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

Special thanks to the reviewers! andhereweare - yes, so very Sir Walter to defend the family name and himself; headless-nic - like your family! Oh dear! I hope the next one has less similarities to the Ellliots!; honey4020 - I know, I'm sad to see the end of this story!; Weave the Magic - yes, I thought that might be the one thing that stirred the great Sir Walter into action, hopefully I haven't been too harsh on the Musgroves, I'll admit the earlier drafts had them more extreme, but I usually just try to enhance points that are already there, especially as I can write them from different perspectives, and I like them too so I pulled it back a notch; and the two guests!

Last chapter:

'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 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.

Mrs Hammond worked faster than either Sophia or Frederick expected. By the following afternoon, the gossips of Bath were working hard to pass on the message that had mothers lamenting the loss of an eligible and rich Captain from the marriageable ranks of society.

Sophia's first inkling came when she was inundated with visitor cards immediately after regular visiting hours commenced. None asked after the news directly, preferring the rather the more ladylike performance of dancing around leading questions in the hopes that the hostess would let the news slip. Sophia, in a rather contrary mood, decided to be dense and not offer the sought information. Frederick had diligently avoided all the social callers, but he would have been amused by his sister's manner had he been witness; she had been so keen to marry him off to Miss Anne that to now hide the news was highly diverting.

The Admiral guffawed over his whiskey in the evening as Sophia recounted her day. She promised to mention the news to the following day's visitors, just to spite today's intrusive callers and remind them that patience is a virtue and more likely to be rewarded.

'Sister, I beg you put the callers off for another day, I would dearly enjoy your company in the park tomorrow,' Frederick cajoled.

'In need of a chaperon already, are you?' she asked with amusement.

'Most certainly. Talking with Anne in Camden Place is stifling with Sir Walter constantly checking his appearance in the mirror as he discusses gossip with his superior daughter.'

'Very well. Admiral, would you like to join us for our jaunt tomorrow morning?'

'Hmm, yes, I think I would. If, that is, we can convince our two wards to walk at an old man's pace,' the Admiral teased.

'Old man! I'm not married to an old man, banish that thought, husband.'

Frederick and the Admiral chuckled at Sophia's backhanded defence of her husband.

'I think Anne and I would be happy to oblige you, Admiral,' Frederick replied.

'Excellent, I'm sure my leg needs a good stretch after today's visit to the baths,' the Admiral answered, gesturing to his bandaged foot resting on the plush stool in front of him.

Walking the next day, the group of four encountered the Musgrove party.

'Anne, what are you doing with the Musgroves,' Mrs Mary exclaimed when they meet on a cross path.

The groups quickly offered their greetings, before Anne turned back to her sister and said, 'I have joined them for a walk, it is such a lovely day that we all wished to be outside to get the benefit of the warm sun.'

'But, I don't understand, why are you with father's tenants?' Mrs Mary replied, causing Sophia to retract her chin backwards slightly.

'I am walking with my fiancé and his family, soon to be your family as well,' Anne answered with a rare hint of steal to her words.

Sophia watched as Mrs Mary's jaw dropped open and the eyes of the group widened.

'Anne, congratulations, I thought you would never marry!' Mrs Mary gasped.

'Mary!' Mr Charles reprimanded.

'What? Anne, why didn't you tell me immediately! We must go to the shops and begin to order your trouselle.'

'That is well in hand, sister. Elizabeth and Lady Russell are assisting me, the items were ordered yesterday.'

'No! You need my assistance, I am your only married sister.'

'It is already done, sister, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your offer of assistance.'

The Miss Musgroves, whispering together, moved forward at that moment.

Hmm, I am sure they are disappointed.

Miss Musgrove began to speak, 'Congratulations, Anne! You are the best of sisters and truly deserve the most eligible of men, and we are delighted you have found happiness with Captain Wentworth.'

Anne gave them a genuine smile and thanks for their warmth, pulling each into a tight hug.

'And perhaps keep an eye out for another such man for my sisters are they have tired of being the daughters of an indulgent Squire,' Mr Charles added with a grin. 'Congratulations, dear sister, Captain Wentworth.'

'Charles!' Miss Louisa exclaimed in mortification.

'I am joking, of course, little sister.'

'You cannot say such things in a place like this,' Miss Louisa admonished.

'How has father taken the news?' Mrs Mary probed.

'Oh, he is very happy, he received quite the flurry of invitations this morning that he is hard pressed to choose which to accept,' Anne replied with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

'And Mr Elliot?' Mrs Mary prompted.

