Georgiana Lambe was sitting at the window in her separate parlor. Mrs Griffiths was no where to be found since quite early, and Georgiana could not claim to be upset by this. She was, in fact, enjoying her solitude very much.

The time away from Sidney Parker had allowed her to mature somewhat, for she found herself behaving in a much more refined manner than when he had been her constant overseer. Mrs Griffiths' intense scrutiny had ebbed as well, and given the space to grow, Georgiana flourished. She had now suffered a broken heart as well, and the effect that had on her cannot be understated.

So when she happened to see Sidney Parker walking with Charlotte Heywood, and some other man she did not know, Georgiana was less than pleased. It still hurt somewhat that Charlotte had neglected to see her before she left Sanditon.

"Mr Parker, Miss Heywood, and Mr Heywood, Ms Lambe," announced the servant.

"Send them in, thank you," said Georgiana.

The three walked in…Charlotte bursting with smiles for her friend…and Georgiana could not stay angry, at least not for that particular slight. She went to her and kissed her cheek. "I am so happy to see you again!" she exclaimed. "I never had the chance to see you before you left…"

"I know and I am so sorry. I was…unable," she said with a downward glance. "This is my brother John. John, this is Miss Georgiana Lambe."

"It is my pleasure, Miss Lambe," John bowed.

She curtseyed, then looked at Sidney. "Mr Parker. Always good to see you."

"Well, I am glad to hear it. How have you been keeping?"

"Well enough. And how are you wedding preparations coming? I did not expect to see you until after the wedding."

"Were you not planning on attending?" he folded his hands behind his back.

"I only attend weddings which are genuine," she looked at Charlotte. "Might we speak in the room just there for a moment?"

"Of course," said Charlotte, and with a look at John and a glance at Sidney, she followed.

Georgiana closed the door behind them. "What did I tell you?" she hissed. "I told you he wasn't to be trusted! I told you…and he's engaged to that vile, odious woman and now he's here with you! What is he playing at? What are you thinking?"

"Oh, Georgiana! Please…don't make this worse than it is!" Charlotte's eyes welled. "I do not think that anything that he's done he's done out of malice. He's helping his brother Tom, and I …"

"Stop it," Georgiana said, crossing her arms. "I warned you, and look at you now. Have you slept at all?"

The tears began to fall. Charlotte had not wept in some time…but she felt the words acutely. Georgiana had warned her, but this wasn't really what she was being warned about. "Please…you did warn me, but he was acting as a brother should. Tom needed money, and this is how he's going to get it…please don't be cross…" and it occurred to her that this is not why Georgiana should be angry. That it really was none of her business. "Can we not start over?" she smiled.

"I think I need some time, and I have no desire to see Sidney Parker," she turned away from her.

"Are you upset that I left without a word? Because I am sorry for it."

"I know so few here and like even less, Miss Heywood. Please…I'd like some time."

She nodded. "I'll go then."

"Can you ask Mr Parker to leave as well?"

Charlotte nodded, then left the room. "She doesn't want to see us, Mr Parker."

"I beg your pardon?"

"She wants some time. She doesn't want to see you or I."

Sidney stared at her a moment. She had been crying. "Well…" he thought about going over and banging on the door, but then though the better of it. "Mr Heywood, might you stay until Georgiana emerges to ensure that she is well?"

"Of course. How long should I wait?"

"Do not trouble yourself. A quarter an hour will suffice, and if she does not come out, just alert the housekeeper that you've left," he looked at Charlotte. "Shall we leave, then?"

She nodded, then looked at John. "I'll see you at the hotel soon."

Charlotte felt rather ill as she walked out of Mrs Griffiths'. Sidney had not spoken to her, and she was glad of it. He had no idea why Georgiana would behave thusly, and she did not know how to tell him why she had.

"My ward is displeased with me, as is her custom," he observed after a fashion.

"With both of us, it would seem," she wiped her cheek.

"I had no idea she was upset with you, Miss Heywood. I am sorry for her remarkable behavior."

"Oh, it's all right. I suppose I suspected that she might be, but she was much more affected than I should have thought," she held herself as they walked, neither in any particular direction.

"Are you upset with me as well?" he asked softly.

