Chapter Twenty Three

True to her word, Nancy Carter was at Anne's door for half past seven the next morning. Having had an uneasy night, Anne was already sitting on the edge of her bed awaiting her arrival. She swept in to her room like a whirlwind chattering away about what had happened since they last met and what she had planned for the day. She spoke about her brothers leaving and her ma'ma crying. How she longed to go with them rather than be left behind. Anne could only nod and smile as she splashed cold water on her face and began to dress. Nancy, although adapt at bathing and undressing, was not as good with hair. Having never done the hair for a grand lady as the likes of a daughter of a baronet she was not used to the many, many, pins. Anne ended up assisting her and showing her what to do. The effect in the end was not perfect, but since it would be hidden beneath her bonnet, Anne did not have the mind to care.

Before she left, Anne was sure to wrap the soap in the handkerchief Frederick had given her so that she could keep it close. All these things would be reminders of him should the worse happen and he did not return her feelings. After saying goodbye to Nancy and wishing her well, Anne was busily making her way downstairs to break her fast and meet up with the Musgroves ready for their departure and final leg of their journey, when the man of her thoughts materialised in front of her.

Frederick Wentworth was a little way down the corridor. He was dressed in his Captains uniform, his hat tucked under his arm. Anne had seen him in his blue coat before – the night at the assembly, however seeing him now; her feelings being what they were, she found herself transfixed with his appearance. In a moment he looked up and caught her looking, bravely she did not look away, she only smiled and was pleased to receive one in return. She should go down the stairs, but for some reason she found herself waiting for him. In only a matter of seconds he was beside her. "Good morning Miss Anne."

"Good morning Captain. You are ready for your task ahead I see." she said gesturing to his uniform.

"Yes, we should be in Plymouth before the morning is out and I long to get on with my duties as soon as possible." So that I can be done and at your disposal he added silently.

"I do hope us being here will not hinder them."

"On the contrary I will enjoy having others to share my prize with and all that she offers. My men will no doubt be pleased of the reprieve also." She raised an eyebrow at him puzzled. "I have given most of the men the night off so that we may dine alone."

Anne swallowed and knew she must be blushing again. "Captain I … I do not think it would be appropriate." she stuttered.

Frederick grasped her meaning immediately and grabbed her hand. "No. No, you misunderstand. I mean our party. The Musgroves and yourself, are to be my guests along with my lieutenants and their wives." She smiled with relief and the fact he still held her hand. "You thought I meant just us did you not?"

She smiled and chuckled lightly. "I confess that I was afraid that may be the case."

"I would not put you in any danger of being open to scandal. Although, it would not be the first time we have dined alone together." he winked.

"I would hardly call a picnic dining together."

"Ah so you do remember." he smiled.

"Of course I remember. It was the best of days."

"It was the best of my days." He dropped his gaze before looking back up at her sheepishly. "At least one of them."

"You must have had many good days in the past two years with all you have seen and accomplished."

"And yet all of my best days took place while I stayed with my brother in Monkford." he confessed. Now Anne knew she was blushing. "Forgive me. I should not speak of such things."

"Should you not?" she asked courageously.

"It is not proper."

"I hardly think any of this is proper." she sighed. "Our trip. The fact we were previously attached and yet we are the only ones who are aware of it," she paused. "Well us and Charles."

"And Harville my lieutenant."

"And Nancy."

"Nancy?" he said shocked.

"She … guessed. She is very perceptive. Although she does not know all the details, only that we were more than friends once." She smiled and he thought her very becoming. "Will Harville be at the dinner this evening?" she asked.

"Yes. But you need not worry, he will not mention our past."

"Now you misunderstand me; for I rather wished he would." Her declaration had him momentarily stunned. "It would be nice to speak of things, with someone who knows you. Who could tell me how you really fared after we parted." she explained.

"Anne, I do not see-"

"Miss Anne!" Mrs Musgrove voice interrupted him. "You are already up, good, good. And Captain Wentworth you too sir."

"Ma'm."

Mrs Musgrove shuffled past them taking Anne's arm on the way. It was only then did she realise Frederick still had hold of the other hand, she looked up at him and he finally noticed, releasing her and quickly saddening them both. These snippets of conversation were all well and good but they needed to talk, to discuss things properly. She could only hope they would find another way of speaking.

Once downstairs they found Mr Musgrove having strong words with Richard, it seemed the latter was having second thoughts about his life in the navy and would rather return home. Anne knew that given the choice, Mrs Musgrove would rather he stay at home too, but that Mr Musgrove was already mind made up, he had to go. He certainly wouldn't want to lose face in front of Captain Wentworth. Once the two men saw Frederick coming towards them in his blue uniform with his hat now atop of his head giving him the appearance of being half a foot taller than he actually was, the whole image was quite intimidating and Richard soon ceased his moaning.

