Hi All - thank you for the reviews, followings and favourites! They are excellent encouragement XD

To my reviewers: Rachetg [Thank you! Agree, Sophia is fun to read!]; Arlome [Thanks, hope you enjoy this chapter too!]; Call me Suzanne [Thank you! I'm glad you like the idea and my writing style XD ]; LovePersuasion [Thanks very much for the lovely review - yes the Persuasion fiction could do with some more additions XD]; Guests 1 and 2 [Thanks!]; K [I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it!]; Ebzenka [Thanks, I like to try an look at different perspectives]; Obstinate Headstrong Girl [Thank you Lizzy!]; Alice Q [Enjoy :) ]; and ahschung [Go Sophia indeed XD ].

Happy reading!

Last chapter:

Something is most definitely going on that I have missed. Frederick's behaviour this week is too aberrant; swinging from overly attentive to almost slighting. And now this concealed acquaintanceship that causes a sure-footed seaman to stumble! Hmm… Well, solving this mystery will, at least, keep me entertained for the duration of our stay.

Sophia lay in the soft, luxurious bed in the early hours of the morning. Her eyes blinking in the darkened bedroom as she attempted to make out the shapes barely visibly due to the heavy window curtains. Her husband lay by her side, breathing heavily through his unclear nose. However, it wasn't the ridiculously loud sound that kept her awake – she had gotten used to that while living with him on the various ships – it was this mystery surrounding her brother.

Whatever is going on here could be precarious for Frederick; his attention to the Miss Musgroves could easily by misconstrued by someone who does not know him and then he will be obliged to marry one of the immature girls. While such a degrading match for Frederick is acceptable if he loves one of them – doubtful – being trapped into such a marriage is not.

I can't allow such an issue to build and blow out of proportion, and any naval seaman would agree with me – where a situation can be identified and managed when it was blooming, the effects will be minimised.

Two targets then. First, Frederick must reduce the attention he gives to the Miss Musgroves – distance is most certainly required. Second, find out why Miss Anne and Frederick are avoiding each other.

Yes, that is what I'll do.

A large yawn stole her thoughts.

But for now, sleep.

Sophia relaxed back into the soft pillows and tugged firmly on the blanket to retrieve some of its promised warmth from her husband, who had amassed the majority of the object while she had been mulling over her plans. Huddling into the warmth and closing her eyes, Sophia drifted easily into a deep sleep; her mind calmer now that she had a plan to protect her little brother.

The next morning Sophia woke late to discover that Frederick had already disappeared for the day, towards the Musgrove's property to do some shooting, apparently.

Sophia pursed her lips and sent a servant to find her brother and give him a note requesting he join them at home for supper.

She then donned her cloak and went for a walk through the gardens in solitude to begin forming stages to her plans. She moved directly towards the rose garden, her favourite thanks to the sweet smelling blooms that adorned the space so abundantly. The soft, quiet grass under her boots soothed her as she walked – she did so dislike the crunch of boots on gravel and deplored the substance in a relaxing garden; it was a sound that caused her to shudder, although she knew not why.

Firstly, why Miss Anne and Frederick were avoiding each other.

She reached out towards the roses, brushing them lightly with her fingers as she pondered the issue.

Of course, I can always ask Frederick…

An image of his face as she asked the impertinent question rose in her mind. His cheeks pale, shoulders stiff, and eyes staring down accusingly at her as he abruptly told her to mind her own business.

Perhaps not; Frederick does not handle surprise intimate conversations well.

A smile twisted onto her face as she recalled his reaction to her announcement that she was going to sea with the Admiral. She had been so excited when the Admiral had finally relented to her joining him aboard that she had immediately shared the news with her brother. He had been in the stables grooming his horse during a terrible storm. On reflection, telling him during a storm, when he no doubt could easily imagine her at sea in such weather, was probably very detrimental to a civil conversation. Indeed, Frederick had been so appalled and upset, so angry, that she had finally shouted back at him and flounced back into the house alone. He had hastened after her to continue the fight and, in his shock and fury, left the stable door open and his horse had escaped.

I will need to know the actually situation before I speak with him, else it turn into sucj a debacle.

Gazing across the grounds, movement caught her eye and she saw a servant returning into the house with a basket under his arm.

Back from town errands, no doubt, I wonder if he has any letters for— Oh, letters, of course! I should still have my correspondence with Frederick from the year 06, I could examine those; if he met Miss Anne, he will no doubt have mention it.

