Don't Look Back

Chapter 51

Mr. Crowe frowned as he watched the two figures walk towards him as he leaned on the pillar of the newly renovated Crown Hotel.

He sucked on the little smoke and grimaced as he observed them deep in thought.

"You have a lovesick look about you." Sir Radmore said suddenly making Crowe startle.

"Oh It's you..." he said and glanced back to the pair moving by unnoticed he regretted. "You have been in the habit of lurking. I am not sure I like it much." Crowe muttered.

"It is the younger Miss Heywood?" he asked.

Crowe sighed and looked at her retreating form as she walked with the architect Mr. Stringer.

"Better not be lovesickness, for I haven't the foggiest idea of a cure," he answered. "Sidney and Baber's had no hope against it. Both out to sea upon a swift current."

The rain had stopped and Sir Radmore looked about for sign of Miss Lambe. He had not seen her since the day before when she had asked him such a shocking question.

Both turned to note the arrival of a carriage.

"Who the devil could that be?" Mr. Crowe asked.

Sir Radmore frowned and stepped forward to lean on the same pillar.

"Well, we will soon find out."

"Sir Denham?" Mr. Crowe commented as he saw a curly mop of hair emerge from the interior of the coach.

The man's face looked banged up and as if he had been at the losing end of a fight.

"Mr. Crowe?" he asked with a snide look down his broken nose. "Still here?" he scoffed. "I thought this place was too confining and simple for the likes of you."

The man sighed and looked away. "The place grew upon me I suppose... Only seasonally I assure you."

"Your old chum Lord Babington and his viper of a wife reside here still?" he asked and looked about. "I assume?"

Mr. Crowe blinked to hear Esther being spoken of so. "Assumptions are dangerous where Lady Babington is concerned. They only come seasonally. He has his own grand house you see..." he said looking to Sir Radmore.

Sir Edward nodded coldly. "So they are in residence," he said with a squint as he looked up the street.

"What brings you back here after five long years?" Crowe asked glancing around nervous that the Babington's would know the man was in town before he had the chance to warn them.

Sir Edward smiled. "Sanditon has become quite the talk of London this Season. Lady Worcester abandoning the Prince Regent just when his father is most ill." he tisked. "The man is positively livid, and now news of a new stables being constructed has hit the streets, and I but wished to see if the rumors were true."

Sir Radmore grunted. "Quite a distance to travel for some gossip."

Mr. Crowe smiled crookedly at that comment.

"Excuse me," Sir Edward blinked. "I am sure I recognize you."

Radmore nodded. "You might, I frequented many of the same establishments you did up until two years ago."

"You still have the advantage, Sir?" Edward said coldly with irritation.

"Sir Radmore, owner and proprietor of the newly renovated Crown Hotel," he said proudly.

Sir Edward relaxed and nodded. "Ah, so it is you I would see about accommodation?"

Radmore shrugged. "No, normally you see my manager, but I can assure you that we are full up for the night." he looked regretful. "Apologies. Perhaps you can try in a week."