The next morning James and Sir Edgar visited the Heywoods for tea and talk. When James descended from the carriage all of the little Heywoods charged around him, hugging his knees and taking his hands so that he almost toppled to the ground. Charlotte, Henry and Alison just laughed.
"Shoo away you naughty children and leave poor Mr. James to find his way into the house. " Charlotte extended her hand for the greeting and when he took it she curtsied. Her brown eyes looked down bashfully and a blush spread across her face. He could not let go of her hand. So they stood for a short time just looking at each other. James was speechless. The snow had just begun again and fell softly upon them. He did not think Charlotte could get more beautiful and yet there she was before him her hair braided and pinned on either side of her head with curls framing her face wearing a deep blue wool gown.
"I am here to secure the first two dances with you Miss Charlotte, if you will have me."
Her eyes surveyed his much improved attire. Again, his face became more grown up with a closely shaved cheek and shorter hair. His jaw line was sharper but his wild forelock was still behaving badly which heartened her.
"I should be delighted...James." She whispered his Christian name like a secret. It sent a shiver up his spine.
He planted a grateful kiss on her hand and tucked it in his arm as she tugged him into the warm house and out of the wet, winter morning.
Charlotte was relieved that reestablishing her acquaintance with James Stringer wasn't going to be an awkward affair. The last time they were together their bare legs entwined and here they are sitting in her mother's house, on a settee together, talking animatedly about all that had transpired in the meantime. Of course she knew about his project already. He had sent an excited letter the day he found out.
"Are you looking forward to the ball?" James struggled to find a topic.
"Aye. And you?" She took a sip of tea.
"Yes. Sir Edgar tells me there are many young ladies eager to dance with me. I can not think how my reputation as a dancer got around Wilingden." He lowered his head and looked suspiciously over the teacup at her and took a sip.
"Oh. You have me to thank for that. I may have mentioned your prowess on the dance floor to one or other of the young ladies here about." She took a sip.
"Are you trying to find me a wife, Miss Charlotte? Please do not trouble yourself for I have already found one." He took another slow sip and hoped his words would create some interest and from the puzzled look on Charlottes face, it worked.
That afternoon, as she lay in the bath, she couldn't stop musing on James' words. She felt rather uncomfortable in her feelings. If she wasn't the woman he intended to marry, was he considering Alison? Could her former attachment to Sidney have gotten in the way? Had she said something to offend him? Did someone say something negative about her to him in Sanditon to change his good opinion? Lady Denham? Her mind reeled. She felt nauseous and laid down until it was time to dress for the ball.
Back in the West wing, James and his valet were having quite the time of it getting ready. Harper was very nervous about getting everything right but ended up getting most of it wrong. He forgot to press James' pants, he filled the tub with cold water and accidentally shaved off the tip one of his side burns which meant the other tip had to go. Good natured James just laughed it off and helped Harper figure out how to tie the Oxford knot.
Obviously, young Harper was just getting his feet as a valet. Not that it bothered James in the least. He was happy to help a young person learn their trade. Others had been patient with him. He owed it to the working class to return the favor. James was determined to always help the underdog.
One final brush down, and James was ready to join the Ball, the picture of a respectable young man.
The ballroom at Landsdowne was spectacular. The musicians balcony was festooned with garland and a large pine tree welcomed guests in the entry. A wonderful assortment of jolly neighbors had arrived and James accompanied Sir Edgar as he welcomed all. An hour into the ball, the Heywoods arrived.
Mrs. Heywood, Miss Charlotte Heywood, Mr. Henry Heywood and Miss Alison Heywood stepped into the ballroom.
They made a handsome tableau at the top of the stairs. James rushed to the bottom to await Charlotte and claim her before other young beaus had the chance.
"Miss Charlotte, may I escort you to the punch bowl for a beverage?" She was wearing a dark purple taffeta dress that showed off her ample assets. Her hair was up and festooned with green silk ribbons in the ancient greek style. She was stunning.
"Yes, please. This is my first formal ball in Willingden. It is such a pleasure to know everyone in the room. It feels like a party with friends." James gave her one of his brilliant side grins. He was glad she was taking him under her wing. No one in Willinden could mistake their attachment, even though nothing formal had been announced.
And so they went around the room meeting and greeting again until the first tune and then they took to the dance floor and the rest of the night melted away. James danced with everyone, keeping up with Charlotte who never left the floor but to catch her breath and have a glass of punch.
"It's almost Midnight. I had hoped we could find some time to talk." James was anxious. He gulped down his third glass of champagne for courage.
"I would like that." Charlotte whispered. She tipped her head, beguiling him beyond belief.
Just then, Sir Edgar quieted the tipsy crowd to make an announcement.
