A walk along the beach
Tom walked towards his office and started riffling through this paperwork. He needed the estimates for the second terrace buildings and plans. He needed to convince the Earl Sanditon was a sound investment. When he returned to the morning room to speak with Mary he found the room empty and when he searched the house he discovered she was gone.
Mary had grabbed her coat and bonnet as she couldn't bare it if James left for London. She had spent so much time preparing him room and the thought of him leaving made her desperate
"James! Please! James!" she called out without any thought of what people thought. He was on his horse and turned when he heard his name. James had felt guilty the way he had left his mother with his father.
"Don't go! I want you here…" she wiped away the tears that were flowing down her cheeks. James getting off his horse and took his mother in his arms.
"Ahh Mama… I am not leaving but staying at Babbington House. I can't stay in the same house as Father. I am my own man and will not be dictated by him… it was the reason I left England in the first place!" he spoke softly. Mary often jealous of her children who had been able to escape Tom.
He suggested they go for a walk along the beach. Sidney M and Angus understanding he had to care for his mother left him for Babbington House. James giving her his handkerchief while directing his mother towards the familiar stretch of the beach he played on as a child. They walked in silence for a time and then James spoke to his mother about his time away. He hoped she would be proud of his successes but also knew she would be hurt Henry was not returning. James was pleased he had returned and had been shocked by his mother's fragile state. He had decided he would suggest she move to London after the weddings so he could care for her… his father had failed in this matter.
"I am here for you and will not be pushed around by my father!" a steel of determination appeared in his tone which was not lost by Mary. It gave her courage and hope she might also be able to escape Sanditon. She would bring up her hopes to visit the girls with James.
"You father wants you to marry Anne" Mary spoke quickly as she wanted to warn James. Tom was obsessed with gaining money for Sanditon and would be applying the same pressure he once did on Sidney. It had gotten them out of trouble but the relationship between them had been fractured.
"Well, he is going to have to deal with Angus Montrose. Anne is engaged to be married to him and the marriage articles have been signed. Angus is quite protective of Anne and he is not a man to be messed with" Laughed James as he imagined his father trying to deal with an angry Angus.
"Anne… does that mean your Uncle Sidney had seen Charlotte?" Mary asked while holding her breath. She remembered the other man was the Earl's cousin.
"Yes! And you will be pleased to know they are now married" James watched as his mother's face beamed with happiness. He had wondered if she had known about what had transpired all those years ago. Without asking James confirmed Charlotte and Sidney would be arriving soon but firmly reminded her not to tell his father.
Mary had many questions but would wait until she saw Charlotte. She was so happy for the pair as they had been attached all those years ago.
'I wonder how old the Earl is?' Mary contemplated to herself and calculated Charlotte must have married her first husband shortly after she had left Sanditon.
While on the road….
Sidney had never enjoyed such a journey. He had taken advantage of a bumpy section of the road and placed her on his lap. She had read aloud to him and at different times he had stolen kisses like a teenager.
When they made their final approach to Sanditon Sidney held Charlotte tight as he was overcome with emotion and memories.
"The future my love… focus on what we have and not lost" Charlotte comforted him, and he leaned down to kiss her.
He sighed contently and for the first time was happy arriving in Sanditon. Sidney was pleased they were staying at the Babbington's. They could keep away from Tom and his trouble making skills. They were welcomed by Sidney M who drily commented he had met Tom Parker but liked his Aunt Mary. Charlotte was pleased to hear James was spending time with his mother. Sidney smiling with satisfaction when he heard his son order his men that Tom Parker be denied entry into the Babbington Estate.
As soon as they had been settled in their room Sidney looked out the window and decided their first activity would be a walk along the beach. He was no longer going to be the moody Parker brother who haunted the beach and people avoided. Sidney taking hold of Charlotte's hand walking her towards the main door. They were met by the Babbington's and his daughter Anne who had just arrived from their journey. Charlotte was only given enough time to greet the girls before being helped into her coat by Sidney.
"We are going for a walk" spoke Sidney as he placed his hat on his head and securely placed Charlotte's arm on his.
"Maybe we could come Papa? asked Anne as she wouldn't mind a walk.
"You need to settle and rest from your long journey. We can go together tomorrow" reasoned Sidney while walking Charlotte out the door.
"Are you heading towards the cove?" Babbington asked with mischief in his eyes.
Sidney giving his friend his best roguish smile commented that they were in fact heading in that direction.