Hello! Thank you all for your patience between the posts and thank you all for the favouriting, following, and reviews, they keep me so happy and commit me to doing my best to get online as soon as possible and upload the next chapter for you.

To my reviewers: SassenachLassy - I definitely will, thank you!; Gaeleria - Thanks, I'm glad you like the p.o.v. and the story; pamhalpert - I'm so glad you are enjoying the perspective so much and I hope you enjoy the changes!; MIS-MATCHED SOCKS - thanks!; Guest KL - haha, please do write reviews after midnight, they are wonderful and heart-warming to read! Thank you for the comments, I'll be posting as often as possible; Guest on 23 Aug - thank you, hope you enjoy this update; Weave the Magic - thank you, I'm glad you love the story, I will continue posting, albeit slower than I would like; ElisaK - glad to hear it, hope you enjoy this chapter!; Pageen - Thanks for the pick up, I will fix it when on a good computer. Yes, indeed Lady Russel will show up, but I won't tell you what she does yet!; nuane - Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy it!; Rachetg - Thanks! Here is a new one for you!; Kary Bobbins - Indeed she will, and what she will discover! Hope you enjoy the update; DeeDeeHDG - Thank you very much, I'm glad you are liking Sophie; Bet - thanks! I'm glad you enjoy it; LovePersuasion - Thank you, I hope you enjoy this chapter just as much! CallMeSuzanne - Thanks! I'm glad you are liking the story and the flashback to their initial courtship. Thanks also for the pick up, I'll fix it up when I have a more reliable computer (still borrowing at the moment!); Arlome - Sophie will definitely try!; voodoomarie - Thank you very much for the review, I'm glad you like Sophie and her detective work!

Happy reading!

Last chapter:

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 well lightly in her heart, but she recovered to eagerly continued the conversation; wishing to develop her acquaintance with the entertaining and cheerful lady.

The next afternoon, after an exuberant morning drive with her husband, Sophia was trying to compile all she knew of her brother's interactions with Miss Anne in her mind as she worked on a sewing project; a diverting task, to be sure.

They obviously spent as much time as possible together when he was last in the area. From this they must have been close. Is it possible that they were more than friends? But why downplay it?

I'm sure last week I saw Miss Anne move one way in the music room while Frederick went the other. It is just so odd for him – he usually makes a habit of trying to draw the quieter people into conversations, deeming that they often have interesting insights and notice many quirks of the people around them far better than the talkative ones; but with this lady, Frederick cannot be far enough from her.

And his flirtations were at a ridiculous level with girls he had no true interest in. Shocking and unguarded behaviour for him… although, to be fair, now he has realised he is rectifying the issue. But this is far more than simple high spirits from being on land. Possibly Miss Anne related?

Sophia chewed her lip as she paused in her stitching, needle raised and ready to make another pattern.

Yes.

He is so aware of her – despite his avoidance of her – and it causes him to act. It is hardly to be believed he noticed how tired she was on that walk and then to have me to invite the lady to join the chaise! And the impropriety of lifting her without a second thought or blush instead of Mr Charles; far too comfortable with the contact…

Sophia pursed her lips and changed her thread colour absentmindedly.

They were close and now avoided each other, clearly. Frederick does not wish her to suffer, but he has also never sought her out. Could they have ended their friendship on bad terms? No, that was silly, they could have no reason to be displeased; Frederick was called back to sea. But then there was Mrs Middleton's comment. And that discussion…

Sophia's mind cast back to a conversation she had held with Frederick when he arrived in the area. He had asked about the Elliot family and had turned positively ghost-like when he heard one of the younger sisters was married. If Mrs Mary had been in the school room when he was last in the area, then he would have never met her, so he only could have been reacting to the thought of Miss Anne being married.

But why….

Oh my! No, surely not. I'm being ridiculous.

Hmm…

No, I must be becoming a silly old lady.

But…

Did Frederick consider courting Miss Anne? Mrs Middleton suggested they were in each other's company frequently. However that would still not explain his avoidance of her; unless, perhaps, he thought she, a Baronet's daughter, was too superior a match and would not be interested, so he was guarding his heart from hurt. That could explain his avoidance and reaction to Mrs Charles' marriage. But Miss Anne has certainly not shown to think herself well above her company, so he should not think such a thing. Mrs Mary yes, but not her sister.

