Hi, so here is another chapter, please let me know what you think and i will do my best to bring you the next one soon as we slowly near the end.

As we near the ending this story will get a tad more AUish than it does already.

Also i know spelling and grammar are not my strongest suit and i want to thank those who have pointed the occasion mistake out. Hopefully this does not continue but if it does i apologise in advance. Again this style of language is not easy for me so any inaccuracies again i do apologise.

Disclaimer-Nothing but Arthur is mine.

Please Read and Review and let me know what you think.

Silver And Grey

Chapter 12-Loves Me, Loves Me Not.

There is a meeting at the Concert Hall, that reveals more than Anne intends, Lady Russell attempts to persuade her goddaughter. Frederick is sent on an errand.

Sophy Croft called on Anne a day after her brother returned to town. She had been full of happiness for her brother's friend and Anne who was still taken by the previous events found that instead of seeing Louisa Musgrove as the architect of Anne's unhappiness, Anne found she saw what she had been once, a girl on the brink of marriage and motherhood, on the brink of starting her life and full of happiness and excitement. She thought about it and she thought about Captain Benwick and his gentleness and his charming poetry (even if it was a bit morbid) and she thought that he was a good man for Louisa. If a man deserved happiness more than it was him.

And he was she suspected, good for Louisa. Certainly she would be happy. Benwick would relocate. They would have chance to build a house and lay down solid foundations and she was sure that the silly little girl who she had both loved and loathed in the last few months would turn into a strong wife and a good woman.

Mrs Croft carried on talking about the season, about Frederick's return to Bath for reasons he had apparently not shared with them, (at this point her husband had snorted into his tea and covered it up with a severe hacking cough) and Anne turned the couple's attention away from such toxic conversational topics as to what colour did Sophy Croft think Louisa's wedding dress would be.

It was a pleasant conversation and Anne was happy to accept their dinner invitation the following week and to invite them to the concert that would take place the following night. She found a night of music and good company might take her mind off things, an increasing decision that had to be made, two men that had appeared in her life at the wrong time for either one of them, and the knowledge that soon her father was going to realise his credit had been shot as Anne was not paying for it anymore. She would see the concert and then depart from Bath. She wanted to be back in her own house where her family could not touch her and with Mary's arrival on the horizon Anne felt no shame in subjecting Mary to Elizabeth, especially when Mary had been the puppy dog who used to follow Elizabeth around throughout their childhood.

Indeed Anne felt like Mary and Elizabeth were perfect for each other. Both seemed to constantly be spending money more than they had it and while she adored Charles and his children she was not going to give him money—a thing that had been made easier when she had been safe in the knowledge that Charles's pride would ensure that he would refuse to take anything from her.

It was another reason she had liked him. There were many reasons that she liked him.

She ate her dinner in silence listening to Elizabeth prattle on when Mrs Clay spoke up.

"And do you intend to make a life here in Bath for yourself Miss Anne?"

Anne chewed her lamb considering. Her title aside (Mrs Clay was clearly taking a note from Elizabeth's book) she had to consider the conversation. There was something brewing in this house, something that was so toxic she could taste it in the air. She carefully took a sip of wine and placed her glass on the table. God she envied the fact that Arthur had dinner served upstairs in the nursery away from all of this.

"Within the week I shall think" she said finally. "I will see Mary here and then depart. The wedding between Louisa Musgrove and her intended will be at her parents house and there is enough time to see that before Arthur heads to school.

"Well we will miss you" the woman said and Anne wondered if perhaps deep down there was a little bit of this that was genuine. Perhaps she had misjudged Mrs Clay. She had lost her husband and at time when she had been grieving Elizabeth had inserted herself into her life which was enough to exhaust anybody—couple this with the now added pressure as companion to her sister—and Anne had to remind herself that Mrs Clay had not asked for such an honour but had, had it thrust upon her.

Of course Anne had misjudged a persons character before so there was a chance that she was completely misjudging her so with a small smile that did not match how she was feeling inside Anne thanked her for her good wishes.

