Miss Louisa Musgrove... Mrs. Frederick Wentworth?

Louisa Musgrove spent a lot of time Frederick, she went everywhere with him. If he could have said something without insulting the Musgroves he would have said it. His only consolation was that Anne and Benwick seemed content to remain only friends. Still the amount of time they spent together bothered him, worse still they both looked very happy when they were together. And they were together a lot.

In addition to Benwick there seemed to be another man who was interested in Anne, they had met him at the waterfront one morning and later at the inn where they were staying. He looked at Anne a lot and always took time to speak to her. Frederick could console himself that Anne seemed no more interested in him than she was in Benwick.

They walked to the waterfront daily and the best part for Frederick was that Benwick often considered that he was too weak and tired to go, while Anne always went therefore he could see her and tell her random remarks without seeming too interested.

Lately Louisa had begun the habit of jumping down the last step and Frederick was always there to catch her.

Louisa jumped the first time and Frederick caught her, she went again and he caught her. She ran up the steps again, shouting, "Catch me catch me." Frederick had turned away from her, he was distracted by Anne who was smiling and talking to Benwick. Benwick reached out and touched Anne slightly on the shoulder and she turned to face him, smiling fully at him. He tried to hear what Benwick was saying to her but couldn't.

He could hear Louisa faintly in the background, like she was far away, "Catch me," she said, he shouted, "Louisa, no," but it was too late. Louisa had already jumped and hit her head on the ground. Mary fainted, Henrietta began to cry while the men; Charles, Benwick and Frederick stood still in shock.

Anne ran towards Louisa and began to check her, "get a doctor," she said and when Frederick would go, she added, "No, let Benwick go." At first Frederick was slighted, she doesn't even think I can do that. What a useless idiot I must seem to her. "Benwick will know where to find a doctor," Anne added. Frederick was ashamed of his thoughts, he had misjudged her completely. Obviously Benwick would know where to find a doctor; he had been in the area longer than any in the party.

Louisa was judged too ill to be moved and she would stay in Lyme until she was better. Until that point Frederick was just having fun, laughing, being flattered by the attention, and most importantly ignoring Anne, showing her he had moved. But then Charles began to say some words to the effect that he and Louisa might have an understanding.

"Someone needs to go back and tell our parents what has happened," Charles told Frederick, "you or I must do this. I feel bad leaving this responsibility to you, seeing as she is your beloved." Frederick almost choked when he heard those words, luckily Charles didn't notice. "Yes," Charles added, "it isn't fair to you to be sure, but rest assured I will take care of her until you return. I will look after her for you until you return, you can entrust her care to me."

Frederick and Charles would have Anne remain and look after Louisa with Charles but Mary made such a fuss that in the end Frederick took Anne and Henrietta with him when he went to deliver the bad news.

The journey back was silent each person content with their own thoughts. Henrietta was worried about her sister, Anne was not happy because she really had to go to Bath now, she had no more excuses.

Frederick sat in the coach staring out the window. This is your fault, Anne Elliot, all your fault. It's your fault that I let myself smile and laugh with Louisa. Your actions with Benwick distracted me and she fell, but most of all because I was too busy ignoring you I am now as good as engaged to Louisa Musgrove. I will never forgive you Anne Elliot. Never.

Frederick returned to Lyme as soon as he could.

He was walking with Harry when his friend told him, "Frederick let me congratulate you Louisa Musgrove is a sweet obliging girl." Frederick looked at his friend in shock.

"What are you talking about?" he asked him.

"No need to pretend any longer my friend, the secret is out," Harry slapped him on the back.

"What? You think that Louisa and I are – that we have an understanding?"

"Don't tell me that you don't. It's all anybody here can talk about."

Frederick was stunned. I'm engaged to Louisa Musgrove. Anne Elliot, he screamed silently, this is your fault entirely.

Harry was still talking but Frederick couldn't hear a word. It was all noise, a loud noise, all he could hear was his life was over. Over. He was to marry Louisa Musgrove. My life is truly and totally over.

"This is bad, Harry, very bad," he told his friend, "what can I do? I must do something."

Harry looked at his friend. Frederick was really troubled, like a man sinking with no one to help him.

"If you would go away and await Louisa's recovery elsewhere."

"Yes," Frederick grabbed that suggestion like it was a lifeline, go away from Lyme, and think about his life. His miserable life. Anne Elliot how could you do this to me. Again.

"I will go to Shropshire for a visit." The house was small, the children noisy and loud, my brother will surely laugh at my predicament but at least I won't be here. Who knows God may be gracious to me and Louisa and her family forget that we almost had an understanding. Stranger things have happened, haven't they?

"Good," Harry replied.

Frederick left as soon as he could.

I have lost Anne again. What is wrong with me, how could I lose her again?

Tell me what you think.