Soon after returning from the tumultuous visit to Lyme, Anne must leave Uppercross for Kellynch Lodge, her company claimed by Lady Russell. But Anne’s thoughts are with her absent friends. Fortunately, a note or two from Lyme manage to find their way to her, ‘she could not tell how.’ (Persuasion, chapter 13)
Captain Wentworth came to the great house at Kellynch on a mission, an important missive in his pocket. Anne Elliot was in that very same neighborhood, he knew, perhaps only ten minutes apart from him. But he must not allow his thoughts to dwell on her nearness. No, he had a necessary job to do, and then it would be back to Louisa at Lyme.
That is how it must be, and yet the captain had not yet talked himself into complete serenity. So he paced the drawing room at Kellynch as he awaited his sister’s entrance.
“Why, Frederick!” said Mrs. Croft upon seeing him. “How delightful! I was very far from expecting a visit from you today. Please, do be seated.” When he had obediently complied, she added, “What brings you here?”
“Good morning, Sophie,” he said, taken aback by her direct question. “Oh, you know me – any excuse for a ride.”
She laughed. “I should not take your presence as too much of a compliment to myself, then!”
“Forgive me,” he said, irritated with himself for yet another blunder. “That was badly done. I cannot imagine what possessed me to say such a stupid thing. I am not quite myself these days.”
“Think nothing of it, Frederick. No doubt it is the stress of your current situation. Speaking of which, I am surprised you could be spared by your friends at Lyme to go riding about the countryside.”
“Oh, I daresay no one will much miss me, especially now that the entire Musgrove family has come. Miss Louisa has more attendants than she could possibly require. I began to feel very much under foot.”
Mrs. Croft eyed her brother thoughtfully. “Under foot, is it? Hemmed in, more like, I would wager. No matter how devoted to the poor young lady you may be, hours confined in such close quarters cannot be easy for you to endure, fond as you are of the out of doors.”
“How well you understand me, Sophie. I was never one for sitting quietly in one place, was I?” As if to answer his own rhetorical question, Captain Wentworth got to his feet and strode across to gaze out the window. “The open air calls to me, it is true, and I have been out in it whenever possible, even at Lyme. The country round about is well worth a good explore. I walk and ride a great deal to relieve my nerves. I should certainly go mad were I ever to be locked up someplace.”
In truth, he felt as if he were going mad already, trapped as he was in a prison of his own making. How had he ever allowed it to go this far? By his flirtations with the Musgrove sisters, he had only meant to punish Anne a little for the way she had mortally wounded him. Instead, he was the one who was now to endure discipline. He could not deny that he deserved it; he had clearly been in error. But the lesson had been learnt too late for him to benefit by the knowledge. Much too late.
Wentworth was called back to the present moment by his sister’s asking after Louisa’s health. He returned to her and sat again. “She continues to improve apace.”
“I am very glad to hear it.”
“Yes. Her doctor is well satisfied. He says that a quick recovery is not to be expected, but that she is progressing at well as the nature of the case admits. In time, she should be fully herself again.”
“And then what will happen?”
“Happen? What can you mean?” he asked testily. “Louisa will get on with her life, I should think.”
Mrs. Croft gave her brother a stern look. “And you? Will you have any part in it?”
The captain sighed. “Forgive me, Sophie. Once again I must apologize. I know well my obligation to Miss Musgrove, and I will not shrink from it when the time comes.”
“I never doubted you. Would I be wrong to hope it is an obligation of the heart you feel, though, and not merely one of duty?”
Although Frederick momentarily considered misrepresenting his sentiments, he knew any deception was sure to be seen through by his perceptive sister. “Duty first, I’m afraid,” he said. “But one can always hope that the heart will eventually follow. In such cases, I believe it often does, at least after a fashion.”
“Oh, Frederick, I am sorry. Still, I trust all will turn out for the best. Miss Musgrove seems an amiable, pretty sort of creature, although not quite your equal as to strength of mind, I suspect. But she is young; she will no doubt improve under your influence and make you a very satisfactory companion in the end. Is everything firmly settled between you, then?”
