Thanks for your encouragement and with sticking with me so long. Special thanks go out to recent reviewers: ladymurasaki26, DimmDimms, and ElizabethSoph.

45.

Anne was appalled that such things could occur. "How can men be so depraved! This is yet another thing that proves out how slavery is a horrid, horrid institution which lets the powerful oppress the weak!" she told Mirabella heatedly.

"Yes, it is a horrid institution," Mirabella responded. She sat down upon the bed and patted the spot beside her so Anne would join her, which Anne did. "There may be nothing I can do about what occurs in Antigua or even generally on Mr. Weevelforth's plantation, but I am determined to see what has befallen Mary and if there is anything I can do to relieve her or her near relatives of their state. I know that slavery will eventually end in the islands, but much harm may befall them in the meantime, and I fear they will have few choices in this small bit of land when freed."

Anne was already thinking practically. She took the proffered seat and patted Mirabella on her near shoulder. "You are kind to a fault, dear Mirabella. So you are thinking of using Purser Perry's money to buy someone's freedom? But then, what will become of you?" As much as she admired Mirabella's thought, Anne worried about the long-term consequences for her friend from what appeared to be an impulsive decision. She had not forgotten Mirabella's account of her life and being forced to live on the charity of relatives.

"I did not earn such money," replied Mirabella, "and by all rights it never should have been mine, but Perry was insistent that he was alone in the world but for the rest of the crew, and that if he left it to them they would expend it on women and strong drink. He wanted me to have the freedom to chose my own destiny and never be dependent upon another man if I did not wish it.

"Perhaps it has always been my destiny to be poor, and how can I miss the independence that I never had? More than the freedom from want, I wish to have the freedom to make my own choices. I choose the company of good friends over my own situation, to be useful to others. What need have I of more? And what more noble use could I make of his funds than to honor his own generosity and kindness to me? Do you know that I told him about Mr. Holmes and my son, and he accepted me nevertheless without a qualm. Oh that he could have lived, for I am certain that we would have been happy."

Anne felt tears welling up in her eyes. How horrible to have happiness on offer and then have it snatched away by the vagaries of ill-luck! How well she knew that happiness could be fleeting, but it was different when the object of one's love was alive and there was hope for an eventual reunification. At Mirabella's age, the bloom of her youth was long-gone and were there any besides Purser Perry who would see past her slightly stooped frame, white hair, and the lines on her skin to glimpse her beautiful soul? While Mrs. Holmes had various offers aboard the ship, Anne believed that those other men had mostly sought access to a woman's body, whether they offered marriage or not. Anne believed they saw her friend as interchangeable with any other woman in such respect, any other woman who might live aboard ship and was not already married or promised to another.

"It is so unfair," replied Anne. "You deserve every happiness and he was a good, good man. But while his life is over, yours is not."

Mirabella shrugged. "I have received happiness enough by earning the love of two good men. This is something I shall treasure forever and it means far more to me than pounds and pence. I have had the privilege of being a mother to a good boy, who is on his way to being a good man. If I can but live on the same ship as Edgar and glimpse him from time to time, that shall be enough. A friend aboard," here she looked at Anne, "who I can help with all things, having enough food in my belly and a chance to be useful in serving you and the crew, is all that I want besides that."

The friends embraced. "I shall do all I can to help you," Anne declared. She sprang up and opened up her trunk to locate a small carved box that contained the jewelry she had taken when she left home. Anne had originally thought to sell it if she had need of money, but Mrs. Croft had hardly permitted her to pay for anything, and the funds she had from Mrs. Russell had more than sufficed for anything else she needed. Therefore, she spread her small bounty upon the counterpane and considered what might be sold to aid her friend to help her husband's family.

There was little enough there of true value, for after their mother died, Elizabeth had insisted on the lion's share for herself, and the pieces Anne had lent Mary over the years seldom returned to her. But there was one broach with diamonds in the shape of a rose that neither of her sisters had coveted (for it was too old fashioned), and a rather ugly butterfly pin with what might be rubies and other gems, as well as some earrings and bracelets of less value, and her mother's gold cross.

"I shall keep the cross," Anne declared, removing it from the table and placing it back inside her box. "But anything else that I have, you may sell to do what you can to help them."

"Are these not your dowry, or at least as close of a dowry as you have?" Mirabella asked. She wished to take what her dear friend offered her, but did not want Anne to regret her generosity.

