~Charlotte~

I ran as quickly as I could back to Sanditon House and burst through the doors. "Lady Denham!" I yelled.

Alison came around the corner and shushed me while glaring. "What is wrong with you?" she asked.

"Where's Lady Denham?" I asked breathlessly.

"She's already in bed. She had a busy day and decided to call it a night. I just finished seeing her to her room."

"I must speak to her." I handed Alison Heraclitus before I ran down the hallway and flew her door open with a force I wasn't intending.

She sat up with a start. "Charlotte! What is the meaning of this?"

"Lady Denham, I apologize for barging in here and for waking you, but I must speak to you. It's a matter of urgency." I rushed to her bedside and sat down next to her. I could hear Alison standing in the doorway behind me.

Lady Denham sat up further in her bed but rolled her eyes while doing so. "What is it?" she asked hastily.

"I just overheard the most troubling news," I began. "I was walking along the beach with Mr. Moreland and we came upon Edward Denham and Clara Brereton talking."

"Were they, now?" she said, sounding repulsed.

"Edward spoke of how his and Mrs. Campion's engagement is a farce and his soul intention is to be in your good graces so he can inherit your fortune. He bragged that you have already made up the Will naming him as the beneficiary."

"Yes, yes, I know all of this," she said, dismissing my information.

I leaned back and gave her a confused expression. "You know their engagement isn't real?"

"Do you honestly think me a fool?" she asked. "No woman of higher class would ever engage themselves to someone like my nephew. I knew it wasn't real from the moment they walked in."

"But why have you played along?" I wondered.

"Mrs. Campion has money to spare. I might as well get something for Sanditon out of it. She's throwing money left and right, at my suggestion of course, to make Sanditon a more successful sea bathing community. I might as well take advantage of it while I can so I'm not always the benefactor of building projects. She's already laid down quite a fortune for the development of a donkey steed as well as some new houses."

"Did you truly make Edward your beneficiary in your Will?" I asked.

"That was at his insistence. Merely for insurance for what they are putting forth now," she explained. "It's easily changed later."

"There's more," I said. "Turns out Clara is pregnant with Edward's child. She'd have to be almost halfway through her pregnancy by now and unmarried. She's engaged herself to Andrew Moreland merely for protection of her and the child. But to me, it sounded like Edward wished to marry her and make it right."

"As he should if it's truly his child. But do we know that for sure? She's not proven herself trustworthy in the past."

"Mrs. Campion is still after Sidney," I added. "I don't think she will ever give up."

"Perhaps it's for the best. There's plenty of other interested men who are far more suitable," she said.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Like Isaac Moreland, I presume?"

"You did say you were walking with him this evening. You must enjoy his company on some level," she said, smirking and letting her eyes twinkle.

"Why are you so against Sidney? I don't understand. I love him, Lady Denham."

"He's not good enough to see your true potential," she explained.

"And a man I've barely spoken to does?" I countered.

"When you've lived as long as I have, you will understand," she said, settling back down in the bed. "Now let me sleep. I'm dreadfully tired."

I sighed again and left the room with Alison. She handed Heraclitus back to me and watched me curiously. "What are you planning? I can tell by your face you're up to something."

I grabbed her hand and pulled her to my room and shut the door. I placed Heraclitus on my bed and pulled out a small trunk to begin to pack. Alison sat down on the bed and petted Heraclitus while she watched me fly around the room. "Mrs. Campion is planning to be on that ship to Antigua with Sidney. I have to be on that ship also. I won't let her do this."

"How are you getting there?" Alison asked.

"I'll take the morning coach. I've taken the coach to London before. I'm sure I'll figure it out. Where the ships leave isn't far from London."

"Are you actually planning to travel to Antigua?" she wondered.

"If that's where Sidney is, then I must go." I continued to rush around the room and pack whatever I could fit in the trunk.

I looked at Alison who had a sadness about her. I stopped and sat down next to her. "What's the matter?"

"You'll be gone…" she cried. "For my wedding."

I took in a sharp breath and realized what I was leaving behind if I followed Sidney. "Alison, I must go. You would do the same, wouldn't you?"

She shook her head. "I would trust my betrothed. If Sidney truly loves you, it won't matter if Mrs. Campion follows after him."

"It's not just about Mrs. Campion," I said, taking her hands in mine. "It's about being where I belong. My home is with Sidney, wherever that may be, as your home is with Mr. Crowe. We are bound to be separated as we go through life."

"But to miss my wedding? Perhaps even your first niece or nephew, whether from me or from George."

"I'll more than likely miss the birth of Esther's baby as well. A baby I'm supposed to be a godparent for. What am I supposed to do?"

