Thanks for reading, and special thanks to everyone who reviewed, favourited, and followed the story!
To the reviewers: Rachetg - Indeed, I have to admit he is annoying me too!; CallmeSuzanne - Thank you, that is the highest compliments you can pay me! Merry Christmas to you as well XD Arlome - Indeed , the wonders of lace!; Obstinate Headstrong Girl - Thanks Lizzy, we can only hope!; and Guest - XD
Enjoy and thank you for all you support. Happy reading!
Last chapter:
'I think you have chosen wisely, my dearest friend, just leave your brother to work out the situation, he will just fight you and his feeling if you try and push them together.'
'I know, and I am quite sick of being at odds with my brother and trying to manipulate things, I prefer to be honest and straight-forward.'
Mrs Partridge patted Sophia's hand and then offered a refill of tea, steering the topic to lace.
As they entered the theatre behind a large group of people, Sophia's attention was caught by the other groups conversation.
'Isn't that Mr Elliot?' one of the ladies said, not bothering to drop her voice. Sophia glanced around, but could not sight the gentleman.
'Yes, it is. He is quite the gentleman and very eligible, the ladies around me were falling over themselves to gain his attention. He is to inherit a Baronetcy from Sir Walter Elliot.'
'His elderly relation with the two unmarried daughters?' the lady asked.
'Yes.'
'Quite a shame that two such ladies are almost on the shelf. Just shows it can happen to the best of us,' the first lady replied with a mix of glee and fear.
Sophia chanced a glance towards her brother, his eyes were focused on the gossiping ladies ahead.
'Well, from what I hear they won't be much longer: Mr Elliot is intent on marrying one of them, and word is he would prefer the younger, Miss Anne. He just has to wait until he is out of mourning, the gossips think he will make the wedding announcements the following day, rather scandalous, I think.'
The tittering group soon headed in a different direction to Sophia's, so she heard no more. Frederick had a distinctly sour look as he followed the group, but Sophia decided not to even guess at it. She had determined she would leave her miserable brother to wallow. She, however, intended to enjoy her evening.
And by the first interval she was enjoying the play immensely. The actors where amusing, the music lovely, and the conversation with Mrs Partridge entertaining. Casting a look at her brother, she realised he was not enjoying the play nearly as much, his lips still holding a downward turn.
During the interval, Sophia followed his eye line to a group in a nearby box. She could just make out five ladies and two gentlemen. Narrowing her eyes to try and get them to focus on the occupants, she realised she could see Miss Elliot sitting by two very exuberantly dressed ladies: one older and one younger.
Just behind Miss Elliot, she could identify Mr Elliot, who seemed to be talking intimately with Miss Anne. Sir Walter was sitting on Mr Elliot's other side and appeared to be focused on the ladies talking to Miss Elliot.
It seems that twisted look on Frederick's face is jealously, she mused.
She saw Miss Anne stand and excuse herself, waving of Mr Elliot who also stood. She turned her attention back to Frederick, only to find his seat empty.
Is he looking for Miss Anne? I wonder if I should— No, I am finished with this match-making business.
'Mrs Partridge, what did you think of the first portion of the play?' Sophia asked her friend who was gazing at the people in the lower seats.
'Oh, it was positively delightful! I could almost imagine myself transported into the scene,' Mrs Partridge gushed.
Sophia smiled and continued to converse with the lady for the duration of the interval.
As the lights dimmed, Frederick returned to his seat with a pale expression. He fidgeted for the remained of the performance, earning himself a speaking look from his distracted sister.
As the group exited the box at the end of the performance, she caught sight of the Elliots and their party ahead. Sir Walter had his chest puffed out as he stood next to the older expensively-dressed lady. The younger lady had her arm looped in Miss Elliot's. Mrs Clay was trailing behind, watchful eyes taking in everything and narrowed slightly on Mr Elliot.
Sophia looked at Miss Anne carefully. The lady appeared out-of-sorts as she walked just ahead of Mrs Clay.
Oh Frederick, what have you done this time?
Mr Elliot was by Miss Anne's side and was giving her a charming smile, however the lady seemed to be keeping her distance: every time he shuffled closer as they weaved through the crowd, she side-stepped as well.
As they neared the exit, Sophia saw Miss Anne smile politely and bob a curtsey as she followed her father out the door. Mr Elliot stilled and watched them depart, a slight look of irritation rose on his face, before it was quickly washed away, like a message in the sand is by the incoming tide.
He is up to something. Miss Anne seems to be wary, so she should be fine… but I would hate to see such a sweet lady taken in by the deceptive man.
She turned to Frederick and saw he was watching his unspoken rival with a frown. She restrained herself from patting his shoulder and took Mrs Partridge's arm as they too exited the building.
The next morning, Sophia insisted they all go for a walk in the riverside park before breakfast. The three walked in the fresh morning air as they strolled, occasionally glancing at the white swans which glided down the river.
When the Admiral and Frederick spotted an acquaintance, Sophia excused herself, not particularly wishing to discuss naval politics so early. As she wondered across the soft grass, she found Miss Anne with a shawl around her shoulders, watching some playing children.
'Miss Anne, how do you do?' Sophia called softly.
'Mrs Croft,' Anne replied with a curtsey. 'I am very well, and yourself?'
'Very well, I thank you. The park is beautiful at this time, do you not think?'
'Yes, it is lovely,' Miss Anne replied.
'Will you walk with me? I would dearly love your company,' Sophia asked.
'I would be delighted to,' Miss Anne replied with a small smile.
'Wonderful,' Sophia replied as she slipped her arm through Miss Anne's, shivering slightly at the younger woman's cold arms.
