Bath's public amusement on Wednesdays was a concert in the Upper Rooms. Initially, Frederick had planned not to go, assuming Anne would be at another evening party. However, having spent the previous day with some fellow officers and their gossiping wives, he learned that tonight's concert was for the benefit of a person patronised by the Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple, a cousin of the Elliots, and therefore Anne and her family were expected to attend.
Mr. Elliot's intentions towards Anne were also much discussed by the wives, with the prevailing opinion that a mutually desired engagement would be forthcoming. Therefore, Frederick arrived with great trepidation. He wanted to tell Anne that he was free from Louisa, but without knowing her present feelings, he hesitated to act further.
Standing outside amidst the din of carriages and concertgoers, he peered through the darkness in search of Anne. Unsuccessful in his endeavor, he moved inside. When the doors to the Octagon Room opened, he stiffened at the sight of Anne standing next to Mr. Elliot as they intimately conversed. Mr. Elliot again! Did that man ever leave her side? Blood rushed to his face as his anger reached new heights, and he decided he would only bow and then continue walking.
As he neared, Anne surprised him by stepping forward with a gentle, "How do you do, Captain Wentworth?"
Gratified at her attention, Frederick stopped and returned her greeting. Like an insatiable leech, Mr. Elliot resurfaced next to Anne and stuck to her side as he glowered at Frederick. Undeterred, Frederick squarely met the gaze and lifted his chin up in challenge.
Anne made the necessary introductions. "Mr. Elliot, this is Captain Wentworth of the Royal Navy. His sister and her husband are leasing Kellynch Hall. Captain Wentworth, this is my cousin, Mr. Elliot."
The two men bowed with cold civility, each wishing a large hole would miraculously appear under the other and swallow him up, never to be seen again.
"A sailor?" Mr. Elliot smirked. "What an interesting... profession." Surely Anne would not be interested in someone who had to earn his own money!
"Yes, the navy is very interesting," Frederick replied dryly.
"Pray, what brings you to Bath, Captain?"
The harmless question was a grave miscalculation, and Frederick felt truly obliged to Mr. Elliot for his blunder. While Frederick might not speak to Anne privately, he could still get his point across.
"I am glad you asked, Mr. Elliot. I was lately occupied with an obligation elsewhere, but found myself most unexpectedly released."
From the corner of his eye, he watched Anne's face light up in understanding.
"I had a previous engagement in Bath that I was unable to attend to before," he continued, "but now that I am here, I hope to resolve that soon."
Mr. Elliot's eyes narrowed as he sensed a secret dialogue occurring before him. At that moment, the doors opened again and "Lady Dalrymple, Lady Dalrymple," was the rejoicing sound as the viscountess and her daughter, Miss Carteret, entered. Mr. Elliot seized his opportunity; quickly moving to divide Anne from Frederick, he took her arm as they joined with the Dalrymples and proceeded into the concert room.
~~END OF CHAPTER~~