Charlotte's morning the next day was occupied with correspondence; she read and replied to letters from her parents and siblings, from Lady Babington and from Mary Parker who wrote to invite her to visit with them once more this summer and to attend the 5th annual Midsummer Regatta.

Charlotte happily responded to her family's news and questions and was sure to assure them of her continued wellbeing; Esther wrote of her young son having taken his first steps and had enclosed an invitation to a ball which would be the first ball she would host since her confinement and only the second since her marriage and she was keen to have Charlotte there for she counted among her truest friends.

Charlotte was obliged to decline the invitation extended by Mrs Parker and cited her engagements in Town throughout much of the summer though she was sure to also extend her sincerest apologies and regret at having to refuse the generous offer. Though she did not like to think on it, Charlotte had other reservations that contributed her refusal; while she knew her heart to have long since healed, she did not yet feel ready to encounter one Sidney Parker once more and was uncertain she would be able to maintain her composure upon that reunion.

Soon the bells rang and alerted Charlotte to the encroaching luncheon hour that was observed in her brother's household. The family had not long finished the light meal of pastries and cold meats when the first callers of the afternoon were announced. Lord and Lady Babington were shown into the drawing room where the necessary introductions were made between the guests and her brother and sister. Esther and Lord Babington greeted them all cordially and Lord Babington with his own usual civility before Charlotte was drawn into eager discussion between the ladies on the very ball she had accepted to attend that morning. The gentleman, likewise, were content to discuss business and politics. Lord and Lady Babington did not stay for very long and were soon on their way to make calls to their other friends and acquaintances.

The next caller was a business associate of her brother's and his wife who were introduced to Charlotte as Mr and Mrs Richardsson and she was summarily informed by the latter that her husband was invested in the shipping business her brother used to import and export the goods he dealt in himself. These goods were vast and varied in nature, spanning from fabrics and exotic silks from India to spices from the far east which he brought into the country to the delicate chinaware and spirits shipped from British shores to foreign places.

To this visit was added Mr Fitzwilliam some half an hour later. The gentleman engaged all in attendance in open and friendly conversation and his frank manner of speaking, which had initially been so unsettling to Charlotte and Madelaine, soon was more fondly appreciated for he presented himself as a man disinclined to blindly believe all females stupid and conversed with them, if not as equals, then as the reasonably well-educated gentlewomen they were.

Mr and Mrs Richardsson were escorted from the house by her brother who was, himself, leaving to meet with an investor and they were followed shortly by Mr Fitzwilliam who, having learned during the course of his visit that Charlotte would be in attendance at Lady Babington's ball, had requested her first set in the dances to be had that evening before he departed just as Lady Granville and Lady Susan arrived.

Lady Granville, though gratified to learn her efforts to encourage Charlotte's acceptance into her own social circles had so clearly begun to bear fruit, was somewhat resentful that the young lady she hoped she might soon call her niece was now required to divide her time between suitors which would make her nephew's courting of the girl all the more challenging. Nevertheless, the group of ladies engaged in lively conversation which only halted with the announcement of the Viscount's arrival.

Charlotte, who had allowed the time to completely pass her notice, was very much relieved when her brother chose that moment to return from his business and usher the man into his study where he surely intended to interrogate Lord Morpeth about his intentions to his sister. Charlotte was quickly ushered by Madelaine to her chambers where Alyona, who would be accompanying them as chaperone, was waiting to help Charlotte change into a riding habit.

Madelaine's attempts to apologise profusely for her sister's sudden abandonment were simply brushed off by the ladies who proceeded to confess their interference with the fledgling couple's initial introduction and early meetings and declared they were both much too pleased by this development to be bothered with feeling insulted. And Lady Susan, who knew Charlotte best of all the ladies, could only impart her own experiences of Miss Heywood which had led her to understand that, though a very good and well-mannered sort of girl, she was perhaps not always so mindful of proper behaviour as one aught be.

Charlotte changed from her day dress into her riding habit with remarkable speech, due in large part to Alyona's efficiency, and when she left her chambers again, this time dressed appropriately for a ride along Rotten Row, found that her brother and the Viscount had not yet departed the former's study. Charlotte took the opportunity to bid their earlier callers a proper farewell and was just contemplating asking a maid to discretely check on the gentlemen when they appeared at the door to join the ladies.

