Chapter 13
Charlotte turned to Sidney and said just above a whisper, "It seems I've captured the rather unpleasant attentions of your fiancé, Mr. Parker." Sidney glanced at Eliza and was greeted by her icy glare. Sidney smiled tightly in return and Eliza looked away, engaging in conversation with her dinner mate. "What do you observe of your dinner companions, Miss Heywood?" Sidney replied, with good humor. Charlotte finished her spoonful of soup thoughtfully. "Well, the gentleman on my left is very good natured, a true gentleman, very handsome, but very much engaged in conversation about the current price of copper." Sidney smiled, "And the companion on your right?" Charlotte smiled playfully and responded, "Ah, well that gentleman is quite a brute." Sidney laughed, "You never shy away from putting me in my place do you, Miss Heywood?" Charlotte laughed in return, "I rather look forward to each and every opportunity, sir. Now pray, turn and be attentive to your other dinner companion, Mr. Parker. I fear we may draw too much unwanted attention to ourselves." Sidney's eye caught Charlotte's and his expression turned serious, "As you wish."
The meal passed this way: Sidney and Charlotte speaking for a time, and then turning away and feigning disinterest for awhile. As the table began to be cleared, Lady Susan arose, and said, "Shall we all retire to the parlor?" Sidney rose and pulled out Charlotte's chair and leaned over to whisper to her, "Remember." Charlotte nodded ever so slightly and headed in the direction of the parlor, making a detour to the garden terrace at the last minute. Lady Susan intercepted Sidney on his way to the parlor, "Mr. Parker, I was hoping to have a word with you in the library." Sidney, caught off guard, fumbled a response, "Yes, of course Lady Worchester." He followed her to the library, looking anxiously back toward the terrace doors through which Charlotte had just disappeared. They entered the stately library together. Susan went to the side bar, "We are waiting for Mr. Baker. Would you care for a drink while we wait, Mr. Parker?" Sidney's brows furrowed in confusion, "Uh, no, thank you. Pray, what is this about my Lady?" Susan smiled serenely at Sidney, "Patience, Mr. Parker. It will be worth the wait. Ah! Mr. Baker! Do come in, and please close the door behind you." Mr. Baker walked in and secured the library door. "Drink, Mr. Baker?" Susan offered. "No, I thank you, my Lady. Perhaps we should get down to the business of the thing first?" Mr. Baker took his spectacles from his coat pocket and hooked them around his ears, then took a packet of folded papers from his other pocket. Susan moved to the chaise, "Yes, indeed, I quite like how you think, sir."
Susan turned to Sidney and motioned for him to sit. "Mr. Parker, I trust you received some letters earlier today?" Sidney was taken aback, "Which letters are you referring to exactly?" Susan smiled, "Why, the letters written by your fiancé to her lover of course. Do I assume correctly that you are not the lover they were directed at?" Sidney swallowed the lump in his throat, "You do, my Lady." Susan nodded, "And is it true that you plan to marry Mrs. Eliza Campion solely for her fortune?" Sidney reddened, "Yes, ma'am." Susan motioned to Mr. Baker, "Mr. Baker has some particular information for you that is of the utmost importance. Mr. Baker, would you please tell Mr. Parker what you've uncovered about his fiancé that would be helpful to him before he is to be wed?" Mr. Baker took out his handkerchief and mopped his forehead, "Yes, Mr. Parker, an inquiry was made to me as to the actual status of Mrs. Eliza Campion's fortune. It's been assumed since the death of Mr. Campion that she is the richest woman in the country."
Sidney felt the blood pumping in his temples, "Assumed?"
Mr. Baker unfolded the papers and laid them on the table, "Indeed. Apparently she isn't quite as well off as she would have everyone believe. Her husband wrote expressly in his last will that she was not to receive a penny of his fortune. He passed her over in favor of his nephew."
Sidney could barely hear the last part of Mr. Baker's speech for the blood rushing in his ears. "I'm sorry? Forgive me, Mr. Baker, but I could've sworn you just told me that my fiancé has been lying to me about her financial status."
Mr. Baker cleared his throat and mopped his forehead again, "Yes, Mr. Parker, I'm sorry to say that is exactly what I am implying. Now, with regard to the evidence suggesting an affair, you'd be able to dissolve your engagement to Mrs. Campion legally, but it could still be disputed. However, with the advantageous addition of legal documentation stating her financial status…or lack thereof, you could sever your attachment to Mrs. Campion this instant without any legal ramifications to yourself whatsoever." Mr. Baker held the documents out for Sidney to examine. Sidney took them, his hand shaking ever so slightly. Mr. Baker continued, "I understand there's been a matter of particular financial trouble where your brother is concerned. This…" Mr. Baker handed Sidney another packet of documents, "is a contract from His Royal Highness in the amount of £100,000 for the development of Sanditon for a seaside resort for his particular enjoyment with one stipulation: your brother is to have no part in the financial business of the town. That is to fall completely upon yourself and your wife…when...and if…you choose to wed, that is…" Sidney's eyes shot up in surprise as he looked at Susan, who raised her eyebrows and returned his gaze with an amused and extremely satisfied smile.
Charlotte stood on the garden terrace waiting for Sidney. She breathed the crisp, evening air slowly and tried to calm her racing heart. Charlotte heard the door open and close behind her and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and smiling in anticipation before turning around.
"My, my Miss Heywood, you look as if you're awaiting a positively scandalous rendezvous."
Charlotte's heart dropped as she saw Eliza Campion walking toward her. "Or perhaps I'm only getting some fresh air, Mrs. Campion."
Eliza's lips twisted upward into a spiteful smile "Come now, Miss Heywood, no need to play innocent with me. I see how you and my fiancé look at each other. I'm no fool. Let us come to an arrangement, shall we?"
Charlotte blushed, "Mrs. Campion, I don't think—"
"I hardly think you're in any position to make an arrangement with anyone, Mrs. Campion."
Charlotte and Eliza both whirled to find Sidney, seething, in the doorway of the terrace. "Sidney, what on earth has you so worked up?" Eliza walked toward Sidney stopping directly in front of him.
Sidney's eyes flashed with anger so severe, so terrifying, that Charlotte backed away a few steps, bracing herself against the railing. "When were you planning to tell me you don't have a penny to your own name? Were you going to wait until you'd trapped me in a loveless marriage? After what you did to me a decade ago, I have to tell you, it's extremely satisfying to be the one to say this time: I am releasing you from this engagement. Perhaps one day you will learn what it is to care for a person other than yourself."
"You cannot release me from this engagement! We have a contract!" Eliza, red from the roots of her blond hair to the neckline of her bodice, indignantly replied.
"Actually, I have every legal right to sever our association, Mrs. Campion. Not only did you lie about your financial status to entrap me, you've been carrying on an affair."
"You cannot prove anything!" Eliza was shaking with anger and perhaps a bit of fear at this point.
"Can I not?" Sidney pinned Eliza with an intense stare. Eliza stood still, unable to stutter a response.
Sidney approached Charlotte with a faint smile and eyes full of affection, and offered his arm, "Miss Heywood, shall we proceed to the parlor to join the others?"
Charlotte looked at Sidney in shock, took his arm, and allowed him to lead her back to the party, leaving a dumbfounded Eliza Campion staring after them.