"And will you be coming to the wedding father?" she asked politely. She had a feeling that the answer forthcoming would not surprise her in the slightest but she did want to hear it. It would be nice to know when she had to force herself to see her father again.

"Why?" he asked the distain creeping in his voice (and proving Anne's initial assumptions right) "Why on earth would I, Walter Elliot go to the wedding of a simple naval captain and the daughter of a country curate?"

"The son of that country curate is married to your youngest daughter?" Anne said unable to keep the sharpness out of her tone. "The one that's given you two grandsons and with any luck two more before the decade is out?"

Her father put down his spoon. "Mary is the youngest. I never did expect much from her. You married well and soon you shall be married again but make no mistake I know it will be your sister who will make this family an impacting legacy."

"At twenty nine?" Anne responded with a sisters irritating biting at her tone. "And may I ask what you mean about my marrying again? I have never given any such person an indication that I would want to marry again unless I have mistake?"

Her father gave a long sigh as if Anne was being very difficult. Anne resisted the urge to throw something.

"Anne you will marry again" he said as if it was it the simplest thing in the world. "And when you do it will be to the advantage of our family. And this time we will be invited to court" and with that he turned back to his wine and conversation with Elizabeth.

Anne leaned back against the hard wood of her chair. She did want to remarry (she would admit that her previous opinion had changed) but when she did she wanted it to be a man she liked rather than a man whose connection would boost the Elliot's. She certainly intended to never let herself be persuaded again…

The rest of the meal passed with her sitting in silence and she feigned a headache to go to bed early though it was clear that she was a stranger outside from her own family. Her father did not even bother to look up from his card game and she went to kiss Arthur goodnight, to see him put to bed and watch the rise and fall of his chest for a little while before she got her own self ready for bed in silence and slipped under the covers feeling a headache coming on and, perhaps the strangest thing of all…tears.

Anne did not know what she was so easily succumbing to them—after all mockery from Elizabeth and utter indifference from her father she had learnt from the age of three at their mother's knee—and certainly she had suffered more when George had worn the mantle of husband, but she found that she was feeling emotional tonight.

She was also alone for while she had always known deep down that she would have been adrift within her family had the truth of what went on during her marriage become public. She had never really believed that her father would do much but now she knew. And now once again she had been let down by him.

Again Anne could not comprehend why this was so disappointing to her but she found that it was. And she found that she wanted to curl up and wish away the week until she could be safe away. Cutting off her family both financially and emotionally would cause damage, she might, might get to keep some from of cool relationship with Mary if only because of Charles, the boy's and Mary's refusal to be shown up in front of her in-laws.

Anne lay awake for most of the night and wondered what on earth she had done to offend the Good Lord to see her born into a family such as this before she sulked herself to sleep. It was perhaps not always dignified but there were times, many of them in fact when it helped to enjoy a little self-pity.

She woke the next morning late and decided just for the sheer luxury, to order breakfast in bed. She ate reading the paper before her maid told her that her father and sister were due to take in the air at the local gardens and that they wanted her to join them. Anne suspected that was far from the truth but she needed to take some air in and so she dressed, instructed Arthur to read (boy needed to do something about his education she thought) and then she put on her bonnet and followed them.

She understood why she was to be invited as soon as she descended the stairs and saw Lady Russell standing there. Her smile was genuine and her embrace warm and Anne found herself smiling in return. Of course she knew what the topic of conversation was going to be about before it had even started.

William Elliot.

It seemed Lady Russell had been kept abreast of the situation by someone (Anne suspected Elizabeth due to sheer malice) but Lady Russell was enthusiastic. Far more than Anne had initially thought considering. Anne allowed herself a moment to consider the possibility that Lady Russell had been forewarned by Sir Walter with what was happening but she did not want to know and so therefore she did not ask but allowed the woman to talk as they walked around the hedges.

