James left for Sanditon so early December 26th that no one in the family knew he was gone until he didn't show up for Breakfast. Well, almost no one. His valet knew and so did Sir Edgar.
"I can NOT believe you let him go! Just like that! Sir Edgar? Why?!" Charlotte cornered Sir Edgar in his library that afternoon.
"He broke his own heart and needed to pack for London." Lord Peacham searched the shelf, distracted."
"But why?" Charlotte quietly crumbled into the couch a tear escaping.
"Charlotte." Sir Edgar found his book and sat beside his new step-daughter. "James is his own man. He needs to be able to make his own decisions."
He handed his handkerchief to Charlotte. "You must understand that he is on the brink of a new and exciting adventure. He has an opportunity to make himself a name in London at the pleasure of the Prince Regent. Having the responsibilities of a wife could distract him. Love. You must. Let. Him. Go."
"Was your refusal of our engagement due to his social standing only? It sounds as if you had another motive for deterring us."
"I did. Your mother. As much as we both adore James, your mother thinks very highly of your friendship with Lady Worcester. I have never met her but I would guess, from her reputation, that you will be circulating in the very best London Society can offer. Your mother does not want you to miss out on a season of that magnitude. Can you please let her live vicariously through you for one season?"
"Can she not live vicariously through Alison, she's coming out too?"
"No. Alison is not Lady Worcesters special friend."
"I never thought of my mother as such a shallow creature?"
"Now, Charlotte, that is not fair. Your mother sacrificed her youth to your father. She had no season of her own. Even though your grandfather was a Knight, your mother was not presented at court. Her marriage to your father lowered her social status and remember, she has eleven living children! That is a feat. She needs your moment in the sun. Seeing her daughters well married is going to be her preoccupation for the rest of my life. Let us all get off to the very best start and humor her!"
Charlotte abruptly stood to leave but froze. The importance of this opportunity meant so much to her mother that she would refuse her daughter the love of her life. It was all becoming very clear to her.
"I understand." Charlotte whispered "I will try to provide mother with the season she never had."
"Thank you, Charlotte." Sir Edgar gave her a fatherly hug "Your mother's happiness matters a great deal to me. After this season, if you don't fancy a wealthy noble, James Stringer might still be in play."
Peacham House was an enormous edifice located at the corner of Bard and Bond Streets just off Grosvenor Square. It was one of the oldest houses in the neighborhood and needed quite a bit of updating. That didn't stop the enormous Heywood clan from descending like locusts and burrowing into it's nooks and crannies. More staff were added, a governess, more stable men, three more ladies maids, two in training. It was an elaborate operation but Sir Peacham managed them like a master.
Charlotte was relieved that she was staying at Lady Susan's townhome Winterview in Mayfair. Susan's house was new and stylishly decorated. There was light and air and room and space to breath. Charlottes private room was brilliantly English. Crisp floral Chintz curtains and cream colored velveteen chairs made her bedroom feel more like an elegant drawing room. She could actually entertain a friend in her suite. Lady Susan knocked and came in.
"Look here, Charlotte! We have received an invitation to tea at Peacham House!" Susan took a seat with her handwork on the settee.
"Ah. Mother must be ready to receive visitors at last. I thought she might never have the children settled. When?"
"Next Tuesday. That is a respectable time do you not think? I am eager to make your parent's formal acquaintance."
Charlotte continued to peruse her gowns as they hung in the cedar wardrobe.
"Indeed. Susan? Please excuse me if I am impertinent but where is your family seat?"
"I have grown accustomed to your charming impertinence." They laughed "My father is the second son of Sir Thomas Bertram of Mansfield Park in Shropshire. He became a clergyman and married my mother, his cousin, Fanny Price. She was sent to live with them when she was very small because my grandmother made an unfortunate marriage and had too many children to care for."
"Sounds familiar." Charlotte grinned.
"My given name is Eleanor Susan Bertram. Susan was my mother's favorite sister."
"I, too, am named after my mother's sister. How did you meet the late Lord Worcester, if you do not mind my asking."
"We met in Belgium while I was at finishing school and he was taking a tour of the continent. We fell in love and the rest is history."
"You were able to marry for love?" Charlotte sat next to Susan on the settee admiring her needlework.
"In a way." Susan slowly drew her thread through the muslin. "I had been madly in love with a boy a few years before but we, like you, were forbidden to be together. I was sent abroad."
"Are you happy with your life?"
"Yes. Very. Now...let us worry about your life for awhile. Do you need anything for the ball at Almacks tomorrow night?"