Frederick followed the Crofts and Captain Benwick through the noisy ballroom which resonated with the sounds of a lively country dance. He was in no mood attend a festive ball, but had already promised Benwick and would not disappoint him. At least Anne would not make an appearance. He had not seen her at any balls since the one over a fortnight ago, and she would likely be at a private dinner tonight to celebrate her engagement.
When they found Mrs. Musgrove and Louisa, Frederick tried his best to smile as Captain Benwick made the introductions. He politely requested a set from Louisa, who happily accepted, and another from Mrs. Musgrove, who was also delighted but did not mean to dance tonight. They then began conversing about the navy and the Musgroves' village of Uppercross, which sounded quite familiar to Frederick but he could not remember why.
"My sister-in-law is here tonight," Louisa said. "Her sister is married to my brother. I did not think you would make her acquaintance till tomorrow's dinner, for she had quite given up dancing, but you can see her there now, making her way to the bottom of the set with her partner. I shall introduce you when she is done."
Frederick turned to look and saw none other than Anne, proceeding down the middle of the line with Colonel Miller! His entire being filled with dread. Surely Miss Musgrove meant someone else! Then he recollected that Uppercross neighboured Kellynch, and he had visited it in the year six.
"Miss Elliot is like a real sister in every way to me," Louisa added with a smile.
Frederick suppressed a groan. As if Anne being engaged were not painful enough, now he would have to see her, and probably Lady Russell, at Benwick's dinner and the wedding!
"But we are already acquainted with Miss Elliot," Sophia said.
"Indeed? How remarkable!" Louisa exclaimed. "And is she not the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted person you know?"
"I only met her three days ago, but she seems very amiable," Sophia replied.
"Well, you will soon see for yourself how wonderful she is," Louisa said. "Anne recently spent two months caring for her sister and two nephews, and helped my mother organise my sister's wedding breakfast last month. And she has spent hours helping me shop for wedding clothes here. Just this morning, she found the most exquisite lace for my wedding dress."
In spite of all the various noises of the room, the loud music, ceaseless buzz of conversations, and people passing by, Frederick had distinguished every word and was struck, confused, and beginning to breathe very quick, and feel a hundred things in a moment. "Your wedding?"
Louisa nodded happily.
"But then… you mean to say… the lace is for your wedding?" He asked incredulously.
"Yes…" Louisa raised an eyebrow at Frederick. He realised how strange he sounded echoing her words, but he cared not. Could it be true? What an absurd mistake he had made!
He turned to study Anne and Colonel Miller more closely. The colonel was clearly enamoured with Anne, but they did not act like an engaged couple. His heart beat faster. If Anne had not been shopping for her own wedding... perhaps Colonel Miller had not yet proposed. In fact, as he continued watching them, Frederick became quite convinced that was the case. A renewed sense of hope and purpose came over him. He must act quickly and speak to Anne by such means as were within his reach - he must ask her to dance.
Louisa and Sophia continued talking, but Frederick was too impatient and anxious to join in the conversation. He sighed, inspected his buttons, and tugged at his tailcoat as the music seemed to continue for an eternity. At length, Colonel Miller escorted Anne over to them. Anne saw Frederick and looked puzzled by his presence. As soon as he could, Frederick requested her hand for the next set. The astonishment in her countenance was plain.
"Thank you, but I am already engaged for that set."
Frederick was stricken. He had been so confident of success that he had not prepared himself for any other response.
"Oh, I see."
"But I am free the set after the next," she offered gently.
Frederick silently cursed. That was the set reserved for Louisa.
"Perhaps the one after that, Miss Elliot?"
"Yes. Thank you."
She began to turn to speak with Louisa when he added, "Might you have another set free tonight?"
Her astonishment increased. "A second set?"
"Yes. I would very much like to dance a second set with you, Miss Elliot," he said earnestly.
"I am… I have… the set after tea is free," she said with a blush.
"Thank you, Miss Elliot."
Captain Benwick then came over and he and Louisa marvelled at how Anne and Frederick already knew each other. Frederick barely heard their words and had no idea what he said in response as he could only think of dancing with Anne. He looked at her often, hoping she could read his feelings, but she seemed puzzled, doubtful, and often coloured and looked away. He could not wait to dance with her and lay everything out in the open.
~~OOO~~
Almost an hour later, it was Frederick's turn to dance with Anne. He saw her nearby talking to Mrs. Smith, with whom he had been introduced early on during his stay in Bath.
Frederick approached to claim Anne's hand with a warm smile; she hesitantly smiled back. When she placed her hand in his, it felt so natural, so… perfect. He could not stop admiring her as they walked, from the graceful curve of her neck to the way her curls swayed with each step she took.
Finally, he would have his chance to converse with her alone. After all that had occurred today, he should waste no time. He would apologise for his behaviour over the last eight years and a half, then declare his love for her. He felt anxious, hopeful, and sick all at once. On the events of the next half hour depended all which this world could do for him. Anything was possible, anything might be defied rather than suspense.
A sudden commotion behind them interrupted his thoughts. Frederick turned just in time to see Mrs. Smith collapse to the ground.
"Mrs. Smith!" Anne removed her hand from Frederick's and hurried to the spot where her friend had stood. Mrs. Smith lay crumpled on the ground, lifeless, with her eyes closed. An agitated woman stood next to her.
