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Last chapter:

'Miss Anne, Mrs Croft, and Captain Wentworth have arrived, Sir,' the servant announced.

'Hmm, oh, Anne, I see you have recovered. Mrs Croft, lovely to see you again. Captain, a pleasure to meet you. Although, Anne, you do look a little peaky, but maybe you always looked that way…'

Surely he recalls that he has met my brother before! If not, he is far more self-concerned than I thought was possible in a person – to not remember a daughter's suitor!

'Anne, it is good to see you have recovered. We have been quite busy with guests recently, I wish I could lie abed for a week to recover,' Miss Elliot announced blithely. 'Mrs Croft, Captain Wentworth,' she added distantly.

My, what an unpleasant lady, I had forgotten - I do pity Anne.

Smiling sweetly, Sophia replied, 'Miss Elliot, Sir Walter, it is lovely to see you both. As you can see, Miss Anne has recovered and we sought to ensure she was brought home safely. I must say we have delighted in having Miss Anne visit us, despite the circumstances that necessitated it.'

'Of course, it is quite the honour,' Sir Walter replied carelessly.

Sophia drew back.

Hmm, maybe the servants in the park made some valid points.

Seeing Anne's blush, she forced a smile and replied, 'Quite so, Sir.'

At this point, Frederick stepped forward and spoke, 'Sir, if it is possible, I would ask that I could have a private meeting with you.'

'Now?' the man asked, glancing outside the window with an anticipator look.

'If possible, Sir, I have business that needs to be discussed.'

Miss Elliot sneered and turned to her companion, Mrs Clay, to discuss some gossip.

'Very well, Elizabeth, I shan't be long if Mr Elliot should arrive.'

'Yes, father,' Miss Elliot answered demurely. 'Mrs Croft, would you like some tea while you wait for your brother?'

'That would be delightful, Miss Elliot.'

Elizabeth summoned a servant who rushed to complete the request. When the tea was returned, Miss Elliot gracefully prepared the cup. 'How do you take your tea, Mrs Croft?'

'A dash of milk to compliment your brew would be lovely, Miss Elliot.'

Miss Elliot gave a polite smile and completed the cup, passing it smoothly to her guest.

Anne prepared her own cup and took a seat next to Sophia, sipping the warm liquid quietly.

'Penelope, could you please collect my blue hairpiece from my room, I wish to check the colour,' Miss Elliot demanded sweetly.

'Of course, Miss Elliot, I will be right back,' Mrs Clay gushed.

As soon as the door closed, Miss Elliot swivelled to the pair and narrowed her eyes. 'What is this "business" that Captain Wentworth need to discuss with father?'

'He is speaking to father and letting him know that I have agreed to marry him.'

Miss Elliot pursed her lips and paused for a few moments. 'Then I wish you both will be very happy. If you are determined to marry a sailor, at least you chose a handsome one who moves quite well in the drawing room. It should certainly help his career to marry into a titled family such as ours. Mr Elliot was planning to take us all to the theatre when you recovered, however, I daresay, you will be too busy with your betrothed to join us.'

Ah, the servants were right about Miss Elliot as well…

Anne's eyebrows created a small crease in her forehead, but it soon smoothed. 'Thank you for your well wishes, sister; your words mean a great deal to me. We are planning to marry as quickly as we can without raising any questions of a scandal, so I imagine I will be quite busy preparing.'

'Hmm, I had best arrange for the dressmaker to visit to prepare you a new wardrobe - it would not do well for the family if you were to marry in the old dresses you like to wear; and I will also need something new for the wedding and related parties. But I suppose we must wait for father to return and make the announcement before letting anyone else know. Of course, Mr Elliot is family, so he could know.'

Elizabeth was cut off by the return of Mrs Clay, who returned empty handed. 'I'm sorry, Miss Elliot, I could not find the hairpiece – I looked on every surface.'

'It is no matter, Penelope, I'm sure a maid put it away,' the lady responded. 'Mrs Croft, how long will you be staying in Bath?'

'Our plans are flexible at the moment, at least a few months.'

'Hmm.'

A knock sounded on the front door and Sophia watched with interest as Miss Elliot immediately straightened and checked her hair. Mrs Clay also seemed to be just as concerned with her own looks.

Interesting, what would cause both these ladies to act in the same way.

The butler led a well-dressed gentleman into the room. 'Mr Elliot, ma'am.'

