The Future of Sanditon

Part 7

Part Seven

{Thank you, all of you for your love and encouragement! Keep in mind while reading that this is absolutely NOT the end and please don't hate me when you finish this part!!}

Eliza took her time in giving Miss Heywood a nasty smile as she walked by. So much so, that when she turned again to face her fiancé he was gone. It seemed every gentleman in the whole of Vauxhall was wearing the same jacket and hat. Not wishing to look foolish she continued on towards the carriages and slowed her pace to seem more casual, knowing that he would likely be riding his horse back to Bedford Place and she planned to go there directly to meet him and discuss his behavior this evening.

As she reached the main entrance and sent her man for her carriage, she suddenly felt a soft tap on her shoulder and came face to face with Charlotte Heywood.

"Mrs. Campion," she began and Eliza was too surprised to say anything as Charlotte continued, "I only wished to tell you that I am sorry."

Eliza laughed, "For heaven's sake, I don't care if you dance with Sidney! I won the race you pathetic creature. And I am certain that in time you will see that Sanditon is not for you either. My considerable investment—"

"You misunderstand me I think," Charlotte interrupted, "I have no designs on upsetting your future plans or your relationship with Mr. Parker."

Eliza's face twisted with confusion and malice.

"What I wished to say is this," Charlotte continued calmly and clearly, "I am sorry for whatever has happened to you or what you have witnessed in your life which has so obviously hurt you." She swallowed and went on, "I wish to say that I truly hope that you and Mr. Parker find happiness with one another, and that I am grateful to you."

Eliza shook her head in disbelief and confusion, "For what exactly."

Charlotte glanced over her shoulder and Eliza noticed that Lady Susan was headed in their direction.

"My time here in London has been quite the education in human nature and especially the manners of upper society. Many of the people here are false to the point of deceiving even themselves. They put on kind manners and airs of friendship and reach for a knife behind your back; Mrs. Campion, you have always been straight forward in regards to your feelings for me and I appreciate and thank you for the honesty and consistency of your behavior. I truly do hope that you find in yourself and your upcoming marriage the love and happiness you require to mend your heart and life fully and love without constraint. I hope that this will clarify to you that I am no threat to your happiness and am dedicated to helping the works at Sanditon. Your future in-laws are dear to my heart and I have no ill will towards you or your investments. Please, allow me to continue working with Lady Denham and Mr. Tom Parker unhindered and I will be a most dedicated help. That is all, good evening Mrs. Campion."

With that Charlotte turned and joined her friend and patroness once more. Eliza was baffled. She expected a fight, a verbal tongue lashing or tears and upset from this simple country girl. The last thing she anticipated was pity, intelligence, and a depth of understanding regarding the human condition and behavior that was surprising in one so young. Eliza did not know how long she stood there with her gloved hand delicately touching her mouth and her other hand on her belly. What am I doing? Am I really going to force this unhappy union on one of the few people in my life who freely gave me his heart once and wished me happiness? Sidney is a good man, with a true heart and a loving family. She recalled her youthful relationship with Sidney and was instantly filled with regret. She had truly seen him as something to entertain and amuse herself with then, all the while keeping one eye on the potentiality of making a better financial match through marriage. Even now she wanted him because of his inherent goodness, she knew that once they were married and he found out about the pregnancy he would never question her, raise the child like his own, and be the best husband and father he was able to be regardless of his personal attachments or feelings on the matter. He was by far the most honorable man she had ever known which made him the perfect mark for her to use as a fool where her pregnancy was concerned.