Lady Denham woke up on this Friday morning feeling a nervous energy around her. She knew that it was going to be an eventful day. She could feel it in her bones- just like when she can tell when it is going to rain. The only thing that she did not know was whether the outcome of today's events would be to her liking or not. Yet, she had no inkling that it would be a terrible day.

She has had two lovely weeks so far. Her niece Lady Babington and her husband have been staying with her. She enjoyed every minute of that visit despite her constant grumbling. She could tell that neither of them took her seriously from the cheeky and knowing smiles they exchanged. They knew that she appreciated their company despite all her superficial complaints.

Lady Denham liked them both, but she especially liked her niece Esther. She marvelled at how well and happy her niece looked. She had been a lucky girl marrying Lord Babington. He loved her dearly and she thrived on it. She deserved a bit of happiness after that rascal Edward nearly ruined her. Oh, she was still furious just thinking about that reprobate!

She forced herself to relax. Esther told her that they were expecting visitors for tea. She promised her that Miss Charlotte Heywood and her family would be visiting her. She smiled at that. She liked Charlotte. She had been worried about her when she was unwell and in the throes of her coma. The relief that she felt when she was told that the girl was awake and thriving again was indescribable. She was also looking forward to meeting Charlotte's mother and sister. A mother who has borne eleven children! Listen to that! She must an eminently sensible person.

She did not have to wait long. Her guests were announced at nine thirty on the dot. She was astonished though at who entered her grand drawing room! She glanced at Esther and Lord Babington who were in the main sitting room with her for any reaction of surprise concerning the identity of the guests. She realised that they have set her up. Oh, that niece of hers! She had instinctively known that her aunt was going to cause trouble. Yet, the esteemed entrance of Lady Susan Worcester would prevent her from even trying. Well, Lady Denham thought, so be it. Let us see what this new visit brings to spice up this old lady's monotonous days!

All the formalities of a visit were performed. Lord Babington introduced the new ladies that Lady Denham had not met yet. Lady Susan was introduced to her. Lady Denham knew that Lady Susan would suffer no fools- she would keep an eye on that one. She then met Charlotte's mother and sister. The first thought that came to her was how pleasant and genteel they were. What really surprised her though to see Mrs Mary Parker and Mr Sidney Parker at her doorstep. The Parkers have not visited since the fire broke out.

What she also found most intriguing was how Sidney and Charlotte shone in each other's presence and how well colour-coordinated their clothes were. It instinctively reminded her of her first love- oh, what a handsome devil that man was. Yes, she would bet half her fortune, that Sidney and Charlotte were either in a courtship or that an engagement would be announced soon.

The maid brought in the tea and Esther offered everyone a cup along with some cake. The people in the room fell into groups. Sidney and Lord Babington started a discussion on the latest going ons in the Sanditon project. Esther engaged Mrs Heywood, Lady Susan and Alison in conversation following her inclination to get to know them better. Lady Denham conversed with Charlotte and Mary.

Lady Denham took her chance to congratulate Charlotte on her good health. Charlotte looked for a moment at Mary who nodded encouragingly and proceeded to say to Lady Denham.

'Lady Denham, I wanted to thank you for your kind attention to me when I was unwell. It was very kind of you to ask them to send me the milk. It made quite the difference in my recovery.'

Lady Denham gave Charlotte her best smile, the one that unfortunately came out as a sarcastic smirk. 'That was my pleasure, Miss Heywood. We were very worried about your health when you were poorly. We wanted you to recover as soon as possible.'

She then went on speaking and winked at the girl, 'I gather Mr Sidney Parker had a lot to do with that recovery, did he not?'

Charlotte went bright red and Mary grinned slightly. Sidney was also momentarily shaken when he heard Lady Denham's comment. That was confirmation enough for Lady Denham. She was right!

'Lady Denham, I ….Well, yes. He has been instrumental in my recovery. I will tell you this in confidence. We are in courtship, but we will not announce it until we speak to my father. You see, Lady Denham, both my father and siblings are to join us in Sanditon on Monday this week.' Charlotte then went on to tell her about who was coming and when.

