Sanditon Season 2: The River and the Man

Chapter 22

Captain Warrick sat in the comfortable parlor that night in reflective thought of the young woman upstairs and her presence in his cousin's house. Lady Susan rarely did anything without reason and he had not understood her actions in regards to Miss Heywood. Who was playing who, he wondered?

"You look deep in thought dear cousin." Lady Susan said coming to sit near. "A ponderous mind deserves breath for troubled thoughts." Her lavender gown rustled as she moved.

He nodded and took a long drag from his smoke before putting it out in her presence. "I but deliberate on the presence of your house guest," he admitted honestly and looked to her face studying her for a moment. "What is the game, Susan?"

She laughed outraged. "What makes you believe there is any game where she is concerned. Aiden, I play games with other courtly ladies, but innocents I never harm," she said wounded. "You have spent little time with me the past few years besides brief encounters discussing our business. I am afraid your view of me is limited of late and tainted by the nature of our financial affairs."

Captain Warrick frowned and digested his cousin's defense and watched her shift and move in her seat.

"That young woman is without sin. Or near too." She stood and poured herself a brandy. "That is what fascinates me about her. Many would think her common but her mind is sharp and she adapts well to any society."

Captain Warrick nodded. "I have noticed that." he thought of Miss Lambe and Mr. Molyneux. Tipping the rest of his glass back in a single drink and went to refill it again while Susan turned with her crystal glass in hand.

"I had hoped to make her in my image. Marry well, perhaps catch a duke's eye. One worthy of her... but she shows no interest in any of that. I have tempted her to scheme with me like we always have but she never engaged, yet was generous and did not admonish me in her explanation to decline. She just said she didn't want London to change who she was brought up to be." Susan smiled sentimentally. "She grew up in Willingden which I know little of, but they seem a good sort if she is any measure of the place."

Captain Warrick eyed her. "What is your plan now, since she does not plan on engaging in our affairs?"

Lady Susan sighed. "Well it has evolved dear cousin." she sat. "I simply want her to shine here for the season. I fear she will not likely stay with me as far as Brighton and the rowdy way my dear Prinny is and those that surround him. My dear Charlotte does not feel as if she belongs. But Aiden you should see her, she simply glows under the ballroom lighting."
Captain Warrick went back to sit. "Has she yet met our dear friend?" he asked.

She nodded. "Just a reception line. He has been busy of late with all the projects he starts." Lady Susan understood Mrs. Mary Parker and her misery of loving someone so easily fixated. Her own beloved was obsessed with many cities and building projects it had bankrupt the monarchy.

"There has been little time for him to form an acquaintance with her but I speak of her often when I am with him." she went on in regards to Miss Heywood's introduction to their Prince Regent.

He frowned. "You are not afraid of him making her one of many others, very like yourself?"

Lady Susan laughed. "Miss Heywood cannot be tempted by the Prince Regent. I promise you she is a woman stirred by a far more rugged figure." she laughed. "Someone like you perhaps."

Shaking his head Captain Warrick replied. "If she is as you say she is not for the likes of me."

Lady Susan shook her head. "If she could settle you then maybe, but I don't suppose you can be tamed can you?"

He laughed. "I could marry a fortune, live a loveless marriage happily, but settle down I could never do. Fatherhood disturbs me." he stretched his neck as if exercising an ache.

She laughed at the irony of the statement. "But you are a father many times over."

He nodded. "Bastards don't really count, do they? A gentleman is not expected to raise them, just support and depending on where they lie in society the bills add up."

Susan looked to Lord Feathersly who found Captain Warrick stormy and often postured around him. It wasn't dislike, just acknowledgment of masculinity and awareness. Lady Susan found it charming. He was such a clever bird.

"You are supposed to be near your cage at this time my love. Do you want to be tucked in?" she asked picking him up with her fingers.

Captain Warrick watched his cousin leave and looked back to the flames and thoughts of Miss Heywood. He fell in love too many times and lives were ruined in short order. He had stayed away from women for a few years only making connections at landfall, but he tried to stay busy. But bastards were born and at last count, he had ten. Only two he had seen.

He learned to bed women he disliked or paid for it. Like the woman, he was using now. She was pretty enough, but she wanted to use him. It was easier for him to keep boundaries when he didn't respect them. Those types often got rid of encumberments, where those he had a real affection for were not the sort to do such a thing.

If he and Miss Heywood were to come together he would have yet another bastard on his hands and yet another broken heart that he would mourn for he was not a steady man.

Looking coldly into the flames he had to swallow some self-loathing but the bitterness was numbing.