Chapter 15
Two weeks later
Charlotte awoke to the sound of seagulls squawking excitedly against the backdrop of waves crashing upon the sand. It had been two weeks since the Regent's Ball and two weeks and a day since she'd last seen or heard from Sidney Parker. No letters. No news by word of mouth. Complete silence. To say Charlotte was merely feeling heartbroken, confused, and angry would be putting it mildly. The last time she felt this way she was in a coach headed back to Willingden after having her heart torn to pieces the first time.
The morning after the Regent's Ball, Susan and Charlotte had set out for Sanditon. Charlotte had spent her days walking the cliffs and beach with Susan, Mary Parker (who also had not heard from Sidney), and the Parker children. They were very much enjoying their time together. But with each passing day, the wind gained a decided chill and the sunny days turned gray, and so did Charlotte's countenance. The silence from Sidney Parker grew longer and lonelier and Charlotte once again began to lose confidence in what she thought she knew of her own heart.
Charlotte rose from her bed and slowly padded to the open window, where she looked out and breathed in the salty, sea air of which she had become rather fond. She turned her head to survey her face in the vanity mirror. She touched her fingers to her wildly untamed, curly hair. Charlotte hadn't bothered to plait it the night before and she was now regretting the choice. Her eyes had dark rings underneath – a sign of her recent difficulty sleeping. She slowly got dressed and headed down to the beach for a walk as she was accustomed to doing in the mornings. As she stepped out onto the main street in Sanditon proper, she took in the sights of the men working on rebuilding the Terrace. It was nearly completed and looked more beautiful than ever. Charlotte made her way past Trafalgar House, and just as she was passing, Mary Parker popped out onto her front step.
"Good morning, Charlotte!"
Charlotte smiled and stopped in front of Mary, "Good morning, Mary! How are you today?"
Mary smiled and tied her bonnet, "I'm well today, are you heading to the clifftops for a walk?"
"I was actually thinking of the beach, but as it's a bit chillier today, perhaps the clifftops would be a better idea. Would you like to join me?"
Mary stepped down from the steps of Trafalgar House and looped her arm through Charlotte's, "I would like nothing better."
They walked quickly out of town but slowed as they approached the clifftops. The very clifftops where her heart had both soared and plummeted – all within a few weeks' time.
Mary walked for a few moments, quiet, wanting to ask Charlotte something but not quite knowing how. Charlotte was the first to speak, "I haven't, yet. Have you?"
Mary a bit surprised that Charlotte had read her mind replied, "No, no I have not. It's quite unusual, Charlotte. Tom nor I are even sure where to find him right now. It's unlike him to go so long without a word of business or otherwise."
Charlotte sighed. "Yes, I'm becoming rather worried, Mary. He did not tell me where he was going and didn't give me a hint or idea as to when he would be back. But that he would come back 'as soon as humanly possible.' I confess I'm beginning to think the worst."
Mary patted Charlotte's arm comfortingly and said, "There now, Charlotte. He will not put you off. Trust me. If he has not written, there's a valid reason. He is a good man…and he loves you most ardently."
Charlotte looked at Mary and then gazed out to the sea. "Thank you, Mary. I'm sure you're right."
Mary and Charlotte faced the sea, taking it all in. Mary turned toward Charlotte, "Perh-" Charlotte looked up at Mary and saw her looking off toward the main road into town. She turned and saw coming up from the London road a lone rider. Mary gasped and smiled as the rider grew closer. Charlotte continued to watch the rider approach, not quite believing her eyes. There, riding toward them, as if her heart had produced him out of pure longing, was Sidney Parker. Her heart in her throat, she stood still, unable to move and at a loss for words.
Sidney dismounted his horse and approached Mary and Charlotte. Mary was the first to speak, "Brother! I'm so relieved to see you! We've been worried sick about you. What do you mean by disappearing in the night and not writing to anyone for weeks?"
Sidney smiled at Mary, "I'm sorry, Mary. It won't happen again." He hugged her and kept his eyes on Charlotte as he continued speaking to Mary, "Who's this? New maid?" Charlotte's eyes widened and she gasped as Mary answered, "Sidney Parker! What do you mean by all of this?" Sidney looked at Mary with the hint of a smirk and said, "Might I have a private audience with Miss Heywood, sister?" Mary, losing her words simply nodded, hugged Charlotte, and began walking a few paces away to grant them some privacy.
Charlotte turned back toward the sea as Sidney stepped beside her and looked out as well. He looked at her sideways as he stood next to her, hat in hand, arms behind his back. She was wringing her gloved hands. He knew this wasn't a good sign. "This is a wonderful view, but I've seen better."
Charlotte, incensed, turned toward Sidney. "What do you mean by all of this, Mr. Parker? You led me on in London, making me believe you hold affection for me, then disappear leaving nothing behind but questions and an incredibly ambiguous note. No one has heard from you for two weeks! Two weeks and one day if we're being precise! Not even your family! What sort of man does that?" Sidney smiled and looked out to the sea and began to laugh.