She looked down and I saw a tear stream down her cheek. "I understand. I would probably do the same if I were in your shoes. I'll be fine. Go after Sidney, but please remember to write me."

"Of course." I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tightly.

The rest of the night, I struggled with what was the right choice. I knew I needed to go after Sidney, but I knew doing so I'd be giving up so much more. Alison stayed in the bed next to me with Heraclitus sleeping peacefully between us. I'd have to leave him behind too. Alison would have to care for him. He would grow to love her more than me if I was gone for a long time. I wouldn't be here to oversee the theatre being built that the Prince Regent wants to fund. So much would have to be sacrificed. Yet I had to go.

Early in the morning, I got up and dressed and prepared for the long trip. I knew Sidney would be boarding the ship in a day or two. I just hoped I got there before he left. Thinking about where I saw Edward, I wondered if he was seeing Mrs. Campion off to London so she could follow after Sidney like he claimed she planned to do. I wouldn't be surprised if he showed up today telling Lady Denham all about her unexpected trip to care for a sick relative.

Alison once again sat at the foot of the bed watching me and looking down at the floor with a sad expression. "Will you look after Heraclitus for me?" I asked.

"Of course, I will."

"You'll need to keep an eye on Edward. Perhaps fill Esther in on what I discovered yesterday. I know Lady Denham played it off as nothing to be concerned about, but I truly worry she will be taken advantage of."

Alison nodded her head in agreement, before helping me with the trunk and carrying it downstairs. The morning light was just coming through the windows and the servants were all buzzing about their day.

"Miss Heywood," one of the cooks approached us near the front door. "I've packed you some food for the trip. I don't want you getting hungry on your journey."

"Thank you, Sarah. I truly appreciate your kindness." I took the wrapped basket of food and placed it on top of the trunk to be carried out to the carriage. I straightened my hat and took a deep breath readying myself for the painful goodbye.

I kissed Heraclitus on the head and handed him over to Alison who couldn't bring herself to look at me. Her eyes were trained on the puppy. "I won't be gone forever. Soon Sidney and I will return and with much hope everything will be worked out by then."

Alison nodded her head, trying hard not to cry. I hugged her tightly, squishing Heraclitus between us. We both began to cry and wish it was different.

"Please let Mary know where I've gone and let her know I will write. I don't want her worrying," I said.

"I'm sure she will be encouraged knowing you are with Sidney. It's what's getting me through this separation as well."

I nodded and hugged her once more. While we hugged, there was a commotion among the servants. Some were running down the halls, others were frantic.

Alison grabbed the arm of one of the servants to stop her. "What's happened?"

"It's Lady Denham. She's lost to us."

~Sidney~

I woke early on the day I was to leave. I had everything packed, had all my affairs in order, had cleared out the London home even though Diana and Arthur were back. They did plan to go back to Sanditon in a day or two, but it was difficult having them here acting melancholy. What I wouldn't give for a moment of peace. How I longed to be at the cove, more than likely surprising a certain someone who had overtaken my spot. What I wouldn't give to be able to hold her in my arms.

I sat silently, staring out the window watching the busy crowds of people scatter about their day. I scribbled out a letter to Charlotte to be entrusted to Arthur for safekeeping and delivery. It would probably be sometime before she'd get another letter once I arrived in Antigua. I was about to leave for an entirely different world. The last time I was in Antigua, terrible things happened to the people I care about. I wasn't sure what this new business adventure was going to hold, but I was willing to do anything I could.

I saw a young girl walking along the street who reminded me of Charlotte. I sighed and looked away, hoping to dispel the memory of leaving her at the cove alone and upset. I should have asked her to come with me. She could have had her own quarters on the ship. We could have worked together in Antigua. The last letter I sent to her I admitted feeling like I had made a mistake by not asking her to come. A part of me was holding out hope that somehow, she would show up anyway. Perhaps she would have Georgiana in tow. Charlotte escorting Georgiana back to her native land as a ruse to be headed to Antigua. I'm not sure why I hadn't thought of it before. I'm quite certain Georgiana would have jumped at the possibility of a trip back home. Now it was too late. I had already bought my ticket and was leaving in a few short hours.

I carried my bag downstairs and looked around my empty childhood home one last time. Diana and Arthur came into the parlor to see me off. "Take care of yourself," Diana said.

I half smiled. "I'll be fine."

"You need not worry about Charlotte or Georgiana while you're gone. The puppy was a great distraction for Charlotte. She's been spending nearly every day with Georgiana. We will all take care of them while you're away," Arthur said matter-of-factly with a dip of his head.

