Austen Locations – Bath – Part 1 – Anne Elliot Meets Captain Wentworth at Molland’s – Mary Simonsen

In Persuasion, Anne visits Bath with her family. One of the most popular sites was Molland’s, a confectionery store, where she would have enjoyed a cup of hot tea and a sweet. Sweets included dried fruits, gingerbread, cakes, sugared almonds, and jellied fruits.

Anne was sent back, however, in a moment by the entrance of Captain Wentworth himself, among a party of gentlemen and ladies…whom he must have joined a little below Milsom Street. He was more obviously struck and confused by the sight of her than she had ever observed before… He spoke to her, and then turned away… After a short interval, however, he came towards her, and spoke again. Mutual enquiries on common subjects passed. – Persuasion – Chapter 19 

After every pleasantry had been addressed, and Anne’s situation with regard to a lack of space in Lady Dalrymple’s carriage explained, Anne and the Captain stood together in an awkward silence, both eagerly searching for something new to say.

“Marzipan!” Captain Wentworth finally exclaimed.

“Marzipan?” Anne asked confused.

“In your bag,” he said, pointing to the small bag she was holding. “I understand Molland’s is famous for its marzipan.”

“Yes, it is, and rightly so, but this is not marzipan,” she said, holding out her purchase, “but Dunhill licorice for our butler, Mr. Allgood. He has quite the sweet tooth.”Molland's Scene

“How kind of you to think of a servant.”

“Why should I not think of him when Mr. Allgood has looked after the Elliot family for so long and so well? He rises to every challenge, no matter the difficulty.”

“I imagine some Elliots present more of a challenge than others,” he answered, looking over his shoulder at Elizabeth Elliot.

The captain then inquired about a bag that rested against the leg of a chair.

“Oh that!” Anne said, smiling. “It is a guidebook of Bath from the circulating library. Although I have visited Bath on many occasions, I have yet to view its most famous sights. Every time I come, it rains and rains and rains.”

In unison, both turned to look out the window of the confectioner’s shop for confirmation of Bath’s persistent condition. A light drizzle was now turning to rain.

“Do you see what I mean?” Anne said, laughing.

“Though I came only yesterday, I have equipped myself properly for Bath already, you see,” Captain Wentworth said, pointing to a new umbrella. “I wish you would make use of it. If you are determined to walk, though, I think it would be more prudent to let me get you a chair.”

“I have no need of a chair. As for the umbrella, I insist that you use it. It must be properly christened by its owner.”

“Very well. I shall.” After mentioning the guidebook, the captain asked Anne what sight she would visit when the sun finally did come out.

“I think the Circus. While perusing the guidebook in the library, I noted that it had quite a lot to say about John Wood the Elder’s creation. Over the years, I have heard bits and pieces about it.” Anne hesitated. “I would have liked to have visited, but my family’s interests lie elsewhere.”

“Cards, I believe?” Wentworth said with disapproval. He only played cards in the worst weather. He was a man who needed to be on the move whether on land or at sea. Sitting at a table, listening to idle conversation, was a chore for him.

Anne laughed.

“Why are you laughing?” he asked, smiling.

“Because I remember how much you dislike playing cards. I recall one rainy day at Kellynch when you remained outside in the rain playing lawn bowls rather than come inside and sit at a card table.”

“I, too, have a recollection of that day,” he said with sadness in his voice. Then he pointed a finger at her. “You, Miss Anne, are no card player, either.”

“To that charge, I plead guilty.”

Milsom Street“I see that the rain is easing. If you will not allow me to lend you my umbrella or summon a chair, then I think it best that you leave now.”

Looking out the window at the easing rain, Anne reluctantly agreed.

“When do you plan to go to the Circus?”

“I shall be off on the first sunny day.”

“Be sure to bring an umbrella. Even though your day may start out in brilliant sunshine, the weather can turn on you,” he said, looking into her eyes. “You may find dark clouds bearing down on you quite unexpectedly, and they tend to linger.”