"Am I …?" she slowed and looked at him.

He smiled awkwardly. He should not have asked that. "Apologies, Miss Heywood. I spoke out of turn."

"I am not upset with you, Mr Parker."

He nodded and swallowed. "It's more than I deserve."

"Yes it is. But there you have it."

He chuckled very slightly. "Mary mentioned today a gathering she is wanting to plan before I must return to London. Would you be interested in such a thing?"

"I …"

"Not a ball, mind. A party of sorts."

She smiled, then shrugged. "I think that would be lovely."

"Good. Then I'll tell her you will attend, and to go ahead with the plan."

"Is my presence dependent on it occurring?"

"It is," he replied simply.

This stopped her. What was he doing with her heart? "Mr Parker, forgive me, but what are you doing in Sanditon? Shouldn't you be with Ms Campion planning your wedding, and not attending parties with me?"

Sidney stopped. They were at the top of the hill by Trafalgar House, the trees giving shade to the spot. "I am here, Miss Heywood, because I could not bear to be in London any longer. It was killing me."

She looked very intently at him. "That is unfortunate indeed, for don't you mean to set up residence there?"

"Yes. That is the plan, I believe."

She shook her head. "Mr Parker. I must tell you that it is equal parts horrifying and wonderful to see you and spend time in your company."

He swallowed. "I know. I know, Miss Heywood," he took a step nearer her. "I owe you yet another apology…"

She stepped back. "Please. Listen to me…" she looked away at the house and then back to him. "You said that you don't love her," she swallowed.

He didn't answer.

"Does that mean…" she closed her eyes. "Forgive me, but I must hear this. Does that mean that you love me…that you love me even still?" she looked at him now. She needed this. If she was to suffer through this stay of his, she needed to know that he wasn't merely toying with her. And even if it could never be, she did not want to spend the rest of her life guessing his heart.

"Charlotte…" he said softly, then took her hand.

And her breath ceased its movement.

"…I love you more than I've ever loved anyone. And I am so sorry that this has happened to us."

A single tear slid down her cheek. She squeezed his hand and let it go. She nodded, smiled, and began walking toward the house.

"Charlotte?" said Sidney, walking after her. "Where does this leave us?"

"The same place, Sidney," she glanced over at him. "But now, I must confess I feel better. I thought that I'd feel wretched after your admission, but it's quite the opposite. It is exactly what I needed."

"Well, I'm happy you're better," he cleared his throat as they descended the hill. "But, you'll forgive me yet again," he took her elbow. "Might I assume that my feelings are reciprocal?"

She smiled looking up at him. "You may," and she walked again.

And for the first time since the midsummer ball, just before the fire, he felt light.


"I found Miss Lambe to be an excellent young lady," John was sipping wine by the hearth in the lobby with his sisters.

"Georgiana is a wonderful person," said Charlotte.

"I would like to make her acquaintance," said Allison.

"She has the most fascinating and tragic stories to tell. I should love to see Antigua," John smiled.

"But John," began Charlotte. "The sugar trade is completely awful. Georgiana's mother was a slave…and slavery is the most …"

"You misheard me, Charlotte. I did not mention sugar. I said Antigua."

"But…"

"Not to worry, I mean only to travel. I think it must be a wonderful place to see."

Allison furrowed her brow. "Must it? When such horrors take place there?"

"Well, Miss Lambe hales from it. There ought to be things worth knowing about it."

"You're quite struck with her, aren't you John?" Charlotte smiled.

"I am. She's quite engaging. And she has a mind of her own which is particularly refreshing," he smiled.

"That is the very thing that vexes Mr Sidney Parker about her," laughed Charlotte.

"How are things with Mr Parker, Charlotte?" asked Allison. "You seem in better spirits than yesterday."

"Things are better, thank you. We have admitted our hearts and understand that nothing can be done about it," she sighed. "But I'm happy to know and not guess. It was partly the guessing which had me in knots."

"But he said he was going to propose…" interjected John.

"Yes. And he had the cover of another engagement. He had never told me that he loved me…and I suppose I just needed to hear it, as silly as that may sound."

"Not silly. Frankness is an undervalued trait," said Allison.

