The three reached a place in the long street that began the climb out of Lyme. He felt the reluctance to part. They had shared the seafaring life together in many parts of the world. Now, it was clear, one would never partake of that life again. The second's future was clouded by grief and uncertainty. The third would return to the sea and, no doubt, wring out of her as much glory as she would ever allow. But, for the moment, they were three friends who must reluctantly part company.

"Now that I know where you are, the letters will not go astray," Harville shifted on his stick and looked out to the Cobb.

"And I shall do my best to be a faithful correspondent. But have a little mercy as I am used to having the services of a secretary. Unless I am able to convince my sister to take the post, everything will be up to me." They all laughed with the dread of the inevitable.

Benwick extended a hand, and said, "Captain, it was very good to see you. I shall write as well, but not expect completely equal replies."

"Thank you, James. You will probably not be disappointed with that attitude. Timothy." He touched his friend on the shoulder.

He turned and smiled. "Both Elsa and I want you to know that you are welcome here any time. Please do not hesitate to come to us." He took Wentworth's hand shook it as firmly as was possible.

"I will not hesitate, I assure you."

"Well, come, James. We shall go back to the house and see what sort of trouble we can stir up." The men waved and watched one another for as long as duty required. With a heavy heart, Wentworth turned and entered the inn.

All was as he left it, so he took one last look out the window.

It never stopped, the sea's advance and retreat. But it was soothing to watch and hear. Since his arrival the company of his good friends had washed any cares aside and he was feeling a bit morbid at leaving. But there were things to do back at Kellynch and particularly Uppercross.

Thanking the innkeeper, and his wife, in the most appropriate way, he collected his gear and departed the establishment.

As he mounted, he looked over the water and watched the cloud shadows move across the ever-churning sea. Lyme was beautiful in its own way, and he was determined that he would visit again as soon as he possibly could.

Giving the horse her head, he allowed her to follow the road up and out of town. Taking a last look at the shore and the sea, he headed towards home.

His arrival was greeted with a kiss from his sister and an offer from the Admiral for something to "take the edge off a long ride." He welcomed them both.

Standing by the fire in the Bower Room, he answered Sophia's questions about the conditions he found at the Harville's.

"I had feared a reduction. Lyme is not a place I had ever heard to be popular with sailors. And unfortunately, I was correct."

"Well, can't blame the Admiralty. Too many healthy fellows wanting ships to consider a man in Harville's condition."

"There is no blame on Harville's part, or mine. I did what I could, but it is not enough to pull them off the rocks. Something will have to happen eventually."

"So did you see anything of great interest while you were there?"

"Anything of interest? Not really. As Timothy said, it is a raggedy place that smells of fish most of the time. But the ride to and from was good for helping to clear the head. I have decided to go to Edwards for a fortnight or so."

"Really? By all signs, you were content to stay here. What precisely has changed your mind?" The question was worded to convey disinterest he thought, but she watched him closely as she awaited the answer.

"I think I have made him beg my company long enough, don't you think?" He looked at the Admiral and laughed.

"Yes, I suppose you have. He's come very close to accusing me of keeping you prisoner here. When will you leave?"

"Soon. I thought I would send a letter off today, give it a day or two head start then be off."

"That is awfully soon. Almost as if you want nothing better than get away from us."

"No, nothing of the sort. It is just that the longer I delay, I put myself a day closer to bad weather. Don't the rustics say, 'Make hay while the sun shines'? I think I must make miles while the rains hold off."

"Very wise, if you ask me," the Admiral said.

"Yes, a very wise decision indeed." Her tone was bursting with insinuation. And her look was doubly so.

"Well, you were not the only one busy with friends. Mr Musgrove came to call yesterday. He and one of his daughters."

Ah, here it is, he thought. She had some sort of news concerning one of the Musgrove girls, and had been waiting for the proper moment to tell it.

"And how are the Musgroves?" he asked. He purposely avoided asking which daughter, as there was no need to guess. But he knew the avoidance would smoke out his sister's true intentions.

