Sanditon Season 2: The River and the Man

Chapter 14

Esther looked around the fine parlor and then to the company she had. Lady Worcester and Miss Heywood looked like a pair of the finest ladies in London and to be frank it was a very sharp contrast to the young lady she had met in Sanditon.

Lady Susan was adept at small talk littered with depth and meaning, but one had to be clever to notice.

"You have made a fortunate friendship Miss Heywood," Esther said over her tea.

Charlotte blushed and smiled. "I am fortunate in all my acquaintances of late," she said warmly to Lady Babington.

Esther gifted a rare honest laugh. "Indeed. The papers are talking endlessly of the mysterious Miss H that has been introduced to over half the Beau Monde." She sighed smiling a true and genuine grin. "It is all very entertaining, and shocking now that I know it is you."

Charlotte blushed as Lady Susan was introducing Lord Babington more to Lord Feathersly and it was just the two Sanditon acquaintances left to their own gossip.

"So my dear Miss Heywood... Be honest, is it all a ploy to get Sidney Parker?" she asked directly.

Charlotte grew sad and serious. "No.," she said simply. "He has a fiance and to break that promise would court censure from the Beau Monde and we all know he needs them to make Sanditon a success."

Esther frowned. "Then what is Lady Worcester doing with you. She is gambling very hard with your reputation my dear."

Charlotte winced at the possibility that her close friendship was in any way a liability.

"Lady Susan wants me here. I am just here as a companion even if she has grand designs for me they are not for myself." she smiled. "I do what she wants, for if not I could offend or embarrass her."

Esther smiled. "You could leave, go back to Willingden. Maybe marry a tradesman."

Charlotte shook her head.

Esther put down her cup and smiled leaning forward. "Curiosity keeps you rooted does it not?"

Charlotte smiled nervously. "I am in it more for the adventure I confess. Fortune never really appealed to me."

"But don't you understand adventure and fortune are good bedfellows." she looked to her own dear husband. "I confess I did not love my husband as I do now... I too courted adventure and found Lord Babington. He mercifully has enough money and zest for life that I could not pass up the chance at seeing more than Sandton with him."

Charlotte smiled and nodded. "Seeing more of England and perhaps other places may be in my future. With Lady Susan, almost anything feels possible."

"She has become somewhat of a fairy godmother to you hasn't she?" Esther asked.

Charlotte smiled. Her well-dressed hair in perfect order Esther had to just look at her a moment her eyes sparkling. What would Sidney think if he could see her here? Dressed as the finest lady even over the finery of Mrs. Campion. Indeed somehow Charlotte looked effortlessly the lady.

"Forgive me," Esther said shaking her head. "I am quite taken back by your appearance."

Charlotte blushed and pulled her deep blue stole over her shoulders. "I know, I became quite skinny," she said self consciously.

Esther nodded. "Heartbreak is not easy my dear, but it has given you an air of maturity." her eyes swept up her frame. "Your cheeks look rosy and full. You look in the midst of your prime my dear miss Heywood." she appraised her more openly. "In your eyes, there is something deeply alluring. It must be the beauty of sorrow," she said sentimentally. "Sidney has it too."

Charlotte's heart leaped at the mention of her would have been suitor but she dashed that emotion as quickly as she could.

"How is Miss Georgiana?" Charlotte asked changing the subject.

Esther rolled her eyes and laughed. "You should see how Miss Lambe and Mrs. Campion get on." her tone implying that they didn't get along at all.
Charlotte frowned and felt guilty. She didn't want to gossip about those close to Sidney. Indeed she only wanted to hear of her friend.

"Miss Lambe is very outspoken in regards to Sidney's choice in a partner. Unfortunately, rumors have circulated that she is in love with her guardian but that is simply not true." she laughed. "Lately anyone who see's Sidney or Mrs. Campion together all believe the engagement to be a great tragic joke."

Charlotte winced. "I am sorry to hear that. I had hoped for his choice to be a happy one."

Esther scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You lie Miss Heywood." she grinned conspiratorially. "I detected a spark of joy from you." she picked up her cup again.

Charlotte shook her head. "Indeed not. Just happy of your company and a renewal of our acquaintances."

Esther rolled her eyes dramatically. "Let us speak honestly Charlotte if you permit me to call you."

She nodded and took a deep breath worried that Sidney would be brought up. "Of course."

"I was not nearly as solicitous of you before, for that, I apologize. I have a habit of passing judgment quickly and I dismissed you as unimportant. But I see now how wrong I was." she said hoping to heal whatever icy relation lingered between them.

Charlotte smiled and nodded. "No need."

Esther smiled as Lady Susan and her husband entered and more random conversation resumed without the taint of intrigue.