Sidney climbed his way over the railing, collapsing onto the deck of the HMS Prince Regent. It had been a long night and there was no rest for him yet. He had promised he would bring Charlotte news as soon as there was news and that's what he needed to do right now. Even the wariness of the long night and the trepidation for the day couldn't stop the spark of joy at the thought. At least he got to see Charlotte again.
As the Captain gave instructions to the sailors and headed to his quarters for a cup of tea and a nap, Sidney made his way to Charlotte's quarters. But after several knocks, he'd achieved nothing except awoken one of the lady's maids down the corridor.
"She ain't there, Mr. Parker. Didn't turn in last night."
A dark sense of dread wrapped around his heart. Oh Charlotte, please don't tell me you actually swam to shore. He shook his head. He was tired and probably just being overdramatic. Perhaps she was already breaking her fast. Or walking about the deck. Or talking to the Captain. He hurriedly strode about the deck, checking in all the usual spots. The dread tightened its fist about his heart as he passed more and more spots from which she was absent. Finally, he stumbled up to the door of the library. The handle barely budged under his hand.
"Charlotte! Are you in there?" He shouted with little regard for the early hour. The sounds of someone stumbling about and dragging around furniture came from inside the room. "Charlotte?"
"Just a second, Mr. Parker."
The door opened to show Charlotte, squinting her sleepy eyes against the morning sunshine, her hair wonderfully tousled.
"Are you okay?" he asked. He couldn't keep the relief or the amusement from his voice.
She blushed prettily and tried to tame her hair with a hand. "Yes, I … I think I fell asleep in here waiting for news."
He smiled down at her, the evening's worries washing away for the briefest of moments. And then they came back with full force. He had been able to find Georgiana and Mr. Molyneux. The townspeople had been awash with news, eager to spout the rumours of the heiress' return to Antigua. After a little digging and a few coins leaving his pocket, he and the Captain had found out that Miss Lambe and Mr. Molyneux had tucked themselves away in a remote hut, several beaches away. They had not been seen except as they left the ship and made inquiries with the innkeeper. Sidney couldn't tell whether he was relieved or not that she had not immediately returned to her family's estate. But as they marched their way into the hut and confronted the happy couple, Sidney became certain of his feelings. It was clear that they would have to wed now if they hoped to even slightly reduce the scandal they were sure to already have caused. And as to whether he was relieved or not. He was not. Because before he had had time to get angry or rant at Georgiana, she had smugly informed him that her father did not yet know of her return or of her lover. And so yes, as her guardian, that responsibility surely rested on his shoulders.
Any anger had quickly dissolved into anxious pacing. Mr. Lambe would wring his neck for sure. And as for Georgiana, that sly lady. He was comforted at least by the love that was so evident in that small beach-side hut. That didn't mean he looked forward to the meeting he was to have with Mr. Lambe in a few hours. He explained all of this to Charlotte on the way back to shore, in between breathless huffs as he rowed. The Captain had volunteered to keep Lady Denham company and so it was him and Charlotte who now made their way into the lion's den.
Charlotte had tried her best to reassure him but in light of Georgiana's scandal, even her unfaltering optimism had wavered uncertainly. And so, it was with trepidatious steps that the two made their way into the towering mansion perched above field after field of sugar cane. They were shown into a room with a single occupant, a giant of a man with a bald head and an orange and green plaid shirt. Mr. Lambe.
Sidney had been close friends with the man back in the day. And he owed him his life for everything he had done for him after the mess that was Eliza's broken engagement. But now he wished he was anywhere but here. He had failed him. And he knew he was a kind and patient soul about everything except his daughter. He turned to face them with a grand smile. "Sidney Parker! I could not believe it when my men told me you were here to see me. It has been too long, my old friend."
Sidney smiled warmly at the man with the laid-back local accent and accepted the bear hug. "It's good to see you too Mr. Lambe. May I introduce Miss Heywood."
"Ah, good to meet you, Miss." Mr. Lambe kissed Charlotte's hand in a grand gesture and quirked an eyebrow up at her. "And I suppose I should be asking Sidney why you are still a Miss, huh?"
He grinned at their warm cheeks and then gestured for them to take a seat at the table by the window. "Come my friends. We have much to catch up on."
Sidney took a seat at the table, staring out at the fields below. He'd spent many hours at this table, talking and ranting and learning from this man. And now he had to admit his failure to him.
"So, Sidney, what brings you to these parts?" Mr. Lambe sucked a grape into his mouth as he asked.
Sidney mustered his resolve. He had failed. That much was clear. And this man deserved the straightforward truth, at the very least. "Actually, Mr. Lambe, I have journeyed here in failure. Georgiana escaped my watch in Sanditon and escaped back here with a man by the name of Otis Molyneux. She is happy but I know this is not the match you wanted. I am sorry."
Charlotte squeezed his hand under the table as Mr. Lambe's face turned thunderous. He slammed his palm into the table, sending a bowl of nuts flying across the room. "What? Mr. Parker, you owe me everything and then you fail me in this?" He covered his face with his hand. "Get out. I'm too mad to even talk to you."
Sidney's heart dropped as he stood and helped Charlotte from her chair. "I'm very sorry."
They turned and made their way to the door, both ashamed. Just before they reached the door, the strangest sound reached their ears. Laughter. Deep-belly laughter that shook the room.
"Ah, Sidney, Sidney, come here, old friend." came Mr. Lambe again.
Confused, Sidney stopped where he was. Was Mr. Lambe the type to gleefully laugh before beating him with his fists? He and Charlotte spun around just in time to spot Georgiana strolling into the room to kiss her father's bald head.
"Oh Dad, that was hilarious. Very convincing."
"Georgiana?" came Charlotte. She hurried over to hug her friend, leaving Sidney to stare at Mr. Lambe in confusion.
"You knew?"
The deep-belly laugh echoed around the room again. "Of course I knew. Georgiana came straight home to tell me, as any good daughter would."
"And you're not mad?"
"Mad?" Mr. Lambe gestured towards the table again, tears of laughter in his eyes. "Oh you English are backward. Why would I be mad about my daughter finding a good man who makes her happy?"
It all seemed too simple in that light. Georgiana spoke up. "Dad loves Otis, Mr. Parker. As I knew he would. And I just thought I'd put you through some explaining to make up for all the grumpiness on your part." She smiled at Charlotte. "Thank you for your help, Charlotte. You were one of the only friends I had in England. Speaking of owing lives, I owe you mine."
Charlotte squeezed her hand and smiled around the room. "I'm so very glad this has all worked out like this."
Sidney poured himself some water, still a bit shell-shocked. Mr. Lambe smacked Sidney's back. "It's so good to have you back, old friend. Promise me you'll stay a few days."
Sidney gave the man his first genuine smile. His happiness was infectious. "We'd love to. I promised Charlotte I'd show her around a bit." He took a long drink of water.
"Yes, of course, you must." Mr. Lambe winked at Georgiana. "I have a room the two of you can enjoy."
Sidney choked on the water, sending droplets sputtering down his chin.
Georgiana and Mr. Lambe broke out into some more laughter.
"Oh Dad, they're English remember?"
"So they can't share a room even though they're so clearly in love?" Mr. Lambe smacked the table in his laughter. "Backwards English, I tell you."