Chapter Twenty Eight

He arrived in Whitehall with time to spare. As he flew through the familiar corridors of the Admiralty headquarters, he could only hope every man he wished to see was there and available. He had no time to lose.

The first person he wished to see he stumbled across quite accidently, and literally. In his haste he collided with Captain Croft as he left the Offices he was about to enter. "I say you clumsy oaf what do-" the man looked upon his brother in law in somewhat of a surprise. Knowing him to be in Monkford with Edward. "Frederick, what are you doing here? And in such a hurry my boy?"

Despite the age gap being no more than 15 years between them, the Captain would always refer to him as a boy. It was an endearment first bestowed on Frederick when the young Captain Croft had come to court his sister Sophia, and had never gone away. Neither seemed bothered by it and so it continued into Frederick's adult life. "Captain Croft, I am sorry for my intrusion. I am in a bit of a hurry."

"So I see. But you still failed to answer my question. What are you doing here? I thought you were with Edward."

"I was, I am. I have brought a party to Plymouth to see the Laconia before I leave. Some things have developed and I need questions answered, and I have a few requests to make which I believe can only be asked in person."

"Well tell me boy, what is afoot? I confess I have never seen you so unravelled."

"I…" Frederick laughed. "I am to be married brother."

"Married! To whom?"

"Anne Elliot of Kellynch." Frederick said proudly.

"The name does not sound familiar. Have we met her?"

"No."

"You mean to tell me you have met and offered to a woman you can only have known a matter of weeks?"

"No. Not exactly. There is much I have to tell you and my sister, but I have no time today. Time is of the essence."

"Why the rush?" and then recognition dawned on the Captain. "You wish to be married before you sail and you wish to know if your wife would be allowed to travel with you."

"Exactly." nodded Frederick.

"Come with me."

"But Captain I must-"

"You must follow me sir; that is an order!" barked his brother.

Frederick shook his head knowing once he pulled rank there was no arguing with the man, he sheepishly followed him, chastising the time he would waste chatting to whoever it was the Captain would have him meet.

Up two flights of stairs and along a long corridor later, the Captains stopped in front of a large oak white painted door. Frederick had never been up to this floor before, it was kept for the offices of the highest rank; the Lord Commissioners' who formed the Navy board. If you were summoned up to these rooms, you were either about to be made Admiral, or thrown out of the Navy for good. Although Frederick looked forward to the former, he did not feel comfortable being here when he knew that was not the outcome. "Croft?"

His sister's husband only smiled knowingly and knocked loudly on the door, swinging it open. The room was large and spacious with huge windows looking out on the London skyline. Long tables ran the length of either side of the room littered with papers, scrolls, books and Navy equipment. In the centre of the room by a grand fireplace were two chairs and a side table supporting a large decanter of what looked like brandy and two glasses. The most imposing feature of the room was a magnificent mahogany desk and behind it -just as imposing- sat Lord Greenwood, a member of the board of Admiralty and of London's notable ton. It was rumoured he even dined with the prince himself.

"Croft? Back so soon?" the man roared from his chair.

His brother only chuckled again. "Yes Greenwood, I believe you may be able to return that favour we were talking of earlier, sooner than we thought."

"I would have thought I already did that." the other man smirked.

"And as I noted, it was not all your decision. You still owe me." Croft wagged his finger at him.

Frederick looked at the two men in confusion, it was as if they were talking in riddles or code. For one thing, he did not even know his brother-in-law was acquainted with such elite in the royal navy as Lord Greenwood. Another, he did not know he owed him a favour or what him repaying it could do with Fredericks business in Whitehall, and lastly he could not fathom what decision they were speaking of or why Croft had already been at Whitehall, something that had irked him since he arrived. He had hoped to catch the Crofts at their London residence, but seeing him in the corridor had been just as good, if not better. As it would have saved him time, now he felt he was wasting it. He cleared his throat reminding both men of his presence.

"And who is this young fellow?"

"Sophia's brother sir. Captain Wentworth of the Asp, lately of the Laconia."

"Ah yes, Wentworth," Lord Greenwood nodded, "I have heard the name."

Frederick straightened his shoulders, proud that a man so high of rank should know who he was and grateful that it was obviously not just on the say so of his brother. "Sir." He bowed towards the man who stood and offered him a hand to shake.

"Now Wentworth, Croft, what may I do for you?"

Frederick looked back at his brother wondering the same thing. Croft spoke first. "The boy here is lately engaged, and due to sail in the next for'night. I have two favours to ask of you and after I will considered our debt settled."

"I had believed it was settled when I made you Admiral." The other man laughed.

Frederick startled in surprise. "Admiral?"

"Yes." His brother coloured. "It appears yours is not the only name to float around these corridors." He grinned bashfully.

"Why did you not say?"

"I have yet to tell your sister and it did not feel right to share my news with anyone other than her at first." Greenwood chuckled at Crofts admiration for his wife. Having married for money he did not understand the workings of a heart in love. Frederick however understood completely. Whenever something significant had happened in his own life, he had always thought of Anne first, of what she would have thought, her reaction. Thankfully he would not have to imagine anymore. "And Greenwood, as I have already said, that was not repaying a favour."

"So what is?"

"The boy needs a licence, one only the loaded gentry and upper classes can provide for him. I know how pally you are with the Bishop. I have heard you tell your stories of your parties." Croft waved his hand. "You could arrange this with little or no effort."

Frederick's mind boggled as he looked at the other man who was nodding slowly. "That I could."

"Secondly, he is to set sail on the Laconia, it is frigate, with plenty of room and a purpose built Captains quarters with a mistress chambers attached, Sophia has travelled with me all around the world, I see no reason why Mrs Wentworth should not be allowed to travel at least some of the time with her husband, can you?"

Frederick eyed the other man with what he hoped wasn't the desperate longing he felt inside him.

"Aye I suppose that could be arranged." He drew up note paper and dipped a pen in ink beginning to write.

Frederick transferred his weight from foot to foot nervously, not knowing what to do first and wishing beyond his might that Anne was there with him so he could hold her and kiss her in celebration. He turned to his brother, friend and now Admiral. "Thank you Sir."

His brother only smiled warmly. "Just tell me in the time I'm saving you, you will visit Sophia and I so we can both meet the lady that has our Frederick in such a state of blissful chaos."

Frederick laughed out loud causing Admiral Greenwood to look up at him like he was a mad man. "That we can do sir."

A short while later Frederick embraced his brother and left him on the steps outside, feeling lighter than he had in an age. The bishop had been written to requesting the licence, in just over seven days they would be free to wed. His superiors had been sent notice that Mrs Wentworth would be joining the Captain aboard the Laconia, at which time Anne would be his wife. He knew she would be as pleased as him, and also a little scared no doubt at such change in such a small amount of time. He had to remember to allow her some space and time to get used to the idea. She would be leaving the comfort of her familiar home and those in it. She would need advice on what to pack, something he hoped Sophie would be able to assist with when they visited. He now knew the letter he was to write Sir Walter, would be more of statement of fact informing him what was about to happen, and not asking him for permission or help. Who would have thought his lowly family would have such connections? He smiled to himself even more pleased that he had made this happen for them without needing the support of Sir Walter or Lady Russel.