It was a dark and stormy night.
The assembled group at Uppercross Hall awaited the arrival of the young squire and his wife. While waiting, they conversed with one another most agreeably. The guest of honor, Captain Frederick Wentworth, resplendent in his blue and gold dress uniform, held court -- with the Miss Musgroves acting the part of his most devoted subjects, hanging upon his every word, story, and humorous remark. The elder Musgroves and the Crofts had left the younger people to enjoy one another's company in a corner of the old fashioned parlour. The arrival of Mr and Mrs Charles brought the party to full strength.
Mary Musgrove came in with such enthusiasm of spirits that the third member of their party entered the room quite unnoticed. Mrs Musgrove greeted her son and daughter-in-law with delight, quite overlooking Miss Anne in the process. This did not surprise Miss Anne. She was quite used to this treatment; in fact, since the gown she was wearing was several seasons out of fashion, she was rather relieved at not being given undue attention.
Anne was overawed by the appearance of her beloved Frederick in his glorious uniform. Beneath her faded dress, her constant, faithful, loyal heart pounded wildly. I have loved none but him! And now, here we stand together ... in the same room ... at last ... after all these painful, lonely, anguished years of separation!
Charles kindly brought her forward for introduction. He did not notice the look of stunned amazement and surprise on the Captain's face upon seeing Anne. Shortly it gave way to a look of delight ...and desire. Anne Elliot! What are you doing here! Can it truly be you? He took her offered hand and pressed it tenderly to his lips. "Miss Elliot and I are already acquainted Charles," he said to his friend. "Miss Elliot, it has been too long," he murmured lovingly. He took a step closer and looked deeply into her warm brown eyes.
"Anne has been staying with us ... for ... ahem ..." But the rest of Charles' words trailed off as he and the others beheld what happened next. The Captain swept Miss Anne into his strong, muscular arms in a passionate embrace. He planted his lips on hers in a gesture of warm welcome. The kiss lasted an inordinately long time. The embarrassed silence was broken by Mary's whining inquiry as to when dinner would be served.
"My dearest Anne, I have loved none but you," Frederick Wentworth intoned, dropping to one knee. "And it is at a felicitous season that I meet you here tonight. For my admiral as given me an order which I am now pleased to obey with the utmost rapidity. I am to "spread a little canvas and bring home a wife." Would you do me the honor of marrying me as we should have so many years ago?"
"Would I!" was all her answer, but the accent was decisive enough. So was the kiss which accompanied her words.
They were married the next day by special license and Anne once more took up residence in Kellynch Hall, thus avoiding a much-dreaded move to Bath.
We offer this to all who have longed to see Frederick and Anne's separation brought to its customary close.
