So this is it, the last of the twelve chances, I believe, our lovely couple missed. They could have used these opportunities to come clean with each other, declare their feelings and be together once again, but then the story of Persuasion wouldn't be half as good as it is. In the end, I am persuaded to think Miss Austen had the angst amount just right.

What if … Wentworth had taken the empty seat?

"He looked down towards the bench, as if he saw a place on it well worth occupying."

She followed his eyes as they took in the empty place beside her, once she realised he was considering it, she silently pleaded with him to take it. In a moment seemingly frozen in time, he glanced around the room and in most particular, at her party, before clearing his throat. "May I?" he gestured to the seat.

Two little words as innocent as they come and yet filled with so much hidden meaning. Unable to speak in fear of ruining the moment, she nodded enthusiastically, rather more enthusiastically than she had planned on, and indeed was necessary, and yet he seemed pleased with her reaction and quickly took to the bench. It was only a small space and she noticed somewhat guiltily, his leg was hanging over the far end most uncomfortably. There was space on her other side and yet, selfishly she relished the feeling of him squeezed beside her; their sides touching; arm to arm, thigh to thigh. Frederick noticed it too, and was both confused and relieved to find her quite at ease with their current close proximity.

"I am sorry you are not enjoying the concert more, as I thought –wished- you might." She reiterated.

He chuckled, and coloured, "I do not know, upon reflection, maybe I am enjoying it after all. In fact, I believe the next part will be quite pleasing." He held her gaze, staring into her big brown eyes, trying to decipher the meaning in them. Did she still feel all she had unwillingly admitted to in the carriage the night he returned her and Henrietta to Uppercross? Or was the chance of returning to her Kellynch with her cousin, too tempting an offer? Had he already made her an offer? Was that why Elliot openly favoured her company, and the reason behind her new found ability to be at ease with himself, even returning to a friendliness long forgotten? He could only hope he was not too late.

Anne was lost in her own thoughts. She had almost all those she considered closest to her, sitting behind her. She could feel their eyes burrowing into her back, watching her every move. She knew they would have seen Captain Wentworth repeatedly seek her out and now to take it one step further, and join her, without a word of acknowledgement to the rest of her party. She should retreat, change seats or at least involve someone else in their conversation, but she could not bring herself to make even the smallest change to their current situation. She would deal with the repercussion later, for now she was enjoying just being them again.

After a somewhat stilted beginning, the couple soon fell into easy conversation, commenting on the room, those in attendance, deliberating the reason behind those who were not. A couple of ladies walked by them, looking pointedly at Frederick, commenting on his navy uniform and overall pleasing appearance, in a -in Anne's opinion- far too loud a conversation, that could certainly be overheard by those closest –particularly Frederick- and most probably the majority of the room. Frederick however failed to notice them, ignoring the ladies and the comments, and instead only had eyes for his companion who now addressed him on the subject. "Tell me Captain, does your uniform bring about this response wherever you go?"

He coloured and looked down at his feet rather embarrassed. "I suppose it does, yes."

"I wonder."

"What?"

"I wonder if that is why you choose to wear it so often. Do you enjoy the compliments paid to you by the young ladies?"

He thought for a moment she was serious, but his keen eyes caught the sparkle of mischief in hers and he smiled, pleased her playful ease with him was at long last returning. "One has to do what one must, in order to stand out in an otherwise sea of well-dressed gentlemen, how else can an ageing sailor expect to gain the interest of eligible young ladies?"

Anne's joyful expression slipped and turned sombre. He surmised she had read more in to his words than simple banter. He had intended to goad her into a debate, but instead he saw hurt behind her eyes. "That, and wearing it reminds me of happier times. Besides, there is only one lady I am anxious to impress, and if memory serves me correct, she first noticed me before I had reached the rank of Captain. So this would be wasted on her." He had more than hinted she was the lady he was referring to, and to reduce any confusion left to nothing, he added, "I am already aware she holds those who serve in the highest regard."

She made a sound between a sob and gasp. Forgetting the volume of people present, propriety and decorum, as the orchestra took positon and took up their instruments once more, Frederick made a bold move. He needed her to know without any doubt, he was intent on renewing his feelings. Discreetly, he reached for her hand. She did not tense or flinch, he concluded it was not unwelcome, it was as if she had been waiting for such a move and he chastised himself for not taking the step earlier. Their hands were shielded from the other members of the audience by his body, he held her small gloved hand in his loosely enough so that she could let go if she wished, but securely enough that she would know he did not want her to, and that he meant it. Neither said a word, but sat silently observing the front of the room.

Emboldened by her reaction, or lack thereof, and urged on by her obvious acceptance, Frederick decided then and there, to declare his feelings. "Anne," She turned to face him, her eyes wet and so reminiscent of the past, his words almost caught in his throat but he swallowed. "You must know, I have never-"

"Anne, Anne!" Elliot once again interrupted their moment. The surprise at hearing his voice and so close to her ear, shocked Anne into not only letting go of Frederick's hand, but turning her back on him while she addressed her cousin. It was a reaction –an unintentional act unconsciously performed. She had not meant to transfer her attentions so violently, and certainly did not wish him to think she valued Mr Elliot's company above his, or that she would prefer to have been seated by cousin.

It was however too late, Frederick had felt her slight and concluded what he had only suspected earlier; she was in some way attached to Mr Elliot, and she was too kind, too polite to inform him of his folly. Elliot was engaging her in some discussion about her assisting Miss Carteret. Frederick wasn't paying attention to what was being said, but rather to Elliot's closeness and Anne's reaction. She looked uncomfortable, once or twice she even looked back over her shoulder apologetically at him as if she was being placed in an impossible position. He had seen that look before. Well this time he would make it easier for her, he stood up causing her to abandon her attentions of Mr Elliot and concentrate solely on him. Mr Elliot was forced to cease his conversation mid-sentence.

Anne looked at Wentworth beseechingly, but he was undeterred. "I beg your pardon Miss Anne, but I must bid you good night. I must get home at once."

Pleading turned to misunderstanding.

"But the concert, I thought," she glanced down at her hand he had been up until recently holding in his and blushed, "I had believed you were enjoying it. As was I." Her colour deepened. "Is not this song worth staying for?"

He paused as if he was indeed considering it, but as he did, Mr Elliot leaned in behind Anne again and his expression was enough to tell Frederick all he need to know, he shook his head, "no!" he snapped, gathering his things and stepping from the row. "There is nothing worth my staying for."

A/N And we all know what happened next …