'A very gentlemanly response, of course,' Anne lied.

When a coughing fit erupted from her brother, Sophia smacked his arm with hidden force. Although she couldn't quite suppress her smile as she recalled the man toppling backwards over the table as he tried to avoid Frederick's fury.

'Well we must celebrate. I insist on you joining us at the theatre to celebrate,' Mr Charles offered.

'Oh, can we order champagne?' Miss Louisa asked, clapping her hands together with excitement before her eyes widened and she turned to Captain Wentworth. 'Oh, I'm sorry! That wasn't very loyal of me!'

Her brother smiled kindly at the excited girl and reassured, 'It would be quite the treat, however given the blockades I doubt there will be any to be had at the theatre.'

Miss Louisa's smiled dropped, but she quietly rallied when Charles promised to procure a box to view the performance.

The next day found Sophia and her husband strolling slowly through the park while Frederick was braving the company of the Elliots at Camden Place.

Thanks the heavens I did not have to attend, this is a much more agreeable way to spend my morning.

Her musings were immediately retracted as she looked around and saw Lady Russell walking the path with a companion towards her.

Why do I always have to deal with this one? Well, no way to avoid it, and she will undoubtably have heard about the engagement by now.

'Mrs Croft, Admiral Croft,' Lady Russell greeted cooly as she came to a halt in front of the naval couple.

'Lady Russell, it is a pleasure to see you again,' her husband interjected and Sophia bobbed her greeting.

'Allow me to introduce my dear friend, Lady Margret Knight. Mrs Croft is the sister of my dear Anne's finance, Captain Wentworth. Admiral Croft is her husband.'

'It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Knight,' Mrs Croft responded dutifully as the Admiral bowed gallantly. 'Is it not the most delightful news about the engagement.'

Well I never said I had to be compassionate to the manipulative woman.

Lady Russell pursed her lips. 'Quite, you must be very happy with the match.'

'Of course, the two are so in love it is impossible not to realise the excellent match for the two of them. It is as clear as today's cloudless sky,' Sophia enthused.

'Indeed,' Lady Russell replied, eyes narrowing as she wondered how much of the past Sophia knew.

'I'll admit, I saw their love even before they did,' Sophia needled.

'And encouraged it, no doubt,' Lady Russell added. Lady Knight shifted her weight slightly, glancing around as though she was looking for someone familiar to extricate her from the conversation.

'Oh heavens no, I would never interfere in such a issue - it is just not done.'

The Admiral started coughing.

'Oh, my dear are you feeling alright? I do apologies ladies, I should take my husband to the watering rooms. I wish you both a lovely day.'

Sophia lead her husband away from the two woman, Lady Russell watching with a speculative look.

When they were some distance away, the Admiral looked at his wife.

Sophia turned wide innocent eyes at him and waited for his question.

The Admiral just shook his head and chuckled. He patted her arm gently and the two walked home in silence.

When the day of the wedding arrived, the ceremony complete, the wedding breakfast concluded, and the merry couple had departed to tour the lakes district, Sophia returned to her sitting room and called for tea.

When it arrived, she prepared her cup and sat in her favourite chair. A satisfied smile crossed her face as she sipped the piping hot liquid.

My little brother is finally happily married to the love of his life. I did excessively well with this match-making. Although I do wish that the lovely lady had different relatives, I do not look forward to the necessary gatherings that occur in the future.

Pushing the less positive thought aside, she meditated on her brother's twinkling eyes as he could focus on no-one but his bride.

Yes, a perfect match. I am glad I interfered, he would not have been half so happy with Miss Louisa.

The door gently opened and her husband sat next to her.

'My dear, you must practise not too look so smug. If you practise hard every day, I daresay by the time Frederick and Anne return in a month, you will have your satisfaction under regulation,' her husband teased.

'Yes, I imagine it may be possible, although I am very happy for him.'

'I have arranged tickets for a performance tonight, would you accompany this old man to the theatre?'

Sophia smiled brilliantly at her husband. 'I would be delighted to attend with you, it will be very pleasant to spend a night out with just my husband.'

'I imagine there will also be a crush of other people.'

'Indeed yes, but we don't have to talk with them for long. I have missed having solitude with you.'

'Then we will make the most of the next month, my dear.'

'A very agreeable plan, my dear Admiral.'

The Admiral lifted her hand to his lips and delicately placed a kiss on her wrist.

'It is good to see you so happy, my dear.'

THE END

A/N: I do hope you enjoyed reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you for your patience! Until next time, happy reading!