Sanditon Season 2: Finding Their Way Back To Each Other

Chapter 7: Antigua

~~Sidney~~

The hurt I felt after leaving the Heywood home was unbearable. Even with our time apart, seeing Charlotte again made my heart ache to be with her. To be a better man for her. I was just a shell of a man without her. I had no purpose.

I began to head back towards London but thought better of it and decided I didn't belong there any longer. I told myself I needed to be sure Georgiana made it back to Sanditon safely. These roads were dangerous for an inexperienced driver. I stopped at the hilltops and watched as three women boarded the carriage. I assumed the third must be Charlotte's sister Alison she spoke fondly of. Why they were returning to Sanditon, I wondered.

I followed behind the carriage at a safe distance so I wasn't detected but could still ensure they made it safely. I was surprised to see the carriage pull up in front of Lady D's home and the girls get out. I watched from the safety of the trees on the back of my horse as they said goodbye to Georgiana and then turned towards the young man who drove them. A brother perhaps with the way they laughed and hugged him before leaving.

As curious as I was to see what they were doing at Lady Denham's, I couldn't stay there in the trees all night waiting for a glimpse of Charlotte. When I couldn't wait any longer, I followed the carriage the rest of the way into Sanditon and watched from afar that Georgiana was safely back at Mrs. Griffiths. Once she was safe, I walked to the Crowne Hotel and checked into a room. I had a restless night of sleep as thoughts of Charlotte at Lady Denham's betrayed my mind. I finally decided to get up and go for a swim. I found that the cold water refreshed me and cleared my mind. The town was silent when I walked down towards the beach. Not a soul in sight anywhere. The crisp morning air cooled my cheeks and chapped my lips.

It appeared someone had beat me to the cove and was already swimming in the sea. I watched from afar. What was strange about it, was the sight of thin white cloth floating in the water. No man would be in the sea with clothing on.

Charlotte.

I turned my head and hid behind a rock when I saw her peak her head above the water and realized it was her. I felt ashamed for watching her. What on earth was she doing? I couldn't help but take another peek from behind the rock and smiled at the sight of her. The wet material of her shift clung to her body, arousing me in ways I hadn't felt before. I thought about the time she walked up on me in a similar way. I suppose we were even now. I stayed hidden until she was gone, not wanting to reveal myself to her just yet. I didn't want her to think I had followed her, even though that was entirely what I did.

After my own long swim and some food, I walked to the post office. I sent a letter to Arthur letting him know Georgiana was safely back in Sanditon as I felt he cared more than anyone for her safety and would be sure to share the news. I let him know I planned to stay in Sanditon for a time to ensure her safety.

I sent a letter to Crowe also letting him know I was in Sanditon for a time. I asked him to oversee my business affairs in my absence.

The last letter I sent was for Eliza. I tried to find the words to explain how I couldn't marry her. How I couldn't be in a loveless marriage for the rest of my life. How I couldn't be connected to money tainted by slavery as hers was. How sorry I was for taking advantage of her money. How I hoped she could be a decent person and not ruin Georgiana or Charlotte's reputations. If I had to take the fall for it, I would. I could recover from a scandal.

Everything I tried to write came out wrong, though. I fumbled over my words and found nothing seemed to express what I really wanted to say. Instead I kept it simple.

Postpone the wedding.

After leaving the post office, I noticed Charlotte at the building site with her sister speaking to Mr. Robinson. I watched curiously and wondered what they would be talking about. She never seemed to speak to him before. Was this a new friendship? Their conversation seemed intense and revolved around the building site. For a moment, I thought Alison caught me watching them. I quickly ducked into one of the shops to hide myself. A few moments later I watched the two girls walk arm in arm past the shop and towards Mrs. Griffiths. Once again Alison turned and looked directly at me in the shop. She knew I was there but didn't seem to say anything to Charlotte.