Apologies for the delay in updating, here's a long chapter to hopefully make up for it. As always thank you for the reviews and please keep them coming!
Chapter Eleven
Anne's heart had sunk a little as she was forced to give up her beloved's arm for that of her cousin Mr Elliot. She knew it had been the correct choice, and that Frederick had understood, but now she wished she could run after him and beg him to remain by her side. Mr Elliot was already in full flowing conversation, not even aware of her disinterest. When they turned a corner and Westgate Buildings came into view, she felt the sudden onset of relief. She could at least be parted from him.
Mr Elliot looked upon the half dilapidated building in disgust. When Anne caught his gaze, he attempted a smile but it did not reach his eyes. It was clear that he thought this place beneath him and the people whom resided there also. In contrast Frederick had been eager to hear about Mrs Smith, and seemed genuinely concerned for the widow and her health. Anne thought once more how lucky she was to have found him again, and for him to have the same feelings he had all those years ago.
"Who is it you said you are visiting here cousin?"
"An old school friend." Anne saw no reason in informing Mr Elliot of her friend's name, her father had already referred to her as a woman with no name of importance; she couldn't face another rebuke from Mr Elliot. "She is a widow now, and due to circumstances out of her control, she has been reduced to living in more humble conditions."
Mr Elliot looked at the building more closely, narrowing his eyes as if a thought had just struck him. "Quite," he mumbled before turning away.
"Thank you for your assistance Mr Elliot. I am quite alright now."
He glanced again at the building, and then at the sample of people scattered around the outside. He brushed some invisible dirt from his coat and grimaced again. "How are you getting home?"
Anne sighed inwardly. She had not thought of that. She knew Frederick would have offered to wait for her, or even to come in with her, her cousin however looked more and more uncomfortable, and anxious to be away. He finally turned his dwindling attention to her, painting a smile on his face. "I shall come back in an hour with a carriage."
Anne had to bite her lip again. He was ordering her, it was not a suggestion. However by now she just wanted to be rid of his company. "Thank you. That would be very helpful." She nodded her thanks and made her way over to the door behind which her friend Mrs Smith awaited her.
She was greeted and ushered inside by a jolly woman who introduced herself as Mrs Rooke. Her sister owned the establishment where Mrs Smith had taken rooms, and being a nurse previously, Mrs Rooke had offered her services in tending to her needs where she could.
Within minutes of being reacquainted with her good friend, the years being apart melted away and they were as close as they had been the year they were forced to say goodbye. Anne realised it was much the same as her and Frederick.
Once settled, Anne also found Nurse Rooke to be a source of the town news. It was a great comfort for her friend who could barely leave the house due to her illness. Anne was surprised to learn Nurse Rooke attended Colonel Wallace's wife and knew of Anne and her family.
"And what is the word on my young friend here Nurse Rooke? Are their rumours abound the streets of Bath concerning Miss Anne Elliot?" Mrs Smith smiled mischievously.
"Nurse Rooke chuckled, "oh yes madam, they are all talking of Miss Anne."
Anne's face fell, "they are? And just what are they saying?" The nurse giggled again and Anne felt her patience suddenly draw thin, "please Mrs Rooke, I must know why I am the subject of gossip."
Nurse Rooke ceased laughing, but her smile remained, ensuring Anne there had been no slight. "Well I was attending Mrs Wallace this morning, when I happen to over hear her discussing with the Colonel a concert they had attended the previous night, and what a happy party they had been, how eventful an evening it was." The other ladies giggled again while Anne felt only embarrassed. "She went on to say it had been the final thing in reinforcing the rumour Miss Anne would inevitably soon be happily attached to her cousin. Very soon." She beamed at Anne.
Anne was so shocked at the misunderstanding and wondering how far it went, she hardly noticed the reaction in her friend. Mrs Smith's smile had dropped instantly, and she seemed to be avoiding Anne eyes. Anne surmised she must have heard something about Frederick's intentions also -although she could not think how- and Anne was, in her opinion, leading both men on.
Anne wanted to correct both ladies as soon as possible. "No. I am afraid they are very much mistaken. There is no truth in that rumour. They are utterly misinformed. I am not going to marry Mr Elliot." Nurse Rooke looked shocked and sat down beside Mrs Smith, but her friend displayed signs of relief. Anne swallowed. "He had pursued me in the first instance, but I will not be his wife. We should not suit. No, I believe his attention will now fall on my sister, for it is she who had long since held an attachment to our cousin, and up until recently, she who he was always set to marry." Anne explained.
"But… but I…" Nurse Rooke was shaking her head.
"What is it?" asked Anne.
