Captain Wentworth's Persuasion (51 page)

Marcus Lansing pointed to the shoreline so Anne might see for herself where the property lay before he answered. “You recall, Wentworth, that I mentioned two others in Dorset would outrank
you in title and size of their estates.”

Frederick responded warily,“Yes.”

“I would be one of those two.” Wallingford said softly as he pointed out the location of the house in relationship to the parkland for Anne’s inspection. “My estate borders Somerset on the other side of the county. As you are now both Wentworth and Orland, I am both Marcus Lansing and Wallingford.”

“And would you be number one or number two on the list?”

“Marcus is an earl,” Anne interrupted. “As was his father before him.”

“An earl?” Frederick said.“Is there a
Countess
Wallingford?”

Marcus laughed. “Sadly, no. I was in service to our Prince until recently. Dorset has an extensive coastline, and the government needed me to help in Lyme and Bath and Swanage. So unfortunately, I neglected my private life. Maybe Mrs. Wentworth will have a soft heart and introduce me to someone as kind as she.”

Anne’s eyes sparkled. She patted Wallingford’s hand as she said, “I will keep an eye out for someone special.” Then she turned to Frederick.“You will assume the title you are being offered?”

“I told Lord Wallingford I would.” Frederick looked at the man sharply while he continued to address Anne. “Unless you have an objection, my Dear?”

“Oh, no, Frederick; it looks wonderful. May we visit the property one day next week?”Anne rushed to his side again; she looked up at him with those doe-like eyes, which mesmerized him years ago.

Frederick turned to his wife. “Of course, my Love,” he agreed. Then he turned to the Prince’s representative. “Welcome your newest neighbors, Wallingford.” Frederick shook the man’s hand, and Anne hugged Wallingford again and kissed him on the cheek.

Wallingford looked very pleased with Frederick’s decision. “Your Prince will be most gratified by the news.”

Although Wallingford offered to escort them on their visit to their new property, Frederick and Anne wanted to see the area for themselves first. Lyme and Bath and even Plymouth outlined the county,
but he was as unfamiliar with this part of England as she was.

“It is beautiful, Frederick.” Anne clutched his hand as they stood looking out over the bay from one of the highest vantage points above Swanage.They had traveled through hay meadows and wooded areas and the countryside; now, they stood braced against the wind, looking out over a coastal cliff and limestone outcroppings.

Frederick had rented a coach, and they spent the past few days visiting the sights about the county. They had spent much of this day exploring the ruins of Corfe Castle, a medieval castle, which, according to their tour guide, had come to prominence during the time of William the Conqueror.The tour guide had been a font of information, informing them that the castle had been a royal residence during the medieval period; King Edward II had been imprisoned there; and King John had kept his crown jewels there. Henry VII had given the castle to his mother, but Henry VIII reclaimed it when he came to the throne. His daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, had sold the castle to one of her favorite courtiers, Sir Christopher Hatton, who fortified it during England’s defense against the Spanish Armada, a fact which had greatly impressed Frederick.The tour guide had gone on to say that Sir John Bankes, the Lord Chief Justice to Charles I, had owned it during the Civil War in the mid-1600s, but the Parliamentary forces had left it in ruins. Now it stood in mute testament to the violence of English history. At the bottom of the hill leading to the shell, picturesque stone houses peppered the village, where Anne had purchased gifts in the local shops for the Admiral and Sophia.

Swanage Bay, four and half miles southeast of the remains, offered their current view. “King Alfred fought a fierce naval battle against the Danes in this very bay in 877,” Frederick shared as he laid his arm lightly about her shoulder.“They say Ballard Cliff is very dangerous—the sea quite treacherous in those parts, although I do not know that firsthand, for I never dropped anchor in these waters.”

“You know so much of the world,” she whispered near his ear as she willingly turned in his arms. “I feel so protected when I am with you.”

“Do you, my Love?” he asked as he used his finger to tilt her chin upward where he might kiss her.

Anne knew, instinctively, he still brooded over her recent meeting with Marcus Lansing; she would give him what he needed in terms of reassurance. She snaked her arms around his neck.“I never felt safe any place else; I never felt love any place else. Frederick, you are the only man I could ever love; you must know that.”

“I do know,Anne, but I am conceited enough to want to hear it from your mouth.” He kissed her again.“What a deliciously beautiful mouth it is.” Frederick’s lips lingered over hers, running his tongue teasingly along her bottom lip and teeth. “I love drinking from your lips.”

When he released her, she turned back to the view. “Fascinating!” Anne reveled in the feel of the wind on her face and in her hair while the sun warmed her. Suddenly, she stiffened in his arms. “Frederick, give me your hand.” Curious, he complied. She took his palm and placed it on her abdomen.“Feel.”

A tiny foot kicked him. Or was it a miniature hand that punched him? He laughed with delight. The sensation spread through him. “Our child is strong!” he asserted. She laughed and nodded her agreement. “Our love grows within you; it is God’s work,” he whispered.

“Indeed, my Husband.This baby will know a man of strength, but also a man of love.” She kissed his palm.

“Come, Sweetling,” he said at last.“Tomorrow we see our new home. I sent word to the staff to expect us in the afternoon.”

