Charlotte woke the next morning with her mind filled with thoughts of the occurrences of the previous night. For Mr Stringer had returned, John was certainly taken with Georgiana, and Sidney had received a mysterious letter from Ms Campion.
She got dressed without waking Allison, then went downstairs. She thought she'd break her fast a bit later, for she wasn't hungry just yet.
Instead, she got her bonnet fixed and headed out into the dawn. It was a lovely morning…the air was crisp, and the humidity not yet blanketing the town.
She was walking towards the water when she heard her name. Charlotte turned to see Mr Stringer striding toward her.
She smiled at him. "Good morning, Mr Stringer."
"Good morning, Miss Heywood. How are you this fine morning?"
"I'm well. It's good to see you again. How was London?"
And they filled their conversation with the goings on in London. James Stringer was animated in his speech, praising much and finding fault with little. He avoided conversation about Sanditon, but Charlotte didn't mind. She was curious about the city and what he was doing there.
"So you're finding the situation to be an advantageous one?" she smiled as they walked along the shoreline.
"I am. Most definitely. I could not imagine a better way to prepare for what I hope to be a long and successful career," he nodded.
"I'm glad of it," and she was. He was, after all, a good man.
They walked along in this attitude for a bit before turning back to return to the hotel. They promised that since he would be in Sanditon all week, that they'd have more opportunity to see one another. He also expressed a desire to spend time with John and Allison.
They parted, and Charlotte walked into the lobby, and meant to go to the restaurant where breakfast would be served.
But she stopped, for Sidney Parker was sitting at one of the chairs in the lobby, looking at her. She smiled at him.
He nodded.
Charlotte walked over. "Good morning Mr Parker."
"Miss Heywood. How are you this morning?" he stood.
"Quite well, thank you."
"And how is Mr Stringer?"
She raised a brow. "He's well."
Sidney nodded, then gestured for her to sit, which she did. He cleared his throat, and admonished himself for jumping to conclusions about their walking together. He needed to trust her. He also needed to reconcile himself to the fact that she had every right to spend time with anyone she liked, even when that wasn't him. "I'm glad to hear it," he folded his hands. "What are your plans for the day, Miss Heywood?"
"I have no fixed plans."
"Would you be agreeable to walking the cliffs with me following your morning meal?"
She swallowed, recalling the last time they had walked those cliffs. "All right."
He smiled. "Shall I wait for you, then?"
Charlotte nodded then went to the restaurant. John and Allison both joined her while she was there. "We saw Mr Parker reading the paper in the lobby, Charlotte. Is he waiting for you?" asked Allison.
"He is, yes."
"And what are you two doing?"
She swallowed some milk. "Having a walk along the cliffs."
Allison glanced at John. "Be careful, Charlotte," he said. "I hate seeing you suffer."
"I'll be fine, John. We have an understanding," she looked at Allison. "Mr Stringer was inquiring after you this morning."
"Was he?" she blushed, and dropped her gaze.
"He was. Since it's Sunday, I imagine he'll be looking for us to dine with later," she nodded. "And we should probably alert the Parker's of this, lest they invite us."
"Well, you're better suited for that, Charlotte," said John. "Just tell him on your walk."
She glanced at them both. "Yes of course, you're right."
John narrowed his gaze. "You don't want to disappoint him…"
"Of course not. But I'm not fussed over it," she smiled, but there was hesitancy in her smile.
He sat back. "Charlotte, he will have to learn to live with disappointment, I'm afraid. He's marrying a woman he does not love."
"Thank you for reminding me, John," she stood. "As though I'd need reminding," and she walked off.
"Oh dear," said Allison. "That didn't end well."
"No," replied John. "But you know, I believe Charlotte needs a constant reminder that she is involving herself with and engaged man, and that this will surely end in further heartbreak. And honestly, I don't want to see that. Living with her in Willingden after her stay here was awful enough."
"That is rather selfish, John. Imagine what she went through," Allison took a bite of bread.
"Love can be selfish, Allison," he replied, standing. "It hurt me immensely to watch her fold within herself. I do not wish to live that way again," and he turned and left as well.
Allison looked out of the window.
The wind was gusting as they climbed the peak. Charlotte's hair was blowing freely…she had taken off her bonnet.
"It's a lovely day," said Sidney as they made their way up the rise.
"Indeed it is."
He smiled, watching the easy way in which she enjoyed life. Perhaps that was what he loved most about her.
"Have you given any further thought to the letter you received?"
"I have…" he cleared his throat. "Though I cannot account for it any more than I did last evening."
"Will you write and ask?"
"I've thought about it, but I rather think that I'll speak with Lord Babington. At least initially. He knows everyone in London," he folded his hands behind him.
"That sounds like a good strategy," she replied, then stopped to admire the vista at the top of the cliff. "It did sound as though Lady Bertram was a common acquaintance of you both, though."
He nodded, though she didn't see. Sidney was watching her…"Miss Heywood?"
"Hm?" she turned to find him looking at her.
He swallowed. He wanted to kiss her again. To make promises. He wanted to tell her he loved her. "Ah…" he smiled and looked out into the sea. "Do you and your siblings have plans for dinner this evening?"
She cleared her throat. "We do, actually. With Mr Stringer."
His gaze snapped to hers. "With Mr Stringer?"