Charles bustled through the door looking brighter than Anne had ever seen him. At least someone was enjoying themselves. He clapped his hands together. "We're all here, capital! Now breakfast and then we shall be off. I have sent word to ready the carriage and the horses." He bristled past them into the dining room leaving them all to follow in his wake. The seating arrangement meant Anne and Frederick were opposite each other and both found it difficult to meet the others eyes and at the same time they found it impossible to look away. Stealing glances across the rim of a tea cup and a smile behind a slice of toast. At one point they both reached for the jam at the same moment and her hand landed on his remaining just a little too long, until Charles cleared his throat and they were forced to pull away. Frederick shot the other man a look that said he was not too happy with the interruption but Charles only grinned. He was enjoying himself far too much in Anne's opinion.

The ride to Plymouth was not as enjoyable as that to Exeter. Richard was now sullen and refused to speak to anyone, riding ahead; though Anne doubted he knew the way. She noted Frederick would repeatedly call him back and point him in another direction. Mrs Musgrove had become melancholy with the thought of her poor Richard leaving home and the possibility of him never being seen again. To which Mr Musgrove could only roll his eyes at Anne as she attempted to comfort the woman by giving her opinion that the Navy uniform would be quite becoming of him, and who knows he may on his return, entice a nice girl from a nice family and settle down.

However the subject of matrimony only brought them round to her refusal of Charles again, to which Anne was again forced to defend her actions. "Please Mrs Musgrove believe me when I say I care very dearly for Charles, he is a wonderful man, but I see him only as a brother, we should not suit. He would be better looking elsewhere. I have suggested he look to Mary."

"Mary is a sweet girl to be sure Miss Anne, but if you do not mind me saying, she is always fancying herself ill. She would be better getting some fresh farm air in her lungs and spend a little more time out of doors."

"I will pass on your suggestion." said Anne tightly, knowing the likeliness of that, or Mary going outside often without a carriage, were both low. Frederick was once more positioned at her side of the coach and Anne now knew this to be consciously done, she had watched as Charles had been asked to step aside when he had taken up the place beside her. She could only hope it was because he longed to be close to her, like she was to him.

Mrs Musgrove was back to asking questions about the Navy again, to which Anne did her best at answering, although she was sure Frederick would do a much better job. In no time at all they were in Plymouth and at the Lodgings Frederick had arranged for them. They were very well done and clean and tidy, the Keep friendly enough, all known to Frederick and all had good things to say about him to which he had only shook his head in reply and told them it was all nonsense and that they would ruin his bad reputation telling people how nice he was. Anne could only think that this was likened to what Nancy had said, it seemed he was respected and revered wherever he went and knowing him like she did, she could easily see why.

"I will let you get settled while I run down to the Laconia and see how she fares. Then I shall meet you here for luncheon, say in about one hour and a half. Then we can all go down to the Sound together and you can take your first look at her." Frederick told the party.

"Her?" Mrs Musgrove asked.

"The Laconia ma'm." Anne replied.

"Oh the boat!"

"Ship." Anne and Frederick corrected together. They looked away smiling awkwardly.

Mrs Musgrove only looked at them puzzled. Frederick stepped forward. "The Laconia is a great French Frigate ma'am and around here we say that warrants the title of 'ship'. She is more than a mere boat." He smiled warmly at her and she smiled back fussing at him for correcting her and then she went to join her husband where he was making arrangements with the Keep. Richard had already sulked off to his room, it wasn't long before Charles made his excuses too. They were alone once more. "I hope the rooms will be to your liking." he said quickly.

"I am sure they will."

"Unfortunately Nancy is no longer near enough to be of help to you, but I am sure they will have a maid available."

"I am sure they will." she repeated.

"Anne." he said softly.

"Yes?" she whispered back.

"Would you … I wonder if you would take a stroll with me."

"What? Now?" she looked around her. He nodded. "But you have to go to the Laconia and I should not leave the others, they will wonder where I have gone."

He smiled in spite of her answer, for she had not refused to go with him, only that it should cause an impediment to others. "I confess I do not have to be at the Laconia until later, I said that only as I way of extraditing myself from our party, I was hoping you could come up with your own excuse – say a stroll along the high street – to do the same."

Anne was all astonishment. He had done this solely to spend time with her. She thought of propriety, of what her relations would say, especially Lady Russel. But Anne was in a town where no one knew her, and although many knew him, they had only good things to say about him. What would they think if they saw him walking down the street in broad day light beside a young lady? That she was a female relation? A friend of a friend. Someone he was escorting home. She looked towards the Musgroves' who were chattering away to one another without looking her way. "Just a minute." she told him. "Wait for me outside. I will be along presently."

Frederick stared after as she turned and headed towards her companions. He could not quite believe his plan had worked, he had half expected her to tell him that it would be highly inappropriate and not speak to him again, but instead he was watching as she went to tell her friends she wished to wander off alone when in reality she would be with him. The deception of it should shame him, but all he could think about was how he was about to spend some time alone with Anne. He hurried outside to wait for her.