For You Alone (Frederick Wentworth, Captain: Book 2)

by Susan Kaye

  “And so, when he offered to do what was necessary to settle my husband’s estate, I was elated. I was not born to an exalted family, but I was not born to this sort of life either. The hope of improving my circumstances made taking his part much, much easier.”

  “Did you not think that a man who neglects a vow to a dying friend would most likely neglect vows to a wife as well?”

  “True, he was not good to his first wife, but Anne is not silly and ill-bred. She would not allow him to treat her with anything but respect.”

  He said nothing about how much disrespect her family was capable of heaping upon her, and how she managed to put such ill treatment aside. “We haven’t much time before they come with tea, I fear. Tell me the rest.”

  “I had no opportunity to begin my campaign until last week on the Wednesday after a concert I knew she was to attend. I had hopes that he might be one of the party. The gossips have him practically living at Camden Place, and I thought he would not miss an opportunity to be seen with her and her family.”

  Wentworth blanched inwardly. Elliot’s accommodating behaviour had been based on his desire to gain Anne’s trust and hand in marriage, but could he really think himself any better? He’d acted like a fool and treated her badly on top of it. Anne had dismissed it with good humour, but he was now even more ashamed. All of Elliot’s plans might have been upended had he acted in a manner somewhat resembling a gentleman. Had he only taken the seat offered him, Elliot would have been beaten a day or two sooner.

  “When she came to me the next day, I began pressing his case. I feel ashamed, now, how hard I pushed. I intimated she had been in the most agreeable of company and that surely there is no one else she could have wished to be with. She agreed, but then made it clear that person was not William Elliot. May I assume it was your company she enjoyed so much?”

  He shifted in his chair. The idea that Anne would consider the evening enjoyable after his tantrum was embarrassing. “Yes, I suppose it was. She was very good to conceal my poor manners from you. I was taken in by Elliot’s performance and showed myself to be quite a jealous fool.”

  Mrs. Smith smiled. “We all act like children sometimes. Besides, I think it was his performance, as you say, that made her state so adamantly that she would never accept a proposal from him. Anywise, with that assurance, I knew his plan was ruined and decided to free myself of his shackles, to be a true friend and tell her about the real William Elliot.”

  She told Wentworth about letting Anne read a letter concerning Elliot’s impressions of various members of the family and about his betrayal of her husband. “As I said earlier, there is comfort in a clear conscience, and while mine is almost completely clear, I fear I shall lose my friend when you tell her of my near betrayal.”

  “There is really nothing to tell. His plans never came to fruition. In fact, you chopped down the tree by telling her about his character. There is nothing he will do now that she does not view with suspicion. I think I owe you my thanks more than anything.”

  She relaxed for the first time since their arrival. “Thank you, sir. I will forever be grateful for your kindness.”

  “And what kindness is that?” Anne asked. She placed a tray with tea and the sweets from Molland’s on the table. She began to pour and asked again about the kindness of which her friend spoke.

  “The Captain has just been telling me he did not care for the concert last week. I did not know he attended as well.”