"Is she dead? I think she is dead!" The woman cried loudly. Sinking under the conviction, she lost her senses and would have fallen if not for a gentleman nearby who caught her and took her away.
Anne quickly knelt down, placed her fingers on Mrs. Smith's wrist, and lowered her head to check for breathing. A crowd began to gather. More women started crying and had to be led away from the distressing scene.
"How can I help?" Frederick said, kneeling next to Anne.
Anne remained silent, trying to ascertain her friend's condition amidst the loud noises of the room.
"She has a pulse and is breathing," she finally said.
"Miss Elliot!" Colonel Miller burst through the crowd and quickly assessed the situation. "My friend is an apothecary. He is in the card room tonight. I shall fetch him." He left as quickly as he had appeared.
"Her skin is quite warm," Anne said quietly to Frederick. "I believe the ballroom is too hot for her."
He nodded. "Let us take her outside. I will carry her. Follow me."
He lifted Mrs. Smith with ease and the crowd parted, whispering speculations on whether poor Mrs. Smith would die today or live through the night and die tomorrow instead. Once outside, Frederick set her down on a bench. It was quite cold for a late January evening; trying to avoid too great an extreme in temperature, he took off his coat and laid it over her. Anne sat down, retrieved salts from her reticule, and held an open container to her friend's nose.
"Rub her hands, rub her temples," she suggested. Frederick nodded.
For a few minutes, they were both silent, with only the rumble of carriages and clink of horse hooves sounding in the air. Frederick was quite aware that other than the unconscious Mrs. Smith, he and Anne were alone. He looked at her intently. She looked so beautiful tonight, almost ethereal, with the light from the almost full moon shining down on her. He desperately wanted to feel her hand in his again.
"I am sure Mrs. Smith will recover quickly," he said to break the silence.
"Yes. Thank you very much for your assistance, Captain Wentworth."
"I am more than happy to be of service, Miss Elliot. I hope you know I would do anything…" He went silent again, his breathing unsteady. Though it was not the best time to tell her how he felt, he could hold it in no longer. "I was hoping… I wanted to say…"
"Miss Elliot!" Colonel Miller, who had been directed to the dead woman outside, reappeared with another man beside him. "This is Mr. Parker. He is an apothecary."
Frederick reluctantly stood up from the bench. Mr. Parker examined Mrs. Smith and after a few minutes, proclaimed what Anne and Frederick already suspected. "Your friend became overheated inside the ballroom and fainted. You have done everything right, Miss Elliot. Cooler air, salts, and a good night's sleep will make her well again. I suggest she return to her lodgings as soon as possible."
"Did you arrive in a carriage?" Frederick asked Anne.
"Yes. Her driver was instructed to come back at eleven o'clock."
"It is not yet nine o'clock," Colonel Miller said, looking at the pocket watch he pulled out. "What is his name? I shall go and look for him."
Anne supplied the information and Colonel Miller set off, leaving her to continue administering the salts with Frederick and Mr. Parker assisting. With the apothecary present, Frederick could not attempt to speak to Anne now.
Colonel Miller quickly located the carriage and the men worked together to place Mrs. Smith safely inside. Anne took the opposite seat.
"Will you need further assistance?" Frederick asked.
"Please let me know how else I can help," Colonel Miller said at almost the same time.
Anne smiled at them. "I thank you both, but Mrs. Smith's servants will help us once we arrive at her house. I shall stay with her tonight to ensure her well-being and send a note to Lady Russell so she does not worry. Thank you, Captain Wentworth and Colonel Miller, for everything you have done tonight. I am exceedingly grateful. Good night."
"Good night, Miss Elliot," they said in turn. Anne looked and nodded at each of them, and Frederick thought perhaps her gaze lingered on him a little bit longer.
He stepped back as the carriage pulled away. Once it disappeared into the darkness, he and Colonel Miller returned to the Upper Rooms, but Frederick only stayed long enough to tell Sophia and Captain Benwick that he would walk back to Gay Street alone. He had already made the acquaintance of the Musgroves and danced his obligatory set with Louisa. It would be pointless to stay any longer when the only person he wanted to be near was on her way to Mrs. Smith's house.
Having lost the opportunity to reveal his feelings to Anne tonight, he was left in a state of half agony, half hope. Simply because Colonel Miller had not proposed yet did not mean Anne would refuse him. Frederick tried to recall all the times he saw them together, and could not but think, as far as he might dare to judge from memory and experience, that Anne was not in love. However, the colonel had powerful supports in his favour. Lady Russell wanted the match, and even if Anne was reluctant or indifferent, Frederick had no reason to believe Lady Russell of less authority now. It was of utmost importance that he speak to Anne before Colonel Miller did.
At the very least, he believed he had made progress tonight. By requesting two sets, he had signalled his interest in her, and he had received some encouraging signs from her as well. His right hand, where her gloved hand had touched, still tingled, and his heart swelled as he recalled the many times she had looked at him tonight. When she bade him goodbye, he sensed a tenderness in her eyes which seemed almost restoring the past. He knew that no other woman could ever make him feel the way she did.
Watching her tonight - her strength of mind and fortitude when Mrs. Smith fainted - had fixed her superiority in his mind. All he could think about was when he could be near her again. He had to seek her out in the morning.
~~END OF CHAPTER~~
Author's note: I couldn't make it too easy for Frederick. He'll have to wait a little longer to talk to Anne. :)