Frederick scooped Anne into his arms and carried her back to the carriage. “I do believe you have put on weight,” he said, pretending to stagger.

She giggled.“You are carrying
two
people, my Husband.”Then Anne rested her head on his shoulder and lay comfortably in his arms as he approached the waiting coach. “Our child and our home—I was not certain this day would ever come.”

“The day is here, sweet Anne; you will have everything you desire.”

The parkland surrounding the house stretched out for a half mile before the road beside it dipped down to a wooden bridge crossing one of the many creeks leading to the River Stour.Then the road climbed once more toward the red brick house with elaborate gingerbread trim and rows and rows of windows facing the noonday sun. The sunlight danced on the window panes and turned the streaming rays to fractured colors of the rainbow.The house looked as though it belonged in a fairy tale.

“Welcome to your home, my Love,” Frederick announced as the coach crossed the wide cobblestone path leading to the house’s entrance. Purple-clad servants hurried down the steps of the entrance to greet them.The coach’s steps were lowered, and Frederick climbed out to stand on his own property. He reached in and took Anne’s hand, guiding her to his side.“Viscountess Orland,” he spoke softly “your new house awaits.”

“Marcus was right,” she whispered,“it looks sound.”

“Hopefully,” he murmured close to her ear, “the rooms are not gutted.”

A stately butler in black came forward. “Viscount Orland.Viscountess Orland.” He bowed and then gestured toward the house. “My name is Mr. Smythe; I am in charge of the household staff. If you will follow me, I will show you about the house.”

“Thank you, Mr. Smythe.” Frederick acknowledged several of the other waiting staff with a nod of his head.“Lady Orland and I appreciate your attention to detail.” As they followed the man through the entrance, Frederick informed the man, “Today, we want simply to become familiar with the house and the immediate grounds.Tomorrow, I would like to speak with the steward. Is he available?”

“I will send word, Lord Orland.” The butler paused before speaking, “May I say, Sir, we are happy to have a new viscount in residence; it has been nearly a year; Lord Orland, we understand you are a decorated military man.”

“My husband is a Rear Admiral of the White,” Anne blurted out. “You may tell the staff their new master is a national hero—a
man who served England for more than a decade.They have much of which to be proud.”

“My wife,” he half laughed as he handed his outer coat to one of the waiting footmen,“is my staunchest admirer.”

Mr. Smythe smiled, nodded his head, and indicated the foyer. “As one can see, the house is in good repair. Madam, would you like me to show you and Lord Orland the rooms?”

“I hope it will not offend you, Mr. Smythe, but we would prefer to explore the house on our own. Please instruct the household staff to go about their regular duties.We are not here to censure—only to learn what our new home has to offer.”

“Very well, Madam; I will have the luggage brought in and placed in the master chambers. If you or Lord Orland need anything, simply pull the cord.”With that, the butler disappeared, and several other servants scrambled to their stations.

Frederick offered Anne his arm.“Are you ready, Mrs.Wentworth?”

Anne gave him her most beguiling smile. “I prefer the name Wentworth to all the other names to which I have been addressed in my life.” She took his arm as they strolled into the room on their right, and they took their first look at what would be their abode for the rest of their lives.

“It is the name you were born to share.” His breath caressed her cheek.“And this, Sweetling is the home we were born to share.”

“Our child will inherit this estate, Frederick. It is our future; the Wentworth name will be a part of England’s history.Your dedication—your determination—created the opportunity for us to shape our identity. Let us make the Wentworth name stand for all that is best in English society.”

He gently guided her into his embrace.“We will act with decorum, with compassion, with empathy, and with kindness.You, my Love, will be a model of English grace and womanhood. I will try to live up to your image of the man to whom you gave your heart.”

“There is no one above you, my Husband; you are already the best man I have ever known.You deal with people honestly and honorably; that is a very rare quality.” She stroked the underside of
his jawline with her fingertips. “Now, your child and I,” she teased him,“wish to see our new home. I need to set up a proper nursery. This is a very active child.” Anne gently touched her stomach. “I have the feeling he will be a handful, and I will not have a chance to catch up if I procrastinate now.”

“He?” Frederick asked with amusement.

Anne turned to take his hand.“Or she.” Dropping his hand and taking a few steps away from him, she looked back over her shoulder and added,“Or they.”

“No
theys
, Anne Wentworth,” he warned as he caught up with her. “One crew member at a time, do you hear me?’ But he beamed with happiness.“I love you, Mrs. Wentworth,” he said as he bent to kiss her lips.

When they separated, Anne whispered, “Let us find the master bedroom.”

He murmured huskily, “It probably would not be a good first impression if the servants found us sharing an intimate moment, would it?”

“Probably not.” Anne took his hand. “Let us go and claim this house as our own.”

—Samuel Taylor Coleridge,“The Presence of Love”

 

Over the next two months, they established themselves in the community. Having been raised in Kellynch Hall, Anne understood the running of a household. And so she ran Hanson Hall with sensibleness, authority, and compassion. Frederick reflected that if Anne had been the oldest sister, instead of Elizabeth, Sir Walter might never have had to leave Kellynch Hall. Of course, that would have meant that Sophia and Benjamin would never have come to Somerset, and he would never have returned and found Anne. On that count, Frederick thanked his lucky stars to have a father as inept as Sir Walter.