Chapter Twenty Five

Frederick who had, unbeknown to his wife, witnessed the whole event from the shadows, smiled to himself. Theirs had been a far from conventional courtship and so it appeared married life was to be the same. For if it had not been before, the servants of Mr and Mrs Wentworth now held them both in such high esteem they would never speak nor hear a bad word said against them. In years to come it would become common knowledge that positions were few and far between at Sevenoaks. For once employed, a servant rarely left said position. Each so happy in his or her fortune to work for such a respected and prized couple. The Captain slipped back outside the servants quarters as un-noticed as he entered and hurried to find his wife, wishing to tell her at that moment, if possible, he now found himself even more in love with her. He found her outside the Stables, not examining the horses but the sleeping quarters at the back.

Anne was dismayed to find that although they were in no means inadequate – they were after all the same as you should find in any estate of this size- they were severely lacking in comfort. The fact that the roof leaked in places and there wasn't even a door separating the men from the animals and the elements, vexed Anne greatly. "Oh Master Baker this simply will not do."

The lad shrugged. "Oh it is not so bad miss, it's nice to feel the breeze during these hot nights."

"But the winter! Baker surely you must be cold. You have no fire. No door!"

It was then Anne's attention was drawn –by a non-accidental cough- to the fine figure of her husband standing in the doorway. He had an amused look upon his face. Baker did not know much about the workings of the heart or love, but he thought the expression on his mistress face as she smiled back at her husband his master, was very comely and he wondered if he would ever have a pretty girl look at him the same way. Frederick gestured to him and then addressed his wife. "Well Mrs Wentworth, I see you have been making friends in my absence."

The boy stood straighter at being addressed as such and more notably at not receiving the tongue lashing he was expecting. Anne smiled warmly at him and back at her husband, "Yes Captain allow me to introduce young Master Baker, he has been most helpful in assisting me in my duties this afternoon. Your appearance however, could not have been timelier. I should like for you to examine these quarters and this roof and tell me you are of the same opinion as I?"

"Do you wish me to form my own opinion my dear, or am I just to agree with yours?" he teased.

Anne scowled and rolled her eyes.

Frederick for his part, had already decided the stables were badly in need of repair upon his first visit to the house, before he even purchased it. He was however happy to allow his wife this discovery. He went about inspecting said roof and letting Anne and Baker explain the difficulties. Anne then went on somewhat subdued, to explain how she was intending to make the whole house better for everyone living in it and had no need or want of fine curtains and furniture. It was unusual for such a frank and open conversation between a man and his wife to be conducted in public let alone in front of a lowly stable boy. However after what he had just witnessed, Frederick thought it could only help Anne's case, if the boy went and spread the word to those that would listen, that Mrs Wentworth was a kind as she was fair.

Anne finished pleading her case so Frederick nodded turning his face serious. "I quite agree Mrs Wentworth, we must address these failings and others that should come to light. By the by, perhaps we should undertake an inspection of the servants rooms also." He had meant it in jest, but her countenance brightened.

"Oh yes Frederick," she blushed remembering their audience, "that is Captain, what a splendid idea. I suspect there are many improvements to be made throughout. I have already told of the water tanks you are having installed to save the footmen and maids the task of boiling the water and carrying it upstairs."

Frederick looked away sheepishly, it was not saving the servants legs that had been behind him making such a purchase. It was the fact he knew his wife enjoyed bathing in the late afternoon before dressing for dinner, and he enjoyed sitting with her while she bathed, talking of any time apart they had spent that day, and he hoped it would continue. In time when she was more comfortable, perhaps he would venture to suggest he share her bath or at least have one placed alongside the other. It was with this thought in mind, he had ordered the water tanks.

With Master Baker full of knowledge to share with his peers, the Wentworth's took their leave so that Anne could partake in the activity previously mentioned. Once her bath was filled and Daisy had washed her hair, Frederick took Daisy's leave as a sign he was free to enter. As was the usual discourse, Anne was up to her chin in water – a luxury she had never afforded herself at Kellynch. Her knees were up to her chest to allow herself some decorum, what little there could be, sitting naked in a bath while ones husband sits chatting to you. Her eyes were closed allowing him to gaze upon her person unobserved. He ceased his action almost immediately knowing it could only lead to them being late for dinner, a mistake they seldom wished to repeat, after being chastised for upsetting the cook the first time. There was also the fact it was somewhat ungentlemanly of him to leer at his wife in such a manner. His unusual silence caused her to open her eyes and check he was still present. "Frederick?"

"Sorry my love. I am all yours." He then proceeded to tell her how, while she had been worrying about the welfare of the staff, he had been compiling a list of titles necessary to complete their library. Although well stocked over many generations, there were a few more modern one's missing. He had also written a letter to his tailor to request his presence feeling his wardrobe was lacking in those styles befitting of a country gentleman. He suggested Anne instruct her modiste to do the same. Anne frowned at this. "What is it?" he enquired, she shook her head, but he asked her again, "Annie?"

"It is just, pardon me for being so blunt, but after seeing at first hand what over expenditure can do, I want ... I need to know. We do have the means to support all of this, don't we Frederick?"

Frederick was half pitiful and half angered at her fretting. He never wanted her to feel again what she had at the hands of her father. He may not have a never ending supply of money but he had enough already left over from his prize money and purchase of the house to allow such frivolities, and enough to live on for the next few years at the very least. Before their marriage upon the sale of the estate, he had had a new will drawn up, ensuring beyond doubt, no matter what fate should befall him, Anne would be safe and taken care of for the rest of her life, along with any children that may or may not come along. He also knew that either by way of another war, or that of his retirement from the Royal Navy more money would come. Therefore he had no immediate concerns and was disturbed that his wife should not have as much faith in him as he would like.

It was not her faith which was in doubt. Anne knew beyond faith that Frederick would always look after her, it was simply she didn't want him to waste his well-earned money on spoiling her. She did not want; nor him to think, it was necessary to secure her happiness. But they had had this conversation before and she did not want them to quarrel so early in the married life. They were due to receive their first visitors tomorrow: Mr and Mrs Croft, and she did not want an atmosphere between them. So she remained quiet against her better judgment biting her lip to quieten her tongue and instead watched him as he paced about.

Frederick was facing his own demons, every part of him wanted to scold her for her lack of belief in him her husband and the other wanted to gather her up in his arms and assure her. He needn't have worried. In the end it was Anne's apparent wish to leave that impelled him to act. She stood up in the bath wrapping a towel around her. He caught her hand on the way past and prevented her from moving closer to the door. "Annie you don't need to worry, I promise you. I am not your father and you will never need to fear the opening of purse strings again. If I say it is alright for us to make these alterations and for us to splurge ourselves on some new clothes, than believe me it is."

"I do believe you Frederick. That was never in any doubt. I know you have money. I just do not want you to think I need these things." She smiled. "When I say I do not think we need to re decorate a parlour that is barely used, believe me when I say we do not." He shook his head. They were as bad as each other and a perfect match, both unselfishly adamant that the others happiness was to be placed before their own. "Now may I please quit this bath tub? The water is cold."

Frederick immediately helped his wife from her tub, patting her dry before carrying her to their bed.

Damn the cook, he would apologise later.

"Whatever did I do to deserve you Mrs Wentworth?" he whispered.

"The same as I did you Captain Wentworth." She stroked his face. "We didn't give up. We waited."