And Edward! I can send him a letter and ask what he knows of the two, hopefully when I inform him of Frederick's strange behaviour he will provide an explanation instead of taking the clergy way of silence.

Ouch! Sophia winced as she glanced at her finger. A thorn had scratched the tip of her skin and a droplet of blood began to bloom.

She pursed her lips and looked accusingly towards the sky. Are you condemning me for my unChristian thoughts on the clergy or is it more on my interference?

She pulled out a handkerchief and blotted the injury with a sigh.

I should have not been running my hands through rose shrubs without paying attention, she thought ruefully as she glared at the beautiful, yet fierce, flowers. This is clearly a place for deflecting thoughts, not reflection.

Sophia continued her musing as she left the rose garden in search of a place without thorns.

Well, perhaps there is the option of probing Miss Anne for information, although the lady has not let a whisper of Frederick pass her lips yet. Perhaps I might invite Miss Anne to tea and contrive to keep her for supper… maybe one day when rain is likely. If I can keep her company for an extended period, I'm sure she will eventually allow the subject to flow.

She found a small water feature in the sun's warmth and sat on the bench by its side, watching the reflections of clouds in the water as a soothing, lapping sound came from the pond; happily reminding her of sailing on a fine day.

There is, of course, still the problem of reducing Frederick's attention to the Miss Musgroves.

She tapped the stone bench in thought with her uninjured hand as the bright rays warmed her arms.

I could take the direct approach and point out that he is paying significant attention to the Miss Musgroves and a marriage would be expected if it continues. It might be enough, however, given his off-kilter behaviour, maybe not. And he will definitely become ill-humoured with me, but it will be worth it.

I suppose there is also the indirect option. I can arrange more engagements with other families in the area and ensure Frederick attends them; it is, after all, poor form to primarily visit with just one family, and a slight to others to do so.

I could also ask the Admiral to suggest shooting parties take place on the grounds of Kellynch, allowing the gentlemen more variety and, in effect, excluding the Miss Musgroves.

A shadow sheltered her from the light and Sophia started in surprise, glancing towards the object, she smiled sheepishly at her husband.

'Did I scare you, my love?' the Admiral asked.

'A little, I was concentrating on something and did not hear your approaching footsteps,' Sophia replied honestly, she kept no secrets from her husband.

'And what had you concentrating so diligently?' he probed.

'Frederick and his strange behaviour since we arrived here.'

'Hmm, I don't see anything strange, he just seems like a young man enamoured by pretty girls.'

'Exactly! Two girls to be precise! Frederick has never behaved so unguardedly in his life. If it was one of them, I might believe it was admiration, but it is both! And neither are truly substantial ladies.'

The Admiral tsked lightly. 'Now, now, my love, no one will ever be good enough for him in your eyes,' he reasoned gently.

'It's not just that. He has been slighting Miss Anne. If I didn't know better, I would think he was emphasising his attention towards the Miss Musgroves to hurt Miss Anne.'

'Frederick wouldn't be so cruel.'

'I know, I know, however I can't help but... oh, I don't know if it's intentional, I sincerely hope not! Regardless, he is meandering his way towards a marriage and I don't think he realises it.'

'He is a grown man, a sea captain at that, something you don't become without being rational and aware,' he continued with a firm voice.

'That's the problem! He is not behaving rationally,' she exclaimed, her voice rising higher in volume and pitch as her muscles coiled tightly.

The Admiral sighed as he realised that his wife was working herself into a state, knowing when she was this determined that something was wrong nothing swayed her from her course. 'I really don't think you should interfere in your adult brother's life.'

'I know, but I cannot bear the thought of him being trapped in an unhappy marriage, so no matter how angry he is with me, it will be worth it,' Sophia replied with a hardness in her tone.

'What is your plan then, my love? I presume that is what you were concentrating upon.'

'Yes,' Sophia replied, quickly reiterating her options and preferences.

The Admiral listened carefully with a grim expression. 'I cannot, in good conscious, help you with these plans – I think the Miss Musgroves are charming girls – but I will not hinder you.'

Sophia stood up and hugged her husband tightly. 'Thank you, Admiral,' she whispered, before stepping back.

'What do you say to some breakfast and then a drive along the lanes?' the Admiral asked as he extended his elbow to her, hoping that some fresh air would calm his concerned wife.

'That sounds delightful, my dear.' Sophia wound her arm through his and pulled herself closer.

A/N: And Sophia the hound gets the scent of a fox. Let the hunt begin! And reviews are always welcome XD