Plans
Sidney M and Angus had found their mothers in the study enjoying a celebratory drink while reading over the letters they had 'borrowed' from Tom. They couldn't fault their mother's cleverness, but they had placed themselves in danger. Both men going to pour their own drinks and sat down. Charlotte and Janette waiting patiently for their sons to express their feelings.
"Mathair… Mother" Sidney M and Angus speaking in unison.
"Mac.. Son" Charlotte and Janette spoke while not batting their eyes. They knew their sons would be concerned but they were not going to back down.
"Chuir thu eagal oirnn… you scared us" Angus ground out and went to sit with his mother Janette and Sidney M proceeded to do the same with his own mother.
"Bha solas an latha ann… It was daylight" pointed out Janette. She had always suspected Steward had killed her husband and wanted his evil ways exposed. Angus also wanted revenge for his father's death, but he couldn't afford to lose his mother in the process.
"Bha sinn sabhailte… we were safe!" Charlotte added while looking into her son's concerned face.
"Gheall mi athair… I promised Father!" Sidney breathed out. Hector had made him promise to protect the family. Charlotte going to take Sidney M's hands and knew he took his oaths seriously.
"Tha fios agam… I know" Charlotte explaining she could no longer stand by as an onlooker and they wanted to help. Sidney M nodding and knew it was taking a toll on all the family. They couldn't continue on at this rate.
"Feumaidh tu a bhith nas faicelallach… You have to be more careful" Sidney M demanded. It was at this point Sidney and James Parker entered the study. Charlotte reminding her son that she could look after herself. Janette recounting a story the boys had never heard. Charlotte taking hold of Sidney's hand as he would be distressed by this story.
"When Hector arrived with his 'English rose' everyone was shocked. His first wife was hardly cold in her grave and he had married another woman. The women in the castle called her the 'English temptress' and when Charlotte had conceived it certainly added to her scarlet woman reputation" Sidney placing his arm around Charlotte.
"I didn't know I had such an exciting title because I was busy with Harriet and making sure you were safe" Charlotte placing her hand in Sidney M's. "Janette was my first friend in the castle as she looked after me when I was carrying you" Janette and Charlotte would do anything for each other.
"There was many a woman who wished they held your mother's position and men who coveted her. There was a cousin of Hector's who started visiting and developed an unhealthy admiration for Charlotte" Janette had remembered the man's eyes and how he always watched Charlotte. Charlotte shivering as she remembered his unwelcome presence. Sidney wanting to find this man and tear him limb from limb.
"Don't worry… Charlotte put him in his place" Sidney M smiling at his mother who had taken on a sly look. The man had cornered her in hallway, and she had grabbed a cricket bat succeeding in hitting the man in his crown jewels. "One of the men witnessing the event commented Charlotte demonstrated excellent batting form when hitting him in the chest" Janette smiling with satisfaction. Sidney asking when this had happened and was angered when Charlotte told him she had been 6 months pregnant with Sidney M.
"The man was lucky to leave Scotland alive when Hector heard. No man dared come near Hector's wife again. Hector was a fearsome warrior and always protected his own. Also, Charlotte earned the respect of many that day for her fearless attitude." Janette speaking with pride.
Charlotte deciding, they needed to get back to current matters as Sidney had fisted his hands. "Steward?"
"What are we going to do?" mused Sidney M. They had finally been given an advantage and they couldn't afford to waste it. Steward had always been ahead of them and now they could play their ace card.
"Steward is a habitual liar, and we can't trust anything he has written" Janette spoke. Angus agreeing with his mother. The address given could be a trap and Angus cautioned Sidney M about travelling to this unknown place. Sidney M agreeing with him.
"Why don't we use Irene?" Charlotte suggested. They had brought Irene with them and she was being held in her bedroom. She had begged for mercy and an opportunity to show she was loyal to the Montrose family. Charlotte suggesting Irene write to Steward informing him that Sidney M was getting married in Sanditon. Also, Irene could hint that she had discovered something about Charlotte's past.
"No!" Sidney spoke up. He will still reeling from the story he had just heard. Charlotte taking hold of his hands to comfort him.
"It would draw him to Sanditon where we have the advantage. It is a small place with not too many places to hide" Charlotte speaking logically. Sidney M and Angus couldn't argue with her logic. There was only one hotel, and all housing rental business was conducted through Tom Parker. James deciding, he would take over his father's affairs temporarily and Steward Montrose would have to deal with him. Sanditon was Sidney's childhood home, and he would be aware of all potential hiding places.
Janette went to Irene's room and helped her write a letter to Steward. James also writing his own letter to Steward informing the man of his father's illness and that he would be happy to host him in Sanditon. The other gentlemen reviewed security and identified potential areas of weakness. They counted on Steward's desire to usurp Sidney M and that he would take the risk to travel to Sanditon.
When they had finished Charlotte turned to her son and nephew…
"Why don't you take Anne and Joy for walk on the beach?" Charlotte suggested. Both men readily agreeing, and the couples were quickly out the door. Janette and Charles Babbington acting as their chaperones. Charlotte, Sidney, James and Mary made their own journey back to Trafalgar House. Charlotte was going to help Mary pack while James and Sidney tackled Tom.
Charlotte knew Sidney was shaken by the assault and suggested a separate carriage. Sidney holding her close as he needed to be reassured, she was well.
"You are my light my love… I can't lose you now" Charlotte enjoying his words and laughed lightly when he pulled her onto his lap. His hand moving towards her stomach as Charlotte's monthly course had not arrived and Sidney hoped they had conceived a child. He asked her to take it easy and minimise her risks taking. Looking into his dear face Charlotte agreed but would defend herself if required.
As they approached the house Charlotte needed to speak her mind about Tom.
"I fear Tom may have gone mad" Charlotte suggesting Sidney contact a doctor who could make an assessment of Tom's mental capacity. Mary had been witnessing his gradual deterioration but had been powerless to do anything without her sons. It was going to be difficult to predict Tom's behaviour and they had to watch him carefully.
They entered the home with Mary and Charlotte going upstairs. With Charlotte's help Mary hoped to pack her rooms. Sidney and James walked towards the study and found Tom lying on the floor reading a book.
"Papa… you are going to get cold!" James bending down to speak with his father who had not heard them enter. Sidney calling for a servant to find a vest, stockings and shoes for his brother. Tom looking up in surprise and accepted his son's hand.
"James! You have finally returned! Is Henry with you?" a hopeful Tom asked. James's frowning as his father seemed have forgotten they had only seen each other.
"Papa… I visited yesterday. Henry had decided to stay in America" James spoke and watched his father with concern. While James dressed his father, Sidney went upstairs to look at Tom's private rooms. The room was in a chaotic state with letters and documents scattered everywhere. He found a pile of journals documenting Tom's thoughts finding them bitter and documenting Tom's slide into madness.
"We may have to have him committed" Sidney speaking to James when had just entered the room. James arranging for the journals to be secured as evidence of his father's illness while writing a letter to a known London doctor. They now needed to secure Tom, so he was not a danger to anyone.
"What are we going to do with you Tom?" pondered Sidney and felt he had gone back in time.