Persuasion: A Prequel

Lieutenant Fredrick C Wentworth ran his fingers over the rough, salt encrusted wood of the Indie one last time. He looked around him trying to drink in every last image of her before they parted, this time for good. The men were lined up on her deck, obediently waiting for the officers to leave the ship first but all obviously itching to be back on shore once more. Frederick didn't share their excitement. He didn't want to leave the ship that had so long been his home and part the company of the men who now seemed more like brothers than friends. But leave he must and he knew new adventures would arise and new friends be met.

He followed the Captain and the other officers off the quarter deck and strode between the lines of men, smiling at each, stopping occasionally to shake a hand or say a goodbye. Then he climbed into the small rowing boat waiting and watched as he slowly pulled away from the ship that had been, since he was 12, his home.

Later that night he sat with his fellow officers in a small inn, laughing at their absurd jokes and their merriment at being back in England.

"And we'll stay here a good long time I should think – what with them Frenchies being too busy fighting amongst themselves to bother us!" roared a slightly drunk third lieutenant.

"Ah indeed! Those poor little frogs!" cried another holding a mocking hand to his heart, "We really must thank them, else we'd probably out on that great iron sea having a merry dance with them now!" He rose, swaying slightly to his feet, "To the French – for being utter fools!" His toast was greeted with a roar of laughter and echoed through the inn, "The French!"

After toasting his glass and sipping at his drink Frederick moved away to a slightly quieter corner of the inn. He was joined a few minutes later by Thomas Harville, another lieutenant of the Indie and a particular friend of Fred's who sat down beside him.

"Fred my good man, what's this unsocialness? Moving from the centre of the party?" He gestured back at the other sailors who had now embarked on a drinking contest. "Hmmm." Harville said watching as one of the sailors staggered drunkly over to get more beer and falling as he attempted to call for a servant. "Well, maybe that's not that bad a thing hey?" He squinted over at the man on the floor. "He is still breathing isn't he?"

"Yes," replied Fred flatly, "I can see his stomach moving."

"Well anyway. Where are we of to then? I myself feel inclined to try town for a time now our leaves have come in. London perhaps? Or Bath? I heard there was a great Italian singer visiting there a few weeks ago. Perhaps she's still there – we could go see her!"

"I can't I'm afraid Tom," said Fred clasping a hand on his shoulder.

"Why ever not? What else do you have to do on land? Nothing I am sure- you're time would much better be spent with me then with whatever it is you are going to leave me for!"

"How can you say so Tom when I tell you that I shall be visiting my brother in his new parish? A visit that is long over due – why he's not even new to it anymore! He's been there full a year now and I have never had time to visit yet."

"A country parish? Come, come Fred, you don't want to be going there! You'll be bored out of your mind in just a few days! What is there to do in a country parish except watch ones waistband expand? Where's the excitement, the adventure?" Toms face had lit up as he said the final words and he seemed to be remembering past times. Frederick shook his head and clasped a weary hand on his shoulder.

"I've had quite enough of that I thank you" Fred replied laughing, "What do you count the last few years as? No, I plan to use this leave to relax and take a break, something perhaps you should try?"

Tom burst out laughing. "Relaxation? Taking a break? Even just talking about it is sending me to sleep! What happened to the daring and courageous Lieutenant Frederick Wentworth?"

"He got home." He finished his glass and stood up. "I'll be leaving early tomorrow Tom." Tom stood too and the two friends stood surveying each other quietly.

"It's been a pleasure serving alongside you." Fred said finally, holding out his hand.

"And you," Tom replied taking Fred's hand and shaking it firmly. Fred gave Tom a fleeting smile and went up to his room. He was sad to leave Tom, they had become good friends and somehow the idea of being on another ship, even another ship going to war, glory and adventure seemed, without him, a sad and dull prospect.

The next morning Fred was in the coach travelling to Somerset by 8 o'clock. He had risen early and been ready to go long before the post arrived and he had spent that time pondering on what lay ahead of him. Tom was right. Frederick didn't expect much pleasure from the following visit apart from that of being with his brother once more. Edward was an intelligent young man, the youngest of three siblings and always rather the baby of the family. Sophie, Fred's older sister had always doated upon him and often helped defend him against Fred in sword fights or games. This had somewhat annoyed Fred as Sophie was just as good a swordsman as he was and together her and Edward had often overpowered him. He laughed as he remembered their little games and smiled at the remembrance of how no-one had seemed surprised when he announced that the Navy was his chosen profession. That Edward had not followed him was stranger, for though the quieter, gentler one, Fred knew when roused Edward could be just as fiery and brave as himself. He was shocked when Edward had chosen the quiet simple life of a parson and Fred wondered how he would find his brother. Would he be dying with boredom and the tediousness of it all or would he have settled in nicely with his new "flock" and be happy with the thrill of the up and coming dinner party Mrs- so-and-so was giving?

He reached Somerset in good time for tea that night and was greeted warmly by Edward.

"Frederick! So you have found me at last! Only one year after I was expecting you, but still, come in, come in!" He ushered Fed into a small stone parsonage beside the church with a pleasant garden and aspect to the fields behind.

"Well better late then never!" Edward cried as he sat down in a large comfy chair in the parlour. He gestured for Fred to take a seat opposite him. "So how do you like the place?" He looked around the parlour with a happy smile of pride playing about his lips. "I've done lots with it you know. You should have seen it when I first came! Quite the dreariest place I've ever stepped foot in! But it's very comfortable now."

Frederick smiled in assent and looked about. It was really a nice little house and he approved of it greatly. "You've done a fine job I assure you – I was expecting something far worse – you've quite proved me wrong." He gave a little mock bow and laughed.

"So how are you liking it here then?" he asked.

"Oh it's wonderful. I've got quite a large parish and a lovely little church. A nice little house (he gestured around) and for the first time in my life a fire I can sit right in front of without being scolded for stealing it from a young lady or a guest or even worse mama!" They both burst out laughing. "Yes I do like it here," Edward concluded with a little smile.

"And only working one day a weeks not bad either," Fred teased.

"A clergyman does far more than just a sermon on a Sunday I'll have you know!" said Edward indignantly.

"Yes, you have to attend parties, make small talk with the neighbours and eat insufferable amounts of cake! Don't try and tell me a clergyman 's duties I know them all already!" He laughed again and so did Edward. He found himself wondering why he did not miss this more when he was away. It was very pleasant to be sat in front of a roaring fire, a cup of tea in hand, chatting with his brother once more.

"So tell me of your parish," Fred said later whilst they were eating dinner. "Who are the lucky fellows that get such a fine vicar?"

"Well, they are mostly the normal sort of working country folk you could meet anywhere. All perfectly charming and agreeable and all relatively good Christians. You would like them I think, the sort of hard working people you'd admire immensely brother."

"Good I'm glad to hear it," said Fred, "And what of the principal family? Who is it that sets the fashions and the tongues wagging around here?"

"Well I certainly hope they don't set the tongues wagging – that would be most inconvenient. I had hoped to be the one doing that, brewing up excitement with the announcement of a fine young naval brother visiting. Believe me you've caused quite a stir among some of the young lady's already!" Fred laughed. "Yes I quite expect hundreds of invitations to dinner parties and tea whilst you're here. No-one can resist a new face, especially such a handsome and single one as yours!" Fred laughed even harder at the idea of his arrival causing such commotion.

"They shall be sorely disappointed then when I walk through the door!"

"Well we shall see tomorrow –you'll raise a few eyebrows at church!"