Sidney, who was paying attention to both his conversation with his friend and to Charlotte's response, smiled widely at Charlotte's comment. That smile earned him a wink and a nudge from Lord Babington.

The grand lady smiled at Charlotte's response, 'Well, then more congratulations are in order then, Miss Heywood. That is excellent news. Your secret is safe with me. I will also look forward to meeting the rest of your family next week.'

She then addressed Mary Parker, 'It is good to see you again, Mrs Parker. How come your husband has not joined you today? Is he hiding from me?'

Mary smirked slightly and then stated, 'No, Lady Denham, he is not in any sort of hiding place. He has been spending more time with our children. Miss Diana, Mr Arthur Parker and my husband are currently enjoying the seaside. The children were very keen to go swimming today due to the incredibly fair weather we were having.'

Lady Denham was pleased to hear the news. She liked Mary Parker. She was a sensible woman and being married to Mr Tom Parker must be quite the trial. She sensed a new sense of purpose in Mary Parker's air. She seemed more secure and confident in herself.

'Swimming sounds like a good idea for today. It has been a fine day so far.'

This last comment of Lady Denham caught Sidney and Lady Susan's attention who glanced at each other and gave each other a slight nod. It was time to act. Sidney then announced, 'Lady Denham, would you give us some of your time in order to give you an update on the Sanditon reconstruction?'

Lady Denham turned her shrewd eyes at Mr Sidney Parker and responded, 'I would be delighted to hear any update that you wish to give me.' She then got up and said, 'Please follow me to my study.' Thus, the lady led her guests to the said room.

She did not expect though to find Lord Babington, Lady Susan and Mary Parker in the same room along with Sidney Parker. She bid them sit down and looked at them expectantly. Sidney gave Lady Denham a summarised version of the events and his doings in London. Lady Susan then took up the baton to fill in the gaps concerning the Regent's investment in Sanditon. Mary spoke after Lady Susan and mentioned her husband's role in this.

Sidney sensed his sister-in-law's embarrassment in explaining and continued by saying that Tom would be taken off the planning of project and work on the burnt houses instead. He explained that the news would be broken to Tom tomorrow morning. He also continued by saying that the management of the project would be shared by Lady Susan as the regent's representative, himself, Arthur, Diana and Mary as well as Lady Denham should she desire to do so. He took the paperwork from his side jacket pocket and gave them to Lady Denham to read. She took them and Sidney further explained that this is the paperwork that needed to be signed.

Lady Susan, Mary and Lord Babington did not speak during Sidney's explanation. When he finished, Lord Babington also put in his piece by expressing both his and Esther's support of the project and their intention of investing in it. A remark that made Lady Denham lift her right eyebrow so high that it nearly reached the top of her forehead. She thought to herself that wonders would never cease today. This project might just earn her the permanent presence of her niece and new nephew. That was great news!

The group in the study waited nervously whilst Lady Denham read through the documents and examined the insurance certificate very carefully. She did not speak to the group straight away. She took some moments to think.

She addressed Mr Sidney Parker, 'Can you guarantee me that Mr Tom Parker will not have access to any of the funds for this project for the foreseeable future and that you, Mr Sidney Parker, would administer those funds along with Lady Susan?'

Sidney smiled for the first time until they came in the study 'Yes, Lady Denham, my brother will no longer be at the helm.'

Lady Susan also said, 'I can also confirm that as well, Lady Denham. That was one of the main conditions of the Regent's investment. Mr Tom Parker was not to be a part of this project.'

Lady Denham breathed a sigh of relief and gave them a smile, a real smile that neither of them had ever seen before. Not even Lord Babington. 'In that case, I would be delighted to sign the agreement. I see that all of you have already signed it apart from me. I shall do so straight away.'

So, she did. The Sanditon committee has been officially founded. Lady Denham was now in her administrative mood asking question after question about the new investors that were to join them in Sanditon. Sidney told the group that they had promised to send him a telegram with the exact date and time they would arrive next week. He would send a message to Lady Denham once he received their update so that she could join them at the meeting next week.

