Chapter One

"Is that what you are intending to wear this evening?" Elizabeth Elliot squealed at her younger sister, swivelling on her dressing table stool and causing the ever patient maid to drop the ringlet she was in the process of pinning.

The younger lady dropped her head examining her dress and rolled her eyes while her face was still downcast. "Will it not do? It is not a formal occasion after all. Mrs Finch's parties are usually more of a gathering of friends." Anne Elliot silently questioned why -if was that was her opinion- did she imagine a kind ageing widow such as Mrs Finch would invite her sister? She herself got on well with the lady, most people did, once they got past her obsession with match making everyone she knew.

Mrs Finch had been married –happily- for over fifteen years, before her poor Mr Finch slipped away from her, leaving her with two graceful daughters to induct into society. But giving the lady her due, she had raised them to be beautiful well-mannered accomplished young ladies who had both made good matches on their second and third seasons out respectively.

That was five years past when Anne had been at school and mourning the death of her own mother. There had been a murmur of a rumour that Mrs Finch may have been a suitable replacement for her father, Sir Walter, but as a Baronet he had no intentions of lowering himself to a widow already past her prime. Even if not in the position of step mother, Mr Finch had become a good friend to Anne. Anne's God Mother Lady Russel had a more strict approach with Anne, more intent on offering advice rather than friendship. It was nice for Anne to have a female who just wanted to laugh and talk, she missed her one school fellow with whom she had a similar relationship. That lady was grown and recently married, and due to Anne still being unmarried and at home, with a father who saw the acquaintance as less than favourable, they had grown apart.

"Formal or not, we are Elliot's. The daughters of a baronet. We need to lead by example, show those less fortunate than ourselves how to act," Elizabeth was still squawking. "How to dress." she added icily.

"But this is your dress." argued Anne.

"From last year! When I gifted it to you, I meant for it to be worn at home, not out." her sister explained.

Anne looked again at the beautiful garment that was the most expensive thing she had ever worn. It had not been made to worn about the house, it was far too superior for that.

"Go put on something better, anything better than that." Her sister demanded. Anne chewed her lip trying to think of anything she owned that could be considered better than the gown she was currently wearing. As if reading her thoughts, Elizabeth scowled. "Do you not have anything new?"

Anne thought to the one new dress her father had brought her home from his recent visit with Elizabeth to London, she had meant to keep it for a very special occasion, not a private ball at the house a good friend who wouldn't care what Anne was wearing. It wasn't as good as Elizabeth's hand me down dress, but as she had dismissed that, it was the only alternative. "Yes, but I-"

"Then go, please, now and change. The very sight of it, you, is distressing me." With a snap at her maid to continue. Elizabeth's attention on Anne was lost and back on herself.

Frederick Wentworth's face was aching from all the fake smiles and compliments he had had to force out over the past two hours. He turned away from the room as a yawn escaped him. His elder brother however caught it and silently reprimanded him with a scowl, before stepping towards him.

"Brother I know this is not where you want to be, but-"

"Is it that obvious?" teased Frederick. His brother frowned and looked away disappointed. Frederick felt a touch of guilt. He knew as curate, his brother had to make an appearance at assemblies, parties and the like, and encounter married ladies who were all determined to make him a match with the unmarried ladies of their acquaintance. Now those ladies had met his dashing –single- younger brother, a navy commander with a bright future ahead of him that all but made up for the lack of current fortune, he was as much a target as his brother Edward.

If not more so.

Indeed it seemed every Englishman's daughter was in need of a husband, and coincidentally a perfect match for him. In is arrogance he had so far refused all their attentions. For none encompassed what he was looking for in a wife. At his young age of three and twenty he wasn't even sure he was looking for a wife. He was the first to admit he was not as responsible with his earnings as he should be. Captain Croft, a dear friend and mentor, who had recently married their sister, had warned him he would come to regret throwing his money away and so he had wowed to save more of his next prize. He was certain more was to come and so his current financial status did not trouble him. He had hoped though it would act as deterrent in the ladies meddling, but as these were majorly country lasses, and not ladies of the ton, they did not appear to care.

So he found his attention repeatedly summoned, his presence at every assembly, dinner party and gathering. They'd even taken to accosting him outside his brother's church in Monkford. Now he was in Uppercross, at the home of Mr and Mrs Finch. The master was long since departed leaving behind a widow and two grown up daughters – thankfully married, however the widow with time on her hands was desperate to see any single person happy, and married. She had played Frederick particular attention. Whenever their paths had crossed over the past three weeks, since he made her acquaintance she had been determined to introduce him to every eligible lady at his disposal. She had promised him a meeting with a lady that night she was sure he would be unable to resist.

