It is the summer of 1806. Frederick Wentworth, who has yet to meet Anne Elliot, is visiting with his brother Edward, a curate in Somerset, while waiting for a ship to command. “Frederick found a home for half a year at Monkford.” – Persuasion
“You are restless, Frederick,” Edward Wentworth said to his brother, and the younger sibling acknowledged as much. “How do you manage all your energy when you are on a ship with no land in sight?”
“There is always something to do when you are at sea. Even if there is no French ship in sight, Poseidon is a temperamental neighbor. Just when you think you have smooth sailing, he uses his trident to stir up the waters, and you find yourself in the midst of a hurricane.”
“Tell me about Santo Domingo?” Edward said, eager for more stories about British ships of the line and the men who commanded them.
Frederick was happy to oblige as it was very possible that the Battle of Santo Domingo would be the making of him.
“The stage was set in the Azores where the French had suffered much damage from a storm. Having managed to sail across the Atlantic undetected by our ships, it was at Santo Domingo where Vice-Admiral Leissegues sought to regroup and repair his ships. But it was there that Vice-Admiral Duckworth found them,” Frederick said, leaping to his feet.
“By the time the French lookouts saw us, it was too late. They immediately separated into two divisions, and in doing so, we were able to isolate and capture three ships before concentrating our efforts on Leissegues and the 120-gun Imperial. Badly damaged from our cannons, we surrounded the flagship. Desperate to avoid capture, Leissegues drove the ship on shore. The Diomede, the sole remaining French ship of the line, followed the floundering flagship to its sandy berth. Our boarding parties were soon ashore and finished what we had begun, setting them ablaze and providing a proper bonfire for all to enjoy.”
“And the French crews?”
“They were last seen running for the hills.”
Edward retrieved several newspapers from a chest his brother had bought for him in Cadiz and pointed to Frederick’s name in the lists. “You returned as a hero to a grateful nation. The House of Commons and the House of Lords voted their thanks. Here are Lord Grenville and Charles Grey’s speeches if you wish to read them.”
Frederick dismissed his brother’s offer. “Although accolades are always welcome, it is the prize money that truly captures the imagination of the crew,” Frederick said, laughing.
“According to the paper, in addition to the bounties paid, additional prize money was disbursed for the captured Jupiter.”
“And don’t forget the ceremonial plate and ornate swords made by the patriotic societies, and Admiral Louis got a baronetcy out of it as well.”
“What will you do with your prize money?”
“Having no wife, I shall spend it freely. I have always been lucky, and I have no doubt my luck will hold. There is more prize money in my future.”
“Your confidence amazes me, Frederick,” the more timid of the two brothers stated.
“I have chosen a profession fraught with uncertainty. If I am to succeed, I must be bold, but the rewards for commanding a fighting ship are considerable. And I am already seeing the results. After all, I went to Santo Domingo a lieutenant and returned a commander, and as soon as a ship is available, I shall be back at it.”
“You mentioned a wife. Has anyone in particular caught your fancy?”
Frederick laughed. “I talk of being bold, but capturing a French frigate is less of a challenge than trying to find the perfect wife for a sailing man. I have been in the company of many women. Some were extraordinarily beautiful, many were accomplished, and most were light on their feet. But only a few were truly aware of what the Royal Navy does to keep them safe. Fewer still were genuinely kind—a virtue I prize above all others. And of all the females I have met in Deal, Portsmouth, and even in London, not one combined all of those attributes in the same person. But I am young, Edward,” he said, slapping his brother’s knee, “and in no hurry. For the right woman, I am willing to wait as long as necessary.”
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Definitely, Anne is kind – and also faithful. I wonder if he will think her kind when she turns down his proposal. Thank you for the visit with the two brothers, Mary!
Don’t you think he recognizes every virtue in Anne from the moment he met her? How else can you explain his devotion to her for eight years! Thanks for stopping by. Always good to see you.
I wonder if he ever had doubts that she would still be unmarried when he returned….
Author
When he heard that Charles Musgrove had married an Elliot (from Richard Musgrove, Charles’s brother), I think he must have thought for a moment that it was Anne. I’m sure that hurt!
Lovely, Mary. Really enjoyed reading the two brothers together and it’s delicious because of the anticipation of their first meeting!
Author
Thanks, Cassandra. I appreciate the comment from a wonderful writer.
I loved reading about Frederick’s experiences at sea, Mary-something Jane doesn’t flesh out. I really liked the way you have him showing what he’s looking for in a wife too!
Author
Hi, Jane. In reading some background story for Persuasion, many scholars believe Austen didn’t flesh out a lot of things b/c she was too sick or there wasn’t any time left to her. I think if she had lived, we would have had a book in three volumes instead of two.
“I am in no hurry. For the right woman, I am willing to wait for as long as necessary.”
So, although he will be meeting Anne soon, little does he know that he will eventually have to wait eight years for her. At least you lovely writers are showing Captain Wentworth to be constant from the outset and the very opposite of Mr. Elliot.
The re-telling of the Battle of Santo Domingo was very nicely done, Mary. It’s actually made me go and look up the details, as I assumed (rightly) that the Battle was real and not fictional. It sounds quite a complicated affair and the British must have had quite a bonfire from the hulls of the Impérial and Diomède.
