Chapter One

"Miss Elliot I fear I no longer wish to court you." he paused taking another deep breath in letting it out slowly. "I wish to marry you." He turned to face her full on and upon seeing the tears that now fell, he frowned and wiped them away, gently tipping her face back up to meet his once more. "Anne, my love, will you consent to be my wife?"

He had cupped her cheek tenderly, bringing her out of her momentary daze. She let out a gasp of relief and a chuckle, then bit her lip to prevent more tears from interrupting this perfect moment. She covered his hand on her face with her own, unconcerned by the passers-by, or their friends and family who had now joined them on the sea front wondering when they were going to be ready to depart, and answered simply and without need of persuasion, "yes."

Captain Wentworth felt his chest expand; both from the flood of relief at finally regaining what was once lost, and the feeling of his love for Anne and having it returned. It filled his heart. He felt in that moment as light as air and that he could accomplish anything he should attempt. As if he had taken on Napoleon single handed and emerged victorious. He was in a word – happy.

Anne was much the same. She would never know what she had done to deserve a second chance at happiness but here it was and she was going to take it and hold on to it with both hands. Slowly and reluctantly, Anne lowered her hand from covering his and allowed him to do the same. The breeze instantly cooled the inflamed skin on her cheek, she knew she was blushing, the intimacy they had shared, however innocent and open, was more than they had ever shared in the past.

Their recent time trapped in the out building at the hands of her nephew, had been enough to dispel any self-doubt or insecurities on her part. The only thing left holding her back from making a declaration of her own, had been her uncertainty surrounding his feelings. Now he had confessed how much he cared -and in fact- loved her, she felt no more restraint and longed to be held by him. Unfortunately, their current location and propriety forbid it. She would have to make do with holding his hand while they could be unobserved, and his arm when in company. They had already risked their luck when he chanced a kiss, and though not unwanted, Anne was unwilling to chance another. Until she could be sure they would not be seen.

"Should we continue our walk?"

She heard his words, saw his mouth move, but yet they seemed a long way away. A rush of heat crept up on her and soon she felt as if she were spinning. "Sorry. Yes I am just … I am a little overwhelmed." Her mouth was dry, sweat beaded on her forehead as she looked around her wildly, the enormity of their situation and actions dawning on her all at once. They were together again, in love and were going to be married. To be joined forever. All of her dreams were coming true. She felt her knees buckle once again and she fell into his side.

"Anne? Anne? Are you ill? What is the matter?" he asked urgently.

She took a few steadying breaths forcing herself to look past the concern in his eyes as it would only make her feel worse. It should be the happiest moment of their lives, and yet here she was spoiling it with a fainting spell worthy of her sister Mary.

Frederick however, cared not one jot about her spoiling an otherwise perfect day. In his opinion any day that included time spent with her was perfect. He was only worried for her health and wellbeing. He led them to a small wall which looked dry and comfortable enough on which for her to sit and rest. He began removing his coat to allow her to sit on it, but she was already sitting before he had the chance to complete the gesture. Feeling somewhat foolish in a state of half undress, he finished his task, removing his coat and draped it around her shoulders instead. She pulled it closer to her, holding on to it tightly.

The breeze of the sea did cool the air but not overly so, she should not be so cold. He worried she was in some kind of shock, and found himself transferring his weight from one foot to the other while trying to conceive how he could make her well again, while simultaneously trying to decipher what it could have been that had made her so anxious in the first place. Was the thought of marrying him so terrible? As if reading his mind Anne sighed drawing his attention to her instantly.

"Sit down Frederick, I am quite well I assure you."

He followed her lead and sat beside her, so close they were touching. He moved slightly, however reluctantly, putting distance between them, mindful of the fact they were not alone. Anne however was in no mood for decorum and instead only moved herself back closer to him. A knowing smile pulled at her lips, as she remembered the night they had spent together so close like this, closer in fact. She looked up at him to find him returning her smile.

"It is not you that has me feeling this way Frederick, or rather not directly. It was only the realisation that all of my dreams are coming true. Dreams I had never allowed myself could come true. Although, I never imagined even in my wildest dreams, we would be once again engaged; that I may at long last call you my husband. My Frederick."

He swallowed against the constant pressure of emotion building up within him. "I do understand your feelings. I confess I may be better at hiding them, but that does not mean they are not present in my person also. However, as much as I share your wonder at long last being able to call you my wife, you were always and have always, and will always, be, my Anne."

She smiled brilliantly then and leaned towards him to ensure he was assured of her affection when he stopped her.

"I fear my dear that one kiss while swept up in emotions was understandable, and luckily enough so far unwitnessed, a second maybe pushing it. If you are well to carry on, I suggest we continue in our pursuit of the Harville's residence. We will need to leave soon for Uppercross, if we are to return Mr Musgroves carriage and horse within the timely conditions he leant them to us."

