Chapter 6
The next morning, Charlotte and Lady Susan sat breaking their fast together recounting the events of the previous evening.
"I noticed you and Mr. Parker quit the ballroom last night. You were gone but a few moments before you returned with Mr. Wellesley looking a bit…perturbed."
Charlotte looked up from spreading jam on her toast, "Did I?"
"Indeed. I couldn't help but wonder at the source of your annoyance. Was it Mr. Parker? Or was it Mr. Wellesley?" Susan asked as she sipped her tea.
"Well to be quite honest, Susan…it was both of them."
Susan replaced her tea cup on its saucer. "Oh?"
Charlotte held her napkin on her lap, twisting it in her fingers in agitation. "Yes, you see, Sid-…Mr. Parker that is, revealed a piece of his heart to me last night. But before I could respond to him, Mr. Wellesley appeared. I couldn't very well refuse his invitation to dance in order to stay outside, alone, with an engaged man. Could I?
Susan looked at Charlotte with a wry smile. "No indeed dear girl. You did the right thing. Your reputation is of the utmost importance. Tell me, what do you make of Mr. Wellesley?"
"He certainly seems to realize the effect of his charms on women. He's nice enough, although I can't help but feel that there's more to him than meets the eye. I'm not sure what exactly, but I get the distinct feeling he is not what he seems."
"Yes, Mr. Wellesley certainly has a zest for life. Only time will reveal if there are more damning flaws to the man. Now, what say you? Shall we promenade after we finish here?"
"We shall."
Sidney received the missive after returning from the ball last night. Mrs. Griffiths needed to leave Sanditon as soon as possible to be with her ill sister, who was currently in Bath, seeking treatment. He would have to bring Georgiana to London. He was more excited by this prospect than he normally would have been. Charlotte was here. Georgiana would have a trustworthy friend to pass the time with, and with any luck he would be able to talk to her some more and find out the extent of her attachment to Mr. Wellesley. Last night he had as good as told her he was still in love with her. But what could he really offer her at this point? He was promised to another. He had stayed out in the garden for several sets after speaking with Charlotte; he was able to avoid Eliza until the end of the evening. When he returned to the ballroom, Charlotte and Lady Susan were taking their leave, and Eliza was dancing and laughing with Mr. Wellesley. Part of him became less annoyed with Wellesley after seeing him with Eliza. Sidney was glad Wellesley had taken that burden from him, for the moment.
Charlotte and Susan continued their debriefing of the ball as they strolled through Hyde Park. Susan was careful to skirt around her long conversation with Eliza regarding the wedding plans. Her purpose in encouraging Eliza Campion to talk about the Parker wedding had more to do with reconnaissance than being friendly with Eliza. Her plans were being set into motion. The women were deep in conversation when a carriage stopped next to them.
"Miss Heywood! I had hoped to meet you again."
Charlotte turned at the sound of her name. "Mr. Stringer! It's so nice to see you. How is your apprenticeship going?"
"It's going well, Miss. In fact, I am just returning from seeing Mr. Tom Parker in Sanditon. I am going to continue drawing up plans for the resort."
Lady Susan smiled and interjected, "That's wonderful news, Mr. Stringer. I do hope you'll have time to join me at Berkeley House for tea this afternoon? I have a particular project I need done, and I believe you are just the man to help."
"I'd be honored, my Lady. Tea time, then." Stringer bowed to Lady Susan and Charlotte and climbed back into the carriage, disappearing down the street.
Eliza sat at her vanity in front of the mirror, brushing out her long golden curls. She was pleased with how the ball went last night, even though Sidney hadn't stood up for one dance with her. He'd never been much of a dancer, but she was still a bit put out that he had danced with Charlotte that evening at Maudsley's Ball when they'd reconnected. He had yet to dance again with Eliza. They hadn't even embraced. She knew that Sidney had been…distracted by Miss Heywood, but she was sure that connection would die off soon. Eliza was convinced that deep down, Sidney was still in love with her. She would always be his first love. Eliza couldn't say for sure whether or not she'd ever truly been in love. She was certainly in love with the idea of being a woman of high regard in society, and she'd done what she could in marrying Old Man Campion. Sure, it'd broken Sidney's heart, and she had felt some remorse about that for a day or two, but now she was the richest woman in the country and she could afford to marry whomever she chose, and she chose Sidney Parker. Ah, Sidney. This would be the absolute perfect match…if only he had a title. Eliza moved to her desk and pulled out a pen and paper. She needed to write the man to remind him of her feelings, to let him know she was still thinking of him…
Dear S,
As I sit here I'm thinking of our future and how wonderful our life together will be. I realize this is a difficult situation at present, but I know that in time we will be able to resolve our problems and move forward, strong together. It was difficult to be in the same room as you last night, unable to show you how I feel about you, unable to even dance with you. Things will be better, I promise. I hope your business trip is going well and that you will be back in London soon. I await your reply and dream of the next time we will be together. Oh, how I miss you my darling.
Love,
E
Eliza sealed the letter and summoned the messenger. "Please, deliver this to Sanditon right away." Then, she went and dressed for tea.
Sidney arrived in Sanditon to a letter from London. He put it in his overcoat pocket, hoping he'd remember to read it later. He handed his coat to the maid as he entered Trafalgar House and went straight to Tom's study to find that he was not alone.
"Ah! Sidney! The man of the hour! May I present to you, Lord Stanley."
Sidney nodded toward Lord Stanley, "What a pleasant surprise to see you here in Sanditon, Lord Stanley. What brings you to our humble seaside town?"
"Mr. Parker, good to see you. I'm here on business. I heard there is an investment opportunity here in Sanditon, so I thought I'd check it out in person."
Sidney responded, "Is that so? Well, I hope you are enjoying your stay and like what you see. Sanditon shows much promise."
"Indeed. Mr. Parkers, I must take my leave of you now. I am needed back in London first thing in the morning." Turning to Tom, "I will have my man contact you shortly about further investment."
"Yes, yes, that's wonderful, my Lord. I look forward to partnering with you. Sanditon shall be second to none in seaside resorts. Good day!"
"Good day, gentlemen."
As Lord Stanley took his leave, Sidney turned toward Tom and raised his eyebrows. "Things are moving along nicely here, Tom. I see more materials and men have arrived."
"Yes, all thanks to your Mrs. Campion."
"Mrs. Campion? Are you certain? I was unaware she had made her first payment."
"Well, that is to say I assume it's thanks to Mrs. Campion, Sidney. I haven't received notice of any other investors."
"Ah, well, regardless of the donor, it's good news, and good progress. Let's have a drink before I head over to speak to Georgiana. Heaven knows I'll need it."
Later, the man sat in his room at the desk overlooking the ocean. He pulled out the paper and penned his response.
My Dearest E,
How I miss you. My business is going well. I hope to return to London tomorrow. I shall see you then. I cannot wait to hold you in my arms and show you how darling you are to me. I love you. Dream of my kisses until then.
Love,
S
He sealed the letter and sent it out with the messenger. He would be back with the love of his life on the 'morrow.