"They are very well, Frederick. A little surprised you'd not been around. They worried you might be ill. It seemed never to occur to any of them that you might have interests elsewhere."

"They are very kind people," he said. Taking a drink he turned away and faced the portrait. He felt the brown eyes scolding him for teasing his sister in such a horrid fashion. "I should go over later and tell them of my plans."

"Yes you should. They have extended to you more deference than politeness would dictate." To the Admiral she said, "Dear, do you remember which of the girls old Mr Musgrove brought yesterday?"

"No, can't say as I do. You know I can't tell them apart. There are such a number of names that I can't remember a quarter of them. Parents would be wise to name their girls Sophia and save us all the trouble." He touched his wife's hand as he rose to fill his glass.

Frederick decided the game was up. "I would think it was Miss Louisa who accompanied him. Miss Henrietta was no doubt otherwise engaged with her cousin."

"So it was, Miss Louisa. I never can remember her name. She is the talkative one. Anywise, she wanted me to specifically tell you that you have been sorely missed at Uppercross."

Ah, there it was. The small nugget she wished to present him. Now he understood her favorable tone concerning his decision to visit Edward. For whatever reason, she seemed to have little taste for the idea of him pursuing either of the Miss Musgroves, and since his own notions were no longer firm on the matter, it would seem his leaving the area was just the thing to please her.

Dinner with the Admiral and Sophia had been full of her reminders of little chores that needed doing before he should leave. It struck him ironic that she was now the one who seemed to be hurrying him out the door to their brother. He could not help but wonder how dinner might have gone had he announced his earlier decision to court, and hopefully marry, Louisa Musgrove. No matter how he turned it in his mind, the picture could not be made pretty.

It was a shame he could not thank the Harville's for helping him to see his error. The cold, hard practical view of aligning himself with the Musgroves did a great disservice to Louisa and to himself. After watching Timothy and Elsa Harville, as anxious as their lives had become, still caring for one another, still reaching out in a tangible way for one another made him long for that solid, comforting sort of love. It had been his once and he would somehow find it again.

Dismounting he handed the horse over to a boy, and walked to the door of Uppercross Mansion. As he removed his gloves, he thought, had he not changed his mind, it could have been turned into a fortress in which he spent a lifetime hiding from his true feelings.

Before he could knock, Miss Louisa opened the door and greeted him with a mild scold.

"We were worried when you failed to appear yesterday."

She stepped aside, allowing him in, and as she took his hat and coat, he said, "I found I had the opportunity to visit a friend. I decided it best to go immediately. It is hard to believe that my absence would be grounds for such concern."

"Oh but it was. We were desolate without you." Shoving his things into the hands of the man, Rodgers, she took his arm and propelled him into the sitting room where the elder Musgroves and Miss Henrietta were assembled.

He was greeted warmly by them and soon was seated in the room's second-best chair and swamped with offers of tea, biscuits, cake, sandwiches and any other sort of food he might wish.

Refusing all but the tea, it was not long before he was relating everything concerning his trip to Lyme.

During the early part of the recounting, the residents of the Cottage arrived and joined the party. He rose to offer his seat, but the offer was utterly put aside. Anne he noticed disappeared while her sister and brother-in-law saw to refreshments and had a slight fuss concerning their seats. Eventually the interruption was settled and Musgrove was asking about the horse he'd seen out front. Once the particulars were laid out, Louisa Musgrove put an end to it when she begged that the Captain should continue with his account of his travels. But not before she saw his cup refilled and that he wasn't in dire need of sustenance.

As she walked back to her seat, he looked past her and into a rather ugly mirror that hung near the doorway, and realised he could see Anne perfectly. She'd made the piano bench her seat and was looking through pages of music. His account of Lyme seemed of little interest to her, but that was of little concern to him as it gave him the perfect opportunity to spy.

"Never been to Lyme. What's is like?" Musgrove asked through a bite of cake.

