Captain Wentworth's Persuasion (41 page)

Hand-in-hand, they entered the large dining room to thunderous applause and even a few catcalls.Voices and laughter followed as everyone pushed forward to either shake his hand or to kiss Anne’s cheek. “You make a beautiful bride, Mrs.Wentworth,” Lady Susan Lowery praised her as she stepped in front of the couple.

“Thank you, Lady Susan,” Anne responded automatically, her new name somehow already familiar.

“And you, Captain,” she spoke louder to be heard over the din, “my family sends its regards and wishes you happy.”

“Are your cousins not here, Ma’am?” He steadied Anne’s stance by edging slightly behind her.

“No, Captain, I am afraid they are not. My cousin Lieutenant Harding received his orders. He is to report to Bristol today, but he sends his undying devotion to you and Mrs. Wentworth. Buford regretted missing an opportunity to meet Captain Benwick’s betrothed.”

“You may present the lieutenant’s regards to Benwick.” Frederick paused in contemplation. “Lieutenant Harding will be safe; Napoleon cannot hope to succeed,” he asserted.

Lady Susan displayed a courageous smile. “Listen to us; this is a day of
happiness!
I am pleased to be found right all along, Captain. You
did
favor Miss Anne.”

Frederick looked down at the profile of the woman he loved. “Yes, despite all my protests to the contrary, I have been found out.”

“It will gratify me to send my family word of the day and all the
beauty and love found in this room.” She moved on as the last of the well-wishers nearly crushed the couple in their eagerness to wish them many years of contentment.

Sophia clapped her hands loudly, bringing some order to the celebration, and everyone found a place at one of the tables, while Anne and Frederick made their way to the central setting.As much as he hated such formal occasions, Frederick took a perverse pleasure in knowing that Anne’s family would be expected to offer their blessings in a very public way.

Once everyone was seated, Edward rose to his feet. “I am Edward Wentworth and will represent our family this morning. With this marriage, my brother Frederick expands our family circle. Our Sophia found love with her husband, Benjamin. I am blessed with my Christine.” He gestured to his beautiful wife, who sat next to him. “Now, Frederick finally has the love of his life. Raise your glasses, please, and with me wish Frederick and Anne much happiness.”

“Hear! Hear!” was heard about the room, and to recognize his brother’s sentiments, Frederick raised Anne’s gloved hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.

Sir Walter Elliot stood next, and the room fell quiet. Frederick leaned back, content to be amused by watching the man say what he did not wish to say. “The Elliot family is an ancient and respectable one, first settling in Cheshire and being listed as part of the nobility by Sir William Dugdale in 1675 and honored by Charles II with a baronetcy.Today, it gives me great pleasure to write this into the Baronetage by my daughter Anne’s name: Married 3 March 1815, Frederick, son of Edward and Cassandra Wentworth of Herefordshire, Captain and war hero, the British Royal Navy.” Her father paused before going on.“Captain,” Sir Walter addressed him,“our Anne will undoubtedly make you an excellent wife.” He lifted his glass in a salute to his daughter and Frederick, and then took his seat on Anne’s right.

The toasts continued for nearly half an hour, many of them coming from the men with whom he served on various expeditions.
Their words of genuine devotion to him as their leader in moments where death came close to claiming them spoke of his character, and Frederick found himself choked up with more than one declaration. Although on another day, words of war might seem inappropriate for a wedding, Bonaparte’s influence on the British public invaded their celebration. It seemed natural because without the resurgence of the war, Frederick and Anne would wait, but duty called many of these men back to their fleet, and to acknowledge that life awaited them—love awaited them seemed ever important.

“I am sorry our special day was colored by the war,” he whispered close to Anne’s ear after Thomas Harville’s toast.

Anne turned her head slowly to look at him. A single tear cascaded down her cheek. He used his thumb to wipe it away. “Do not be afraid that stories of your bravery will ruin my day, my Love. How could they? They speak of the man I have loved for nearly a decade—a compassionate man of determination. I was thinking how much you changed the lives of these people and countless others, and although we suffered in our separation, God needed you where you were, because without your leadership, many men in this room would not be among the living. God knew we would find our way back to each other after you did what you must for others.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “I am honored to be your wife.”

