Sidney rode the horse hard on the way back to the beach. The thundering hooves and rushing wind did little to distract his thoughts. He wasn't sure what he was more terrified of. If the locals were still upset about the slavery, that meant they'd been stewing over it for over a decade. He could only imagine how vindictive they would be now. And he couldn't fault them for it. He should never have agreed to join Mr Lambe's endeavours involving slavery. It had seemed so perfect on paper but when he'd actually gone into the fields and seen the women slaving away, tired and terrified, it had broken his heart all over again. That wasn't the man he was supposed to be.
And that's what he was the angriest about. He was the one that deserved the anger, the punishment. And yet, if it was them that had taken Charlotte, she was the one bearing the brunt of his mistakes. On the other hand, if it wasn't some vindictive locals who had taken Charlotte, who had? That was almost the scarier alternative because where on earth did he start looking for her then?
By the time his horse's hooves hit the soft sands of the beach, Sidney Parker was a right mess. He stumbled off the horse's back in something akin to panic and ran desperately to Charlotte's hut again. Then around the hut, shouting her name. Then back through the hut again. He eventually came to a shuddering holt as he ran into Captain Blyth's solid chest. The Captain wrapped strong arms around Sidney, capturing him in a bear hug.
"She's aff tae be a'right, Sidney, lad. She's th' strongest, smartest lassie a've ever met."
A final shudder passed through Sidney and then he stepped back. The raging panic and guilt in his heart simmered down just enough for the anger to come back.
"Lambe didn't sort out my grievances with the locals. So it could be anyone." He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "But it's cowardly of them to take that out on her."
"That it is, lad. Bit let's fin' her foremaist. We kin deal wi' th' cowards 'n' mak' things right efter." He put his hand on Sidney's shoulder and guided him away from the hut. "A've searched a' aroond 'ere 'n' questioned a' body I cuid fin'. Na one haes seen her. Bit ah reckon tis aboot th' time th' fishermen come back wi' thair night's catches. Let's see whit th' locals in th' harbour kin tell us."
Sidney nodded gravely, the barest sliver of relief floating through him. "Thank you, Malcolm." The midday sun beat down on the two as they marched along with determined steps across the beach and towards the harbour. Sidney's blood began pounding through his head as the many fishermen and village people came into view. The harbour was a bustle of shouts and trades. He took off at a jog down towards the crude steps that led down to the markets and boats below. Before he could reach them, the Captain grabbed his elbow firmly.
"Let me handle this, Sidney. We're nae aff tae git anywhere wi' that temper o' yers 'n' they're nae aff tae talk tae ye if thay still haud a grudge against ye."
It was difficult to take the suggestion rationally with so many emotions pouring through his head and heart. Thankfully the Captain wasn't suggesting it. He pointed Sidney in the direction of a rock at the top of the stairs."Sit 'ere 'n' ah will see whit ah kin fin' oot."
With that Sidney was left staring at the Captain's shoulders as they disappeared down the stairs. He crouched down on the rock, drumming his leg anxiously. He crouched down on the rock, drumming his leg anxiously. The bright vista stretched out before him seemed at odds with his inner turmoil. Would the faults of his youth chase him down forever? He'd finally found Charlotte, a lady who made him want to be better. And his heart was all tied up in her hands. But now she'd been taken from him too.
He slouched back and stared at the waves below him, struggling to see through the mist of tears. A few hours of this misery passed in the hot sun. Sidney was just about to go find the Captain and hurry him along when the Captain himself reappeared at the top of the stairs. His grave countenance did little for Sidney's mood.
"Och 'n' if that wasn't lik' pul'in teeth. They talk far mair wi' a few drinks in thaim." He chewed on his pipe for a second. "I did catch up wi` one fiery lassie wha tellt me she'd overheard th' men planning th' fires oan mr. Lambe's fields."
Sidney stood quickly. "What else did she know?"
"She said she'd seen yer Charlotte. Bit afore ah cuid git anythin' mair fae her some men walked by 'n' she scarpered aff."
"Charlotte has to be somewhere around here then. I need to start on the beaches, canvas as much as I can and then make my way inland from there. I'd better get going if I want to cover much land before sunset."
"Aye." The Captain fiddled with his pipe uneasily. "Thir's juist one mair thing, Sidney, lad."
"What's that?" the words rolled out impatiently.
"News from Tom. It seems yer brother's newest project haes burnt doon tae th' ground."