In 1806 when LR successfully persuaded Anne to break off the engagement...

Ch 4: "...a Captain Frederick Wentworth, his brother, who being made commander in consequence of the action off St. Domingo, and not immediately employed, had come into Somersetshire in the summer of 1806..."

What does "not immediately employed" mean? I thought it meant that he wasn't at sea - didn't have a ship for him -- but the fact remained that he had been made a commander after action in St. Domingo.

He had a job, right? He just didn't have a ship to command at that point.

I guess I don't understand what JA meant by "employment" - pls explain.

Ch 4: "Captain Wentworth had no fortune. He had been lucky in his profession; but spending freely, what had come freely, had realized nothing..."

Here I *do* agree that the man was broke! He had spent freely and had saved nothing.