Thank you for the reviews so far on this one. I am going to be following the events of the original story loosely, but there will be a few twists and turns thrown in along the way. I hope you enjoy...

Chapter Four

Lady Russel began to walk away again, so Anne had to catch up with her, desperate for her to understand. "It is not like before." Anne told her. "He has a good position, a profitable career, both behind, and in front of him. But most importantly, I love him."

Lady Russel snorted. "Love. What is love worth in this world? There are more important things than love in a marriage. Status, security and stability."

"Captain Wentworth can provide for me and give me a good home. As for status – you know that means nothing to me."

"Yes, so you have proven time and time again." Her eyes narrowed. "Tell me, how many are aware of this latest development between you?"

Anne blushed. There was no sense in lying; she was terrible at it. "No-one yet. Louisa's accident prevented us from making an announcement. Although by now, I am sure Captain Wentworth will have informed Admiral and Mrs Croft. Why? What are you suggesting? If you believe this will be as last time, you are mistaken." Anne straightened her shoulders. "I can assure you I shall not be so easily led. I have lived eight years of my life without him and not a day has gone by that I have not regretted my decision. Now I know his feelings remain unchanged also, I have no intention of spending any more years without him." Anne said adamantly.

"Those are strong words my dear, from one once so quickly persuaded." Anne blushed at the unhappy reminder. Lady Russel smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. "I can see you are your own woman now Anne. I shall not stand in your way."

Anne was all astonishment. She had expected an argument, and yet her Godmother was standing there saying she accepted her choice in husband, where only a few moments ago she had been adamantly against him. So dismissive. Anne sighed, suddenly exhausted and desperate for Frederick to be by her side and take all this away from her. But then, it was her burden to carry. His family had no doubt rejoiced in his news, she should have known she would have no such greetings. Still, if Lady Russel was to be believed, she would at least, not interfere – if she was to be believed. Anne remained unsure.

"Shall we go?" Her Godmother asked airily.

"What? But I thought you…" Anne shook her head in confusion. "I have just explained why I cannot possibly leave. I am engaged to Captain Wentworth." Anne all but shouted. She felt like she was in the middle of a bad dream.

Lady Russel's cheeks hinted at the briefest glimpse of a blush, before it disappeared. She glanced around her to ensure they were not observed or overheard and moved closer to Anne. "Now, now, my dear, there is no need to raise your voice around me in such a un-lady like manner. I understand your predicament, but you cannot stay here alone and you most certainly cannot stay at the same house as your intended. Your father longs for your return."

It was Anne's turn to snort in disbelief. She was sure her father had not given a thought to her since he left.

"I do wonder Lady Russel, if everyone is so eager for my arrival in Bath, that you should have taken it upon yourself to arrange to meet me here. To allow me to come here at all, surely it would have been better for you all to have me journey directly to Bath."

Lady Russel hesitated just long enough for Anne to notice a chink in her otherwise resolved façade. And then it dawned on her.

"You thought if I was to leave Lyme for Bath, Captain Wentworth would be sure to accompany me." Anne shook her head again, this time in dismay. "Fooling me in to believing you were allowing me to stay here for the time being, meant you could ensure I travelled without him. Is that not the case?"

Lady Russel's head tipped on to one side as she attempted to look as soft as she could. "Anne, you have to believe we all have your best interests at heart. You may not be a naïve girl of nineteen in need of guidance, but you are still a stranger to the cruelties of this world and I intend to keep it that way."

"And just what cruelties do you think I am to face? Other than to be parted from the love of my life again."

Lady Russel exhaled a frustrated breath. "Very well. Say this engagement goes ahead, say everything works out just as you and your beloved have planned. You become his wife and then what? There is every chance of another war and what then? He will leave you with his friends in Lyme, or at best his sister and her husband's house, while he goes off, unknowing if he will even return. And then you are destined to spend the remainder of your life a widow with no connections."

"We have always said I would accompany Captain Wentworth on his trips wherever possible. And if not, then I would be happy to live in our home. The one we shall make together once we are married. The fact he does not already have an estate just means we can choose one together."

Lady Russel knew this line of attack was pointless, she would never get through to Anne while she was defensive, she needed her to relax and let her guard down, then she would be able to get through to her and show her what a good -what a better- match Mr Elliot was for her, and how much happier she could be with him, as mistress of Kellynch Hall.

She had thought Captain Wentworth would be too full of resentment from last time to offer for her again, she had underestimated the strength of their attachment, but no attachment could not be broken with time. She would not let her Goddaughter become nothing but a sailor's widow. She took a moment to calm herself and glanced at Anne grateful to find she seemed to be doing the same.

"Anne," she said softly. "Let us not quarrel. It has all been a shock to find you here in such changed circumstances to when I saw you last. Let us put this argument behind us and move along. Please let us be friends once more?"

Anne's shoulders slumped and she sighed. She did not want to fall out with her mother's oldest friend. Lady Russel meant a great deal to Anne, and she did not wish to be odds with her, so reluctantly she nodded her head turning to go and sit in the parlour, when her Godmother caught her hand looking at her puzzled.