“No, although the outcome is clear enough. Everybody, I find, expects us to marry. We cannot disappoint them.”
There was no call for sarcasm. His own actions had done the mischief, and now all he could hope to achieve was to limit the damage. No one else must be injured by his folly, not if it were in his power to prevent it. Louisa was an innocent in the case, and he would see her right, whatever it might cost him personally. And Anne? Oh, he could hardly bear to consider her – or what might have been – yet he seemed to think of little else. His anger with her had at last been done away with. He had no more desire to punish her; he only desired to…
“Do be sure to tell me if there is anything the admiral or I might do to help, Frederick.”
Captain Wentworth hesitated. “There is one small favor you could do me, Sophie.” He pulled a folded paper from his pocket and handed it to his sister. “Could you see that this is delivered anonymously to Anne at Kellynch Lodge?”
“So secretively? What on earth is it?”
“Only a note to apprise her of the improving status of the situation at Lyme. She was so much involved at the start that it does not quite seem right she should be entirely cut off from information now.”
“I can only imagine what a shock it must have been for her, for all of you.”
“Yes, but I would not wish you to picture her a fainting victim. Anne was quite the opposite,” he said with feeling as he recalled the scene. “She was, I believe, Louisa’s guardian angel in the crisis. The rest of us knew not where to turn. It was Anne who kept her head and directed what was best to be done. I only hope she will be none the worse for her kind exertions in the end. I have sometimes in battle observed that, when a person remains calm in calamity, doing what must be done with no regard for self, it is only later that the full force of the event is felt – sometimes to devastating effect.”
“I suppose no one can witness the horrors of war – or even of accident – and be untouched by it.”
“That is my concern. The least I can do is see she knows the work begun so well has been carried through, even in her absence.”
“A very commendable sentiment, Frederick. Should not you like to deliver the message yourself?” Mrs. Croft asked, holding up the note. “It can be no more than a few minutes out of your way, surely. And I am certain Miss Anne would be more at ease if the report came from you personally.”
For just a moment, Captain Wentworth allowed himself to imagine doing exactly that. Yes, he should very much like an excuse to speak to Anne, to bring her good news and be convinced by his own observation of her well-being. He knew it would be unwise, though, for more than one reason. He would not lightly hazard a meeting with Lady Russell. And what possible good could ultimately come of seeing Anne again, when she was now forever beyond his reach? It would only be to torture himself anew for no purpose.
He shook his head. “No, I feel certain it is better done this way. The letter will serve; the sender is unimportant.”
After he had gone, Mrs. Croft executed her brother’s wishes as to the letter, having it delivered to Anne Elliot anonymously.
While mystified by the means of its arrival, Anne was very much relieved for the encouraging news it contained. It must somehow have been the doing of Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove, she surmised. Kind as they were and knowing her so well, they had no doubt realized how she would be thirsting for information about her absent friends. Yes, it must have been the Musgroves who had sent the note. Who else would have been so considerate of her needs?
Want to refresh your memory with Jane’s Austen’s original work? Read Persuasion on Austen variations HERE.
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Wonderful chapter, Shannon. “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”. And what a web Wentworth has woven himself into when he FINALLY lets go of his blinding resentment and wakes from his self-imposed stupor to realize Anne is still his true match. The statement that love is blind is somehow fitting. It was blinded by his implacable resentment. Torture is what he deserves now, after all he was trying to punish Anne. He is finally getting his just desserts. It was truly “folly” on his part. Stupid male pride! Anyway, without all this our emotions wouldn’t be so engaged and there would be no story. Jane was a spectacular author to get us so emotionally involved with these characters. Thank you for getting us even more into their heads and hearts, Shanon.
