Persuasion 200: Everyone Loves to Talk to Anne

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Never had Anne had so many seeking her ear and her counsel. But as much as things were different, many things remained unchanged.



Anne pulled her shawl around her shoulders more tightly and slipped outside, the sun still so low on the horizon, only the servants were about. A fresh breeze teased, begging her to come out and partake of the morning, a far more appealing invitation than Mary’s snores filtering from her open window. The violent, rasping roar had kept her up most of the night and it would be a pleasure to be free of it, even for a short time, before it was replace by Mary’s whining, nasal voice.

Anne hurried along the path that led to Uppercross’ gardens. There were few better places to enjoy the first rays of daylight. Mrs. Musgrove kept a spectacular array of flowers. Something always seemed to be blooming and filling the air with fragrance, a very cheerful place to seek solace for her frazzled nerves.

How very different Uppercross was to Kellynch, so very different. Neither her father nor Elizabeth cared one whit about her or her opinion. Unless they wanted something of her, no one spoke to her. Of course it was a trial…but perhaps there was some redeeming value in the isolation after all. She chuckled under her breath.

In some ways this place was quite the opposite. It appeared Uppercross was populated by those who wished desperately to talk to her. That was new and novel. But it was quite familiar in that its inhabitants willing as they were to speak, rarely if ever listened.

The difference was quite remarkable and took some effort to become accustomed to. Everyone, literally everyone, had to seek her out to express an opinion to her, sometimes under the guise of seeking hers. Not that any of them actually paused long enough to allow her to reply. Odder still, her silence was more often than not credited to her as some form of wisdom and great compassion when in truth all she had done was hold her piece and nod.

The throbbing had only just subsided when she slipped into the cottage kitchen to make Mary’s tea and the housekeeper found her. The water boiled, tea steeped and cooled to stone cold as the taciturn woman hinted at her mistress’ shortcomings. And the list was not brief. Anne squeezed her temples.

‘Could you, Miss Anne, help improve Mrs. Charles’ understanding on the difficulty of hiring and retaining help so that mayhaps she would refrain from yelling at the young maids so much? Oh and it would be ever so grand if the mistress would be a bit more liberal in allowing the servants to sell the extra food from dinners. That was, after all, the custom in most larger houses and that by not permitting it, Uppercross Cottage appeared to great disadvantage in the neighborhood.

When had Anne become a font of wisdom on such matters?

And the housekeeper was not the only denizen of Uppercross who wished wisdom imparted upon Mrs. Charles. What had she already been asked? Perhaps Mrs. Charles might be convinced not to pursue precedence so forcefully, not to complain so much, not to compare the company to that which she knew at Kellynch. It might be pleasing for her to rein in her children better, to make an effort to be more agreeable when she called upon the great house, to recognize that it was not below her to occasionally call upon Mr. Charles’ Aunt Hayter with him.

Did any of them realize how little influence she had over her sister? Nearly as little as with her father and Elizabeth. She pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. How frustrated must they be to believe she could accomplish what they could not?

A patch of white flowers—what were they called? They grew at Kellynch as well—caught her eye. Mother had loved those, often bringing them into to decorate her rooms. Even Father had been known to smile when he saw them. Mary may have brought them with her when she married Charles.

Anne sighed. She had overheard Louisa whisper to Henrietta how much happier they all would have been had Charles married her instead of Mary.  How strange to think someone actually wanted her company above someone else’s.

What would it have been like, all these years later? Would she have had sons and be afraid more children would come? Might she have had daughters, whom she could cherish and teach as he mother had?

Would she sit across the table from her husband, sharing banal conversation interspersed with dull complaints and rolled eyes? Might she be pleased when he kept away from the house most of the day or would she miss his presence?

Perhaps she and Charles might have been more amiable, even fond of one another by this time. He was a good man, of steady character and good reputation. They would likely have been good friends, further buoyed by the agreeableness of his mother and sisters.

But they would not have loved one another.

