Chapter 8

The carriage pulled up to the opulent home of Lady Worchester. Georgiana turned to Sidney as the carriage door was opened from the outside, "Are you sure you won't come in with me just for a moment?"

Sidney smiled slightly and replied, "No, I have some business to tend to, I'll be back to fetch you shortly. Please give Miss Heywood my best wishes. Enjoy yourself."

Georgiana smiled and stepped down from the carriage, looking up at the grand house. As she took the first stair, the front door opened and Charlotte came out, excitedly greeting her friend, "Oh Georgiana! You're finally here! Come in!" The two ladies embraced and linked arms as they entered. Sidney caught a glimpse of Charlotte as the carriage drove away, his heart skipping a beat. He realized he was still smiling when the carriage pulled up to his destination. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and stepped out. He walked up the front steps of Wesley House with purpose in his step and rapped on the door. The butler opened the door, "Good day, Mr. Parker."

"Good day, Walters. Is Mrs. Campion at home?"

"Indeed, sir. I'll let her know you're here."

Sidney walked through the front hall into the parlor, really noticing his surroundings for the first time. Gold framed paintings adorned the walls; his attention was drawn to a large portrait of Eliza that hung over the fireplace. She truly was a beautiful woman to the outsider. Sidney reflected that it was a shame her personality ruined her beauty. His eyes continued to wander, looking to the opposite wall, which held…another portrait of Eliza. He groaned inwardly and rolled his eyes. What had he ever seen in her besides her outward beauty? Once again he felt trapped. His only refuge was to think of Charlotte.

Sidney's thoughts were interrupted as Eliza entered, rather out of breath, "Sidney, darling, I wasn't expecting you. I wish you had sent a note before calling." There was a sharp edge to her voice.

Considering her, Sidney replied, "Forgive me, there's a matter I need to discuss with you and it couldn't wait."

Eliza's eyes grew large and she flushed, still slightly out of breath, "Oh? Do get on with it, pray. I'm expected at Lady Gregory's in an hour."

Sidney took her countenance in, noting how out of place her behavior suddenly seemed to him. That was when he noticed she looked rather disheveled. Eliza Campion was never…disheveled. "Right, as you know, I just returned from Sanditon. While I was there, several loads of new building materials arrived, and there were twice as many workers employed. When I asked Tom about it, he said he assumed it was all down to you. I didn't think that was possible, as you made it quite clear when this arrangement was agreed upon that no funds would go to Sanditon until we were married."

Eliza smiled her cold, calculating smile, "That's right, Sidney darling. Sanditon won't get any of my money until we are wed, and our marriage is true. Nothing has changed. Perhaps your brother is continuing to draw out credit without your knowledge. I doubt he's found a benefactor that will be as generous as me."

Sidney grimaced at her response. "Right. Well, I won't keep you any longer, Mrs. Campion. Good day." Sidney walked past her to the front door.

Eliza cleared her throat quite dramatically to get his attention. Sidney turned, hat in hand. "Aren't you forgetting something, my dear?" He looked around, "Ah, yes, quite right, my walking cane please, Mr. Walters. Thank you. Good day, Mrs. Campion."

Sidney closed the door behind him and walked down to the street toward his carriage, looking forward to seeing Charlotte, when he heard his name.

"Mr. Parker?"

"Lord Stanley? Good to see you again."

"Likewise. I can see you're in a rush so I won't keep you. I must tell you how impressed with Sanditon I am, however. I look forward to the opportunity of investing in the venture."

"That's excellent news, Sir. We look forward to your partnership. Good day to you."

"Good day, Mr. Parker."

Sidney alighted into his carriage and instructed the driver to make for Berkeley House. Had he been less preoccupied of mind with Charlotte, he may have noticed Lord Stanley being ushered into Wesley House as his carriage drove away.

"So you're saying that you've forgiven Sidney? You even like him now?"

"Yes, he explained himself. We have a better understanding of each other now, and I am confident that my situation will improve as a result."

Georgiana had pleasantly surprised Charlotte with her admission. Even if she and Sidney were not together, she was pleased that Georgiana and he would be getting along better going forward. She often hoped her friend would come around and see Sidney for the kind, caring man he was underneath his gruff exterior.

Georgiana took a sip of her tea and looked at Charlotte with a raised eyebrow, "What about you? Have you forgiven him for throwing you over for that…that…witch?"

"Georgiana, there's nothing to forgive. I cannot fault him for being loyal and dutiful. He is everything a gentleman should be. I am sad that things did not go in our favor, but I do understand, truly. And, as much as I have tried to put him to the back of my mind, I cannot forget him; my heart cannot forget him, I…I love him."

Cora entered, "Mr. Sidney Parker, Miss."

Charlotte flushed as Sidney entered. "Good afternoon, Miss Heywood, Miss Lambe."

Sidney looked at Charlotte and noted her blush with pleasure. Charlotte locked eyes with Sidney and greeted him with a smile, "Good afternoon, Mr. Parker. Won't you join us for tea?"

"It'd be my pleasure, thank you, Miss Heywood."

Sidney took the chair next to Charlotte, gratefully receiving the cup of tea offered. Charlotte kept her eyes on her hands in her lap, suddenly shy and at a loss for words. Georgiana rescued her, "Sidney, I was just telling Charlotte about the new construction in Sanditon."

Sidney cleared his throat, "Ah, yes, as a matter of fact, I am trying to figure out the source of these mysterious funds making the new construction possible."

Charlotte's eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Mysterious? I would think the funds would be coming from your Mrs. Campion?"

Sidney grimaced at the mention of Mrs. Campion. "No, I've already confirmed she is not the benefactress."

Georgiana chimed in, "Well, this is good news, is it not, Sidney? To know that there is a mystery benefactor out there bringing Sanditon back to life? And you haven't had to sell your soul…yet?"

Sidney's eyes darted to Charlotte, flushing in embarrassment. "Georgiana, please."

Charlotte looked away from Sidney quickly and concentrated again on her hands clasped in her lap.

Georgiana was unapologetic, but changed the subject anyway, "Well enough about dusty old Sanditon. Charlotte, will you accompany me to the dressmaker tomorrow? I have a dress fitting."

Charlotte looked up, relieved that the subject had shifted, "Yes, of course. Perhaps Lady Susan would want to join us, would that be alright?"

"Of course. I'll pick you up around 10 o'clock tomorrow morning."

Charlotte replied, "Wonderful."

Georgiana looked at Sidney staring at Charlotte, "Sidney, are you ready to go? I was hoping to visit some shops before they close. I'll just get my bonnet and meet you at the front door. Thank you again, Charlotte, I'll see you tomorrow."

Sidney startled and rose, "Yes, of course."

Charlotte rose to walk with Georgiana.

"Miss Heywood, may I have a word?"

Charlotte stopped and slowly turned to look at Sidney, "Certainly, Mr. Parker. What can I do for you?"

Sidney took a step closer to Charlotte searching her eyes, "Did you mean what you said before I came in?"

Charlotte's breath caught in her chest as she returned Sidney's gaze, "What are you referring to, Mr. Parker?"

"The part where you said you love me?"

Charlotte inhaled sharply, "Mr. Parker, I..."

Sidney took a half step closer, gently pushed a wayward curl behind her ear, and whispered, "I love you, too."

Charlotte felt tears gathering in her eyes and quickly closed them in hopes of containing her traitorous emotions. When she opened her eyes, he was gone. She rushed to the front window in time to see the departing carriage carrying Miss Lambe, Sidney Parker, and her heart.