Thinking that Harville's description was not really what anyone would like to hear, he told about the bay and the Cobb and the cliffs to the east of town. "It is the sort of coastline, that if one is not onboard a ship of any real size, and looking for safe harbour, is beautiful even to the eyes of a sailor. After having seen it personally, I am surprised Lyme is not more popular. Even at this time of year it has a great deal to offer the visitor. I shall return as soon as I am able." The room remained quiet. Normally he was not put off by their deference, but now he felt as though he was rambling and wished that anyone else would relieve him. A glance in the mirror showed him she was listening. As no one rescued him from being center of attention, he plowed on. "Particularly if one is inclined towards more sedentary pursuits; reading and writing and the like. I suppose that is why the place seems a perfect fit for my friend."

"So this Harville is a real headpiece?" Musgrove said.

"Harville? No, no. I forgot to say that another friend of mine is living with Harville and his family. A Commander Benwick. He was my First Lieutenant sometime ago, probably my finest. He was engaged to Harville's sister and they would most likely have been married by now had she not died in June. They waited for him to gain a promotion, which he got this summer, but it was too late. A sudden fever took her. He was devastated." The faces around the room were appropriately sympathetic. "I believe that few men have ever suffered so heavily at such news."

The face in the mirror was properly sympathetic, but suddenly he wondered in whose direction those sympathies might lie. He could not help remembering having to bind the injured hand of his friend after imparting the news. The tearing of a man's flesh was nothing to the tearing of his soul. Draining his cup, he gathered his thoughts and avoided looking back at her reflection.

As the others began to exchange their own ideas on the merits of Lyme, Wentworth made his way to Mrs. Musgrove, who poured him another cup. After refusing, for the third time, anything to eat, he walked to the window.

He would miss the lively chaos of the family, but after this visit, he knew more surely than ever that he must go quickly to Edward's. The easy care and affection witnessed between Harville and his wife stood more and more in stark relief against the measured practicality he saw in allying himself with the Musgroves.

"As Lyme sounds to be such a lovely place, perhaps you would consent to join us in a trip there come summer, Captain?" Mr Musgrove said, joining his reverie.

"Ah, summer, well that-" he began.

"Papa, why could we not go now?" Louisa's voice raised above all the others. Before her father could answer, she was leaning forward in her seat, a very pretty smile spreading across her face. "It is only seventeen miles. I looked it up after Mrs Croft told father and me that you had gone there," she said particularly to Wentworth. "And though it is November, the weather has been very good. I spoke with one of the gardeners and he said that all the signs are for a very late winter, nothing alarming until after the new year."

"I know that Maddox sets much store by his caterpillars and sheep's wool, but I am not prepared to risk my carriage to a freak rain. Or snow for that matter."

"But, Papa, what is thirty-four miles? We could easily go and return in one day. And if the weather was a worry in the morning, we would not depart."

"Louisa, you do not realise the time it takes to travel so far. Thirty-four miles would mean, what Charles, six, seven hours up and back. The horses would barely be rested before they were being summoned into action again. No, dear, I cannot consent to that."

Wentworth watched the back and forth between Mr Musgrove and his younger daughter. Looking around the room he sensed that only he felt any embarrassment at the scene playing out so publicly. Perhaps as a man of authority himself, he was acutely aware of the old man's position. No man relished having his opinion disregarded before the eyes of others.

"Father is right, Louisa. Were this urgent, the risk to the horses would be understandable, but merely for pleasure…well, it isn't worth it. Besides, even if you were to leave early, with the traveling time, that would leave only an hour or two for the visit. Not worth the effort if you ask me." The son stepping in to aid his father was a heartening sign. Soon the whole matter would be laid to rest.

"Perhaps not to you, Charles. But there are those in this family who have interests in a wider world," Mrs Charles said. There seemed to be a little nod of support moving through the younger Musgrove ladies. Stealing a look at the piano, it was clear Anne was puzzled about something. And as best he could tell, the object was her sister.

