Finally, they arrived to the hotel, and Frederick noticed Anne slip away from him quickly. They had been seen by people, and Frederick had thought of the times they had gone for walks together before and enjoyed to be seen. Now, it was likely Anne didn't want to prolong the image of them together for longer than it had to.
"It was no trouble. You needed assistance," Frederick assure her about Anne's gratitude, and gave a brief bow of his head. "I'll leave you here then. Enjoy your day, Miss Elliot," Frederick said and then took her leave before he had to think more of what could have been. What a story he would have for Harville, and the other man would give him quite the earfull.