Despite the four day journey, Frederick did not feel ready as he stood in front of the Great House. Then again, would he ever be ready? He reluctantly knocked on the door.
As he entered the drawing room, Henrietta, Louisa and Captain Benwick stood up to greet him. What in the world is Benwick doing here? Captain Benwick caught Frederick's somber, questioning expression and immediately went white as snow.
"Good morning, Frederick!" Louisa exclaimed, immediately going over to him. "I am so glad you have arrived. Let us take a walk in the garden together."
Since she seemed eager to go, Frederick agreed. After she quickly donned her pelisse and took a shawl, he extended his arm to her and nodded to Henrietta and Captain Benwick. The latter's forehead was dotted with perspiration and he appeared ready to pass out. What is going on with that man?
~~OOO~~
Louisa and Frederick walked outside into the brisk winter weather, exchanging pleasantries before sitting down on a cold bench. He patiently waited for her to speak but she remained silent for several minutes, refusing to even look at him. Her body trembled slightly.
"Louisa, are you cold? Perhaps we should head back inside."
"No, I am not cold, thank you."
Was she afraid of something? Of him? Remembering to be kind to her, he gently placed his hand over hers. When she finally dared to look at him, he smiled warmly. This gave her the courage she needed.
"Frederick, I was very honoured to receive your offer of marriage last month. You are a good man, and I have no doubt you will be an excellent husband. However, I have had much time to think while you have been away."
She stopped to gauge his reaction. To her relief, he did not look angry or upset, but he did seem to be hanging on to her every word as if his life depended on it.
"When I accepted your proposal, I believed that I was in love with you. As you were my first suitor, I had not the experience to know the difference between infatuation and love, and I now realise that what I felt for you was a fever of admiration. While this might one day grow into love, I cannot say for certain if it will. It would not be fair to either of us to marry without mutual love."
She paused to look at him again. He thought he understood what she was implying. A feeling of joy bubbled within him but he quickly suppressed it. She had not yet spoken the words he needed to hear.
"Yes, I agree. I would never wish you to give your hand without your heart."
She looked pleased at his response.
"In that case, I must release you from our engagement."
He exhaled slowly and deeply, astounded to hear the words for which he had desperately prayed. Before he inappropriately displayed his immense relief and delight, he quickly said,
"I thank you for your honesty, Louisa."
"You are not angry or upset?"
"No, not at all."
"Oh, I am so thankful! Frederick, you are too kind."
The relief in her eyes was palpable, but then she became nervous again.
"There is a one more matter that I must share with you."
"Go on."
"I have... developed an affection for someone else. I hope your friendship with him will not be wounded by it." Louisa watched him cautiously.
It only took a half-second for Frederick to know whom she meant.
"Benwick?"
She nodded and he chuckled. Not expecting that reaction, Louisa furrowed her brows.
"What is it?"
"I am very happy for you both, truly. But now I know why he looked stricken with influenza when I arrived.
Louisa laughed softly. "He has been most concerned about your reaction."
"Then shall we go see him?"
~~OOO~~
Sitting alone in the drawing room, Captain Benwick nervously tapped his fingers on the table. In front of him, a book of poems lay open, the pages unread. Instead, his eyes moved all over the room, not focusing on anything in particular.
Captain Benwick had wanted to remain at Lyme, but Louisa begged him to accompany her to Uppercross. His presence would give her strength and support to face Frederick, she said. Loath to see her distressed, he relented, and now he would have to face Frederick too.
How would Frederick react to Louisa ending the engagement? He had been so attached to her back in November, always by her side as they walked along the Cobb. Captain Benwick also fretted at Louisa's insistence that she reveal their mutual affection. Would Frederick demand a duel to defend his honour? The thought launched fear directly into Captain Benwick's heart. Regardless of whether he chose swords or pistols, he knew Frederick would best him.
He started at the sound of Louisa's sweet, gentle voice in the doorway. As soon as she and Frederick stepped into the room, his eyes flew to Louisa. She gave a smile and a quick nod which assuaged him, but he would not be truly at ease until he heard from Frederick. Shifting his gaze to Frederick's face, he saw it was inscrutable as ever.
"Benwick!" Frederick's deep voice boomed across the room.
Captain Benwick immediately jumped to his feet, a force of habit from his days on the Laconia when he served as Frederick's first lieutenant. The sudden movement from sitting to standing made him dizzy; the room went blurry and he closed his eyes to regain his balance.
Swords or pistols? Which had a lower probability of permanent damage or… death?
When he opened his eyes again, Frederick had halved the distance between them with long, purposeful strides. Would it come to fisticuffs instead? Captain Benwick swallowed hard. In a few more steps, Frederick was almost upon him. Before Captain Benwick could raise his arms up in defense, a big smile spread across Frederick's face and he extended his right hand out. Captain Benwick stared, startled at the unexpected move, then tentatively reached his own hand out as well. The two men exchanged a handshake while Frederick's other hand clapped Captain Benwick's shoulder.
"Take good care of her, Benwick," Frederick said.
Captain Benwick let go of the breath he did not know he was holding. No blood would be shed after all. "I will. Thank you."
"I must take leave now. Good day, Louisa. Good day, Benwick. Please convey my regards to Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove."
Frederick turned and sprinted back to Kellynch Hall as fast as his legs could carry him. Thankful that he had not unpacked too many belongings the night before, he quickly tossed everything back into his trunks.
I will be at Bath tonight. Please do not let me be too late.
~~END OF CHAPTER~~
A/N:
1) Ahh Benwick. In the book, he is too scared to ask for Mr. Musgrove's consent in person and sends a letter instead. I couldn't resist dragging him to Uppercross in my story!
2) Frederick's journey from Shropshire to Uppercross takes four days since he does not travel on Sunday.
3) Thanks Jim for pointing out the name/rank issue, which I have fixed!
4) We'll have more details on Louisa's change of heart in a later chapter, but next up - Bath! Frederick will arrive on Wednesday night. Do you remember in the book where Anne goes to on Thursday? Yep, Molland's!