Chapter Six

Anne walked ahead of Edward Wentworth fretting about bothering him again and apologising for being so forgetful in the first place. If it wasn't for the fact she did not see herself returning to the curate's home in the foreseeable future, she would have left her shawl. But she had insisted she come back for it and her God Mother had permitted the carriage to return. As she entered the small room she had only just left, she stopped her rambling suddenly, the breath catching in her chest. It couldn't be.

He was larger than he was, the once young man's physique and boyish good looks were almost gone, and a rugged handsome man stared back at her. His arms and shoulders were broader, he seemed to fill the space. But his eyes- they were just the same. He looked as shocked to see her as she was him. His hands were clutching something she realised belatedly was her shawl. The one she had come back for, she opened her mouth to say something when Edward came between them, as if he were afraid of what would happen if they were left alone. She looked at him questionably. Why hadn't he mentioned he had returned? She would never have stayed, never have forced Lady Russel to bring her back. Remembering her God Mother waiting outside she stifled a gasp, chewing on her bottom lip. Lady Russel was just outside, if she knew, if Frederick – she looked up at him again, he was still staring at her, now in disbelief rather than shock. As if he didn't quite recognise her.

In truth he didn't.

When Frederick first laid eyes on Anne in that parlour, he couldn't believe the difference in her. She was so altered, he would not have known her. And yet, it was her – her scent, her facial features; most particularly her eyes and lips. Those which had drawn him to her so inexplicably two and a half years ago were the same. She was thinner, and paler, with noticeable shadows under her eyes. Her posture was more slumped and she seemed entirely more withdrawn and smaller somehow, in her dowdy dress and severe hair style, but she was still Anne.

The tension mounting between them was palpable, neither dare open their mouth for fear of what they would say. Edward had stood stoic in the centre of the room, his eyes flitting back and forth between them, not sure whom needed his protection most. Finally Anne – in constant fear of her God Mother appearing to discover what had kept her – summoned the courage from who knew where and looked up at Edward, "I am sorry Mr Wentworth. I forgot my shawl. I only came back to retrieve it, and I shall be on my way."

Edward looked from Anne, to the shawl his brother grasped in both hands, and back to Anne in bewilderment. Was she really not going to mention the sudden shock appearance of her one time love? Frederick was lost in his own thoughts. She hadn't mentioned him. Hadn't addressed him, hadn't even acknowledged his presence in the room. Was this who they were now? Suddenly, his anger returned, he stepped forward, thrusting the garment into Edward's unsuspecting hands and left the room without a bye nor leave.

Anne jumped at his abruptness. He hadn't spoken to her. He had only looked upon her with such incivility and indifference, she felt like a stranger to him. No, worse than a stranger, fore she now knew with certainty what she had once wondered; he had not forgiven her decision and had no intention of being acquainted with her again. Her eyes were wet, she cast them down to the floor unable to meet the curates gaze.

Sensing her sorrow and embarrassment at the hands of his cold hearted brother, he quickly stepped forward and handed her the shawl gently. She took it willingly, holding it to her like it was an anvil anchoring her down and stopping her from falling back, and went towards the front door. Just before he opened it, Edward took a breath in letting it out slowly. "I did not know he would be calling. He was here earlier though, and those were his gloves." he sighed guiltily. "I should have told you."

"There was no need." she bit back fresh tears. "It is your house, he is your brother; you are free to see him whenever you wish. I only hope I have not disturbed your visit."

Edward shook his head sadly, "Miss Anne, you should know, you are welcome here whenever you like. I enjoy our conversation and hope for it once more to continue. I am sorry we were unable to conclude our earlier discussion." The curate's words regarding their earlier meeting worried Anne he would tell Frederick of her confession. She opened her mouth to plead with him not to say anything, when he put his hand on hers in a friendly gesture. "Do not worry, whatever you have said today is between us and the lord, and will remain so for as long as you wish." he assured her.

Anne shoulders sagged with relief. "Thank you."

She wanted to say more, she longed to ask how long his visitor was expected to stay. Was there any chance their paths could cross again?" As if reading her mind Edward smiled. "I hope we shall see you again soon Miss Anne. Do not be a stranger to us here."

The use of 'us' had been deliberate and Anne took it as a sign it was meant to be. Edward knew there was unfinished business between his brother and Miss Anne and he was hinting he would attempt to help her. She nodded her understanding and left.

All the way back to Kellynch Hall she hoped her body would not betray her feelings in front of her God Mother; he was back, back in the neighbourhood amongst them once more. For however long she would make the most of it; she would gather her strength, rid herself of her cowardice and confront him. There were things which needed to be said, things that should have been said two years ago. She wouldn't give up this second chance at explaining herself and her actions so easily.

Once they were alone, Edward fell into his chair exhausted from just being there with them. Frederick came back in and did the same. "You could have warned me." he said solemnly, but there was no malice behind his words.

Edward sighed. "She arrived just after you had left his morning, and left just before you returned. She wanted to talk about-" he paused looking at his brother and remembering his promise to Miss Anne.

"About?" Frederick pushed.

"Things."

"Things?"

"Things that are not my place to divulge. You will have to ask Miss Anne yourself should you wish to know more."

Frederick made a grunting noise. "You know that is impossible."

"No I do not know! I know only what you chose to tell me at the time, before you ran off to the Asp. And now you have the chance to see her again, and you chose to leave again. Or have you forgotten our conversation this morning?"

"I have forgotten nothing. I was not running away then, nor do I now. I have a job to do. I am the Captain of the Laconia."

"Then why venture here in the first place?"

"I came to see my brother. I had thought he would want to see me also." snapped Frederick.

Edward rolled his eyes. "And now you return for, what was it? Your gloves? Nothing to do with the knowledge I imparted on you this morning. That another was to offer his hand to Miss Anne Elliot." Frederick's eyes flew open, shaking his head, but Edward would not give him the chance to contradict him. "Then I find you here clutching Miss Anne's shawl to you like it was some long lost possession you had just rediscovered. I was here, in the room, with the pair of you Frederick. The atmosphere between you was thick with unanswered questions and the need to know each-other's thoughts. But now I suppose you will be gone again in the morning, leaving Miss Anne more confused than ever."

Frederick opened his mouth at last to tell his brother how wrong he was, then he closed it again and sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his hand and hating the fact his hands now smelt of the shawl; of her. "So what do you suggest I do?" he asked quietly.

"Stay!" his brother implored. "Stay as long as you can, and speak with her. Clear the air between you once and for all."

"How am I supposed to do that? When she is locked up there, in that prison they call a home, with the very people guarding her, who were so successful in parting us last time." He shook his head. "And now she is betrothed to another, it is impossible." he repeated.

Edward smiled. "I am sure my brilliant resourceful brother Captain Frederick Wentworth will find a way."

Frederick frowned. "So it is true; she is engaged to be married to another."

Edward managed to suppress his smile. "Speak with Miss Anne." With that he got up and walked back into his kitchen. Clearly things were not over and done with between them, he knew how much Miss Anne felt, he could tell how Frederick felt, now he just needed them to tell each other.