I hope you are all enjoying a good Christmas season. I'm sorry that my updates have been slow. There have been a lot of bumps in the writing road for this chapter. This morning FF froze up and didn't save my updates which would have made this chapter ready for posting. Right now I am writing in a hotel room having been put up after a my connecting flight was progressively delayed and is now delayed overnight after yesterday having to reschedule my flight for today after my first flight was so delayed I would have missed my connection. I am happy to report that I left my father very much improved compared to where he was at when I arrived but am anxious to get home to my children and husband. I am just praying that this last leg of my journey actually does get completed in the morning.
Although Anne was eager to read Frederick's missive, and had a fair idea that happiness awaited her inside, she read slowly at first so as to not be overwhelmed. Each word, written in his strong and masculine hand, was savored.
She also treasured every sign of his feelings that was contained beyond his words. Here, his pen had glided over the page. There, he had pressed too hard and there was a bit of a blot, perhaps from strength of feeling. In this spot this crease might have been made by him holding the page too tight. Anne put her own fingers there, hoping to feel some echo of his touch.
Frederick wrote well and Anne had not a doubt that he had bared all. He was as a filleted fish, open for inspection and he himself had done the filleting so that she might see all.
Though only a few words were needed for her whole body to be suffused with overpowering happiness, his torment also greatly agitated her. Anne understood at once that the agony she felt over the years was equally shared by Frederick and she desired to relieve it as soon as could be.
Such a letter was not soon to be recovered from and fortunately there was no need to do so. He still loves me! Has never stopped loving me! He needs me as I need him. Finally I can act and have a means to do so. Nothing shall prevent our joining now should I have to swim the whole way to him myself.
Anne's heart sang even as her mind recalled her to herself to consider how best she might accomplish what she would need to do to leave all behind with the least amount of upset to anyone. Though her heart urged her to storm into the bedroom and demand they leave this instant so that both his and her suffering might be relieved in the most expeditious manner possible, her mind understood she could not leave her home or England that quickly. Though a half an hour earlier Mrs. Croft and Mrs. Holmes were strangers, she was entirely comfortable placing herself in their hands. Mrs. Croft would be her sister and she would join them both in the particular sisterhood of being married to a naval captain with all that it might entail. As Mrs. Holmes' story told her, happiness and tragedy both might befall them, but he would be her husband as soon as it could be arranged.
Anne already felt closeness to these women. Mrs. Croft she had long desired to know and Mrs. Holmes with her slightly hesitant manner, was kindness itself and Anne expected that Mrs. Holmes present close association with Mrs. Croft would help restore Mrs. Holmes to the confident and self reliant woman Anne believed Mrs. Holmes formerly had been. Anne noticed that Mrs. Holmes already sat a little straighter and spoke in a less tentative manner than when they had spoken earlier. Anne reasoned from various things she had gleaned from Frederick and Mr. Wentworth, that a navy wife who long lived ashore was entrusted with much by her husband and had to be resourceful.
Resolute, she summoned them to her by calling their names and asked, "Tell me, what should my trunk contain?"
Sophia, for her part although she had no doubt of the probable outcome, still felt joy that she was being of use to her little brother (who she had once called Freddy) and triumph that she would be the means used to unite them. From having spoken with Miss Anne, she knew Miss Anne was a proper match for him and was glad she was decisive, too. To Sophia it recalled to her the certainty she felt about her own dear husband to be and lack of hesitation when he asked for her hand mere days after they met and proposed they live out their marriage together upon the sea.
Sophia, meticulous as she was, had already drafted a list and in shorter order presented it to Miss Anne. Sophia was surprised, however, to be asked for it so soon. They discussed when they could depart and made arrangements for calling on Miss Anne the following morning and departing in three days, the soonest that Miss Anne believed she could make the necessary arrangements to settle all her outstanding business to her satisfaction and see those who were beloved to her before leaving them behind perhaps forever.
Beyond knowing what to pack, Anne had already considered how best to bring up her departure with her family and godmother. She was rightly concerned that if they knew the true reason why she was leaving, she would face vigorous and strident opposition. It was not beyond consideration that they might attempt to stop her as they would likely think she had taken leave of her senses to depart with her new acquaintances to an unknown destination. Anne felt guilty about deceiving her family and godmother, but believed it was the only way.