  Anne passed the cups around. “Oh yes, the Captain loves music, but I think it was less the music he disliked than some of the company.” She smiled and passed him his tea. As the conversation progressed, Wentworth listened and began concocting a plan to repay Mrs. Smith’s unintended kindness to him.

  ~~~~~~~&~~~~~~~

  The following morning at Camden Place passed quickly for Anne. She, Lady Russell, and Madame Deauville, the dressmaker, were closeted away in the library, which was now littered with racks of lace, bead trims, spangles, precious metal braids, and the most sumptuous fabrics she had ever seen in her life. To her amusement, the two women seemed to be in a competition to establish who was the more persuasive and able to entice Anne into choosing the most beautiful, and therefore most expensive, fabrics and trims for her wedding dress.

  Anne sat comfortably out of the tussle, fingering a piece of heavy, intricately woven gold braid she thought would look lovely on Frederick’s uniform. It was entertaining to listen to the trifling squabble between her godmother and the heavily accented French seamstress. When the two ended their thrust and parry, Anne would tell them both she had decided on a fabric and two particularly elegant trims, and that she even knew how she wished the dress to be designed. Until such an opportunity arose, she would sit quietly and wait.

  “Anne, please come here.” Lady Russell was unrolling yet another length of fabric. “I want to show Madame that this colour would be particularly fine on you. This light is perfect to prove my point.” Anne rose to join them as Madame began chattering in French about why the Lady was completely wrong as she hurriedly unrolled a length of her favourite. Just as Anne was about to be shrouded in lengths of moiré silk, the door opened, and her father entered the room. Another opinion, Anne thought. Her mood elevated considerably when she saw Frederick walk in behind him.

  The invasion of the gentlemen sent Madame into a steady stream of reprimands—in French, of course—directed at the “oafish intruders.” Her father took exception to being called oafish and began a counter argument by calling into question the woman’s taste. Lady Russell tried to bring calm to the situation while Anne and Frederick smiled at one another over the wrangling mass.

  Eventually, the whole party adjourned to the sitting room. Lady Russell had managed to placate Madame Deauville, and when Sir Walter examined her complexion and was told she was nearly seventy years old, he was suddenly astonished by the seamstress’s magnificent spirit and dynamic presence. As he escorted her to the door, Anne heard him say he looked forward to meeting her again very soon, and the woman departed with a promise of returning the following day.

  Anne and Frederick were sharing tea with Lady Russell and Miss Elizabeth, newly arrived from a walk, when Sir Walter returned to them. “Captain, have you shared with the ladies all your wonderful news?”

  All eyes were on Wentworth. “No, sir, not as yet.”

  “Well, you must tell them all of it without delay. It is very good news.”

  Frederick turned to Anne. “I have spoken with my friend McGillvary—”

  “That is Admiral Patrick McGillvary. His family owns Madderly, Kinclaven and Planque, a very fine, old Bath establishment. I do much of my own business with them.” He looked as though he had arranged the acquaintance between McGillvary and Wentworth.

  “Yes, very old. Anywise, the bank has a house they are managing for another naval friend of his, an Admiral Townsend, and—”

  Sir Walter broke in again. “Sir, you must tell them where this house is located.” The man literally beamed.

  Wentworth glanced at his father-in-law and reached into his breast pocket. “Uh, yes—” He looked at the back of a calling card. “It is on Laura Place.” He winked so only Anne could see. “Your father tells me this is a very good address.” She was confident Frederick exaggerated to make himself sound ignorant and uncertain.

  She smiled and took the card. “Oh yes, it is a very good address. Coincidentally, we have family who live on Laura Place. The Viscountess Dalrymple resides there.”

  “With such exalted personages in residence it must be a good address.” He seemed to be having trouble keeping a serious expression firmly in place.

  The Baronet sighed. “The Captain wishes you to go with him to approve the house, Anne.” It was clear Sir Walter was disappointed that Anne’s reaction was not on the level of awe he thought warranted by such news.

  Anne motioned to Frederick as she rose. “Certainly, Father. I should have realised.” She started to the door.


  “But Captain, you’ve not told them about the party Admiral McGillvary is giving us at Belsom Park.” His voice was getting higher with each word.

  Wentworth and Anne stopped at the top of the stairs. “Miss Anne, Miss Elizabeth, Lady Russell, Admiral McGillvary is giving us a party at Belsom Park in a few days. You are all invited.” With that, he ushered Anne down the steps.

  “We shall be in a great deal of trouble when we return.” Anne was smiling as she put on her cloak.

  “If we return, you mean.” Frederick opened the door and waved her out.

