain Wentworth leaned forward in his seat before sitting back straighter and thinking only of Anne replied truthfully and without hesitation, "Sir today I offered my hand in marriage to your daughter Miss Anne, and it was accepted. I come here with the intent of discussing the particulars." The Captain had purposely refrained from using the words 'blessing' or 'permission'. He didn't need or want either. Anne was well over the age of consent, and regardless of his opinion, they would be married. Although he knew Anne would want her family's well wishes and their presence on the day, he was not opposed to removing them both to Gretna Green as soon as possible, if the occasion should arise. With a fleeting thought to his own family, he hoped that extreme would not be necessary. Sir Walter's expression had changed from confusion, to shock and back to confusion again. He could not understand, nor know, quite what his reaction should be.
Eight years ago when this same young –younger- man had stood before him full of pretty words of love and affection for his middle daughter but nothing of the means he had to provide for her, it had been an easy decision to -not tell him no- no, a refusal would have only risked the young lovers eloping or something else dreadfully unpleasant, but to advise of the side of caution, to remind them that hasty entanglements between the young and immature rarely last, and upon Lady Russel's similar advice to Anne, he had been proved correct. She had realised her feelings were not of the lasting kind. The engagement had been broken and as far as he was concerned, forgotten. It seemed unbelievable, therefore to him now, to be facing a similar situation in a complete reversal of circumstances. The man before him had the five and twenty thousand pounds prize money to offer. Even the Dowager herself had commented on what a fine young man he was. Elizabeth –to whom he always looked in these situations for her opinion, thought to invite him to the card party that evening. She had thought him suitable and handsome enough to grace their drawing room, how was he to refuse? It didn't occur to Sir Walter, that Captain Wentworth hadn't actually asked him for his permission. He was more anxious with wondering if he was so suitable, should he not be considered for Elizabeth? Yes she was the first daughter and therefore he should hold out for a better offer, but she had seen one too many seasons, and it was becoming increasing clear her chances of such a match were declining rapidly. With that in mind and oblivious to the feelings of his middle daughter or her suitor, he asked "Anne? Not Elizabeth? Surely she should be your first choice! If you do wish to marry Captain, surely my sweet Elizabeth should be your first choice. Not Anne. I admit Elizabeth is above you in every way, but in the present circumstances-" Sir Walter refrained from adding his earlier thoughts of Elizabeth's age being against her, not forgetting their present financial situation which would not help matters. He would struggle to marry Elizabeth off without a decent dowry. A marriage to a Captain in his majesty's Navy, with his own fortune and always the promise of more, should this rumoured war come to fruition, he could not stand in their way.
Captain Wentworth meanwhile, was beginning to mistrust his own ears. Had this fool really just offered his eldest daughters hand in place of Anne's? "With all due respect Sir, to yourself and Miss Elliot," he paused remembering the little respect they had shown him over the years, "it is not her I love. I have loved Anne for nearly nine years." Sir Walter blushed at the reminder of the past, but Wentworth chose to ignore it and continue, a small part of him enjoying watching the older gentleman grow restless and red in the cheeks, "I have loved none but her, and I never shall. I do not come here to ask permission, the only permission I sought, I have been granted when your daughter agreed to my proposal. All I require from you sir is your time while we work out all the details of her dowry and such. I believe you are already aware my financial position. I will have papers drawn up to ensure Anne and any children we are blessed with, will be well taken care of should anything happen to me at sea or on land. I do not need your money to provide for my wife or our future family. However, I am determined Anne should have her equal share in what is owed to her. Once we have settled these particulars, I will be discussing with my fiancée when she would like the wedding to take place. Should you feel it in your heart to attend, to give your daughter away like any other loving father would, then I am sure Anne and I would most welcome it. Please don't miss understand me Sir Walter, I do not want to become between you and Anne, however, as I am sure you can understand, after events eight years ago, I will not allow anyone to get in our way and I will protect my wife from any threats or unkind behaviour. She is the most important thing to me and I will not have her upset in any way. Do we understand each other?"
Sir Walter successfully managed to recover from such a speech and keep his shame at being addressed in such a manner by a man of lesser birth and rank to a minimum. He took a few seconds to swallow and prepare himself before looking straight at the Captain. "How dare you come into my home and address me in such an impertinent manner? I am disgusted in you. Not that I should be surprised by such behaviour, it is only an open example of why you were completely unsuitable for the daughter of a baronet eight years ago, and why you are still unsuitable now. You have no notion of what it is to be a proper gentleman, one worthy of marrying a daughter of the Elliot Lineage. You would have been better staying with your Musgrove girl. I will be speaking to Anne and making her see sense." The elder gentlemen sat with a smug look on his face. He knew Anne would do as she was told. The Captain had met his match and now Sir Walter would have the satisfaction of watching him flee with his tail between his legs.
The Captain rose to his feet, planting his hands palm down on the desk, fully aware his opposing size dwarfed that of the man in front of him. "Do not underestimate me Sir Walter. I am not the same naïve easily swayed young sailor you once knew, and I believe Anne has changed too. This time no one will persuade us to give the other up. I can assure you of that." Wentworth stood back and straight. "I will have the papers drawn up tomorrow and deliver them personally when I come to call on my fiancée."
Captain Wentworth turned and left without another word. As the door shut behind him he let out a long breath and upon examining his hands, found they were trembling. He knew it was not out of fear, but anger and adrenaline that had his whole body shaking and his knees weak. He had done it. This time he had been the confident one, the one who had steered the conversation. The one laying down all the facts. He had years of experience from captaining a ship behind him and he had meant every word uttered to Sir Walter, Anne was his, and he was Anne's. This time they would get their happy ending. With that in mind he took a few deep calming breaths straightened his shoulders and re-entered the dimly lit room. The first eyes his set upon were his beloveds and a silent conversation took place between the gentleman and his lady; all was well.
