Don't Look Back

Chapter 38

Sidney was never known to be a patient man. Something about the events of late had sharpened that impatience to a razor's edge and he could hardly be around his brother Tom much longer, and the apartment on Grand View was just now being made available and in just two days he would be able to take residency.

Slipping his timepiece into his pocket he was awaiting an appointment to employ a governess for Flora. And his prospective interview candidate was late which was not going to bode well.

Frustrated he went to the foyer and groaned. "Has word been sent?" he asked.

The manservant of Tom's shook his head.

The bell rang moments later, his ears perking up and he turned to the study to ready himself.

"Thank you." Came a familiar voice. "Is Mary in?"

Sidney moved to the hall and he snuck a look down the hall just out of sight to see Charlotte. Her cheeks were rosy. His gut felt punched. He had done everything in his power to give her a wide berth for a time as he let the scandal and commotion die down. She knew his feelings about her, and yet also realized she was afraid of him and their mutual feelings for each other.

"Miss Heywood!" came a happy cry from the other room.

His heart constricted as he heard Charlotte laugh at his daughter's greeting.

"Miss Parker!" she exclaimed. "I thought you would be about," Charlotte said crouching low to see the little girl eye to eye.

Flora shook her head. "No, papa is seeking a governess for me, and I must wait to meet her first before he takes me out to play." she moaned. "Will you come collect seashells with us?" she asked.

Charlotte smiled. "No, I think perhaps..."

A knock sounded at the door and she looked at the footman as he answered.

A woman curtsied. "Pardon, Please give my regrets to Mr. Parker," she said with a tense tone. "I am afraid I cannot take the position," she said handing off the envelope.

Charlotte stood and called out to the footman. "Wait a moment," she said before turning back to Flora. "Go back to your playthings my dear, I will be but a moment," she said and went to the door as if she were the lady of the house and not just a visitor herself.

"I am Miss Heywood. Can I help you, Miss?" She said.

The woman who looked just a little older than she turned up her nose and looked at Charlotte as if just a servant. "I am afraid you cannot unless you can be counted upon to pass on a message to your employer," she said sternly.

Charlotte blushed. Her dress was fine, and her hair was done up well. How could she be mistaken so easily, even still as common?

"And what message can I be expected to pass on to Mr. Tom Parker?" she asked politely.

The woman sighed. "No, no... Mr. Sidney Parker." She passed off the note. "Tell him Miss Barns cannot possibly work for him under the current conditions of his status."

Charlotte blinked and looked down at the envelope now in her hands.

"His status?" she asked suddenly sharp.

The woman nodded. "The family has scandal all around them. I would taint my very profession and potential of future work to provide for his daughter. Had I known I would not have made so far a trip." she said, her tone dripping with irritation. "At great personal expense and discomfort, I may add."

Charlotte's temper flared at the woman's insolence. "Well if you had been a good governess I could imagine you would have secured at the very least ten years of honest and steady employment, but since that is so very beneath you, I think it fortunate Mr. Parker finds out now." She had snapped.

Sidney still listening from the hall found himself in awe of her defense of his daughter. And if it was possible he was falling for her even more.

"Flora is a bright child and a credit to all who meet her. I do think you are the one who will suffer the loss of her society." Charlotte finished and nodded. "Good day." and slammed the door.

Sidney had moved to the hall as the door closed.

"You can leave us." He said to the footman.

Charlotte turned and gasped a little. "Mr. Parker," she whispered. "Apologies, I should not have taken the liberty."

He leaned on the doorframe and smiled. "No, perhaps not," he smirked and looked her up and down. "Are you well?"

She nodded. "Quite well." she swallowed nervously. She had known there would be a chance to run into him there, but she had found it unlikely as it was in the middle of a business day.

He shifted from the wall and moved closer. "Mmmh," he answered. "And you have heard we are to be neighbors?" he asked a little nervously.

She blinked and looked down equal in her anxiety. "I had heard some rumor."

He chuckled and nodded as he tried to shrug it off. "Many of those seem to be flying about," he noted.

She ventured her gazed to meet his once again and he smiled when hers met his.

"So you search for a governess?" she asked as they both found ease for a moment. Their faces relaxed in their familiarity.

He rolled his eyes and stepped closer. "Yes, I do not wish Flora's education to suffer and turn to manipulations as her mother has."

Charlotte frowned and nodded. "Perhaps I could help, well..." she hesitated. "Until that is you find someone suitable and with more tenderness of heart." she offered.

The smile that spread across his face was uncontrollable. "I think that will be near to impossible beside you." he whispered.

Their eyes connected and the silence stretched a moment.

Sidney whispered. "You don't know how to not help, do you?" he asked.

Always admiring her blush she was flushed with it now.

"I feel sympathy for the child," she whispered, showing sensitivity for the possibility that Flora overheard them.

Moving closer still he nodded. "Then I accept your proposal. Until I find someone else," he whispered and reached his hand out to touch her cheek. He sensed that she held her breath. He did as well. The memory of their kiss no longer a shadowed recollection, five years deep in fog, but newly branded upon his lips and he could almost feel them against his own again.

"Mr. Parker," she said with a shaking breath.

He nodded close to her body. His nose inhaling her breath. "Charlotte?"

She stepped from him. "I came to see Mary, but it seems she is on house calls. I should-"

Going for his hat and cane he smiled. "Flora and I were to the beach with her cousins to collect shells. I do believe she extended you an invitation."

Smiling politely Charlotte shook her head. "You must give my regrets, I should-"

"We have business discuss now," he suggested. "Of Flora, and what that will look like with your responsibilities to Lady Worcester, and I must have a concrete set time of reliance on you for her sake and your compensation. I do think we can discuss that on our excursion without arousing too much talk. What with so many children about as our keepers?" he suggested.

Charlotte swallowed and nodded. "I suppose you are right, but perhaps we could take a servant?" she suggested.

He nodded. "If it would make you more comfortable."

"It would," she said seriously.