Lord Babington was most pleased to be in his friend's company again. He found Sidney Parker really to be most diverting. It wasn't that he was especially humorous, or capable of lively conversation…rather, he felt comfortable with him in a way that he didn't with others. He never felt that Sidney was judging him, using him, or anything else untoward.

So when Sidney asked him about Lady Bertram, he was confused, if only for a moment. Of course he knew who Lady Bertram was. Some of his more…ungentlemanly acquaintances had mentioned her in passing before. Why Sidney Parker would be asking about her was another thing altogether. "Lady Bertram?" he said, somewhat astonished.

"Yes. Do you know her?"

"Well, yes. That is…Bertram is not an uncommon name."

"I've never heard of her."

Lord Babington cleared his throat. "She's a midwife, Sidney."

"Indeed?"

He nodded. "I don't know much beyond that."

"So…there's nothing…egregious in her character?" he pressed.

"Not that I know of. I suppose it's not completely suspicious that your fiancee should be speaking with a midwife. Perhaps they move in similar circles…"

"Perhaps," and he poured the tea. The Heywood's would be arriving soon to join them for afternoon tea, and he was very much looking forward to it. He hadn't sent the letter yet, he was waiting to speak with Babington. But now, he thought he surely would send it out straight away. "It's of little consequence, really. I just thought it odd that she mention it in a letter with such a decided air of our common acquaintance."

"It is odd," agreed Babington. "But I wouldn't give it much thought."

"No," he smiled.

After a fashion, the Heywood's arrived. Charlotte was desirous of some space between herself and Sidney, if only for a short while. Yesterday's walk had had an effect on her, and she wanted a bit more time. She supposed she could have stayed behind, but she didn't want to arouse suspicion that anything was wrong.

Because nothing was.

She was just falling more and more in love with an engaged man.

She sat next to Lady Babington. "How is Lady Denham?" she asked.

Esther looked at her. "She's well enough. She's an old woman, Miss Heywood. And stubborn. So she is exactly how she wants to be."

"Oh," replied Charlotte, unsure how to respond. "Well. That's…"

"It's nothing. It's life."

She cleared her throat. "And do you mean to continue to live near her, or will you move to London to where Lord Babington mostly resides?"

"We are here for the present. Though I can imagine a time when London will be preferable."

What an insufferable response, thought Charlotte.

Esther seemed to take the hint. "How long are you in Sanditon, Miss Heywood?"

"Three more weeks or so," she answered.

"And how do you find things the second time round?"

"Well, since it is now the middle of the summer, the shore is much more pleasant and refreshing," Charlotte smiled.

"I can imagine," she glanced at Sidney Parker, who was clandestinely watching them. "Tell me, with whom are you here?"

"With my brother John and my sister Allison."

"Yes, but I mean to say…who invited you?"

"Oh! Mr James Stringer," and Charlotte helped herself to a cake.

Esther nodded. "How is Mr Stringer?"

"He's very well. Getting on nicely in London as an apprentice."

"How fortunate. He is a capable young man."

Charlotte nodded. She really had nothing further to add. "And are you enjoying married life, Lady Babington?"

She laughed. "What a tedious question, Miss Heywood. I thought better of you."

"I'm merely…"

"…bowing to convention and issuing niceties. I know. But is that really what you want to know? Or are you not interested in things I have to say?"

"No of course not," Charlotte was confused by this outburst. "I mean, of course I'm interested."

"Then ask me something of significance, that you want to know. That Miss Charlotte Heywood wishes to know."

"All right…" she thought a moment. "Do you know a Lady Bertram?"

She cocked her head. "Did you say Lady Bertram?"

"I did."

Esther stood. "Come with me, Miss Heywood."

Charlotte followed her out into the garden in the back of the house. It was quite warm, for the time was four in the afternoon, and the sun had been baking the day for some time. "What is it, my Lady?"

"Call me Esther. I detest formalities."

She was taken aback by this. "Thank you, Esther. What makes you steal away so?"

"I did not want prying ears," and she turned to Charlotte. "Lady Bertram is hardly a lady, Miss Heywood."

"Charlotte," she replied.

"Thank you. She is a midwife, but of the kind…" she lowered her voice. "She…eliminates…unwanted…" Esther widened her eyes.

Charlotte was confused. And then it became clear. "Oh. Oh my…"

"She fashioned herself that title. It wasn't bestowed."

"But…could there be a mistake? Surely there's more than one Lady Bertram in London."