Frederick stopped breathing for a moment; nearly overwhelmed by her words, he kissed her forehead. “Why do we not circulate about the room and greet our guests?” he spoke softly, trying not to let her hear the emotion in his voice. She nodded and they stood to move to the various tables of family and friends.

After greeting Lady Dalrymple first, as well as several other members of the
ton
—acquaintances of Lady Russell or Sir Walter—they made their way to the Musgroves, who were congregated at several adjoining tables.

“Captain.” Mr. Musgrove stood to greet him as they approached. “My family wishes you and Mrs.Wentworth the best that marriage
can bring.Who in September would have thought we would be celebrating three marriages among those who spent many happy hours in our company throughout October and November?” The other men at the table rose to their feet as the family patriarch spoke.

“Gentlemen, please be seated.” Anne gestured to the party. Frederick tightened his grip on her hand when they came to Louisa Musgrove and Captain Benwick. “Miss Musgrove,” Anne gestured to Frederick, “my husband and I are pleased to wish you and Captain Benwick happiness on the announcement of your engagement.”

“Mrs. Wentworth, you are most gracious,” Benwick spoke up first.“You have won the love of a fine man in Captain Wentworth. I am blessed to count him among my friends.”

“Thank you, Captain.”Anne looked lovingly at Frederick.

Louisa leaned forward to add her own observation. “We were
surprised
to learn of your speedy engagement, Mrs. Wentworth. Little did any of us—including your sister Mary!—realize your
high regard
for Captain Wentworth. In fact, I believe some thought before I found my James, that the good Captain might be my choice. How could we know when dear Frederick upon first seeing you again, said you were so altered he should not have known you?” Her immaturity showed clearly. Benwick gave his betrothed a reprimanding look.

Frederick flinched—just a bit—and he felt Anne stiffen. “Miss Musgrove,” he said, “it is delightful to see you and your intended here today.” He smiled at Captain Benwick and then addressed the two of them: “My new wife and I realize our marriage is indeed unexpected. But Anne and I have known each other for many years; our regard for one another has never wavered, no matter the circumstances.When we
discovered
we both felt the same way after so many years, why, a wedding was the only logical next step.” Frederick was not about to let Louisa expunge Anne in any way. He retorted,“Miss Musgrove, I apologize if you misinterpreted my friendship; I simply wished to become familiar with the family of a
man, who once served under my command and to try to make myself amiable to my sister’s nearest neighbors. Mrs. Charles was away at school when I first declared my love for Anne in ’06. Do you not remember my stressing those years in my dinner conversation? I hoped Anne might remember what we once were to each other. Do you recall how I placed Anne in my sister’s carriage when we all walked out together? I could never see her suffer and not respond. She has always owned my heart. I returned to Somerset with the pure purpose of seeing Anne again. I did not know whether she would renew her regard, but I could never move on until I knew for sure. My comment about my dear Anne was nothing more than my conceit and pride speaking for I feared she chose not to see me with her excuses for tending Little Charles. I did not give Anne credit for being the kindest woman God ever created.” He smiled at the
other
happy couple, pulled Anne closer to him, and slipped his arm around her waist.“Please excuse us.We have other guests to whom to attend.” Anne smiled, he bowed, and they strolled away together.

“Another thing for which I will spend my life in apology,” he said close to her ear as they walked towards some of his naval buddies.

“You were perfect,” Anne offered her praise.“You made Louisa question what she thought she knew about you.” She glanced back over her shoulder to see a look of puzzlement plastered on Louisa’s face.“I almost believed it myself.”

“It is your fault, Sweetling.” His voice sounded seductive again. “When I am near you, I do the most uncharacteristic things to get your attention.”

Anne openly laughed at his out and out lie, knowing what, in reality, happened with Louisa. “I think from now on your version of our resurging connection will be what I repeat on every occasion where confabulation is necessary.”

