Don't Look Back

Chapter 42

Charlotte stood at the top of Lady Susan's apartment stoop with Flora beside her as they waved the little girls her father off.

Sidney and Charlotte did not touch in the street or so much as grasp hands. All manner was reserved within view of all.

In the end, Lady Susan thought it more prudent to allow Flora to stay with them since it would cause far less gossip than Charlotte staying over there and Sidney had to agree.

Also to be seen as a governess was not exactly what Lady Susan approved of either. Charlotte to take on a vocation was a sign of resignation in her unmarried state which her friend kindly advised against. But how Charlotte conducted herself with the young girl in regards to education was her business.

"I gave him the contacts of the best lawyers despite his refusals." Susan watched the carriage leave. "I also bid him contact an old friend in high perch in the courts. There he finally found his inducement."

Charlotte's heart lept but she shook her head. "He does not want a divorce," she said after sending Flora inside as she and Susan shared whispers. Allyson took the little girl's hand happily and they both skipped through the wide receiving area.

"He does not want the child haunted by a tainted parent." Lady Susan whispered close to her ear. "Trust me, he wants away from the woman but not at the expense of their child."

Charlotte sighed. "Somehow I am resolved not to care. I feel better now that he is gone," she said suddenly.

Lady Susan stopped and pulled her arm from the crook of Charlotte's. "My dear, you astound me. Do you not love him any longer?"

Charlotte shook her head. "You mistake me. Of course, I do, but I am not willing to get my hopes up again only to be dashed all over." she smiled. "Would it not be better for Flora if her parents found a way to be happy?" she asked.

Lady Susan shook her head. "Charlotte my dear you are always far too selfless."

Suddenly the bell rang and her butler opened it directly.

"Lady Burrell!" Lady Susan greeted with a smile. "I had not expected your call."

The woman breathless panted. "Apologies my dear Lady Worcester, I just saw Mr. Parker leaving just now and I but thought to call in and ask why on earth he left from here?"

Susan smiled and glanced at Charlotte before answering the nosy woman.

"Come in for a cup of tea and we shall have a small chat about it. Perhaps Charlotte you will join us?" Susan asked.

Charlotte nodded. "Oh I will, I just need to see to our young guest."

"Young guest?" Lady Burrell asked.

Lady Susan smiled. "I shan't tell you now, or it will spoil our tea," she said in a way to lull the woman into a sense of welcome as well as a way to spin the tale on the streets to their favor.

Lady Burrell pulled her gloves off excitedly. "Oh Lady Worcester, you sure know how to tease," she said. "Hurry dear Miss Heywood," She rushed her. "Do not tarry, I have no wish to be held in such suspense long. With all the gossip of the town, I might faint by luncheon."

"Charlotte, be a dear and inform Mrs. Claudet that I have company and wish tea." Lady Susan asked Charlotte before she left with a plastered-on smile for the sake of the company.

Charlotte hurried to the kitchen at the back and Mrs. Claudet rolled her eyes. "Tea, at this hour. The woman has no manners just dropping by so early and with no warning."

Giggling Charlotte could only agree. Lady Burrell did seem quite ill-mannered.

"And your sister she pinched all the tarts." Mrs. Claudet muttered. "Tis a wonder that girl is so leggy, she will have all she eats catch up to her if she is not careful."

"Oh, I doubt that. She never slow's down." Was Charlotte's reply. "Always been so busy."

Pouring some boiling water in a kettle the woman laughed. "Perhaps when children come along she will. Children have a way of taking the life out of your very bones you know?"

Charlotte frowned. "I doubt that. She and I have been chasing after little ones since we too were little ourselves. We are conditioned for it. Though I am sorely out of practice."

Shaking her head she thought of her mother and the many children in her home. They seemed to bring her parent's life and love. Perhaps that was only when you were so well matched.

"It is different when you have daily concerns over how to feed em." the cook muttered as she prepped everything else. "There, almost ready," she said.

Thinking of Flora she thought of the emotional burden of a child upon Sidney and felt sad to think that children are to be seen as soul-sucking and perhaps not circumstances that make living difficult or that perhaps when one has a poor partner...

Her mind was again wandering and she stopped. "I best check in with Allyson and Flora and tell them that I am to have tea with that dreadful woman."

Claudet laughed in a snort. "She is dreadful, but we are used to such women in London."

Charlotte shrugged. "Of course one expects this in London, but not over the most trivial of characters." she turned hesitantly. "I mean it is not like Mr. Parker or his wife are nobility."

The old woman nodded and her arms wiggled as she loaded the tea and cream on the silver tray gilded in gold. "No, it is worse. No one needs to measure their words a whit when it comes to them. The only hold money, not power."

Nodding thoughtfully she turned. "Of course you are right."

Going up the back stair she went to where Allyson was preparing Flora for an outing.

"We are going to walk the beach. Do you wish to come with?" Allyson said pinning the girl's warm coat on.

Shaking her head with regret she rolled her eyes. "I wish, Lady Burrell has just dropped in on a surprise social call hungry for gossip," she whispered.

Allyson sighed. "Thank heavens I am leaving then."

Flora smiled. "Lady Burrell talks a lot." she blurted.

Allyson and Charlotte both burst out laughing. "My dear, do not say such things in the wrong company." the elder said as she gained composure.

"Who is the wrong company?" the girl asked confused.

Allyson shook her head. "Never mind all that, let us go to walk the beach and escape all that dreadful boring talk and instead run in the dunes!"

"Maybe you will find Lady Babington and her children. Flora does so enjoy playing with them."

Nodding with a bright and happy smile Allyson took the little girl's hand. "Alright, I will keep on the lookout."

Charlotte crossed her arms. "Do be careful with her. Her father after all is entrusting her to our care."

Her sister frowned and nodded as if confused by Charlotte's caution.

She had not told her sister of the time Sidney had asked her to watch over Georgiana and she had played a part in a terrible scandal only barely concealed.

"I will keep both eyes on her," Allyson promised.

Nodding Charlotte felt a pang in her gut of worry. Is this how mothers felt when their children ran out of sight?

Fetching her dark blue stole she hurried to task to not leave the great ladies waiting.