Not The Same River - A Sanditon Sequel

Chapter 4

Despite the misgivings of the night before, Charlotte arose the next morning feeling refreshed and eager to be out and about in the world. She quickly penned a note to her mother informing her of her safe arrival and made a mental note to write a much more detailed account to her sister as soon as she had time.

There was a light knock at the door and Fanny entered. "Good morning Miss," said the maid sheepishly, "I'm sorry I'm late." Charlotte had not realised that she was. "That's quite alright." she replied

"May I help you dress, Miss?" The girl did not wait for a response. She opened the closet where Charlotte's frocks were being kept and began to select a few for Charlotte to choose from. "It's a beautiful day to be out visiting," said the maid, trying to learn Charlotte's movements so that she might better help her select the most appropriate dress.

"Indeed!" Charlotte agreed, "It is a lovely day. But, I am only delivering a letter to a friend and he will not notice what I wear. I think this will do." Charlotte pointed to a plain cream coloured cotton dress that she had worn often. "Oh no miss!" cried Fanny, "If you are to be in the company of gentlemen, might I suggest this? I think you would look very well in it" Fanny laid out a pale yellow muslin. It was the only new day dress that Charlotte had been able to buy since last year. Her sister Alison had also only been allowed one and the rest of the Heywood children were making do with hand-me-downs.

A strange sense of guilt passed over Charlotte but was soon replaced by the notion that there was no point in owning such a frock if no one ever got to see it. And, Charlotte's vanity allowed, Fanny was correct, she did indeed look very well in it. The decision made, she dressed with more than usual care, even permitting Fanny to try a new style with her hair. She regarded her reflection in the looking glass and saw a slightly more grown up version of herself. Unbidden, Sidney's words came back to her, "You're more than equal to any woman here." Charlotte sighed and went down to breakfast.

Very soon Charlotte and Susan were in the carriage and on their way. "So Charlotte," Lady Worcester began, "How is it that we find ourselves delivering a letter to Mr Stringer?"

"During my stop over in Sanditon, I called on him briefly on my return from visiting Lady Denham. Only, Mr Robinson lives there now and he was of the opinion that the post would take longer than I would."

"I see." said Susan, regarding her friend closely, "That's a very pretty dress you have on today, my dear."

"Thank you!" Charlotte smiled and turned to look out at the busy street.

Carter and Associates was a very elegant building in keeping with the profession of architect, Charlotte thought. It was in the classical style with perfectly aligned windows and moulded doric columns flanking the entrance. It spoke of strength, security. It spoke of home. The ladies alighted and were shown into an office that, although welcoming, was formal. Charlotte glanced around and could readily ascertain that everything in there, from the shelves to the furnishings, had a purpose. It was a homely room but it lacked any adornment. A man's room. A room for business.

A man got up from behind the desk as they entered. He was tall and broad shouldered with a friendly face and hair that was greying at the temples. The same boy who had shown them in, provided the introduction "Lady Worcester and Miss Heywood, sir."

"Thank you. Have some tea brought in, if you please." replied the gentleman. The boy nodded and disappeared.

He took Susan's hand and bowed briefly, "My Lady. Miss Heywood. Please take a seat," he gestured toward a small settee in the corner, "My name is William Carter, how may I be of assistance to you today?" His words were formal but his manner was open. Charlotte liked him immediately. Susan spoke first, " It is my young friend here, who has the business." Charlotte suddenly coloured at the attention and had to breathe deeply before she could reply. "Well sir, I erm, I have a letter from Mr Robinson of Sanditon." Mr Carter looked confused, so Charlotte pressed on, "...for Mr James Stringer, I mean." Comprehension swept over Mr Carter's face. Just then, the tea things arrived and the boy was sent out again, this time to find Mr Stringer.

Tea had only just been poured when the door opened and Mr Stringer entered. "You asked to see me Sir?" he said. Then his visitors caught his eye, "Miss Heywood!" a broad smile illuminated his face. Forgetting his master, he crossed the room to her in one stride, "How wonderful to see you! What brings you here?" He could not imagine how she came to be in front of him in this moment, but frankly, he did not care. Charlotte, who had risen when he entered, handed him the letter. "I brought you this, from Mr Robinson." He took it, his eyes never leaving hers for a second. Susan glanced at Mr Carter to find a wry smile upon his face. William, got his protege a chair so that he might join his visitors. Conversation flowed easily between the young people, requiring only occasional interjections from Lady Worcester and Mr Carter.

Clearly delighted by their visit, when Lady Worcester rose to leave, Young Stringer was at a loss to engineer another meeting and looked imploringly at Mr Carter. Curious to know more about the young lady who enraptured his apprentice so, and out of his genuine fondness for James, a dinner arrangement was suggested and accepted. It was established that Mrs Carter, who had been visiting a relative, would be home by then and, although Lady Worcester would be otherwise occupied by a regular engagement that could not be broken, Charlotte would attend on the following Thursday. Stringer accompanied the ladies to their carriage and helped them in, making Lady Worcester's footman temporarily redundant. He could swear a spark flowed between them when he touched Charlotte's hand, even though it had been gloved and he held on to the sensation as the carriage pulled away.

Falling from the high that had been seeing her again, Mr Stringer reminded himself that her heart was not his and walked indolently back into his workplace. "Well, she's certainly pretty, James." Mr Carter said teasingly, but Stringer did not notice and merely walked past the gentleman back toward his work, muttering as he went, "That she is, Mr Carter. That she is"

Lady Worcester and Charlotte's journey back to Grosvenor Square was to be punctuated by a stroll around Hyde Park. The weather was still good for the time of year and Susan was very keen to show Charlotte off. They had not been walking above ten minutes, however when they were hailed by none other than Lord Babington. He was accompanied by a very well looking young man in an army officer's uniform, a Lieutenant Cook. He was a tall gentleman of slender build. And, although he could not be called handsome, his features were made striking by the clearest, bluest eyes Charlotte had ever seen. Eyes that were made all the brighter when he smiled broadly at her as they were introduced. The third member of the group was a young lady with whom Charlotte was especially glad to become acquainted, Babington's sister, Augusta. The whole party continued on together with the Lord and Lady in front and the two young ladies and Lieutenant Cook close behind. The Honourable Augusta Babington was about twenty. She had a delicate complexion with a slight rosiness of cheek which reminded Charlotte of a porcelain doll she had as a child. Her hair was blond and kept in the most fashionable of styles. They talked happily as they went. Charlotte thanked Augusta for the dress she had borrowed upon her last trip to London to which Augusta expressed regret at not being able to see Charlotte in it. In this way they passed a half hour before Susan declared the afternoon too chilly to continue. The group parted without any more than the expected lamenting however, as they were all to be most agreeably reunited that evening, at Lord Grassmere's.