I had thought that this might be the last chapter, or perhaps the lead into the last chapter but I don't think it will be. To be perfectly honest with you all, I'm not sure how this is going to end…any ideas?

To the Guest who left a review commenting on my spelling, is it actual spelling mistakes or grammatical spelling mistakes? Cause I cant see any of the former, but would bet on there being several of the later.

Starting, and uttering a gasp, Anne stumbled as the voice of Mr Elliot cut through the air.

Fredericks arm came to rest protectively around her waist as her hands failed and came to rest on his arms. "Are you ok?" Frederick asked softly, his head bent near her ear. Anne felt herself lean towards him ever so slightly, seeking the comfort and warmth that he suddenly provided..

"Miss Anne?" Came the staid voice again and Anne made herself move and answer. Her grip on Frederick lessened and he felt her hands slip away, but kept his arm about her middle.

"I am fine," she answered to the Captains earlier question.

He smiled down at her, "If you are sure."

"I am."

It was only then that she turned and acknowledged Mr Elliot. "Sir," she said, taking the smallest of steps away from Captain Wentworth. The captain himself took a diagonal step forward to the right, effectively placing himself in front of Anne and in the way of the other man.

Mr Elliot barely spared the other man a glance as he reached forward and took one of Anne's hands within his own, but short, sharp look that he did send was full of distain and loathing.

"Are you well Anne? Your complexion is pale."

Barely restraining himself at Elliot's use of her first name, and from the interruption at a crucial moment, Frederick held out his arm to her as Anne pulled her hand from her cousins and laid it on Fredericks arm.

"I am well, thank you Mr Elliot."

"I did not expect you to still be out. You are still recovering."

"We where on our way home sir," Frederick said, "If you will excuse us."

Scanning him from head to toe, Mr Elliot gave the Navy Captain another barely disguised look of disgust before saying, "I do not believe we have been introduced sir."

"Mr Elliot," Anne rushed to make the introductions "This is Captain Wentworth. Captain, my cousin Mr Elliot."

Both men tipped their hats at the other but made no move to shake hands. They stood facing one another, their postures erect and tall, sizing each other up.

"I did not realise you where back in Lyme Captain Wentworth. Lady Russell had thought you would not return."

Frederick bristled. Lady Russell had never had a high opinion of him when they first met and it seemed as though that had not changed. "I had always planned to return Mr Elliot. Lady Russell must have been misinformed."

"And how is your fiancé? I heard about her fall on the cob. Such a terrible…accident."

Frederick felt like laughing. The little man (for Elliot was a good head shorter than him) was trying to bait him. "Miss Musgrove is doing quite well, thank you Mr Elliot but again I believe you have been misinformed again. Louisa is engaged to my good friend Captain Benwick, and I wish them every happiness."

The conversation was clearly not going the way that Mr Elliot hoped and he stood for a moment twirling his walking stick about. "I had not heard that piece of happy news. I shall be sure to pass on my salutations."

"I am sure they would appreciate them."

"Indeed."

More silence.

"If you will excuse us Mr Elliot. I believe we should be getting back," Frederick said eventually when it became clear that the other man was not going to say anything or leave anytime soon.

"Yes, I believe my cousin should not be out much longer in this weather. I shall escort you back." Turning and speaking to Anne directly, "Lady Russell said she would be paying you a visit this morning."

Frederick tried not to act too despondent. If Lady Russell was indeed waiting for them as they returned to the Harville's residence, and Mr Elliot insisted on accompanying them, then he was not going to have any chance today of continuing his conversation with Anne. "Damn it," he thought, "And damn that Mr Elliot."

Meanwhile Anne, who was still reeling from the earlier conversation with Captain Wentworth, was trying to appear as though she was not. She cursed Mr Elliot's poor timing and wished that it were possible to rewind the clock just a little and replay the part where Frederick said he loved her and, perhaps then, she would have an answer for him.

To say that his declaration had taken her by surprise was an understatement. Minutes before he had shocked her by revealing that he was not to marry Louisa after all and then to say what he did. It had simply been too much to take in and she had found herself floundering.

It had been months, years perhaps, since she had resigned herself to the fact that Frederick would never again be hers - certainly his actions over the last two months had cemented that belief and for him to suddenly turn around and say what he did, she did not know what to think. Not right at that moment.

"Shall we?" Frederick said to Anne, when Mr Elliot failed to say anything else.

Anne kept a tight grip on his arm as they slowly made their way back to the Harville's house, walking along the shore line with Mr Elliot in tow. Frederick spent the time silently wondering whether he had said enough and said it well.

Mr Elliot walked by his cousins side and contemplated the sudden change of events. Lady Russell had called Captain Wentworth an infatuation of Anne's from her youth, someone who had taken advantage of her youth and was long forgotten. Mr Elliot was not too sure.

When he had come upon them on the beach, he had stood for a long while just watching them together. The looks and touches they had exchanged said to him that there was more to their acquaintance than Lady Russell supposed. How this would affect his plans, he did not know but of what he was certain, was that he had to remove his cousin from this Wentworth fellow as soon as possible.

"I am hopeful, cousin, that your improved health might mean we will depart for Bath soon. I know that your father and sister look forward to your company."

Following that statement, Frederick fought the urge to bark out a laugh. It was clear to him that despite being part of it, this man did not know the family at all. Looking down at Anne, he could see that she was rather surprised as well.

"I am sure they are both enjoying their time in Bath," Anne replied diplomatically, though she had received no correspondence from either since she had been in Lyme she supposed it to be so.

Mr Elliot continued to exhort the virtues of Bath, a city that he thought was only second to London, whilst they walked, with Anne nodding occasionally and responding when necessary. It was during this exchange, where Mr Elliot was completely ignoring the naval captain the other side of his cousin, that Frederick caught Anne's eye as she looked up and they shared a glance.

It was after that look that Frederick allowed himself to relax and enjoy the feel of Anne's arm on his own as they neared the Harville's.