Thanks for reading, and special thanks to everyone who reviewed, favourited, and followed the story!

To the reviewers: voodoomarie - yes Mary is a pain and Anne has the patience of a saint; Gaeleria - Thank you, I'm glad you like the character portrayals; DeeDeeHDG - Thank you so much for your comments, it is greatly appreciated and I'm glad you find it holding true; cartasdeamor - Well Darcy is quite a high standard!; Call Me Suzanne - Thank you, as always your feedback it truely encouraging and spurs me onwards; Arlome - Yes, Sophia is rather interfering! I love her!; Guest - Haha, glad to produce a audible response XD; LovePersuasion - The remaining family is quite toxic. You'll find out... soonish XD ; Kary Bobbins - I agree, Anne must be a saint. Hope you enjoy this bit of digging; Lying Knaves - Thanks, I'm glad your like it XD

Enjoy and thank you for all you support. Happy reading!

Last chapter:

Frederick just shrugged and the Admiral chuckled as he said, 'Poor Mr Charles, I daresay he expected Mrs Charles to grow more like Miss Anne.'

'Then it appears he chose very poorly, Mrs Charles must be the opposite of Miss Anne in every particular except parentage,' Frederick commented.

With that the three returned inside to change for dinner.

Sophia sat at her writing desk, combing through all the correspondence she had keep; namely the letters from her immediate family.

Ah ha! Frederick's correspondence from the year 06.

Sophia began to open the letters with the aligning dates. Scanning for information that could hint towards the type of relationship Frederick had maintained with Miss Anne.

My dear sister… I have also met a young lady called Miss Anne Elliot. Her father and elder sister are currently in London for the season. Sadly, her mother has passed away and so she is left with only a younger sister, who is still in the schoolroom, for company. I can't imagine why her family would have left her behind – she is excellent company – but she insists she does not mind not going to London. Edward introduced us at a ball and we had an excellent time dancing. I have also met a Miss…

No other mentions, the next letter then.

My dear sister… I have been able to further my acquaintance with many people in the neighbourhood, however I quite enjoy the time I spend with Miss Anne the most. She is an amusing partner during cards, a lively dancer, an enchanting musician, and an excellent listener. She recently received a letter from her elder sister, apparently they are due to stay in town for a little longer. I think you would like her, perhaps you will be able to meet her one day, I am sure that would be agreeable to you both: she is a sweet and warm-hearted lady, with excellent taste, and is genuinely kind to everyone. Edward says he met her when he was doing charitable work in the parish. I can well believe that she is a balm to the ill and poor in the area, she is a very good lady. She visited Edward the other day with her lady's maid in attendance after he fell from his horse, quite an amusing story...

Sophia laughed lightly, recalling the story of Edward's mishap. It is very clear you admire the lady, dear brother, I cannot believe I failed to recall her name! And are you hinting at something when you mention me meeting her? You certainly seem to claim to know her desires…

She turned to the last letter from the time.

My dear sister… Excellent news, I have been given a command and am heading to sea in a short time. I am very excited to have this opportunity, I know I will do well. I must say it is not a moment too soon, I have grown weary of my time on land and of amusing bored young ladies. The card games and balls can easily be passed over in preference for the ocean and a ship under my command. I will be asking Lieutenant Benwick to join my crew…

Hmm, when I read this so long ago I attributed his words to eagerness to taken on the new challenge, but now, perhaps this stings of bitterness and misery. Why did I not see it then?

Disappointed not to have found something more substantial, Sophia folded them back up and slipped them into the original package of correspondence. She leaned back in her chair and looked at the pile contemplatively.

Frederick clearly admired Miss Anne and was in her company, it didn't follow that he should be happy to go to sea without entering into an engagement…but, I suppose, liking and admiring is not the same as an all-encompassing love, and perhaps he just thought there was a chance that Edward would settle in the area.

She huffed and pushed back her chair as she stood up.

Perhaps it is time I arrange the return dinner with the Westons with Mr and Mrs Middleton to join us.

A week later, Sophia sat in anticipation. She had been disappointed by the lack of new information available during the enjoyable dinner party with the Westons and Mr and Mrs Middleton: Mrs Middleton simply reiterating the same information about Frederick and Miss Anne. However, that would hopefully be amended soon.

Glancing out the window, she saw the arrival of a travelling coach and smiled. It was her brother Edward and his new wife, Mrs Caroline Wentworth. Sophia could barely contain her excitement, to not only see her brother and meet his bride, but to also finally find out what had occurred between her brother and Miss Anne. She quickly stood and asked the servants to fetch Frederick and the Admiral, before hurrying outside.

'Edward! It is wonderful to see you,' Sophia called with delight as her brother stepped from the carriage and wrapped his arms around her.

'Sophia, you look beautiful as always. Allow me to introduce my wonderful wife, Mrs Caroline Wentworth.'

Caroline gave Sophia a curtsy before Sophia wrapped her in a hug as well.

'I'm delighted to finally meet my new sister,' Sophia said.

'As am I, although I will admit, slightly nervous as well,' Caroline admitted with a laugh.

Sophia smiled widely in response. 'No need to be nervous, from what my brother has said in his letters, I love you already, and I promise I am not as bad as his stories no doubt suggest.'

Caroline's smile widened before she turned to greet the Admiral and Captain Wentworth. They quickly relocated into the drawing room for refreshments.

