Anne did not believe her eyes.
She held in her hands, not one of Frederick's old letters, read and reread a thousand times, but a completely new one!
He had wrote to her!
She had given him the chance to make the next move and he did not waste any time!
As had always been in his character, he had behaved directly and boldly.
In addition, in the meantime, she had even met his sister!
Was it a coincidence that just the Crofts had reached an agreement with her father to become the tenants of the estate?
She felt like she was living a dream: Frederick on his way back!
Although his letter was all politeness and decorum, he certainly had not written the passionate words of love letters or poems of eight years before. However, he intended to see her again, talk to her, ask her forgiveness, even.
He offered and asked only for friendship and Anne was torn between the prudence of not wanting to hope more, and the awareness of not being able to maintain this purpose.
Mrs Croft had been so kind and amiable to her that she had fostered the hope that there was a definite plan among the siblings; that it was not by chance that Frederick's family was about to move into her home.
Frederick's sister had asked if she had met her brothers in the past, and to her, embarrassed, affirmative answer told profusely of Edward's marriage and career in Shropshire. After that, Sophia Croft had particularly insisted on talking about her younger brother, Frederick, making it clear that he was still a bachelor and she would insist that, he would be her guest as soon as possible. She even hoped that he and Anne would have an opportunity to renew their acquaintance.
Was hope, so irrational, then?
Determined to give a clear signal, she took pen and paper and wrote her answer.
Kellynch Hall, August the 29th 1814
Dear Captain Wentworth,
not more than a week ago I had the opportunity to
meet your charming sister and the Admiral. I must
say that I had no opportunity to have such a lively and
pleasant conversation, for a long time. And I am really
glad that the admiral and my father have reached an
agreement.
I think you already know that the Crofts will be taking
over Kellynch Hall, in exactly one month's time; on
St Michael's Day.
My family will have moved to Bath by then, but I will
be staying in the area at least until Christmas, as a
guest of my sister Mary, who is Mrs Musgrove now,
in Uppercross.
I know that your sister is expecting a visit from you
and I believe it will not be difficult to exchange
greetings.
On that occasion, I hope to apologise for having
provoked the behaviour that you have called
inappropriate, but that I know to be perfectly
excusable, given the circumstances.
Please, consider yourself forgiven. A few words,
spoken in a moment of anger, are not enough to
affect the memory I have of you, and we know well
that your intemperance was more than legitimate.
I know I have lost the right to be counted among your
friends, and therefore, I thank you for the kindness you
show in wanting to grant me this honour again.
-Anne! You are always so good, so generous! - Her firm will to take responsibility for the end of their engagement left Frederick astonished; there was no desire to justify herself or to shelter behind the real, motivation of her young age, inexperience or bad advice.
No, she with courage and perseverance took on all the mistakes, forgave the words of hatred that he had addressed her and even called herself not worthy of his friendship.
But, how could she not be worthy of his friendship if she deserved all his love?
She, and she alone, was worthy of everything he had to offer.
-How could I think I did not love you anymore? –
In just two letters, Anne had completely regained him, if ever she had lost him.
Her courage, coupled with the shocking information obtained from Sophia, convinced him to change the tone of the next letter he would write to her.
Sophia had been completely conquered by Anne.
How could it be otherwise? Despite being completely unaware of how close, they had been to becoming sisters.
Frederick had never told her about his unfortunate engagement, and he was sure that Edward, whom he had sworn to an oath, had not done it either. Sophia's admiration, as well as the decision to rent Kellynch Hall, had been completely spontaneous.
Her sister had written that she was amazed that a woman like Anne was still unmarried; the Admiral had stated that if she would be introduced to their circle of naval acquaintances, in a short time and with her competence in all naval matters, Miss Elliot would have a bevy of admirers.
Frederick had swallowed the thick of jealousy that had caught him, completely unaware that the next passage of Sophia's letter would leave him definitely breathless.
Mr Shepherd, Sir Walter's agent, had revealed to the Crofts that in reality the baronet's only son-in-law, Mr Charles Musgrove, had been firmly intent on marrying Miss Anne. He had courted her in all possible and imaginable ways, with the help of her family and with that of Lady Russell who was very favourable to the bond between the two young people. It had all been useless however, because Miss Anne had answered a categorical and clear refusal. Moreover, her kindness had kept her the friendship and respect of the young Charles Musgrove and his family. So, after a period of long faces and arguments with her father and godmother, Anne was left alone, and soon the young Musgrove had opted for her younger sister and had become, in any case, Sir Walter's son-in-law.
So Anne had turned down a marriage proposal?
By a man well liked by her family, moreover!
Why?
-For me? - Frederick could not help but ask the question.
She had affirmed her constancy, asked forgiveness for breaking his heart, refused another man.
There was nothing more that Frederick's heart needed to address her with greater frankness and passion.