Yes, he does deserve to do a little penance, doesn’t he, Deborah? But fortunately (for Anne as well) his suffering will not last forever. Then, as he says at the end of chapter 23, he must “learn to brook being happier than I deserve.” 😉
Very true. But he still MUST suffer. It’s only fair after what he did to Anne.
Thank you, Shannon for a delightful rendering of a most interesting behind the scenes chapter! Sister Sophie is one of my favorite characters and seems she would be just the person Captain Wentworth could speak to and find understanding, but of course that sort of complete freedom of revelation was not what folks did in proper etiquette back then… Better for the Captain to keep his deepest feelings to himself and act honorably! But she knows him well enough to guess at least part of the truth! It must have been somewhat apparent to her in his praise of Anne’s capable actions at the time of the accident, and obvious concern for her welfare… I can’t wait for the scene someone gets to write when he learns that Louisa and Benwick have formed an attachment! Thank you and all the contributors for these wonderful extra chapters to this favorite story!
Thanks for your comments, Carol. I really enjoy the Crofts too, and I had a great fun writing for them (in the guise of their counterparts, the Crowes) in my recent novel – The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen – expanding on their courtship and relationship. Of the supporting characters in JA’s stories, they (along with the Gardiners) seem to have one of the healthiest marriages!
This is too much! I just cannot bear it any longer. Please let the Captain skip through the chapters and deliver the real letter containing his heartfelt message to Anne.
Coming soon, I promise! We’re doing this project in “real time,” fitting our scenes to the calendar of events in the original novel, which is set exactly 200 years ago (thus “Persuasion200”), so you have to blame JA if the conflict isn’t resolved soon enough. Haha!
I agree with Deborah and will join with the folks with the pitchforks and torches to torture Capt. Wentworth! At last he’s seeing what he’s gotten himself into, behaving as he has and I’m so relieved that he’s admitted as much to his sister. At least he can feel that he can confide in someone. Sophie has definitely become an even more interesting and likable character in Persuasion 200. Thanks for the great chapter!
You’re most welcome, Kathy! 😀 Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for reading. My comments above apply to your remarks as well.
Men! Pride and resentment get them in trouble. I think it has to do with the instability of the “Y” chromosome. Anyway, it is good for Frederick to have some time to feel the effects of his resentment. The only reason I wish things would hurry up would be to relieve Anne of her sadness. I have always liked Sophie and enjoy her interaction with Frederick. As my son says…everyone needs an older sister!. Thanks for the great chapter.
Haha! Well, it’s nice to have his behavior so neatly explained (Y chromosome instability). And he must be forgiven so Anne can be happy. Thanks for your comment, Maggie. 🙂
I totally agree with everyone! I do feel anxious for him but his resentment blinded him and revenge is never sweet. This is a perfect example of `the path to true love is never straight`. Thank you!
… not in novels, anyway. No story without conflict. In real life, however, I’m very glad to do without the drama! Glad you enjoyed this chapter, Carole.
I enjoyed another insight with Cpt Wentworth’s mind. He must feel horrid for encouraging Louisa to behave like this out of revenge for his hurt feelings. Now look at the mess he has created. Thanks for writing this beautiful scene, Shannon. 😉
So glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for letting me know. Yes, since he’s really a decent guy, I’m sure he is heartily ashamed for how his own actions have affected others besides himself.
Somehow I found this in my deleted file when I checked there. Much too busy the last 2 months and my “Christmas Company” just left 2 days ago. I have many unopened e-mails and am also behind on posting reviews.
I agree with you, Shannon, that the Crofts and the Gardiners have the healthiest marriages in JA’s novels.
I don’t forget in reading this that Anne, too, is to blame for her part in turning down Frederick’s initial proposal in this tale. So both have suffered/been punished. I do look forward to the rest of the story, especially “the letter”.
Thank you for this lovely scene between the Captain and his sister. We see that he continues to have Anne in his heart despite events. And a marriage to Louisa would have been so unequal a pairing. But then most of us think that her pairing with Benwick is also one of inequality.