Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress Read Free Book Online

she’d becomeacquainted with his sailor brother. It was summer when they had first met. Anne was nineteen, extremely pretty, gentle and modest. At an age when she was beginning to go out into society, Monkford, a market town within walking distance of Anne’s home at Kellynch, provided much entertainment in the way of shopping, the monthly balls at the Assembly Rooms, and attendance at the parish church.
    Anne first spied Lieutenant Wentworth across the aisle. He commanded her attention by his dark, good looks, framed as he was against a vase of country flowers, and by his air that was striking in its confidence. She knew immediately he must be the curate’s brother, and on being introduced, her first impressions were confirmed. He was a most cordial gentleman with pleasing manners and address.
    At the Assembly Ball on the following Wednesday, Lieutenant Wentworth wasted no time in presenting himself. Anne stood with her friend Lady Russell, watching her sister Elizabeth surrounded by gentlemen.
    â€œMay I have the next dance, Miss Elliot?”
    Anne readily assented, but she couldn’t have been more surprised. Elizabeth was regarded as the beauty, and she couldn’t think why he had singled her out. It wasn’t that Anne was never asked to dance. Indeed, Charles Musgrove from Uppercross seemed to increasingly enjoy her company. It was just that Frederick Wentworth was so extraordinarily different, quite unlike anyone Anne had ever met before. She felt overawed by his intelligence, spirit, and brilliance, but sensing her unease, he took pains to draw her out.
    â€œIt is so kind of you to take pity on a fellow who has not had a dance these last twelve months. I confess being at sea for so long has made me forget how much I’ve missed a ball.”
    â€œThe pleasure is all mine, Lieutenant Wentworth, but I assureyou there are young ladies enough here this evening who will only be too glad to take pity on you. There is no one quite like an unknown gentleman coming into a neighbourhood to inspire fellow feeling.”
    Lieutenant Wentworth smiled. “But, I should not be so grateful to them as I am to you, Miss Elliot. Your pity is the only compassion I wish for, your commiseration the only kindness I desire.”
    Anne did not know how to reply, and was thankful when new partners separated them. She knew that he would not ask her again especially when she observed him dancing with Amy Parfitt. Anne felt she had not been lively enough or said anything witty, she’d only blushed like a schoolgirl.
    A garden party at the rectory brought them together again. The curate liked providing opportunities for his parishioners to mingle, and besides, he’d observed the way his brother had been taken with Miss Elliot, hearing him drop her name more than once into the conversation. Anne made an early appearance to see if she could help, and to bring a basket of roses from Kellynch. She could see the marquee but there was no one about when she walked into the walled garden. It promised to be a beautiful day. Lances of sunlight speared through the canopies of boughs, highlighting pink brick and rambling honeysuckle but making violet shadows on the green lawn still wet with dew. A few cloth-covered tables were already set out. Anne was placing her basket when she heard a voice call out behind her.
    â€œMiss Elliot, forgive me for not greeting you sooner, but I’m afraid I’ve rather had my hands full.”
    Lieutenant Wentworth advanced bearing plates of cake and thinly sliced bread and butter.
    â€œOh, do let me help,” cried Anne, rushing forth to relieve him, glad to do something to cover her confusion. Just seeing him again overset all her feelings.
    â€œWe’re all hands on deck in the kitchen,” he continued. “Mrs. Badcock’s fairly cooked herself out with a battery of buns and cakes, and though I can slice a loaf to within a sail’s breadth, I must admit to