"I have no dowry," said Anne, wrapping the jewelry up in a handkerchief and pressing the bundle into Mirabella's hand. "My father as you well recall has no notion of where I am or what my plans are, and even when I was properly engaged, my father offered Frederick nothing for me. And while he should do something for me, his finances are poor due to overspending. I come to Captain Wentworth with nothing of value but myself, but somehow it is enough for him."

"Of course it is," Mirabella declared. "He has found a treasure beyond all compare. And he is rich enough I wager. And you shall both be rich in love."

"Yes, so what need have I of anything else? All I need for my happiness to be complete is to marry Frederick and live aboard his ship with him, with the beloved sister of my heart," here she placed her hand over Mirabella's which clasped the jewelry-filled hanky.

"Oh, Anne!" Mirabella declared, overcome with her friend's generosity and sentiments.

They settled down to make plans. Mrs. Weevelforth had invited Anne, Admiral and Mrs. Croft, and any of their friends or other naval officers to join them for dinner at the plantation three days hence (Captain Wentworth had not been invited by name, an obvious slight, but was generally included), and while nothing had been agreed to then, Anne determined that they should certainly attend and make Mirabella one of the party.

Mirabella resolved not to sell the jewelry until she knew what if anything was needed, but if she had to sell it, would ask for Admiral Croft's assistance. They even considered whether the younger Mr. Weevelforth might be prevailed upon to buy it for a good price as a personal favor to Anne, relishing the delicious irony that he would be paying for some of his slaves' freedom and receiving nothing in return. But while this made for an amusing thought, they believed it unlikely that they could arrange things thus.

Mirabella pondered asking for use of the necessary during the separation of the sexes and using the time when she was thought to be occupied to seek out some of the slaves and make inquiries, but she thought it rather likely that this would hardly give her enough time.

Anne pledged, "I shall help you gain further time by means of a distraction. I am sure that Mrs. Croft and I can think of something."

Making plans occupied their time, so it was with some surprise that they realized the hour was growing late and it would soon be time for the evening meal. Mrs. Croft came to them not long after that and with a big smile announced, "We are to dine with the officers on the Laconia tonight." Turning to Mirabella she asked, "Can I prevail on you, Mrs. Holmes, to join us? I know you are in mourning, but can that not be put off for a time so that you can make merry while we are altogether? Captain Wentworth specifically invited you. It shall not be long until Admiral Croft and I are to depart, and you shall either go with us or with the Wentworths."

Mirabella consented, for she felt obligated by the special invitation, given that Captain Wentworth had so generously arranged that she might have time with her son. She still had no mourning clothing, but Mrs. Croft offered her the use of a black shawl and Mirabella dressed in her most subdued clothing.

Soon enough they were borne away on the Admiral's barge and had reached the Laconia. Frederick himself was waiting at the top of the ladder, and took Anne's hand as she reached the top of it. "Welcome to the Laconia, Anne," he told her, his voice low and a sweet caress. Then he turned and proclaimed formally, in a voice that rang out, as he gestured to the four of them, "Men, we have most esteemed guests tonight, Admiral and Mrs. Croft, Miss Anne Elliot soon-to-be my Mrs. Wentworth, and her companion, Mrs. Holmes, the widow of Captain Holmes, and mother of our newest midshipman, Mr. Holmes, who has joined us from the Juniper." He gestured starboard and Mirabella's eyes followed the path of his gesture and she saw her boy some distance away, clearly both embarrassed and pleased at the attention. "Please welcome them."

Shouts rang out as well as some whoops and hollers. Anne preferred less attention than was currently directed toward her, and felt her cheeks pink, but she had not missed that Frederick had accepted that Mirabella would be living with them, too, in having arranged her son's transfer to the Laconia, and her pleasure at this thoughtfulness on his part outweighed her self-consciousness. Anne took his proffered arm and let him escort them down to the join the officers' mess. The lower deck was well illuminated by lamps and with each step Anne took, each sight she saw, and each new crew member seen, she thought This shall soon be my home; these shall soon be my people.

The men were not shy in appraising Anne and the other members of the party as they passed by. Many nodded in acknowledgment or whispered "Miss Elliot, Mrs. Holmes" though how they could have learned their names so quickly was surprising to her. Anne, who had excellent hearing, also heard snatches of conversation from sailors who were farther away: "She's a pretty thing." "I wouldn't mind a piece of that." "That widow ain't bad." "The captain's lucky." "She must be a friend of his sister." "I never expected to be serving on a Hen Frigate" (that last was said with distain and Frederick heard it, too, and sought out its source, but could not positively identify who had spoken thus).

