Hi All - thank you for the reviews, followings and favourites! They are excellent encouragement XD Hope you enjoy Sophia's meddlesome ways!

To my reviewers: Rachetg [Thanks!]; Call me Suzanne [Haha, she probably could take over Europe in forty steps!]; LovePersuasion [Hope you enjoy Sophia's next step :) ]; K [Thanks, hope you enjoy!]; Obstinate Headstrong Girl [Haha, she is fun to write! Thanks!]; and Bet [An excellent character to do so].

Happy reading!

Last chapter:

'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.

As they travelled back towards Kellynch in the gig, full of fresh air and laughter, Sophia spotted her brother and a group of people walking along the lane.

The Admiral slowed the chaise and they all greeted each other. Realising the group were quite a long way from Uppercross, Sophia gave a general invite to anyone who wished for a seat to take them home. Sophia half-hoped that Frederick would join them, to take him from Miss Louisa who was clinging to his arm like a landman to rigging in a storm, but she knew he would not. And she was proved correct when everyone declined.

As the Admiral motioned the horses onwards, her brother quickly came over to the chaise and whispered to her, 'Miss Elliot is quite exhausted and I don't believe she will make it back to Uppercross unassisted. Might you ask her to join you in the chaise?'

Sophia covered her surprised expression and immediately entreated Miss Anne to let them give her a seat. She noticed Miss Anne begin to shake her head, but her brother was already guiding her to the gig and lifting her up. Miss Anne eyes widened at the action and focused on Frederick's face, but she didn't object to Frederick lifting her to the seat.

Filing that curious information away for further thought, Sophia gave her husband a significant look, to which he rolled his eyes and returned his focus on the horse. Sophia looked to Miss Anne and smiled welcomingly, beginning a conversation with her about the area and how it had changed since she was a child.

'… and, of course, you have had different reverends in the area over time, my brother for example,' Sophia said.

She felt Miss Anne stiffen beside her.

Curious, but perhaps it is due to the corner the Admiral insists on careening around.

'Yes, I believe we have had three in total over the span of ten years, your brother included, quite a number for the area, but your brother was only with us for a year before the pre-selected reverend finished being ordained.'

'Did you know my brother well?' Sophia asked, intentionally leaving the question ambiguous.

To her disappointment, Miss Anne deftly kept the topic on Reverend Wentworth. 'Quite well, given the short acquaintance. I, obviously, saw him at church. And we often saw each other at parties and dinners, as well as when attending the sick. Your brother was very devoted to those who were in need.'

'He was the most thoughtful sibling in my family,' Sophia commented with a laugh.

Miss Anne made a non-committal sound.

'Did you by chance meet Frederick when he visited? I think he was in the area for a few months,' Sophia asked innocently.

She saw Miss Anne blanch rom the corner of her eye, but when the lady spoke her voice was as steady and calm as before. 'Yes, I did, Reverend Wentworth introduced us when he arrived in the area. I believe the Reverend introduced Captain Wentworth to many people in the area.'

'I am glad Frederick had a friend here before arriving: friends are always important.'

Miss Anne began to press her hand through her gloves and bit the edge of her lip. 'I am afraid, Mrs Croft, that Captain Wentworth and I were not friends; given propriety I could not be alone with him. However, I am sure there are men in the area that knew him well. I knew the Reverend for longer though, I think I can claim that if he were to visit, he would have a friend in me, and he was very well liked in the area.'

'Oh, of course, it is hard to know someone only through parties. Did Frederick get the chance to visit Kellynch?'

Miss Anne paled and Sophia instantly felt guilty, it could have been her husband's continued reckless driving, but she had the feeling that the white face was due to her instant questions.

Although, Miss Anne has definitely been trying to redirect the conversation.

Sophia, in an attempt to reduce her guilt, called to her husband, 'Admiral, would you mind slowing down ever so slightly, the rocking is making me feel slightly queasy.'

Sophia turned back to Miss Anne and asked, 'Do you mind if we ride in silence for a while? I think I will feel better if I just breathe the fresh air at this more sedate pace.'

'Of course not, and when we reach Uppercross you must join me for some tea before you continue the trip.'

Poor lamb would probably prefer to hide away from me and my questions, however the lady is clearly a well-bred, sweet soul who cannot help but offer assistance to another.

Sophia spent the rest of the trip towards Uppercross trying to decide if she should accept the tea and take the opportunity to probe Miss Anne, gently, a little further, or go straight home and allow the lady some peace. When they arrived at Mr Charles' cottage, Sophia took in Miss Anne's drooping shoulders and creased brow. 'Ah, I feel quite well now, thank you for your offer of tea, however I shall be able to head straight home. I look forward to seeing you again soon, Miss Anne.'

The relieved look on Miss Anne's face made her stomach twist in guilt once more.

The Admiral helped Miss Anne down from the chaise and they all wished each other a good afternoon.

As the chaise bumped away, Sophia turned towards her husband. 'Something is definitely off between Frederick and Miss Anne.'

'Or with my driving.'

'Frederick asking us to take Miss Anne home, a lady he ignores and shouldn't notice is tired... and I think it was more my questions than your driving.'

'If you say so, my love.'

'Tell me you don't find Frederick's action on the lane strange,' she challenged.

'I'll admit that I was surprised, and that he would lift her rather than offering her hand was familiar and slightly improper.'

Sophia allowed a triumphant smile to spread across her face.

'However, I still think it was my driving that made Miss Anne feel unwell, although I will say that your refusal to allow a subject change despite the lady trying to make one was rather poor of you. If you are secretly hoping for a match between Frederick and Miss Anne, I would suggest you don't let her think that such impertinence is common for our family,' the Admiral reprimanded lightly.

Sophia grimaced.

Fine, I shall not be so obstinate in future conversations, it was rude and Miss Anne clearly was undeserving of such treatment. But I will not be put off from my search for the truth.

A/N: A short one I know, but I'll make it up to you all by updating again tomorrow!