Nurse Rooke blushed and looked unsure whether or not she should say anymore. Anne tried to smile and silently encouraged her to continue. Nurse Rooke exhaled loudly. "It is only I specifically heard Colonel Wallace tell his wife what a good match your sister had made with a fine naval officer, who was with your party also, a Captain-"
"Wentworth." Anne interrupted, her voice trembling. The nurse nodded slowly. Anne felt her whole body began to shake as more and more pieces fell in to place. Elizabeth's wicked smile, the way her family had suddenly begun acknowledging Frederick. The way Mr Elliot had spoken of him soon becoming family. They were all under the impression Frederick was intending offering for her sister Elizabeth. After only one evening spent in each others company. Anne was struggling to control the urge to laugh hysterically at the absurdity of the statement, and at the same time, felt incredibly sick; the room seemed to be spinning around her. Her fingers dug into the arms of the chair, trying to keep herself upright.
"Miss Anne, Anne are you well, you look undone." cried Mrs Smith urgently.
"No it is ... I just … I need to return home at once." she blurted out.
Frederick had no idea he would be walking into a house all believing he was there to ask for one daughter, when he was there for another. She blamed herself. She should have confessed, she should have told them the moment she arrived with Lady Russel.
Lady Russel.
She was aware, she knew Frederick had proposed already, that she had accepted, she had not told them, she had purposively held back that information. Letting them all plan Anne's future –and Frederick's without their knowledge. It all made sense now. Cousin Elliot wanted her, so she must marry him to secure the land and the title, but Frederick had the money and the social prowess, he had already won over lady Dalrymple, he would be perfect for Elizabeth, who as an older sister –one whose social etiquette left a lot to be desired- was becoming dangerously close to being too old for the chance of a good match. Anne swallowed down the bile rising in her throat at the idea of her sister with her fiancé. She stood shakily, ready to leave and hoping she could cut Frederick off before he arrived to see her father. She stopped at the presence of her friends hand on hers.
"Anne please sit down, if not for your sake than for mine. There are things I need to say, and if I do not do so now, I fear I never shall." Mrs Smith cried out.
Anne sat back down momentarily stunned. What could she possibly have to say, that was so important?
"You are certain you do not wish to marry Mr Elliot?"
"No! I most certainly do not. I ... my heart belongs to another." she admitted. "I will never marry him."
"Well I confess, that is a relief." said Mrs Smith.
"I do not know why he ever had any designs on me." Anne questioned aloud.
"Well, that may be my fault."
Anne looked at her friend quizzically. "Your fault?"
"Yes I am afraid." She fidgeted in her seat. "How much do you know of Mr Elliot?"
"Other than he is my cousin, very little. He married against the wishes of the family. The poor lady died leaving him with a substantial fortune, which I presume he means to settle on me, or use to restore Kellynch." Anne surmised.
Mrs Smith snorted and then her eyes glistened with tears. Anne felt compelled to hold her hand and coax the words from her lips.
"No Anne. That is not what he plans to do." She shook her head sadly and then looked to nurse Rooke for support, the nurse smiled and urged her on. "He has no money. Nothing."
"But his wife, surely-"
"All gone; spent or gambled, but gone."
Nurse Rooke was nodding beside the lady.
Anne turned to the nurse, she wasn't sure for what; clarity maybe, that she had not only heard correctly, but that her friend had the information correct. "Gone?"
"Yes." Nurse Rooke took up the story. "I heard Colonel Wallace complaining to his wife that Mr Elliot had called to ask for another loan. A request that was refused. He has nothing. He lives on borrowed money."
"Nothing! But … this makes no sense." Anne shook her head. "I have barely anything either, how could he think marrying me would do him any good?"
"For two reasons," declared her friend, "one, regardless of what I, or anyone-else thinks of him, he does hold you in high regard, of that we are sure. He is not falsifying his feelings towards you. He does want to marry you, rather than your sister. I believe he values your company, your conversation, that maybe because of how wonderful I told him you were."
"You..! You were the one who told him about me." Anne was once again stunned. "But why? How do you even know Mr Elliot?"
Mrs Smith began describing her associations with Mr Elliot in detail. Her late husband's friend, and in some cases, business partner. They had lent him money when they had it and he was without. Debts that were not repaid, and in the end when her husband had passed, Mrs Smith had applied to him as a friend to advise her. She had found herself in dire-straights and knew of some property abroad that could help. She had turned to him for support, only to find he had no intention of helping her. Indeed it transcribed with just a little help from a man of business, she would have been able to sell and live in a great deal more comfort that she did now.
