I planned to write a different story but my muse unexpectedly came up with this idea and wouldn't let it go. I was inspired by the following passage in Chapter 11 of Persuasion:

"She wished it might be possible for her to avoid ever seeing Captain Wentworth at the Hall: those rooms had witnessed former meetings which would be brought too painfully before her…"

Sorry, Anne! :)

The story will include flashbacks to those "former meetings." 1814 scenes will use "Captain Wentworth" where possible, while 1806 scenes will be in italics and use "Frederick".


Wednesday
October 19, 1814

On a cloudy autumn night, the Musgrove carriage ambled down the lane with the familiar clip-clop of horse hooves sounding in the air. Inside, Anne, Mary and Charles chatted quietly as they made the short, quarter mile journey back to Uppercross Cottage.

They had just concluded another ebullient dinner party hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove, where Captain Wentworth and Admiral Croft entertained all with stories of their adventures in the Mediterranean and East Indies, respectively. After dinner, Anne assumed her usual station at the pianoforte whilst the rest of the party took turns dancing. Though Captain Wentworth's cold civility towards Anne had pained her when he first arrived in the neighbourhood almost three weeks ago, she had almost grown accustomed to it now by the frequency of their meetings.

Upon arriving at the cottage, Anne immediately prepared for bed, but sleep would not come easily tonight. Instead, she tossed and turned under the coverings, first feeling too hot, then too cold. Every position she tried was uncomfortable as her restless mind wrestled with visions of the Miss Musgroves' eager admiration of Captain Wentworth and his acceptance of their attentions.

She knew she had no right to be upset. After releasing him from their engagement eight years ago, he was free to choose any woman to marry. But if he did offer for Louisa or Henrietta, one question tormented her above all others. How would she possibly endure being related to Captain Wentworth through marriage instead of being married to him herself?

An hour passed in this agitated manner before, through sheer exhaustion, sleep mercifully claimed her.

~~OOO~~

Thursday
October 20, 1814

Anne had not been asleep for long when she heard a great commotion outside. Horses neighed in fright and voices screamed in panic, growing louder as they raced towards the cottage. "Fire! Fire at the Great House!"

Anne bolted upright and threw on a morning gown before exiting her room. At the same moment, Charles, who had also dressed quickly, was leaving his room with alarm written across his face.

"No Charles, you cannot leave me!" Mary shrieked as she followed her husband into the hallway. High pitched cries soon emerged from behind closed doors as little Charles and Walter awoke from their mother's loud voice.

Anne hurried over to soothe her distraught sister. "I will stay with you and the boys. Charles must go and help with the bucket brigade."

Mary ignored her and continued pleading with Charles. "But I need you here! There are many servants at the Great House and the tenants will come as well. Surely one more person shall not make a difference!"

His voice laced with exasperation, Charles exclaimed, "Mary, I will not waste time arguing with you whilst my parents' house - and our future inheritance, need I remind you - is being destroyed!"

He quickly ran down the stairs and out the door, but not before casting an apologetic glance at Anne, who would be left with the familiar yet unenviable task of consoling his perpetually distressed wife.

Mary and the boys refused to go back to sleep, so Anne brought them downstairs to the drawing room. A maid came and lit the fireplace, and Anne went to the kitchen to make tea. Meanwhile, Mary collapsed on the sofa with heaving sobs, bemoaning her great misfortune and leaving the children to fend for themselves.

A knock soon came at the front door. Anne opened it to find Louisa and Henrietta, escorted by a footman.

"Come in, come in, sit down by the fire," Anne urged the Miss Musgroves, who shivered from a combination of the cold weather, exhaustion and fright. "Here are some blankets. I will fetch you hot tea."

Louisa and Henrietta made no response as they sat down, still in shock over the disaster transpiring at their home.

"Oh sisters," Mary wailed to them. "How unfortunate that the Great House is on fire! To think that everything shall be burned to ashes! What is to become of us?"

This snapped the Miss Musgroves out of their daze and they promptly burst into tears. Anne hurriedly procured two handkerchiefs and pressed them into the girls' hands. She then cast a pleading glance at her sister to exert some tact. Though Mary did not notice, she thankfully stopped talking as she succumbed to her own loud weeping. Anne left the three women to their tears and turned her attention to the children.

After a long hour, Anne managed to convince everyone to go upstairs and sleep. She insisted that Louisa and Henrietta take her room and then returned downstairs to the sofa, unable to sleep herself.

~~OOO~~

The sky began to lighten when a bedraggled Charles re-entered the house, his face ragged and his clothes damp and sooty. Anne hurriedly helped him to a chair and fetched him tea and a wet cloth.

