Starting to diverge from canon quite a bit now, but who doesn't love a bit of dramatic license? Especially for the sake of romance!

...

Women

Frederick was entirely unsurprised to find Sophia waiting for him in the breakfast room the following morning. He was determined to maintain his dignity, though he could feel her eyes trained on him as he fixed himself a plate and sat at the table. After the footman offered him a cup of tea, he took his time taking a fortifying sip before finally locking eyes with her- a silent entreaty to begin.

She did not disappoint, "what on God's green Earth was that?"

She was not angry, nor judgmental. In fact, Frederick was certain she was taking great pains to downplay her enjoyment of the entire episode last night. He kept his desire to cringe in check. "I have no idea to what you are referring," he responded, giving her no quarter.

The resulting scoff, he was sure, could be heard from Uppercross itself. "Please! I know that we spoke of you being ready to find a wife but if I had known that your intention was to peacock yourself in such a fashion then I would have encouraged you to wait until you had finished your visit with us. Nay, begged!"

Staring across at his sister, Frederick wished he had some witty rejoinder with which to respond or that he could even find the energy to scoff back at her in return. But as he felt the tell tale burn of embarrassment begin to claw at his neck, he was ready to admit defeat. A night of self-flagellation will do that to a man, after all. Elbows crashing on to the table, he leaned forward to cover his face in his hands. "I know, I know. Please, do not remind me. I have no words Sophia, no words! I have no idea what came over me."

"Ah, the young peacock has descended upon us!" The Admiral cried as he marched through the parlour door.

Frederick groaned again.

Stooping to kiss his wife's cheek, the Admiral continued, "I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have snagged you my dear when I did. If I were required to put on the display our brother did last night in order to catch a bride I do believe I would remain a bachelor til the end of my days."

"What a shame darling," Sophie cheekily responded, "for I am sure you would have many tales to tell in which you performed dashing rescues or dangerous escapes."

"Indeed I would!" Her husband laughed in reply. "Though I would not be nearly as entertaining as dear Frederick."

The Admiral sat himself next to his wife to join the pair for breakfast. He had never been one to observe his seat at the head of the table when amongst family. It had been many years since Sophie had first asked him why he chose to avoid it. And his only reply was as typical as his cheery and slightly mischievous nature, when I am sitting next to you, I can put my hand on your leg whenever I need. Seeing Frederick's grim face, Sir Admiral William Croft took pity on his young brother in law. "Not to worry Fred, the ladies were wild for you all evening. Why you even had Miss Elliot moved to tears at one point. So whatever tactics and strategies you were employing, I'm sure they'll come to fruition soon enough."

Frederick's skin prickled at this comment, "moved to tears?" He asked, picturing the private scene he had stumbled upon and suddenly worried that he would have been observed too.

"At the table, when you were carrying on about the Asp! I'm sure the poor girl stopped breathing at one point. If it weren't for Mrs Musgrove's interrupting her, I was about to distract her myself.

Frederick flushed anew. He was self aware enough to realise that his demeanour last night had been spiteful, though only he and perhaps Miss Elliot were aware of it. At the time he had been pleased to have drawn some reaction from her, so poised she had been in every instance they'd been in company since he'd returned. But in the light of day, he could only be ashamed. Though he had heard well of himself when eavesdropping, proving that the old adage was not always true, he still felt thoroughly chastised.

He had long considered himself justified in his resentment, viciously considered himself well above the company of those he left behind both in terms of character and honour. But he could see now that his resentment was thinly disguised anger.

Perhaps it was time to lay that anger aside.

………………………………………….

It had not taken the Admiral and Sophie long to leave off with their teasing in order to go about their day. Frederick had made no plans to meet with the Musgroves but loitering around Kellynch did not suit his temperament. The activity offered by a country walk was exactly what he needed to settle his mind. The crisp air and clear sky was a balm to his battered ego and he had not realised how far in the direction of Uppercross he had travelled until he was abruptly intercepted by none other than the one woman around whom he was no longer sure how to behave.

