Friday
November 11, 1814
22 days after the fire
Over the next week, life at Kellynch Lodge settled into a predictable rhythm. Anne and Lady Russell ate breakfast and dinner together but usually went their separate ways during the day.
With Lady Russell's approbation, Anne continued visiting Sophia on a daily basis. When Anne expressed how much she missed her father's grounds, Sophia entreated her to walk in the park whenever she wished. Thus, on a mild November day, Anne indulged in a solitary ramble through the grove before going into the Hall.
Settling into a chair, she anticipated another pleasant conversation with her friend. Instead, her composure was shattered when Sophia cheerfully said,
"I received a letter from Frederick today. He is returning and expects to arrive tomorrow."
Anne's heart sank as she remembered Admiral Croft's words. Was Captain Wentworth returning to propose to one of the Miss Musgroves? Hoping Sophia might shed more light on his reason for returning, she replied,
"Oh! But he has been in Shropshire for less than a fortnight. I wonder that he did not stay longer."
Unfortunately, Captain Wentworth's short letter supplied no further details and Sophia only answered vaguely, "I suppose he is anxious to return."
Anne perceived her friend had additional unshared thoughts. Conscious of Sophia's gaze upon her, she forced a weak smile as Sophia continued,
"I expect Frederick to arrive an hour before you come tomorrow. May I invite him and the Admiral to join me for your visit?"
Though she did not wish to see Captain Wentworth, Anne could not politely refuse Sophia's request. She only hoped that once he was engaged, she would not have to hear about it directly from him. In such cases as this, discovering the news through a secondary source was much more preferable.
"Yes, if that is your wish, Sophia."
"Good. It is settled then."
~~OOO~~
Saturday
November 12, 1814
23 days after the fire
Captain Wentworth alighted from the carriage and strode into the Hall with energy and a renewed determination. His sister and the Admiral greeted him in the drawing room.
"Welcome back!" Sophia effused, seeming unusually happy to see him.
"Thank you. I am glad to be back."
"Somersetshire holds more interest than Shropshire, eh Frederick?" Admiral Croft teased.
Captain Wentworth smiled broadly. He appeared restless as he gazed about the room before a puzzled look flashed across his face. Reading his thoughts, Sophia supplied the answer to his silent question.
"Anne has recently removed to Kellynch Lodge. Her friend, Lady Russell, returned from her trip to Devonshire last week."
Instantly, Captain Wentworth stiffened and his smile evaporated. Sophia had neglected to mention this development in her letters.
"Kellynch Lodge?" He repeated slowly, scarcely comprehending the words. He could not bring himself to utter her name.
Unaware of her brother's familiarity and history with Lady Russell, Sophia replied, "Yes. Lady Russell lives at Kellynch Lodge. Anne wrote to her about the fire and she returned to the country a few weeks early."
A torrent of thoughts rushed upon Captain Wentworth. When did Anne send the letter? Had the purpose of her letter been to leave Kellynch Hall? It must have been done after he already left for Shropshire… and now she was in her home, submitting herself to her influence once again.
With one blow, his fragile confidence was shivered as glass.
Sophia continued, "Anne is not even half a mile away. She will be here in an hour for a visit. You must join us."
An hour would not be enough time to process this unexpected information. He could not chance running into Anne until he had collected his thoughts. Looking to be away before she arrived, he replied, "Thank you Sophia, but I shall go to Uppercross instead."
Admiral Croft smiled broadly and gave his wife a look of particular meaning, while she looked exceedingly confused.
~~OOO~~
Bracing herself for the sight of Captain Wentworth, Anne was both surprised and relieved when only Sophia and Admiral Croft greeted her in the drawing room.
"I apologise, Anne, but Frederick will not be joining us today," Sophia said.
"Has his return been delayed?"
"No… he arrived as expected." Sophia's voice revealed her discomfort.
The room turned silent for a few moments as Anne wondered where Captain Wentworth was and Sophia had no desire to tell her.
"Frederick has gone to call on the Musgroves," Admiral Croft offered in hopes of being helpful.
Anne paled and Sophia quickly added, "I am sure he was eager to see Mr. Charles Musgrove again, for they have become such good friends."
With a chuckle, Admiral Croft opened his mouth to speak but caught the stern look from his wife which plainly stated that she was not to be contradicted. He thus closed his mouth, cleared his throat and said nothing.
"I think he will join us next time," Sophia said in a lively tone, but that only made Anne look more miserable.
Refreshments arrived but feeling neither hungry nor talkative, Anne took her leave before even half an hour had passed.
~~OOO~~
Sunday
November 13, 1814
24 days after the fire
Sundays inevitably force civility between parishioners who would otherwise prefer to forget each other's existence, and so it was no different on this Sunday in the middle of November. Captain Wentworth and Lady Russell would meet again. Anne felt much agitation at the prospect; those two did not like each other, and no renewal of acquaintance now could do any good.
To reduce the possibility of an unpleasant scene, Anne had mentioned Captain Wentworth's return over dinner the night before. The news was rather unwelcome at the Lodge; Lady Russell had hoped he would remain in Shropshire until she and Anne left for Bath. She also worried about Anne being in his company at the Hall, but Anne could not suddenly abandon her visits to Sophia after going so regularly over the last ten days.