“You may embellish it as you see fit, Sweetling. I give it to you to do with as you please.” He wrapped his arms around her, moving the two of them together in an embrace, and then kissing her in front of everyone gathered there. Instead of being embarrassed
by his actions, she reciprocated by encircling his waist with her arms and laying her head briefly on his chest. Laughing at their open display of affection, they caught hands and moved among his comrades.

“Captain, none of us at this table ever thought we would live to see the day!” Dr. Laraby said as they approached. All three men stood as Wentworth stepped in front of them.

“Anne, may I present three of my fellow officers? These are Lieutenants Michael Avendale and Matthew Harwood.” He gestured to each man as they bowed to her. “And this rascal is our ship’s doctor Peter Laraby—one of the finest physicians found aboard a vessel.They will join me when I return to Plymouth.” As the Admiral had predicted, Frederick received his orders. He was to command a new ship—
The Resolve
. “Gentlemen, this is my wife, Anne Elliot Wentworth.”

Peter Laraby continued to speak for the group. “Mrs. Wentworth, we are pleased to meet you. Our good captain kept his regard for you a secret.We will hope to wield the details from you; the man is a virtual steel trap when it comes to sharing his personal life. No doubt he did not wish to divulge information about you until you were safely married to him.”

“You should be aware, Mr. Laraby, my husband taught me subterfuge before he would agree to marry me.” Frederick laughed as Anne’s face straightened in all sincerity, and as her words amazed his three shipmates. “Yet, you will be happy to know he just bequeathed me a story which I may repeat to my heart’s desire.”

“Do not forget, my Love, you have my permission to
embellish
said story, especially where these three are concerned.” Frederick rested his hands on her shoulders.

“Did you hear that, Gentlemen?”Anne’s voice took on an idolized, coquettish tone.“My
esteemed
husband gave me his
permission
. Am I not blessed among women?”

The three took up her tone, heartily enjoying her flaunting of her and Wentworth’s courtship. “We look forward to it, Ma’am,” Laraby acknowledged. “Do you intend to travel with the Captain,
Mrs.Wentworth?”

Frederick looked down at her; the question brought back the reality of their rushed marriage. “It is my wish never to part with Mrs. Wentworth.” Frederick’s eyes delve deep into the chocolate-gray ones looking back at him.

Anne returned her attention to the three men. “I will see you aboard ship, Gentlemen. It has been my pleasure to make the acquaintance of men with whom my husband serves his country.” With that, she curtsied before stepping away to the next group. Frederick bowed, too, and then followed her.

“Thank you,” he said softly,“for agreeing to come with me.”

Anne gripped his arm. “I can be nowhere else,” she said with determination.“I did not incur my father’s wrath to be left behind.”

Frederick melted with her sentiments. How often he misjudged her! Even though it hurt her to do so, Anne set him free because she thought she would hold him back in his career.Who was to say whether she might have? Some of his captures required risks he wondered if he would have taken if Anne traveled with him. He assumed for years her persuadable temper to be a weakness, but he learned at Uppercross and Lyme a resolute character possessed weakness in its absolute determination when reason should prevail.

“Let us make our final farewells,” he said. They came to Lady Russell. “How may we ever thank you for what you did for us?” Frederick said as he bowed.

Lady Russell took Anne’s hand in hers. “Elizabeth Stevenson was my best friend, and I grieved greatly at her passing; but she left me you—my sweet Anne, the perfect image of your mother. I loved you, Child, as my own, and when I offered my advice I did so as I thought Elizabeth might. I do not regret what I did, but I see now that I denied you time with this man because I misjudged your resiliency. That is my real regret; I never saw your full worth until you withstood both your father’s and my censure. I forgot that Elizabeth, despite being both sensible and amiable, possessed a streak of stubbornness also. She became infatuated with your father, and she would brook no one denying her the man she
loved. I should have remembered that about her. When you demanded our help, I suddenly pictured my dear Elizabeth standing there, saying she would have no one but Sir Walter Elliot as her husband. It was at that moment that I knew I must be Elizabeth Stevenson’s true friend and help her daughter be with the man she loved. I said as much to your father. While she lived, Elizabeth humored Sir Walter and softened him and promoted his real respectability. He could deny her little.”