Page 20 of Such Persuasions as These (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

W entworth was being waited upon cheerfully in the drawing room by Mr Bingley and not-so-cheerfully by his superior sisters.

He saw in Miss Bingley a mirror image, only somewhat younger, of his beloved Anne’s eldest sister, Elizabeth Elliot.

Part of him desired to deliver her a set-down that would wipe the sneer off her arrogant face.

Part of him wanted to laugh at how self-important these wealthy people and peers were in every part of the Kingdom.

Another part wished he could run back to Kellynch Hall this minute and carry Anne away from the misery of that house, finally and forever.

He could not wait to tell his own Elizabeth his joyful news.

She had always been his good friend; what rascals they had been together, bounding through the fields all those summers he visited his aunt in Meryton!

How dirty they would be when they came home, she to the scoldings of her mother and he to the horror of his aunt.

Mrs Westerbourne only kept a maid-of-all-work, and that woman was fully employed running the household without having stockings to mend and breeches to scrub day after day for their little guest.

Wentworth asked his host how the shooting was at Netherfield, and that led to an animated back-and-forth between Mr Bingley and himself, which evidently cemented him in the young gentleman’s esteem.

His brother, Mr Hurst, joined the conversation, and together they laughed as they exchanged stories of untrained dogs and poorly-loaded rifles until the object of his visit finally walked into the room, led by a striking gentleman, finely dressed.

“Ah, Lizzy… ahem …Miss Elizabeth,” Wentworth said as he strode towards her, “you are still as lovely as ever.” It was true; he was taken afresh with how captivating she was.

No wonder he had been so devoted all those years.

Of course, there existed now naught but a deep and abiding friendship.

It was an admiration he felt for her alone, but it had never really been love.

He now knew love, and it came only in the form of one Anne Elliot.

Wentworth clasped both of Elizabeth’s hands in his and offered a firm kiss upon them before looking up. Standing before her, still holding onto her, nigh on exploding with his happy news, he just knew she could read his thoughts. He looked into her face as if to say, ‘ Well? Can you guess? ’

It was only when another pair of eyes began burning into him that he realised he had been in that attitude so long. He met the gentleman’s gaze, which was trained on him from under a stern brow.

Her genuine joy at seeing him was evident as she laughingly said his name.

Her companion’s feelings, however, were of a demonstrably different nature.

Wentworth released Elizabeth from his grasp and turned to that gentleman so she could introduce him.

“Mr Darcy, may I present my good friend, Captain Frederick Wentworth? Captain Wentworth, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy. I see you have already made the acquaintance of Mr Bingley and his family.”

“Mr Darcy,” Wentworth said with a bow, “your servant.”

The tall gentleman was assessing him, taking in his form and dress no doubt. At length, Mr Darcy returned his bow with a polite, if cool, “Likewise, Captain.”

Wentworth immediately turned back to Elizabeth, offering her his arm as he said, “Oh, how I have missed you. I have just come from Longbourn. When I heard that you and Miss Bennet were staying at Netherfield, I set out at once. I do hope your sister is feeling better.” He peered down at her again as he set her upon the sofa.

She mumbled a flustered affirmation, and concern overwhelmed all other objectives.

“And how are you? You are well? You look flushed. You have been attending Jane in the sickroom, I hear; I hope you have not become ill yourself?”

“No, I am well, Freddie. Only a bit warm—we were…I was sitting quite close to the fire in the library when you were announced,” she said, her hand floating up to cover one rosy cheek.

Fire indeed, he could not help but think as he glanced over to her equally warm escort.

“I am only surprised. I did not know you were coming. Was your journey a pleasant one?”

“It was uneventful, thank you. No highwaymen or broken wheels. But I must say the horses I hired in Bristol barely made it four miles before they were spent. Nothing I hate more than seeing good horses overworked, calling them fresh before they’ve been properly rested.

That was vexing , as your dear mama might say, but that is the only thing I can think to complain about. ”

The gentlemen nodded with brows furrowed in silent consensus as Wentworth lamented his misused horses.

He did not wish to speak about the journey; he wanted to speak to his Lizzy about the purpose of his journey.

As they were in company, and among strangers at that, he did not feel it was appropriate to proclaim to all the strong personal feelings he wished to make known.

A man in love is exceedingly difficult to silence, but he reminded himself he was a trained military officer, a paragon of self-control, raised to the rank of captain at the tender age of four-and-twenty, entrusted with his own ship even.

Ah, that he could speak of.

“Perhaps you have heard they have given me command of my own vessel, a fine old sloop called the Asp ,” he started.

It was not the ship he dreamt of—he knew he would need a frigate before he could start capturing ships and bringing in real prize money—but it was a start, and he was glad to have it.

How comfortable Anne would be on board was yet to be seen, but if all went well with Aunt Westerbourne this evening, he would find out soon enough.

Mr Bingley eagerly chimed in, telling him how keen they all were to see the posting in the Navy List after Miss Elizabeth had told them of it.

This led to another lively conversation, one which occupied all four men for the remainder of his visit. Wentworth passed Elizabeth a glance or two, smiles of amusement at the puppy-like enthusiasm the elegant gentlemen were displaying.

As he stood to leave, he thanked his host for his hospitality, bowed to the man’s sisters, and walked over to Elizabeth. He offered her his arm in a request that she see him to the door, which she accepted.

“I am so pleased you have come,” she said as he donned his greatcoat and gloves. “It was wonderful to see you. How long do you plan to stay in Hertfordshire?”

“Just long enough to see my aunt…and you. I must make a very important request from her before I head back out to sea.” His eyes sparkled as he said this, thinking about the ring the old woman had promised him when he had written to inform her of his engagement to the baronet’s daughter.

“Oh, Lizzy,” he nigh on whispered, “there is so much to say. Can we not take a turn in the garden?”

She pinked, unable or unwilling to meet his eye all of a sudden.

“I am afraid I have been away from Jane too long already this morning,” she said with hesitation and regret. “Shall you be leaving so soon that you cannot call again?”

“May I call tomorrow?”

“I believe my sister is improving, and I was hoping to take a walk tomorrow. Shall we meet here at twelve?”

“Twelve o’clock, then.” With that, he squeezed both hands again, swept his hat onto his head, and took his leave.

In the carriage on his way back to Meryton, Wentworth wondered why Elizabeth had been so reticent, so flushed. Then, a harrowing thought occurred to him— what if she is still awaiting a declaration from me? What if she thinks I am coming to claim her hand?