Don't Look Back

Chapter 67

Just as they arrived at the vast Babington London hunting estate, Charlotte noticed another carriage.

"Its Lord Babington, and Lady Babington." Allyson said with a frown.

She had been silent most of the morning but now was speaking.

Lady Susan nodded. "I imagine they are reacting to the news, which may have made its way through all the households in both London and Sanditon."

Charlotte felt flutters as she knew gossip was common enough, but it was about to explode about her. Taking Flora's hand, she smiled.

"Lady Babington is here, and I am sure the children are as well," she told the girl. "I am sure you will enjoy yourself quite well."

Flora seemed confused by the happenings around her and had gone from very chatty to silent in the last few days. As if watching everything around her carefully.

"Miss Heywood?" Lady Babington bounded out of the carriage. "Lady Worchester."

Charlotte nodded. "We have heard the news."

Esther smiled. "Isn't it wonderful?"

Charlotte shook her head. "No, I don't think it is."

Lord Babington sighed. "Well, it is significantly better than we all thought I would say.

Charlotte nodded as Lady Susan, and her sister joined her with Flora and the two carriages the Babingtons traveled unloaded.

"You have come to see him?" Esther asked.

Charlotte shook her head. "I am afraid I have not."

The confused expressions crossed the Babington's as they regarded her with utter confusion.

"I don't wish to be seen as a woman waiting in the wings," she whispered.

"No one would ever think that," Esther argued.

Charlotte shook her head. "Yes, they would. I brought Flora, however, and wished to see my charge at its end."

"Did you not have a financial relationship with Sidney?" Lord Babington asked. "It is not reasonable to just come and leave. You must come inside, and we will sort this."

She swallowed. "I fear that may be foolish."

Lady Babington looked to Susan. "Please send her trunk over here. She is not thinking sensibly. I think our company will do her some good."

"No, my sister and I are to return to Willingden," she replied.

"What?" Allyson asked.

Mr. Crowe came out. "Miss Heywood? I mean, Miss Allyson..." he said, suddenly coming out.

Her sister seemed startled at his sudden address over all the others he knew so well.

"Mr. Crowe." she frowned.

"You are well?" he stammered.

She shook her head. "No, I am not well. My sister intends on returning us to Willingden, and I was not even consulted."

Lady Susan seemed struck and blinked in awe at the girl's outburst.

"Oh, but you must stay," he said with startling conviction. As if realizing he acted strangely, he looked around. "I mean, your sister should stay."

Charlotte swallowed. "Is there something wrong?" she asked, seeing Flora run off with the other children around the corner of the house.

Mr. Crowe nodded.

Esther looped her arm in hers and looked to Lady Worcester. "Perhaps your journey home could be delayed?" she asked.

"I do not understand."

Lord Babington cleared his throat. "We will know more as the investigation proceeds, but Sidney is not well."

Wiping her eye, which suddenly leaked tears. "Is this why he did not wish me to come?"

Crowe nodded. "He thinks the scandal and his condition are untenable to you or your family."

Her step slowed. "He thinks himself unworthy?"

Esther nodded. "And I can't help but agree. The fool, but he loves you, and sometimes it is the unworthy that fight harder to be worthy."

"He does not want to see me."

Crowe shrugged. "He is a fool and is afraid. He does not know what is good for him."

"I thought that role was just reserved for you," Allyson said under her breath.

He looked at her with a hawk's eye.

"On the contrary, Miss Heywood, "I know exactly what I want, but like dear Lady Babington says, I am unworthy but endeavor to be."

Blinking, the words seemed to strike her sister like a bolt of lightning.

"Come, let us not rush things," Esther said over their moment. "I think tea and some food is in order. I know I am famished."

"You seem in good spirits." Lady Susan observed.

Esther smiled widely. "I am, Sidney is alive, and I am far from the proximity of my stepbrother Sir Denham. You are all here."

Allyson and Crowe still seemed to be silently sharing brief, meaningful gazes, and her cheeks had deepened into a deep blush.

"You must have left Sanditon very shortly behind us." Lady Susan said.

Esther nodded. "Yes, the news was spreading, and we wished to come and be of help to our friend. Our children will be happier with Flora anyway."

"Also to bring news that Lord Sellac is back in Sanditon and acting as if he was hardly in London." Lord Babington said.

Lady Susan nodded. "So, what happened?"

"The story is better coming from Sir Radmore and Georgiana. They were following him that day." Crowe commented.

Lady Susan nodded. "Are they here."

He smiled at Allyson as she seemed to have now relaxed at his earlier comment, and he acted as if he did not hear Lady Susan.

"What?" he asked when she repeated herself.

"Oh yes, I mean, somewhere." he gestured.

Charlotte looked around for Flora and could hear the laughter of children playing but had entirely lost sight. She hoped it was alright to let the girl have free run, and it seemed the Babington children did, so she tried not to concern herself over the crash she heard in the other room.

Esther smiled and nodded to a servant to go manage the chaos.

"Come, let us have some tea."

"Should I not go find Flora?" Charlotte asked.

"I am sure she is fine," Esther answered.

Charlotte, however, felt conflicted. Her instinct was to go after her and assure herself that the little girl was alright, but she was among familiar friends and had likely been to this home many times.