Chapter Eight

Anne stood amongst her family in the entrance of the Octagon rooms awaiting the arrival of the Dowager Dalrymple who would be accompanied by Miss Carteret, Lady Russel and Mr Elliot. Colonel Wallace and his wife were also to join their party. Anne had not a care for any of them, her fixed gaze on the entrance was for one reason only. As her father criticised the other members of the audience, much to the glee of her sister and Mrs Clay, Anne had to bite her lip to refrain from screaming out loud. She loved her family dearly, but at that moment she wanted nothing more than for them and the rest of their ridiculous party to be far, far, away. If Frederick did attend, she wanted to -must- speak with him. The way they had left things in Mollands had been unacceptable and she wanted to discuss it, and then put it firmly behind them. Together.

All the waiting and yearning, and arguing had taught her over the past week they had been parted, up to when they had been reunited, was that she wanted to marry him desperately. No persuadable advice from well-meaning relatives, or silly quarrels between the two of them, were going to put a stopper to that. More resilient she forced her face into a smile and made eye contact with those around her. It was then that she saw him. As if her eyes had a mind of their own and sought him out. As if she could sense when he was near, her gaze had uncontrollably landed on the handsome Captain heading in her direction. Involuntarily her legs carried her towards him. Too preoccupied with the imminent arrival of their superior relative, the others did not notice her moving away from them and into the path of her betrothed, this time Frederick was the first to speak.

"Good evening Miss Anne." He smiled and Anne felt her insides relax and quieten for the first time in days. It was a genuine smile; he was pleased she was there. Their quarrel had not left him angry at her.

"Good evening Captain, are you well?"

"I am, and you? I do hope you were not made unwell by the inclement weather earlier and having to walk home."

Her smile fell for the briefest moment while she remembered the way they had spoken to each other that afternoon, his reaction at her cousin being the one to escort her home. He caught it and knew what had affected her. He glanced around wondering if it as possible for them to speak, when he saw her family close by.

On first approach he had eyes only for Anne, and had not even noticed the small group who now openly eyed him with quiet disdain and a look of self importance. Just as he remembered them. He turned and bowed. He would not let them rob him of his manners, to his utter astonishment Sir Walter did not only acknowledge him, but returned the bow with one of his own. Still in a daze of confusion Frederick turned to see Elizabeth do the same with a sweet smile plastered on her face. He shut his eyes and opened them again quickly, wondering if he was in fact asleep and this had all been a dream.

He looked back at Anne to see the same amazement on her face. Then her eyes narrowed and her brow furrowed in confusion and suspicion, a look she had worn many times when she had a bad feeling about something – he remembered that look well. He shook his head, gathering himself once more. Audience or not, there were things that needed to be said. Luckily a party of people took that moment to pass through the small gap between her and her family Anne had created when she moved away. It caused Anne to have step further to the side to allow them to pass, and consequently put more distance between herself and her own party. Frederick was quick to step with her, glad of the increased distance, he now felt able to speak.

"I apologise for earlier." he said slowly, observing her eyes and the reaction to his words.

Her eyes softened. "No, no, Captain, it should be I who is sorry." She looked around her quickly to ascertain they were not being overheard and said quietly so only he could hear. "I should not have questioned your intentions. I know I told you more than once, such traditional gestures were not necessary."

He smiled at her honesty. "Not necessary no, but still, as an officer asking for the hand of a Lady, a daughter of a baronet, I should have known better. I should have approached your father whether it was necessary or not." He took a step closer to her, aching to hold her. "I should have followed you to Bath immediately. I should have known events were out of your control – like last time. But this time I should have stayed by your side while we fought our way through. A man who claims to be in love and who is lucky enough to have that love returned, should not let his pride get in the way of the Lady's happiness. He ought not. He does not." He looked away ashamed. "I failed you."

Anne too desperately sought the comfort of his touch, she longed to hold his hand and assure him. Instead, she had to rely on words alone. "You did no such thing." Anne corrected him steadfastly. "You were angry, quite rightly. I had gone back on almost all of the promises I had made to you."