"Yes. You forget. We are his guests, Mr Parker."
"How could I forget?" he snapped.
She took a step backward. "I beg your pardon, but you should check yourself."
He ran his hand through his hair. "Please forgive me. Of course, you need to be with him at least partly…"
"Mr Parker, might I ask…why are you here in Sadition? I believe I posed this question, or something like it not long ago, but never received a proper answer," she looked up at him.
He furrowed his brow. "Won't you sit?" he sat in the grass. It was a beautiful spot…the few clouds hung low, the sea beneath them with the sound of the waves lulling the scene into a serene hum.
She did, but felt uneasy.
"I should confess something to you, though it is not so heinous. At least, I don't believe it is," he picked up a blade of grass a twirled it. "It was about three weeks before I left for Sanditon that I happened upon James Stringer in London. We spoke, and he confessed that he meant to visit you…and…" he swallowed. "And propose marriage to you," at this, he looked at her.
Charlotte had gone pale. "Now it makes sense."
Sidney shrugged, smiling meekly. "I panicked. I needed to know if you meant to accept him, and I wanted to be near you before we were both irrevocably spoken for."
She looked out into the vast sea. "I will not accept any proposal from Mr Stringer," she said. "I do not love him."
"No," and then, "Are you angry?"
Charlotte tore her gaze away. "No. I'm not angry. But you should mind your temper," she reproved him.
"Noted," he smiled.
"And you should write to your fiancee. It's wrong to ignore her."
He shifted. "Yes. I realize that. But this is our time, Charlotte," he said softly. "I do not want her tarnishing that. She's already ruined…"
"She is helping Tom with rebuilding Sanditon, is she not?" Charlotte interrupted.
"Yes."
"Then she isn't ruining things. She's doing a service for your family," she said.
He sighed. "What am I going to do?" he threw the blade of grass.
"You're going to marry Ms Campion, Sidney," said Charlotte, taking his hand.
He looked at her, thinking that he'd only heard her call him "Sidney" a couple of times. He nodded, then leaned toward her slowly. He took his free hand and touched her cheek, dragging his thumb over her cheekbone. His breath was heavier.
As was hers.
"Charlotte," he breathed.
She swallowed, but then pulled away.
And he dropped her hand and his gaze. Maddening! And he stood. "Come. Let's get you back," and he held his hand out to pull her to standing.
She did, but she did not let go of his hand. "I'm sorry, Sidney."
"What for?"
"Everything."
He smiled…then stepped toward her, and leaned his forehead to hers. "As am I."
They then parted, hands to their sides. "Thank you for the walk," she said.
"My pleasure. Can I tell my brother and Georgiana that they might expect you all tomorrow at Trafalgar House for tea?"
"Yes. That would be lovely."
"Excellent. And you might want to check with Mary about the party."
"Why?"
He laughed. "It's becoming increasingly extravagant."
Allison and Mr Stringer were very much engaged in conversation the entire dinner. John was watching them with some interest.
After a fashion, he looked at Charlotte. "How was your walk today?" he said it low enough that only she heard.
"It was fine," she took a sip of wine.
"Just fine?"
She looked at him. "Yes. What else should it be?"
"Nothing at all," and then he glanced at Allison, then back to Charlotte.
She smiled. "We are to have tea tomorrow at Trafalgar House," she announced. "All of the Parker's, and Miss Lambe are to be there."
"Lovely," said Allison, tearing her attention away from Mr Stringer.
"You'll have to go without me," said James. "But I can of course meet for supper once more."
John nodded. "We can most assuredly make plans for that."
Allison agreed. "We certainly won't be at Trafalgar House all day."
Charlotte concurred, but couldn't help but be slightly disappointed at the plans. She wanted to spend the day in Sidney's company.
It had gotten very late in the evening before Charlotte confessed to her being tired. She could see that Allison was, too; but John was animated yet in his conversation with Mr Stringer. "It is long passed when I should have retired," said Charlotte, standing. "I'll need to say good night," she curtseyed to them both.
Allison followed her to their room. "Charlotte," when they closed the door behind them and she went over to her sister to aid her in undressing.
"Hm?"
"What do you think of Mr Stringer?"
"Haven't we spoken about this?"
She shrugged. "Perhaps. But I've been thinking…he is one of the finest men of my acquaintance."
"He is an excellent man."
"You like him, Charlotte?" her voice sounded eager.
"Of course I do," but her mind was filled with the conversation she had with Sidney earlier. She hoped that Mr Stringer didn't still have designs on her. "And I'm glad that you like him so much."
He was sitting at his desk preparing to answer Eliza's letter. He hardly knew where to begin…and that was in no small part to the conceit that he was going to forget her for the fortnight he was there.
She had ruined that for him.
He rolled his sleeves and dipped his quill.
Dear Eliza,
He stopped. What should he be writing? He hadn't a clue.
I was quite surprised to receive your letter. I'm happy to hear that the wedding preparations are coming along, with or without my assistance.
Forgive me, but I do not recall ever having made Lady Bertram's acquaintance. Could you refresh my poor recollection?
Looking forward to seeing you when I return,
Sidney
There. Only one falsehood. Not too bad.
He sealed it and readied it for the post in the morning.
Sidney Parker then readied himself for bed, while gazing at the August moon casting its low light across the rises that cradled Trafalgar House. And he smiled.
