Chapter Five

Edward put down his tea cup and walked nervously to the front door. Anne's eyes were on his back, he could feel it. He opened the door and new instantly his conversation with Anne was over. As on the doorstep, was the last person he expected to see.

"Good Morning." he spluttered out.

"Good Morning Mr Wentworth. I wonder, is my God Daughter here?" Lady Russel looked at him expectantly.

Edward was both surprised at her knowing Anne was there, and also at the fact she even knew this to be his house. There was a noise behind him and Anne appeared at his side.

"Lady Russel? How? …what?"

"I wonder Mr Wentworth if we could perhaps continue this conversation inside?"

Remembering himself, Edward jumped out of the way, "of course, do please come in." He gestured the way into the small sitting room with his arm. Anne eyed him warily as she followed the other lady inside. It appeared she was every bit at a loss as to the reason for the other woman's appearance as he.

Inside, his once cosy room seemed impossibly cramped, his homeliness untidy. It was pointless to try and alter that then, the other lady had already seated herself in the hard back chair by the window no one else favoured when they visited. Anne returned to hers, leaving Edward to lastly sit.

"Is anything wrong at the Hall?" asked Anne nervously.

"No my dear, other than your unexpected absence. We, that is your family and I, had thought you would return to the house after –" She paused, looking at Edward suspiciously.

He surmised she was trying to ascertain if he knew about Musgrove's offer or not. Sensing her need to speak with her God Daughter privately, Edward rose, "if you please excuse me, Lady Russel, Miss Anne. I will just go and get some more tea things." They exchanged nods and Edward gladly left the sitting room for the kitchen.

Lady Russel expressed her obvious relief at him leaving. "Now, Anne. What on earth are you doing here? Here of all places. We had hoped you would have some news. News you would wish to share with your family and myself." She smiled knowingly.

Anne shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Tell me, am I the only one who was not aware of Charles intention to propose?"

"So he did make you an offer." Lady Russel sat forward staring intently at Anne.

"He did."

"So why have you come here? Why did you not return to the house in order to be congratulated by your family? Unless-" She stopped herself again and her smile faltered. "Oh Anne-" she shook her head sadly.

"I could not accept." said Anne solemnly. She knew her mind was made up and this time there would be no persuading her otherwise. Her eyes were blurry and yet the tears were not for Charles. She may have been persuaded at nineteen not to marry, but at two and twenty she was far from being as easily manipulated into marrying someone she did not love. "Charles is a wonderful man," she said aloud. "And he will make someone a very good husband. But not me."

"But why Anne? He is of a good family, your father had already given him his consent. And we all offered him our blessings."

Anne felt a sudden rage inside of her. Where were all their kind words, blessings and consents when she wanted them two years ago? Just because Charles stood to inherit a wealthy estate. "I have given him my answer and I stand by it. I will not marry him. I have suggested he look towards Mary, my sister seems to have some affection for him."

Lady Russel t'sked. "Mary dreams only of Uppercross, of being her own mistress in her own home. She is the youngest of three sisters, she would marry anyone who offered her a way out. As would any youngest daughter. And she will have the chance, but not now. You are two and twenty Anne, and since all that unpleasantness years ago, I have watched you wither and fade. There are few men left who remember you for who you are. Putting it bluntly my dear, I worry you will be short of other offers in the future."

Anne felt her cheeks heat but it was not from embarrassment, she was angry. "I am not sure I ever want to be married." she admitted quietly.

Her God Mother rolled her eyes. Edward continued rattling in the kitchen dragging out his tea making duties as long as possible. Lady Russel heard him and as if realising for the first time where she was, her eyes widened. "This is nothing to do with him is it?"

"Him?" Anne looked over her shoulder towards the kitchen at Edward all the while knowing full well who her God Mother was really talking about.

"Is that why you are here?" Lady Russel looked around the cottage in distaste. "Is he back?"