I nodded my head and took a deep breath. "I'll be back in two years, even if I have to swim back," I promised.

"What a terrible consideration," Arthur said, causing me to smile.

"Off you go, then," Diana said trying to hold back from crying.

I let out another strangled breath, knowing this was it. The last time I'd step into my childhood home and the last time I'd see any family for two years. With a quick turn, I stepped out into the street and boarded the carriage to take me to the docks.

By the time I arrived at the docks, I had already resolved myself to my fate and had plans to face it head on. I checked in my trunk and went through the ticket line to board the ship. I stayed on the deck of the ship and looked out at the water, paying no mind to the people around me.

"Sidney!" The shrill voice coming behind me was not the voice I was expecting. I turned around to see Eliza dressed in an unusually extravagant gown with a parasol open above her head. "I'm so thrilled I found you."

"What are you doing here?" I asked looking at her with absolute disgust.

"I decided to take a trip before I marry Edward Denham. You do remember him, don't you?"

"I heard about your engagement. I was quite surprised at first, but then I thought about it more. He does have a title I'm sure you're after."

She smiled and tipped her head to one side. "Yes, well things couldn't have worked out better if I do say so myself. Edward is back in Sanditon dealing with funeral preparations, while I'm here pursuing my true quarry."

"Funeral Preparation?" I asked, confused by what she meant.

"Edward and I were engaged entirely on business arrangements. I help him gain his aunts fortune, while I get Sanditon House. I will be the lady of the town and be able to do as I please as well as have a say on who is living in the town of Sanditon. I assure you; Charlotte will be the first to go," she said smugly.

"Are you saying Lady Denham is dead?" I asked frantic for what this meant for Charlotte.

"She is," she said with no feeling or remorse at all." I received word this morning from Edward. He is absolutely beside himself with grief. All for show, of course. We didn't think her passing would happen for many years, but I'm entirely thankful we moved quickly in getting her to write up a new Will naming Edward and I as her benefactors. I was supposed to travel to care for a sick family member while Edward stayed with his aunt and cared for her every whim. Then when I returned married to you, he would be the heartbroken man who was pushed aside for another man. Lady Denham would be his only support through a difficult time. But we didn't even have to wait that long. It's as if fate has smiled down upon us." Her cunning laugh disgusted me.

"What makes you think following me is going to change my mind about marrying you?" I asked. "Especially after telling me all of this?"

She smiled deviously as if she knew a secret. "There's a certain debt still owed to whoever Lady Denham's heir is. You have two choices. Either marry me and the debt is paid in full and we live in Sanditon House together while your family keeps their homes and their integrity. We will oversee Sanditon and develop it to its full potential. Or you don't and I marry Edward, now forcing you to pay that debt to me. I do believe Lady Denham's terms stated you were not permitted to marry Charlotte until the debt was paid in full. I'll be sure to enforce that rule. I'm quite certain I can arrange for the debt to never be paid either. It's not hard to pay off men who you may try to have business dealings with. It is rather poetic, don't you think? You humiliated me during our engagement, now I get my revenge. Charlotte will be gone, never to return to Sanditon, I'll see to that. While I take over Sanditon, hiring men who actually know what they are doing to rebuild what she shoddily put together with her time of pretending to be a woman architect. You should have known I wasn't going to walk away so easily. Charlotte Heywood will never walk into your life again."

My breath hitched in my lungs. As much as I was in an entirely impossible situation, all I could think about was Charlotte. She must be devastated with Lady Denham's passing, especially since they hadn't been getting along so well. I had to go to her. I needed to know she was alright. Antigua or not, I had to go back. I bolted past Eliza and listened to her yell after me. The ship was just about to leave. I ran across the deck, pushing and weaving my way through people, trying to get to the steps. When I reached the side of the ship in front of the dock, there was a gap between the ship and the dock. I stepped back, begging people to get out of the way. With a running start, I jumped from the ship and barely reached the dock, holding on with only my hands. A few people standing nearby helped pull me up to my feet. There were loud gasps and people screaming with freight.

"Are you alright, sir?" An older gentleman asked.

"I need a horse," I said breathlessly.

"Yes, yes. I'll direct you to the stables," he agreed. I followed him off the docks while still hearing Eliza screaming my name from the ship's deck in a frantic tone. I never looked back.

At the stables, I rented a horse with nice muscle tone and still in its prime. I needed a fast horse who would fly across the land. I hopped into the saddle and raced off across the countryside towards Sanditon. I had to see Charlotte. We needed to figure out what to do now with this new development. We needed to figure it out together, and if I did need to go to Antigua, Charlotte and Georgiana were coming too. Eliza be damned.