Lady Denham also spent some time talking to Lady Susan. She discovered to her surprise that she could have an intelligent conversation with her. She thought to herself that she would enjoy working with her on this project.

Whilst the Sanditon committee was being formed in Lady Denham's study, Esther was catching up with Mrs Heywood, Alison and Charlotte. They had a charming catch up on what Esther had been doing and how Charlotte's health had been. Charlotte assured her that she was recovering nicely.

Esther was feeling rather mischievous and said, 'I am sure that you have been. How is Mr Sidney Parker doing these days? What a coordination in colours!'

Charlotte blushed for the second time today, 'Lady Babington..'

Esther smiled, 'Esther, please, Charlotte.'

Charlotte smiled back, 'Esther, then, Mr Parker is very well.' Mrs Heywood and Alison smiled at each other, but they did not contribute in the conversation. They knew that Charlotte felt awkward acknowledging a courtship that has not been acknowledged by her father yet. She would feel more comfortable about it next week.

The ladies' conversation did not go much further than that as Lady Denham and the rest of the company entered the room. Charlotte temporarily forgot that she had to be careful about her courtship with Sidney. The first thing she did when he entered the room was to lock eyes with him. He gave her a wide smile and nodded. She could breathe much more easily now. He was telling that everything was in place for the Sanditon committee.

Their silent communication did not go unnoticed by anybody. Yet, not a soul commented upon it. Not even the outspoken Lady Denham. She was happy for them both and she did not feel like torturing those two loving souls. She wished them every happiness after all the heartbreak that they have already suffered. She instead suggested a walk by the cliffs in order to enjoy the lovely day. The whole group accepted her suggestion with enthusiasm.

Thus, you could find our merry group walking from Sanditon House towards the cliffs within ten minutes from Lady Denham's suggestion. They divided into several different groups.

Lord and Lady Babington were walking with Alison. It gave Lord Babington the chance to speak to Charlotte's sister for a bit. He concluded that she was a very intelligent young lady just from speaking to her for a little while. He also observed that his wife really liked her as she was making the effort to engage Alison in conversation. He was really pleased to see this. He did sometimes worry that his wife did not have any close friendships. It took her some time to warm towards other people. It really gladdened his heart to see that changing.

The three matrons, Lady Denham, Lady Susan and Mrs Heywood, grouped together. Lady Denham positioned herself between Mrs Heywood and Lady Susan. She engaged Mrs Heywood in conversation asking about the Heywood family. Mrs Heywood, who sorely missed her husband and the rest of her children, was more than happy to tell both Lady Denham and Lady Susan what they wished to know. She waxed lyrical about her children and their interests, their tenants and the Heywood home. She even told her about her Captain Wentworth.

Both ladies were keen listeners. Getting to know the Heywood family better was at the top of their priorities for different reasons. Lady Susan wanted to know as many things as possible about Captain Wentworth's family and Lady Denham was genuinely interested in getting to know them better. She marvelled at their grace and she was looking forward to meeting the rest of them next week.

This left Sidney, Charlotte and Mary walking together. Sidney offered one arm to Charlotte and the other one to his sister-in-law. Between them they told Charlotte what happened in the study and what was discussed. She was an avid listener and she lapped up all the information like a thirsty dog drinking from his bowl of water. Her bright eyes and flushed cheeks as she listened to their tale made Sidney's mind wander in other directions that he dared not disclose in the presence of Mary. They could wait until later when he was alone with her.

They continued their walk until they reached the end of the cliff path which forced them to make their way back to Sanditon House. It was a very pleasant walk back to the grand house. They got back just before twelve in the afternoon. Sidney and the rest of the group said their goodbyes to Lady Denham and the Babingtons and they headed towards the Parker carriage. Not before their hosts invited themselves to tea at Trafalgar House next week.

The Parker carriage reached Trafalgar House within a quarter of an hour. They saw that the children and other Parker siblings have not returned from the seaside yet.

