Charlotte immediately sent out letters to her family and Lady Susan while Sidney spoke with Lord Babington. Sidney accompanied Tom to speak with Mr. Stringer about the new developments. Although he was not sure he would be able to forgive Tom, Mr. Stringer agreed to stay. He did feel relief that Sidney was now in charge of the development of the town. He accepted that Charlotte had chosen Sidney and harbored no ill feelings. He was content with regarding Charlotte as a friend.
Lady Susan's response to Charlotte's letter came swiftly and she agreed to invest. She would correspond with Lord Babington to start putting a plan together while Charlotte and Sidney were in Willingden then travel to Sanditon at some point in the next two weeks.
Days later Charlotte, Sidney and Georgiana traveled to Willingden. The Heywoods were happy to have their daughter visit. Mr. Heywood had taken Sidney into his study to have a private conversation. In the end, he had given his blessing for Sidney and Charlotte to wed and promised that he and the whole family would attend. He wasn't going to miss the opportunity to give away his eldest daughter at her wedding. Afterwards Sidney and Charlotte had taken a walk to the bridge nearby and Sidney had gotten down on one knee, officially proposing to the love of his life. With happy tears flowing, Charlotte accepted.
Sidney had thoroughly enjoyed their stay in Willingden and much to his surprise, Georgiana did as well. He had promised her that he would do anything to mend their relationship and meet her needs to the best of his ability from henceforth. She was skeptical at first but some encouragement from Charlotte helped ease that skepticism and see that Sidney was being sincere.
When they returned to Sanditon, Lord Babington had relayed that he and Lady Susan discussed the idea of creating a committee for the town. The committee would sit himself, Sidney, Charlotte, and Lady Susan with Tom and Mr. Stringer as secondary members. With Sidney in charge of the finances he would work with Mr. Stringer to see what materials were needed and how much they'd cost. Sidney would also be in charge of paying the workers. He had no objection to Tom altering the design as long as it wasn't too extravagant. Tom would also be allowed to suggest other amenities around town but made aware that some of his ideas might be rejected. Charlotte had suggested a promenade along the cliff tops that could be built at some point in the next few years. They would see how much they could get done before Lord Babington left on his honeymoon. He had a couple potential investors in mind that he would reach out to.
Since their own wedding wouldn't be held until the following spring, Sidney and Charlotte decided to keep their engagement news only among their families and close friends for the time being. They figured that Lady Denham and anyone else outside of their immediate circle of family and friends would not suspect anything. They did not want to take attention away from Babington and Esther.
The next couple weeks passed quickly. Babington and Esther's wedding was beautiful. Sidney and Charlotte stood up with the couple but kept their distance from each other during the reception at Sanditon house. At one point, Sidney did hear Lady Denham tell Charlotte that she would find herself a rich husband soon enough. He wanted to smirk and roll his eyes both at the same time. One of the things he loved most about Charlotte was that she was strong and independent. She certainly demonstrated that during the pineapple luncheon. He realized what a fool he had been for insinuating that Charlotte would never accomplish anything in life outside of basic skills like piano and embroidery. While he had no doubt that Charlotte would be a wonderful mother one day he knew that she was capable of so much more. Sidney would never forget the way Charlotte helped Old Stringer after his fall or the way she volunteered to take Tom's place during the cricket match. He still could believe his fortune to be loved by such an amazing woman.
When Lady Susan arrived in Sanditon she was happy to hear of Charlotte and Sidney's engagement. She promised that she would attend their wedding and return for the second annual regatta. She even said that she had told the Prince Regent all about Sanditon and about Charlotte so if his schedule allowed he may be accompanying her and perhaps visit as often as he could in the years to come.
When Babington left on his honeymoon and Lady Susan returned to London, Sidney and Charlotte were in charge of the daily progress of Sanditon. While Sidney worked closely with Mr. Stringer, Charlotte had the help of Mary and Georgiana to come up with ideas for various seasonal events in Sanditon for visitors and residents alike. Sidney was glad to see that Georgiana was doing something productive and moving on from her heartbreak. He was hopeful that she would eventually find a man who loved her for who she was rather than for her fortune.
The months passed quickly for Charlotte and the Parkers. Lady Susan and Lord Babington were able to get the word out about Sanditon and find investors to help. Cleanup and repairs began on the terrace with Mr. Stringer and the men working almost every day, weather permitting. In December, Charlotte and Sidney spent a couple weeks in Willingden. Despite Sidney's reluctance Charlotte wanted to experience her first Christmas holiday on the coast in Sanditon. While in Willingden, Charlotte and Sidney made sure to give her siblings an enjoyable early Christmas. Charlotte's parents were touched by Sidney's generosity and attention to the younger Heywood children. Charlotte had no doubt in her mind that Sidney would be a wonderful father one day.
