Chapter 13
Charlotte circled the dining table slowly, captivated by the elegance of the room. Everywhere she turned, objects gleamed: newly polished silverware and crystal wine glasses at each place setting, brass candelabras aflame in each corner. White peonies adorned the fireplace and console tables. Lady Denham's luncheon during Charlotte's first few weeks in Sanditon had been a divine experience; this dinner promised to be even more magnificent.
Charlotte's light mood suddenly changed when she saw the place cards on the table. Lady Worcester would be at the head of the table and Charlotte to her left. However, Sidney would be sitting directly across from Charlotte with Mrs. Campion beside him. Charlotte knew this was proper; the most important people at a dinner were seated to the right of the hostess. It still wasn't any easier to accept. She would be forced to look at the man she loved and his fiancée throughout the evening. At least she would be sitting next to Mary; that gave her a small amount of comfort.
"There you are," Lady Worcester said, coming into the dining room. She was wearing a silk brocade dress in bronze, her dark hair swept up and secured with a beaded comb. A citrine pendant surrounded by diamonds glinted as she stepped closer to Charlotte. Her lips were painted in her signature red color. Even as unsettled as Charlotte was, she could not help but watch Lady Worcester in awe; everything Lady Worcester did was more extravagant than anything Charlotte had ever experienced.
"I...I was just looking at the room. It's all so beautiful," Charlotte replied.
"I'm glad you approve. Now, come with me. I will be greeting the guests in the drawing room and I want you beside me. I want to be sure everyone meets you and sees how beautiful you are." Lady Worcester linked her arm with Charlotte's and together they walked across the hall. Charlotte took a deep breath as the doorbell rang. It was time.
"Susan, I am nervous," Charlotte whispered.
"There is no need to be nervous, dear. Remember, you are here as my guest for a month. Simply be yourself and everything will be fine."
Charlotte was trying to keep the butterflies in her stomach from rioting. The people she had been acquainted with in Sanditon would be here any moment: the Parkers, the Babingtons, Sidney. All afternoon, she had managed to keep herself busy with exploring and reading in Lady Worcester's library and then dressing for the dinner. Her thoughts of seeing her friends again had not greatly occupied her attention. But now, she would not be able to hide from her thoughts or her friends. Or her ill-fated romance with Sidney.
A striking couple soon entered the drawing room, the man tall with high cheekbones and silver amidst his brown hair; the olive-skinned woman dressed in a light blue and gold striped dress.
"Lord Sterling, Lady Sterling," Lady Worcester said, her smile wide. "So lovely of you to come. May I introduce you to my guest, Miss Charlotte Heywood. She is visiting me in London for a month from a town called Willingden."
Charlotte curtsied and smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
The couple nodded in return.
"Lord and Lady Sterling are great patrons of the arts in London," Lady Worcester continued. "I have known them for many years."
"Thank you for inviting us, Lady Worcester," Lord Sterling said.
"Please, do come in." Lady Worcester gestured to the room. "There is wine while we wait for the other guests." The couple walked past as Charlotte leaned over to Lady Worcester.
"They certainly are a lovely couple." Charlotte turned to watch them for a moment as they were served glasses of wine. They had the air of being very wealthy, as Charlotte imagined all of Lady Worcester's friends were. Charlotte was not able to watch them for long, however, because Lord and Lady Babington had arrived. She did her best to look as if she was not terribly surprised to see them. After all, she was aware they were coming because of Lady Worcester's guest list. The Babingtons, however, were clearly shocked.
"Lord Babington, Lady Babington," Lady Worcester greeted.
"Lady Worcester," Lord Babington said, attempting to focus on the noblewoman but his eyes kept traveling to Charlotte. "Thank you for inviting us."
"You're quite welcome. I do believe you know Miss Heywood?"
"Yes," Lady Babington answered. "Miss Heywood, what on earth are you doing here? We thought you had returned to your home in Willingden."
"I am visiting Lady Worcester for a month," Charlotte dutifully replied.
"I did not realize you and Lady Worcester were so well acquainted," Lady Babington said.
"We met at a ball here in London, and then I visited Sanditon the day of regatta," Lady Worcester informed her.
