He did not sleep again that night. In fact, it was becoming unhealthy, the amount of sleep he was losing. Sidney stayed up, looking out of the window, and crying.

He hadn't cried in what felt like years. It likely was years.

But he felt trapped, and his reprieve was now over. There was nothing to be done. He would go to Eliza, see what the fuss was, and marry her. He wondered how much time he had until they were actually married.

They had not settled on a date. It was long passed what was a customary amount of time to wait, anyway.

At nine in the morning, he packed his things and walked into town to catch the coach. He has waited until the last possible minute, for he did not want to risk seeing Charlotte. He did not think that he could leave if he saw her.


"Charlotte? Dearest?"

She looked over at her brother, glassy eyed. "Yes?"

"You aren't well," he whispered, taking her hand.

"I'll be fine, John," she smiled.

"Where is Allison?"

"She went for a walk quite early," she said, swallowing, and taking her hand back. "I've been thinking…I think I want to return to Willingden. You and Allison can stay. But I want to leave."

"But…Charlotte," he smiled. "This is a reprieve that you surely need."

"Everything here reminds me of him. And without him here, I cannot stay. I doubt I'll ever be able to return," she sipped her milk. "Being at home, keeping busy. That's what my mind needs in order to heal my heart."

John nodded. "When do you want to leave?"

"Tomorrow. I'll go today to Trafalgar House to thank the Parker's and such. Speak with Mr Stringer…" her voice trailed.

"Come, dear. Let's go for a walk. It's been a while," he stood and offered her his hand.

She took it.

And out into the midmorning sun they walked. "How is Georgiana?" she asked.

"She is everything wonderful," he mused. "I am quite taken."

"Oh, John. That is lovely. She is such a dear."

"Yes. But I cannot say that I am quite ready to propose to her."

"Why ever not?" she looked at him.

"Well, because of the reasons I had previously mentioned. I do not wish to leave England. All of our family…" he swallowed. "How could I possibly leave you, Charlotte?"

"Oh, John!" she cried. "I do not want you to leave! But happiness in marriage is, I believe, so difficult to secure that you must seize on it when you have the opportunity."

"I cannot leave," he replied. "Perhaps we can arrange something where we divide our time. If, in fact, she wants to marry at all."

"You love her, dear?" she smiled.

"I do. It took some time for me to recognize it as such, but I do. Yes."

"When will you propose?"

"I'm not certain…would you want to have her answer for when you return home?"

She laughed and slipped her arm through his as they strode through the town. "That is not for me to say, John! That's entirely up to you. Now only to see Allison so happy!"

"And you, Charlotte. Do not forget yourself."

She sighed. "My happiness is half way to London off to marry another. There is no hope for me."


Sidney walked to his home in London. He had not asked for another coach, desiring the time to stretch his legs.

He went up the stairs and opened the door. He didn't think about seeing Eliza. He wanted only to go to bed.

Sidney walked into his sitting room.

"Sidney, dear."

"Eliza," he replied without feeling. What was she doing here.

"I'm so happy you're here," she went to him and wrapped her arms around him.

He was stiff and stilted in his responding gesture. "It is good to see you."

She pulled away and looked up at him. "It's nearly tea. Are you hungry?"

"Not at all."

"Well. Please sit. We have much to discuss," and she sat on the loveseat, gesturing for him to sit next to her.

He sat on the sofa across the room.

She swallowed, and took a deep breath. "Thank you for coming today. I waited for you here yesterday, but obviously you did not leave yet."

"Obviously."

Eliza nodded. "Sidney, something of a most alarming nature has occurred. The constable was at my house on Monday."

"The constable?" this, he had not expected.

"Yes. Oh, Sidney! Someone has reported me to the constable that *I* had something to do with Mr Campion's death!"

"What?" he was dumbfounded.

"Yes. Isn't it outrageous? But I need for you to vouch for me. Tell them that I'd never do such a thing."

He let out a small breath. "Eliza. Why would someone accuse you of something so heinous?"

"How should I know? Someone is obviously jealous of me. They dislike that I'm wealthy and young."

He sat back, observing her. "Do you know has accused you?"

"I do not."

He looked at her very steadily. He nodded. "I need the evening."

"The evening? For what?" she demanded.

"Eliza…you just told me that you're being accused of murdering your husband. I am your fiancé. Surely you see what my concerns are."

"You believe them?" she hissed.

"I did not say that."

"No. But it was implied," she stood.

He followed. "Eliza, allow me to think about all of this. Give me the evening."

She swallowed, and offered a curt nod. "I'll see you in the morning."

Sidney watched her leave, then went directly to his desk and began to compose a letter.


Charlotte walked to Trafalgar House with a bit of a heavy heart. She knocked on the door and waited.

As she entered the lounge, she saw Mr and Mrs Parker talking softly by the hearth. "Miss Heywood!" exclaimed Mary Parker. "Come, sit down."

"Thank you," said Charlotte, smiling. She sat and folded her hands. "I am come to speak with you about my eminent departure."

"What?" asked Mary, a dumbfounded look on her face.

"Yes. I am leaving tomorrow. I cannot stay here in Sanditon, much as I may want to."

"But…" Tom began to object.

"Mr Parker, I really must leave. It is all too painful for me to stay," she said softly.

"Oh, Miss Heywood. I am sorry," he said.

She nodded.

"Will John and Allison be joining you?" asked Mary.

"I'm thinking that Allison might. John, I cannot say."

"Do, please stay for luncheon," said Mary.

"Thank you," smiled Charlotte.