After the first of the year, Charlotte began seriously thinking about what she wanted for her wedding to Sidney. She knew that marrying the second eldest son of the Parker family of Sanditon came with expectations. Sidney reminded her that he did not care for such things and that put her at ease. However, she still knew that a wedding in Sanditon would be a little different than a wedding in Willingden but she wanted to keep some of the traditions of a countryside wedding. She wanted her dress to be simple but elegant. Lady Susan had extended her an open invitation to London to shop for a dress whenever she was ready. Despite her initial hesitation, Sidney encouraged Charlotte to accept Lady Susan's offer. If they were going to indulge in just one extravagant thing for their wedding, Sidney wanted Charlotte to find the most elegant and classic dress of her liking. He hadn't told her yet but he was planning on loaning her some of his mother's jewelry to wear until perhaps one day they would be able to pass it on to their daughter or daughter in law.
After Charlotte wrote to Lady Susan to accept her invitation she, Sidney, and Georgiana traveled to London. While Sidney tended to his businesses, Charlotte and Georgiana were invited to Lady Susan's estate. Lady Susan and Georgiana had not been properly introduced when Lady Susan attended the first Sanditon regatta so it was a pleasure for both of them to finally get acquainted. It did not take long for Lady Susan to decide that she would speak with Sidney about hosting Georgiana in London society when she comes of age.
Charlotte was truly fascinated by fashionable London. But she knew she wouldn't want to live there. It was her dream to live in Sanditon with Sidney where they could one day start a family. Georgiana was excited to be involved in helping Charlotte pick out her dress. Lady Susan took the two young girls to a very high end dress shop. Charlotte had never seen so many beautiful dresses in her life. With approval from Lady Susan and Georgiana, Charlotte eventually chose a simple but elegant lace dress.
As the three of them exited the shop, they immediately spotted Mrs. Eliza Campion walking in their direction. As they got closer, Lady Susan spoke.
"Mrs. Campion, what a pleasant surprise to run into you so unexpectedly."
"Lady Worcester, how do you do?" Mrs. Campion replied, seemingly not noticing who was accompanying Lady Susan.
"Very well. And yourself? What brings you out on the town?"
"Splendid. Oh, I am joining a friend to catch up. Am I mistaken that you just exited that dress shop? What is the occasion?"
"No, you are not mistaken. I am actually helping a dear friend find a wedding gown. I'm sure you remember Miss Charlotte Heywood and Miss Georgiana Lambe. You met Miss Heywood in Sanditon and of course, Miss Lambe is the ward of Mr. Sidney Parker."
Lady Susan gestured to the two young ladies behind her.
"Yes, of course." Mrs. Campion replied awkwardly.
"Miss Heywood is set to become the new Mrs. Sidney Parker in a few months time. It'll surely be the wedding of the season in Sanditon. Myself and the Prince Regent are making arrangements to attend."
Charlotte's face turned slightly pink hearing Lady Susan reveal this information to Mrs. Campion and Georgiana attempted to hide a satisfied smirk.
A stunned look crossed Mrs. Campion's face but it was gone as quickly as it came.
"I see. I had not heard anything about that."
"It will be a private affair as the guest list will be limited to close family and friends. But of course Sanditon will continue to be advertised to the beau monde. The Parkers are hard at work planning this year's events. With Sidney Parker now temporarily at the helm of the project it will surely be a rousing success."
"Sidney is now in charge of his brother's project? I never thought he was ever interested in that town especially when his business is here in London."
"Tom Parker decided to step back to focus on his family. The project did encounter a slight setback but it's not worth mentioning as the problem is being taken care of. I suppose Sidney Parker will find a balance between his work in London and home life in Sanditon. It is the wish of the soon to be new Mrs. Parker to reside in Sanditon."
"I'm shocked that a man as eccentric as Tom Parker would willingly cast himself to the side. Isn't that project his favorite…child, so to speak?"
"People can change. Even men such as Tom and Sidney Parker can grow and learn what is and isn't good for them."
"Hmmm. Well, it was…lovely chatting with you but I must be off now. Good day, Lady Worcester."
With not so much as a glance towards Charlotte and Georgiana, Mrs. Campion continued on her way down the road.
A satisfied smirk crossed Lady Susan's face as she looked at Charlotte.
"My lady! What was the purpose of giving Mrs. Campion all of that information?" Charlotte exclaimed with a blush and a giggle.
"Remember what I told you my dear friend, you are Mrs. Campion's Achilles heel. Mrs. Campion may have wealth and status but you have Mr. Parker's love and affection and that is the greatest treasure there is."
Charlotte smiled remembering her own words at the pineapple luncheon.
"Thank you, my lady. I truly appreciate everything you have done for me."
"There is no need. And I will continue to do more. You are a breath of fresh air to me and to those around you, Charlotte. This city is filled with so much noise and everyone here only looks out for themselves. The world needs more people like you. Never forget where you came from but always know that you deserve the best opportunities that come your way."
Charlotte smiled and nodded.
"Well, I think we were quite successful today, in more ways than one." Georgiana said.
"How right you are, Georgiana." Lady Susan replied, "Come let's head back to my estate. Mr. Parker will surely be returning soon and we can ready ourselves for dinner."
The three of them continued on their way. It was a successful and interesting day indeed.