Captain Wentworth seemed similarly wary of Lady Russell as he entered the church and saw her standing next to Anne. A quick "Good morning, Captain Wentworth" followed by a "Good morning, Lady Russell. Good morning, Miss Elliot" passed and then it was over. Further exchange was neither necessary nor desired by any of the participants.
The Crofts invited Lady Russell and Anne to sit with them as they had done the prior Sunday, but today Lady Russell declined and Anne followed suit. Sitting in the pew behind Captain Wentworth and staring at the back of his head, Anne wondered if, after his visit to Uppercross yesterday, he was now engaged. His demeanor certainly did not exude the unbridled joy of a betrothed man. That observation provided some measure of relief as she sat through the morning service.
~~OOO~~
"Frederick, why are you avoiding Anne?" Sophia said in a vext tone after supper.
Admiral Croft had retired to bed and Sophia took the opportunity to confront her brother. Captain Wentworth looked up from his chair, startled at his sister's directness.
"I know not what you mean," he exclaimed.
"Do not dissemble. You take my meaning perfectly well. You were out of the house when Anne visited yesterday, barely spoke three words to her at church this morning, and now say you will not be here when she visits tomorrow!"
He shrugged. "I am very busy."
He knew Sophia and Anne had become good friends in his absence, but his sister had never before insisted on him spending time with her friends. Why should she care if he chose to avoid Anne?
Sophia sighed in exasperation. "I do not know why you are making this so difficult."
"Making what difficult?"
"You and Anne!"
"Me and… Miss Elliot?" He had almost used her Christian name before catching himself.
"Yes! You are in love with her!"
Immediately, Captain Wentworth stood up and began pacing the room. When had Sophia figured that out? For some minutes, he walked back and forth while Sophia watched him. Finally, he stopped in front of the fireplace and, leaning one hand against the mantle-piece, closed his eyes.
"Yes, I do love her," he said softly. "And Edward convinced me that she might feel the same way. Why do you think I returned after only two weeks away? But now I think I made a mistake."
"I am of the same mind as Edward. I believe she loves you."
Captain Wentworth turned and stared at his sister in astonishment. Had she learned something while he was away?
"Join us tomorrow," Sophia encouraged. "I shall be happy to sit on the other side of the room so you and Anne may have a private conversation."
He clenched his hands and resumed his pacing. "I cannot speak to her! Not anymore."
"I do not understand, Frederick. What is preventing you from doing so?"
"Lady Russell," he answered darkly.
"Lady Russell? What has she to do with it?"
"She has everything to do with it."
Sophia looked thoroughly confused. With a sigh, Captain Wentworth poured himself a glass of port and sat back down. Edward already knew his whole history with Anne, as he had been present during those few months in the year six, but Sophia remained ignorant of the past. If she had already surmised his feelings about Anne, he might as well reveal it all to her.
With as much calmness as he could muster on such a subject, Captain Wentworth told Sophia about his past courtship with and engagement to Anne. Sophia listened silently, shocked at the discovery of such significant events in her brother's past. Though she had deduced that an attachment existed between him and Anne long ago, she had never considered that they might have been betrothed.
"So you see," Captain Wentworth concluded, "Lady Russell did not approve of me and persuaded Anne to end the engagement. Is not the recollection of what had been, the knowledge of her influence, the indelible, immoveable impression of what persuasion had once done - is it not all against me?"
Sophia took a full minute to absorb the information before responding. She knew her brother's tendency towards emotional outbursts; with the advantage of an outsider's view, she could view the events with a cooler head. In a gentle tone, she said,
"Lady Russell is like a mother to Anne. Disapprobation from her and Sir Walter would have been very difficult. But Anne was only - maybe nineteen years old at the time? And you had not made post yet. Your situation is so different now, and her age is so different."
"It is not different!" He thundered, slamming his glass down on the table in frustration. "She is living with the very person who guided her in that year of misery. I have no reason to believe Lady Russell of less authority now than before."
"Time makes many changes. You now have a handsome fortune, and if Anne still loves you, I do not see why Lady Russell would still object to the match. Is not the chance to be with Anne worth risking your heart again?"
Captain Wentworth already knew his answer, for he had asked himself the same question many times over the past four-and-twenty hours. The thought of declaring himself a second time had been difficult enough without Lady Russell's presence; now it was impossible. He had once laid aside his pride and begged Anne, yet still she deserted him. All because of her.
Swallowing another mouthful of port, he stared into the fire, the crackling flames illuminating his clenched jaw and hardened eyes.
"No, Sophia, it is not."
~~END OF CHAPTER~~
Author's notes:
1) The sentence "With one blow, his fragile confidence was shivered as glass" is my play on words from a line in the John Donne poem, "The Broken Heart":
"Mine would have taught thy heart to show
More pity unto me: but Love, alas,
At one first blow did shiver it as glass."
2) Sophia is trying but we know how deep Frederick's wounds are and how irrational he can be when he is upset (like when he storms off at the concert in the novel). Something will have to give him a push and it will begin in the next chapter. Any guesses on what it might be?