They sat and spoke for some time after eating, and after Tom left to see to business. Mary was sympathetic, but did not offer much in terms of hope. For this, Charlotte was grateful. She did not think something as dangerous as want would help her cause.

"I can tell you that I've never seen him thus, Charlotte. He loves you very much."

She nodded. "It is as though he is part of me…as if…" she paused. "As if he was the other part that I've been searching for my entire life. Not as if I've been unfulfilled…" she amended. "Rather, that I did not know I was missing something until I found it in him."

Mary raised her hands to her heart. "Oh! Dearest. That truly is the very nature of love," and Charlotte watched as her eyes welled. "I only hope that someone will come to you that will satisfy, if only party, what Sidney did for you."

Charlotte shrugged. "I do not know what will happen, but at least I had a short time in my life when I can say that I had love."

The afternoon soon aged, and Charlotte was compelled to leave and see to her siblings. She walked alone to the hotel and felt some of her sorrow ebb.


Sidney left in an abrupt manner, letter sealed. He hoped that he could find a page in a hurry. "You there!" and he paid an outrageous fee to have that letter delivered to Lady Bertram.


"You're unwell, I can tell. Don't say it's because of Sidney Parker," Georgiana was sitting with Charlotte by the hearth in the lobby of the hotel.

"Well, yes. I love him, Georgiana."

"Good lord."

She laughed. "But I have no wish to speak of myself. How are you? I've only spoken to you fleetingly over this fortnight, and I'm to leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? But…is Mr Heywood joining you?"

"No," Charlotte smiled. "No I do not believe he is."

"And…your sister?"

"That I do not know."

Georgiana sat back. "You know that I love John, don't you?"

She beamed. "Oh! Georgiana! I'm so happy!"

"There are things that need to be discussed, I think."

"But have you reached an understanding?"

She smiled. "Perhaps."

"He is the very best man, Georgiana. And I should be very proud to call you my sister."

"I wish that there was some way to alleviate your heartache, Charlotte."

She smiled at her. "Loving my brother, who I love more than anyone save Sidney Parker, is enough."


Sidney was waiting for Lady Bertram to arrive. It was past eight in the evening, but she had responded saying that she would visit him. He wasn't certain if it was she who had gone to the constable, but she was most assuredly a player in all of this.

He heard the bell and the servant let her in, and he stood.

Lady Bertram was a tall woman, taller than Eliza. She had very dark hair, and striking features that gave her an air of authority. Her manner could only be described as upright. She wore clothes that seemed as though they were in fashion a few years ago, but she did not appear to be in a bad way. She carried herself with confidence. "Mr Sidney Parker?" her voice was soft. It did not match her appearance.

"Lady Bertram, I presume?" he nodded. "Please, sit down. Would you care for some tea? Port?"

She sat, but did not answer. Instead she looked around. "I was surprised to receive your letter," she remarked as she scanned her surroundings.

"I was surprised that it needed to be written."

"Yes? Well. Ms Eliza Campion is your fiancé, is that not so?"

"It is."

She smiled. it was not an unpleasant smile. "Perhaps I should amend my statement. I'm surprised I did not receive it earlier."

"I beg your pardon?" he leaned closer to her.

"Do you know who I am?"

"I believe so."

She smirked. "And do you know why I am acquainted with your fiancé?"

"I cannot say that I do. In fact, she insists that we met."

"We have never been formally introduced, but I was at a gathering you attended just a month ago now."

"I apologize. I do not recall…"

"Never mind. It isn't important."

He smiled at her quickly. "Tell me, Lady Bertram. What is important?"

She leaned toward him. "What is important, is that during your fiancé's first marriage, I helped her end four pregnancies, and I have reason to believe that she worked to have him murdered."

Sidney's face fell. "What evidence do you have?"

"Her letter to a Mr Young. I believe that she paid him to fetch her poison and dispose of Mr George Campion."

"You have such a letter?"

"I do. She left it during our last appointment mistakenly."

"May I see it?"

"What do you take me for, Mr Parker?" she laughed. "You may come by this address in the morning and I'll show it to you," she handed him her card.

Sidney took it, then stood. "Thank you, Lady Bertram. This is all so…surreal."

"I can well believe it," she stood. "Do not see your fiancé before you leave in the morning, Mr Parker. Come straight to my address. She weaves a spell on men the likes of which I've never seen."

He nodded and saw her out.

Once he closed the door he realized that his hands were shaking. His mouth was dry. He felt light headed. "Lock all of the doors, Jones," he said to his porter. "Alert the staff that Ms Campion is not to enter this house," and he left, going upstairs.

Could this be true? Could Eliza have paid someone to murder George Campion? Were they lovers? Had she aborted four pregnancies? Did she not love George at all? He sat on his bed and felt ill. If these things were true, then he did not know her at all. And what could he do? Turn her over to the constable? She'd hang. What about Sanditon? Where would all of her hundreds of thousands of pounds go?

Should he strike a deal with her? He'd keep quiet if she gave him one hundred thousand pounds?

Could he live with himself?

What if it wasn't true? The fact that he was entertaining this notion spoke volumes about what he thought his fiancé capable of.

Should he listen to a woman he only just met?

And why would Eliza mention her in a letter to him?

Sidney fell back onto his bed, exhausted and confused. "Charlotte," he whispered. "What do I do?"


A/N: hello! Two more chapters. If you have ideas about what Sidney should do, I'd dearly love to hear them. I have an idea, of course, but it might be fun to see if we're all on the same page. Thanks for reading!