Anne nodded in understanding. “I am familiar with dark clouds, but even on a rainy day, there are occasional bursts of sunshine. It is that rare sighting that sustains me.”

Part 2, Anne Meets Captain Wentworth at the Circus, will be published on September 19.

Your comments are always appreciated.

20 comments

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    • Sheila Majczan on September 12, 2016 at 12:32 am
    • Reply

    Well, that was a tease…just the thing before I head off to sleep. Thanks for that short interlude between Anne and Frederick – a favorite couple.

      • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2016 at 12:13 pm
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      Thanks, Sheila. The older I get, the more I appreciate Persuasion.

        • Sheila Majczan on September 12, 2016 at 3:23 pm
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        Yes, when we reach the age of true maturity (having witnessed up close relationships,those on scene and stage and those of world famous figures) we know all about love, second chances and even love, the second time around. With this couple I know that they will appreciate their finding of each other again with so much more tenacity and strength. But as Elizabeth said, “Think of the past only as it gives you pleasure.”

          • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2016 at 4:16 pm
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          Your comments reminds me of how the internet has changed everything. I have two friends–one widow and one divorced–who found love with their high-school sweethearts. Both were after at least 30 years of separation. Remarkable.

    • Sophia on September 12, 2016 at 2:10 am
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    What a wonderful tease and just a day before I head of for Bath! Such a lovely meeting between Anne and Frederick , I think they are my absolute favorite Austen couple next to Elizabeth and Darcy

      • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2016 at 12:14 pm
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      For me, P&P and Persuasion are tied. I love how mature Anne is, and Captain Wentworth never stopped loving her. What a great story. Have a fantastic time in Bath.

    • HelenJC on September 12, 2016 at 4:25 am
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    I love these two. Nice little tease. Look forward to the second part.

      • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2016 at 12:15 pm
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      Thanks, Helen. I appreciate the comment.

    • Caitlin Williams on September 12, 2016 at 4:43 am
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    Lovely. Can’t wait for the next part.

      • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2016 at 12:15 pm
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      Thanks, Caitlin.

    • Deborah on September 12, 2016 at 6:22 am
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    What a sweet tease. I love the double meaning behind Wentworth’s words of the ‘dark clouds bearing down upon you….that tend to linger’ and Anne’s comment about ‘ocassional busts of sunshine.’ Looking forward to part 2. Thank you for sharing this.

      • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2016 at 12:17 pm
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      Hi Deborah! So glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the comment.

    • Carol hoyt on September 12, 2016 at 10:46 am
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    A favorite, only second to p&p.

    Love that in this scene, both Anne and Frederick are comfortable together.

    Eager to read what comes next!

      • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2016 at 12:18 pm
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      Hi Carol. For me, P&P and Persuasion are tied. It’s probably b/c I’m older now and can appreciate these two wonderful characters.

  1. A delightful scene–I can’t wait for the next part!!

    Thank you, Mary!!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

      • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2016 at 12:28 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Susanne. I can always count on you. 🙂

    • Stephanie Mudd Carrico on September 13, 2016 at 7:02 am
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    Wonderful teaser..cannot wait to read more. While I love Darcy and Elizabeth, I adore Anne and Frederick. Never enough continuations of their story.

      • Mary Simonsen on September 13, 2016 at 5:03 pm
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      Thanks, Stephanie. I agree there aren’t enough Persuasion stories, but they are a hard sell. If it’s not P&P, your sales go down by half.

    • Dr Roberta Shechter (new email) on May 24, 2018 at 5:18 pm
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    What a beautifully written extension of the original novel Persuasion. I was ready to believe that it was a cast of piece of Miss Austen’s manuscript, which had been recently found in London Bookshop.

    • Dr Roberta Shechter (new email) on May 24, 2018 at 5:28 pm
    • Reply

    See Above. I have to learn how to reply on this website. I seldom visit any websites…

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