Mary excused herself from her guests in order to make the necessary arrangements for the family meeting tomorrow. She was beyond relieved that the Sanditon committee has now been formed and that everything was in order from the respect. She dreaded telling all this to her husband. She had to make sure that all the servants were out of the house until dinner time tomorrow. Therefore, she asked the footman to summon all the members of staff in the kitchen. When they were all there, she announced that she was giving all of them Saturday as a paid day off until dinner time. Their happy cheers warmed her heart.

In the meantime, the rest of the party was resting in the sitting room. They did not have to wait long for another visitor to arrive though. Dr Levinson chose this time to visit his patient. His visit did not surprise either Charlotte or Sidney, but the rest of the party was certainly surprised.

The doctor bowed his greeting to the room and addressed his patient, 'Miss Charlotte, is it a convenient time for your check-up? I have been asked to check up on you.'

Charlotte rolled her eyes at Sidney, who gave her his best pleading puppy-dog look, and answered her doctor's question, 'Yes, Dr Levinson, it is. Mama, will you come with me?'.

This left Alison, Lady Susan and Sidney in the sitting room. Only when Charlotte and her mother left the room, did Alison ask Sidney, 'Mr Parker, you are a wonder. How did you convince Charlotte to voluntarily see a doctor? She abhors them and avoids them like the plague.'

Sidney smirked and said, 'It took a bit of persuasion, Miss Alison, but I won out on this occasion.'

Lady Susan remarked and winked at him, 'I am sure you were very persuasive, Mr Parker. In truth, I am glad you convinced her because I seriously doubt she would have listened to any of us. She is well at present, but it does not hurt to check that she is completely well.'

Sidney nodded his head, 'Exactly, Lady Susan. That was what I thought myself. Charlotte would like to spend most of her time outdoors from now on. Checking that she is completely well will do her no harm.'

There was yet another interruption to the household, though. A messenger delivered a message for Sidney. He seemed to be expecting it. He read it briefly and put it in his jacket pocket. The ladies looked at him with interest. He said it was a message from the investors. They are going to arrive on Tuesday morning at ten.

Lady Susan asked, 'Where are we to meet them?'

Sidney retorted, 'I was to book the sitting room at the hotel for the day. The hotel could provide us with refreshments for the day. Would you meet the investors with me, Lady Susan? Shall we also ask Mr Stringer and Lady Denham to join us?'

'Yes, I would be delighted to join you in that meeting, Mr Parker. I do agree with you about inviting Mr Stringer and Lady Denham. Mr Stringer should bring his architectural plans for the rebuild with him to show them seeing that we cannot show them a completely-finished building.'

'I will tell him on Sunday then, Lady Susan. I am meeting up with him in order to pay the labourers. I am also to see the designs that he has been working on.'

Alison was fascinated by this conversation. She was pleased to hear how well they thought of Mr Stringer. She would really like to call him hers. She sighed internally that she would have to keep waiting until he declared himself.

Both Sidney and Lady Susan looked at each other meaningfully after observing Alison's face in rapt attention when Mr Stringer's name was mentioned. They nodded at each other. This made Sidney even more determined to speak to the gentleman on Sunday. If he was able to find his happiness with Charlotte, why should Alison not find hers with Mr Stringer.

The conversation did not dry up for long. Dr Levinson entered the sitting room. He said, 'Miss Alison, your sister and mother want to speak to you.'

Alison departed. Dr Levinson did not though. He seemed nervous. Sidney was in high alert thinking that something was wrong with Charlotte. He asked the doctor outright, 'What is the matter, Dr Levinson? How is Miss Charlotte?'

Dr Levinson realised that his nervousness about speaking to Diana's brother about the courtship led the gentleman to fear for Miss Charlotte.

'Mr Parker, I am sorry to have worried you. Miss Charlotte is hale and healthy. Her condition is not gone. However, providing she is kept well and happy, then she will be fine. I am nervous about another two issues that I wish to discuss with you.'