Anne told them she would tell only the Robinsons her true plans and asked whether Mrs. Croft would be willing to pose as being her elder classmate whose former name was the only one her father or godmother were likely to recall (the former Miss Hamilton who three years her elder had been kind to her when Miss Anne had unhappily begun school grieving the loss of a mother whom she had dearly loved and feeling her separation from home).
Mrs. Croft sensibly asked, "Will not your father know I am too old to be the former Miss Hamilton? After all, I must be several years her senior."
Anne then had to explain, "My father will be unlikely to disbelieve your identity both because he does not know me to lie and because I have heard him opine on more than one occasion that naval life ages persons terribly. Your appearance will simply confirm his previous perception."
Happily, Anne took Mrs. Croft and Mrs. Holmes with her to see the Robinsons that afternoon, the normal time for her to meet with them for instruction. The introductions were no sooner made than Anne was thanking them both for interfering in her affairs to such a happy conclusion. She rightly guessed that Mrs. Robinson was the impetus behind her husband's letter, though Mr. Robinson had composed it himself. Mrs. Robinson reviewed the list of needed items and in her piping bird-like voice announced that they had nearly all the medicinal supplies needed and could easily obtain the rest. Anne would leave well stocked with all manner of herbs, vials for preparing them, bandages and other supplies. Mrs. Robinson told Anne in no uncertain terms that they would accept no payment, that spending time with and educating Anne was more than enough payment, though Mrs. Robinson did whisper that she hoped Anne might write them a letter to help them experience a bit of her joy once she was successfully reunited with Captain Wentworth. From the looks that Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were exchanging, Anne fancied that they were remembering their own courtship. Anne enjoyed seeing how quickly the Robinsons, Mrs. Croft and Mrs. Holmes took to one another. Before more than a few minutes passed, Mrs. Croft was quizzing Mr. Robinson regarding particular medical issues that had arisen during a particular voyage and taking note of their suggestions of what might have been done while Mrs. Holmes was sharing details of the agony of her most recent living situation to the sympathetic ear of Mrs. Robinson. Far too quickly, the visit was concluded, with the Robinsons promising to have everything ready for Anne in two days.
The next morning Mrs. Croft and Mrs. Holmes called on the Elliots. Anne had prepared her father and Elizabeth to expect them and emphasized how kind the former Miss Hamilton had been to her when she first went away to school. She also mentioned that they had invited her on a trip and she wished them to become acquainted as she was well inclined to go. Curious about who would invite Anne, her father and sister showed reasonable courtesy toward the women while they were there, but Anne knew her father was reserving his criticism of their appearance for after the conclusion of the call.
Once the initial courtesies were observed, Mrs. Croft embroidered on Anne's basic story. Mrs. Croft immediately seemed to perceive that Sir Walter was puffed up with his own importance and that a certain amount of flattery would serve her well.
Therefore Mrs. Croft observed, "Sir Walter and Miss Elliot, how kind of you let me call upon you by strength of my association with Miss Anne. I hardly dreamed that when I renewed my friendship with your daughter that I would now be begging your indulgence to let her travel with us. While I knew our route of travel would take us near Kellynch Hall, I hesitated to even call upon Miss Anne when I saw how truly impressive it was from the exterior. It was only because of the love I bear for Miss Anne that I even deigned to call and leave my card. After all, though my dear husband is now an admiral, I have long lived as a captain's wife quite simply on his ship."
Anne could see her father nodding slightly, delighting to see his own self-perceived consequence confirmed.
"Though I had months earlier written to Miss Anne and made arrangements to meet with her when I arrived and introduce her to my older sister, I could not at that time in good conscience even consider inviting her to join us in our travels; I could not presume to request her company, knowing of her consequence as the other girls at our school made clear. However, when she returned our call we were truly flattered that she would humble herself, knowing that she belongs to the most important family for many miles, that she would visit a mere inn was a wonder to us both."
Mrs. Holmes must have picked up on Mrs. Croft's tactic as she added, "I have long known that it was my sister's dearest wish to have Miss Anne join us on our travels, though of course Miss Anne was unknown to me except through my sister's stories regarding their time together at school. Yet I thought it almost beyond belief that we might propose such a thing to one above us."