"How are your parents?" She spoke gently.

"They are shaken but it could have been much worse. Thankfully, everyone made it out of the house before the fire took over."

"Was anyone injured? Do they need assistance?"

"Two men from the fire brigade sustained burns, but they are already being taken care of and the injuries are not too serious."

"I am relieved to hear it."

"It appears the fire started in the parlour. The fireplace embers were not properly taken care of and they reignited. There is also damage to the dining room and study, along with the guest quarters above. The rest of the house seems in good condition, save for all the smoke. When the sun is fully up, I will see how much of the furniture, curtains and clothing can be saved."

Anne nodded and Charles continued,

"I am thankful that news of the fire reached Kellynch and Admiral Croft and Captain Wentworth came to help. Their naval experience was invaluable in assigning duties and directing the servants."

"That is fortunate indeed. You must rest now. It has been a very long night."

Charles shook his head.

"Not yet. I am to continue helping my parents. I only wanted to stop by to check on things here."

"Louisa and Henrietta are asleep in my room. Mary and the boys are asleep as well."

Relief washed over Charles' face and his eyes shone with gratitude.

"Thank you, Anne, for everything."

~~OOO~~

Several hours later, Anne arose from the sofa, freshened up as best she could and partook of a quick breakfast. Soon after, Charles returned with Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove, Admiral Croft and Captain Wentworth. The Musgroves brought with them their carriage and several carts loaded with what clothing and other small items could be saved.

Since the Great House was uninhabitable due to fire damage and smoke, it now became necessary to consider what was best to be done, as to the living arrangements. Uppercross Cottage had four bedrooms. It did not take long to decide that Mary and Charles would occupy one, the boys would share another, Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove would take a third and Louisa and Henrietta the fourth.

"It would be crowded, Anne, but perhaps you could share the room with the boys," Charles offered.

Anne expressed herself most willing, ready, happy to remain. A bed on the floor would be sufficient for her. It seemed settled until Admiral Croft interjected,

"Phoo! Phoo! You must come to Kellynch Hall, Miss Elliot! We have plenty of rooms and Sophy will not mind if you stay with us. In fact, I know she would appreciate another woman to keep her company, so she does not have to listen to me and Frederick all the time."

The colour drained from Anne and Captain Wentworth's faces simultaneously.

"That is a very kind offer, Admiral Croft, but I cannot possibly accept," Anne exclaimed. She stole a glance at Captain Wentworth, who had moved to a window and stared intently outside, as still as a statue. Though he seemed unwilling to lend his opinion to the matter, she did not doubt the idea vexed him as much as it did her.

"Why not?" Admiral Croft pressed. "It is your father's house, after all, so you shall be very comfortable and familiar there. I must admit to feeling rather lonely with only three of us to occupy such a large residence. Quite different from the bustle of a ship!" He turned to the others. "Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove, you are very welcome too. You need not double up here when we are but three miles away."

Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove vigorously protested, insisting they would prefer to remain with their children and grandchildren. The easy distance from the cottage to the Great House would be better for overseeing repairs as well.

"But Anne," Mrs. Musgrove added, "I quite agree that you should go to Kellynch. It would be far better than squeezing in here with all of us, and you have done so much for us already. Mary is quite well now, and should she fall ill again, we shall be here to help her."

"I do not -" Anne closed her mouth, unsure of what to say. Admiral Croft's proposal made perfect sense. Nine people at the cottage compared to three at Kellynch Hall would be absurd indeed, and she did not want to inconvenience the Musgroves during this trying time. Her one objection, though great, could not be voiced. If only Lady Russell had not journeyed away from Kellynch Lodge, she could have stayed there instead! As it was, Anne could do naught but accept Admiral Croft's offer graciously, though with much inward reluctance.

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Admiral Croft rejoiced before addressing Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove again. "I invite you and your family to dine with us at Kellynch Hall tomorrow. You have hosted us so many times and I insist we return the favour. Shall we say four o'clock?"

"Thank you, Admiral Croft," Mr. Musgrove replied. "We shall be delighted to come."

Once Louisa and Henrietta awoke, Anne made quick work of packing her trunks, leaving behind a few dresses in case the Miss Musgroves needed them.

When informed of the plan, Mary's face showed her great displeasure at the loss of her useful sister and gain of four new guests who were less accommodating to her whims. She wisely chose to remain silent in front of so many people, but she would undoubtedly subject Charles to her grievances when they were next alone.

~~END OF CHAPTER~~