The familiar gaping hole in her chest opened once again and sent her staggering for the support of a nearby tree.  No, she had felt love once, and good man though he was, Charles could never inspire that in her.

That would be reserved for one man alone. Fredrick.

Would that she could have it to do all over again. The bitter lessons she had learnt would be put to use and she would not permit herself to be persuaded by any but her own heart ever again. But that was but a pipe dream, one that could serve no use but to remind her of what was forever gone.

She drew in a ragged breath, then another. The heat in her chest cooled and the tightness in her throat eased. She must not look back, there was no hope there. Only forward, she must turn her eyes there. That was the only direction where she had a modicum of control, the only direction she could change.

For now, forward was the direction of Uppercross. At least she had pleasing companionship from the great house, and her company was much sought after. That was a rare pleasure in and of itself was it not?

“Anne!  Anne, I am so pleased to have found you!” Henrietta dashed toward her, breathless, cheeks and eyes bright. “I just have to talk to you. I so need your opinion…”

Not that there was any chance she would actually be given a moment to offer it. Anne smiled. At least it was good to be asked.

Want to refresh your memory with Jane’s Austen’s original work? Read Persuasion on Austen variations HERE.

 

25 comments

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    • Sheila L. M. on September 25, 2014 at 5:01 pm
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    I have always noticed while watching the movie version how Anne’s ear is bent over and over again with directions on changing Mary’s behavior. It does show how they all respect her but also how little they know about Mary’s regard for Anne’s advice. But at least they did vent all those frustrations with Anne. And hopefully she felt of some value in the regard they held for her. I believe you captured it perfectly here. Thanks.

    I did notice just a few minor spellings to correct: (Hope I do not offend you.) Muskgrove = Musgrove, Neither her father nor Elizabeth carted (cared) one whit about her or her opinion. But it was quite familiar in that its inhabitance (inhabitants), willing as they were to speak, rarely if ever listened.

    1. Thanks for catching those, Sheila. I ran late getting this posted and unfortunately my proofing is less perfect than I would like. I think I’ve got them sorted out now.

      I’m sure Anne liked being welcomed and appreciated, but it does become a challenge when people only want to talk and never listen.

      Thanks!

    • HelenJC on September 25, 2014 at 5:23 pm
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    Poor Anne, she really does have the patience of a saint. Her opinion sought, and never thanked or acknowledged for it.

    On a slightly off-topic extension, have you written, or would you consider writing a full length Persuasion variation? I know you’re busy with your in-progress works, but is it something you might do?

    1. Persuasion is my all time favorite Austen work and I have considered writing a variation on it. I’m keeping it in the background, letting the plot come together enough to start writing. I’ve got on the order of four other projects in the pot right now, so it might be a bit before it bubbles to the top though. Thanks, Helen!

        • HelenJC on September 25, 2014 at 5:42 pm
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        That’s fine, understand completely. i just lament the lack of decent Persuasion fics out there. Darcy and Lizzy are great, don’t get me wrong, but there’s something about Wentworth. Thanks again. 🙂

        1. I completely agree, Helen! After writing 2 P&P sequels, I was ready to move on to something different. I have loved spending time the last year+ in the world of Persuasion while writing my recent release: The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen. While waiting for Maria to get her Persuasion variation written 😉 , I’d be delighted if you would take a look at mine!

            • HelenJC on September 26, 2014 at 6:23 am
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            Hi Shannon, have just downloaded it.

            Thanks.

        2. I agree, Helen. In many ways Wentworth is a much more active hero and I love him for it. I also can relate to Anne much more that Elizabeth.

  1. A wonderful scene, Grace. You portray her isolation perfectly. I love how you show that Anne is just as uncomfortable being sought out as she is uncomfortable being ignored, yet she craves recognition.