He was heartened to think that they might be in agreement, and she too thought it strange that her sister, a woman who probably gave little thought to anything not directly involving herself, would make such a statement in support of Miss Louisa. Perhaps Mrs Charles is finally feeling the need to broaden her horizons, he thought.

Now Miss Louisa was on her feet. "Papa, might you consent if we were to go to Lyme one day, stay over to allow the horses a rest, and then return home the next day?" The expression on her face was angelic and her hands were folded in such a way as to be a model of supplication. He wondered that before was all said and done, the girl might not have old Mr Musgrove driving the carriage himself. A glance at the piano made him know he was not the only one intrigued.

Though the poor man stood right next to him, in every a very practical way he was being goaded into a corner. The man's discomfort was conspicuous; he studied the faces about the room, drained his tea and muttered as though he bore the weight of the world on his shoulders. Old Mr Musgrove hadn't the stomach to outright deny her, and he seemed not to find any plausible excuses at his disposal. Were it not a family matter, Wentworth would step in with reasons enough, but his own news had not yet been told and he wished to leave the area on good terms with the family. Silence was his best strategy, but he hoped the old man hung on if only for principle's sake.

"Father, you know that might not be a bad plan," the younger man said. A smile at his wife made it clear where his central allegiances dwelt. The son approached and began to outline his idea. Louisa joined him.

Oh, G-d, now the scheme is infecting the whole bunch of them Wentworth thought as he moved away. Standing next to the tea table, he relented and took a piece of cake. Just as he took a bite, Louisa said, "That is not a problem, Father. Surely Captain Wentworth will see to everything. He knows the town well. He would take care to find us the best accommodations and introduce us to only the best sort of people as he has friends there. No one would dare to do or say anything untoward with him in our midst. And if that is not enough, I'm sure Anne can be persuaded to accompany us. I know you trust her judgment unreservedly."

The deed was done.

As her father gave his bruised consented, she shifted her gaze to Wentworth. He had to marvel. The girl had beat back every objection and gotten precisely what she wanted. Into the bargain, while he was stuffing himself with cake and could raise no objection, she had tidily pulled him into the scheme as well. In fact, he suspected it was on the weight of his, and Anne Elliot, accompanying the group that the old man had allowed himself to be persuaded. What a chit, he thought, she used me to hoist the old boy. He had never met a master tactician who looked so innocent and lovely.

Plans were flying fast and furious. He heard his own name and Anne's mentioned together in nearly every sentence. To this point he had said nothing. But there was little left for him to say. He had not been invited, so his consent was unnecessary and whether he cared to be their guide and protector seemed to matter very little to anyone. So, he mused, this is what it is to be a part of the cyclone called the family Musgrove.

He was then engulfed by the group, asking his opinion on the specifics of visiting Lyme: how warm during the day, how cool at night? Would the ladies and gentlemen dress for dinner and need eveningwear? Would there be dancing when they visited the Harvilles or merely a quiet card party? Wishing to say there was not enough time in a week to accomplish all they mentioned, he tempered his answers and tried to remind them of the restraints of time, and the condition of his friend.

"I know it is wholly unexpected, Anne, but you will not disappoint us," Miss Henrietta asked as Anne abandoned the piano bench to join them. He was curious to hear what she thought of the proposal.

"No, certainly not. By all the Captain has told us, Lyme sounds to be a lovely place and I am very glad to be included in the party." Her previous puzzlement was replaced with a genuine smile of interest. All of his own botheration immediately disappeared.

Now all that was left was to explain to his sister this latest change in his plans.

The night before, in the midst of all the various discussions, and all the varied, wooly opinions, he managed to impress upon them the importance of setting a departure time and sticking with it. They would all meet at the Mansion for an early breakfast. As they ate, the dunnage would be loaded. This would necessitate that the ladies be packed and ready by the time they retired. As he studied the nodding, smiling faces, he suspected that only one of them had any intentions of being ready in the morning.