The Viscount greeted his aunt fondly and apologised for not staying to speak with her further as he had come to escort the lovely Miss Heywood on a ride around Hyde Park. Charlotte and the Viscount swiftly departed with Alyona to the mews behind the row of townhouses overlooking Fitzroy Square. Two grooms hoisted Charlotte up onto the horse she preferred to ride when visiting her brother, a dapple-grey palfrey, while the Viscount mounted his own chestnut Arabian. Alyona and a groom would follow behind them in a small gig as chaperones.

Charlotte's preference for Gemini, whose name came from a cluster of markings that resembled the constellation, stemmed from her own inexperience with the side-saddle. As a child her father had not been able to afford such a saddle for the use of his daughters. It was only after several dangerous escapades on the Clydesdales that worked the farm by his then second youngest daughter that Mr Heywood relented and permitted her to be taught to ride astride by their groom.

It had only been in more recent years when her father made the choice to invest in some of the local trade that the family's finances had taken an upturn which allowed the purchase of a side-saddle which his daughters could use to ride one of retired farm horses. Her sister Anne held no great love of the noble animals after a frightening incident in her formative years and preferred to walk or use a carriage. Julia and Charlotte's remaining younger sisters who were old enough to learn had all become tolerably proficient and lady-like riders but Charlotte, though she had reluctantly endured the lessons with the new saddle, much preferred the freedom to be found in riding like a man and always chose to do so when the opportunity was to be had.

So, it was fortunate that Gemini was a sedate and easily led mare who lent herself quite well to Charlotte's use given her own lack of skill in riding in the manner expected of well-bred girls.

Charlotte and Lord Morpeth made their way at a steady trot towards Hyde Park to parade down Rotten Row. Along the route they spoke on many topics from memories of their childhoods to the goings on in the lives of their friends and the plans they had over the coming weeks and months while the Season was in full swing. As they approached the entrance to the Hyde Park which was the place to see and be seen their conversation digressed to their more immediate plans.

"My aunt and Lady Worcester tell me that you are close with Lady Babington? Do you think it likely we will find each other at her ball?" Lord Morpeth enquired as they passed the gates and entered the park, directing their horses along the fashionable parade crowded with other ladies and gentlemen.

"If you will be there I am certain we shall encounter each other at some point or other during the evening. Lady Babington called on us just this morning and seemed very eager to tell me all about her plans for it." Charlotte replied, informing him that she would be there and, indirectly, assuring him she would welcome his attention if he too was to be in attendance.

The Viscount smiled at hearing this and was pleased to be given the opportunity to request more of her company. "In that case, Miss Heywood, might you permit me to request your first set for the evening?"

"You may be permitted to request it, sir, but I must be obliged to decline for my first and second sets have already been claimed, my Lord." Charlotte was disappointed to refuse him this.

The Viscount, while perhaps a little upset at not being able to engage her for the opening dance, would not be turned from his intention to secure her hand in a dance. "Then perhaps I might engage you in the supper set, Miss Heywood? And perhaps also the final set?"

He had heard his mother and aunt talking of Lady Babington's balls and the rumours that she intended to include a Waltz to close the evening, so Lord Morpeth was not too sorry to have to request a different set than the first for it would allow them greater intimacy. He only hoped the young lady had been granted permission to dance the Waltz; perhaps he could persuade his mother or aunt to speak the Hostesses of Almacks on the topic.

Charlotte smiled obligingly at him and accepted his new offer; already she was very much looking forward to spending further time in the Viscount's company. "I wonder, my Lord, if you know who else may be invited? Lady Babington did not deign to share her guestlist."

"Ah yes, that I can do, Miss Heywood!" he confirmed. "Of a certainty I can say that several members of my own family will be present including my mother, aunt and cousin with whom you are already acquainted. My father shall also be there as will my sister, the Countess Gower, with her husband, Lord Gower and I should be very honoured to introduce them to you if you will allow it?" He pressed and hoped she would acquiesce to his conducting the introduction.