    1. Thanks, Monica. Our poor heroine is in a pickle,isn’t she?

    • Deborah on September 25, 2014 at 5:58 pm
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    Loved reading the post…late or not. Anne wants to be both sought after and ignored. All these people telling her their grievances, yet she knows Mary doesn’t respect her opinions the same as her father and older sister. I don’t blame her for seeking solitude, oh my aching head. I can feel her urge for quiet, but also her need to be needed. Beautiful writing as usual and love getting into Anne’s head.

    1. Thanks, Deborah! It is funny how, though there are new elements to the experience, there are also some strong similarities to Kellynch.

    • Stephanie Mudd Carrico on September 25, 2014 at 7:12 pm
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    Dear Anne does have the patience of a saint…always asked to listen and to so many complaints..yet seldom do people pause and listen to her thoughts..just looking to vent their frustrations..your scene captured this so well, at Kellylynch the deafening silence as she is ignored by Sir Walter and Elizabeth to be replaced by the constant hum of the Musgrove family..
    Interesting that Anne can appreciate what her life may have been like married to Charles yet her heart knows best that only Frederick would make her feel happiness and love.
    Thanks for a great chapter.

    1. I’ve found it is often true people want more to be listened to than to listen themselves. Thanks, Stephanie!

    • Kathy on September 25, 2014 at 9:14 pm
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    I thought Anne’s imaginings about what it might have been like to have been married to Charles were very interesting — probably unusual in her family, for anyone to be that introspective about marriage and happiness in marriage. It’s sad to think of the example Charles and Mary set for their own children. When I imagine Anne and Frederick later, I’m assuming that somehow they are able to make their marriage a wonderful one because she has been exposed to what *not* to do.

    1. Anne is definitely in the minority with her introspective nature. It makes her difficult for the others to understand. I think Mary ad Charles were a pretty typical couple for the era though. Thanks, Kathy!

  2. Haha! I had to laugh when even the housekeeper tries to bend Anne’s ear! Seems it’s feast or famine for our poor heroine – either no attention or too much. Thanks for this chapter, Maria. 🙂

    1. Thanks, Shannon!

    • Jane Odiwe on September 26, 2014 at 3:03 am
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    Poor Anne – how can anyone so lovely have such an awful time? I loved the fact that you’ve extended the number of people that moan to her about life at Uppercross, and being able to see her thoughts gives us a perspective we don’t get to the same extent in the book. A lovely episode, beautifully written!

    1. Thank you Jane!

    • Maggie Griscom on September 26, 2014 at 7:06 am
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    Poor Anne! Having a gentle soul makes her perfect for people to confide in. Too bad Mary is too much an Elliot to pay attention. Very touching when she sees the flowers her mother loved. Certain plants always remind me of my mother and at this point Anne needed comfort. Although someone needs to write an Emma story. Very good Maria!

    1. Thanks, Maggie. I’ve pondered Emma a lot to be honest. I just haven’t quite found an approach I like. I’ve even played with Harriet Smith in my head, but I haven’t been able to wrap my head around her quite yet.

    • junewilliams7 on September 26, 2014 at 11:34 pm
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    I’ve always wondered why Charles did not ask her to marry him when she was 18 – a year before Wentworth came on the scene. Had she never met Wentworth, would Charles have been good enough for her? He was amiable, of good character, had a good family that adored Anne, and was a decent chap all around. Do you think Charles regretted not proposing sooner to Anne?

    And what was it about young Wentworth that stirred her heart that Charles lacked? We all know Wentworth’s character grew after her rejection, but what was he like before that rejection?

    Your chapters always make me think, especially when you write of the Musgroves. I like your Uppercross crowd!

  3. I’m glad that you have expressed the thoughts and opinion that could be in Anne’s head, Maria. It’s good to ponder into her mind and hear what she actually think about staying in Uppercross, the place where there is a genuine sense of feeling wanted.

    • Carole in Canada on September 29, 2014 at 10:50 pm
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    There is such a goodness in Anne that draws people out. I think they really only want someone who will actually listen to them and empathize/understand. She doesn’t really need to say anything to make them feel better or say she will speak to Mary. She has made them feel that their feelings matter. You’ve conveyed this so well.

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