Sidney Parker was angry. A blood-boiling angry that had not eased despite storming through the whole of Sanditon and throwing a good many drunken men around the Crown after they had made crude comments about his charge or simply gotten in his way. The object of the majority of his anger, however, had yet to make an appearance. Miss Charlotte Heywood. Never had anyone so infuriated him. That is, except for himself. Because he was also fairly fuming at himself.

The Crown regulars had been of little assistance with regard to finding Miss Lambe. One elderly gentleman had seen a "negro lass loiterin' near the Mail Coach". Another claimed to have seen a lady of Miss Lambe's description climbing into a post-chaise in quite a hurry. Nothing to go on really. He slammed through the door of the Crown and stormed his way back to Trafalgar House. It seemed he would have to interrogate Miss Heywood if he wished to know anything more about his charge's whereabouts. Never had one single woman stirred him so passionately. In anger, of course, he reminded himself. She made him angry with her meddling and her do-good-attitude and her wind-blown hair and the way she chewed on her rosy lower lip …

He pulled his hat from his head, trying to refocus his thoughts. Dammit Parker, some focus, please. For Mary and the children's sake, he forced himself to slow down and calm down as he entered the house. Scanning the entryway, he noted Charlotte's bonnet was nowhere to be seen. A quick scan of Tom's office and the sitting room told him what he already knew, she wasn't here. Spinning on his heel, he turned to leave the house. He didn't have a particular destination in mind as he headed back to the front door. I'm going to find Miss Heywood and then Miss Lambe or so help me …

Sidney's angry declarations were disrupted as the front door swung open and he walked straight into the object of his thoughts. Miss Heywood. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her back, cradling her to him until they both regained their balance. He caught a whiff of lavender and sea salt, a heady scent that was unique to Charlotte and had to draw on almost all of his self-control to tighten his grip around her and bury his face in her locks. But as he released her and looked down at her cheeks tinged with pink, he noted the hesitancy in her eyes. She's waiting for the blow-up, he realized. And with the realization, the anger returned.

"Well, what are you waiting for Miss Heywood? Care to tell me of your most recent meddling with Miss Lambe?" he asked.

A flash of anger lit her eyes at his tone. Looking down, she took a moment before replying. "Mr. Parker, I knew that Charlotte was to meet Mr. Molyneux during the cricket match today. But that is the full extent of my knowledge. She told me nothing about leaving Sanditon."

"But it's what you wanted, isn't it, Miss Heywood?" He challenged. "True love and all that. Never mind how this will tarnish her reputation or endanger her very wellbeing." Hot anger coursed fresh through his veins.

She met him with the same level of challenge, not one to back down or be scared into a corner. "What would you know of love, Mr. Parker? Of course, I would not want Georgiana to be in danger but if it is for love that she has left then where can the scandal be?"

He sighed, losing some of his fight. "I don't have time to discuss this. I need to find Miss Lambe and ensure her safety, as I was charged to do and should have been doing." A trace of regret softened his features. "Is there anything else you can tell me?"

She slipped the note from her dress and into his hand. "I found this in her room. I'm not entirely certain of its meaning yet. I am sorry that my meddling has come to this, Mr. Parker. I cannot be sorry for my feelings on love but I will endeavor to help find Miss Lambe in whatever way I can." Her voice held a plea for peace.

"I need to think." Sidney placed his hat back on his head and headed out of Trafalgar House. He needed some fresh ocean air and lots of space for pacing. Suddenly, he stopped. Turning, he met Charlotte's eyes and nodded. "You have done enough as it is and I ask you to not meddle anymore." He winced internally at how harsh it came out. He tried again, softer this time, "But thank you for sharing the note with me."

He forced himself to walk away before he could try to comfort her further.