  ~~~~~~~&~~~~~~~

  When they arrived at the Townsend house, Wentworth was impressed by the refinement of the neighbourhood. Anne immediately commented how the house was more than adequate in size for a newlywed couple. A man came out and introduced himself as Mr. Lonk, the representative of Madderly, Kinclaven and Planque. He showed them into the house and began immediately to point out the superior features of the place.

  Straightaway, Wentworth could see the house was not to his taste. The furnishings, to be exact, were more ostentatious and intimidating than he cared to live amongst, but when one considered the address and the expectations of the neighbourhood, it was as it should be. He examined the first room more closely and was not surprised to find the rumours about Admiral Townsend’s fondness for indecent art were true. The sitting room was fitted up with a row of vile stone statues on the carved mantelpiece. A room used as a library featured a large Oriental-style mural depicting a preposterous seduction scene. The painting itself was of finest quality and the skill with which it was executed was breathtaking. As for the impossible acts it portrayed, Wentworth had to move out of the room to keep from remarking to Mr. Lonk on the bad taste of some people.

  They toured the rest of the ground floor, the kitchen, and the small garden in the rear of the house. The first floor boasted three bedchambers; the second was for the servants. Lonk and Wentworth discussed some terms of the lease while Anne explored the bedchambers. In just a few minutes, she walked by quickly and clattered down the stairs.

  “Anne, dear, what is it?” Wentworth hurried after her. He finally joined her in the garden. “What is it, Anne? Did you see a mouse?”

  She whirled to face him; her mouth was a straight line and her eyes on fire. “I have not seen a mouse, and you, evidently, have not noticed the revolting furnishings in this place.” He reached out, took her gently by the shoulders, and explained what the rumours said about the Admiral’s tastes.

  “And you must not think ill of his taste as you have said nothing the entire time,” she replied in a tight voice.

  “Of course not. Especially not in front of Mr. Lonk.” He looked and saw the man watching them from a kitchen window. “I suppose there were more in the bedchambers?”

  Anne nodded. “There is a wardrobe in the master’s chambers with marquetry all over that depicts the most vile things.” She looked away, red-faced. “Who could ever think of such a thing? Or buy such an article and live with it in their midst?”

  “Obviously someone with more libertine tastes than yours,” he said. “You needn’t worry about anything. Lonk said anything we wish removed may be packed up and stowed away in the attic.”

  She crossed her arms. “Yes, I’m sure the mural will quite easily be packed up and stowed in the attic.” Her brows were furrowed and her mouth was still unyielding.

  He was shocked by her harsh rejoinder. “I hadn’t given any thought to the mural.” Wentworth realised it was an odd compliment that she felt secure enough to allow him to see her genuine anger. Still, her sharp reply stung.

  “I don’t suppose you had, particularly if you liked it.” This was the crux of the matter. “You’ve not expressed an opinion as of yet.”

  She had him there. “I think it is salacious, indecent, and nothing anyone of taste and character would have decorating their home.” It was the best he could do to soothe her. “Shall I take you home?”

  They thanked Mr. Lonk, and Wentworth asked that he convey his thanks to McGillvary and that he would speak to him soon. They were not in the carriage more than a moment before Anne said, “I am sorry I was so snappish.” She laughed nervously and smoothed her dress. “You might very well change your mind after seeing such an unpleasant side of my character.”

  Wentworth leant back against the cushions and studied her. When he saw it made her uncomfortable, he took her hand. “I shall never change my mind about you. It is my hope that you will become more comfortable with me, and I suppose, showing me a pettish side is part and parcel of that. But please know, Anne, I am nothing like Townsend. There is nothing so reprehensible inside me waiting to spring upon you.” She pulled slightly on her hand, but he would not release it.

  The carriage moved on, and for a short time, each looked past the other, through the opposite windows. Anne finally said, “After you left that summer, I was very depressed through the fall and winter. Father ignored it, and Elizabeth scolded me for being so poor a companion. Lady Russell was beside herself with worry.” She squeezed his hand. “More than once I awoke sorely disappointed that I had awakened at all. I frightened myself as much as I might have frightened her.”

