Frederick smiled broadly as he escorted Anne to take their place at the top of the set. The Master of Ceremonies had extended them the great honour of opening the ball tonight, and at last, they would have their chance to dance together.

"You look beautiful," he whispered as they waited for the other couples to take their places. A flush spread through Anne's cheeks, the perfect complement her rose satin gown - his favourite colour on her.

Nine days had passed since their engagement. At Captain Benwick's dinner party, they maintained a low profile so as not to overshadow their friends' happy celebration. They also wanted to wait until Frederick travelled to Kellynch to secure Sir Walter's consent, which he did the next day. The baronet had been stunned by the second application but, observing Frederick's handsome appearance in the bright daylight and considering his fortune, consented more readily than he had the first time.

When Frederick returned to Bath, he and Anne announced their engagement. Their friends received the news with much excitement, with Mrs. Musgrove especially delighted at the prospect of another wedding.

"First Henrietta, then Louisa, and now you, Miss Anne!" She remarked. "Three courtships and weddings so close together! It reminds me of a saying I once heard."

"Good luck lies in odd numbers," Anne said with a smile. She could certainly attest to that, for her third visit to Bath had been so wonderfully opposite from the first two. She never imagined she would regret leaving the place to return to Kellynch, but with Lady Russell's departure date fixed, found herself wishing she could stay longer.

Sophia was exceptionally delighted about the engagement, not only because her brother would finally be married, but because she thought he and Anne were so well matched. Edward wrote expressing his happiness as well and, as expected of an older brother, teased Frederick mercilessly for the lengthy delay in realising his true feelings.

When Mary received Anne's letter detailing the news, she finally mustered enough energy to write back. She expressed great satisfaction at her sister making a better match than Henrietta and Louisa, mentioned the likelihood of an oncoming cold, and insisted Anne settle near Uppercross Cottage so she could continue providing assistance at a moment's notice.

The Musgroves soon returned to Uppercross and Captain Benwick to Lyme, while Frederick and Anne spent several glorious days in Bath together. They walked in Sydney Gardens, watched a concert performance, and tonight were attending the fancy ball in the Upper Rooms, where Frederick had secured the first and second sets with Anne. He would have asked for the first and last sets, but wanted to minimise the chances that something might interrupt their time together again.

Finally the music started. Frederick bowed, Anne curtsied, and then they joined hands.

"I am glad you agreed to come to the ball tonight," Frederick said.

"I may have said I gave up dancing, but it would be more accurate to say I gave up dancing with everyone but you. I was very much looking forward to our two sets at the last ball."

"I hope you know I would dance every set with you tonight and at all future balls, if you would allow it."

Anne smiled. "I know."

Watching them with immense pride was Lady Russell. Contrary to Frederick and Anne's beliefs, she had no objections to their engagement. Her main fault was her excessive eagerness to see Anne married, and she had only promoted Colonel Miller because he had shown a clear interest. As Frederick had avoided Anne and treated her coldly, Lady Russell reasonably (though incorrectly) concluded that he had no interest in her god daughter, and she wanted to spare Anne from disappointment. She did favour Colonel Miller's manners, with their general politeness and correctness, but Frederick's successes had raised his estimation in her eyes, and Anne's happiness mattered more than her own preferences.

Mrs. Smith stood next to Lady Russell, happy to see Anne finally enjoy dancing again. She had anticipated the engagement before hearing about it from Anne or through her usual channels. She first suspected something after learning that Anne and Frederick's acquaintance began in the year six, at almost the same time that Anne had given up dancing. From there, she realised that Anne had been observing Frederick, not Miss Ryder, at the first ball. It did not take long to conclude that Anne was still in love with him, and his behaviour at the second ball confirmed that he was still in love with her.

Colonel Miller and Miss Ryder were also in attendance tonight, dancing with their partners in the same set. The colonel bore Anne's refusal with equanimity. Like Frederick, he had called on Mrs. Smith the morning after she fainted, hoping to see Anne. Mrs. Smith had tried to dissuade him from proposing to Anne, but his sanguine temper hoped for the best. He knew he would eventually find happiness, and the next time he saw Anne and Frederick, he sincerely wished them joy. He also privately apologised to Frederick for unintentionally wounding him when they had met at Rivers Street. The two men had a good laugh about it and began the foundation of what would become a strong friendship. Miss Ryder had liked Frederick very much, but she was a sensible young woman; he had not shown her any peculiar interest so her heart had not been injured. As the rumours predicted, she soon received a proposal from a naval captain who adored her, and she accepted with delight.

As Anne and Frederick made their way to the bottom of the set, it was impossible to say whether the radiant glow in their countenances came from their overpowering happiness within, or from the hundreds of lit candles on the chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. The dance provided moments of private conversation continually occurring, with always the hope of more, and always the knowledge of the other being there. They passed each other, crossed over the other couples, and joined hands together again. When they returned to the top of the set, the dance was over, but it marked only the beginning of what would be many, many more dances together.

Bath, which formerly held only painful memories for Anne, now became a most beloved place for her and Frederick. Once married, they spent a part of almost every winter there, always calling on Mrs. Smith and, after they had a son and then a daughter, bringing their children as well. They were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the town, for it was in Bath - amidst those stifling assembly rooms, crowded shops and tedious dinner parties - that their love had been reborn.

THE END

~~END OF STORY~~

Author's note: I hope you enjoyed the story! I'm a few weeks away now from my expected delivery date and can barely function when sleep deprived, so this is probably it for the next year or so. I do have several story lines in my head though, so if I get to writing them I will definitely post them. See you around! xx