Together
"Sidney, my love.. you are frowning!" Joy spoke softly to him. She rubbed his hand to help ease his tension. Once in the main house he explained the notes and that his Uncle Steward had entered the property.
He took her in his arms and breathed in deeply…
"I am not safe, and I don't want to see you hurt. Your father told me he wanted you to marry a quiet country gentleman…" Sidney M couldn't continue as Joy had placed her hand on his mouth and gave him one of her most determined looks.
"You are marrying more than just me" Sidney M spoke with pain in his eyes. Joy looking directly at him "I wouldn't have it any other way my love". Sidney gathering her close to him and knew he would be able to face anything with her. He completely understood why couples married sooner than later to maintain the woman's virtue.
"What do we do now?" Sidney M resting his forehead against hers.
"You need to sleep… you will be able to make wiser decisions" Joy firmly directing him to the study and settled him on the couch. She wisely took a chair and commanded him to close his eyes. It didn't take long, and he was fast asleep.
Charlotte and Sidney walked in and watched with concern when they saw their sleeping son. Charlotte placing a blanket over him and Sidney found a chair to sit in. Joy couldn't be alone with Sidney M and Charlotte encouraged her to come back to the main reception room. Leaving Sidney to watch over his son… finding a book he started reading. Charlotte knew she would not be able to budge her husband from the chair and choose wisely to leave him. Charlotte posted guards on the room and gave instructions that no one was to enter the room unless the Laird left the room.
"They are strong, loyal, stubborn but need to be protected" Charlotte commented about her husband and son while leading Joy towards the reception room. Joy nodding in agreement and would be strong like her future mother-in-law. They circulated throughout the room and ensured everyone's needs were met.
"Angus is taking care of matters and we need to appear everything is well. We don't want to cause panic tonight" spoke Charlotte as she left Joy with Anne. Anne was concerned as she knew Angus was outside placing himself in danger. Joy taking hold of her arm and they walked over to Isabella. Charlotte finding Harriet and Elizabeth with their husband or intended.
"Mathair… mother. Alfred wants our wedding to be brought forward and I prefer a small ceremony" Elizabeth commented to her mother. Charlotte looking at the two and knew Susan would have something to say about the matter, but she understood. There was much uncertainty, and she would be a hypocrite if she disagreed. She promised to speak with Susan whom she noticed was having a close conversation with the King.
The King seeing Alfred walked Susan over towards their group. Alfred repeating his request with his mother but was told by Susan firmly their family church was not available for a number of months.
"Susan my dear! I am happy to offer the 'little chapel' in my Gothic Castle (Windsor Castle present day). It will be a pleasure to host this event for my godson" King George deciding without any consultation. Elizabeth and Alfred both thanking the King. Susan hiding her annoyance and knew they could not deny the King's request. Her husband Fredrick had joined them and he himself thanked his cousin for the offer.
"Is there something wrong Susan?" quietly asked Charlotte. Susan looked calm but Charlotte could sense something was wrong.
"I need to speak to you later Charlotte but not now" Susan commented and let Fredrick and the King make the arrangements for the wedding. It was agreed the marriage would take place in two weeks' and the King promised to organise the special marriage licence.
"Anything for my god… son" The King slightly separating the words before bidding everyone farewell as he had a meeting with his latest personal friend. Elizabeth walking over to tell Joy, Anne, Isabella, Claire and Flora her wedding news. Alfred noticing Filipe looking a little agitated went over to join him.
"Cousin… it appears you have been unsuccessful in the seduction of Miss Isabella Crowe" observed Alfred.
In the first time in Filipe's life a woman had him tied in knots.
'Damn you Isabella Crowe!' Filipe thought as he took his time drinking his wine. He needed to cool down and regain control. His mind going over the evening so far.
He had purposely asked to be seated next to her but when checking the table settings, he had been placed next to his Aunt Janette. Isabella was seated further down next to a man called Mr Phillip Stringer. Phillip Stringer was the son of a Mr James Stringer a famous architect. Filipe struggled to concentrate as he watched her engage in light banter and gave all her attention to the man who lapped it up like a thirsty dog.
'I will not be your dog' he swore but could not stop himself from watching Isabella.
"You are not very attentive nephew" his Aunt Janette scolded, and Filipe was forced to engage in a conversation that held little interest for him. Alfred and Angus laughing at him knowing their cousin had been rejected which was not sitting well with the great man.
After the dinner he noticed she had walked out of the room and he took his chance. He was going to show Isabella Crowe how it felt to be given his undivided attention. He walked through another door and with a well-practised move coughed slightly to alert her of his presence.
"Miss Crowe, we find ourselves finally alone" using his most cultivated tone while moving slightly closer to her.
"Predictable…." Isabella commented when she observed his stance and rogue smile. This causing the smile to turn into a frown.
"Predictable?" a confused look appearing on his face.
