Gray clouds covered the sky as a late morning drizzle descended on Bath. Frederick had arrived near dusk the day before and secured lodgings at Edgar's Buildings, not far from where Sophia and Admiral Croft were staying. Exhausted from the incessant travel, he awoke later than usual to break his fast before heading out into the streets of Bath.
He planned to call on the Crofts and seek information about Anne, but having no umbrella, he first walked to Milsom Street and located a shop selling men's accessories. After a half hour in the very crowded store, where every man in Bath seemed to have converged at the same time in search of umbrellas and gloves, he emerged victorious with his new purchase in hand.
As he continued south towards Quiet Street, he descried, across the pavement at a distance away, Anne leaving a confectionery store with a smile on her face and a gentleman by her side. Frederick's heart lurched painfully. Was he too late? Who was the man, and had she formed an attachment with him? Anne's gaze drifted and Frederick knew she had spotted him when her body froze and she flushed. Their eyes locked for a few moments but he was unable to read her thoughts.
The man next to Anne briefly glanced over, then steered her in the opposite direction. After seeing his face, Frederick recollected him perfectly as Mr. Elliot. There was no difference between him and the man who had stood on the steps at Lyme, admiring Anne as she passed, except in the air and look and manner of the privileged relation and friend.
Jealousy surged through Frederick as Anne and Mr. Elliot strode off together, her arm tucked under his. Before they were out of sight, Mr. Elliot leaned towards Anne and smiled as he whispered into her ear. Frederick clenched his hands until his fingernails dug into his skin. How did Anne feel about Mr. Elliot, and what was Mr. Elliot saying to her?
~~OOO~~
"My dear cousin, I am sorry to have kept you waiting," Mr. Elliot said to Anne. "Shall we go before the rain increases?"
Anne took Mr. Elliot's arm as they left Molland's. Once outside, she glanced at the the passersby holding umbrellas as they walked up and down the street. Suddenly, unmistakably, she locked onto Frederick who was standing on the other side. Frederick was in Bath! But what was he doing here - was he just passing through or did he come to stay? Had he come alone? And most importantly, was he still engaged to Louisa? She tried unsuccessfully to read his thoughts.
As she stood motionless, Mr. Elliot followed her eyes to the handsome, dark-haired gentleman staring back at them. The man seemed familiar; Mr. Elliot remembered him from Lyme. Unsettled by the man's intense gaze and Anne's flushed cheeks, Mr. Elliot immediately turned her and led her away. As they headed towards Camden Place, Mr. Elliot thought the gentleman might still be watching, so he leaned in to Anne and smiled. "We are in luck, my dear cousin. The rain appears to be easing."
~~OOO~~
That evening, Frederick attended the dressed ball at the Upper Rooms in hopes of seeing Anne, but met only with disappointment. Visits to the Lower Rooms on Friday night and the theatre on Saturday night, and to the pump room and shopping streets during both mornings, produced the same result. She was suddenly nowhere to be met with; every search for her was equally unsuccessful.
Sophia told him that the Elliots preferred private card parties, to which the Crofts had yet to be invited. Anger and jealousy stabbed at Frederick's heart. He knew with certainty that Mr. Elliot attended the parties, probably sitting next to Anne the whole time and whispering God only knows what into her ear. Frederick needed to find a way to see her. He formed a new plan, and decided to visit Sophia as early as possible on Monday.
~~OOO~~
On Monday morning Anne called on Lady Russell, who had been away from Bath for about a week on urgent business and returned a couple of days prior. When Anne arrived back at Camden Place, Mr. Elliot was present and in animated conversation with Elizabeth and Mrs. Clay. Anne took a seat in a chair near the window and opened a book.
About a quarter hour later, a servant came in and presented Elizabeth with two calling cards. Glancing at them briefly, Elizabeth remarked indifferently, "Mrs. Croft and Captain Wentworth."
Anne immediately lifted her head. Frederick was calling on them! Trying to contain her enthusiasm, she said neutrally, "I should like to see them. I very much enjoyed Mrs. Croft's company when I visited her at Kellynch Hall."
Suspicious about her reaction, Mr. Elliot went to the window. Outside the door stood a well-dressed woman and the same gentleman he had seen outside of Molland's last week. He then went over to Elizabeth and said something to her. The something might be guessed by its effects.
Elizabeth gave the servant her answer. "Please inform them that we are not at home."
Crestfallen, Anne stood up and went to the window; she noticed the consternation on Frederick's face as the servant relayed the message. As he and Sophia departed, he glanced at the upper windows and saw Anne. A few seconds later, Mr. Elliot emerged at her side and obliged her to withdraw. How would she ever manage to speak to Frederick?
~~END OF CHAPTER~~
A/N:
1) I borrowed Edgar's Buildings from Northanger Abbey. Today, the street has been renamed George Street. It runs perpendicular to both Milsom Street (where Molland's is located) and Gay Street (where the Crofts are staying).
2) Frederick is dark-haired because my favorite Persuasion adaptation is the 1995 one, so all of my stories are written with Ciaran Hinds in mind.
3) How will the repeated failures to meet, along with Mr. Elliot's clear interference, affect our dear couple? We'll find out in the next update!
Who's ready for the concert?!