Anne and the others were introduced to the other officers in the wardroom before sitting down and Anne tried her best to remember the many names, but soon concluded that it was hopeless. She did, however, take note when Frederick clapped a shorter man on the back and said "Anne, I want you to meet Lieutenant Benwick. He is the senior officer aboard save me. He is a most capable man and I can ill afford to lose him when he receives a promotion to captain, as is inevitable." She also paid close attention when he introduced her to "Mr. Dash, the ship's surgeon."

Anne spoke kindly upon each introduction. She knew she should find out more about her probable role aboard ship from Mr. Dash, but he ended up being seated down the table, next to Mrs. Holmes, and Anne was quite separated from the rest of her party, but next to Frederick. There was no privacy to be had in such a setting, but once again they held hands under the table when they could. Anne saw that Mr. Dash seemed to be engaging Mrs. Holmes in conversation, but they were too far away for her to catch more than a word or two.

Frederick, while delighting in Anne's presence, also found it slightly vexing. He wanted her here always, not just as a visitor. He wanted to tell her earnestly all she meant to him, rather than have his conversation confined to what was appropriate before his men.

It caused Frederick to feel a physical pain in his chest that he could not hold Anne, that instead he had to attend to others and make polite conversation. While he enjoyed telling when asked, how they met, and explaining they had been engaged for years but had not been able to marry earlier due to some opposition from her family (conveniently glossing over that for years he had been certain that their engagement was forever torn asunder, and he had never believed he would see her again; he merely followed Anne's example of what she had told the priest when attempting to get him to marry them), he would have traded their good wishes for a few minutes alone with the woman who was to be his wife.

Frederick felt he acquitted himself well, but was glad to turn over the bulk of the conversation to the Admiral and his wife, who were more than happy to step into the breach and regale his crew with the many exploits of their ship. Only then, with the others distracted, was he able to whisper a few quiet words to his beloved.

"My darling Anne, I cannot tell you how sorry I am that we yet have no wedding date." Here he squeezed her hand with a little more vigor. "Please know, that I want nothing more than to have you always by my side."

"Frederick," Anne replied, "you have nothing for which to apologize. We shall make our way through it." To emphasize her point, she lay her free hand atop his arm and squeezed through the layers of his coat and shirt. "I am convinced that the priest shall relent if given the proper inducement."

"I hinted to him that I might make the church a sizable contribution, but that did not seem to move him in the slightest," Frederick replied.

"Let us take up the dinner invitation offered, and let us see if we cannot convince him. I am almost certain that Mrs. Weevelforth will be our ally in this. A few days of delay is nothing to the years we have been apart."

"I know, but . . . "

"Yes," she nodded, gazing at him, and Frederick knew that she understood and shared in his sentiments. It warmed his heart to see the love in his fiancée's eyes.

After dinner, Admiral and Mrs. Croft remained to speak further with the officers, while Frederick, Anne, and Mirabella took a little tour of the ship. Mr. Dash had urged that the ladies ought to see the ship, including his sickbay. He was there when they entered, along with his mates and other assistants, and proclaimed "Ladies, it is my pleasure to welcome you to sickbay." He then introduced his staff.

Anne and Mirabella noted that only two cots were filled. The one patient had a black eye and did not rouse at their entry, while the other attempted to stand while holding at his belly. "I would not get to close to Mr. Smith," Mr. Dash warned. "He has been vomiting all day."

"Good evening Mr. Smith," Anne said while keeping her distance. "Have you tried some ginger tea for him?" she inquired of Mr. Dash.

"Yes, but it has given him no relief."

"No tender belly I hope," Anne replied, in diagnostic mode.

"Not anything to suggest appendicitis," Mr. Dash responded, immediately understanding what she was asking. He dropped his voice and said conspiratorially, "I think he got into some rot-gut that someone snuck aboard. Normally we would leave him to his misery, but the bouts of vomiting have been lasting longer than I would expect. I hope it is not some contagious illness instead."

"And your other patient?" Anne approached the still man.

"Head injury, I am afraid; it occurred during a brawl."