Miss Elliot rose gracefully and gave a curtsey, Mrs Clay by her side. 'Welcome, cousin, it is delightful to see you today. As you can see, my sister has been returned to us, so we are in very happy spirits,' Miss Elliot said.

Mrs Croft curtseyed in greeting, along with Anne, but she didn't miss the widening of the gentleman's smile when his eyes landed on Anne.

Sophia felt the desire to stand in front of her soon-to-be sister and keep the man's appreciative gaze from her.

'Mrs Croft, delightful to see you again – it has been too long.'

Sophia smiled politely, but before she could respond, he had already moved his attention on to Anne.

'Miss Anne, it is wonderful to see you again. You look very well. The change of scenery has done wonders for you: perhaps we will need to give you a more permanent change.'

Anne gasped beside her and Miss Elliot pursed her lips, withdrawing from the conversation and tugging Mrs Clay away with her. 'Please excuse us a moment, I need to attend to something and require Penelope's assistance.'

The ladies swiftly departed, a flush on Miss Elliot's cheeks and her widened nostrils showing the reason. Sophia keep her eyes on the door.

Hurry up, Frederick.

'I am quite happy with my current plans, Mr Elliot.'

'Would you not wish to travel more in the future?'

'Across town is hardly travelling, sir.'

'I fear you have lacked the opportunity to travel in the past. Hopefully, that will be remedied in the future. Perhaps a few more months and something can be arranged. I fear I should not enjoy myself too much given my current status.'

'Yes, to lose your wife after so short a life would be a terrible heartache to recover from. Indeed, I imaging it will take you years,' Anne replied pointedly.

A valiant attempt, Anne, but he is unlikely the type to be so discouraged; a snake in the grass doesn't like to be directed by others.

'If she had truly loved me more than the baronetcy title, perhaps, but it was not the case,' Mr Elliot replied with a wounded look. 'But, I rally, and my hope to find love has not disappeared. Indeed, I am quite confident that I will be happy in a future marriage.'

Sophia watched Anne shift and cast a glance at the door.

Mr Elliot seemed to have forgotten her own presence and stepped closer to Anne, who promptly stepped back. The man tried to take Anne's hand and she tugged it away.

'Please, Cousin Anne—'

'Mrs Croft,' Anne said loudly and the gentleman jumped and stepped back, 'I would like to show you the poem I mentioned earlier. Do you mind?'

'I would be delighted to read it for myself, it sounded very soulful.'

'Indeed? I would like to know what poem has captured my intelligent cousin's—'

The door swung open and Sir Walter was followed in by Frederick, who took a quick look at his irritated sister, embarrassed fiancé, and to Mr Elliot. He frowned when Sir Walter said, 'Ah, Mr Elliot, how good to see you.'

'Sir Walter,' Mr Elliot replied with a bow and a curious look at Frederick. Sophia's eyes darted between the two suitors, waiting for Mr Elliot to realise the situation.

Good, the horrid, slimy man deserves to be set down properly.

'Frederick, please let me introduce you to my cousin, Mr Elliot.'

Mr Elliot blanched and immediately snapped his head to Anne. Sophia smirked as Anne didn't appear to notice, her eyes focused only on Frederick as he smiled and nodded.

'Mr Elliot, I am delighted to introduce my fiancé, Captain Wentworth.'

'Mr Elliot,' Frederick said with a civil bow and a smug smile.

Mr Elliot responded distractedly, his focus still on Anne. Frederick's jaw clicked and he strode across the room to stand next to Anne.

'I say, Mr Elliot, is something the matter?' Sir Walter asked, watching his heir in confusion, until he caught sight of his reflection and straightened his waistcoat.

Frederick raised his eyebrow at the still silent man and leaned towards Anne. 'Your father has agreed that we marry from Bath in a month.'

Anne smiled brilliantly in reply.

'You do not mind? I know how you dislike Bath,' Frederick continued in an intimate manner.

'With you here, I find that I enjoy Bath more,' Anne replied.

Frederick smiled and switched his gaze to Mr Elliot who had started to hyperventilate and a slight sheen was spreading over his forehead.

'Cousin Anne, might I have a private word with you?' Mr Elliot asked.

Frederick immediately gave him a look usually reserved for sailors about to be given a thorough dressing-down, while his fiancé looked perplexed and then frowned.

'Anything you may need to say to me, Mr Elliot, can be said in front of Frederick.'

Mr Elliot licked his lips, eyes darting between the couple. 'If you insist, I will, of course, comply.'