"I am going to make some money tonight from making a bet to see how long it would take you to find time alone with me" Her eyes sparkled in victory.
Filipe just holding onto his anger was determined to seduce her, but she did something that surprised him.
She walked over to him… slowly
"Let me tell you what you were planning to do. You were going to move close, so your breath is caressing my face. You would take your hand and with your finer lightly touch the jaw line until it lands on the pulse. While intensely looking into my eyes… searching to see if my pupils had changed. Then as you feel success you will move closer, and your lips are very close but not touching. Then you would suddenly move away leaving me bereft and I would be prepared to give up everything" Isabelle performing every move to perfection leaving Filipe breathing erratically.
"I don't think so my Lord" and Isabella walked away.
Filipe had just been seduced! He had to go for a walk and if he came across a lake, he would need to jump in it.
"Isabella, where have you been? Your mother has been asking." Claire asked anxiously.
"I needed some fresh air!" answered Isabella but had to take out her fan to cool herself. He mother warning her to ensure she was never alone, and Isabella concentrated on the conversations before her. She was aware with the Count had walked back in the room and that he watched her with deep intensity.
While Filipe was thinking about the encounter he had glazed over and only came too when he was punched in the arm. by Alfred. "Well?" pushed Alfred
"I have never met such a woman" Filipe finally spoke. Alfred placing his hand on his cousin to comfort the man.
"It happens to all men eventually. Sidney M and I are getting married so what are you going to do about Miss Isabella Crowe?" asked Alfred before leaving Filipe to ponder his future life.
Alfred walked back to his Elizabeth and placed her arm though his. He was worried for her safety and would not let his Uncle destroy their happiness. From time to time, he looked over with concern as Filipe hadn't moved from his seat. Isabella may have broken his cousin.
Charlotte finally excused herself and went back to the study. Both her Sidney's were fast asleep. She found another blanket to place around her husband. Sidney waking up and pulled Charlotte onto his lap. Together they watched the regularly breathing of their son who bore so much for his age.
"Promise me you will not do something reckless." Charlotte spoke while looking deeply into his eyes.
"Steward Montrose will not stop until he is Earl" Sidney's jaw clenched as he thought about the notes left in the chapel. Steward was trying to tell people that Sidney was not the legitimate Earl 'The wrong man'. They were both worried about the strain on Sidney M's health. Steward was spoiling the excitement of Sidney M's engagement and his parents were determined he would not win.
Babbington had been pushing for the wedding at Sanditon. Sanditon had remained a quiet seaside town away from the eyes of the ton. It was open country compared to the wilds of Scotland. It would be the last place Steward would look for the family. Sidney M could have a rest before returning to Montrose to resume his duty as Laird.
"I always loved Sanditon, and I know Esther would want her daughter to be married there. They can have a large clan wedding in Scotland afterwards" reflected Charlotte.
"It will allow me to pack up the house and I would like to show Sidney my part of the world before he shows me his Scotland." commented Sidney.
Sidney would hire his old childhood family home and started planning the various activities he always wanted to do in Sanditon. He would grow a beard so there was a greater difference between himself and his son. He would write a letter to inform Diana and Arthur of his marriage but not Tom. Charlotte would also write a letter to her family but suggested they stop and visited them in Willingdon.
Once that had been settled Sidney looked deeply into her beautiful face.
"How are you, my love?" Sidney kissing his wife tenderly and placing his hand on her stomach. Charlotte was still having her courses and there was still a chance she could conceive. They had spoken about this and Sidney was fearful since Charlotte had nearly died giving birth to Elizabeth. She reassured him she was well, but she was more worried about him.
"Hmmm" they looked up to see Sidney watching them. He had been sleeping for the past hour and felt better. Charlotte sending a servant to fetch Joy who arrived in record time to be with Sidney M.
"Your sister Elizabeth is getting married in two weeks and we wanted to speak with you about your wedding. Joy, your father wants you to marry in the same church he was married, and we are happy to support his wishes. Sanditon is a quiet place and will give you time to settle as a married couple" Charlotte spoke with Sidney holding her hand. They watched as Sidney M weighed up their proposal, but it was Joy's excited face that convinced him.
"As long as we have another ceremony in Montrose Castle for the whole clan, but we keep our travels to Sanditon a secret" Sidney M suggested. They were unsure if there was another traitor in the family and they had to be careful. Babbington had been searching for Joy was happy to speak about the wedding. Charles had been happy with the outcome and admitted he had already started arrangements. Christopher had inherited the Sanditon Estate and they easily could accommodate the small number of guests. The first wedding would be in Sanditon to pay tribute to Joy's mother and then the second for the clan in Scotland a month later. The Babbington's would travel to Sanditon after Elizabeth's wedding and the Montrose/Parker families would visit Willingdon first before Sanditon.
Once this was settled, they walked back to the reception room and Sidney M resumed his duties but was never alone as Joy was by his side.