Hi All - thank you for the reviews, followings and favourites! Bad news, my shiny, new laptop won't turn on so I'm borrowing people's laptops while travelling and waiting for it to get fixed. The story is complete and I will continue to update, but given my access to technology is similar to Jane's at the moment, it will be less regular than I'd originally planned. Thanks for continuing with me and your patience!
To my reviewers: thank you all, sadly my access atm is limited so I have to be brief in my thanks, hopefully next time I'll be able to respond to you all - but know your words are great encouragement and very much appreciated!
Happy reading!
Last chapter:
'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..
On the day of the Weston's supper party, a card arrived from the Musgrove family holding an invitation for them to join their family supper that evening.
Sophia's eyes flashed with hardness.
Such presumptuous short notice! They are treating us like family or very close friends: it seems Frederick's extraction is not a moment too soon.
Giving her brother a significant look as she read the letter, he replied with his own begrudging acknowledgment that she had been astute in her recommendations of the prior day.
Sophia sent a very proper letter in response, thanking them with a polite decline of the invitation from herself, the Admiral, and her brother by citing a prior engagement. She included an invitation in the response to gain control over their next encounter with the Musgroves. Despite liking the family, her priority was still ensuring that her brother not be entangled with the Miss Musgroves, and, on afterthought, there were other families in the area who should not feel slighted even if they were not as prominent. Sophia extended an invite for the family to join her for afternoon tea four days hence.
The evening with the Westons turned out to be filled with laughter, sparkling conversation, and interesting information.
Sophia was seated by a Mrs Middleton while eating. The lady confessed to a prior acquaintance with both her brothers arising from the year 06. Sophia was not surprised in the slightest to find that the men had been clear favourites in the area during their occupation. She was, however, quite surprised to discover that Miss Anne had reportedly been on friendly terms with them and had apparently been in their company frequently, although, Mrs Middleton assured, not more than propriety allowed.
Mrs Middleton declared with a twinkling eye full of fond memories, 'I was in my third season by the year 06, and quite enthralled with the dancing, gowns, and parties. I saw love in every moment, heart swelling during every dance, but never so much as when I danced with my school friend's husband. She is my sister-in-law now.'
Sophia raised an eyebrow, an amused smile resting gently on her face.
'I can still recall her face when I told her of my tender feelings for her brother. She looked like I had just said the Prince Regent was coming to visit. I declare that her pretty little jaw dropped at my confession. But my love has never faltered for my husband since that day, never stumbled. Of course her surprise is quite understandable. I was in love with every handsome man who asked me to dance. I recall being quite jealous of Miss Anne at one stage,' she added with a wiry laugh, leaning over with a grin and faux whisper, 'all that time your naval brother spent in her company, I swear they spent the most time they possibly could together without declaring an engagement—'
Sophia had almost spilt her water that she was sipping when she heard Mrs Middleton's blushing confession, placing the swirling glass roughly on the table to control her emotions.
'—and even when not together, they were rarely separated by more than five feet. They danced together beautifully, laughed their way through cards, I so often saw them walking the paths around Kellynch when I was out riding in my phaeton.'
Frederick did what! Foolish boy! What expectations he must have raised by such behaviour.
'Of course, Miss Anne is always above reproach, but I almost expected an announcement to come before he disappeared off back to sea. Of course, I think Sir Walter was in London at the time, always taking that beautiful daughter of his to town for the seasons. I will confess to you, however, that I find Miss Anne the better company of the sisters.'
Clearly there is something about this country area, it has him acting foolishly around the ladies… circulating around Miss Anne in particular, it would seem.
'After that he never returned until now. Thinking back on it, I do wonder if Miss Anne was disappointed - she never seem to enjoy dancing afterwards. Hmm…'
'Sir Walter did not take both his daughters to town?'
'Oh no, he never does. He likes to joke that he can only expect to manage the clamouring suitors for one daughter at a time, else he will no longer look fit to be in their company. Miss Anne rarely leaves Kellynch, erm, well except, obviously…'
The lady's eyes darted around the table abruptly as silence fell.
Sophia desperately thought of a way to continue the conversation about Frederick and Miss Anne, however before she could select a topic, Mrs Middleton regained her composure. 'My apologies for my thoughtlessness. Have you been to town recently? I heard that there is a new sleeve length for evening gowns and am quite determined to discover the information from a knowledgeable source.'
Disappointment welled lightly in her heart, but she recovered to eagerly continue the conversation; wishing to develop her acquaintance with the entertaining and cheerful lady.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. A few new characters who's names might seem familiar to Jane Austen fans, but they are completely different people – I just needed some surnames of people with similar social standing. I will update when I can! Happy reading XD