Charlotte, hackles up, jutted her chin forward, "I'm so glad you find this all so amusing. And that's another thing…."
Sidney turned back toward Charlotte, "Ahh my dearest Charlotte. How I've missed you. You are the only one who is never afraid to confront me, chastise me, bring me down to size. I told your father as much."
Charlotte was taken aback and closed her mouth, as she was just about to continue with her tirade.
"My father?"
"Yes. Your father."
"When did you speak to my father?"
"I've been in Willingden these past weeks. Spending time with your family. Your father asked me to stay so that he might decide whether I was worthy of you…that reminds me, he asked me to give you this…" Sidney pulled a letter from his inside coat pocket and handed it to her.
Charlotte took the letter from Sidney and with shaking hands, opened it and read:
My Dearest Charlotte,
If you're reading this, Sidney Parker has found you and you've agreed to hear him out. I know you're probably angry with him for leaving without sending word about where he was, but honestly child, how could he? He spent time working on the farm with us. He's a good man, Charlotte. And I'd be honored to have him as a son. So, if your heart is so inclined dear daughter, proceed with the full blessing of your mother and I.
Love,
Papa
Charlotte folded the letter and placed it in the pocket of her coat. She slowly looked up at Sidney, who had been watching her read the missive from her father. He reached for her hands, and she gave them willingly.
"My darling Charlotte. I have longed to have you by my side from the moment we met. I have never felt such affection for anyone in my entire life. You have utterly captivated my heart and I have no desire to ever be parted from you again. I love you more than life itself. I realize that I have no right to hope that you might be mine. But I plead with you to consider me. Please let me be the man who wakes beside you, walks beside you, and lives an eternity beside you. Charlotte, will you be my wife?"
Charlotte stared deeply into Sidney's eyes and saw his very soul on display. She took a step toward him and looked up into his face, considering. "There is no one else I'd rather consider. There is no one else I'd rather be, than your wife, Sidney Parker."
Sidney smiled brilliantly and gathered Charlotte into his arms, "Yes?" Charlotte laughed and smiled, "Yes!" She grasped his coat lapels in her hands, and he lowered his head to seal their agreement with a most ardent kiss.
As Mary watched several paces away, she smiled as she watched Sidney lift Charlotte and spin her around, both utterly happy in the very place where their story had begun.
Epilogue
Three Years Later
"There you are, my darlings!" Sidney smiled as he looked up from the toy boat to see his wife, Charlotte, walking toward he and their son, Oliver, with a picnic basket. Her form was changing once again with the life blossoming within her. Sidney Parker had never seen a more beautiful sight. "I've brought rations, gentlemen. You must be famished!"
Sidney got up quickly and took the basket from Charlotte, kissing her cheek and helping her settle on the blanket. They had taken to these picnics near the river on Saturday afternoons, making them a family tradition. Oliver, being two and a half years old, loved the extra time playing with his mum and papa.
"Papa! Papa! Let's sail!" Oliver pulled on Sidney's pant leg eagerly. Sidney scooped up his son and said, "Well Ollie, you know, when we set sail is up to the Admiral, you'd better ask her permission." Sidney smiled and winked at Charlotte as she beamed back at him, "Permission granted! Due west at a full sail, gents!"
/
Sidney and Charlotte Parker settled on the outskirts of Sanditon, in the old Parker house. When Sidney returned from Willingden those years ago to find Charlotte Heywood on the clifftops, he had no idea what kind of peace and happiness awaited him in marriage. Charlotte was his perfect helpmate. They make decisions together and enjoy their lives, their children, and continue building the seaside resort of Sanditon to rival Brighton.
Mr. Crowe is one of the largest investors in Sanditon. He felt some duty to his friend, Sidney Parker, after all the trouble that was caused by Mrs. Campion. He is enamoured with Georgiana Lambe, who has yet to give him the time of day.
Georgiana came into her inheritance shortly after Sidney and Charlotte were married. She has enjoyed traveling the world with Susan, meeting many eligible bachelors along the way. She has yet to meet a man she feels is worthy of her but is enjoying her freedom and is taking her time enjoying life. She and Charlotte remain the best of friends.
Susan has a permanent Terrace apartment in Sanditon and regularly visits her dear friend, Charlotte. She and Georgiana have been traveling companions and have become great friends. She still has the ear of those in high places and sets many things in motion among the ton as she deems necessary. Susan is the godmother (or as Sidney refers to her, "Fairy Godmother") to Sidney and Charlotte's children.
Tom and Mary Parker continue to live in Trafalgar House. Tom is grateful that Sidney and Charlotte have allowed him to have creative freedom (within reason) to build Sanditon.
Mr. Stringer has become a rather sought-after architect. Sanditon "put him on the map" as it were. He splits his time between Sanditon and London, where he is now partner at a firm.
Alexander Wellesley met Allison Heywood during her first season in London and fell in love with her immediately. They are now married and live on the ancestral estate in Hampshire.
No one ever heard from Mrs. Eliza Campion again.
