Return to Sanditon - A Novella

~ Fourteen ~

Northam House, Mayfair, London

Sidney and Eliza arrived at the Ball and were greeted in the receiving line by their host and hostess. Lord Northam, a jovial character, fond of hounds and port, greeted him with a warm handshake and a cheerful hello.

Lady Northam regarded him astutely and wished him a productive evening. Sidney, somewhat bemused by her unusual greeting, shrugged and moved forward to be announced. Eliza, meanwhile, was clearly unamused by her less than cordial introduction to their hostess. Sidney wondered at their notoriety, and an inkling of suspicion began to take root.

They made their way down several ornately fashioned stairs to the large, well-appointed ballroom. He was hailed almost immediately by Babington and excused himself from Eliza, to join his friend. Crowe ambled up just as he arrived and the three of them made their way to the card room.

Meanwhile, Charlotte and Alison arrived at the ball accompanied by Lady Susan and one of her consorts, Lord Foster. Their carriage pulled up in front of Northam House, and Charlotte gazed at the imposing façade. The upper ten thousand certainly knew how to live, she thought.

Taking Lord Foster's arm, Lady Susan led the way to the receiving line where she greeted their hosts most intimately.

"Louisa, my darling. This looks like a veritable crush!"

Lady Northam chuckled and said sotto voce, "Well, you would have me add a legion of names to my guest list at the very last moment, Susan!" she smiled, amused, "You shall not notice the crush, for your machinations shall keep you busy, I'm sure."

"I am indeed indebted to you, cousin. You know how I love to machinate," Susan laughed before introducing Charlotte and Alison.

Lady Northam raised eyebrows, looked at Susan and chuckled.

"Ah, you shall cause a riot in my ballroom before this night is over."

Charlotte, still perplexed by her hostess's odd remark that she failed to immediately notice the piercing green eyes following her every step into the ballroom.

"Miss Heywood?"

Charlotte stopped and turned to see a vision in emerald green with flaming red hair moving towards her and smiled widely.

"Lady Babington! How lovely to see you. I had no idea you would be in London."

Lady Esther Babington smiled, "Until this morning, I had no idea we would be here either. Babington and I came to lend some support to a friend and to ensure a viper has her fangs removed."

"I see," she replied, although, she really didn't, "How kind of you to lend your support."

Charlotte was beginning to think she was missing some vital piece of a puzzle, as every conversation she held this evening was nothing less than confounding.

"And Lady Denham?" Charlotte inquired, "Have you seen much of your aunt since leaving Sanditon? Is she well?"

Lady Babington rolled her eyes, "My aunt is in shockingly bad humour, meaning she is completely restored to her former self. I returned only a day or so ago from a short visit."

Charlotte smiled, "Lady Denham certainly likes to shock. Although she was, on occasion, kind to me."

"The old dragon does have a soft centre; it just takes some considerable effort to uncover it!" Lady Babington laughed.

"You seem very happy, My Lady, marriage agrees with you?" Charlotte asked for she did seem to be much changed.

The Esther Denham, as she was then, that Charlotte had known in Sanditon had been closed and disdainful. Of course, Charlotte now realised that Esther's past behaviour was a consequence of her relationship with her estranged stepbrother. Still, it was lovely to see her genuinely lightened by recent events.

"Please, call me Esther," She replied, "there are few amongst this society that I would claim even a modicum of association, Miss Heywood."

"Esther then, and please, it's Charlotte," Charlotte smiled in response.

"And yes, much to my eternal surprise Charlotte, I am finding life as a married lady infinitely more agreeable than I had ever expected," Esther smiled again, "Babington is a kind and generous husband. There is a lot that can be said for a man of honour."

She scrutinised Charlotte for a moment, "But I suspect you know that, don't you? For myself, men and honour were at such odds with one another that I had long since dismissed the notion as a work of fiction."

Charlotte replied thoughtfully, "Yet, I sometimes wonder if there is such a great distinction between honour and pride."

Esther was about to speak when something over Charlotte's shoulder caught her eye.

Her attention back on Charlotte, she spoke quietly, "Honour cannot be taught, Charlotte, but pride cometh before a fall thus giving us hope of eventual redemption."

Esther smiled brightly, "Ah, Babington. Charlotte and I are becoming reacquainted."

Charlotte turned to greet Lord Babington, but the words were lost at the sight of Sidney who stood alongside. Belatedly, she greeted both gentlemen,

"Lord Babington, how nice to see you," She turned to his companion; "Mr Parker." Charlotte inclined her head in polite acknowledgement.

"Twice in one day, Miss Heywood. What a pleasant surprise," Sidney smiled and held her gaze for a moment before greeting Lady Babington.

"The first set is about to be called. Will you honour your husband by dancing with him?" Babington asked Esther.

Esther smiled and took the hand offered her, "I would be delighted. Charlotte, you too must find a partner ... this is a ball after all." She looked expectantly at Sidney as she left.

"Miss Heywood? Can I tempt you?" Sidney spoke softly.