Mrs. Holmes paused and Mrs. Croft took up the conversation, "So imagine my surprise when my sister herself, having found herself most charmed by Miss Anne's manner, requested that Miss Anne become one of our party. Imagine also our shock that Miss Anne would actually consider our proposal and tentatively agree, of course subject to receiving your approval and endorsement, Sir Walter. Thus I request that you lend us Miss Anne for two or three months. We plan to travel and see a great many sights and perhaps may expand our trip should all be willing."
"I shall consider the matter," said Sir Walter and then the conversation turned in other directions. While her father said nothing to particularly endorse the plan, by the fact that he showed no opposition either and his face remained relaxed, Anne was convinced that her leaving on this trip should pose no undue difficulty. Anne was not surprised, however, when once Mrs. Croft and Mrs. Holmes departed, that her father began abusing their appearance.
"Anne, did you see how horribly your friend has aged from accompanying her husband to sea? Why her skin was so very rough and red; she looked twenty years your elder. I am not sure about such a scheme. The winds off England are sure to turn you more haggard and in traveling you will be exposed to far too much sun. While I understand that not all can be as handsome and blooming as Elizabeth and me, what kind of guardians will they be for you if they have not a care for their own appearances? Why, Mrs. Holmes looks of an age with Lady Russell, with her eyes gone to crows feet."
"Father," said Anne most respectfully, "do you have any true opposition to me traveling with Mrs. Croft and her sister besides concern for me needing to guard my face from undue exposure to the elements? I promise to take all appropriate precautions."
"Well, I suppose not," Sir Walter said, "though I do not have much in the way of funds to send with you. However as they saw fit to invite you, they must have the means to pay your way as well. While the wife of an admiral is respectable company, though one who is promoted by his labors to such a post is not truly a member of the gentry, I am still a bit concerned you may grow a bit coarse in such company."
Anne was not sure whether he was referring to her appearance or manner. She knew from past experience that it was better to say nothing than inquire further and be treated to a diatribe from him on all that was wrong with her friends. Anne had long ago concluded that she could not change or even influence her father's opinion and for the sake if family harmony it was best not to try.
"Oh, just let her go," Elizabeth said in a slightly annoyed voice, "no one shall need her here."
Later that day after not finding Mary at home, Anne called on her godmother for their weekly tea. Lady Russell was quite distressed at Anne's new plans and insisted that she be introduced to Mrs. Croft and Mrs. Holmes before she could think well of such a journey and Anne promised to arrange to call with them on the morrow.
The next morning Anne was successful in finding her sister at home. Mary immediately found a way to be insulted that Lady Russell had heard about Anne's plans before herself. "Anne, was I not due the courtesy as your sister of you telling me such news immediately and yet if I understand you correctly, you have discussed the matter with Lady Russell first. What shall I do without you to tend to me when I am ill, I consider myself most ill used to be told last and abandoned in such a manner."
Thus Anne was made to soothe and flatter her sister. Even while she was doing so and explaining that she had attempted to call on Mary before Lady Russell, but heard Mary was at that time at the Uppercross great house and had not time to pursue her there given her standing arrangement with Lady Russell, a small and selfish part of Anne was quite content at the fact that she might never have to tend to one of Mary's imagined illnesses again. To banish such a mean spirited thought, Anne resolved to regularly write to her sister and give her every consideration in complaints about her health.
Amazingly enough, when Anne called with Mrs. Croft and Mrs. Holmes at Kellynch Lodge, Lady Russell seemed to have no difficulty in believing that Mrs. Croft was indeed the former Miss Hamilton and to like the two women well enough to be tolerably willing that Anne should travel with them. Thus after Anne called upon her near neighbors to bid them adieu for a time, all the obstacles to her journey had been overcome and every necessary courtesy extended to make her comfortable in quitting Kellynch Hall for perhaps the final time.
Anne's truck was mostly packed with medicinal supplies and her journals of knowledge and the more personal writing in one very special journal. She packed but three gowns for herself besides the one she was wearing and took little else save for writing supplies and her personal jewelry. It was not worth a great deal, but it had come to her from her share of her mother's jewelry and it might very well be able to fetch cash enough in an emergency. Her father was true to his words in not supplying her with much in the way of funds, but upon their last parting Lady Russell placed some money in her hands and asked her to buy herself something pretty to help remember this adventure. Anne's parting from Lady Russell was more heartfelt than any besides her taking leave of the Robinsons. Though Lady Russell's actions in separating her from Frederick had left a lasting mark, Lady Russell had tried to act in her best interest and Anne truly believed she had meant well.