Of course Anne could not deny the power of the woman's words. She listened to them. "Restored to Kellynch" was something she kept coming back to time and time again throughout the conversation. To be restored to her childhood home, to have Arthur—and perhaps another child within the confines of her childhood home would be a wondrous thing. She did not come with prospects or property and while Mr Elliot might be a man of the city if she made it clear that while she would host functions as his wife she preferred to be in the country…

Well that was better than what she had, had in her first marriage.

"I would prefer to live in the country" she said finally as she realised with a jolt that Lady Russell was waiting upon her reply.

"And I would not mind him being in the city either"

"You take after your mother in such regard" Lady Russell said with a slight squeeze to the arm. "She too did not enjoy the hustle and bustle of a city life. Indeed the thought of court must have terrified her. I can understand your aversion my dear. My own husband and I enjoyed our periods of separation and we were always…very kind…to the other when we saw each other again."

Anne nodded half listening and half not. She was thinking if she was being honest with herself that she also did not mind if he took a mistress. She had known that George had done so but the fact that he had been beating her had stopped her from saying anything. She wondered if it boded well for a marriage if she went into it not caring about such things but Anne had long ago given up any foolish notion of a romantic marriage. Her one true love might not be marrying Louisa Musgrove but he was sure to be marrying someone else soon and her reasons for marriage were purely practical. She was lonely, she wanted another child. She wanted to be comfortable and looked after. If love came from that marriage she would not turn it away but she was not expecting it.

And perhaps Mr Elliot did have qualities she could admire and instruct Arthur to admire. She did not see Mr Elliot as a violent man. She did believe any feelings he held for her to be genuine. He was young, he was rich and there was a good chance he would gain a well respected title. He clearly suffered no fools which would make her relationship with Elizabeth much clearer than the muddled mess it was now. He clearly had a successful business and he respected her. He was young and attractive. Anne thought to herself as her father leaped out of the shadows and took Lady Russell's other arm. That were many reasons for the marriage. A sensible woman in her position would jump at the chance. Indeed a young woman in her first bloom like Louisa would see sense and jump at the chance.

Then why was she pulling away?

What was it about him that made her want to pull away?

Anne knew part of the answer to that question but she was not sure of the second part.

She carried on walking in silence.

The music consort was the talk of Bath in the way that many social engagements were. The return of Lady Diriumple and her retinue from the Queen's palace in London where she had been called on at court had caused a flutter for Elizabeth and her father and Anne nothing but an increased desire to leave. She wanted to go away from this city with it's poisonous people back to her house and her bedroom where she could breathe in clean air and turn her attentions to something other than fashion and money. She was not a woman for whom this life was an option.

She was pushed both out of her thoughts and roughly aside when her father caught wind of Lady Dirumple's whose face paint was an inch think and who looked like something (if Anne was being unkind) out of an actresses house. Her wig was so high Anne was sure that she was going to topple over. Recovering from being shoved so unceremoniously into the wall Anne flushed out her dress and watched as her father and sister sank into low bows.

Was it wrong to wish for something stronger than champagne to drink? Anne wasn't sure but she thought that the music would have to be spectacular, because she was desperate to forget her own thoughts.

"Are you alright?" came a low mutter and she turned to see Frederick his hand half out to her elbow a look of polite concern etched on his face. Anne felt her own heat rise to her cheeks and her heart beat a little and she suddenly wished (rather foolishly) that she had done something different with her hair.

"Quite well thank you Captain" she said smiling. "You know—"

Well he did know about her father and Elizabeth did he not.

Fredrick scowled at them and his gaze at it flickered to Lady Russell looked positively menacing. She heard her father exclaim loudly about nobodies and felt him stiffen.

"I am so sorry" Anne said feeling miserable. She had no idea what she was apologising for only that she knew she must. Frederick's mouth twitched a little but when he turned he did not look hostile which Anne supposed was a good thing.

"No apologies needed" he said finally. "If you must excuse me I must return to my sister"

Anne was about to say something but she noticed out of the corner of her eye Mr Elliot coming over and she thought that was the end of that.