Mrs Finch had been so angry with herself for never having thought of her before- but then again few did think of her, when her sister was the beauty of the county. But she had intelligence and wit, humour and kindness she had found no equal to. 'Yes she would be perfect for you my boy', she had said. The fact that so many over looked her in favour of her sister, did not bode well for Frederick. Although he would like to say he favoured intelligence and humour over beauty and grace, being a young man he could not. At this point he only wished for a pretty face he could flirt with and look upon with fond memories when it would be time for him to leave again.

He looked at his brother who was now stood on tip toes struggling – and failing- to discreetly look above the heads of the other guests gathered about the entrance way. Who are you looking for?" Frederick asked while stretching to his height of over six feet, enabling to look over the heads of others with ease.

"The Elliots'. I thought I heard them announced."

"And why is this family so important?"

"Not so much the family, but one member in particular."

"A woman!" Frederick gasped. "My, my, Edward. Do you finally have your eye on someone?"

"No." he chuckled. "We should not suit. She is a good friend though, someone I enjoy conversing with and am eager for you to meet. The father is a little ridiculous." he added.

"Edward! I thought you were meant to see the good in all people."

"And so I do. Trust me little bother, there are others who consider him much worse. It is a sad tale. The mother; Lady Elliot, came from money, and so when the husband Sir Walter was given a Baronetage and a seat at Kellynch hall, they were propelled into the country elite. They are still considered one of the most influential families in Somersetshire, but between us, since the sad death of the wife, there has been much change. And not for the better. The limitations she had in place and modesty on the home and those who reside there have now fallen away and they have been left to spend money unwisely and in great amount. If they continue in the manner that they are now, there will be trouble not so far away. You mark my words."

"And yet you say you looked forward to the company of one of the spendthrift-"

"She is nothing like them!" Edward interrupted, correcting his younger sibling. "There are three sisters, Mary the youngest is away at school so she will not be here tonight. Elizabeth is the eldest and most like her father, just as foolish. I worry she believes herself to be too above any man who should want her for a wife and she will end up alone. There was talk of a cousin, the heir presumptive who was coming to Kellynch to stay and who they thought would offer for Elizabeth, but as far as I know he never arrived. The middle daughter-"

Edward's words died in this throat as a hush fell upon all those in the room. The butler was introducing the Miss Elliots'. A truly stunning goddess like woman, every inch the English beauty with her long graceful neck and porcelain skin. The tiniest hint of pink high on her cheek bones only emphasised her bone structure. Her golden locks piled up on her head and pinned to perfection. The dress she wore screamed expense as did the jewels glinting at her throat. In the distance the man was introducing someone else, but Frederick didn't hear, he was captivated. He couldn't move or speak. He found her beauty all encompassing.

"Ah there she is at last." commented Edward next to his ear.

Frederick had not had the pleasure of speaking to her yet but if her interesting conversation was as his brother had described, she seemed perfect. He watched as she smiled serenely at people accepting their compliments with a gentle nod of her head. As she made her way through the crowd to the other side of the room, Frederick found himself following as if his feet were leading him. His eyes incapable of turning away. She had moved to a smaller side room where some of the men had gathered to play cards. He stood half hidden in the shadows so that he could observe her without being noticed.

He watched as the smile that had lit up her face disappeared and a strong grimace took over. She picked at none existent bits on her dress, while muttering about how small, dark and smoky the rooms were. Frederick realised she must be used to a grand house and frowned to himself, what was he doing watching her when she was so clearly out of his league? She dropped her reticule on the floor and snapped at the poor companion by her side to pick it up. The order was barked and revealed a coldness in both her tone and behind her eyes which struck Frederick as such a direct contradiction to her looks. What once had seemed so strikingly beautiful, was now ugly to him. He concluded he had been mistaken in his initial assessment of her. She may have the looks, but she was not as handsome on the inside, she was just a cold unfeeling creature who deserved not a moment more of his attention. He would be questioning Edward's opinion of her later. He had been mistaken thinking of this woman as a friend, and one that he would want to meet. He was about to turn away completely when a movement caught his eyes.

The young lady who was forced to follow her about like a maid, crouched down and retrieved the reticule only to receive a hurried 'leave me' in thanks. Frederick scowled at the scene. He was sure whatever the poor young woman was being paid to accompany this Miss Elliot and see to her every whim was not enough. Miss Elliot had insulted the poor creature over and over again before walking away and leaving her by herself. He was just about to offer her his thoughts on the matter when Edward appeared at her side. She brightened at his presence and the duo walked away together chatting. He was glad his brother appeared to see sense and had forgotten his lofty ideas concerning Miss Elliot. It seemed like he was enjoying the company of the companion instead. Frederick had not looked upon her properly, at first blinded by the beauty of the other woman, and then because her head had been turned down. Even now she had her back to him. Edward could see him plainly though and beckoned for him to join them. Unwilling to intrude on a possible romance for his brother, he waved him off and went to seek conversation elsewhere.