A Temporary Peace: A Persuasion Variation: Fate and Fortune, #2

By Meg Osborne

Reunited after many years apart, Captain Frederick Wentworth and Anne Elliot are determined nothing will stop them marrying and embarking on their future together. Eager to escape Bath, and the members of Anne's family who are less than thrilled about the match, they both return to Somerset, where Frederick can lodge with his sister, and Anne with hers, while they plan their wedding.

 

With new friends offering support and after the surprise arrival in the countryside of another émigré or two from Bath, will all be plain sailing as Anne and Frederick set forth on this next chapter of their lives together?

 

This is book two of the Fate and Fortune series, a variation on Jane Austen's Persuasion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Meg Osborne
• Release date: Jul 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386084600

Meg Osborne

Meg Osborne is an avid reader, tea drinker and unrepentant history nerd.  She writes sweet historical romance stories and Jane Austen fanfiction, and can usually be found knitting, dreaming up new stories, or adding more books to her tbr list than she'll get through in a lifetime.

Book preview

Chapter One

Y ou wish to leave Bath ? Sir Walter Elliot was in a state of unparalleled shock. How can you desire to be anywhere else? he blustered. And to leave your own family!

Yes, Anne, your treatment of us is very unkind! Elizabeth Elliot, Anne’s sister, echoed her father’s surprise with a muffled sob of disappointment.

I did not realise my departure would be so difficult, Anne said, marvelling at her father and sister’s reaction to her suggested relocation. Until that moment, neither Elizabeth nor Sir Walter had seemed to care very much at all for Anne’s presence or absence, provided that in either state she did not affect them doing exactly as they pleased. In fact, Anne was quite sure that her behaviour only drew their notice when it could be disapproved of.

Why this sudden desire to leave Bath? Sir Walter pressed. Have you not been happy here? You were most enthusiastic to come, if I remember correctly.

If that is your recollection, Father, I am afraid I must contradict you, Anne said, with a laugh. I never once professed any wish to remove to Bath, and indeed, had Lady Russell remained at Kellynch Lodge, I should very much have liked to remain with her, as I suggested when the matter was put to me.

I do not remember such a conversation, Sir Walter grumbled.

That is because you have an uncanny ability to ignore that which you do not wish to engage with, Anne thought, but she did not voice it. Instead, she adopted her most conciliatory tone, in an attempt to ease her father’s wounded sensibilities.

I did not wish to dissuade you from Bath, Father, seeing that you and Elizabeth were both so eager to come. But I miss the countryside, and you know I have never been fond of high society.

Elizabeth snorted, and Anne strove to ignore her. In any case, she continued. Mary has need of me, and I do not like to stay away when she longs for company. Her own voice took on a wheedling tone and she stopped, willing herself to speak with clarity and calmness of spirit. She was an adult, and, despite her current dependence on Sir Walter, had reason to believe that in just a short while longer she would be granted an opportunity to embrace a wholly new form of independence.

I know why you really wish to leave, Elizabeth said, with a sly smile. You do not fool either one of us. I saw you on Captain Wentworth’s arm at the assembly last night, and can only deduce you wish to be close to him and his family, as they return to Kellynch Hall. Honestly, Anne, you are as plain as glass to me! But then, I have always possessed a far more perceptive nature than you...

Anne’s face flamed at her sister’s amused twittering. It was true, of course, but she had not yet had the opportunity to raise the issue of Captain Wentworth with her father in a manner that might increase his likelihood of receiving the news with rejoicing rather than regret.

Ah, is that the so? Sir Walter’s eyes sparkled with interest. I do not recall you seeming so very close to him. Did not you dance with Mr Elliot also last evening?

Yes, Anne said, with patience. But I have no affection for Mr Elliot beyond what is right and proper for him being my cousin. She shot a look at Elizabeth and hoped this statement suitably mollified the sister who had stored up some secret hatred towards Anne for so easily and innocently winning the apparent affections of their cousin. Mr Elliot, in fact, was the first of the family to guess the truth of the renewed affections between her and Captain Wentworth but had been sworn to secrecy until Anne herself had had a chance to raise the issue. She glanced at the clock. Captain Wentworth had permitted her time that morning, promising to call later and speak to Sir Walter himself. I do not want it to seem as if we are deceiving people, Anne. If we are to marry... Her heart still thrilled to recall the way he had spoken of this, as if it were a certain fact, cast in stone, and waiting only on time in order to take place. If we are to marry, I wish it to happen soon, for we have already waited more than any people ought.

I still do not see why any affection for Captain Wentworth precipitates your leaving Bath for - Sir Walter’s lips pursed in distaste. Uppercross.

Father. Anne took a deep breath in, sending a silent prayer heavenwards for patience, as she tried to explain her plan to Sir Walter, who she rather fancied was being deliberately obtuse, for despite not being a clever man, he was not quite an idiot. I wished to tell you before Captain Wentworth comes himself, but he has asked me to marry him and I - I have accepted.

Marry? Sir Walter’s eyebrows lifted. But - you have only been in company a week, and -

We have known each other a great deal longer than a week, Father, having first met - first become engaged, even - eight years ago. Surely you recall.

Well, yes, Sir Walter frowned. But I did not think it a serious...and in any case, you...

It was serious then, and it is rather more so now, Anne said, with determination. "Father, you bid me reject him all those years ago on account of his poverty and lack of rank. Now he has both position and wealth enough that we might be quite comfortable, quite happy." She permitted herself to smile, imbuing this last word with such warmth that even Sir Walter appeared touched. His usually blank features lifted into the ghost of a smile as he regarded his middle daughter carefully.

And you wish to marry him, do you? And be a sailor’s wife? He frowned, in momentary consternation. He will not age well, Anne, for the sea is cruel to a man’s complexion, and -

I do not care what he looks like, Anne said, simply. I love him.

Yes, Father, and remember Anne ‘has never been fond of high society', Elizabeth said, recalling to mind Anne’s own words. She shrugged, philosophically. I cannot imagine myself being happy with such an arrangement, but I do not suppose it is very bad. He is at least a Captain, after all. And perhaps, one day, an Admiral.

This word seemed a balm to Sir Walter, and he began to see the virtue in having an Admiral for a son-in-law, albeit one who would grow weathered and wrinkled long before his time.

I suppose there is something to be said for a man having a career, he said, dubiously. If one has not the good fortune to be born into a position.

And we cannot all of us hope to marry men of rank, Elizabeth said, with a preening smile. Anne forced herself to remain calm, checking the urge to ask which marriage her sister referred to, as of the three daughters of Sir Walter Elliot, Elizabeth was now the only remaining spinster.

Well, Father? Anne asked, tentatively hoping that he might be so convinced that refusal would not cross his mind. Will you see Captain Wentworth, when he calls?

I shall endeavour to speak to him. Does he intend to call on us today? Sir Walter dropped his gaze to his waistcoat, with a grimace. In that case, I ought, really, to change...

WELL, FREDERICK, ADMIRAL Croft said, as he leant back in his seat at the breakfast table. Sophy and I will say goodbye to you today and be on our way, but you will join us Kellynch before too much longer, won’t you?

Frederick nodded an agreement. He had intended