It was pointless feigning ignorance. Anne sighed. "No, he will never return." You and father made sure of that, she thought to herself. "I came here because I needed to gather myself before returning to you all." It was partially true. "How did you know I was here?" she enquired.

"You were seen by my driver as we travelled to the Hall. I had thought him mistaken, but your absence at breakfast made me wonder."

Edward chose that moment to return with fresh tea and a few slices of the cake he had been saving. "Please excuse me my tardiness."

The ladies smiled tightly but said nothing. Anne shuffled forward in her seat. "Allow me." Her hand was trembling as she lifted the tea pot. She willed it to steady knowing her God Mother's eyes were fixed on her. Her task completed, the unlikely trio sipped their tea in silence.

Lady Russel was the first to finish, putting her cup and saucer down deliberately. She looked at Anne. "Well my dear, I do believe we have taken up enough of Mr Wentworth's time. Let us be going back to Kellynch, your father will be wondering where you are."

Anne and Edward exchanged glances knowing it was pointless to argue. Their short time together, was at an end. Anne would have to try and construe another meeting so that could continue their discussion another time. Now she had to face her family's interrogation. She replaced her half-finished cup of tea and its saucer to the table. They all rose and Edward showed the ladies out, feeling once again assured that Anne's life without his brother was every bit as miserable as Fredrick's without her.

He watched through the window as the grand carriage pulled away until it was a small dot on the horizon. Sighing, he went about putting away the tea things he had just brought out. Contenting himself with the fact neither lady had touched her cake, and so he could still look forward to a slice with his supper later. He had just finished putting everything away when there was another knock at the door. He hurried to answer it, wondering who could be possibly calling on him now. He had never had so many visits in once morning.

In his rush, he did not see the item on the chair left behind by his previous visitor.

He opened the heavy wooden door and came face to face with a dishevelled "Frederick!"

His brother staggered through the door. Edward noticed he was sweating and agitated. "Frederick" he repeated. "Whatever is the matter? Why are you back so soon?"

Frederick had paused just inside the parlour as a familiar scent enveloped him and stole the thoughts from his brain and words from his mouth. He took a deep breath in and almost stumbled under the weight of the past. He leaned heavily against the wall and shook his head trying to pull himself together. His brother was at his side in an instant.

"Frederick whatever is wrong? You look as if you have seen a ghost?"

"I …" he blinked rapidly. "I am well." he said gruffly. His senses were playing tricks on him. "Just a little tired from the ride back." he lied.

"Why are you back again?" Edward repeated.

"I came for… my gloves." he answered weakly.

"You rode all the way back, for a pair of gloves? Why not let me send them on, or purchase another pair?" the curate asked suspiciously.

Frederick was pacing the small room wringing his hands. Something caught his eyes and he stopped. "I needed to know-" he said slowly, bending to pick something up from the back of the arm chair, before Edward could see what it was or ask him to finish what he was about to say, there was another knock at the door.

"Lord save us!" he said under his breath before rushing to answer it. All he needed now was another visitor.

Frederick didn't notice the knock, or his brother going to answer it, he was too pre-occupied with the item at his feet. He bent to pick it up. The soft material sliding through his fingers. Without thinking he brought the fabric to his face and breathed it in. Anne. He didn't know for sure the shawl was hers, it could have belonged to someone else, someone who favoured the same lavender scent, but he could feel it. He knew deep inside it was hers, she had been there, in his brother's house. Since he left this morning. Why? To discuss her upcoming nuptials? Had her fiancée joined her? It had been a mistake coming back. He should have carried on, not listened to his gut - despite it never seeing him wrong in the past. He was confused and shaken. He would use his night at Edwards to right himself once and for all before leaving for the Laconia.

He heard voices in the hall; Edward apologising and … someone else. Before he had the chance to even think about who that voice belonged to, or what his reaction should be, it was too late. They were face to face for the first time in almost three years.