It had been several years since Captain Wentworth had visited his brother, who had been a curate in Monkford when then Commander Wentworth came to stay and met Anne Elliot.
By the time Edward Wentworth saw his elder brother ride up to the front door of his modest parsonage he had indulged in close to a week’s worth of speculation about his visit. Frederick had not yet met his brother’s wife and had vaguely mentioned that he hoped to visit Shropshire to meet Elise before he was given his next ship. But, he had heard from their elder sister, Sophie, that the gallant captain was courting a wife of his own and that he was currently at Lyme with a group of friends, so he was not at all expecting a visit immediately.
When Frederick dismounted Edward saw that there was more than long ride bothering him; his cheerful and handsome brother looked…worn, he thought, was the apt term, and needed a great effort to do the polite with his new sister-in-law. Fortunately, they had both been brought up to have manners pounded into them by their brisk and determined sister and those early lessons stood Frederick in good stead.
Elise did not seem at all discomposed by her husband’s inattentive brother, but showed him to his room and had the maid bring him hot water to wash with while Edward made a fire in the parlor. She brought in the tea tray less than 5 minutes after a pale and limp Frederick dropped into the opposite chair from his brother. After a quick glance to make sure that the tray was complete, she gave her husband a quick glance, and quietly excused herself to finish the dinner preparations.
After pouring Frederick a cup of tea and fixing his own, Edward sat for a moment watching his brother. “So, Frederick, what is going on?”
“What do you mean?” Frederick’s eyes were wary.
“I mean, why have you suddenly left your friends and the Musgrove ladies to come to the wilds of Shropshire.”
“You knew I was going to try and visit and meet your wife, Edward. If this is a bad time I can certainly come back another time.” Frederick spoke clearly, but avoided his brother’s gaze, a circumstance that very much surprised Edward.
Edward just looked at his brother, a half smile on his face. “Don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes Freddie, my boy! You forget how many years I spent learning to read your moods so I wouldn’t find myself in a fist fight with you.” He grinned at Frederick. “So open your budget brother mine and tell me what is wrong.”
Frederick sighed and sat back with his eyes closed. “I should have known better than to think that I could spend a week without having my brain turned inside out by you, brother.” He sighed again and steepled his fingers in front of his face.
“Come on, brother. Elise has discreetly absented herself and your baby brother is ready to to some pastoral counseling.”
Finally, Frederick looked up. “I have been a bloody fool, Edward. A bloody, bloody fool, and have gotten myself into a bind.”
Edward frowned slightly. “A bind? What do you mean?”
“I came back from my last cruise and made up my mind to spend a few weeks with Sophie and the Admiral in Somerset. You know that they have rented Kellynch…a very strange coincidence considering all that happened at that manor 8 years ago. I soon met the Musgrove family at Uppercross, where the youngest of the Elliot daughters lives with her husband, and found that Miss Anne Elliot was visiting there.
I also met the daughters of the Musgroves, whom I assume Sophie has described to you, and was met with great kindness and interest by the two young Musgrove ladies. I thought at the time that I was simply enjoying some unearned popularity, but I realize now that I was showing off to show Anne Elliot that she was not the only young lady in the world, and that I was quite good enough for most of the gentry.” He sighed again and rubbed his palms together.
“After I made a quick trip to Lyme to meet up with some navy friends my new Uppercross friends were wild to visit Lyme too, so we planned a short trip for all of the young people…the trip was enjoyable and routine until Miss Louisa fell from The Cobb and injured her head on the rocks.”
Edward’s brows were raised in surprise.
“We took her to the Harvilles’ and called the surgeon, and I overheard Harville and his wife talking about what a tragedy it was that my affianced bride was so seriously injured! I was…shocked, mortified, confused.” I suddenly realized that I had put myself into a shocking position. I had not kept an appropriate distance from Miss Louisa, and had, most likely, given her the power to force a marriage on me. I know that the Musgroves would not intentionally force me to marry their daughter when we had never been officially engaged, but how could I tell them that I was using their daughter to punish Miss Anne for breaking our engagement?” He rubbed his face irritably.
