Chapter Thirty Two
As it was, Anne was very agreeable to have Nancy as her ladies maid, and although she would have liked nothing more than to have been there to ask her in person, she had to trust Mrs Harville would act in her stead. She did worry about what Mrs Carter would think to them stealing her children away to the Laconia, but Frederick assured her she had another three at home and would be grateful of the extra wages coming in.
With at least one job checked off on their list, Frederick already found himself calmer. They arranged with the Musgroves' that he would accompany them home and he would go straight to Kellynch with Anne to seek her father's blessing and settle any matters relating to the marriage before going to arrange the wedding itself for a week's time. He knew by then he would be in receipt of the licence. The Laconia was due to set sale in eight days' time, Frederick hoped to book a quaint inn or cottage for the wedding night near to the Sound so they could have at least one night alone.
Although they had the Captain's quarters to themselves, he knew they could never truly be alone on the ship. He would always be on call should his men need him, and that night he wanted to be at Anne's disposal only. That left him with the next six days in which to get everything else organised, he knew his men could be relied on for readying the ship, but that didn't mean he would be absent the whole time. He intended travelling back and forth as much as he could help it. The only downside to this plan was that he would be spending less time with Anne, but by the sounds of what Mrs Harville was saying, she would be busy herself.
After all mentions of Frederick and Anne's union and the wedding had been put to rest, the music began and there was dancing.
The Musgroves eyes were fixed on Anne, as her fiancé neared her expecting her to dance. It was a known fact throughout Kellynch and Uppercross that Miss Anne Elliot did not dance. She had not danced in years. The reasons behind such an unhappy circumstance ranged from a lack of rhythm to her being too delicate to dance. As she took Frederick's hand without hesitation, they were forced to accept that the only reason Miss Anne Elliot did not dance, was due to the absence of her preferred partner.
In fact Miss Anne Elliot did dance; she danced the first set with her Fiancé before succumbing to the Lieutenants' Harville and Benwick, and delighted Charles with a turn around the makeshift ballroom. For the final set, Wentworth reclaimed his lady and Anne could not remember enjoying an evening more since the first time the Captain had proposed.
During their time together, Frederick asked Anne about the visit to his sister's which she heartily agreed to; she had looked forward to meeting the other member of the Wentworth family, and the famous Admiral Croft to whom they owed so much.
"Today is Thursday we shall be back in Kellynch on Saturday, on which we shall speak to your family and Sunday you can have to yourself to see to your own preparations. We can travel together with Edward acting as chaperone to see the Crofts, before returning back to Kellynch for the wedding the following Sunday." He exhaled heavily. "We shall be busy."
"We certainly shall." Anne chuckled. "But every minute of discomfort shall be worth it, for in the end we shall be married."
He grinned then. "Yes, and it shall not be all discomfort. I promise you." He winked and she blushed. He suddenly had the urge to clarify what he meant. "I was referring to the shopping and meeting my sister."
She blushed even further. "As I thought."
He reddened then, as the music stopped both gazed at the other, not sure who was more embarrassed. Frederick realised then that they had not discussed any fears she may have over their impending union. He knew it was not the way, and she would normally discuss such matters with her mother or married sister, but in this case regrettably she had neither. He doubted Mrs Musgrove would be much use, and Lady Russel would no doubt paint him in a very bad light indeed. "Anne, would you care to join me in a stroll around the deck?"
Anne looked around her. The others were dancing in the centre of the deck and a stroll would hardly be inappropriate given the proximity to everyone else. She nodded.
As soon as they were out of the ear shot of the others, Frederick addressed his concerns. "It has occurred to me that you may be feeling a little … apprehensive about all that is about to befall you."
"Apprehensive?"
"Marriage. Becoming a wife. Coming to live with me on the Laconia. It was only a short while ago you doubted you would ever see me again and were considering life as a spinster, something -I might add- would have been an inconceivable waste and a punishment on society."
