It had been some time since Frederick had been to see his sister. A brief visit in the year Six, when he brought Harville ashore to recuperate, had been the last time he'd availed himself of the hospitality of the Admirals Croft. Reflecting on the family joke Frederick thought, if ever a woman were to earn the title of Admiral, it would certainly be his sister. Her time served aboard ships of all types stood testament to this. To be frank, his enthusiasm for this particular interlude was not as it should be. He, however, knew what was expected of him as an officer and a man of honour. Frederick was ready to do his duty and if he were to be particularly honest with himself, perhaps he also felt a perverse pleasure in returning to the scene of his greatest mistake.
"Of all places!" he exclaimed and shaking his head he urged his horse onward.
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Frederick recalled the absolute shock with which he had responded to Edward's news. The peace they usually shared breaking their fast in the early hours of the morning had been interrupted by Edwards' sudden shout of laughter. Frederick waited for the moment to pass, with naught but a raised eyebrow and shared glance at Edward's new wife Mary, however as Edward's glee continued to escalate he could no longer temper his interest. Frederick demanded that whatever was so damned funny be shared with the table.
"Oh, Frederick." His brother spoke, trying hard to gain some semblance of control, "I really shouldn't laugh. I'm sure you'll find this news anything but funny. Our sister writes to inform us that she and the Admiral are settled comfortably in their new quarters."
"Oh, yes?" Frederick questioned, waiting for the humorous punchline in which somehow the Admiral would be involved.
"Yes and she commands that her baby brothers and new sister come at their earliest convenience to visit, as she now coins herself, the new mistress of Kellynch Hall!"
Silence reigned as the statement settled over the table. Chagrin, anger, resentment seeped through Frederick's skin and into his bones. Doing his best to keep his composure, Frederick rose and bowing to his sister-in-law, left the room. White noise filled his ears as memory upon memory came cascading down upon him. Edward's appeal to return to the table fell on deaf ears as Frederick, feeling the walls closing in, made for the front door and was at the end of the lane before he was aware of himself. Edward followed, alarmed at his abrupt departure and apologies spewing forth. "I'm sorry Frederick, I did not realise this was a sore point for you still but brother! Angry? After all this time?" He had asked in surprise.
"Not angry!" Frederick had yelled, pacing away. He reached for control from deep within himself and looking to his brother he continued, "but surely I am justified in hoping to have never crossed paths with that circle again. Excuse me," and bowing to his brother, marched away to he knew not where.
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In the time that passed preparing for his visit, Frederick had run scenario after scenario through his mind. He had considered sharing his history of the place with his sister but could not bring himself to do so. At the time, he had not disclosed the tale of his disastrous love affair with anyone other than his brother on whose counsel he heavily leaned at the time. He had imagined running into Miss Elliott on some lane and gleefully considered how he would coldly stare past the spineless shrew. He had at least had the foresight to write ahead of time, framing his polite enquiries in such a manner as to gain information on the owners and previous residents. He knew she at least, was still in the area. He imagined running across her at dinner parties, dropping snippets of his successful career and increasing wealth whilst sharing anecdotes of his brave adventures with everyone present but her. And Lady Russell! Oh what pleasure it would give him to cut her direct.
Imagine as he might, it was always at this point that Frederick's good sense would rein himself in. He knew how long his sister had waited for a grand home of her own. His respect for both her and her husband would always ensure that he behaved in a manner that kept their good faith in him alive. As his steed meandered into the valley in which the village of Kellynch was situated, the grandeur of Kellynch Hall came into view. A mixture of love for his sister and distaste for the sight of this place coursed through his very being, one at war with the other. True to the character of the naval captain he was, Frederick took a grim, fortifying breath and forged ahead.