Hi All - thank you for the reviews, followings and favourites! They are delightful additional to my day and excellent reminders that I have another chapter to polish and post XD

To my reviewers: Rachetg [Using one of my favourite quotes from BBC Coupling "You'll find out"]; Arlome [I know, but she has to scheme slowly, but I promise the story is finished so it will all be posted eventually XD ]; Call me Suzanne [Hahaha, glad to bring you so much joy!]; Ebzenka [Note to self - avoid all gig rides with you! You'll ferret out all my secrets :D ]; Obstinate Headstrong Girl [Thanks Lizzy :) ]; and ahschung [Thanks!].

Happy reading!

Last chapter:

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.

As they sat down to a simple supper in the dining room, a dusty and tired Frederick arrived, slipping softly into his seat.

Sophia smiled warmly at her brother. 'Hello, did all the ladies make it home without being attacked by a fearsome wolf?'

'Good evening, Sophia, Admiral. Yes, they did, although I will admit that the Mrs Charles did comment on the length of the trip and not being offered a chaise ride first quite frequently. Is there a reason you requested I return for supper?'

'Yes, but we can discuss that after eating,' Sophia replied.

Frederick frowned at the comment, eying his sister with a furrowed brow. Sophia just smiled in replied and waved him off with a flutter of her hand.

Silence descended until the Admiral raised the topic of Whitehall being busy with the retirement of three Admirals. The three continued to guess if the Admirals would be replaced now that Napoleon was no longer a threat and, if so, by whom.

When they moved to the music room, Sophia called for tea and waited until it arrived before dismissing the servants.

Frederick raised his eyebrow at her, curiosity piked; while she often sent the servants away (ship life making someone used to privacy), he was surprised that the Admiral had taken a chair at the furthest corner of the room – out of his canon-damaged hearing range – and immersed himself in the paper, head down and clearly determined to not be part of the discussion.

'Am I in trouble, dear sister?' Frederick asked in an amused tone.

'Not yet, but I thought I should point out the oncoming storm that you seem to have missed that is floating over the horizon,' Sophia replied

Best not get him offside with demands and ultimatums.

'And what is the shape of this oncoming storm? A French frigate?'

'Freddie,' she began, reverting to his childhood name; a name that cause his amusement to wash away and take on a serious mien, 'what do you think of the Miss Musgroves?'

Her brother shifted in his seat.

'I think they are amiable, young ladies: perhaps a little immature, but sweet and somewhat intelligent.'

'Are you in love with Miss Louisa or Miss Musgrove?'

'No,' Frederick replied slowly.

'Do you wish to marry one of the Miss Musgroves? I know some do not desire to marry for love, but I always thought you would prefer to do so.'

Frederick frowned. 'To what purpose do these questions pertain?'

He waited attentively for his sister to answer, while he didn't like her prying, so far she had not stuck her nose in too far – for her anyway. However, when she just kept watching him, he relented and said, 'I doubt I will marry for love, not everyone is as lucky as you to find love before marriage. But, while the Miss Musgroves are attractive and amiable ladies, and Miss Louisa is slightly more substantial in her determination, I would choose someone who is less immature. Now what has brought this on?' and amused smile took hold of his features as he continued, 'Are you hoping to marry me off to one of them, sister?'

'Not at all, I assure you that I would wish that decision to be entirely yours. I wished to determine if you had made it your objective to marry one of them, because you have been extremely attentive of them both; to a level that, if someone where not to know you, they would think you were courting.'

Frederick grimaced. 'I think you are imagining things, Sophia.'

'You see the ladies every day, Freddie.'

'But not alone.'

'I should hope not!'

'I did not mean my comment to be taken in that way,' he scowled with exasperation.

'Either way, what would happen if you visited the same family every day in town?'

'This is the country, the rules of society are more relaxed here, and they are a charming family.'

'It's not that different, brother. And when we do visit, you spend most of the time with the Miss Musgroves.'

'It is always them who approach me!' Frederick defended.

'Of course they do; you are a handsome, wealthy, and charming man, brother dear. But you do not remove yourself from their side and that could be seen as you encouraging them.'

'The Miss Musgroves know I am not courting them.'

'But what about their parents or brother, they might insist on a marriage if this continues and I know you are too honourable a man to not offer marriage if they thought you had raised expectations. If another were to see the extent of your interactions their reputations, and your own, could be damaged if you continue in this manner and then slight the girls.'

'I would simply clarify the circumstances to their parents and brother – they are reasonable people who would understand.'

'Do you truly suppose that will be the case? Think about it, Freddie. Please.'

Frederick exhaled the long-suffering sigh of one being pestered by a sibling, nevertheless, did as his sister requested and tried to imagine the conversation. It didn't help that he was thinking of marriage conversations in the house where he had last asked for the hand of a most unworthy lady and unimpressed father.

Sophia watched her brother's face twist, like he had tasted something unbearably sour.