Lady Susan went to leave the room to give them some privacy, but Dr Levinson stopped her departure by saying. 'You are welcome to stay, Lady Susan. You might find one of my requests very surprising.' The words made her wonder, so she sat back down. Dr Levinson's words puzzled Sidney exceedingly.

Dr Levinson proceeded with his requests, 'My first request is this, Mr Parker. I would like to ask your permission to court your sister, Miss Diana. I spoke to her earlier today and she accepted me. She mentioned that I could ask for your blessing.

I will admit to you that I am smitten with her. I believe it was love at first sight when I first saw her. I do not know her feelings for me.

You see, sir, I have also come to appreciate her as a person when she was caring for Miss Charlotte. Doctors lead a tough life in many ways. It is difficult to find the person that could share a doctor's life. However, I sensed that I found her in your sister. She is patient, caring and she has a good head on her shoulder. I only want to get to know her better and she to get to know me better.

My second request is closely related to my courtship request. I originally come from Bournemouth, sir. I grew up near the seaside, but I moved to London to practise. I will freely admit that despite my professional success at our capital city, I have never enjoyed living there. It is the most stressful and unhealthy city to live in. Having had the chance to spend some time in your lovely town, I have come to realise that I would really enjoy a change of scenery and a healthier lifestyle.

Therefore, apart from my respectful request for courtship with your sister, I would like to commission the building of a house/surgery in Sanditon. The funds are available for the building to start straight away. I can transfer them to you as soon as you need them. I have already spoken with Dr Fuchs about my intention of practicing at the same time as himself in your town. He was delighted with the idea as we worked well together during Miss Charlotte's illness.

I will still keep my surgery open in London. I can travel there when it is necessary. I dare say that my decision to move to Sanditon will encourage some of my patients to visit me here instead.

I will have to go back to London for three days next week. I will then return to Sanditon on Thursday next week to speak with your architect about the location and design of my house providing you agree with my request.'

Dr Levinson looked at his audience in anticipation like an eager puppy waiting for the ball to be thrown at him. His audience, Lady Susan and Sidney, were thoroughly stunned at first both how much the normally shy doctor could speak and on the requests themselves.

Sidney was the first to recover. 'Mr Levinson, I am in truth surprised by your requests. To start with iet us speak firstly about your courtship request. I will of course have to speak to my sister about this before I give my consent. However, do rest assured that this is not a negative response to you courting Diana. I merely wish to make sure that this is what she really wants. We could revisit this topic upon your return from London.

With respect to your second request, we would be delighted to accommodate your request for a house. What do you think, Lady Susan?'

Lady Susan had luckily recovered from her surprise by the time Sidney addressed her, 'Mr Parker, I would agree with you. Dr Levinson, we would be more than happy for you to commission a house/surgery here. In fact, I will be joining you as I have been having the same thoughts. London is an exhausting place to live all the time and being here in Sanditon for just part of the year would help my spirits immensely. So, Mr Parker, Mr Stringer will get to build a house for me as well.'

Sidney felt like a child opening his presents on Christmas day. There he was worrying in London how new investors would be found. He needn't have worried at all. The commissions from Dr Levinson and Lady Susan would keep them going for the time being and the financial support of his friend Babbers would open more doors in future.

Sidney smiled at both Lady Susan and Dr Levinson, 'That is wonderful news. Miss Charlotte will be delighted to hear of your plans, Lady Susan. How soon did you both want your houses to be ready? We would need at least a month or so to rebuild the burnt flats. You could meet with Mr Stringer and consult with him on how you wish your houses to look.'

Dr Levinson responded first, 'I am no rush Mr Parker. However, I feel it would be nice to have moved to Sanditon by September. Being in London from September onwards is one of the most depressing places to be.'

Lady Susan followed up on that and said, 'Dr Levinson, I could not agree with you more. Yes, September would work well for me as well.'

Sidney thank them both wholeheartedly. He made a mental note to respond to the two other investors and send it off via messenger later on today. He should also send a message to Mr Stringer concerning the new commissions, ask him to provide the preliminary drawings for them and invite him to the investor's meeting. Lady Denham should be informed of it as well.