"And no ice to be had in this sort of climate." Anne commented both to herself and to him.

"None at all. Not much to be done but to wait and see how he fares. We have been able to get a little broth down him, for his swallowing reflexes still work, which is a hopeful sign, but he has not awakened at all."

"Is there any depression in his skull?"

"None at all."

"Oh, that is good news indeed. While I found it fascinating to read the accounts of Surgeon Hill making a hole in the skull to relieve the pressure from such a depression, it is of course far better if that is not required."

"You are familiar with the work of James Hill from Dumfries, Scotland?" Mr. Dash asked, uncertain that he had heard correctly.

"Oh, yes, and I found it fascinating that he connected an injury on the back of the skull as causing a patient's loss of sight. To think that the eyes are somehow connected to the back of the brain!"

They engaged in a rapid-fire exchange of knowledge that left Frederick and Mirabella befuddled and impressed. Clearly Anne knew far more than Mr. Dash had expected, and he was most pleased to converse with someone who knew so much. Frederick felt such pride at her achievement, and that it seemed her place in sickbay was assured, but he felt a whisper of jealousy in imagining that they could have such conversation that left him out. This made his see a further reason why it would be desirable for Mrs. Holmes to marry Mr. Dash, as Mr. Dash had suggested before he ever met the lady. But, Captain Wentworth wondered, could Mrs. Holmes be induced to marry Mr. Dash?

Frederick tried to imagine Mr. Dash as a woman might see him. John Dash had more than five decades, but he still stood straight and while he had the thickening of middle age, had not gone to fat. He had his silver hair, much of his hair having gone white, and he kept it trimmed short, sporting a matching beard of a similar length that was all white, save for a few dark hairs in a patch on one side of his chin. His nose listed to one side, and was on the larger side, but otherwise he was quite ordinary, neither handsome nor ugly. Nothing about him was likely to turn a woman's head, but also nothing about him was likely to make one turn away in disgust. His intelligence and skill as a surgeon were certainly marks in his favor.

Frederick glanced over at Mrs. Holmes. It was not as if she were any great beauty. The most that might be said about her is that she had good teeth and no evident defects. Her hair had all gone to white and she seemed likely to be a similar age to Mr. Dash. He thought they were in a fair way of being evenly matched in appearance, both older but evidently fit and capable.

Frederick knew that he had the power to insist that they marry if Mrs. Holmes wished to remain aboard ship, but he had no desire to command such an outcome. Anne would never forgive him and he was not so thoughtless as to not understand the tremendous irony in himself waiting for love and then insisting others marry for his own convenience.

At the end of the protracted conversation, Mr. Dash turned back to Frederick and said as he nodded, "Miss Elliot will do quite well here."

Mr. Dash looked at Mirabella then, "Should you like to help out in sickbay as well?" There was a softening in his brown eyes that Frederick felt came from Mr. Dash's awareness that this woman could, possibly, be his someday, even if she did not know it yet.

Mrs. Holmes replied, "I shall go where my mistress wishes, and be most content at any task to which I am set. I know little of the medical arts, but what a mother needs know to care for her own son."

"Then you likely know more than my Loblolly boys," he replied kindly. "That will do for a start if the captain wishes you to serve here." He glanced over at Frederick and added, looking first over at Anne and then back at Mirabella, his eyes resting on her, "It would be welcome to have such help."

Frederick replied, "Anne has spent years preparing to serve in sickbay and desires such duties. While Mrs. Holmes knows less, I think it would be well if they could stay together."

"As do I, Captain," Mr. Dash responded. "My mates and I will keep them safe, once they come to live on board."

"I am glad of it," Frederick replied and he was. To have such a matter sorted out was a great relief to him, and he recalled that it was not so very long ago that Mr. Dash had insisted that he would not have a woman messing up his sickbay. Perhaps, thought Frederick, Mr. Dash hopes to win Mrs. Holmes's heart, or to at least lay claim to her, by keeping her near. He well knew that many men would envy his surgeon's opportunity to perhaps court and marry a woman who would live aboard.

A/N: I am still trying to finish by the end of the year even as the time runs short. I don't have an exact number of remaining chapters, but imagine it to be 3-5. However, I am notoriously bad at actually predicting such things. Any suggestions on how I should resolve things, or a scene you would like to read are welcome. I may not use them, but I do draw inspiration from such things fairly often. Thank you so much for reviewing. It means a lot to me.