'What you say, may have an element of truth. Marriage to the Miss Musgroves has been the farthest thing from my mind and, I guess, I may have not thought through my actions as carefully as I normally would when predatory mothers are casting their daughters like lures in my direction. But what would you suggest I do? If I edge away, it would look like I'm being discourteous.'

'I would suggest that you join us in visiting other people in the area and go to the Musgroves no more than once a week, at the absolute most. Invite Mr Charles and Mr Musgrove to shoot around Kellynch; that will enable you to be in their company and make it clear it is their company that you have been seeking.'

Frederick nodded his acquiescence, a thoughtful frown settling on his face.

'I would also suggest that you spread your time equally between all the Musgroves and Miss Anne when you visit Uppercross.'

Frederick lips turned in contempt.

'Why such a look, brother?'

Frederick immediately smoothed his face. 'What look?'

Sophia rolled her eyes at him. 'Your twisted lips. Do you dislike conversing with one of the Musgroves?'

'Of course not, as I have said repeatedly, they are charming people.'

'Miss Anne then?' Sophia asked watching her brother carefully.

Frederick kept his facial expression unmoving. 'Why would I dislike conversing with Miss Anne?'

'I don't know. You knew her from before, I would have thought you had plenty to discuss about changes in the area.'

Frederick swallowed. 'Our acquaintance was short.'

'Still, you could discuss your brother or common acquaintances,' Sophia reasoned.

'She is a quiet lady who seems to enjoy solitude, I leave her to that pursuit and talk with those who enjoy conversation. Now, I have answered all your questions and agreed to your plan, shall you now stop your interrogation?'

'You have not agreed to equally offer your attention to the entire party at the Musgroves. I honestly do not understand your avoidance of the clearly superior lady amongst the three unmarried ladies,' Sophia said with exasperation.

'If you find her so superior, you should be the one to take pains to attend her,' Frederick ground out.

'I do, and I enjoy our conversations. She has very thoughtful questions about my life travelling with the Admiral.'

Frederick scowled darkly.

Why does that comment upset him?

'Sophia, I am asking you to stop meddling, I daresay the reduction of visits should remove any chance of incorrect expectations, and I will seek the company of the other men in the group while visiting, however I will leave you to the scintillating conversations with Miss Anne and the Mrs Musgroves. Surely that is enough to satisfy you.'

'I will admit that Mrs Charles is a painful conversant, but the other ladies are quite agreeable.'

'Too you, perhaps, however when I talk with Mrs Musgrove, she wishes only to discuss that cur Dick Musgrove, the most useless sailor I have ever had the misfortune of knowing. Can you believe that I once caught him stealing officer rations while he was supposed to be in the crow's nest? It is very hard to maintain with a sympathetic expression while listening to conversations about how sad everyone must be on the occasion of his death.'

'You are talented and charming, Freddie, I daresay you can direct the conversation in a more agreeable manner.'

Frederick just grunted in response.

I'll take that as a success in managing to get my stubborn, independent brother to agree to my plans and I'll allow him this retreat for now… as soon as I win one more point.

Sophia rang the bell to call the servants and requested a fresh pot of tea be brought into the room. When the tea arrived, the maid pulled a letter from her pocket and offered it to Sophia.

'Excuse me, ma'am, a letter arrived addressed to you from Mrs Weston. Will you be needing anything else, ma'am?'

Good girl.

'Not at the moment, thank you,' Sophia replied as she picked up the letter.

She pretended to break the seal – having read it earlier and simply asked the maid to deliver it now, so her brother was less aware of her manipulations.

Raising her voice so the Admiral would hear with his hearing damage, Sophia called, 'Oh, Admiral, Frederick, Mrs Weston has invited us to supper two evenings from now, how very kind. Shall I send a response to advise her that we can all attend?'

'That sounds like an excellent idea, my love,' the Admiral replied with a slight start. 'I take it you have finished your sibling dispute and I am not in danger of flying teacups if I move closer?'

'Of course it is safe, really, flying teacups, what a ridiculous notion,' Sophia replied with a sniff.

'Pretend to be as high and mighty ask you like, my love, I have seen you throw a teacup at Frederick in the past when he refused to agree with you. If I recall correctly, it sailed nowhere near him and, instead, almost hit me as it flew over my head, dumping its contents on the way, before shattering against a wall.'

Sophia shot her husband a withering glare and declared, 'I suggest you give me no further reason to practise. Frederick, would you like to join us at Mrs Weston's dinner?'

'In light of my recent agreement, I have no other choice,' he replied.

Sophia gave him a brilliant smile.

I must remember to ask my lady's maid to send the response I wrote earlier before breakfast tomorrow.

A/N: The missing protective sister scene; I've often wondered why Sophia did not get Frederick to see the danger in the book, she seems a strong character who could make her brother listen and would only wish him to marry well or for affection. FYI – these Westons are of no relation to those in Emma.