"I thank all of you kind neighbors to my party. I hope to make this an annual affair. I have been a recluse for too long and must thank Mrs. Heywood for bringing me out into the world again. It is now my honor and privilege to announce that Mrs. Maria Heywood has consented to become my wife, Lady Peacham. "
There was much cheering and toasting and congratulations.
The news took James completely by surprise. What would this mean for Charlotte? She was to become the step-daughter of peer? Did that exclude him from her life? His mind was reeling, or was it the champagne.
He clapped along with the crowd like an automaton. Charlotte hugged her mother and Sir Edgar. The couple then stood by the Grand door as a receiving line saw the guests out into the dark night. Charlotte escaped out of the back door and onto the windy terrace for a moment of reflection.
James found her with her shawl wrapped tightly around her, shivering. He took off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders and brought her into his heated body for a hug. She stared, numbly, into the dark. Her voice was a monotone.
"Isn't it odd to think that Landsdowne with it's fountain and terrace, marble floors, portico's and arbors will be my new family seat? My station in life has just been elevated by 10. What will be the expectation for me now? A season with the Ton? Introduction into London society? The marriage market? God. No! James! I can not do it. I do not want this."
"Charlotte, you must come in with me. You'll get sick if you stay here. I know where we can go to talk. Here, follow me."
He took Charlotte's hand and guided her through the servants entrance and up the back stairs to the abandoned third floor landing. There was a settee against the portrait wall and they sat down. Charlotte slid out of his coat and admired it's construction, his scent still lingering in the lining, squeezing her from the inside.
James slid his well muscled arm into the sleeve. He rubbed her hands in his, blowing his hot breath on them to warm them. "Well, look at that," he whispered as he caressed her softened fingers, "if I didn't know better I would think those were the hands of a lady." He brushed her fingers against his lips, pressing kiss after kiss on each and every one.
She took his face in her hands to stop him and gave him a kiss on his forehead as she stood to pace the room. She was overcome by his attention, her eyes welling with tears. She she wanted to clear her mind.
"I imagine we will move into Landsdowne after the season." She looked up and down the enormous hall and up at the broody ancestors in the portraits.
"Unless, while you are in London and a wealthy, titled, suitor makes his plea for your hand, is accepted and you find yourself the Lady of some fine estate in Newcastle or wherever." James wasn't happy. His voice was laden with sarcasm and disgust.
Eager to change the subject she remembered, "Oh, I didn't tell you but my brother, Henry is going to Cambridge in January and Allison has been asked for by the Tom Parkers as a companion But I guess that may change with our elevation. Maybe we will be brought out into society together? I am so confused." She rubbed her forehead anxiously.
James stood up and looked out the window at the full moon.
"I wanted to tell you that I am going to London, too. Lady Worcester has invited me to stay with her. "
"Then you will be there while I am." He spoke with a dark intensity and eyed her cautiously. He knew his station wouldn't be allowed to socialize with anyone like Lady Susan. Charlotte would get a taste of the ton, and he would be resigned to a Mason house rented room somewhere on the wrong side of town, far away from her. Their class differences would separate them after all. His dream was dashed.
Charlotte moved to his side and took his arm, joining him in his discontented thoughts.
"Do you remember October? My last night?" he spoke quietly.
"Yes. " She stroked his arm and he shivered. "James. My heart had been broken into so many pieces when I got back from Sanditon, I couldn't feel anything for weeks. Then you came to Willingden and molded it back into it's shape. There are still bumps and bruises on it but I will always be grateful to you for giving me something to live for.."
"You know we won't move in the same circles in town." He glanced down at her from the corner of his eye. He sucked in a stream of air to keep his heart beating. "Oh Charlotte. I fear this doesn't bode well for us."
He took her face into his hands and rubbed his lips against hers like a whisper. It wasn't enough for Charlotte, She rested her hands on his solid chest feeling his nipples through his starched white shirt. Then standing on tip toes she kissed his swollen lips, his cheek. She ran her lips along his neck and ear taking all of his will power.
His feverish hands ran along her curves. He squeezed and cupped her buttocks and pressed her hard against him so she could feel his erection, his need. He sucked her jaw, her throat, her shoulder her chest. She gave a throaty moan of complete and total surrender. But he pulled back, and stared at a dazed Charlotte, wild and passionate. The only sound in that suspended moment of decision were their pounding hearts. He wasn't good enough for her now.
James turned abruptly and descended the stairs back to the dance, without her. His fingers pushed his hair back into place and he re-buttoned his jacket.
He was going to have to withdraw. He was going to have to give her up. He was going to have to find a way to live without her. It was going to kill him.
For Charlotte, she had been abandoned again and the surprise she felt being left on the landing only squeezed her heart harder. She wasn't going to let James get away even if it meant enduring societies censure.