Don't Look Back

Chapter 31

Georgiana's back stood ramrod straight as her former guardian left the field.

"Sidney is distracted." She said her face serious and not relishing the moment even a little. Not even for the sake of the women winning the game.

The 'ooh' and 'ahh's!' lining the white chairs on the field, followed by the claps filled their ears.

"Miss Heywood..." Little Flora's whispered voice carried up from under the curtain hang of a linen table cloth.

Charlotte looked down and then placed her plate on the table. "Flora, what are you doing down there?" she asked.

"Hiding." she giggled. "Until papa is finished," she whispered.

Charlotte was now crouched. "Well I think your papa has just recently come out of the game, little minx." she smiled warmly. "Will you not come out then?' she asked.

Flora shook her head. "No, but could you give me some cake?" she asked.

Georgiana looked at the little girl's face and smiled at Charlotte who grinned seeing the remnants of cake already on the little girl's face.

"Have you already had a piece?" Charlotte asked.

Flora bit her lip. "It was just a tiny one, then I had that even smaller second one." she moaned "I just want perhaps a third tiny one?" she negotiated.

Charlotte scoffed. "How about a sandwich to balance out all that sugar."

Georgiana nodded. "Yes, I think that would be best."

Charlotte handed the girl half of her food and took only one of her triangles and chewed it with delight.

"I am so glad you are not a corpus, Miss Heywood." the girl said and turned and crawled the other direction, losing herself among the other tables linen tops.

Georgiana frowned. "Corpse. I do think that girl was illuding to your death," she said blinkingly.

Charlotte sighed. "I was so foolish in the way I behaved. Seems even the children know the foolishness I was up to..." she sighed and rolled her eyes. "I don't know what madness came over me."

Georgiana nodded. "I know..." she said as they both went to stand noticing Sidney walking their way looking put together again.

"Miss Heywood." he nodded.

She blinked. "Mr. Parker."

"I would like but a moment," he said indicating a casual stroll among the green and edge of the town streets.

Charlotte looked to Georgiana. "Perhaps Georgiana could come along for some..."

He nodded. "Of course."

Georgiana grudgingly followed beside but tried to remain aloof and not a part of the conversation that was being had.

"Are you much recovered?" Sidney asked her, his voice noticeably shaking.

She nodded. "I was only chilled." her cheeks burned. Turning slightly. "I was not trying to do anything drastic, Mr. Parker. I just felt trapped and wished to go home, but... " she was frustrated and looked around then to Georgiana. "It is hard to explain."

He nodded. "If you wish to return, perhaps it is best."

She nodded. "But is it best now for Allyson, my sister... I do not believe you have been introduced yet. She may have a new admirer." she nodded to Mr. Stringer.

Sidney turned and noticed the colors being worn on his arm and his heart lifted. "I thought his heart was for you."

A near smile ghosted across her face. "And mine might have been for him, if not another had stepped in so firmly." her breath hitched as she realized she had a slip of the tongue and her hand covered her mouth embarrassed.