Donning her pelisse, Anne steeled herself for the solitary walk to Uppercross and set off on the gravel path when footsteps sounded behind her. She turned to see Sophia approaching.

"Miss Elliot, if you are going to visit the Musgroves, let us take the gig." Before Anne could decline, Sophia added, "Admiral Croft is staying at the Hall today. He has some pain and swelling in his right foot and has sent for the apothecary."

Anne was glad she had not yet spoken. With Sophia at the reins, she need not fear riding in the gig and would be spared from walking six miles with only her thoughts to occupy her. Anne therefore accepted the offer with alacrity. Once both women were comfortably situated in the carriage, they set off at a leisurely pace and arrived at Uppercross Cottage without incident.

~~OOO~~

"Captain Wentworth has left the country? When shall he return?"

Henrietta's tone conveyed her distress as readily as her and Louisa's matching frowns.

"I am sorry to say he did not give a return date," Sophia replied, which elicited further exclamations from the Miss Musgroves. "Though as Shropshire is quite far and Frederick has not seen his brother in many years, I would not be surprised if he stays for at least a month."

This information sunk the Miss Musgroves' spirits and conversation at the cottage dwindled to near silence. Even Mary chose that morning to be unusually contemplative. But after some exertion from Sophia and Anne and the promise of a walk to the village for pastry and millinery from Mrs. Musgrove, the Miss Musgroves were almost fully restored to their former liveliness by the end of the visit.

As they rode back in the gig, Anne asked Sophia, "Have you visited Mr. Wentworth in Shropshire?"

"Yes, the Admiral and I saw Edward and his wife in September, before we took possession of Kellynch Hall. If only we were not so far away. To finally have a sister after all these years brings me so much happiness!"

Knowing Sophia's brothers and her own sisters, Anne already knew the truth of her words when she said, "I imagine growing up with two brothers was very different from my own experience with two sisters."

"I do not doubt it. Edward was a rather spirited child, but Frederick made him look tame in comparison."

"Did he indeed?" Anne could not help smiling. Captain Wentworth had told her stories of his childhood when they were courting in the year six, but hearing about it from another perspective proved irresistible.

Sophia nodded. "Frederick was the very definition of a rambunctious youngest child. He would find ways to coax Edward into the woods and get him into all kinds of mischief. When mamma found out what trouble the boys got into, Edward would take the blame to protect Frederick. It mattered not, however, for mamma loved Frederick's fearless and adventurous spirit. The two of them shared a special bond, and out of all of us, he felt her loss most keenly."

Sophia's face clouded over with sadness and she fell silent as the carriage rattled down the road. Remembering her own devastation at the death of her beloved mother, Anne said without forethought,

"I understand Mrs. Wentworth was an excellent woman."

Sophia looked at her in surprise. "Yes, she was. How did you hear of her?"

Realising she may have betrayed more information than she intended, Anne answered warily, "I believe Captain Wentworth mentioned it to me in passing."

She knew not what Sophia did - that Captain Wentworth never spoke of his mother to anyone except his most intimate acquaintances. Sophia merely smiled and Anne blew out a breath, confident she had escaped any undue notice.

When Sophia later had leisure for reflection, she added her newly acquired knowledge to the other observations she had collected over the past four weeks. The pieces of the puzzle fell quickly and neatly into place - her brother's odd behavior since he arrived at Kellynch, the mutual stares and flushes that she had witnessed, and Anne's discomfort during certain conversations. Sophia now had a guess of the relationship, both past and present, that may have existed between her brother and Anne.

~~OOO~~

Tuesday
November 1, 1814
12 days after the fire

The distraction of Sophia's lively company spared Anne from much agitation she might otherwise have felt during the day. The two women had not spent much time together before Captain Wentworth's departure and, through a mutual regard, quickly became inseparable. Aside from riding in the gig to call on the Musgroves, they also walked around the park and chatted over refreshments daily in the drawing room. Not surprisingly, they were soon addressing each other by their Christian names, as they did today while distributing new blankets to Sir Walter's poorest tenants.

"Although I regret the circumstances that brought you to Kellynch Hall, I am very much enjoying our time together, Anne."

"As am I, Sophia."

"It is not to say I do not love my husband's company, but after so many years of travelling with the Admiral and being on ships, I have missed the joys of steady female companionship."

"Did you find it difficult living on a ship with so many men?" Anne wondered.

"A little. Sometimes there were other wives on board, but we were naturally outnumbered by the men."

Knowing it was one of her friend's favourite subjects and a little curious herself, Anne said, "Will you tell me more about your time at sea?"

Sophia needed no further encouragement to launch into a fond remembrance of the past. She spoke about living aboard frigates and men-of-war, how she shared quarters with her husband, and how he taught her basic seamanship techniques like ropework and navigation. They supplemented their food rations with their own purchases of wine, meat, cheese and even eggs on occasion.

Sophia concluded by saying, "I thought it very comfortable and would not mind staying on a ship all my life, but a prolonged time at sea does not suit every woman. I met several who, after only one or two weeks, found the ship too confining, the food too limiting and the movement in rough waters too unsettling for their nerves."

"But the fact that those women could be with their husbands must greatly outweigh such inconveniences. Love makes many hardships worth enduring, does it not?"

