Captain Wentworth's Persuasion (27 page)

“Dick Musgrove?” Edward exclaimed.“I should have made the connection. Oh, Frederick, he was a trouble to his family; I hope he served you better than he did them.”

“Unfortunately, no.” Frederick chuckled, “But his parents have
fond memories of their son’s worth.”

Edward nodded, as if to say such was a common occurrence. “How did you handle seeing Miss Anne after all these years? I know how you suffered with the parting.”

Frederick paused, reflecting on how the foolishness of his actions gave him little amusement. “At first, I relished the idea of seeing Miss Anne treated poorly by her family; they speak of her as an afterthought. I wanted to see her brought down—see her Elliot pride dragged through the dirt. But she does not deserve that, Edward. Anne is still the kindest, most intelligent woman I have ever known. She possesses a silent strength; a man would be blessed to hold her in his arms. I was a fool, Edward. I should have returned to Somerset and renewed my offer to her in ’08. She would have been of age by then, but I feared rejection.”

“Why not renew your proposal now? Do you believe Miss Anne is indifferent to you?” Edward leaned back in his chair. He knew to let Frederick tell his story at his own pace.

“I created a quagmire.When I first went to Uppercross, I purposely entertained the attention of Miss Musgrove. I needed Anne to see how
others
wanted me, even though
she
did not. I played games for which I now must pay. Lately, I decided I still wanted Anne, but I knew I had to distance myself from Louisa Musgrove, before I could plead my case with Miss Anne.”

“That seems a logical sequence,” Edward said drily.

Frederick frowned, bringing the lines of his brows together. “Oh, Edward, I wish it were that simple. I was in Lyme with Harville, and the Musgroves, as well as Anne; we traveled there together.”

“I see,” Edward said cautiously.

“Throughout my relationship with Louisa Musgrove, I encouraged her to demonstrate her independence. I did it as part of my revenge on Miss Anne; I was of the opinion that Anne possessed a
too-persuadable
nature. Louisa flirted with me by climbing on stiles and high steps and having me catch her when she jumped. In Lyme, she jumped from the seawall steps. The first time, I caught her and set her apart from me. My thoughts were on Anne at the
time. Captain Benwick and a stranger—who, we later realized, was her family’s estranged cousin—both paid her attentions. I was desperate to win her heart before one of them did. Louisa must have sensed my withdrawal, for she climbed the steps a second time, taking on a greater height. Although I tried, I could not catch her. She sustained a blow to her head and was unconscious for a prolonged period. In short, her family expects an offer because I showed her so much attention. I cannot, in good conscience, withhold that proposal.Yet my heart does not belong to Louisa Musgrove. Even if I marry her, she will never be Anne—no one will.”

Edward seemed confused. “What do you do now? Should you not be in Lyme?”

“Harville suggested I put distance between Louisa Musgrove and myself. He believes she is young and consequently might forget the flirtation. If she does not, then I will do the honorable thing and make her my wife.”

Edward let out a low whistle; he finally leaned forward. “What if Miss Anne moves on before this is resolved? Did you not say she attracted the attention of two men in less than a day? What of her cousin? Is this the same cousin—the future baronet?”

“Evidently.” Frederick grimaced, remembering Mr. Elliot’s forwardness in speaking to Anne at the inn.

“If I recall, the man snubbed the Elliots’ advances previously. Now that he is older, he may see the advantage of such a marriage. Sir Walter wanted Mr. Elliot for his Elizabeth, but I am sure the baronet would be just as pleased if the heir apparent chose Miss Anne. If so, her father’s family would keep control of Kellynch Hall. Our family, of course, would be looking for another residence.”

“For me, it could be no worse. Back in Lyme, when we discovered who Mr. Elliot was, the waiter disclosed that the gentleman’s servant had mentioned going to Bath soon. Sir Walter and Miss Elliot are in Bath, and Anne is to travel there with Lady Russell. I had hoped to renew my attentions to Anne once she arrived in Bath. Now, I must wait for my fate back in Lyme while Mr. Elliot is likely to move in the same circles as the Elliots and have free access
to Anne.” Frederick nearly growled with thoughts of such a development. “Even if Louisa recovers and chooses someone else or chooses to end our relationship, I may be too late to earn Anne’s regard again.”

“You are right—
quagmire
is an appropriate term.” Edward shook his head in disbelief. “So I am to entertain you while you wait. Great! A caged animal in my house! Does Sophia know what she sent me? If so, I will plot my retaliation.”

“Our sister is innocent this time,” Frederick insisted. “Sophia discerned my regard for Anne about a week before our fateful trip to Lyme. It surprised her, as she believed Louisa Musgrove to be my choice.”

“Our sister thinks she understands us,” Edward observed. “Unfortunately, she thinks you and I would choose someone like her. Obviously, my Christine is not like Sophia.The Admiral could not survive civilian life without our sister, where Christine complements my existence after so many years as a bachelor.”

Frederick sighed. “What you said a moment ago was correct; I am a caged animal.”

Edward stood and clapped him on the shoulder.“Never mind. I have a long list of projects that need more than two hands. Hard work will take your mind off your troubles.”

“The Wentworth men together again! Look out Shrewsbury, you are in for a treat.” Frederick gave his brother a full smile. “Thank you, Edward—thank you for understanding my need to be here.”