Sophia tensed, her instinct screaming that this was about to take a turn for the worse.

'If you find yourself in a predicament, due to actions of this lowly born man, I will, as your devoted cousin, put propriety aside and be an honourable alternative.'

Sophia couldn't help the hiss that escaped her at the slanderous statement. Anne's delicate jaw dropped in surprise, while her fiancé allowed Sir Walter's heir to see exactly why he was such a formidable captain in battle.

'Mr Elliot, how could you think such a thing of my daughter‽ Shame on you, sir! Do not speak in such an undignified manner again. Captain Wentworth wishes to marry my daughter, she is my daughter, after all. He has now made a sufficient fortune and is a captain of the navy – distasteful to some, but well enough in such times – so he may marry my middle daughter. I will not allow you to slander my family's respectable name – I raised my daughters as gentlewomen and they behave with the upmost decorum; to suggest otherwise is a slight on me, them, and the entire Elliot family.'

Mr Elliot looked startled at the admonishment.

'I—er—I apologise for insulting you, Sir. I do not know what I was thinking, voicing such a shameful idea.'

'Of course, although perhaps don't mention it again. I would not wish for shame to be brought on my family.'

'Yes, Sir,' Mr Elliot replied with wide dazed eyes. When he turned to face Anne and Frederick, he stepped backwards quickly. Frederick eyes promised all manner of pain and his clenched hand entwined with Anne's seemed the only thing restraining him from losing all thought and calling the man out.

Taking a few more hurried steps backwards, Mr Elliot stumbled backwards over a small table, feet flying into the air as he landed on his back with a crunch, part of the table splintered under him.

No one moved to help him scramble to his feet, however a servant soon entered and Anne instructed him to clean up the remains of the object. Mr Elliot, recalled a previous appointment and quickly excused himself.

'He isn't invited to our wedding,' Frederick groused beside her to his fiancé.

I don't think he would dare come if he was. Elliot looked like a landman in his first battle after all stories of glory have flown from his mind and he faces the cutlass of a formidable Frenchman.

'As you wish, dear,' Anne replied with an amused twist on her lips.

'All we need to top of this debacle is Lady Russell,' he muttered.

'She is still a dear friend.'

'I don't want her at the wedding either.'

'You will get used to the idea of her being there over the next month, dear.' Smile still prominent on the young lady's face.

Sophia's eyes twinkled as Anne subtly refused her brother with an iron will.

'I suppose one out of two is acceptable,' he replied softly.

Anne stifled a yawn and Sophia immediately reinserted herself into the lover's conversation. 'Anne, we will let you go and rest now. We will come and visit tomorrow morning. Will twelve suit you?'

'Yes, that will be delightful,' Anne replied.

'Sir Walter, we will be leaving now, good day to you,' Sophia said.

Her brother adding, 'Sir.'

Sir Walter dipped his head marginally as they left and Anne took them into the hall.

'Have a good day,' Sophia said to her soon-to-be sister.

'You too,' Anne replied.

'I love you,' Frederick whispered.

'I love you too,' she replied with a blush staining her cheeks.

Frederick kissed her knuckles and the siblings left Anne ascending the staircase to remove to her room.

As they walked away from Camden Place, the two saw Lady Russell's carriage clatter by.

Sophia winced. 'That was close; I had forgotten that Lady Russell offered to transport Anne home today.'

Frederick sighed. 'She did? Our next meeting will be frosty, no doubt. I hope she does not harass Anne.'

'Even if she does, I do not think she could make Anne change her mind.'

'No, I have faith that she couldn't do that again. But I do wish we were already married and I could bar the woman from interrupting Anne's rest.'

Sophia smiled. 'You could try, but unless you wish to manhandle her, I doubt you would succeed.'

Frederick muttered something, but it was too quiet for her to catch by the busy road.

'Oh, look, Frederick – Molland's. I wish to buy some Turkish Delight for the Admiral, do you mind if we stop in the store?'

Frederick opened the door and gave her a mock bow. 'After you, dear sister.'

'You should be nice to me if you want a chaperone for the next month.'

'I just opened the door for you!'

'With mocking,' Sophia replied pointedly.

'How about I offer to take you and the Admiral to the theatre in three days?'

'Would you be planning to invite your fiancé?'

'Of course,' Frederick replied as he moved towards the shop counter to order the Admiral's favourite treat.