"I am sure I shall be honoured to make their acquaintance, Sir."

Further conversation was interrupted by the shocking calling of Charlotte's christian name by a young woman of most obvious African descent as betrayed by her mulatto colouring. Charlotte, in her surprise at hearing her name so impolitically called in public, almost lost her seat as she turned in the direction the call came from. It was only the Viscount and groom reaching to grasp her arms and steady her that prevented her from falling from her horse.

Charlotte was ever more surprised to discover that the female who had called out to her was Miss Georgiana Lambe whom she had befriended several years previously during her time in sanditon and whom she still maintained correspondence with though they had not met in person since that summer four years ago.

"Miss Lambe!" Charlotte declared cheerfully, though her address to the younger girl had the effect of a subtle scolding which was not overlooked by Georgiana's companion and the older woman directed a stern glance at her charge. "How unexpected! I had not thought to meet with you in town. Has Mr Parker finally allowed you to remove from Sanditon and return to London?" She questioned.

"Hardly." Miss Lambe complained. "I am permitted only to travel into Town for a few days to do some shopping and visit with my father's family who have recently returned to England for a short time. He sent Mrs Parker to watch me. Who is your friend?" Georgiana Lambe had evidently changed very little in the years that had passed since they last met and was as forward and disregarding of social mores as ever she had been.

Charlotte chose to ignore her friend's abruptness and introduced the Viscount to Georgiana and the lady she now realised must be the former Mrs Campion. This was certainly proving to be an awkward encounter and made worse when the older woman so clearly still took offense to Charlotte's presence if her barely civil acknowledgement of the girl who had been her competition, and to her mind still was, for her husband's affections was anything to judge by.

However, Mrs Parker, opportunist that she was, would not risk appearing rude in front of so influential a member of the peerage. Though what his interest in the little farmer's daughter could be, she could not begin to contemplate. The Viscount meanwhile had silently observed the poorly masked disdain from this lady and was offended on Miss Heywood's behalf for the dismissal she received.

Charlotte was thankful when Mrs Parker, in her desire to remove herself from the presence of the upstart chit, a desire which unfortunately surpassed her need to ingratiate herself with her betters, meant that the two parties went their separate ways with little further conversation. The Viscount took the opportunity to steer his lovely companion back towards the gates through which they had entered as they had reached the farthest end of the park's fashionable parade.

"That seemed to me an uncomfortable diversion, Miss Heywood." He began, "Are you quite well? You were very nearly unseated from your horse." And expressed his concern for her wellbeing.

"Oh, yes. Yes, I am quite well, my Lord, though I must thank you for your rescue. I'm certain I would indeed have fallen were it not for your own quick actions." Charlotte reassured him and expressed her gratitude for his saving her the unpleasantness which had been avoided.

"I am very pleased to hear it. I could not but have blamed myself if you had been injured." Lord Morpeth confessed.

Charlotte smiled at him and as she once more drew her horse up alongside his own said, "Then you may breather easier and be assured that it would not have been your fault, Sir. I was surprised by Miss Lambe's greeting and, though it pains me to acknowledge it, if I had taken a fall the blame could only be laid at her door for addressing anyone so informally in so public a place."

"Be that as it may, ma'am, I would still have felt responsible for your suffering."

Charlotte sighed at the circles they spoke around each other and suggested that they must simply agree to disagree on the matter or find themselves at an impasse. The Viscount agreed to this and set forth on new point of conversation.

"Miss Heywood, I should like it very much indeed if you would accompany my family to visit Astley's? You need not commit yourself to agreeing now, but I shall inform my aunt and cousin that I have extended the invitation and perhaps you might send them a note if the excursion is acceptable to your family?" The Viscount enquired as they departed the park and began to make their way back to the Heywoods' residence.

Charlotte agreed with Lord Morpeth's consideration of her family and informed him thus. "I should be delighted to accept, but I do agree that I do not know if my brother and sister's plans would allow for it. I will be certain to inquire with them and inform your aunt of our availability or lack thereof."

Lord Morpeth was most willing to accept this course of action and their conversation digressed then to more general topics for the remainder of the journey back the Fitzroy Square.