Sanditon Season 2: The River and the Man

Chapter 17

Early December-

Lord Feathersly sipped from his mistresses cup as Lady Susan stroked the back of him while he stretched his wings looking at the sweet bouquet of flowers. Another gesture from yet a new admirer of Miss Heywood.

Looking up she found the very person strolling her way with her nose stuck in a book.

"Not Heraclitus again," she teased.

Charlotte sat down clumsily since it was just them. She was able to be less refined, but Lady Susan remained perfectly poised whatever the situation. Even in her exuberance.

"No, just a copy of one of my other favorites. I think of Sidney when I read Heraclitus, but Thomas Moore is sobering." she drummed on the leather cover.

"What are these?" Charlotte asked sniffing the white daisies and apple blossoms.

Lady Susan frowned. "For you. Innocent-Daisies, and preference-Apple blossoms" she told her identifying the meaning of the flowers.

"Who sent them?" she asked.

"Old Lord Atherby." she clicked her tongue. "But you do not care a whit." Susan smiled warmly and poured Charlotte a cup of tea. "I have watched you these last weeks."

Charlotte nibbled. "And what discernment of my character have you found me out on?"

Susan laughed and sipped. "You are everything you claim to be."
Charlotte laughed and watched Lord Feathersly bob and weave his way to her. Naturally, she lifted her hand for him to climb.

"Charlotte." he cawed and flapped his wings proudly. "Feathersly.
Feathersly." he repeated until she scratched the top head feathers that were on full bloom.

Susan continued. "I have watched you be courted by both eligible and rich men. Turned down two ill-conceived proposals and entirely ignored numerous others that sought to court you."

She laughed. "You are more than elegant and charming at the balls that I have taken you too and never have taken me up on schemes to take capitol from very silly men." she frowned. "I can't tell if I am disappointed or impressed." She laughed.

Charlotte shrugged. "I am just not that person." the confession felt judgmental and hurried to explain it so as not to cause offense. "I don't really want to marry unless I love and that is just not possible. And as to schemes they often end in cycles of regret for many, which I feel has been the case for so many in my observation," she said sadly.

Susan appraised her with a soft sentimental smile. "True my dear, indeed that is the case. To rise to the place I found myself I did have to do a good many lamentable things." she took her hand across the small tea table. "I must confess, your actions have only gained you greater popularity," Susan explained. "The Beau Monde positively expected you to be a fortune hunter but after these weeks you have already had interest and tactfully rebuffed every one of them. You are gaining the admiration of the ladies in force now too and not just for a connection closer to me." she marveled.

Charlotte smiled. "They are just people. Well..." she frowned. "Most of them. Some of them are real beasts." she laughed thinking of a few clumsy men who could not keep their salacious mouth to themselves and she had nearly been a victim too many times to count.

Susan's eyes sparkled again. "You have not given up on your Mister Parker?"

Charlotte's gaze dropped and she shook her head. "On marriage, yes... I will always-" she smiled. "He is still the most amiable man of my acquaintance and that will never change."

Susan squinted. "There still has yet been a marriage." She reflected. "Don't you think it rather odd?"

Charlotte shook her head. "What do I know about engagements?" she dismissed nervously with a sadness behind her eyes.