Return to Sanditon - A Novella

~ Five~

Trafalgar House, Sanditon

"Oh, look, Tom, a letter from Charlotte," Mary Parker looked up from the note in her hand. "I've been so worried about her after all that business with Sidney."

She regarded her husband a moment before continuing to read, "She says that she and her sister have been invited to London as guests of Lady Worcester to partake in the little season. How splendid. I do hope that she has a chance to repair her bruised heart. Perhaps some other gentleman will fill the void left by your brother." Mary put down the letter, looking at her husband expectantly, "Well, have you nothing to say?" she prompted.

Mr Tom Parker pardoned himself for his inattention and requested Mary repeat the contents of Charlotte's missive. After which, he regarded her as if she had spoken in a foreign tongue, "What stuff and nonsense, dear. Why should Charlotte wish to forget my brother? By the time she left for Willingden, Sidney and Charlotte were fast friends."

"Oh, Tom, are you so blind? They were a great deal more than friends," Mary replied sadly. "Indeed, on the night of the disastrous Midsummer Ball, Sidney was on the brink of offering for Charlotte." Mary paused to regard her husband and to emphasise her point, she added, "Tom, they were very much in love. How could you not know that?"

Mr Tom Parker considered himself a man capable of many things but interpreting people's emotions was not one of them, it seemed, "Mary, are you quite sure?" Tom asked sceptically, "After all, he did affiance himself to Mrs Eliza Campion only a matter of days after the ball? Thank the Lord he did, I must add. Without her fortune, we would have been sunk!"

"Thomas Parker, you are an unfeeling and insensitive lout!" Mary stood abruptly. "Sidney DID IT FOR YOU, Tom. For your precious Sanditon. He sacrificed his happiness to keep you from ruin."

Tom Parker, somewhat alarmed by his wife's raised voice, sat back and regarded her, "And Eliza? What of his regard for her? I always assumed that his fondest wish was to recapture the love of his youth. Charlotte? Are you quite sure, Mary?"

"Eliza Campion was a scheming fortune hunter. The only person she ever loved was herself. Well, now she has the fortune and wishes to purchase the love that was once so freely given. Oh, Tom, do you not recall what poor Sidney went through these past ten years? Charlotte was responsible for knocking down the walls around his heart and returning him to us whole."

Mary shook her head. "I give up! What a fool you are, Tom. Just how far will you go to see this dream of Sanditon come to fruition? Will you sacrifice your whole family on the altar of your ambition?" Mary spoke without anger but with deep abiding disdain, "I have played mistress to Sanditon for too long. I have been complicit in injuring those I care deeply for. It must end here, Tom."

With that, she walked from the room, leaving Mr Tom Parker in complete confusion.

Later that afternoon, Sanditon, by the sea.

"Good morning, Miss Lambe. I do hope you're well?"

Mrs Mary Parker smiled politely as the young lady hurried along the path towards her. Following at a more sedate pace was Mrs Griffiths, her governess, along with her two other charges.

"Well met, Mrs Parker," called Mrs Griffiths, "Georgiana! Do slow down!"

Miss Lambe slowed her pace to greet Mary, "Mrs Parker, a pleasure. I wonder, have you had any news of Charlotte?" Georgiana asked expectantly, "I have yet to receive word from Willingden this week, which is most unlike Charlotte."

"Why, yes, Miss Lambe I received a letter from her only this morning, although it came not from Willingden but from London," Mary Parker added, "Charlotte and her sister Alison are to be guests of Lady Worcester for the little season. Such an opportunity for Charlotte. Indeed, I hope she finds much happiness there." Unlike her time in Sanditon, Mary thought sadly. "I understand you will be removing there shortly yourself. Charlotte will be thrilled to have you nearby, I'm sure." Mrs Parker smiled kindly then bid them farewell.

Georgiana resumed her pace. So, Charlotte was in London. What fortuitous news, for she was indeed due to travel there in a matter of days, after pleading with, and finally convincing, Sidney of her need for a new gown for his forthcoming nuptials. Georgiana did feel slightly guilty for pressuring her lamentable guardian when he was clearly so distracted, but it was no less than he deserved. But to see Charlotte again! Nothing would prevent her from seeing her friend once more, after all, there was much to catch up on.