Love Remains Omnibus by Meg Osborne

Author:Meg Osborne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Jane Austen Fan Fiction, JAFF, Persuasion Variation, Captain Wentworth, Anne Elliot, Regency Romance
Publisher: Meg Osborne
Published: 2022-02-17T00:00:00+00:00

“MISS ELLIOT?” A KNOCK at the sitting room door startled Anne out of the book she was reading, and she glanced up, expecting to see Admiral or Mrs Croft arrived early to collect her for their journey back to Kellynch. Instead, she saw another gentleman of her acquaintance, and laid down her book.

“Captain Benwick! Good morning. I wasn’t expecting to see you again before I left Lyme.”

“That’s why I’ve come,” Benwick said, with a shy smile. “I wanted to see you and say goodbye properly before you left.” He crossed the room, and slipped into the seat opposite her. “I shall - I shall miss you, Miss Elliot.”

Anne coloured, and answered his comment with a warm smile.

“I am so grateful to you for your assistance while I’ve been unwell. And Captain and Mrs Harville as well. I do not think I will make it to their home before I leave, so I trust it to you to pass on my good wishes. I will write to them as soon as I am able.”

“Yes,” Benwick nodded, thoughtfully. “Writing...I wonder, Miss Elliot, if I might be permitted to write to you once you are home again.”

Anne was momentarily a little taken aback by his request, but she nodded and eagerly accepted it.

“I would like that,” she said. “You can tell me what you think of the essayists I suggested, if you are able to locate their works.”

“Yes,” Benwick seized on the subject, his face lighting up with what might have been amusement. “And you can reflect a little more on poetry, for I have enjoyed our talks.”

“I confess I had avoided poetry for some time before now,” Anne admitted. Had the conversation been with anyone other than Benwick she might even have ventured to share her reasons for avoiding poetry: that every mention of love made her regret what she had lost. Yet Benwick was still Captain Wentworth’s friend first, and although he had never made mention of what had happened eight years ago between Anne and Frederick, the occasional word choice or mention of his friend suggested he knew some, if not all, of their connection. Anne ignored the impulse, reminding herself that it was in the past, and her present existence was altogether different now. “I have had time to re-acquaint myself with the poets you most rejoiced in. It is amazing how much time one finds for reading when she must spend so much time resting.” She sighed.

“And yet, you are much better now, are you not, Miss Elliot?” Captain Benwick was all seriousness. “I know I - we, I mean - we were all so anxious for your return to health. Captain Wentworth blamed himself for your illness, and we were all so worried to see history repeat itself - that is -” He paused, a frown carving into his forehead. “You remember hearing tell of Captain Harville’s sister? My dear Fan died after taking sick, and I confess we worried we were about to see the same happen once more.

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