She giggled. It was such a lovely sound, he hoped to hear it again, and when he thought on it and realised given the prospect of a lifetime together it was very likely he would, he laughed too. "What do you find so amusing Captain?" she asked lightly.
"Nothing in particular. I am just sublimely happy."
"And I." she sighed dreamily. "But what were you going to ask me before we were both so sublimely happy?"
He thought of for a moment, lost in her smile. "Oh yes, I was wondering if you had any feelings of apprehensions regarding us becoming wed."
"How could I have any concerns? It is my fondest wish. I cannot wait to be your wife and to live with you here." She looked around the ship.
"What I mean is, do you … are you…. That is…"
"Frederick, we have already gone round the deck once, do spit it out before people begin to call us back."
He stopped then and looked out to sea, seemingly gathering the courage. "I am worried about frightening you." he rushed out. "About hurting you." he added quietly.
"Why should you frighten or hurt me- oh!" She stopped, her hand flying to her mouth. "I see."
It was his turn to looked away abashed. "I know you would have such a discussion with your mother and in her stead, I worry Lady Russel may paint a rather dim view of the … of what shall happen. Particularly of me. I wanted you to know, no matter what she, or any other should tell you, I will not do anything to harm you or scare you. I love you Annie, and I will protect you from everything, including myself."
She sniffed back unshed tears, "I will never need protecting from you, and when that time comes, I know you shall take care of me and you would never intentionally hurt me." she said softly.
Once again pride swelled in his breast that she would think so highly of him and he vowed to stand by his promise.
"And as for living here," she looked about her again this time a little more unsure. "I am a little nervous to be sure, but I will have you and Nancy and Harville and Benwick. Friendly faces amongst the strangers. I am sure I will soon adapt."
"I know you will." He raised her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist tenderly.
They both strolled around the remainder of the ship, the music and laughter of their friends drifting away to sea. "Did you ever imagine just a week ago that we would be here now, talking of our wedding? That in another week we shall be here married." she asked.
"I dreamed of it often, but I could never let myself believe those dreams would come true."
He sighed then and could not help the frown which crossed his face. Or Anne from noticing it.
"You are worried about something." she guessed, before wondering what. "You are worried about my family and Lady Russel. Their reactions."
"I cannot help it, I confess. I know you are of age and the circumstances are different, but I cannot forget."
"You are right to feel worried after last time, but I can now put your worries at ease, because unlike last time, I have seen the alternative. I have lived it, and this time, no-one shall persuade me that life is better. Besides, who knows, maybe they shall be grateful of our union and that you are there to take me off their hands. They were mortified when they learned I had refused Charles, mainly because I would remain at home."
"That is ridiculous. Who in their right mind would wish you away?" he asked, genuinely perplexed. "Do you really think they will be pleased?"
Anne frowned giving him his answer. She sighed, "in all honesty, I do not believe you shall have the same reaction from my father as last time. I do not mind telling you the purse strings have been loose of late and I worry they will be unable to maintain such a lifestyle. One less mouth to feed and house would be a happy result. But Lady Russel-" she shook her head unable to meet his eyes.
"She still believes me beneath you." he said. "She is right in that."
"No she is not." argued Anne.
"Anne, you are the daughter of a Baronet; the middle daughter. You should be marrying for money if not title, or both. Neither of which I have, at least not in abundance. I have enough set by to keep us comfortable and the promise of more to come, but I do not come from money. In her eyes, among many others; I am not your equal." His gaze fell to the floor. "However, I defy anyone who claims to love you more than I, who will respect you and take care of you and provide for you better than I will." His gaze returned to meet hers.
"I believe you." she said solemnly. "And please remember, I will be there to defend you and protect you too. I will not let her force her opinions on us anymore. I hope she will see things our way and will be available to help me, but I will not bend my will for her. If she does not approve or cannot come to give us her blessing, we shall do this without her."
"Strong words."
"I am stronger now"
He smiled. "I believe you."