Frederick awoke bright and early the next day and gave a parting farewell to Sophia and the Admiral, who had just began their breakfast. Knowing where he was headed, they didn't delay him anymore than necessary.
"I think, my dear, Frederick is finally ready to search for a wife," smiled the Admiral.
"Indeed, that is good news. But I hope he makes a sensible choice," said Sophie. "I would hate to see him unhappy later on in life."
"Don't fret Sophie," said the Admiral soothingly "Frederick isn't the type of man to settle for anything less than the best. Just you wait and see."
Frederick eagerly made his way to the Great House. Upon arriving, he found that Charles was already with the rest of his family enjoying breakfast. "Wentworth! Come and join us. Once we have all breakfasted, we can then go shooting."
"And we will come walk with you," declared Louisa.
"We mean to go visit little Charles, and see how he is faring," added Henrietta.
Frederick smiled at her and took his seat. "How is he doing Charles?" asked Frederick.
"He is well. Still resting in bed, but starting to get a little bored and restless."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to wait on her and enquire about the child myself. Do you think that would be possible Charles?"
"Of course! Mary would be honoured by your visit," answered Charles brightly.
"But maybe it would be best if you went ahead, to give Mrs Musgrove some notice. I would hate to intrude upon her unannounced," said Frederick. Truthfully, Frederick wanted to give Anne notice of his arrival. Her absence yesterday put to rest his anxious thoughts about their reunion. After dinner with the Musgroves, Frederick realised he had no desire to renew his feelings for her. But he was curious to see how she was. He had made his mind up about looking for a wife, and meeting the pretty Musgrove girls, he was happy to see which of the two took his fancy.
"OK, well I will set off now. Once you have finished your breakfast, my sisters will join you and bring you to my house," said Charles as he stood up.
It wasn't long after, that Frederick and the Miss Musgroves decided to follow him. The walk down to the cottage was very entertaining. Frederick could see that both girls liked him, but Louisa seemed to be the more talkative and confident girl. She asked plenty of questions about the navy, and life living on a ship.
"Look, we have already reached the cottage," remarked Henrietta.
Frederick looked up to see a pretty little cottage situated amongst a nice neat garden. He allowed the girls to enter first and announce his arrival, before stepping in and presenting himself. Immediately he saw her. He did not let his eyes linger. However, despite doing this, his eyes still met hers, fleetingly. She looks so frail! he thought.
"Good morning Mrs Musgrove. I apologise for the early visit, but I wanted to enquire about your son? How is he getting on?," asked Frederick.
"He is much improved Captain Wentworth, thank you for asking," exclaimed Mary.
"Wentworth! I have the dogs ready. We should get going before it gets too late," said Charles from the window.
Frederick bowed once and left the room. She is so altered! Although Anne's features had not changed, the pretty bloom that used to haunt him had disappeared! She looked completely timid and frail! Frederick was thankful that she hadn't looked better. If she had moved on and looked happier than he remembered her, he wasn't sure how he would have felt.
"So Captain," asked Henrietta "what did you think of Anne? Is she just how you remembered her?"
"Truth be told, she is so altered that I would not have known her," remarked Frederick, before changing the subject. He did not want to dwell on Anne. He had achieved what he had set out to do. To see her, and show her how little she affected him. Her power over him, was gone forever.
When he returned home that evening, his sister teased him, "You look very happy Frederick! The prospect of two pretty young girls hanging on your every word seems to be doing wonders to your mood."
"Yes, here I am Sophia, ready to make a foolish match. Anybody between 15 and 30 may have me for asking. A little beauty, a few smiles and compliments to the navy, and I will be a lost man. Should this not be enough for a sailor, who has had no society amongst women to make him nice?"
"Surely there must be more you require from the woman you would call your wife," enquired Sophia.
Frederick's grin faded. "In all seriousness, a strong mind, with sweetness of manner," replied Frederick, thinking of the Anne he fell in love with. "This is the woman I want. Something a little inferior I shall of course put up with, but not much. If I am a fool I shall be a fool indeed, for I have thought on the subject more than most men."
"Aye, indeed! I told you Sophie, nothing to worry about," said the Admiral amiably.