Fanny Harville was spending a quiet morning at home going over the good Doctor's notes for the current inpatients of the hospice. Margaret and the nurse had taken advantage of the fog and smoke clearing earlier than expected and whisked the children out for a walk to the park. Truly, Fanny had been expected at the hospice for her shift but had been gainsaid by her sister before she left the house. "I've already sent John with a note for Dr _ on his way to the dock. You need to rest, dearest and shift this cold before you set foot back in that place. Don't give me that look Francis, you know yourself what a fever can do to someone who is already laid low. Do you want to be responsible for endangering the life of a patient? I thought not." And with a quirked eyebrow and the smug expression of a person who knows they're right, Margaret went on her way.
Ever the pragmatist, Fanny took the advice for her sister for what it was, i.e. excellent; managing to assuage her conscience by preparing for the day she would be well enough to put her skills back to use.
When Fanny heard James' voice from the entrance, her stomach flipped in the fashion it had been doing from the moment of their very first encounter. Even feeling as generally lousy as she recently had could not dampen her excitement at spending time in his company again. He truly was the most interesting, challenging and exciting man she knew. But what was he doing here? She knew that James had been planning to meet with the Bishop's secretary later that morning to discuss a marriage license but it was far too early for James to have accomplished anything in that quarter. Thankfully Fanny wasn't required to ruminate much further as James presently came bounding through the doorway, aglow with something she could not yet define.
Can a man be beautiful? She asked herself as she took in his bright, sea blue eyes, crinkled at the corners and complemented perfectly by his wide, open smile. His broad shoulders and lean frame were particularly commanding in the navy blue of the uniform he wore so proudly. That's it, she thought as he strode across the room, he looks proud. And excited, she added laughingly as he pulled her into his arms and crushed her to his chest, kissing her soundly upon the mouth and spinning her gleefully in a circle.
"James!" Fanny laughed, "Put me down! You will break your back carrying me around like that."
James stopped, with a look of disbelief on his face. "I hardly think so madam. Don't you know that I am stronger than 10 sailors together? Why I could carry you on my back for a whole day together and still be ready to labour away with the best of them!"
"Oh really, James!" Fanny replied, preparing to swat his arm playfully. James grasped her wrist, placed it around his neck and swept Fanny up into his arms again.
"You dare question my honour?" James cried, the smile still sitting proudly upon his face. "Well, I see now I shall just have to keep you in my arms for the rest of the day Fanny Harville and let you rue the day you chose not to believe what I say." An unladylike WOOP fell out of Fanny's mouth as James paraded her pompously around the room. It couldn't be helped, Fanny laughed and laughed as the love of her life carried on as he never had before. She had to admit, it was a side to his personality that pleased her greatly. She knew he was exceedingly clever and that his wit could be incredibly dry and entertaining. She knew that he was a brave and efficient officer and gentleman. But she could see now that her future husband could be playful as well. She hoped that any children that might be in their future would see this side often. She was so excited to marry this soul! Which was for the best, really (the pragmatic side of her chimed in), having already agreed to marry him.
As is want to happen as a result of excessive laughter, Fanny began to cough. Unfortunately, due to the nature of her head cold the cough took hold and shortly after she was gasping for breath in a rather undignified manner. Concerned, James dashed to the kitchen for a glass of wine and returned to Fanny's aid.
"That is a terrible cough." Stated James, bringing their collective mood to a much more sensible level.
"I'm afraid so," croaked Fanny, easing herself into the chair in front of the fire. "An unfortunate side effect of too much laughter. Who knew that gaiety could be bad for your health? But it is well we have settled because I can tell something is afoot. What has you so excited?"
"Well," responded James as he pulled another chair over to where Fanny sat and grasped one of her hands. "My morning has unfolded in a most unexpected manner. I had cause to visit Admiral and Mrs Croft this morning. To be Honest it was more of a summons than a visit. The Admiral has a commission for me if I wish it."
"If you wish it? I didn't realise the Navy were so accommodating. Pray, what is it?"
Surprised, James looked up from Fanny's hands to her face. "I must admit, I didn't allow room for anything else. I'm afraid I told the Admiral that I would need to discuss it with you before I accepted a new commission. I have learnt in these few weeks that the decisions I make affect you as greatly as they affect myself. I respect you too much, love you too much, Fanny to not seek out your opinion on such a momentous opportunity."
Fanny was briefly astounded and felt as though until this moment, she hadn't truly understood what it meant to be loved and to be in love. She felt the full impact of James' words and was triumphant that such a man would value her so much to include her in his life decisions. But then she scoffed at herself. Hadn't she already seen this in his character? Did she not already believe him capable of the very best intentions? She immediately knew that she would repay his faith in kind. There would be no good opportunity for her man that she would hold him back from. She asked James to continue, having already decided to choose the course that would bring him the most joy.