The two strolled in small circuits around the garden as they spoke. Eventually, coming to a standstill once more where Sophia first saw Miss Anne. The children were still playing, having now donned small sticks and were using them as toy swords: a nanny looked on with a frown, telling the exuberant children to stop. The youngsters ignored the lady in their oblivious glee.
Miss Anne suddenly stiffened as she looked over Sophia' shoulder. Sophia turned around and saw her brother and husband approaching. Miss Anne's eyes darted down and she began to make her excuses.
A squawking and loud flapping sounds distracted Sophia, but she didn't miss Frederick's shout, 'Miss Anne, look out!'
Turning back to the lady, Sophia felt a strong wind rush passed her and heard a startled shriek.
She saw a blur of white. Was that a swan?
'Miss Anne!' her brother shouted, horror in his voice.
Splash!
Sophia blinked rapidly, trying to figure what had happened.
She caught sight of the nanny scolding her wards with sharp gestures towards their group, the children upset, stick swords drooping towards the ground.
Two white swans were flying up the stream, drifting down until they hit the water, far from the exuberant children.
Frederick and the Admiral rushing towards the river. Frederick jumping down.
Sophia's eyes followed her brother and was shocked to realise he was pulling Miss Anne upright.
More people were now rushing closer. Eager to see what had happened.
Sophia quickly removed her cloak, preparing it to wrap around the bedraggled Baronet's daughter.
The Admiral helped hoist Miss Anne out of the water from his position on the bank.
Sophia rushed over and wrapped the lady up while her husband helped Frederick out of the river.
'Oh, Miss Anne, are you injured?' Sophia asked, supporting the wide-eyed younger lady with her deceptively strong arm.
'I—I think I am okay,' Miss Anne replied. 'Just cold.'
The nanny hurried over, dragging the two boys behind her in a firm grip. 'I am so sorry! I should have stopped the boys before they scared the swans! Oh dear! Is the lady okay?'
Miss Anne immediately roused herself when she saw the teary eyes of the boys. 'I am fine, please do not concern yourself, it was an accident.'
The nanny relaxed slightly and turned to the boys. 'Henry, Richard, what do you have to say,' she demanded sternly.
'We are sorry, Miss,' the two boys mumbled contritely. The older adding, 'It was not gentlemanly to play with swords and scare swans. We apologise most humbly.'
'It is quite alright, little Masters,' Miss Anne said kindly, bending slightly to look the young boys in their red eyes. 'You did not mean to, and I am sure it was a valiant battle that needed to be concluded.'
The two boys nodded enthusiastically in reply as Miss Anne stood. However when she straightened up, she started to sway. Sophia immediately wrapped her arm back around Miss Anne and the Admiral slipped Miss Anne's other arm into the crook of his elbow.
'Again, I am most sorry, Miss,' the nanny said.
Miss Anne needs a warm bath and clothes soon, lest she falls ill. And she is drenched, my cloak is already beginning to drip as well, we really should leave.
'Brother, can you please go and call a coach for us, we will follow,' Sophia directed. Frederick nodded and moved towards the closest park exit. 'I pray you will excuses us, we need to get the lady home,' Sophia added to the nanny, who promptly curtsied at the dismissal and tugged her wards away.
Sophia and the Admiral guided Miss Anne to follow Frederick, the shock of the sudden fall into water now beginning to set in for the younger lady.
They bundled her into the waiting carriage and Sophia directed the driver to the place she and the Admiral were living, as Miss Elliot's current home was twice as far and the poor lady was starting to shiver.
When the four disembarked, Frederick lead the way, calling for two baths to be prepared, one in a guest room first for Miss Anne. The footman nodded and rushed downstairs to convey the order.
Sophia led Miss Anne to the guest room and called her ladies maid to assist her.
Miss Anne was now frightfully pale and shivering violently.
The two soon had Miss Anne sitting blankly in the steaming copper tub, wet clothes removed and taken downstairs to be laundered. After the lady's skin had warmed up once more, they helped her from the tub and wrapped her in a warm nightgown of Sophia's and put her into bed, blankets piled high.
'How are you feeling, Miss Anne? Are you too cold or warm?' Sophia asked.
Miss Anne sneezed. 'I am a little cold,' the younger lady admitted quietly, shaking slightly.
Sophia frowned in concern. She slipped from the room and directed the ladies maid to bring more blankets and some lemon tea and warm soup, when she returned the young woman huddled in the bed was asleep.
Sophia pressed her hand against Miss Anne's head and frowned when she felt the heat emanating off the skin.
Oh dear, she seems to have a fever. She will have to stay here until she is better, I had best send a letter to her father so he doesn't worry. Perhaps I should also call the doctor.
Sophia swept out of the room to inform the others of the lady's condition.
Entering the parlour, her husband and brother raised an eyebrow when she entered alone.
'Miss Anne has developed a fever,' Sophia explained. 'I am hoping a short rest and some tea and soup will help her recover quickly, but perhaps I should call the doctor, or maybe ask Sir Walter if he would prefer that Miss Anne be conveyed to Camden Place instead.'
'Miss Anne will unlikely be taken care of by her father or sister, she would be left to herself to recover,' Frederick countered with some bitterness.
'Frederick, how could you speak so‽ I'm sure her family would be very worried,' Sophia scolded.
'I guarantee if you send her father a note, he will say she can stay here and won't require a doctor. I doubt he or Miss Elliot will even visit,' Frederick replied tersely.
Sophia glanced at her husband, but the Admiral merely shrugged, not able or willing to make conjecture on the Elliot family dynamics.
'I will send the letter and wait for a reply,' Sophia replied with a frown at her brother.
AN: Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!