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To the reviewers: Everyday Clumsy - XD I live to pose those questions!; Rachetg - Glad you liked it, hope you enjoy this update too!; arlome - Haha, glad you enjoyed it!; Weavethemagic - Thanks for all the reviews! They keep me going strong!; DeedeeHDG - Thank you very much! ; ebfiddler - Thanks! Glad you liked the sibling dynamic; and Guest - wonder no more XD
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Last chapter:
Fine, be it on your own head, brother!
'Very well, brother: I think you are being foolish and that Miss Anne is an excellent lady who has a strong mind, which you would realised if you would just talk with her, but I will not interfere any further without your blessing. Now, I beg you go and shoot some birds, they woke me early this morning with their squawking.'
Frederick muttered something under his breath, but offered his arm to his sister to walk her back to the house, an arm that Sophia gratefully accepted: content that her brother had at least forgiven her and been surprisingly honest and open during the rather charged conversation.
It was another week and a half before Sophia encountered Miss Anne.
It was quite by chance, the men had gone shooting and she decided to take the opportunity for a long, meandering walk through the woodland and fields, which lead her in the direction of Uppercross. She had been resting on a log in a small woodland clearing, preparing herself for the long, unsure journey home, when Miss Anne came into view.
The younger lady was picking wildflowers as she walked along the pathway, waving the bouquet around with a smile on her face. She looked happy and relaxed, something Sophia realised had been missing from her features on the other occasions when they had met.
'Miss Anne, good morning,' Sophia called.
Miss Anne's head snapped towards her as she abruptly in mid-step.
'Mrs Croft, good morning,' Miss Anne replied with a forced smile as she recollected herself and gave a polite curtsey.
Sophia noticed Miss Anne glance around the woodland, eyeing a path which disappeared into the trees. After some shifting of weight, Miss Anne turned towards Sophia and said, 'It is lovely to see you again, I do hope you are enjoying the sunny weather after all the rain.'
'I am, thank you. Miss Anne, please allow me to apologise for our last talk, I was being very impertinent, please allow us to put it behind us and discuss it no more?'
Miss Anne gave her a look she couldn't quite read before a small, wary smile extended over her features. 'Of course, Mrs Croft, I was quite tired that night from playing with my nephews during the day. I see you have wondered quite far from Kellynch today, you must have been walking for some time.'
Oh, yes, I was right, Miss Anne has quite a strong will when she chooses to exert it.
'When I woke this morning, I found that Frederick was on a mission of some sort to Lyme, my brother and husband announced plans for shooting the day away and my sister-in-law wished to practise some music, so I immediately took the opportunity to collect my cloak and walk in the first direction I chose. Am I far from Uppercross?'
'An hour or so walk,' Miss Anne enlightened. 'I found myself quite at my leisure as well.'
Sophia bit her lip to stop the pert reply about how that must be rare given her relations, and settled for something much more polite. 'I am very glad for it, I was pondering the best way to return to Kellynch and, I daresay, you are probably the best person to assist me.'
Miss Anne allowed a genuine smile to overtake her features. 'The easiest way would be to follow this road and when it forks, select the right side. The fastest way is a path with many crossing ways and is very easy to become lost upon.'
'Would you walk the faster way with me? I can have a gig bring you home again.'
'Oh, I would not be able to walk so far!' Miss Anne replied, although Sophia was sure the lady probably could, however was choosing to avoid her like the Admiral had foreseen.
'Alas, I will need to learn it another time then. Miss Anne, I hear you are to join your family in Bath soon. The Admiral and I will be travelling there in just under a week, there is space in our carriage if you would like to join us: I would very much like the company!'
Does this count as meddling? Surely not, I'm just being a good Christian.
She watched Miss Anne chew her lip as her eyebrows furrowed, a childish gestured which took her by surprise.
'I am not sure if Frederick will be joining us, he made mentioned of considering visiting our brother and sister-in-law in their parish for some time.' Just a little white lie, surely that cannot hurt… Besides, a carriage ride with Frederick would certainly allow him to see her strong mind.
Miss Anne seemed relieved by the news that Frederick was unlikely to be on the trip, but her next words showed that the lady had clearly learnt to be wary. 'Thank you so much for the kind offer, it is very generous of you and the Admiral, however I will need to double check Lady Russell's plans, she intended to bring me to Bath with her when she returned through the area.'
'Oh, that is a shame! Well do let me know if you can join us, we would make such a merry party,' Sophia replied, disappointed and slightly relieved at Miss Anne's subtle decline: on reflection, Frederick probably would be furious if he learnt of the offer.
'I have been picking flowers for quite some time, so I had best return to Uppercross, thank you again for your kind offer, Mrs Croft, I do appreciate it most sincerely. I hope you enjoy your walk home, good day,' Miss Anne said with a curtsey.
'Good day, Miss Anne,' Sophia replied quietly as she watched Miss Anne disappear onto a side path she had eyed earlier.
AN: So close to a carriage ride to get the relief of everyone on the same page! Ah well. Thanks for reading XD