Charlotte smiled at her sister. "Quite."

"Well. What shall we do tomorrow?" asked John. "I believe that we have a couple of days until Mr Stringer returns and demands Charlotte's attention."

Said sister side eyed Allison. "Now John…Mr Stringer invited all of us. He would surely be very happy to see us when he returns."

"Of course…I beg your pardon. I only meant that we are here on his acquaintance with you."

She nodded. "I'm not certain. The shoreline, of course. Perhaps a walk among the cliffs?"

And at that, the concierge emerged. "A note, Mr Heywood, from a Mrs Mary Parker," he bowed and left.

"Oh, well! Perhaps we needn't strain to think of things to do after all," smiled Allison.

John opened the letter. "She is inviting us for a lunch tomorrow and then an excursion to the shore. She states we are most welcome for supper as well," he smiled. "Well then. What do my sisters think?"

Charlotte looked at Allison. "It sounds very fine."

"Well then. Trafalgar House it is," said Charlotte, and she sipped her wine.


Sidney was looking out of the window in the parlor. He was waiting anxiously for the Heywood's to arrive.

They were a half an hour late, and he was beginning to think they wouldn't come. His and Charlotte's parting was awkward the day previous after their mutual confessions, and he felt ill at ease all night because of it.

He honestly longed to go to her in the middle of the night and speak about it…but then his mind wandered to her mouth, and he thought the better of it.

As he considered it, he replayed it in his mind:

They had only just admitted their feelings, and he had not spoken again as they entered Trafalgar House. He longed to hold her hand, but knew that would not be well received, so he kept his hand at his side. "Charlotte," he said as they went to the parlor where tea was still sitting.

"Mr Parker, I think you should remember yourself."

He swallowed. "I am sorry," he said, and flustered, "Can I get you some tea? You take it white, no sugar, is that correct?"

"Very good memory," she smiled. "Despite your slip just now."

"I remember all things related to you, Miss Heywood," and he handed her a cup and sat next to her. He watched her intently for a moment and the cleared his throat. "I find this maddening."

"What is maddening?"

"That we cannot be…"

"Mr Parker," she began. "Please. This has been settled. No use in dwelling on it. You're here to enjoy Sanditon. Enjoy it, then."

"Always so sensible," he smiled, then got himself some tea. "How does your sister like the sea? I've managed to speak with John about it."

"Allison is not terribly difficult to figure. She says what she means and means what she says. She lacks…" she almost said 'depth,' but that would be terribly unkind. "She lacks nuance."

He chuckled a moment. "Unlike yourself, Miss Heywood. You are all subtlety."

"Is that a joke?" she laughed.

"No indeed. Though you are also candid. A dichotomy if ever there was one."

They stayed this way for a while, and when it was time for her to leave, he followed her to the door. "I hope to see you tomorrow."

"Yes. That would be welcome."

Sidney looked at her with a steady stare. He swallowed, and his gaze found her mouth. "Then perhaps tomorrow…" and he leaned an inch toward her.

"Yes," and she backed away. "Thank you, Mr Parker," and she left in a bit of a hurry.

If he was being completely honest, he would have kissed her had she let him.

But now he was thinking he had made a mistake and had taken things too far. He should not have presumed such physical closeness. He was engaged to another woman, for god's sake.

But now Eliza seemed almost specter like…not wholly of his life. She haunted him, but was never there, nor had she been much since they had arrived in London. Charlotte Heywood was real. She was there. She listened to him and laughed with him. She was there, body and soul, and he longed to touch her, to feel her real presence. To be with only her and tell everyone who would listen of his heart.

He sighed.

Still, no sign of them. "Mary!" he called.

Mary Parker emerged. "What is it, Sidney?"

"What time were the Heywood's to arrive?"

She looked crookedly at him. They aren't due here for another twenty minutes," she smiled. "Eager, are we?"

"I thought…"

"John wrote and said that they were delayed. Allison wanted to shop for…something, I cannot recall what. And they were waiting for her."

"Ah. Yes. Very good," he seemed uncomfortable. "Well, perhaps I'll fill my time outside then," and he grabbed his hat and walked out the door.

"Poor lad," said Mary, and she left the room to find her children.