“You are my brother. No matter what your troubles, you may always find a home under my roof. Now, let us get you settled. Tomorrow, we begin your visit in earnest.”Together they climbed the stairs, laughing and jostling all the way.

—Sir John Betjeman,“In a Bath Teashop”

 

Over the next few weeks, Frederick became Edward’s shadow. Rarely separated from his brother, he willingly did all the things necessary to ease Edward’s way in the community. He helped Edward prepare the land for Widow Leverton’s garden, removing rocks and weeds despite the hardness of the winter soil. Frederick spent a night in one of the estate cottager’s main rooms, tending to the family’s small children, while Edward administered to the needs of a dying parent. He used his physical strength and natural agility to make repairs around the vicarage, and he sat with pride beside his sister Christine as Edward delivered soul-searching sermons to a packed village church.

Regularly, he received reports from Harville as to Louisa’s recovery. Evidently, the Musgroves had returned to Uppercross, and, as Milly indicated earlier, they had taken the Harville children with them.The last letter revealed the fact that Louisa would return home before her brothers and sisters left for school, presumably right after the start of the new year. Frederick nearly panicked with the news; his fate awaited him. Would Anne be a part of his future? Nightly, he dreamed of her—the dreams even more real now than they were had been when they first parted years earlier. In his favorite dream, Frederick played out the many ways he would
greet her if Anne should appear before him again—everything from dropping to his knees immediately and begging her to accept him to taking her in his arms and kissing her until she could think of nothing but him to clasping her hand in his and slowly bringing her delicately gloved fingers to his lips. He preferred the kissing her crazy idea best, but, no matter what, Frederick knew he would never walk away from her again. He would stay in her life until Anne Elliot accepted him. Thoughts of such pleasure brought a warm smile to his face.

On Christmas Eve, Frederick helped Christine down from an open carriage. As they entered the vestibule, she lightly placed her hand on his arm.“Frederick,” she whispered, as they started up the aisle. He turned his head to look down at her, noting how she glowed.“How would you feel about being an uncle?”

Frederick froze, pulling her to a quick halt and nearly causing the family behind them to crash into their backsides. Christine smiled up at him and urged him on. He leaned down and murmured as he helped her into a pew, “Did I misunderstand you, my Dear?”

She leaned so close that their heads nearly touched. “You did not. I was just thinking what a great uncle you will be to our child.”

“Does Edward know?” He nearly laughed.

Christine’s eyes drifted to where her husband stood greeting parishioners. “He will tonight.” She blushed and looked away quickly.

“Edward will be ecstatic!” Frederick took her hand in his and kissed her cheek.

“Do you believe it to be so?” Suddenly, his self-assured sister in marriage seemed to ask for advice on how to handle his brother.

Frederick’s gaze found his older brother in the throng gathering at the back of the church. “Edward says a Wentworth man waits until his future is secure before he marries, and then he marries for love; he loves you, Christine. And I am certain that he will love this child.”

Christine smiled.“I will tell him this evening.You will keep my confidence?”

“You know I will, my Dear.”

Christine squeezed his fingers. “May the upcoming year bring you happiness, Frederick. I pray you at last find the love you seek.”

“Edward has told you?” he asked in a low voice.

“No, Edward said nothing to me. A woman sees such things in a man’s eyes, and
your
eyes, Frederick, say you have an unrequited love.”

Frederick cleared his throat. “I have but one prayer on this Christmas Eve: I hope to find the happiness my brother has found with you.”

Listening to Edward’s words regarding a child being born and bringing happiness to the world took on special meaning that evening.

After six weeks in Shropshire, the weekly reports from Harville became redundant; and when one came late in the afternoon, Frederick did not open it. Reluctantly, Frederick took it to the table for the midday meal, leaving it lying conspicuously next to his setting while he filled a plate from a sidebar piled high with food.

“You have another letter from Harville?” Edward noted as he filled Christine’s plate; he took a protective stance since learning of his wife’s first pregnancy. Christine had adopted several unusual eating habits of late; for example, she seemed to desire herring and chocolate, not always as separate dishes. Frederick tried not to observe what might be her latest culinary concoction.

“I am sure it is very much as always—filled with praises for the Musgroves’ continued kindness. Louisa slowly improves,” Frederick recited in a mocking tone. He dug into the boiled potatoes as soon as Edward offered his blessing for the meal.

Christine insisted,“You must read it, Frederick; I have a feeling about this.” She shrugged, indicating she could not explain her words.“It will—I know it will—give you what you want.”

Frederick smiled at her; in the past few weeks, his very sensible sister had become a good deal less rational and more emotional. “For you, my Dear,” he offered, and he broke the seal on the letter. Harville addressed the envelope, but Milly had written the letter,
and Frederick relaxed, expecting a more detailed accounting of the situation.

Frederick’s hand began to shake, and Christine ungraciously kicked her husband’s ankle to get his attention. “What is it, Frederick?” Edward’s voice rose in concern.

As he thumbed to page two, Frederick pushed his apprehension down by wiping his forehead with his linen. “Mrs. Harville says things have changed.”

“What things?” Christine gasped before she could stifle the words. Edward touched his brother’s shoulder. “Why do you not read it out loud, Frederick? We would like to share whatever it is.”