Anne's declaration sounded as if it sprung from something more than just conjecture and Sophia mused on its significance.

"Yes, Anne, I suppose it does," she replied.

~~OOO~~

Wednesday
November 2, 1814
13 days after the fire

Though her growing friendship with Sophia made Anne want to stay at Kellynch Hall, she knew it to be impossible. The time of Lady Russell's return was upon her and she had already delayed too long in telling Sophia. Upon hearing the news, her friend's countenance fell.

"I had heard that Lady Russell would be away till the end of the month."

"Yes, that was her original plan," Anne explained. "But I wrote to tell her about the fire and she said she would return by the middle of this week."

"But it is Wednesday already! So she might arrive today or tomorrow?"

"I believe so."

"And when she arrives, you will go with her to Kellynch Lodge?"

"Yes. We had planned for me to go to the Lodge at the end of the month, so this is only a few weeks sooner."

Sophia nodded in understanding. "I have been told she is a close friend of your family."

"Yes. She was my mother's friend and moved here from Gloucestershire when I was a child."

"Gloucestershire! She and your mother must have been very good friends for her to move such a great distance," Sophia remarked. "And her presence must have been a source of comfort to you after your mother's death."

"Yes. Lady Russell has been like another parent to me. My mother relied on her to maintain the good principles and instruction that she had taught to me and my sisters."

"Lady Russell has certainly done an admirable job, especially with you."

"Thank you," Anne said, wondering what Sophia would think if she knew how much Lady Russell disliked her brother.

"Well Anne, I shall be sorry to see you to go but happy to make Lady Russell's acquaintance."

~~OOO~~

Ever prompt, Lady Russell arrived later that morning and, after a quick stop at the Lodge, called on Kellynch Hall at half past two. When she entered the drawing room, she wore a mask of civility but Anne could discern her unhappiness. Lady Russell's feelings had not yet been reconciled to Sir Walter's departure and this first visit to the Crofts was a trial for her.

A tray of refreshments arrived and over the next quarter of an hour, Admiral Croft and Sophia enthusiastically praised Kellynch Hall and spoke of Sir Walter's tenants (for they had been to every house in the parish) and all the good things they had heard about Lady Russell.

To Anne's delight, Lady Russell seemed well pleased with the Crofts as they understood the great responsibility of living at Kellynch Hall, treated the estate with the proper amount of respect, and had been attentive in their relief to the poor.

When the end of the visit neared, Sophia remarked, "The Admiral and I have been so happy to have Anne here with us. I have grown very fond of her company."

Lady Russell's eyebrows raised at the use of Anne's Christian name. She looked over at Anne, who responded,

"And I have been delighted with your company, Sophia, and yours as well, Admiral Croft."

"Yes, yes," Admiral Croft nodded. "The feeling is quite mutual, I assure you. You may stay here as long as you wish, Miss Elliot."

Lady Russell intervened. "Thank you very much for your hospitality, Admiral and Mrs. Croft, but we cannot trespass on your kindness any longer. I will bring Anne with me to Kellynch Lodge."

"Of course," Sophia replied graciously. "Will you both come back tomorrow at two o'clock? I should dearly like to see Anne again and become better acquainted with you, Lady Russell."

Anne silently applauded herself for not mentioning Captain Wentworth in her letter to Lady Russell; though he was now out of the country, if Lady Russell knew he had been at Kellynch, she would likely have reacted differently to Sophia's request. As it was, Lady Russell saw nothing to alarm her and clearly Anne and Sophia had become good friends. It was therefore agreed that Anne would return tomorrow, but as Lady Russell had much to attend to, she declined the invitation.

~~OOO~~

Thursday
November 3, 1814
14 days after the fire

"Lady Russell, it is a great honour to see you again," Mrs. Musgrove said in her usual affable manner.

Wishing to call on the Musgroves as soon as possible, Lady Russell took her carriage that morning with Anne and they arrived at the cottage shortly after eleven o'clock.

"I suppose it takes a tragedy for her to grace us with her presence," Mary muttered. "I have not forgotten what happened two months ago, when she would not get out of her carriage after conveying you here." Thankfully, only Anne heard her sister's words.

The Miss Musgroves, who were quite afraid of Lady Russell but also respected her amazingly, were eager to make a good impression. They therefore supplied her with all the news from Uppercross, and it did not take long before they mentioned Captain Wentworth - how they admired him, how he had sadly left the country, and how agreeable Lady Russell must find him if she ever had the chance to meet him.

At this information, Lady Russell looked inquiringly at Anne, who had not yet made any mention of him. Lady Russell knew not Anne's opinion on the subject, either its constancy or its change, but Anne successfully maintained an indifferent countenance, leading her friend to surmise that she might have got over her youthful infatuation.

When later asked about it, Anne calmly told Lady Russell that Captain Wentworth had paid much attention the Miss Musgroves when he was in the area. Lady Russell felt vindicated in her prior judgement of his character, for what man who truly understood the value of an Anne Elliot could, eight years later, prefer a Miss Musgrove?

~~END OF CHAPTER~~

Author's notes:

Thank you for the reviews! I love reading each and every one.

NVMF - I'm glad you are enjoying this story! I wanted to let you know that I wrote to you under the reviews for "Surprise at Kellynch Hall" in response to the question you posed. Thanks for your many reviews!