Captain Wentworth's Persuasion (26 page)

The public carriage rolled into Lyme in the late afternoon. Instead of seeking out the better accommodations that Mr. Morris offered at the Wooden Lion, he took a substandard room at the posting inn. It was out of the way, and he was less likely to meet any of the Musgroves along the post road. They stayed in town, close to the Harvilles’ home. He planned to stay only one night; he would be on his way to Shrewsbury and Edward’s new home the next day.

“Say, Boy,” he called to one of the stable hands hanging around the inn.“Would you take this message to Thomas Harville? I wrote the directions on the back. Do you read, Boy?”

“Yes, Sir.”The youth looked at him.“Should I wait for a reply, Sir?”

“No—that will not be necessary.” He slipped two shillings into the boy’s hand. “Give the message only to Thomas Harville or to Mrs. Harville—no one else. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sir—it will be done, Sir.” The boy disappeared across the road, heading along an open orchard on his way to the town center.

Frederick waited, knowing it would be after supper before his friend would appear. He took his meal in his chamber, avoiding the public rooms, in case someone recognized him. It was well after dark when he heard a light tap on the door. He opened it to find both Thomas and Milly.

“Welcome,” he said as he hustled them into the room.“Did you have any trouble getting away?” He carried another chair to the table, bringing a bottle of brandy and two glasses with him. “Let me send for some tea, Milly.” Frederick stepped to the hallway and, luckily, found one of the maids. He gave her the order before returning to his friends.

“How was Plymouth?” Thomas asked as he poured himself a drink.

“Tolerable.” Frederick seated himself across from them. “I saw Hawker; he tried to hook me into joining him and Lord and Lady Grierson for dinner.”

“I am sure the daughters were not far behind,” Harville said sarcastically. “If they want to rid themselves of those two mousey, colorless women, they will need to increase the size of their dowries.” He laughed at his words. “Neither has any personality—no redeeming qualities whatsoever.”

“They are amiable and biddable if a man was so inclined,” Frederick added without looking at either of his friends. He would not let them know that just yesterday he had briefly considered the Griersons as a way out of his current situation.

Milly reached for his hand.“I am sorry, Frederick, that you feel
you must hide from the Musgroves; I find them to be very pleasant people.”

“And I would thoroughly agree with you.” He patted the back of her hand before reaching for the brandy decanter.“I just do not choose to become part of their family if I can avoid it.”

“So, do you wish to know the latest on Miss Musgrove?” Thomas became his second in command again—roles with which they were both familiar.

“Please.”

“Miss Musgrove is able to sit up for significantly longer periods of time; although more subdued, she has no problem in recalling details. In fact, Charles and Mary Musgrove return to Uppercross tomorrow. Mrs. Charles thoroughly enjoyed her holiday—she walks about the town with Benwick, she shops, and she reads—just about anything other than tending her sister.”

“That does not surprise me; at Uppercross, she pawned off her boys on Miss Anne or on their grandmother.” Just the mention of Anne caused Frederick to flinch.“How long do you expect to tend Miss Musgrove?”

Milly answered. “Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove leave at the end of the week; they take our children with them—the youngest Musgroves will be home for the holidays at that time—the children will be able to celebrate together. Miss Henrietta remains with us for as long as it takes for her sister to recuperate.The doctor says at least another month.”

“
That
long.” Frederick sighed.

The maid brought the tea tray, and all conversation stopped until she exited the room.When she left,Thomas turned to Frederick. “Your note said you had something of importance to tell us.”

Frederick nodded. “Actually, Thomas, I bring some
news
for you. In fact, if I did not deem it important, I would never stop in Lyme on my way to see Edward.”

“Then tell us,” Milly encouraged.

“When I was here the first time, your craftsmanship impressed me.

“Yes, I recall.What of it?”

“When I returned to Kellynch, I sent a letter of inquiry. Do you remember Harold Rushick?”

“Certainly, he was a damn fine lieutenant; I hated the fact that he left us to return to civil life.” Thomas took a sip of his drink. “What does he have to do with all this?”

“On the ride home, I remembered something important about Rushick. His family owns a novelty and furniture business outside Brighton; he left us to take over the business when his uncle died. I wrote him about the toys and the chairs and the hammock. Here is his response.” Frederick slid the letter across the table to his dearest friend.

Thomas picked it up and read it quickly. “What does it say?” Milly asked impatiently. Her husband passed the note to her, his pride warring with his need to support his family.

“Oh,Thomas!” she exclaimed.“This is like a prayer come true.” Tears misted her eyes as she turned to Frederick. “Bless you.” She shook her head in disbelief.

“Why?”Thomas looked questioningly at Frederick.

“Why did you help the Musgroves, people whom you did not know? Because we are friends, Thomas. We served together in a brotherhood that no one else can understand. I found you an opportunity—you must take advantage of it. It is not charity; Rushick will expect you to perform well. That is how he approaches work; you know that.”

“Thomas,” Milly pleaded, “you can make furniture, and Lieutenant Rushick will sell your items on commission.The letter says that wooden toys are selling quickly in the Americas.You can create your pieces. In May, when our lease is up, we can move closer to Brighton; you will still be near the sea there.”