  Frederick edged close. “I’m so sorry, my dear.” He put an arm around her.

  She pulled back a little so she might see his face. “I don’t tell you this to make you feel badly but to explain myself this afternoon.” She settled back against him. “One day, she told me I should be quite thankful I had not married a man of the world.”

  The phrase was common enough, but it was familiar for some other reason he could not quite put his finger on at that moment.

  “She said that they learn many things as they go about conquering and bringing civilization to the world. They develop tastes and expectations that are foreign to us here but which they expect fulfilled. She said that, thankfully, most seek satisfaction outside their marriages, but that some—”

  “You needn’t say anymore. I understand your meaning.” He could not help wondering what sort of man Lady Russell’s husband had been. He remembered telling her of Sir Walter’s equating himself to Wentworth as men of the world and that she had smiled upon hearing it. He wondered if, as he thought then, she was amused by the irony of a country-bound man proclaiming such nonsense or if the irony was that she still thought of him as a man schooled in libertine ways. “So, this parable of men’s wickedness was meant to bring you comfort?”

  “As I said, she was desperate. I knew she was trying to portray the breaking of our engagement as an escape of sorts, and I knew the idea that you were like that to be ridiculous. Her attempt gave me no comfort at all.” She removed her glove and stroked his wrist. “Does that comfort you?”

  The touch of her hand or that she knew he was no reprobate? “To know that my leaving hurt you so deeply? No. But I am heartened that you didn’t believe me to be a Blue Beard.” Her touch on his wrist was driving him mad, and he took both her hands in his. “Has she mentioned this recently?”

  “No, most definitely not. I’m sure she doesn’t even remember it. She has nothing but praise for you lately. You might be her son for all the glowing comments.”

  Thank God! Were she still holding such opinions, being in company with her would be impossible.

  “Perhaps I can tell you something which will make you feel safer with me.”

  “If it involves Admiral Townsend and his house, I have no wish to hear it.”

  Wentworth laughed. “Nothing involving him, I assure you.

  “You remember that summer, how I was so confident I would have a ship soon? After our break-up, I had every intention of staying in Monkford until I received orders, but I soon found I could not stand being mere miles from you. For days, I tortured myself, remembering your scent and the taste of the few kisses we shared. Though Edward tried to change my mind, I left and went to Plymouth. I borrowed some money and found cheap lodgings. I went back to the life I knew. Within days, a miracle happened an
d I was holding a packet of orders for a ship called the Asp.” The feeling was still bright in his memory. “She was a clumsy old tub, but I knew that if I could keep her afloat and keep my crew alive, I would have learnt more from her than a hundred first class ships.” He stopped and chastened himself. This conversation was not for him to relive the glories of the past but to put Anne’s spoken and unspoken fears about their life together to rest.

  “Immediately, I began making the repairs I could to the old dear, pressing men, and looking forward to making my fortune. Finally, all I could do was accomplished. It was the evening before we weighed anchor. I had spent a good part of the night with a particularly lovely woman—” Anne stopped breathing. “—who laughed heartily at all my jokes. She praised my person lavishly, and when I told her a few of my more exciting stories of battles or storms, she responded with the proper amount of terror of the dangers I faced and relief when I was spared. The evening was perfect.”

  Anne sat straight. “And this is supposed to bring me comfort?”

  He was sorry for her troubled face but continued. “You will like the end, I assure you.” She did not return to his side, but leant against the cushions and toyed with her reticule.

  “I was quite pleased with myself as I walked back to my lodgings. The ship was ready, and I would make my escape the following day. Suddenly, I was faced with a woman of the same sort I had spent the evening with, only she worked on the streets and was not so pretty.”

  Frederick paused and looked at Anne. She fully understood what he was trying to tell her about the two women, particularly the first. He hurried to bring her some relief. “She told me her price, but it was what she said after that ruined everything.” Anne took a new interest in this.