Anne nodded in agreement but her face fell with disappointment. Frederick almost chuckled out loud at the pride he felt for her wanting to kiss him. He took her hand to help her to her feet and in doing so, had the perfect opportunity to bring her hand to his lips bestowing a kiss on the inside of each wrist. Her eyes sparkled.

Keeping his eyes on her, he smiled. "Just because social etiquette dictates I must be all restraint and propriety, does not mean I desire you, or your kiss, any less." he winked at her.

She gasped at his honesty and blushed.

A light drizzle had begun to fall and Anne quickly removed her fiancés coat returning it to him to save him from getting wet. He tried to refuse, telling her she should wear it, when she reminded him of a similar disagreement they had had when they were locked in together, he smiled at the recollection. She also had to remind him he would be fit for naught if he was in bed with a troublesome cold. He finally relented, having to admit that could befall him, and how he could not stand to be parted from her for such a trifling reason of his own making. He re-adorned the coat and with her back on her feet her arm in his, he led her quickly to the home of his friends.

By the time they had reached the row of small houses, the drizzle had turned to rain and they were both quickly regretting neglecting taking a carriage. The weather did have one positive; the streets were almost deserted. Captain Wentworth knew the chances of the two of them spending any time alone when they returned would be slim, and not wishing to waste a moment, especially one which presented itself so perfectly, he decided to use it. The next time they came to a break in the houses, he pulled her to one side and dragged them both behind a partially open gateway. It opened onto a yard that contained a few discarded crates, and looked to be used mostly for stores. Perhaps by a fisherman would at this hour be at sea.

Anne's initial shock at being manhandled by her otherwise predictable and unspontaneous beloved, had left her rattled and breathless. The patter of the rain upon the pavement was matched rhythmically beat by beat to her heart which was now racing uncontrollably. As he stood in front of her so close, she could watch the rain trickle down his face – just like at the picnic. The rain continued to pour down, she silently wondered why, given the heat between they now, there was no steam rising around them.

His hand was still holding hers, acting like an anchor setting aside any fear she may have had at the abruptness of his actions. His free one reached out and moved the damp hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear so that he could see her clearly and unobstructed. Her big brown eyes seemed to impossibly widen in anticipation for what they both knew was upon them. His fingers then trailed around the back of her neck and tilted her towards him. No force or instruction was necessary – she went willingly as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Her eyes softly closed as their lips edged closer.

Just as she thought he would put her out of her torturous misery and claim her mouth for a second time, she heard him whisper, his breath warm against her face: "I believe I am ready to attempt another Miss Elliot."

Her eyes momentarily fluttered open finding him staring back at her, so close she could count his eyelashes. Then his lids fell, indicating he was about to do that he had warned her of. She smiled, watching his lips and as they prepared to join hers. "I thought we had agreed I am your Anne?" she murmured.

His eyes flicked open again sparkling with mirth, "Anne" he breathed, and then finally, finally, she felt his mouth on hers.

An exquisite feeling of completeness and contentment surged through her, and something else. She had not felt in an age: belonging. Because she knew she undoubtedly belonged to him in every sense of the word and she truly believed the feeling was matched within him.

Frederick was struggling with his own feelings; aside from the strong sense of love and wanting to protect Anne from any hurt or harm, lust and desire swirled inside of him threatening to overpower him. He was thankful for the rain as it acted as a bucket of cold water, cooling his urges that were nothing if not natural for any red blooded male with a beautiful woman pressed against him. There was also a new sense of home he felt with Anne. As if she were already part of his family, his life, him. Wherever he was in the world, as long as she were by his side, he would feel like he was home.

Anne's hand which had so far remained idle by her side, made its way up his side and rested on his shoulder, as he deepened the kiss, her other hand let go of his she had been holding, and slid up his arm to rest on the other shoulder. He fought the urge to moan at the wonderful way it felt to be held by her. To feel her letting go and surrendering herself to him. She trusted him so much already, it could only bode well for their upcoming nuptials and subsequent coupling.

In an act more to steady his trembling body, then for pleasure, he moved his now free hand to her waste and held her to him. Anne gasped, her lips parted and allowed him entry and the ability to explore her mouth fully. She made a mewing sound which he could only decipher as enjoyment, and so he continued the kiss.

After a few blissful minutes he knew they had to stop. They had been standing still in the rain for too long and he did not want either of them to fall ill. They broke apart and he was beyond pleased to find her beaming back at him. He opened his mouth to ask if she was alright when she stopped him, placing fingers on his lips. "Please!" she exhaled loudly. "Please do not apologise or enquire after my wellbeing, please do not spoil this in any way, it was perfect." She paused. "Utterly perfect. Now let us go and say good bye to your friends."

"Our friends." he corrected.

"Our friends."

They did not get far when a familiar voice shouting their names, drew their attention. Behind them Benwick was calling, running up to them, his face ashen.

"Whatever is wrong Benwick?" Frederick asked.

"There has been an accident." he panted. Taking a breath, he continued. "It is Miss Louisa… she… she slipped on the wet stone, she fell. She fell from the Cobb. She is unconscious."