A lot of people, upon reading Persuasion - and many other great love stories- have heard themselves say 'if only we could lock them in a room and force them to admit their feelings', well thanks to Mary Musgrove and her inability to control her unruly boys, there may be a chance for us to do just that...

Chapter One

Captain Wentworth left his sister's house and made the short journey on foot to the nearby cottage of his newest acquaintance Charles Musgrove. He knew it maybe early, but he had it in his mind to go shooting today and knew Charles would be eager to join him. The early hour, he hoped, would defer the ladies from accompanying them. As much as he enjoyed the attentions and the flattery of Musgrove's two younger sisters making eyes at him, he had decided to follow some of his own sister's advice and put a little distance between them all. Since this would also mean a decrease in the awkward meetings betwixt himself and her. He had agreed most heartily.

As if his mind had forced her into reality, his thoughts were interrupted by the sight of the back door to the cottage being thrown open, and a young lad he recognised to be the youngest son of Charles, tore out into the open garden beyond. Behind him she appeared, laughing merrily; picking up her skirts and playing chase. Wentworth sought the cover of a nearby tree, and leaning against it for support, allowed himself just a moment or two to observe.

He had been back in her company for over a week now and yet this was the first time he felt he was witnessing a glimpse of the Anne Elliot he remembered. This new quieter dull creature he had found so easy to ignore and treat with indifference, was so far removed from the vibrant witty girl he had … known back then. But now, seeing her interact with the child, when she believed no one was watching her, bit away at his resolve. Perhaps the Anne he knew was still there somewhere.

"Captain Wentworth Sir!" he looked down shocked to find, in his continued observation of the lady, he had forgotten the whereabouts of her charge. Little Walter stood at his feet looking up at him with wide expectant eyes. "Are you hiding?" his face lit up with mirth. "Are you playing hide and seek?"

The Captain began to splutter out his excuse to the child when a voice stopped him in his tracks. "Walter who are you … Oh! Captain Wentworth." She said aghast at his presence.

An awkward greeting ensured; he bowed, she curtseyed and then silence. The child broke the quiet. "May we play too Captain? Please?" he asked innocently. Anne looked at him and to Captain Wentworth, her face lit with confusion.

"Well Master Walter I was not... you see, I was just …" he looked around him hoping for a means of escape. Anne noticed his gaze and let hers wander also.

"I can show you a good place to hide. Aunt Anne can count and seek, while we hide." Walter offered.

"Walter I do not think-" Anne tried to dissuade him, but he had already taken hold of his reluctant playmate and was leading him away. The adults looked at each other, both searching for words to put the situation right and failing.

Anne was beside herself. She had finally allowed herself sometime away from her young patient, having being his constant companion since little Charles had his accident. The housemaid had taken pity on her obvious exhaustion and offered to sit with the now sleeping child, allowing Miss Anne to retire to her chambers for some well-deserved rest. The maid had promised she would not be disturbed. Anne had been on her way to her bed when Walter had caught her and begged her for some outdoor play. Feeling sorry for the neglect he had suffered over the past few days, and being pleased for the chance of fresh air and to stretch her legs, she had gladly acquiesced to his request.

Now she was longing for her bedchamber and regretting her decision. Frederick noticed her discomfort, and the wringing of her hands. He knew she desperately wanted away from him, but his malice got the better of him. Why shouldn't she suffer at his hands for once? He smiled. "It appears we have been over ruled Miss Elliot. Very well young man, one game and only if you assist in finding me somewhere suitable to hide, for it appears my first choice was a bad one indeed."

Anne's eyes flew to his, silently pleading with him not to do this, but her pleas were ignored and he allowed her nephew to drag him away gibbering on about how many hiding places he knew of. As soon as they were out of view, Anne slumped against the tree and took a minute to compose herself. She was here, he was here. They were not alone though, they had the boy. She wouldn't have to converse with him above what was required. She searched the landscape, surely Charles would return soon, and she would be free. She could leave them to it and disappear back inside and up to her chamber, but then how would that look? Would it not create more suspicion, once the boy told his story of how Aunt Anne refused to play? Deciding to make the best of it, she allowed them anther full minute before beginning her finding mission.

As she wandered the estate gardens looking in all the places she knew were favourites of Walters, a thought entered her mind – just what had the Captain been doing, stood by a tree? Had he been waiting for someone? Perhaps she and her nephew had unwittingly interrupted some kind of romantic liaison. A smile tugged at her lips. She shouldn't be pleased at such a prospect, but she found she was. After a few minutes of fruitless searching, she stood on top of a nearby tree stump and took an inventory of the surrounding area. She had checked all of the boys' normal hiding places, she knew he would not have gone into the house for fear of being remanded there. Charles was in the stables; that only left… her eyes fell upon the rambling stone building across the field.

It had been once a store for the workmen, but since the roof began to leak, Charles had given it up as a bad job and left it to decay. There were no windows, just an old oak door with an unreliable latch. Knowing they could be nowhere else, she set off in its direction, slightly breathless when she finally reached it. She took a deep breath in, letting it out slowly as she opened the door. As the light flooded the inside of the small building, she immediately found what she sought. Walter was sat on the Captains lap, a mischievous grin on his face. The Captain was perched on something, his knees up to his chin trying to fit into the tight space, the whole sight was rather comical, and Anne bit her lip to refrain from giggling at his expense, but then her eyes caught something in his. The way he was looking at her, it was reminiscent of the past and it stole her breath. She stood back allowing them to leave.

"Oh Aunt Anne! You found us too quickly."

"I apologise Walter, but you forget I have played often with you and your brother at this game. I am now most proficient in the task of finding you. Now come along, we must return to the house, I need to check on your brother."

She avoided the eyes of the Captain who was still sat down, apparently trying hard to avoid her eyes also. The little boy was not happy, he begged for another game, stamped his foot when he was refused and shouted at Anne for spoiling his fun. Frederick was embarrassed for her, and felt like stepping in, when suddenly the boy had a change of heart. "Very well Aunt Anne I will go." Anne stood back surprised at the ease and speed in which he had changed his mind, but grateful all the same.

"Well thank you Walter that is a good boy." She moved around him in the tight space, stepping further inside to allow Walter room to go out. "Now let us go … Oh!-" Anne's words were interrupted by a shove to the bottom of her back, taken by surprise, she felt herself propelled forward in to the shocked arms of Captain Wentworth.

She felt his hands settle on her waist and hold her steady, she was looking straight ahead not daring to risk a glance at his face for fear of what she might see there. "Miss Elliot are you alright?" he said somewhat gruffly.

"Yes. I am-"

Once again she was prevented from finishing her sentence, this time by the sound of a bolt being pulled across the door. And the fact they were now plunged into almost total darkness. Anne forced her eyes to adapt to the dark and how, at the same time Frederick had let go of her and pushed past her. He was pulling at the door handle. He mumbled something and then his voice became clear: "we are locked in."