Son you need to be careful
Sidney had woken with a feeling of unease. When he had bid the young men good night, he felt they were planning something. He had been young once and could see the signs but ignored them as he needed sleep. Charlotte teasing him by calling him 'old man'. He pulled her into a bear hug and demonstrated he was not completely an old man.
He couldn't go back to sleep and didn't want to wake up Charlotte. She needed sleep and there were going to be large demands placed on her during Elizabeth's wedding. He kissed her lightly and put on his robe before heading towards the study. It was a quiet place, and the couches were comfortable.
When he reached the doorway, he frowned… before him he saw Sidney M, Angus and James all sleeping on various couches… empty glasses and guns!
When he approached them he observed fresh bruises and blood!
Clearly, they had gone out searching for Steward Montrose again and had met with some ruffians. He called for water, bandages and lotions. The three had not even stirred and it was evident they were exhausted. When the supplies arrived, Sidney started on his son and tended to him injuries.
"Son, you need to be careful" he had brushed his hand on his son's forehead and that action woke Sidney M.
"Papa!"
"Hmm… have you been out again putting yourself in danger" Sidney spoke with anger. He couldn't afford to lose his son after just finding him.
"I took my men and James was there to help us" murmured Sidney M who closed his eyes again.
Sidney leaning down to kiss the forehead of his son… something he never got to do when he was a babe. He then tended to the other two and was thankful the injures were only superficial. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to find Charlotte. She had a worried look on her face as she surveyed the boys.
"They can't keep going on this way" her voice shook, and Sidney got up and held her. Janette at the moment arrived and silently cried when she saw Angus. She went to check on him and he woke up.
"Irene… she has been informing on us to Uncle Steward… the letters are with Sidney" Angus falling asleep from complete fatigue. Janette finding the letters while Charlotte checked on James. He had helped to protect her son and she did what Mary would have done and kissed his forehead. She found blankets and made sure they were comfortable.
"Charlotte! Irene been informing on us about everything…" Janette spoke after reading a number of the letters.
While on the road...
Steward Montrose was in a carriage and on his way to Sanditon. He had only just escaped the clutches of his nephews. When he had arrived at the 'Red Dragon' he had spotted Montrose men waiting around the corner. He sent his valet ahead and waited. It wasn't long until he saw men been hauled out from the club instantly recognising Sidney M and Angus. He had raised his gun and looked to see if he had a clear shot but there were too many people. He grunted in frustration as he had left all of his belongings in the room including the letters from Irene. He watched as everything in the room was carried out and loaded onto a wagon closely guarded.
"Damn!" followed by other words not appropriate for a gentleman. Even though he was a ruthless man he did care for Irene Frazer. She was a woman who believed she was in love with him. Steward groomed her and made her believe they would marry. She had been a detailed correspondent and he even knew what Sidney M ate for breakfast. They would now know she was informing on them and for a moment he had to decide if he would save her.
The carriage was empty, and he had left Irene to face her fate alone!
Irene had written another letter to her Steward. He rarely wrote back as he reminded her he was a busy man. He had promised in his last letter that they were to be marry soon as he had one barrier to remove. She was walking down the stairs when she was met by Charlotte and Janette. She smiled but found they were angry.
"Irene… who is that letter for" Janette asked
"It is for a dear friend" Irene answered. Steward had told her that until they were engaged, she couldn't tell anyone they were corresponding. She gasped as her letter was pulled from her hands.
"That is my letter!" she cried as she watched Janette open the letter and read its contents. Janette passing it to Charlotte who also read it and the women looked at her with extreme anger.
"You have been writing to Steward Montrose… you have been putting our family in danger" men appeared taking her by the arm, and she was brought before the Montrose ladies.
"No… I…" she tried to justify her actions but was rendered speechless by the deadly stares of Harriet and Elizabeth.
"We trusted you… you wrote to him about my sweet Matthew…. he is a future Laird of the Campbell Clan. Your treason will not be forgotten or forgiven." Harriet spoke first while cradling her precious child.
"Not to mention the Frazer Clan" commented Janette
"Also Montrose" added Elizabeth
While the women were interrogating Irene Sidney and Sidney M were having an aggressive conversation….
"It had to be done! We are getting closer, and we can't stop until we have him. We now have the advantage" argued Sidney M and received a stormy look from his father. Sidney was pacing the room as he was agitated.
"You placed yourself in danger… think about your mother" Sidney raising his voice
"I am and you as well!" shot back Sidney M and they faced one another.
They turned when they heard a person walk through the door. Crowe had been coming for a drink as he had left Isabella with Joy and Anne. Now he was regretting his choice and before he could retreat the two brooding Parker men turned their angry attention onto him.
"Why did you stop Crowe? we need to have a drink before we start our shoot" Babbington colliding into the back of him. The two Sidney's silently sitting in opposite corners of the room.
"I hear you had an interesting night at the 'Red Dragon'" spoke Crowe while pouring himself a drink. He was trying to lighten the mood but just increased the tension. Sidney was brooding while smoking in the corner and Sidney M mirrored the same action.
Thankfully Charlotte and Joy entered the room. Crowe breathed out a sigh of relief and he suggested to Babbingtion they go and assess the shooting tents. Once they had left both Charlotte and Joy placed their hands on their hips. They assessed the two brooding men who were fixated on each other.
"Hmmm… I see you two are getting along" softly spoke Charlotte which brought them out of their staring contest. Charlotte and Joy going to sit with their Sidney which softened their moods plus distracting them from their current disagreement.
"You know he is capable and would not make unwise choices… you wanted to be there but were not able" Charlotte spoke with Sidney who nodded. He was frustrated being injured and not being able to help.
"Your father was fearful for your life… remember he is still recovering from his injuries and clearly you have more yourself" Joy placing her hand on Sidney M's knuckles. Sidney M sighing and all anger he was holding washed away. The men looked up and knew they needed to come to some peace. Charlotte and Joy smiling at this outcome. Charlotte informing Sidney M that Irene had been a victim of Steward. She was under the impression he would marry her and had been fooled into writing to him about the family.
"Irene is going to stay with us as she might be helpful in locating your Uncle and we could also feed him wrong information" spoke Charlotte. She had had to play referee as her daughters wanted serious consequences. Harriet's husband calming her down while trying to regain his own composure. Alfred had also been on hand and took Elizabeth for a walk to calm her spirits.
"We need to focus on your sister's wedding, and you must promise no more excursions into the darkest corners of London!" firmly spoke Charlotte who had been just holding onto her own composure. Sidney moving her closer to him and kissed her forehead. Sidney M who hated making his mother cry promised.
"Good… I think we all need to blow off some steam and thankful we are planning to shoot" They four walking out of the study to face the day of activities.