Author
Thanks, Anji. I do try to be as historically accurate as possible. I could never write a battle scene, but I hope I can give the impression of what a seat battle was like. Thank you for your comments.
I did not know or I had forgotten that he was a Commander and had won prizes and accolades prior to his courtship of Anne. It makes me wonder at Mrs. Russell being so resolved to put a stop to it. At what age do you have him here, Mary?
These prequels are terrific and are building a marvelous foundation to reread the original again. My sincerest thanks.
Author
I’m thinking Frederick was in his twenties (say 23 or 24) at the time. According to the annotated Persuasion by David Shapard, “After major battles, especially victorious ones, each participating ship’s first lieutenant, the officer just below the captain, and Wentworth’s probable position, was usually promoted to commander. This enabled a man to command a small ship.” In Persuasion, Austen has Wentworth “spending freely,” and why shouldn’t he? He’s young, unattached, and has just acquitted himself in battle. But it means that he has no money in reserve, and everything depends on his taking future prize ships. Again, according to Shapard, “While the hierarchical nature of this society created opposition in general to social climbing, the high prestige of the navy meant that most people, unlike Sir Walter, would not object to someone whose distinguished service there had raised him higher than his origins.” In other words, even for the aristocracy, Sir Walter was a snob! Thanks for your comment and compliment. 🙂
Enjoyed this prequel ,a little part history lesson and a little insight into Frederick’s mind.
building the foundation for the story to come
Author
Thanks, Stephanie.
I, too, enjoy reading real history connected with our story. I didn’t realize that he had had success in winning prizes when he first met Anne…makes me wonder at Lady Russell and the family looking down on him so. I have to read the book again – have just started doing so.
Author
Hi, Sheila. I’m re-reading an annotated version by David Shapard. It’s excellent. Gives so much background on the novel. It’s especially helpful with regard to Frederick’s naval career.
The annotated version sounds interesting. I think I’ll try to find it.
Found it and got it for my nook and plan on reading it soon.
I didn’t know about that version and am now going to look it up on Amazon – hope there is one for kindle so I can read it a.s.a.p.
Author
The advantage of the paperback is that the explanations are directly opposite the text. Very handy!
I enjoy the insights into the characters and how you authors help us to understand them better. Unfortunately, even though I’ve listened to the audiobook while commuting (driving), it isn’t the same as reading it. Not as easy to focus and remember. I agree with Sheila LM…this makes me wonder at the turned down noses of Lady Russel and Anne’s family. I also agree with Anji…what constancy to wait 8 years for her….Thank you for writing for us.
Author
I think it’s almost impossible for people today to understand that type of constancy. Eight years! Yikes! And when you think of how young they both were, it’s even more amazing. But they both saw things in each other that they never saw again! They truly were meant for each other.
Yes. I agree with you 100%. They were truly meant for each other.
My husband and I had to wait over 4 years to get married (since we were too young and too poor when we met). Eight would have been pushing the limits of patience, though! Nice job on this, Mary.
Author
Thanks, Shannon. I’m fortunate enough to be married to a guy who would wait for eight years for me, and I’d wait forever for him. 🙂 We’re lucky!!!
I think Lady R would have objected to him based on his origins. It probably was a ruse when she turned Anne against FW using the excuse of his fast spending and lack of steady prospects.
This project is so much fun to follow!
Author
Hi, Leslie. I hope Lady Russell was well-intentioned. After all, Lady Elliot was her closest friend. Unfortunately, her snobbery cost Anne eight years of happiness.
I’m loving these prequels! Love the details you have fleshed out for us and little does Frederick know how long he will eventually have to wait!
Author
Hi, Carole. Yes, eight years! I think Frederick fared better. After all, he was always on the go, in the mix. While poor Anne was stuck at Kellynch with her selfish relations.
Anne (and, by default, Jane Austen herself) says as much in her conversation with Captain Harville whilst Captain Wentworth is penning that incredible love letter. “We live at home, quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us. You are forced on exertion. You always have a profession, pursuits, business of some sort or other, to take you back into the world immediatelt, and continual occupation and change soon weaken impressions.”
That whole scene is one of my favourites in all of Jane Austen’s works.
I really enjoyed this, and the insight into what a typical man of the day might want in a wife — looking for beauty, accomplishments, and dancing ability! But it’s more interesting that Capt. Wentworth singled out kindness and the ability to appreciate his career at sea. I will have to go back to re-read Persuasion since I can’t remember how or if Anne exhibited he understanding of the Royal Navy, but I’m sure she would have become interested and supportive for Frederick’s sake. Thank you!
I’m really excited about this project and am looking forward to more Persuasion 200. However you might like to revisit this sentence: “Badly damaged from our cannons, we surrounded the flagship.” It sounds like the cannons were facing the wrong way and were aimed at friends, not foes.
I like reading the historical aspects in any story on top of the romance that the hero and heroine will have. Mary, thanks for writing Wentworth’s battle experience. I can’t wait for more sailing adventures with one of my favourite heroes.