"Almost."

"All except that which is most important." she reminded him. He raised an eyebrow at her. "I did not stop loving you."

"No." he smiled. "You stayed true to me, to us, despite what everyone was thinking and in most cases hoping. You did not put aside our plans and agree to marry your cousin. You did not give in to their manipulations like last time. You never stopped loving me," he repeated.

She stepped closer, knowing they were bordering on improper. "I never did. I never shall."

"May I … shall I speak to your father now?" he blurted out.

"Now." She looked around her wildly at the full room. "In front of all these people."

He chuckled knowing how much she loathed to be the subject of people's interest. Unlike her sisters. "No I suppose that would be unwise, even if I know how much you love to be the centre of attention." She smiled at his sarcasm. "Maybe I should call tomorrow? Would that be better?" he asked.

"Yes. I will tell him to expect you." Her voice held a chink of uncertainty.

"Anne," he stepped closer still. "I have never stopped loving you either, nor shall I ever. This time we will marry, this time we will be happy. That is my promise to you."

"I believe you."

Their conversation was brought to an end by the arrival of the rest of her party. The couple were forced to separate and wipe the wide grins from their faces. They were once again harmonious and united.

Anne's sudden happiness was just as suddenly stolen from her when she entered the music hall only to find she was seated beside Mr Elliot. She gave herself a silent talking to, assuring herself that this was only one evening; she could cope.

She could cope with his open displays of affection towards her and the whispers and stares of those around her, as they were more convinced of a happy union between them. It would only make the surprise more shocking when everyone discovered whom she was really marrying. She looked around the hall for Frederick, scouring each row, face by face, when she failed to locate him she turned back to the front disappointed. A movement out the corner of her eye caused her to look to the end of her row.

There leaned against the wall, was a handsome sea Captain. The smile was gone, replaced with a stern expression she imagined he reserved for aboard his ship when he was commanding his men. But his eyes, his eyes still held that sparkle, that light he would get whenever he looked at her, or touched her, or kissed her. Her eyes fell to his lips and she felt herself blush and grow hot, her pulse quickened. How she longed for his kiss, longed for his arms. For a brief moment he looked her way, and as she was unobserved by those around her, she smiled brightly at him.

She could not help but feel disappointed at the lack of response from him. She knew that they were in a public place, but surely he could acknowledge her – but wait, there was something else. He was looking past her, glaring at the person beside her. Mr Elliot. Frederick was angry she was sat with her cousin, she felt herself smile inwardly – he was jealous!

Although mortifyingly Anne relished the feeling of being so wanted by her betrothed, she did not wish to cause him the pain she had been through, those first few days after his return, watching him with Louisa. She tried unsuccessfully to distance herself from the man beside her, while still maintaining the facade of watching the performance. In reality she had heard none of the notes played. She was solely concentrating on giving the appearance whatever the feelings her cousin held for her, were not reciprocated.

Mr Elliot continued to miss her hints and bombarded her with queries relating to the music, asking her to translate certain passages of singing under the pretence of aiding Miss Carteret, when it was blatantly obvious he was using it as an excuse to lean into her closer than propriety allowed. She glanced behind her at her Godmother seeking help, only to find her conveniently otherwise engaged and purposely avoiding her eyes.

At long last it was the interval and Mr Elliot had risen along with the other gentleman to stretch his legs and acquire beverages for the ladies. Anne looked at Frederick to find him at long last returning her gaze, she smiled apologetically and he gave a half smile as if he understood her predicament but did not like the situation. She did not blame him. Upon the return of the gentleman there was a change in the seating arrangement. Unfortunately for Anne she was once again by her cousin, who had managed the arrangement. She turned to face Frederick just in time to find him storming out of the room. Anne knew it would cause talk and rumours, but she cared not. She rose from her seat cutting off Mr Elliot mid-sentence and rushed after her fiancé.

"Captain Wentworth!"