Sophia huffed, recognising her information was too incomplete to make anything other than vague and possible harmful assumptions.

She put her sewing aside after carefully threading the needle into the material so that it wouldn't stab her latter, and moved to her writing station. Sliding into the velvet-cushioned chair, she pulled out a piece of thick paper and carefully opened her ink bottle. Dipping in her quill, she began to compose a letter inviting Edward and his new wife to visit. Irritatingly, her carefully worded composition was soon interrupted by the sound of carriage wheels crunching on gravel and hooves methodically trotting closer.

Guests?

Intrigued, she moved to the window and gazed outside. A well-maintained carriage moved smoothly towards the door.

It pulled to a halt, the horses tossing their heads against the reins. The footman jumped down and opened the carriage door, dropping the steps before moving swiftly away from the already appearing shoes.

Sophia felt her eyelids tighten as she watched the two Miss Musgroves and Mrs Charles be handed out of the carriage by Mr Charles. Her heart thudded heavily against her chest as her cheeks flushed.

What do they think they are doing here today? I sent an invitation which specified tomorrow.

Clearing her face of any disapproval, Sophia moved to the wall and rung the bell to request tea and sandwiches be prepared for the surprise guests.

Thankfully, the Admiral and Frederick are somewhere along the stream fishing for trout and shan't be back for some hours.

The butler announced her guests and she welcomed them gracefully, offering them all seats and promising tea would be but a moment.

Miss Louisa was peering around the room as she sat, leaning in her seat as she examined her surrounds.

'How lovely to see you all. I hope you are all well?' Sophia asked politely.

'Very well, thank you. And yourself and family?' Miss Louisa responded.

'Perfectly well, thank you. How was your family dinner?'

'It was a very enjoyable, as it always is with family. The Hayters were fortunately able to join us, so we had quite the musical evening,' Miss Louisa gushed, before adding with a slight tinge of reproach, 'We have missed the company of yourself, Captain Wentworth, and Admiral Croft.'

Sophia immediately tried to relax her tightening lips.

'I am glad to hear you had so enjoyable an evening. We also had a delightful time meeting a few others of the neighbourhood. There are so many talented, young ladies in this area; I admit that I was quite enamoured by the musicality we heard last night, as indeed was my husband and brother.'

Maybe I am being a little too ill-mannered, however I will not be reproached by a girl whose eyes were still flitting searchingly around the room - now doubt looking for my brother to latch on to once more.

'Does Captain Wentworth enjoy music?' Miss Musgrove probed curiously.

Of course, that is what the girl focuses on, her eyes rolling in her mind.

'Yes, he finds great enjoyment in listening to well performed music.'

'Is he nearby at the moment? Henrietta and I would be happy to play a duet for him,' Miss Louisa offered.

'My brother and husband are out on the estate partaking in gentlemanly sports today.'

'Oh… perhaps we should walk down to see how they are getting along,' Miss Louisa suggested.

Sophia withheld an unladylike snort.

Okay, Frederick, I will admit that she is determined and you were correct when you claimed that the Miss Musgroves seek you out. I suppose, if I wasn't concerned about Frederick, the girl would just seem enthusiastic to please, sweet, and have a love for the outdoors; but there is an intensity focused on Frederick; a product, no doubt, due to the lack of eligible men in the area.

'I fear they did not say exactly where they intended to fish and this estate is very large. Such a venture would doubtful prove successful in locating them, however we might walk around the gardens if you care for fresh air; the rose beds are very beautiful. Do you know who is responsible for their design?' Sophia queried.

She was not permitted to enjoy the flower bed which Miss Elliot cared for, however someone would have had to choose the flower designs growing elsewhere.

'I would not know, I daresay Elizabeth has the final say, being mistress of the estate,' Mrs Charles replied disinterestedly.

'I thought Anne arranged the rose garden,' Mr Charles interjected.

'Anne? Surely not; she would have needed my assistance and I'm sure she has never asked me,' Mrs Charles countered.

Sophia watched the exchange with astonishment. A lady's garden was something of pride, and that none knew who was responsible for the garden of their sister, or sister-in-law, showed they were all rather self-concerned when it came to Miss Anne and her elder sister.

The conversation continued on in the same vein for a while, the party never venturing outside after the chances of stumbling upon Captain Wentworth had been determined as impossible. After a long two hours, the group bid their farewells and headed home.

AN: Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this latest update!