Anne was astounded that a man who appeared so genteel and polite, could be so despicable and unfeeling. "Why did you think I would be so well matched to such a scoundrel?" she asked.
"Oh my dear, that was all a long time ago. When we were all still friends, my husband was alive and we had been talking of our school days. I had mentioned my good friend Anne Elliot of Kellynch and he had made the connection. I discovered I had in fact seen more of you than him, and proceeded to tell him how delightful you are. It was foolish of me, I know that now. But please believe me, when I heard the rumours you were to be wed, nothing could grieve me more. Selfishly for a time I had thought of how you could now be in a position to help me, but the more nurse Rooke spoke of his unpleasant conduct, the more I did not wish you to become entangled with him. Coming here today and informing me of the truth, has brought me a great deal of relief. I promise you." She sat up a little straighter. "If you had confirmed the gossip, I would have been forced to tell you the story anyway and I was not sure our friendship would survive it."
"She has proof; letters." Nurse Rooke interrupted. Mrs Smith glared at her and at once the nurse dropped her head.
"What letters?" enquired Anne, now curious.
"You do not need to read them," replied Mrs Smith. "Just know they exist, and if needed I could present them as proof of my case."
"May I read them now?"
"Anne, they are not nice, he talks of your family, your father and your sister, most unfavourably."
"But he always seems so respectful of them." admitted Anne. Then she shook her head again still trying to make sense of everything she had heard. "I'm sorry, I still do not understand what he could hope to achieve by marrying me."
"That brings me to the second reason." answered Mrs Smith. "He wants the title, and for you to make Kellynch profitable again, or else, he will sell the title along with the estate, to the highest bidder."
Anne gasped, her hand flew to her mouth. "This is all so unbelievable and despicable and–"
"I know, I am truly sorry for entangling you in all this mess. You do not deserve this, you deserve to be happy."
Anne immediately thought of Frederick. "I will be. I am. Do not worry. And please do not distress yourself further. I am quite calm." Anne paused, letting her statement convince her also. "I am glad you have shared all the details of your plight, for I feel better prepared for what may come next." Anne clutched her friend's hands and squeezed to show she meant it. She felt no ill will towards her friend who throughout had only had her best interests at heart.
But then she thought of Mr Elliot and more so of all the people this truth would hurt; her father, Elizabeth, Lady Russel, even the Dowager. And Frederick … he would be furious. She had to share her knowledge, to let them all know what an absolute rake the cousin really was, and yet to do so would cause so much upset and humiliation she was afraid to.
She fled Mrs Smith's with the promise of returning soon to keep her updated of events. She did not wait for Mr Elliot to return with the carriage. She instructed nurse Rooke to tell him she had gone home, without giving away the name of the lady she had been to see. It had become clear to both the school friends, he seemed unaware of just whom she was visiting, and they both would prefer it stayed that way, for as long as possible. Anne took off at speed, no longer afraid of not knowing the way. It was as if her feet were carrying her of their own accord.
In no time at all she was home, only to be greeted by Lady Russel, and the knowledge Captain Wentworth had already arrived – early- and was at that moment speaking with her father.
Anne's gaze fell on Elizabeth. She was smiling wickedly; her plan was all falling into place. It would not end in victory for her though, as in her selfishness and vanity, she had failed to take into account her biggest obstacle: Frederick and Anne loved each other.
Anne knew beyond doubt he would never marry Elizabeth, no, she needed to remain calm and composed, and not give into the satisfaction of others, who only thought to destroy her happiness.
She turned back to her Godmother, keen for answers. The most important of which was how much she was aware of what was happening. She alone knew of Anne's engagement to Captain Wentworth. Anne needed to know if she was for or against them, once and for all. Ignoring her sister, she addressed the elder lady. "Lady Russel, may I ask you something? And for the sake of our friendship, please give me the courtesy of answering honestly."
Lady Russel looked ruffled but unmoved, remaining poised. "Of course my dear, what do you want to know?"
"Just how far we're you willing to let this farcical charade continue before you informed people of your knowledge of my engagement?"
"Engagement!" Mrs Clay came sweeping in through the door. "Has Mr Elliot proposed?"
"No Mrs Clay" Anne answered the other lady, but her eyes never left her Godmother. "At least not to me. Thank fully, for not only do I have no cares for Mr Elliot, or any interest in becoming his wife, or mistress of Kellynch." she paused, taking a breath. "I am happily attached to another, Captain Wentworth."
Mrs Clay gasped and looked to Elizabeth for answers. When her companion ignored her pleas she turned back to Anne. "But Captain Wentworth, he is meant for-"
"ELIZABETH!?" Frederick's booming voice coming through the wall, quietened all the ladies instantly.