"Ah. I was unable to attend the regatta. My aunt, Lady Denham, was on her deathbed. She has since sufficiently recovered, thank goodness. Well, Miss Heywood, it is a pleasure to see you again."
"You as well, Lady Babington."
"Esther, please." Lady Babington placed a hand on Charlotte's arm and smiled warmly. Charlotte was taken aback. When Edward Denham made a scene at the Midsummer Ball, Lady Babington was distressed, and Charlotte comforted her. They had not formed a deep friendship during the summer, but Charlotte saw that Lady Babington was upset and responded to her with kindness. Lady Babington had always been so dour and reserved, Charlotte had found the woman difficult to know. But perhaps Lady Babington had changed.
"Esther," Charlotte said. She nodded toward Lord Babington and he nodded in return. He was still looking at her quizzically, and as the couple left, Charlotte could see the same questioning look on Lady Babington's face. It was apparent to Charlotte that they had no idea she would be there, meaning Sidney had either not had the opportunity to tell them or did not tell them on purpose. Charlotte was not sure which was the reason. Sidney and Lord Babington were the best of friends.
Two more gentlemen arrived; Mr. Graham, whom Lady Worcester introduced as being a magnate in the shipping industry, and Mr. Walker, a writer and philosopher. Then the unmistakable sounds of Arthur Parker's laughter filled the hall. Charlotte could hardly contain her excitement about seeing him and the Parker family again.
"Miss Heywood!" Arthur exclaimed, taking hold of her hands and shaking them vigorously. "I am so delighted to see you!"
"I am delighted to see you, too, Mr. Parker. Miss Parker." Charlotte hugged Diana. Mary and Tom stood just behind them.
"Oh, Charlotte," Mary said, pulling Charlotte to her in a loving embrace. "We heard you were in London. It is truly wonderful to see you again. I've missed you so."
"I've missed you, too." Charlotte suddenly felt grounded and safe. Mary was such a calming presence and just knowing she was in the room seemed to quiet Charlotte's nerves.
"Lady Worcester," Tom said. "Thank you for the invitation. I also believe I may have you to thank for the Prince Regent's investment in Sanditon."
"The Prince Regent is investing in Sanditon?" Lady Worcester asked.
"Why, yes." Tom frowned slightly. "The Prince Regent sent a financier to meet with my brother Sidney and I. He is funding the terrace repairs and will be investing a considerable sum in Sanditon for the next five years."
"Well, if the Prince Regent decided to invest, it was of his own volition. He is very fond of architectural pursuits."
"Oh. Well, I thought perhaps you mentioned the regatta to him. You did enjoy the regatta, did you not?"
"I did. But again, the Prince Regent makes up his own mind about where to invest his money." Lady Worcester met Charlotte's confused look, then turned back to Tom. "Please, have some wine while we wait for the rest of my guests."
"Let's talk before the night ends," Mary said to Charlotte. "We have much to discuss."
"Of course." The Parkers departed and joined the other guests. "Sanditon is being funded by the Prince Regent?" Charlotte asked Lady Worcester.
"Apparently so. Ahh, Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd." The next guests had arrived, and Lady Worcester's attention was now focused upon them.
Charlotte smiled politely but was still thinking about the news she had just heard. The terrace was going to be repaired and Sanditon was going to have the Prince Regent's support for years to come. It was rumored at the regatta that Lady Worcester had ties to the Prince Regent, but Charlotte never asked her, and Lady Worcester had never voluntarily confirmed the rumors. Lady Worcester seemed to know nothing about the Prince Regent's investment, which led Charlotte to wonder if Lady Worcester hadn't spoken to the Prince Regent, then who had? And why couldn't the Prince Regent have decided to fund Sanditon sooner, before Sidney proposed to Mrs. Campion? The regatta was weeks ago; he must have heard about Sanditon then. Lady Worcester said she had mentioned the town to him. Had the Prince Regent acted more quickly, Charlotte and Sidney would be together. It was as if fate were being deliberately cruel.
The unfairness of it all seized Charlotte and the calm that came over her when she spoke to Mary suddenly disappeared. She tried to hold on that feeling of tranquility, but it eluded her grasp like sand running through her fingers. Then the moment she had been anticipating with great apprehension was upon her: Sidney and Mrs. Campion had arrived.