He had barely sat down when Sophy turned to her husband and brother and had commented that she suspected soon there would be an announcement of an engagement between Anne and that toad Elliot.

Frederick supposed it must be true. Certainly William Elliot was courting Anne though he did wonder if perhaps she did not realise that for what it was. And he was ideal he supposed. Rich, with a title on the way, the house Anne had grown up in at his disposal, charming to be sure, good prospects and would indeed give her another child. In fact there was very little to be said against him. Even Frederick at his worse moments had to acknowledge that the man was polite if nothing else and he certainly looked at Anne before anybody else in the room.

It was infuriating.

Actually that was not the word for it.

He could not listen to it.

He stood up and walked out ignoring Sophy's surprised look. He would deal with it later. He would deal with all of it later. Right now he was in a black mood and he wanted to remain that way. He was not sure if he could stomach the dancing that would come afterwards.

He walked down the hallway only to be stopped by Anne who followed him. Frederick gritted his teeth. His temper was like a tinderbox and he knew the words he were saying were cruel and heartless to a woman whom had endured much of the constant treatment from him and whom he had once again treated deplorably.

And all because in the corner of his eye he had seen William Elliot standing by the door such a smug look on his face that it had taken all of Frederick's power not to push past Anne and punch him right in his smug face.

He resisted through gritted teeth. While he could do it with ease (and win any fight with the other man) it would cause Sophy shame to see her brother brawling. Frederick had no truck with sailors who did the same thing and he held himself to a higher standard. And he would not think about what it would do to Anne.

Instead he turned on his heel and left walking into the darkness.

How stupid had he been!? Just because he had ignored and belittled Anne, so intent on proving that he was not in love with her—denying the obvious for months he had assumed what? That she would remain interested in him? God above how arrogant had he been? She was a beautiful woman in possession of both a good fortune or a brilliant brain and with her young strong, strapping son she had proved that she was fertile. She was prime for remarriage and William Elliot, Frederick knew was also rich with large swaths of land in the country and decent prospects. It would be a respectable marriage even he could see that.

Now someone else was going to marry Anne, someone else was going to be with again and Frederick would be left on the outside again…someone else would get to raise that endearing, adorable little boy and someone else would get to have children with Anne and see her as a mother day in day out.

The thought of Anne's stomach round and swollen with someone else's child, the thought of Arthur looking up at another man with respect in his eyes and calling him father was enough to make Frederick grit his teeth to choke down the bile in his throat. It would not do even he knew to throw up in the middle of the street.

He did not remember getting home though he knew that he was in bed before Sophy got home. He did not sleep but stared at the ceiling for a long time until dawn came where he staggered downstairs knowing he did not look his best and for once not caring.

His brother in law was reading the newspapers with a critical frown but he nodded his head as Frederick came in. Sophy had not yet risen from her bedcovers.

"Frederick I must ask a favour of you" his brother in law said as Frederick dumped liberal amounts of sugar in his tea and stirred it with a violence that was perhaps not necessary.

"Oh?"

"Yes." There was a delicate pause and Frederick paused looking up. One of the greatest things about his relationship with his sister's husband was the fact that neither one of them minced their words. They were Navy men and it made things so much easier. For him to struggle with his words meant that Sophy had, had words and Frederick felt a sinking feeling that his cleaver, protective older sister had seen through the sham that was his emotions the previous night and had realised not only his predicament this time but the predicament he had been in nearly eight years ago when his heart had been shattered beyond what he had assumed repair.

(Good Lord had he gotten that wrong)

"It is…well…it is about Lady Paget. I must ask you to ask her something for us…"

And there you go. Hope you enjoy this chapter and the next one will be coming soon.

Next Chapter-Frederick goes to see Anne and gains a reprieve before he is interrupted. Mary returns. Elizabeth finds out about Anne's decision to close the purse strings as Anne receives a letter. Mrs Smith gives her view of Mr Elliot's true character. Arthur has a much desired moment.