With rapt attention, Fanny listened to James describe his encounter with the Crofts and the details of the commission. She watched as he spoke with animation, his face developing a glow of anticipation. She understood the difficulty this presented. They would have to delay their nuptials. But in exchange for a promotion, prize money and the chance of settling into a home of their own immediately after the wedding. Her good sense rejoiced in circumstances aligning themselves so perfectly for their prolonged prosperity. Her romantic sensibility rejoiced in her beloved being recognised and rewarded for his outstanding strength of character.
When her moment came, she congratulated and encouraged James with a sincere belief in his abilities and anticipated success natural to anyone who knew and loved him. "I think you should accept my love. It is such an honour to be noticed by the Admiral and we will still be able to Marry within the month. Although," Fanny added with an impish grin, "if you're going to be away from home more often, then you will have to have a likeness drawn up of yourself. I would hate to embarrass myself by not recognising my own husband after his frequent absences."
"Why you little minx! I can arrange that, I suppose." James joked, Holding out his arms.
Fanny went willingly into James' embrace and the couple celebrated with a passionate kiss. Then, after penning a note of acceptance to Admiral Croft and wrapping a sturdy shawl around Fanny's shoulders, James led her to the park where they strolled at their leisure, discussing the future plans that their wedded bliss would bring.
()()()()()()()()()()()()
The evening meal at Harville's was once again used to celebrate James' and Fanny's good fortune. Everyone present agreed that taking hold of this opportunity, whilst necessarily delaying the wedding, would place the couple in better standing for living independently.
James had returned to the Laconia shortly before luncheon that day and had reported the events of the morning to his Captain and friend. Frederick was very well pleased for his friend and appreciated the early knowledge that James had given him. Planning to set sail within the fortnight, Captain Wentworth now had additional planning of his own to do, to ensure that his crew did not feel the loss of the gunnery Lieutenant. However, tonight he was unusually reserved. It wasn't until the pair were walking back to the Laconia that James was given some insight into his friend's change in mood.
"Tell me Benwick, why do you not marry Fanny Harville immediately and take her with you to Trafalgar? It is clear to all and sundry that yours is a love match and you are both eager to be wed. As a Commander you need not seek anyone's permission to have your wife aboard your ship. Why delay?"
James looked at Frederick in surprise, however Frederick was determinedly looking at the path in front of them. Taking in and letting out a deep breath, James replied, "it isn't easy, I'm not afraid to tell you. You are correct in saying ours is a love match. And with that comes all the longings of the flesh, the need to be in each other's company, that you would expect. Fanny wished it at first until Margaret got to her, and part of myself wanted it too. However, you can clearly see she's not well at the moment. It would be rather selfish of me to rush the woman through a wedding within the week and then onto a ship full of men we don't know to travel to a place that is foreign to her, all the while navigating our first week as husband and wife."
"What do you mean, until Margaret got to her?" Frederick asked curiously.
"Well, Margaret convinced Fanny that she was being selfish by expecting to marry me, to travel with me and then expect me to do my job well whilst worrying about the safety of my new wife aboard ship."
"Doesn't that anger you? That she should change her mind based on the advice of one family member?"
"Oh, my opinion of Fanny is a little higher than that Frederick. Fanny is an intelligent, sensible woman who used the advice of another informed and sensible woman to make a judgement that essentially put my needs before her own. If anything I am humbled by the whole situation."
Frederick seemed discomfited by this statement, clearing his throat he continued, "She's a singular woman and would probably rise to the challenge of life aboard ship quite well."
"No doubt. That woman would command armies, in a different world. By loyalty alone, too. But it is more than that!" James urged, sensing that this conversation held greater meaning for the Captain than he was revealing. "My Father and Mother have instilled in my brothers and I how a good marriage should be. They live by two standards. First of all, you should be friends with your marriage partner. Second of all, you should place the well-being of your marriage partner before your own. These two standards should rule your search for a wife. The friendship aspect has come so naturally to Fanny and I, that I almost missed what my parents truly meant by it."
"Oh yes?"
"See the way we are talking now, Frederick? Openly and with honesty, even navigating those aspects of conversation that require deep reflection and baring one's soul. This is friendship. This is what is required between a Husband and wife. Once I started treating Fanny as my friend as well as my beloved, our understanding and connection greatly improved. I know that Fanny is compelled to serve others, I know that she is a strong, sensible and independent woman who would be an asset to my command aboard a ship. However I also know that Fanny dreams of a cottage in the country and longs to set up a family of her own, just as she has been shown by her brother and sister.
By taking this commission and delaying our marriage until my return, I may have to wait three weeks longer before I am a husband. But I am also able to provide Fanny with the time and money needed to decide which life it is best for her to lead. By delaying I am doing her the service of treating her as a friend and wife, believing and trusting in her ability to know her own mind and giving her needs greater importance than my own."
James gave Frederick much to ponder after these statements as he reflected in the privacy of his cabin later that night. He wondered if he had treated Anne as a friend; questioned if he had he put her needs before his own. He contemplated writing to her. Watching John and Margaret and now James and Fanny had reminded him of the ache he felt inside his chest at the absence of her in his life. But the question still remained: whose needs had she been serving when she refused his hand and broke his heart all those years ago?