"I suppose that's true. But when someone is inquiring after a Lady Bertram, that is who they mean."

"But…" it didn't make sense. Why would Eliza Campion be in need of a midwife? "Does she move in prominent circles?"

"She moves in every circle, Charlotte."

She folded her arms and furrowed her brow. Perhaps it was merely coincidence. Perhaps Eliza was friends with Lady Bertram in spite of her occupation. That there was no connection to what she did, and why Eliza knew her. That was certainly possible. "Thank you for telling me, Esther."

"Of course. Is there a reason why you need to know?"

"No. It's just a name I heard recently."

She nodded. "Shall we rejoin the group?"

"In a moment," Charlotte smiled.

"Then I'll see you in there," and Esther curtseyed and left Charlotte to her thoughts.


John was inseparable from Georgiana. He was her constant companion all night, and more than one person took notice. Charlotte was sitting talking with Allison, when Mary Parker sat next to them. "Mr Heywood certainly is enraptured, is he not?" she smiled.

"Charlotte and I were just agreeing that we've never seen him so happily partnered with a lady."

"Though it might be premature to assume anything just yet," reminded Charlotte.

"Or it may not be," Mary insisted. "What does Sidney say on the matter?"

Charlotte swallowed. "Well, we haven't really discussed it, Mrs Parker." This wasn't true, but Charlotte didn't much care for the idea of talking about this subject. Especially not when Sidney Parker himself was within earshot.

"It does make me happy to see him so happily engaged in conversation," observed Allison.

"And what of you, Miss Allison?" began Mrs Parker. "Have you had the good fortune to be able to enjoy the society of someone with whom you might easily converse with?"

"I have enjoyed the society of many worthy people here in Sanditon, Mrs Parker," her voice fell somewhat.

Charlotte felt for Allison. There were many times that people had suggested a deeper feeling on her part than she felt. It was the burden of being popular with young men. Everyone assumed you were instantly in love if you spoke three sentences together with them. Luckily, Charlotte never had occasion to have these assumptions made, for she had no compunction to dismiss them outright. "Allison has happy manners, and everyone enjoys her company so much that they seek her society over most."

"I can well believe it," smiled Mary Parker.

And Charlotte then knew that Mrs Parker did not mean to create unease for her sister. She was genuinely making conversation. "Well, it is getting on in the evening, Allison. Shall we go?" she glanced at Sidney, who was speaking with Tom and Lord and Lady Babington. John was still speaking with Georgiana. Charlotte stood and went over to her brother. "Georgiana," she smiled. "How are you?"

"Very well, Charlotte," she stood and took her hands. "Your brother and I were just discussing all of the places we'd love to visit."

"Have you? I imagine you'll need another week to cover it all," she smiled. "John," and she dropped her hands. "We really should be going."

"Oh, yes. Of course," he stood. "Can I call tomorrow, Miss Lambe?"

"I'm counting on it," she smiled. "Sidney," she called over, with less mirth in her voice. "I'd like to walk back."

Charlotte swallowed then turned to see Sidney walking toward them. "Well, then, Georgiana. I'll see you back," he nodded.

They all said good night to Tom and Mary, then left.


Because it wasn't a terribly far walk back, the party all agreed that an evening stroll along the shoreline was in order. And Charlotte hung back a bit with the hope that Sidney might do the same. They hadn't spoken all evening.

She was pleased that he took notice and slowed his pace.

He had been thinking that he had been too presumptive that afternoon, and that she might be cross with him. Or, at least, desirous of space. He was in fact a bit uneasy at striking up a conversation with her, thinking that she might not want to speak at all.

But he was mistaken, for when he began to walk beside her along the shoreline, she offered him a smile. "It was a lovely evening, was it not, Mr Parker?"

"It is much lovelier now," he returned.

"You flatter me."

"I do. But it doesn't follow that it's untrue."

She laughed.

And he returned it. "What will you do tomorrow, Miss Heywood?"

"Mrs Parker asked if I might help her with some of the party preparations."

"Excellent. So then we will see one another tomorrow."

"So it would seem."

They walked along a moment. "Have you heard from Willingden?"

"Allison has been corresponding with my mother, yes. They are all well. My brother Charlie complains a lot about having to look after the littles, but he is apt to be quite changeful…I'm certain he doesn't mind that much."

He smiled at her, nodding. "Are you close with your other siblings?"

"Not so much as John and Allison, no. The twins…Caroline and Lilliana, they are both excitable and opinionated. And the littles…well. I love them all so much."