“Brighton is quickly becoming the new Bath.Visitors will be eager to buy something of quality,” Frederick encouraged. “Think about it; I will say no more. If you want to deal with Rushick, his directions are in the letter.”

Thomas let a smile turn up the corners of his mouth. “Milly
and I will discuss it and see what is possible.Thank you, my friend.”

Frederick allowed himself to take a deep breath at last. He knew Harville’s pride, and he had feared his friend would reject the idea before hearing it out.Thankfully, his need to provide for his family had overpowered his misplaced independence.“Someday I will say I was one of the first to own a Harville original,” Frederick teased.

“We should get back.” Thomas took the lead, after shaking Frederick’s hand. “I borrowed Musgrove’s curricle; we told everyone Milly needed to call on a sick friend.”

“Should I cough now, so that your explanation was not a lie?” Frederick said. He stood to bid them farewell.

“We will keep your secret.” Milly gave him a quick hug of gratitude. “I will write to you in care of Edward and keep you abreast of Miss Musgrove’s progress.”

“Thank you, Milly,” Frederick said. “You know, I do not wish Louisa ill. Quite the contrary. I wish her happiness—with someone other than me.”

Three days after Frederick met with the Harvilles, the public carriage rolled into Shrewsbury, and Frederick alighted at last. It had been a bone-jarring ride, plagued by snow and rain for two of the days. The driver tossed down his bag, and Frederick spun around, trying to get his bearings, but found himself in his brother’s happy embrace. “Thank God.” Edward laughed with relief. “I am so glad you are here; I thought you would never come.”

A smile spread across Frederick’s face; he had forgotten how much he needed Edward’s presence in his life. He loved Edward not only as a brother, but also as a trusted friend. Frederick could count on Edward not judging him.

“You have changed, Edward,” Frederick half mocked as he took a close look at his brother.“You look positively contented.”

“When you meet my Christine, you will understand why. Come.” He pulled Frederick toward a waiting chaise and four. “Lord Calderson, my patron, loaned me his carriage to bring my brother home—no more poorly sprung carriages for you today.”

“Thank Goodness for that.”They stored his gear in the luggage compartment and climbed in. “I am thrilled to be here, Edward; I need your counsel when we find time for some privacy.”

“I would be pleased to help you. Let us return home, and later we will sit together—just like old times.”

“Christine, he is here!” Edward called as they entered the vicarage bestowed upon him as part of the Calderson’s living. Frederick looked around, taking in the simple décor. Some of the furniture showed wear, but the house offered large rooms, a great improvement from Edward’s previous lodgings.

Christine Wentworth came quickly to answer her husband’s call. Frederick took in her presence—tall and thin and aristocratic in her posture, she, at first glance could make a man think haughty, but her fair hair framed a face sporting a faint smile and a demure downward glance at her messy apron. She evidently had been cleaning one of the fireplaces and was now covered in soot.

Edward laughed, “My cinder maid.” He bestowed a quick kiss on the end of her nose and used his fingertips to remove a smudge from her cheek before pulling her close to him. “Meet my own version of the Cinderella story,” he told Frederick. “This is your new sister—my wife, Christine.”

Frederick bowed and approved, “Christine, welcome to the family. Do not let this cad tease you, my Dear. Edward was always more of a frog than a prince.” He shot her a knowing smile.

She returned her own amused one. “We are pleased you are finally here, Captain. I apologize for my appearance; I foolishly tried to clear the flue in the guest room—something I asked my ‘prince’ to do yesterday, in fact.” It was Edward’s turn to look embarrassed. “Now, if you will excuse me, I will freshen my clothing.” She looked at Edward. “Please have Sadie bring in some tea. I will ask Cal to finish sweeping out the ashes before you show your brother his room.”

“I am at your beck and call, my Lady Love.” Edward gave her an exaggerated bow.

“I have never seen you so carefree,” Frederick noted as he took the seat to which his brother gestured.

“Christine is remarkable.” Edward gazed at the doorway through which his wife had exited. “She gives me a new purpose; Christine brings me contentment.The woman actually knows me better than I know myself sometimes. I really cannot explain it.”

“Love.”The word hung in the air as if it explained everything.

Edward smiled again. “Marriage to Christine has been the exciting—the satisfying—experience God intended it to be.”

“Now I am jealous,” Frederick declared.“Both you and Sophia have placed the bar high. How will I ever measure up?”

Edward’s countenance sobered.“I assume you wish to speak to me about love. Did your heart survive its encounter with Somersetshire? I cringed when I realized Sophia and the Admiral planned to take over the Elliot estate. Did you ever tell her about Anne Elliot?”

“
No one
knows about Anne—no one but you.” Frederick shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“Is Miss Anne still in the area? Have you seen her?”

Frederick snorted. “I have seen Miss Anne Elliot repeatedly over the past two months. She stays with her younger sister at Uppercross Cottage.”

“Yes, I recall now. Mary Elliot became Mrs. Charles Musgrove only a few months before I left the area.There were rumors Musgrove asked for Miss Anne first, but she refused him. I relished in the news on your behalf although I dared not tell you at the time.” Edward took a tray from the pretty housekeeper, and he began to pour them both some tea.

“Yes, I heard as much. It was quite a
revelation
. I became friends with the Musgroves when I arrived in the area. Ironically, one of Musgroves’ sons served under me.”