"I thought I would call for tea so that we may talk of happier things." Anne explained, although to her, her engagement was the happiest topic she could wish to converse upon.

Lady Russel smile tightly and then opened her mouth before closing it again. She glanced out of the window and then turned back to Anne. "We still need to leave my dear."

"Lady Russel! We have just agreed-"

"I know, I know and I do not wish to go back on my word." Lady Russel interrupted. "I do not wish to lecture you further, however, the fact of the matter is, you need to be with your father and we need to leave." She drew Anne's hands into hers and squeezed gently trying to reassure her. "Besides, surely your fiancé intends to approach your father to ask for your hand?" She half smiled.

Anne was shocked momentarily into silence. She had been so adamant that she should keep them apart, the thought hadn't even occurred to her. Perhaps Frederick would want to speak to her father. No that would never do, not if her Godmother's reaction was anything to go by, and the fact that her family who resided in Bath, already considered her to be engaged to Mr Elliot.

"I am of age, he does not need father's permission." Anne bit back.

"Perhaps not, but surely a gentleman would still seek it, and more so his blessing on the union. Or are you planning on cutting yourself off from all those you hold dear to you?"

Anne hesitated, more than ever she willed for Frederick to walk through the door. He would know what to do, what to say in reply. She closed her eyes and sighed before opening them again, knowing her fight was already lost. "No, I do not wish for that. Just please… allow me the time to pen a few lines to Mrs Croft, excusing my sudden departure."

Lady Russel's mouth twitched as if she was controlling her urge to speak and then swallowing, she said, "If you deem it necessary. I will wait for you in the carriage."

Anne walked through the house, letting her legs memory carry her to her desired location, while her mind reeled over what she could possibly say to make up for the fact she was leaving without even saying goodbye. She had so much she wanted to tell him, to reassure him off, but time was short and she knew she could not be so open in revealing her feelings to Frederick's sister. Although she had found her time with Mrs Croft very enjoyable, and they had got on fast, she was still a mere acquaintance, something Anne had hoped to rectify being back in the area. However that time it appeared was not to come and she had to make do with just a line or two.

Once she had finished her letter, she passed it to her favourite maid in Lady Russel's Household. One she knew she could trust and rely on. Imploring in her the importance that it should be delivered to Kellynch Hall as soon as possible. The maid, so proud and pleased at being singled out by the young lady, assured her she would deliver it herself.

Anne climbed into the carriage and tried to prevent the waterfall of tears that were currently hanging on to her lower eyelids, clouding her vision, from falling. It was happening all over again. Just like Frederick had warned her it would. He was right, he was right to worry. They were attempting to separate them once more. While Frederick remained in Kellynch, it would be up to Anne alone to fend off their attacks and stay true to her word. She sunk her head back into the seat closing her eyes.

She remembered the feeling of his hands on her as he held her to him, his lips on hers and the light in his eyes when they talked of forever. All those hours locked away together, the picnic and most importantly; his proposal. So much had happened, she would not let others come between them this time. Now she was older and wiser, but most of all stronger. She had endured eight years of living the alternative, and now she wanted the life that should have been hers, the one she had a second chance at again.

Kellynch Hall had been a flurry of activity since Frederick's arrival. The Crofts had been keen to hear news of Miss Louisa, and Frederick had answered their questions to the best of his ability. Unable to hold it in, and eager for someone else to finally know, he had informed his sister and her husband of his proposal to Miss Anne, and her subsequent acceptance. They had been overjoyed of course. He had been happy to accept their congratulations on behalf of his fiancée and himself, and for a minute allowed himself to bask in the glow of all that it meant to be engaged to the love of his life. However, once in his rooms, alone with his thoughts, happiness turned to nervousness.

Once out of his riding clothes and in a bath, he had longer to sit and think on all that happened. It was eerily familiar, how things were unfolding around him, and he did not want things to end the same as before – he could not allow it, for he was doubtful he would survive it.

Jealousy had already reared its ugly head just watching her interact with Charles who posed no threat, he could not imagine how he would feel being parted from her again and learning she was to marry another; to imagine another man holding her as he had done today, kissing her and making her his wife. He gasped into the empty room, the shock of the pain ripping through his chest. No not this time. This time would be different. He would not give in so easily, he would not walk away unless he knew for certain Anne no longer held any feelings for him, and at the moment it was the exact opposite. Anne's actions and reactions over the past few days had been enough to confirm to him his love was not unrequited.

Once out of his tub and dressed, Frederick felt calmer. He had made up his mind he would go over there and be with Anne when she told Lady Russel, and if she had already, he would make the Lady see that he only had the best intentions where Anne was concerned and her well-being at heart.

He entered the parlour ready to inform his family of his plans, when he came across his sister sitting in chair. He could tell by her posture; rigid and tense, something was wrong. There was a letter on her lap and she was wringing her hands. "Sophie? What is it?" he glanced at the letter. "Is it Edward? Is there bad news?"

Apparently pulled out of her stupor, Sophia looked down at the letter and up at her brother, her eyes wide with fear, and it made him want to sit down.

"Frederick, I have just received this letter. The maid hand delivered it, she said it was urgent."

Hand delivered? Anne. "Well?"

"It is from Anne."