The orchestra had signaled the beginning of another country jig and so the couples assembled themselves in the correct place on the dance floor once again. The air was the type of humid that still managed to turn your ears cold and your cheeks pink, and so no one was truly unhappy to begin moving again. That is to say, no one other than James Benwick, Lieutenant of His Majesty's Royal Navy.
James Benwick, Frederick Wentworth and Margaret Harville were in the midst of a plan. Tonight, would be the night that James would ask Fanny to marry him and come hell or high water it would be so! Margaret had kept John dancing most of the night, as James had branded John the chief source of mischief in making it difficult for him to achieve his goal. With the trouble maker sufficiently occupied, Frederick had invited Fanny to take a turn around the dancefloor. Afterward, Frederick would escort Fanny to the balcony for some fresh air and here James would meet them. James then intended to whisk Fanny into the gardens for a private interlude, where he would ask her to marry him- to which she would say yes- making him the most blessed man to ever walk God's green Earth.
It had been a successful manoeuvre so far; however, as Frederick and Fanny returned to the dancefloor James' patience seemed to take a leave of absence. Pacing the length of the balcony he cursed the orchestra and glowered at the conductor, willing the set to be completed.
Having travelled to the far end of the area, James overheard a rather stilted conversation.
... "Good evening, I thank you Commodore Pugh. I am only here to see if my husband was taking a turn. I see he is not so I shall return inside." Stated the reserved voice of a woman.
Moving closer, James saw Commodore Pugh take hold of the lady's elbow. "But my dear, you have only just arrived. Why not stroll out here and take some fresh air for yourself, I will happily oblige you." Pulling her closer he continued, "Unless there is anything else out here that you would rather take? I see a pretty little copse of bushes over yonder, shall we explore the evening delights together?" He leered as he moved her bodily down the stairs.
Digging her heels into the grass and straightening her back, the Lady quite forcibly replied, "I only prefer to take my explorations with my dear husband Admiral Croft. Release me at once Sir!"
Oh, this would not do! James rushed around the balustrade and down the stairs, "Commodore Pugh!" He admonished as the wretched man began to drag the woman across the way. "Unhand her, you fool!" It was clear that the Commodore had been drinking, the stench was over whelming. Grabbing the woman around her waist, James wrenched her out of the Commodore's arms and put her behind him.
"Piss off!" grunted the Commodore as he forcefully pushed James out of the way. "Mrs Croft is with me."
Mrs Croft gasped and indignantly cried, "I most certainly am not!" And with what seemed reminiscent of an Amazonian battle cry lunged for the unsuspecting fiend. James turned to see Mrs Croft putting her reticule to particularly good use around Commodore Pugh's ear. That is until the man had had enough and cuffed her across the face, sending her into the ground.
"You devil!" yelled James as he ran for the Commodore, punching him mightily in the stomach and jabbing him several times in the face.
"You fool, this will be the end of you," growled Pugh, wiping blood from his nose.
Not unlike the midst of battle, several things seemed to happen at once and in slow motion. James thought he heard Frederick cry, "Sophia!". He knew he heard Fanny cry, "James!" And he watched as Commodore Pugh pulled a knife from his boot and staggering to his feet, plunged the blade into James' side.
Ears ringing, heat searing through his body and heart pumping, James dropped to his knees. As the face of his beloved came in to view, he faded into darkness.
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James roused to the sound of murmuring voices and the clang and creaks of general activity. Cracking open an eye he saw Frederick standing at the end of his bed speaking gravely with a sandy haired weathered looking fellow. Next to him, his friend Harville was looking worried. Were those tears on his face? Frowning, James sucked in a breath to speak when he became aware of a stab and tug in his side, and then a burning throb. Looking to his left he saw a rotund gentleman, concentrating fiercely on something, and behind him Mrs Croft. One side of her face was quite swollen and had become a rather interesting shade of purple. The other side of her face she used to wink kindly at him.
"James, sh sh my love," James hadn't been aware he was groaning until the low voice called to him. Looking to his right, he saw Fanny. Beautiful, bewitching Fanny. "Breathe this in dearest," and sucking in the wretched, burning cloth, James once again drifted away.
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... "Can ye sing me a song lass? I miss me bonny love. She's a right lady like ye are."
"Alright, seaman, but only if you allow me to clean that wound while I'm at it."
"If ye will."
Wenn die Lieb' aus deinen blauen,
hellen, offnen Augen sieht,
und vor Lust hinein zu schauen
mir's im Herzen klopft und glüht;
"He-ho, steady there lass. I'm a simple lad and me heart 'tis pure for England. Sing me wha' I know."
"Ha! Oh, dear I'm sorry. Let me see...
When love shines from your blue,
bright, open eyes,
and the joy of gazing into them
makes my heart pound and glow;
And I hold you and kiss
Your rosy cheeks warm,
dear girl, and I clasp
you trembling in my arms,
James awoke to see Fanny singing to a grizzled looking fellow down the room as she bent over the man's leg with a bowl of water and some cloth.
By God, he loved her! She who laughed at him and challenged his reasoning. She who danced reels and discussed science in equal measures of enthusiasm. She who served to help others with love and compassion and who loved her family with unwavering devotion.
He was done waiting!
With gritted teeth and a steely resolve, James edged to the side of his bed and swung his legs over.
Girl, girl, and I press
you firmly to my breast,
which at the last moment,
only dying, lets you go;
My intoxicated gaze is shadowed
by a gloomy cloud,
and then I sit, exhausted,
but blissful, next to you.
Staggering slightly, he rose to his feet. Holding his side together he walked down the room to where Fanny and the seaman were now singing together. He was in time to join the last line, "blissful next to you."
With a gasp, Fanny swung around and cried, "James! You're awake!" She rushed to him and held him gently within her arms. Trying to steer him back to his bed she continued, "You should not be up so soon. The Doctor will be cross if you pull his stitches."
"No, Fanny. Wait a while." Placing his arms over her shoulders and leaning into her strength, his words rushed forth, "I have known you for 252 days and I am sure I have loved you for 250 of them! I have tried and tried these last weeks to confess my heart to you, though I am sure you have known it to be so. I cannot wait any longer! My life was grey and dreary before I met you. You bring fire and colour to every part of me. I have little money, but what I have is yours. I have no home yet, but we can find one together! I can only stomach my upcoming voyage, knowing that you will be here waiting for me. Please, marry me darling. Will you consent to be my wife?"
Fanny's answer was to subject James to a blazing kiss and a resounding Yes! Laughing and crying with joy the two held each other in the middle of the hospice, the grizzled old seaman watching with tears in his eyes rejoicing in the love he bore witness to.