The first plan had been that the ladies and the gentlemen would ride together in Mr Musgrove's traveling coach. This plan brought an immediate response from Mrs Charles, claiming that, considering her connexions, she would not only sit forward, a position desired by several others as well, but that she would also be seated on one particular side of the coach and not the other. "The view to the right hand is always more varied and interesting I think."

In all his own travels he'd felt grateful to ride inside and any view, good or indifferent, was a windfall.

Regardless, it would not be an unbearable crush were party arranged evenly between plump and slender. Miss Louisa's smile indicated that she was more than pleased with the plan. Miss Anne looked to be indifferent on the matter.

"You know, the idea of being cooped up with four women for several hours is not very appealing to me," Musgrove said to Wentworth, offering him a generous glass of sherry.

"We could show our fortitude and ride with the driver," he said. Though, considering the time of year, that suggestion was one he might come to regret.

"Yeah, well, since you don't mind the chill air, I shall take my curricle. It will give me the opportunity to try her out full tilt." Musgrove chuckled a little, obviously considering the performance of his vehicle.

He was strangely relieved when Musgrove came up with this bit of sense. It was presented as the only means to give the maximum amount of comfort to all parties. All the ladies, save one, were enthusiastic.

The next morning the Admiral drove him to Uppercross Mansion and was astonished to see all the preparations.

"Whoa." The Admiral pulled the gig to clear a spot in the drive. "Good G-d, Frederick, you told your sister you would only be gone one night. This looks to be a six-month at the very least. You did say you were only going to Lyme."

The travelling coach was out, with two grooms polishing various bits of brass and inlay. Of the six horses, two were being changed out in favour of two others. He suspected Mrs Charles was responsible for this as now all the horses matched in hue. No doubt the polishing was undertaken at her suggestion as well, just as the curricle sitting alongside was being wiped down. Its horses looked to be matched already. He was dismayed to see several small trunks strewn about, and a few others going up and down off the top of the coach. The drive resembled a staging area worthy of a First Rate ship, not the means for a pleasure trip of just over twenty-four hours. Jumping down, he pulled his battered satchel from under the seat. "I suspect when the Musgroves travel, they like to be comfortable."

"Well, there is comfortable, and then there is comfortable. Remember what your sister said."

The evening before, his sister listened patiently while he told how the scheme to go to Lyme had evolved, and how he had been pulled into the whole caper. He was prepared for some lively discussion and was surprised when all she had to say was, in her opinion, he could not get to Edward fast enough, and that he should be careful while traveling as there were always unexpected dangers away from home.

"I shall be careful, and you take care of my sister. Perhaps you might help polish her crystal ball so that she can see more clearly just the sort of dangers I face."

Instead of the customary understated reply from his brother-in-law, he was surprised to see a knitted brow and a thoughtful look. "She's a woman, Frederick. She sees a lot of things that neither you nor I would ever notice." He bid him a good trip and manoeuvred out of the yard.

Entering the house he had few hopes of it being in any better state. He was not disappointed. Servants were hurrying here and there; Mrs Musgrove was welcoming but rushed and excused herself quickly. He was taken to the dining room and found most of his fellow travelers and Mr Musgrove gathered at the table. He had to admit, in the midst of all this chaos, they were a happy lot. The loud conversations were punctuated with frequent laughter. It was a definite contrast to his own family, now or in the past.

Mr Musgrove bid him to fill a plate and join them. As he approached the table, the only seat not occupied by a person or things for the journey, was next to Miss Anne.

As usual, her part of this world looked to be calm and quiet. He would be glad to share a bit of peace at the moment.

"Captain, you must help me," Miss Louisa said, gently taking his arm so as not to spill his plate, and guiding him to a place she had cleared next to herself. She picked up two bonnets so that he might put down his food. "Which of these would be more appropriate for Lyme?" she asked. "I am more partial to the one with the red trim, but perhaps the blue is more the fashion there."

What he knew of the fashions in Lyme would leave a vast wasteland in a thimble. Other than Mrs Harville, he'd noticed no women on his trip, much less what they chose to wear on their heads. He was partial to blue and said as much.