Anne's small voice seemed to reverberate around the room louder than necessary, as if it was traitorously trying to draw attention to the fact she had just left her seat, her party, in the middle of a concert, to follow an unattached gentleman outside.

At the sound of his name, and more so at whom was calling it, Frederick stopped instantly and turned around to face her. He had hoped she would follow, prayed that she should understand why it was so difficult for him to remain in that room. Watching all those happy faces smiling at her and her cousin, commenting on what a handsome couple they made, and what a good match it was. The mutterings, as whispered as they were, had still reached his ears, and he had grown sick of it. He was however, still surprised to find her there, the Anne of the past would have remained in her seat like the good girl she was supposed to be.

"Are you leaving?" she asked of him.

"Yes."

"So soon." She began wringing her hands. "Was the concert not to your liking?"

"I had hoped for more singing," he admitted. She looked at him puzzled. He sighed. "In truth, it was not just the music."

Anne took a step towards him, they were alone. Yes the audience were only a few feet away enjoying the performance, yet it still seemed inappropriate to be there together. She blushed at the thought of the last time they had been alone together. "Please do not leave because of Mr Elliot."

Frederick frowned and then scowled. "I would never allow another man to dictate my movements, or let another think he can come between us." He hissed, and then paused, letting himself calm down. He was not angry with her, and it was unfair for him to take out his frustrations at other people's actions on her. She had done nothing wrong. "I find … I cannot… I do not… blast!"

Anne jumped at the outburst and automatically looked behind her to ensure no one had heard and come out to see what the matter was. "Frederick please." she begged for him to tell her what he was feeling, and hoped she would be able to help.

"I cannot sit there listening to everyone talk as if you were already married to the man. I cannot watch while another man openly bestows his affections on you, to see him lean in, to know he is closer to you than I can hope to be at this time, to know-"

"Frederick! Frederick, please stop, stop this. You are right to feel this way, but please listen." She placed her hand on his arm steadying him and instantly his focus was on her. "The talk, the rumours, they are all false, you know this, and by next week they will be someone else's trouble. And my cousin is just my cousin, and that is all he will ever be. I have already promised you that. He may flirt, he may lean, but it is you who held my hand in the rain, you who I kissed, you who I have agreed to marry, you who I want to beside me forever, you-" She glanced around her again before moving closer to him, "You who I leaned on while I slept." she whispered. He coloured slightly at the recollection and then smiled. She matched his smile. "I shall have your name, I belong to you."

"No, you will never belong to me, you are not a possession. You belong with me, as I do you." He smiled widely. "I have much to be thankful for." he declared.

"And much to look forward to." She blushed as she said it, and it made Frederick feel hot and his palms sweat just imagining what she could be referring to. "Will you please join me back inside?" she asked.

"Will it not look suspicious if we return together after such an amount of time has passed?"

She frowned. He was correct. Frederick drew out his pocket watch and noted the time. "There will be a final break in the performance in a few minutes. I will take a turn about outside – getting some air, while you wait here -out of site if possible. When everyone comes out for refreshments, you will be able to slip back amongst them unnoticed. I will join you later."

Anne eyed him sceptically. "You will join me later?"

"I promise." He smiled and took her hand in his, bringing it to his mouth to kiss it, but in the heat of the moment, a sudden recklessness overtook him. He had gone too long without feeling close to her. He pulled her to him so abruptly, she almost fell into him. She would have gasped at the shock, however in that moment his lips had settled over hers and she was already floating away. The passion of being parted took over as the kiss deepened, before Frederick too soon released her. She fell back on the heels of her feet with a start and a wobble. He held her arms to settle her.

"Are you steady Miss Anne?" he said, smirking at her reaction.

She soon pulled herself from the haze, straightening invisible wrinkles from her frock and smoothing none existent wayward strands of hair. "I am quite well thank you Captain," she said haughtily before her mouth began to lift at the corners. No matter how annoyed she was with him for pulling such a stunt, she could not control her glee at finally – finally- being kissed again.