Don't Look Back

Chapter 70

"Charlotte," Allyson chased after her that late morning. The noon sun was almost upon them.

But Charlotte did not wish to stop. Hiding was her only aim. The looks Mr. Crowe gave and even Lord Babington were enough to tell her they knew exactly what had happened between her and Sidney the night before. The ache in her belly was reminder enough.

Hand to her head, she paced as she felt trapped.

"Charlotte, have you gone mad?" Allyson asked.

She nodded. "Yes, a few times, I fear. My reputation may never recover." Tears filled her eyes.

"You never came back to your rooms last night, did you." her sister pieced together. Her face was horrified. "And I was the one thought to be foolish?"

The judgmental horror on her sister's face was painful to endure. It was hard enough to experience the heartache of the morning walk of shame to her room.

Wanting to burst into tears, Charlotte instead turned. "I am a fool." Shaking her head. "An utter fool. He isn't free, not to wed," she cried, and her breath caught. "I have risked all."

Charlotte's composure wholly unraveled, and Allyson winced. "He does love you. That is what Lady Susan believes. But he could face the sentence of death by hanging. With Georgiana and Sir Radmore gone, there is no witness."

Charlotte turned and sighed as she wiped the tears from her face. "He is blind. He could not have killed his wife." She suggested. "I know what you will say. Someone could claim he fakes his blindness."

Her sister nodded.

Looking back at the house, she could see Flora with her father on the veranda. Charlotte's lip trembled. "I must leave, must I?" she asked.

Allyson looked back at the house and, in the distance, could see Mr. Crowe, who she was feeling some conflicting emotions for and hesitated in answer, but then nodded. "Of course. Yes."

"Not to Sanditon," Charlotte whispered. "Perhaps home, to Willingden?"

"We should talk to Lady Susan," Allyson suggested. "She always knows just what to do, perhaps even has a cozy place to send us, so we don't need to face anyone."

Charlotte nodded. "Yes, of course. You are right."

Flora ran up and down the path, calling for her. Charlotte wanted to go, but the weight of what she and Sidney had done the night before and the genuine likelihood that they would do it again frightened her.

"He has spoken of marriage, hasn't he?" Allyson asked.

Charlotte winced and nodded. "He has always wanted to marry me."

Her sister rolled her eyes, "Yes, but has he officially asked?"

Noticing Crowe nearing them, she tensed. "He asked me, but he does not feel worthy."

Scoffing, Allyson looked at Mr. Crowe and shook his head. "They never are, but he often makes allowances."

Chuckling through her wet tears, Charlotte nodded.

"And did you say yes?" Allyson pressed her.

Nodding hastily for fear everyone would know their secret arrangement, Charlotte turned. Wishing her tears to be unseen.

"Father will never approve." The overly loud voice turned Charlotte back around. Even a critter in the bushes was startled from their hiding spot.

"I must remember to bring you on a hunt, Miss Heywood." Mr. Crowe interrupted. "You can scare all the woodland creatures out of their hiding places.