Her frown mystified him and he was rather put out when she immediately began a long explanation as to why the red would better suit.

"It is obvious that you have more understanding, and have given more thought to such matters, than I," he said, taking a seat. As he salted his eggs, he glanced at Miss Anne. Before she could look away he saw a very pronounced smile grace her lips.

Have your fun, Anne, he thought. I will see you have a little cheer even at my own expense.

Just as he raised a fork to his mouth, Mr Musgrove declared the group should be off if they were to arrive in good time. It seemed he would again arrive in Lyme ravenous.

His hopes were up for a few moments, as everyone seemed to move themselves and their belongings towards the door. The hopes dwindled as he stood to the side and watched first one then another of the party remember something in the house that must be retrieved. All the rest had disappeared except him. But then he noticed Miss Anne. She stood out of the way, but close enough for him to say: "Do the Musgroves travel a great deal?"

clearing her throat, she said, "No, not really. This is very exciting for everyone." She didn't turn so he could not see her expression, but he thought she was smiling.

"May I put your bag up for you?"

"No, that is not necessary. One of the men can put it up."

"Please, it would give me something to occupy myself."

"Well, if you really need something to do." She handed it to him.

"You travel light."

"It is only overnight. There is no need for much."

"I had thought so myself." He nodded towards the top of the carriage. "There is more than enough dunnage up there to see us through to the other side of the world, I think,"

He handed up her bag and directed its placement. Returning to her side, he found there was nothing much to say.

The chaotic air and all the activity, which accomplished nothing, was getting under his skin. Checking his watch, he could not help a sigh. It bordered on a growl and he determined to check himself. Stepping around the carriage, he surveyed the yard hoping to find Musgrove. He and Mrs Charles were at the curricle having an animated discussion.

Rejoining Anne, he observed, "I cannot comprehend this. The time was set yesterday. All knew it and all agreed to it."

"Perhaps, because you do not suffer women to travel aboard your ship, you do not understand the preparations involved." She is obviously not speaking for herself, as her baggage was perfectly arranged.

"I suppose it is my nature. I am not used to such disorganization."

Just then he heard his name being called and Charles appeared from the other side of the carriage.

"Captain, could you hold this brute? He does not like all the upheaval, and he's getting the other all stirred up. And now Mary has decided that she needs me inside." He leant in close, "Were it not for the fact that the shrieking and crying would be so loud as to follow us all the way to Lyme, I'd just as soon we take the gig and high-tail it out of here."

Wentworth smiled at the thought, but said nothing.

"Charles!"

"Coming, Dearest!"

He was about to make comment to Miss Anne, but when he turned, she was nowhere to be seen. He was a bit put out at her defection, but the horses began a little two-step that demanded his attention. Walking them, he settled on a nice patch of sunlight for some warmth.

"Aye, if I was captain of this crew I'd be frothing," he said to his equine audience. They bobbed their heads up and down, seemingly in agreement. The encouragement was amusing. "Yes, you understand." The beast nearest him looked to be a fine creature and he was glad he had asked Musgrove for his advice. It was clear he knew decent horseflesh. "You are no cart horse, are you? No, but in the country one does what one must in order to eat." The second nickered.

"Truly, if this were Laconia, I'd have a few in irons by now." The horses stamped their feet and one nudged Wentworth's shoulder. "Ah, in sympathy with the common man, eh? Grounds, you ask? Well, there is Article Thirty-six. So broad and deep that nearly anything annoying falls under it, but for this crew, I rather favour Twenty-seven, 'negligence in performing duty'."

One of the pair nodded while the one closest to him swung his head and landed a hard blow on his chest. "Ah, well yes, not her. She's performed admirably. Right on time, gloves on and hat in place, bag packed and stowed. No fault to find with her at all."

