Sanditon Season 2: The River and the Man

Chapter 93

Esther could hear the drama down the stairs from where she sat indecorously on the landing with a glass of Champagne a servant brought her.

The drama was tedious, two lovers cursed by a mad master. Set in the far land of Russia, she rolled her eyes as it was narrated. Snow and ice as the backdrop with white linen sheets and cut out painted log style houses with onion tops.

She bit into an apple as she watched.

The aging Mrs. Campion played the young heiress turned slave by the evil motives of a bad notary.

She found the story creative but the company below kept her aloof with feigned complaints of a headache. She would never again be in the same room as Clara.

Charlotte turned and spied her and she smiled. Esther rolled her eyes as she watched her friend rise from her seat next to Lady Denham and slip out into the foyer and up the stairs.

Esther moved over her eyes still on the stage below from her perch.

"Why are you watching from here?" Charlotte asked.

Esther smiled and sighed. "Hiding," she confessed. "Now tell me, how did it start?"

Charlotte looked back to the actors in their elaborate furs and speaking with strange accents.

"Well, the heroin was raised by a duke as a daughter, in fact, she is his daughter but she does not know. He dies as a terrible man hides the will where she would have had everything. The house and even her is sold to a terribly cruel man who had desired her for a long time. There is also the disgusting nephew of the duke, he tries to burn the will..."

Esther smiled cruelly. "How did Clara look when they tried to burn the will?" she asked.

Charlotte frowned. "I don't know. I was watching the play," she said.

Esther looked back at the gathering of nearly thirty people and sighed. "Did lady Denham ever tell you what she did to be sent from Sanditon?" she asked.

Charlotte shook her head. "I imagine it was terribly indecent..." her voice trailed off in thought of what she had witnessed on the walk to Sanditon the first time.

Esther frowned and turned from the scene. "She lay with Edward right there, after burning her will of course. Right there where she is strategically sat," she said turning to point. "I wonder if lady Denham did that on purpose..." she said to herself more.

Charlotte blushed and looked horrified. "Right there where anyone could have come upon them?" she asked shocked. "Did you-" she cut herself off thinking it highly inappropriate to ask such a question.

Esther shook her head. "No, she gloated about it. It broke my heart." She said softly. "I once was in love with my stepbrother. Foolish girl I was," she said quietly. "Do you find me repulsive?"

Charlotte shook her head and put her hand on hers. "No, I find your brother repulsive," she admitted.

Esther smiled and gripped her hand tightly. "He is," she whispered. "I am thankful that our paths have had little cause to cross. Clara is a snake though. She will do whatever she can to come close to Lady Denham again." she bit her nail nervously.

"What has you so worried?" Charlotte asked.

Esther sighed. "I have a good standing in society as Lady Babington. I would not want rumors to circulate again when they are now well buried here."

Charlotte smiled and patted her hand. "How are the children?" she asked changing the topic.

Esther smiled. "Little Charlotte turned over first." she shared. "Just this afternoon."

Charlotte smiled at that. "Beat her brother to it."

Lord Babington spied them and exited the room to join them on the stair.

"Babington, with you leaving you are going to bring too much attention to me here." Esther chided her husband.

He smiled and nodded to Charlotte. "I but wanted to be sure all was well here," he said taking the stair.

Esther scoffed. "Clara Brereton is under the same roof as me. How do you think I am?" she asked.

Lord Babington nodded. "I can imagine," he said and looked to Charlotte. "I have something I wanted to talk to you about," he said seriously.

Esther frowned. "And now is the right time?" she asked.

He blushed and nodded. "I have the nerve right now." he sighed. "Besides with the potential scene I think you may not shriek at me or throw things," he said.

Esther rolled her eyes. "What is it?" she asked.

He sighed. "Denham place." he started.

She shrugged. "What about it?" she asked.

He looked to Charlotte then back to his wife. "Well, I bought it." He confessed. "Edward does not know it was me, I purchased it with the help of a middle man and I just got news today the purchase went through. Seems Sir Denham is in great need of funds and did not think anyone would be interested in the old place."

She stood and for a moment Charlotte feared she would smack him or flee in anger but instead she threw her arms about him.

"But why?" she asked.

He smiled. "There was always something haunting and special about that place." he pushed her hair back a little. "It is beautiful there and It was where I first asked you to be my wife."

"But it is a crumbling ruin." she protested.

He shook his head. "It is nothing to my fortune, We could tear it down to its foundation if you wanted." he kissed her as she kissed him back. "Denham place is ours now."

She shook her head. "No, don't tear it down." she protested. "It will need a new name," she whispered.

He nodded and looked to Charlotte who sat beaming at the happy couple. "It will, for it will have a new legacy."

The play continued behind them as Charlotte slipped back into watch the conclusion.