Sorry folks. I have no excuses for my absence apart from the fact I just didn't feel like writing :(

The day had been a good one for Captain James Benwick.

He had started it by having breakfast with his friends and then by taking Louisa hers. He had then sat with her till a little before Frederick had arrived. At that point he had made a tactical retreat.

Although Harry and Margaret had both mentioned that they thought Frederick's amore for Louisa had never been very strong, Benwick had still worried that Frederick would take the news of his and Louisa's proposed engagement badly.

He had never quite believed what the Harville's had said, that Frederick was really in love with Miss Elliot. Never in all the time that they had been in each other's company, had Benwick ever seen his former Captain act in any way but a casual acquaintance to Miss Elliot. But it was apparently so if you listened to Harville.

When he had returned briefly to the Harville's home after spending the morning perusing the shops in Lyme, he had learnt that Frederick had indeed taken the news well. Brilliantly in fact.

"He did not say anything else?" Benwick asked his intended. They were sitting side by side in the room at Louisa had been convalescing in, talking over Fredericks earlier visit.

"Only that he wished us the best. He seemed to be very content with how events had come about."

Benwick pondered over that after he left the Harveille's and returned to the small room he had been renting. A half written letter to Mr Musgrove was waiting to be finished and Charles then had to be visited before he could return. As he walked and pondered the situation, he began to believe that perhaps there was some truth in what Harville had been telling him after all.

Benwick arrived back at the Harville's home just as tea was being prepared and the table was being set. Lending a hand to both Harry and Margaret he was informed of the incidents that had occurred that afternoon and the plan for the rest of the night.

"And Frederick is alright?" he asked, concerned.

"He is sore, but putting a brave face on it." Harville said, arranging the glasses on the table. "I shall have to wake him up soon."

"I will do it." Benwick said. "It shall give me a chance to ask him what his true feelings are on my engagement."

"You know he wishes you nothing but joy James." Margaret said, joining the men in the front room.

"I would just feel better to have him say it to me personally, so that I can judge for myself what he is saying."

"James, how," Harville began, before Margaret cut across him.

"Go see to him James." And Benwick smiled before ascending the stairs and disappearing from view. "Leave him be," she said to her husband.

Harville just shook his head.

When Benwick reached the upstairs landing, he paused outside of the room he knew Frederick to be resting in and raised a hand to knock but thought best of it for a moment. He would go and see Louisa first.

It was whilst he was seated with Louisa, just as they were about to make their way downstairs, a slow and steady process, that Benwick heard a squeal come from along the corridor. He left Louisa after a moment, intent on seeking the noise (and its cause) out.

The first room he tried was Margaret's, and were Miss Elliot was currently staying in. Finding it empty he went to the only other room he knew to be occupied and, without a knock or even a shout, swung the door open.

With the sight that greeted him, he soon wished he had not.

Frederick stood in the middle of the room, half dressed with Miss Anne firmly wrapped in his arms and they were kissing! Benwick could not believe his eyes. The couple clearly did not hear his entrance and continued on as though they were a long married couple in the safely and sanctity of their own home.

He hastily withdrew and closed the door firmly behind him, his cheeks burning. Taking a few steps, he made it to the end of the stairs and looked down. Both of the Harville's stood expectantly at the foot of the staircase. After telling them, or attempting to tell them what he had seen, he returned to Louisa.

"Are you alight?" she asked as he poured himself a cup of water from the jug always siting on the bedside table and drained it in one go.

"Quite fine," he replied. He could feel the heat still emanating from his cheeks and Louisa looked a little sceptical. He set about reassuring her "Honestly my dear I am fine. And I do not think you will have to worry about Frederick any longer. I believe he shall cope very well with his disappointment."

She threw him a questioning glance and he began to tell her the story as he knew it, of Frederick and Miss Elliot.

After spinning her round a few times, Frederick placed Anne carefully back on her feet, keeping her close to him.

"Anne," he sighed. Holding her face in his hands, he ran his fingers over her brows and down her nose. He wiped away the stray tear that had fallen on her cheek and let his fingers trail over her jaw and down her neck. His hands settled on her shoulders for a moment before stroking down her arms and finally coming to land lightly on her waist.

He felt her tremble.

He looked down at her and she looked up at him. He did not think it possible but his heart swelled even more from the love and devotion that he could see in her gaze.

Her hands rested on his upper arms. The fingers of her left hand stroked over bare skin whilst the right felt the course material of bandages.

"If I ask you a question, will you tell me the truth?" she asked, breaking the silence that had settled over them.

"I will."

"Was Mr Elliot responsible for your injury?"

He shook his head. "I do not know."

"Frederick."

"That is honest to g-d truth Anne."

Judging him to be honest she then asked, "But you suspect he might have been?"

He nodded "I do."

She laid her head on his chest and sighed. "It is disconcerting to think that he could be capable of that."

"I do not recall exactly what happened, so I will not be casting any blame," Frederick said before pausing and rested his chin on Anne's head. He thought then, that she seemed just the perfect height size for him. "He has set his sights on you, my love. I shall have to watch him carefully."

Anne nuzzled her nose in the crook of his neck. "Say that again."

"Mr Elliot means to have you for his wife," he began, but she drew her head back, shaking it and looked up at him shyly. Smiling.

"No. My love"

Frederick beamed. "My love," he said kissing her forehead. "My darling," a kiss to her left check. "My northern star," a kiss to the other cheek. "My forever," he whispered before feasting himself on her lips again.

