Louisa sat up in her bed, smoothing the sleeves of her dress and tucking a stray wisp of hair behind her ear. After six long weeks, Captain Wentworth was finally visiting! Listening carefully to any noises outside her door, she discerned deep voices murmuring - he must be downstairs talking with Captain Harville. At length, heavy footsteps began walking up the stairs and continued until they stopped in front of her door. Feeling a bit faint from anticipation, she held her breath until she heard a knock.

Trying to maintain an demeanor neither too giddily happy nor too sedate, she exhaled, "Come in."

"Good morning, Miss Musgrove."

"Good morning, Captain Wentworth. Please have a seat."

She smiled and gestured at the chair next to her. After a moment's hesitation, he strode towards her, pulling the chair slightly further away from the bed before sitting down. They began with the civilities of discussing her health and recovery, his visit to Uppercross, and the snowstorm. Then they ran out of conversation and an uncomfortable silence descended on the room.

Captain Wentworth eventually observed, "It must be difficult staying inside the house all these weeks."

"I do not mind. I find that I prefer the indoors these days. The cold weather and wind rattle my nerves too much. Mrs. Harville and Captain Benwick have been very good about keeping me company. Captain Benwick has been reading some of his favourite poems to us."

She stopped and smiled sweetly at him, her eyelashes delicately fluttering. "I should dearly like to hear you read a poem, Captain Wentworth."

"Uh, perhaps another day." He shifted uncomfortably in the chair and cleared his throat. "Miss Musgrove, I came today to speak with you on an important matter."

"Oh, of course."

She sat up straighter and her heart raced. Would he at last propose to her? She did not know why he had delayed so long, as her mamma and Henrietta had declared him to be violently in love with her back in October. Captain Wentworth noticed her expectant look. Hopefully, she would not be too disappointed by what he was about to say.

"Miss Musgrove, since I arrived at Kellynch Hall three months ago, we have spent a great deal of time together. From the walks at Winthrop, and Uppercross, and Lyme, to the dancing at the Great House…"

He could hear himself rambling, and the phrases he had carefully prepared turned into a muddled mess in his head. Suddenly regretting the amount of brandy he imbibed the night before, he continued haltingly. Louisa, her mind racing from the excitement of the moment, was only half attending to his words.

"I understand that expectations have been raised… that there is no doubt of our mutual affection… should you wish to be married, I would honour…"

This was a far cry from the elegant proposal that Louisa had dreamt about, but she did not mind. He spoke of their mutual affection! How honoured he would be to marry her!

"Yes, yes, yes!" She interrupted him enthusiastically. "I will marry you!"

Captain Wentworth stopped and stared at her, dumbstruck. Had he truly proposed? With the dull throbbing in his head, he could not remember exactly what he had said. It would be pointless to continue the conversation, however; she wanted to marry him, and he was honour bound to abide by her wishes.

Louisa giggled softly at his shocked expression. Could he really be surprised that she loved him as much as he loved her? Overcome with delight, she impulsively reached her hands out and grabbed his.

"Oh Freddy, I am so happy," she sighed.

As he tried to clear the fog in his mind, he forced a smile and shuddered inwardly at the nickname she had most unwillingly bestowed.

This was not how it was supposed to go. This was not how it was supposed to go at all.

~~END OF CHAPTER~~