Sanditon Season 2: The River and the Man

Chapter 73

The seats at dinner that night were changed and Charlotte sat on the same side as Lord and Lady Babington just across from him while Sidney sat to one side of Eliza and Captain Warrick on the other.

He breathed a sigh of relief that he would not be seated directly next to Charlotte but their eyes would have cause to meet more throughout the meal.

His actions earlier that day gave him cause for regret. He did not wish to put her ill at ease but could not help how confused he found himself in her presence.

The thunder and lighting put just about everyone on edge beside's the Captain.

"How was your outing today Miss Heywood?" Mrs. Campion said spooning her beef tenderloin soup.

Charlotte smiled and glanced at her. "Stormy," she answered. "I visited the post for Lady Denham, and -"

Mrs. Campion frowned. "The post. I guess you are a servant if Lady Denham makes you curry her correspondence."

Esther glared across the table made easier by her position directly on the other side. "I happen to know it was a delicate matter and not something to leave in a servant's hands. And you would do well to refrain from such blatant snubs of Miss Heywood in my presence. How would you imagine Lady Worcester would look on it? The relentless cutting of her closest friend and companion?"

Lord Babington cleared his throat. "Come now, we can all be friends here, can we not?"

Mrs. Campion blushed prettily and smiled as she flashed her charm at them. "Oh please forgive any imagined slight. I was just teasing." she tried to laugh but none at the table replied in kind.

Charlotte took her napkin and wiped her mouth delicately and swallowed while closing her eyes to stem tears from appearing.

"Save your false excuses, Mrs. Campion. It is transparent the intended meaning that was implied." Esther said with a hiss.

Charlotte put her napkin down and bowed her head. "Please excuse me." she stood as the three gentlemen stood as was customary.

"Miss Heywood, please," Lord Babington said hopeful. "There is still more to eat."

Charlotte shook her head. "I am not hungry, and I wish to just read in my room." She curtsied and her eyes went to Sidney who looked angry and desires to step out and stop her but she knew he was rooted and for that, she was thankful for. She wanted to go.

The gentlemen were just seating themselves when Esther stood and the were standing again "I am afraid I happened to find the present company tedious. I think perhaps I too will retire." she said looking to her husband.

Sidney looked to his right and leaned towards his fiance. "That was very badly done." He said through clenched teeth. "How dare you insult the host."

Eliza frowned and took another drink. "Really, what did you do on that ride to and from town?" she asked with a bite.
Sidney looked at her with barely tethered rage. "It is impolite for you to remain at a table full of men," he said through clenched teeth. "You will excuse yourself and retire for the evening."

She looked at him and pouted. "So early?" she asked. "I will be terribly bored," she complained in a whisper.

He shook his head. "You should have thought about that before you opened your mouth. I also suggest you take breakfast in your room as well."

She glared at him and stood as they followed her in the action. "I suppose I shall retire tonight as well. It is so unfortunate for we still had much to discuss on the play did we not Captain Warrick?" she asked him.

She did not note the struggle he had bringing a smile to his face. It was well trained to be detected as false.

"Another time. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon," he said with a bow.

She smiled at Lord Babington. "I assure you I meant no discourtesy to the Hostess, my apologies."

Lord Babington struggled to remain in good humor. He instead just inclined his head.

Feeling awkward she left the room wondering how on earth her words had ended what promised to be a diverting night talking with Captain Warrick and his many thrilling stories about being on the sea. She had just wished to point out that Miss Heywood was doing servants' work and she wanted to understand her real status in the house. Servant or companion?

Was Warrick interested in Miss Heywood? Surely not as a wife. But what if he was?

Eliza could not ignore the physical prompts she was given all day while they talked of the play.

No, it could not have been imagined by his proximity to her today in the drawing-room as they designed out the choices of plays they had found. He had pressed so familiarly against her, his hand touching the side of hers as they drew and penciled in new ideas. Their fingers brushing as they passed books back and forth.

She had not laughed in a long time... Today she had done that more than the last decade. Could he choose to lavish attentions on her over Miss Heywood? Sidney had chosen to promise himself to her, but his heart never quite followed his mind.

Had she lashed out to devalue Miss Heywood in front of both men? Her cheeks darkened in shame and realized that was exactly what she had done. She hurried to her room and closed her eyes regretfully. This only served to devalue herself in all of their eyes.

How was she always digging herself in a deeper hole? She never had such trouble before meeting Miss Heywood.

—-

"The fairer sex." Captain Warrick sighed as he poured the port that night while they all sparked up their smokes.

Sidney's eyebrows rose and he shook his head. "My fiance does not know when to guard her tongue," he said drinking it down. "But yet she is old enough and well enough connected to know better."

The thunder boomed and they all looked out. "Miss Heywood was hurt." Lord Babington said with a glance at Sidney as the man shifted.

"I am trying to reign the woman in, but it is damned impossible. She acts like she controls everything around her." Sidney said as he sucked his smoke down.

Captain Warrick blew circles out. "Too rich for her own good," he said with a chuckle. "She thinks she runs you, and you are not in a position to tell her otherwise." he blew smoke out and regarded him seriously. "You would if you were married."

Sidney sighed and shook his head. "Would that the day never comes."

The captain poured him another glass. "Careful what you wish for Mr. Parker. It might just come true." he cautioned him.

Sidney regarded him and rubbed his forehead in thought.

Lord Babington cleared his throat. "I think we should finish our drinks and I will go convince Lady Babington to convince Charlotte to join us in the Parlor."

Captain Warrick nodded. "Indeed, I think that a capital idea. The night should not be stolen from all of us over bitter words between the ladies," he said pouring them all another glass.