"I'm certain that they all miss you."

Charlotte shrugged. "Perhaps."

"I did write to Ms Campion," he said abruptly, and the mood changed. "But have not sent it on."

"That puts me in mind…Lady Babington knows a Lady Bertram…"

"You asked Lady Babington?"

"I did," she said simply, looking over at him. "She told me that Lady Bertram is a midwife."

"Yes," said Sidney. "Lord Babington said the same."

"Well…did he tell you what type of things she practices as a midwife?"

Sidney stopped. He turned to her. "What sorts of things?"

Charlotte blushed. "Well…to dispose of…unwanted…" she swallowed. "It's uncomfortable to speak of such things."

"Yes," he nodded. "I see," Babington did not tell him that bit. Perhaps he did not know…Sidney looked to the dusk falling around them. But why would Eliza mention her in a letter? "This is all terribly confounding, Miss Heywood."

"Mr Parker…it's not my business…but…is it possible that…" she hated herself for asking this. "Is it possible that Ms Campion…that she's…?"

"No," he replied abruptly. "No it's not."

Charlotte nodded and hung her head. How horrendous that she needed to ask, but there it was. "It was a logical conclusion, if one thinks on it."

"Forgive me. Yes, I understand. Of course…" he shook his head and took Charlotte's hands in his. "But I have not been…" he blushed at this. "I have not done anything dishonorable. She is not my wife."

Charlotte looked up at him. "She soon shall be."

He sighed, closing his eyes. He dropped her hands. "Yes she shall," he said, rubbing his face. "Come, Miss Heywood. We are forgetting that this time is meant for us. Let's get you back to the hotel."

She smiled and turned. "Where has everyone gone to?"

"It appears that we have that effect on people…" he laughed.

"How irregular!" Charlotte exclaimed with a returning laugh.

They walked along until they reached the street entrance and headed over to the hotel. "I suppose your brother took Georgiana back," observed Sidney.

"That would be my guess."

"They are certainly attached," he observed. They reached the hotel and stopped. Sidney folded his hands behind his back.

"Yes. It's nice to see."

He nodded in agreement. "Well, Miss Heywood. I bid you goodnight," he took her hand and raised it to his lips.

Her breath caught, and she was suddenly struck at how much she loved him…how she longed to kiss him…"Good night," she managed. "I'll see you tomorrow," she curtsied.

Sidney bowed, still holding her hand. "Good night, Miss Heywood," he breathed.

Charlotte took a long glance upwards, then turned and went inside.

Sidney decided to check that Georgiana had made it safely to her house, then would head back to Trafalgar House, where he would likely not sleep.


Charlotte went upstairs to find Allison up and writing a letter. "Allison…whom are you writing to?"

"Mother," she said distractedly.

"Again?" she took off her bonnet and things.

"Yes…" she dipped her quill. "How is Mr Parker?"

Charlotte sat on the edge of the bed, playing with the ribbons on her bonnet. "He's very well, I believe."

Allison turned to look at her. "Charlotte, it pains me to see you this way. As it does John."

She shook her head. "Well, what's to be done?"

She worried her lip. "Perhaps we go home."

"We will go home, Allison."

"But…perhaps we leave earlier."

Charlotte furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"

And Allison's eyes welled. "Oh, Charlotte! I am sorry…I'm so very wicked. I…"

"Allison!" and she went to her sister and held her. "What's happened?"

She was sobbing. "I love him, Charlotte. And it's hopeless…"

Charlotte knelt next to her. "Do you mean Mr Stringer?"

She nodded. "And he writes to me…we correspond. And he most recently asked me if you'd be agreeable to a marriage proposal," she wept. "He means to ask you, Charlotte. And of course you must accept him if you wish. But how can I live with him as my brother?"

"No, Allison. Of course I shall not be accepting Mr Stringer. How can you think such a thing?"

"I don't know! I don't know anything anymore…" she cried.

And Charlotte held her sister, then coaxed her to standing so that she could help her ready herself for bed. Allison was in a very bad way, for she fell asleep almost as soon as she laid down.

But as for Charlotte, she was wide awake. What a mess! How could James Stringer still have designs on her! They've barely spoken since their arrival. She looked at the open letter on the desk. It was addressed to Mr Stringer.

Dear Mr Stringer,

I should very much like a walk tomorrow. Charlotte has business at Trafalgar House, so I have time.

As for your question,

And that was all there was.

Perhaps she ought to speak with Mr Stringer to set him straight about all of this.