"Captain Wentworth!" She exclaimed, her surprise at seeing him evident in both the tone of her voice and the manner in which she recoiled, her face draining of colour.

"Miss Elliot," he replied in equal measures of embarrassment and discomfort. After an excruciating pause he at least had the presence of mind to ask whilst giving her a slight bow, "and how do you do?"

"Very well, Sir," she curtsied and not having the presence of mind herself to return the greeting, they fell into awkward silence again. Frederick observed Miss Elliot as she began to look around, a slight frown appearing on her forehead. "I hope you have not come to some misadventure Captain?"

"Misadventure?"

"I see you have no horse or companions… I worried perhaps…" her voice died away.

Frederick responded confusedly, "not at all. I simply thought I would enjoy a solitary morning walk."

"From Kellynch?" She replied, eyebrows raised in surprise. "That must be ten miles from here."

"And what is ten miles of good country road?" He replied, almost teasingly.

"Well, you were always a good walker I recall." She blushed prettily and cleared her throat, "perhaps I should return. I'm sure Mary will be expecting my help with little Charles."

"How is the young master?" Frederick asked, falling into step with her. He was conscious of his earlier resolution to lay his anger aside and wasn't ready yet for this chance meeting to come to an end.

"As well as any young boy who is used to spending as many daylight hours outside can be, when forced to remain abed. He does well until he has to move and then the pain is difficult for him to manage."

"Which is to be expected in one so young I suppose."

"True. I am grateful that he at least is old enough to understand and obey the doctor's instructions. The greater difficulty lies in contending with little Walter, who is used to a brother with whom he can wrestle and young enough to be unaccustomed to being told no. It has been tricky for the household I feel. I'm glad to have been of service while I'm here."

Frederick could picture it; with Charles the father finding reasons upon reasons to be out of the house and young Mrs Musgrove likely displeased with the attention being drawn to her young son playing the role of patient in as many ways she could get away with. It was probably some great providence that ensured the little boy had his aunt at hand to provide the love and care of a mother in such a time of need. And not a word of criticism passed her lips.

"Are you required to be of service to your sister often?" He imagined her life as an unmarried sister, not being afforded the courtesies of being the eldest and obviously not having received any offers of marriage since he last knew her, she must fall victim often to the whims of those around her.

Miss Elliot, unphased by his forthright question, speared him with a wry smile, "Yes and no," she replied. After some introspection she continued. "It's nice to be needed. You must wonder at a life such as mine after all of the grand adventures you have had. Though from what I have followed, you have not yet made it to the West Indies. Is that something you still wish to see?"

Frederick looked at her brightly, shocked and a little touched at the implication of her words. "How… Have you been following the navy lists?" All this time, he wondered. Eight years was a time and a half again!

Frederick thought he'd heard Miss Elliot reply in a lowered voice, "how could I not?" But with her bonnet lowered as she peered at the ground, he could not be sure. And before he could inspect his new revelation further, a crashing from the nearby shrubbery, followed shortly by the bounding of Charles' two English Pointers, was the only announcement the two were afforded before they were joined by the owner.

The trio spoke briefly, sharing pleasantries over last evening before Frederick bid his adieus in order to return to Kellynch. The solitude of the walk home was not enough for him to decipher his own feelings over the knowledge that she had followed his career after they parted.

He was so sure of her love but when she had broken off their engagement those long eight years ago he'd assumed he been wrong. After all, she'd been persuaded to give him up. Nothing could have persuaded him to do the same. He considered also the Admirals words from breakfast this morning.

Were these the actions of a woman who did not care?

There was one certainty he could arrive at. He was no longer angry, it had all burned out of him now. But he was surprised at the lingering feeling of disappointment and regret at what could have been. To have been on the receiving end of the care and affection of such a woman. He carried this feeling through the rest of the day and for many days ahead.