“And all this time Miss Anne was the most intelligent, beautiful young lady…calm, helpful to everyone, and the only one who kept her head when Louisa was injured. Never have I been so in love with her…and yet I had compromised my position just as I realized how much I loved Anne…and she is still single! And I know that she has turned down at least one offer by a man of greater consequence than mine!”
Edward sipped his tea thoughtfully. He had never seen Frederick in such a state. He had always been the one who took charge of every situation…the one who kept his head when others lost theirs. He quietly said, “And then what?”
“Once Louisa’s condition had improved to the point where it was clear that she would recover I wasted no time leaving Lyme. If Louisa had insisted that we were tacitly engaged I would have been obliged to accept her as my wife and would be punished for the rest of my life by knowing that the woman I really love had been available and, possibly, would have reconsidered my suit. But I was going to do everything that I could, within the bounds of decorum and honor, to loosen the noose that I had tied around my own neck.
“I have been a fool,” he repeated, shaking his head. His brother stood up and squeezed his shoulder. “All is not yet lost, Frederick. Come. Elise just signaled me that dinner is served. A good meal will make the world look more manageable, and my Elise sets a wonderful table.” He dragged Frederick’s limp form out of the chair and guided him to the dining room.
Want to refresh your memory with Jane’s Austen’s original work? Read Persuasion on Austen variations HERE.
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That was so short, but soo good! Cannot wait for next clip.
What an intense episode, C Allyn!! I really feel for poor Wentworth. He really got himself into a mess!! I really liked this insight into his emotions.
I agree that I love this insight into Frederick! I could picture him sitting there so distressed and was glad he had such a realationship with his brother. Bodes very well for a long happy future for Anne with this man.
C. Allyn, you have written a short, but delightful, chapter. Some people rave on about how great a story “Pride and Prejudice” is (and it is), but for me “Persuasion” will always be the best of Jane Austen. I am loving these posts to “Persuasion 200”. I love what you did with Frederick’s visit with his brother. I am sure his thinking about Anne was very much in line with what you wrote here. Good work! Will you write another chapter before this is done???
Thanks Linda! I will certainly be writing more of these…I’m glad you enjoyed it…I had it more than half finished two days ago and then decided that it would be better from his brother’s point of view, so completely rewrote the night before posting! Glad it worked!
I absolutely loved this…being inside Frederick’s mind. He is justifiably suffering and it serves him right, especially since he said, he “was using their daughter to punish Miss Anne for breaking our engagement”. He finally realizes he’s been s fool. I liked the relationship between the brothers. It seems to be a warm one and I do like how Frederick turned to family. He may later do thst , also, with his wife. Thank you for the insight into Frederick’s thoughts and feelings.
Thanks Deborah! I have always wondered about Frederick’s brother and how much he knew about Frederick’s disappointment. I have assumed that he knew about the engagement, but their sister’s actions suggest that she did not. I think there are a lot of interesting potential stories about the “other Wentworth!”
Well finally stoic Captain Wentworth has confessed his feelings!! Well done! Now maybe he and Anne will be happy together.
Great chapter, just long enough to leave us lusting for more.
If the original had been anything like the chapters posted here, I would have liked it much more. This was just excellent. I appreciate how skillfully and thoughtfully you expose the characters and their motivations and feelings. I find myself really liking this story more with each post.
Thanks Mari! I’m glad we are adding something enjoyable to the original!
I love the brotherly interaction between Frederick and Edward. Despite the very different paths they chose for their lives, they are still close and have great affection for each other. Nice scene!
Carey, I loved getting this insight into the Wentworth brothers and their relationship! It was interesting to read Frederick’ s impressions of what happened at Lyme too 😉 .
Finally! Now if only the good captain will attempt to convince Anne to marry him. It is time!
Really nice chapter, thank you! I really feel that we’ve all missed out on a sensible, loving caring family in Persuasion by not being privy to all of the interactions between Frederick and his siblings. It’s such a contrast with the Elliot family, and it’s comforting to know that eventually Anne will get a real, loving family in the bargain.
As for this chapter, I agree with the sentiments others have expressed that FINALLY Frederick admits to his poor behavior. He deserves a little suffering at this point!
I loved this chapter where Wentworth poured his heart out to his brother. Now we know how intense he feels about this unfortunate episode and how he truly felt all is lost. I would really like to know Edward’s advice in this matter.