Willingden,

September 1823

Charlotte Haywood was certainly not expecting the receipt of a letter from London. In truth she could think of no person with whom she could have any reason for corresponding. It was such a peculiar thing.

She was certain it could not be from Sidney Parker. For even if he could not recognise the futility of writing her himself, the new Mrs Parker would certainly ensure that no contact was to be had between them.

Georgiana, to her knowledge, was still residing in Sanditon under the, admittedly unobservant, gaze of Mrs Griffiths. And she had besides received a letter and sent a reply of her own just yesterday to that lady.

Perhaps Mr Parker and Mary were spending some time in Town and the letter was from them. Regardless, the only way Charlotte would get her answer to the author's identity would be to open the letter and avail herself of it's contents. And so she did.

My dearest Charlotte,

Oh, my dear, I have just been made aware of the most unfortunate event, though I feel certain you knew of it long before I. To hear that Mister Parker has tied himself to that grasping harlot Eliza Campion, well it is shocking. He had impressed upon me the image of a man of greater sense than that.

But Charlotte, you must have been so bitterly disheartened. My imagination cannot possibly do your disappointment justice, I fear.

I do bear some good news, my friend, so you may take heart in that. My Prinny has just purchased a new house in Bath for me so that I might enjoy visits to my family with greater regularity. But that is not my good news.

Hear this Charlotte, the furnishings are dreadfully outdated and the building is in great need of modernising. With Prinny uninterested as he is with such concerns, I shall be entirely alone during this endeavour. And so, Charlotte, I insist that you accompany me to Bath and aid me in my project for I can imagine no lady whose company I would enjoy so much as yours.

If you, and of course your father and mother, are in agreement, I shall collect you in my carriage a sennight Thursday that we might travel together. It shall be such fun.

Ever faithfully,

Lady Susan

Well that was certainly an unexpected surprise. When Charlotte departed Sanditon three months past, she certainly would not have thought to hear again from Lady Susan!