Anne allowed herself to enjoy his ministrations for a long while, but eventually had to withdraw from his arms. "I feel as though we are taking advantage of the Harville's hospitality."

"Hmm, you are right," Frederick agreed. He reluctantly let her out of his embrace but kept a hold of her hands, unable to fully part from her now that he could hold her freely once again.

"Lady Russell wishes to take me to Bath tomorrow," Anne said, running her thumb over his knuckles. "Will you follow us?"

"I will," he promised. "I believe I need to speak with your father."

Anne squeezed his hands. "Frederick…you do know that, no matter what my father says, what anyone says, I am committed to this."

"I know," he said sincerely. "Now come, I have to finish up here and we should to make an appearance downstairs before Harville feels the need to call in the minister for an immediate service."

Anne could not stop the blush that rose on her cheeks at his words and ducked her head.

"Come," he said, leading her by the hand to the door. "I will finish up here then come and get you."

They parted at the door with a lingering look. Frederick made sure Anne was safely in her own room before closing his own door with a gentle click.

He shook his head in disbelief. Had that really just happened? After taking a couple of steps towards the bed, were his waistcoat still rested, and misjudging where a small footstool had been placed, he decided that it had. The pain in his foot attested to that.

Anne and Frederick tentatively made their way downstairs around twenty minutes later, hand in hand, stopping when they saw the transformation of the main room.

The table from the dining room had been brought in and placed in the centre of the room. Places were set with the Harville's best china and silverware, whilst ornate candle sticks held long, tapered, pure white candles which glowed brightly in the fading light.

The four people already seated looked up as soon as they appeared. The Harville's were beaming. Benwick, though tinged with a red hew, bore a small smile. Louisa, who was out of her room for the first time since the accident, eyed them with curiosity.

"Are we celebrating something?" Frederick asked as the pair made their way down the stairs. "Silverware, candles and fine wine," he said, picking up one of the bottles laid on the table. He raised his eyebrows, "Fine, illegal, French wine. Where on earth did you get this Harville?"

"You remember that French ship of the coast of -, the one were the Captain kept his liquor cabinet very well stocked?"

"That was what, 1807? You've kept them this long?"

"I have sold one or two, but yes. I have been saving them for a special occasion, and what better occasion than this?"

"This?" Frederick asked coyly.

"Why the engagement of my dear friend," Harville replied, playing along. "Benwick has asked the charming Miss Musgrove to marry him. We are celebrating that."

"And good friends," Margaret added. "We are celebrating our friends being with us, both old and new, and the company and the help they have provided both now and in the past."

"Ah," said Frederick, looking at Anne. "I guess the news of my engagement will have to wait for another night then?"

Collectively the Harville's let out a loud joyous noise that had the maid craning her head around the kitchen door to see what was happening. Benwick dried his congratulations from where he sat by Louisa's side, whilst the younger woman smiled at them.

Margaret was the first to reach them, hugging Anne and welcoming her to the family. Her hug for Frederick was tight and earnest. "I am glad to see you finally happy," she told him quietly.

"Are you sure about this Miss Anne?" Harville asked with a smile. "I would not be doing my duty as Frederick's friend if I did not ask. He is a handful. More liable to run towards trouble and than away from it, and he also likes to think he is right, no matter the situation." Harville gave his friend a look. "He is also loyal, dedicated and true. And I have never served with a greater man, present company excluded of course James," he said with a nod towards Benwick, "And I have had a no better friend."

"Hear, hear," echoed Benwick.

"You are getting sentimental in your old age my friend," Frederick said to him as he pulled Harville into an embrace.

"Come. Sit," Margaret said and they all took their places around the table.

"Are Charles and Mary joining us this evening?" Anne asked as Frederick pulled out her seat for her.

Margaret nodded, "We are just waiting for them."

"Are we announcing your engagement to them?" Harville asked.

Frederick looked at Anne. She nodded, "I do not see any point in keeping it secret."

"I do not know if I could keep it a secret," Frederick said.

"The look on your face would give you away in an instant," Margaret commented.

It was at that moment that the Musgrove's arrived.

Charles bounced into the room in his usual exuberant manner with Mary trailing in behind.

"You have all missed a truly remarkable sight. The sun has just set and the colours that it cast out over the sea were simply marvellous. You do not get anything like that in the countryside."

"It had a certain charm to it," Mary agreed, taking her seat at the table after Margaret had taken her coat from her.

"And the boats where just setting off. I would have made a marvellous scene for an artist." They all took their seats as Charles spoke to Anne.

"It is good to see you up and about Anne. You had us all really worried for a while there."

"I was not worried," Mary said as she began to butter some of the bread on the table. "Out of all us Elliot's, Anne has always had the best constitution."

It was as close to a compliment as Anne had ever had from her sister. "Thank you Mary."

"French wine?" Charles asked, spotting the bottle and picking it up to peer at the label. "What is the occasion?"

Harville cast a quick glance at Frederick. "I thought we should celebrate Louisa and Benwick's engagement," he said. "Among other things."

"Capital idea," Charles agreed, uncorking the wine with ease and pouring for everyone. "To James and Louisa."

"James and Louisa," everyone bar the happy couple echoed.

"To good friends," Harville toasted.

They all raised their glasses again and then once more as Charles said, "To the Harville's, the most hospitable hosts in Lyme, if not the whole of England."

Frederick stood up as they all drank to the Harville's.

"Before we drink all the wine, I would like to make a toast." He took one of Anne's hands in his own. The room seemed to fade then and when he spoke, he was talking only to her.