"No, no," a voice cut into his peace. "Carry it flat. Please, be very careful with it." Mrs Charles was evidently annoyed with one of the footman. "Anne, you simply must convince Charles to take me back to the Cottage. I have forgotten my new gloves and I must have them for the evening."

"Mary, I do not think you will need such fine gloves for the evening."

If he could hear the sisters just around the corner, he wondered if the sound of his own conversation might not drift their way as well. And just what would the daughter of a baronet think when she discovered him talking to not one, but two horses?

The conversation about the gloves continued, but the most interesting part came when the elder sister admonished the younger.

"I think it is more important that we get on our way. It is rude that a time was agreed upon and we are very close to missing it. The Captain is very kind in taking us to this new place, and introducing us to his particular friend. I am afraid we may be trespassing upon his patience."

It was heartening to hear her speak up. Particularly concerning anything to do with him.

"I think it is you who are not patient. You are the one who has been nowhere since returning from school. It is you who is in a hurry to be away. Besides, do you actually believe he does us the favour? Do you not think it will put him in good stead to show his 'particular' friend that he moves in such good circles here in Somerset? Honestly, Anne, you act as if he should not take pride in his alliance with Kellynch-hall and the Elliot family."

Leaning close to his new friends, he said, "My sister and brother save her father's debt-soaked hide and she thinks the alliance is to my good. Oh, the Elliot Pride indeed." Moving closer to the corner of the carriage, he leant back to listen again, but the sisters were gone. Ruffling the fetlocks of both beasts, he said, "She understands, doesn't she? Never been anywhere in all these years. Perhaps I should take you and her and we all ride to Lyme and leave the rest to ponder the error of their ways." The horses merely blinked.

"Captain, I think I've got the ladies moving towards the carriage. Just another few minutes," Charles said, tapping on of the horses on the nose. "I'm off to herd them this way."

He wondered how Mrs Musgrove would take to being herded. "Aye, we shall be right here," he called. To the horse, he said, "Article Twenty-seven it is."

"Twenty-seven?"

He started and immediately began cobbling together an explanation to Anne. He was more startled to find it was not her but Miss Louisa who had overhead. "It is nothing. Are the ladies ready?"

"Not quite yet. Anne seems to be impatient to be off. She is helping Mary find a pair of gloves, hurrying Henrietta and she sent me out with strict instructions to do nothing more than stand by the carriage, ready to leave." Patting one of the horses with just the tips of her gloved hand, she said, "I was thinking it would be simple to convince Charles how Mary would be most pleased if he were to ride with her in the carriage."

Her hand wandered close to his that held the horse's bridle. "Then I could ride with you in the gig. I do adore riding in the open air."

Miss Musgrove's intentions were quite transparent. Checking the harness for anything loose, he said, "I think it a bit too cool, and too long a ride for any lady to be in the open air."

"Surely you remember your very own sister saying how women are rational creatures and do not wish to be always in calm waters. I would add, warm carriages."

Nelson's saying about putting aside manoeuvres and going right at the target came to mind. "Miss Louisa, I think we both know it would be highly improper for the two of us to ride alone all the way to Lyme. Your parents-"

"My parents are very trusting. Particularly of you." She smiled very persuasively.

"Well, Mary has found the perfect gloves and Anne is doing her best to get her out the door. Henrietta is saying our good-byes to Father and Mama, so I would say we are nearly gone, Captain."

"Charles, the Captain and I were just talking and-"

"And if you will take the horses, Charles, I will see the ladies seated. Then we will be off." Taking Miss Louisa by the arm, he walked her to the carriage door.

"You are quite sure you would not like me to speak to my brother?"

"Please watch your step, Miss Musgrove," he said. She grasped his hand particularly close as she ascended the steps.

The last in was Anne. There was no real need to see her seated, but he took care to follow her up and guide her in just the same.

He stepped back down and asked the ladies if they were well and settled. Anne's smile of thanks precluded his hearing their answer.

Walking back to the gig, he muttered, "Should have shanghaied the cart and the girl and been done with it."

Chapter seventeen

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