Later that evening, when Caroline was playing cards with Frederick and the Admiral, Edward turned back to his sister with a grin and Sophia said, 'You are right, she is wonderful. I am very happy for you.'

'Thank you, sister.'

'Now we just need Frederick happily settled and all will be well,' Sophia added.

'Please don't meddle in our brother's love life, Sophia.'

'I fear it has been necessary recently. He was behaving rather unguardedly around two sisters.'

'Frederick is not foolish enough to raise expectations where he is not interested in courting.'

'Usually, yes. However, this time I was right and he was not truly interested. He was behaving very out of character around these ladies: fortunately, he is now making an effort to distance himself.'

'Would I know them?' Edward questioned.

'I doubt it, they are quite young. Their names are Miss Henrietta and Miss Louisa Musgrove, daughters of a prominent landowner in the area, Uppercross. The elder brother, Mr Charles Musgrove, will inherit along with his wife, Miss Mary Musgrove, formerly Miss Mary Elliot.'

Edward raised an eyebrow.

'You know them then?' Sophia half stated.

'No, I never met the Musgroves, however I did meet some of the Elliots, although not Miss Mary,' he clarified. 'As I don't know them, it is unlikely Frederick would have met them either: so I have no idea why he is behaving out of sorts. However, best leave him to himself if you have already sorted the unintentional raising of expectations.'

Sophia hid her irritation, Edward was supposed to be curious and continue the conversation, not warn her off. 'Mrs Charles does have a sister currently staying with her, Miss Anne Elliot. Perhaps you met her?'

Edward gave his sister a probing look, as if trying to figure out her thoughts. 'I have met Miss Anne, she was a lovely young lady, very sweet and thoughtful to tenants on this estate. She is visiting her sister before joining her family in Bath then?'

'Yes, I am not sure how long she will remain in the area for. Frederick is actually behaving strangely around her as well.'

'Is he? Flirting far too much as well?' Edward asked with a smile.

'The opposite. He is avoiding her.'

A concerned frown flickered across Edward's face and if Sophia hadn't been watching carefully she would not have noticed.

'Has he?' Edward asked mildly.

'Yes, almost to the point of slighting.'

This time the frown that appeared on Edward's face stayed in place. 'Hmm.'

'What is it?'

Edward looked hesitant. 'I will talk with Frederick about it, it is probably nothing, but he shouldn't slight an old friend.'

Land a'hoy. 'Yes, being such close friends he should not avoid her so, it is poor manners,' she said slyly.

'Indeed.'

'I must tell you, Edward, you are the first to acknowledge their prior closeness. Miss Anne and Frederick have said that they were only slight acquaintances.'

Edward looked shocked and then scowled at his sister. 'I was hoping you invited me to visit so you could meet Caroline, not to dig for personal information on Frederick,' he scolded.

'Of course I wanted to meet your bride!' Sophia defended. 'I am looking forward to getting to know her over the next two weeks before we head to Bath. Will you be able to join us in Bath?'

'No, unfortunately I will need to return home to the parish.'

'That is a shame, although if that is the case, I will offer a seat to Miss Anne if she plans to leave around that time.'

'Sophia, what are you concocting?'

'I think Miss Anne and Frederick would suit very well: she might be a little old, but that allows her more maturity, which a naval wife needs, and she would be a good match in other respects. If she joins us in the carriage they might just realise how well matched they are.'

'Sophia, I am reluctant to tell you this, however if it is the only way to make you desist in your matchmaking… In the year 06, Frederick and Miss Anne were courting before she broke the engagement and he returned to sea.'

'What!?' Sophia exclaimed, before righteous sibling anger flushed Sophia's face and she continued in a hushed snarl, 'Why did she break an engagement with my brother!?'

'I am not one hundred percent sure, when Frederick told me he was quite distressed and he has refused to talk about it since.'

'What did he say?'

Edward sighed. 'Not much, just that she had broken the engagement and that it was because she allowed herself to bend to the will of Lady Russell and she did not have faith in his ability to ascend in his navel career.'

'But why would other people object after they became engaged, and what does Lady Russell have to do with it? And as for his naval career, Frederick is an excellent sought after captain, how could it be in doubt?'

'Their engagement was secret until her father and elder sister returned from travel, so it was formed without Sir Walter's consent, and Lady Russell is Miss Anne's godmother. As for Frederick's naval career, you forget he was only just made a commander and he was yet to prove himself at commanding a ship, which he has done brilliantly, however at the time he had no money, and I know Sir Walter refused to give Miss Anne her rightful dowry if she married Frederick. They would have had almost no money and no sure opportunity to gain a large sum to support themselves.'

'But how could she agree and then break-'

'I daresay there is much more to the story on both sides: Frederick left the area a few days later, but I did not see Miss Anne, even at church, until two months later and I will admit she looked vastly changed. In the space of that short time, she went from a glowing and energetic young lady to one who was tired, thin, and pale. I believe that whatever passed between her and Frederick also greatly upset her.'

Sophia was still upset at the slight to her brother, no wonder they avoided each other. Clearly though, from how much her brother still noticed Miss Anne, he still cared for her. Her head pounded with the new information.

Edward continued, 'Now that I have told you this, you must stop contriving to throw them together.'

'Of course,' Sophia replied. 'I have a headache coming on, I think I will go to bed. Goodnight, Edward.'

Sophia stood and made her excuses to the rest of the family.

AN: Gasp. Edward, shame on you! Very bad secret keeping for a Reverend! Should Sophia leave them alone?

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