'I have a feeling I'm being used,' Sophia muttered as she looked for a seat.

'Mrs Croft?'

Sophia spun around and saw a young socialite and her matchmaking mother.

'Mrs Hammond, Miss Hammond, it is lovely to see you both. I thought you would be in London for the season, what brings you to Bath?'

Mrs Hammond was married to a mediocre captain in the navy and often wished to enhance his position by trying to gain the friendship of those who could assist in his advancement, she was also trying to marry off her daughter to a rich man; Frederick having been a target in the past.

The ladies curtsied to each other and Mrs Hammond immediately probed her. 'Did I just overhear you say that Captain Wentworth is engaged?'

Oh dear. I would really not wish to announce the marriage in a shop, how am I going to get out of this?

Ding.

Sophia glance towards the doorway, hoping for a distraction for Mrs Hammond and her daughter. The Musgrove daughters and younger couple entered the room.

Well that's not helpful.

The new entrants saw Sophia and smiled. Sophia dipped a curtesy in return and watched with resignation as they came to join the group.

'Mrs Croft, how delightful to see you,' Miss Musgrove said. 'We just came from calling at your house.'

Again!

'My brother and I had an errand to run this morning.'

'Captain Wentworth?' Mrs Mary asked, glancing around. Miss Louisa had already caught sight of her brother who now seemed to be loitering at the counter with a wrapped package under his arm.

She caught his glance and summoned him over with a tilt of her head and glare.

'Do you know Captain Wentworth?' Miss Hammond asked as she scrutinised the other ladies.

Sophia contained a smirk as Mrs Mary bolstered herself and raised her nose in response.

'Allow me to make the introductions. This is Mrs Hammond and her daughter, Miss Hammond. This is Mrs Musgrove, Mr Musgrove, and their sisters Miss Musgrove and Miss Louisa Musgrove.'

A round of curtseys that looked like a flock of bobbing ducks passed and the ladies watched each other with reserve.

'How do you know Mrs Croft and Captain Wentworth?' Miss Louisa asked.

'Oh, you know how the navy is, everyone of similar rank knows everyone else,' Mrs Hammond said airily. 'And yourselves?'

'Mrs Croft and the Admiral are leasing my father's vast family estate while he is away for an extended period. They and Captain Wentworth have been frequent visitors to the Musgrove estate,' Mrs Mary replied hauntily.

'What was the errand that took you from your home this morning? Is Anne with you? We were hoping to talk with her this morning, but the butler said she was not in either,' Miss Louisa asked.

'Captain Wentworth and I were escorting Miss Elliot home now that she has sufficiently recovered from her illness. We just came from Camden Place and only stopped here momentarily.'

'Indeed we did, and I have now procured what you needed, sister,' Frederick added from the edge of the gathering.

'You have? Excellent! Then we had best be on our way,' Sophia replied. I'm so clever!

'Oh, wait!' Mrs Hammond said. 'Your sister said something earlier, Captain Wentworth, and I am all aflutter to confirm it.'

Painful woman, ruining my smooth escape!

Frederick paused with wariness.

'I apologise, Mrs Hammond, but we really must continue on. It was lovely to see you all. Mrs Musgrove, your sister would no doubt be delighted to see you later if you intend to re-call, I think she mentioned that she was going to rest when we left,' Frederick replied.

'Oh Anne never had as strong a constitution as I,' Mrs Mary replied.

Frederick raised a sceptical eyebrow but bowed anyway with a cursory smile.

As the store door closed behind them, Sophia whispered, 'Nicely played, brother.'

'And what exactly did you say to Mrs Hammond?'

'Nothing, she overheard our conversation as we entered.'

'Do you think Mrs Hammond will pass on what she heard?'

'Hmm, she likes to keep my favour and I didn't tell her directly, so that might hold her off; conversely, she does love to gossip…'

'In that case, I'll go and see the solicitor this afternoon to ensure everything is prepared before the gossip hits, and arrange the purchase of a common licence.' With a glance towards the direction of his solicitor's office, Frederick added, 'I will see you for dinner.'

'Good luck!' Sophia replied with a grin and watched him walk away. The grin slipped off her face when she realised that she would have to walk home alone.

Oh well, better than being stuck in the company of Mrs Hammond. I wish I could see her face when it is confirmed that Frederick has escaped her daughter's clutches. And at least I now get the pleasure of telling the Admiral of the joyous news.

AN: Thanks for reading, only one short chapter left!