Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress Page B

delighted for Anne, who was always a favourite with them. Mary couldn’t wait to tell them everything they didn’t know about the past.
    â€œWell, it was never divulged, you know, Mrs. Musgrove, but some years ago when I was still at school, Anne and the Captain were engaged once before.”
    Anne felt herself blush. Mary never did know when to be quiet. Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove tried not to look too curious, Anne observed.
    Charles came to her rescue. “May we offer our heartiest congratulations? On behalf of us all, we hope you’ll be very happy!”
    Captain Wentworth and his fiancée beamed with pleasure. It was wonderful to feel that someone else rejoiced in their good news.
    â€œIt will be very creditable to have a sister married,” Mary declared. “And I flatter myself; it is entirely due to my invitation to Uppercross last October that they are reunited. Just think; if Anne had not come, things might have turned out very differently.”
    Wincing again, as Anne realised the reference Mary was making to Frederick’s passing interest in Charles’s sisters, she recognised that there were bound to be many embarrassing moments like these yet to be endured.
    â€œAnd you will be married from Kellynch, of course,” Mary continued without a pause for breath. “I’m sure a word to your sister and Admiral Croft, Captain Wentworth, will suffice. Anne must be married from home, however settled they have become. It is not as if it is really their home. People who rent other folks’ houses must always be used to moving on, and I daresay they could go at a moment’s notice!”
    â€œMary,” Anne interrupted quietly, “there will be no need of anyone moving out. Besides, Captain Wentworth and I are to be married in Bath just as soon as we can.”
    â€œSuch haste! Goodness me, can you possibly mean it? You will be married before the Musgrove girls have had time to shop for their wedding clothes. What does Father think of that? There will be three rushed weddings, one after another, and then we shall be left to shift for ourselves whilst you’re all off enjoying the pleasures of some seaside place, I’ve no doubt. I’m sure I never heard anything like it, but I have my usual luck. I am never considered when any thing desirable is going on; always the last of my family to be noticed.”
    It was time to say goodbye, but not before Mary swept out before them. “I suppose when you are married, you shall take precedence once more, and I shall have to give way to you.”
    Anne did not reply; the thought had not even occurred to her, but it very clearly mattered to Mary whose curiosity about the rest of their plans got the better of her as she saw them to the door.
    â€œI do not suppose you will settle near Uppercross, though of course I should like it above all things if you were close to me. But, I cannot think that there is a suitable house in the village.Henstridge House is a significant residence, but you will not need such a large manor. No, a cottage like ours with scope for improvement, and a green verandah, will suit your needs well enough. Charles, isn’t the lease on Cossington Cottage available? I’m sure it is; I shall make enquiries forthwith, and with such a location so close to Crewkerne you will have no need for a carriage either. I do quite well enough without such a conveyance; and I am fortunate to have Mr. Musgrove’s carriage at my disposal, though I always say that if only I had the strength, I should enjoy a walk more often.”
    Captain Wentworth heard all of this with a good deal of amusement. He knew that Mary could never truly be pleased for her sister Anne, who would soon become the owner of a pretty landaulette that he’d already picked out as a wedding present, and be established in her own substantial home, with all the riches that Mary had ever dreamed about. It occurred to him that in